The Harrisburg Senators got back on the winning track today, beating the Erie Seawolves 7-3 on City Island to salvage the finale of their 3 game series and break their 6 game losing streak. The Senators used some of the hallmarks of their winning, early season play - strong pitching, good defense, and timely hitting - to post the victory. Harrisburg struck first in the bottom of the 2nd inning, scoring a pair of runs on a Alex Escobar infield single, a Frank Diaz double, a Josh Whitesell RBI groundout (scoring Escobar), and a Rich Lane RBI single (scoring Diaz) to jump out to a 2-0 lead. Erie cut the lead to 2-1 in the top of the 4th, but the Senators responded with 2 runs in the bottom half of the frame, with Whitesell hitting a 2-run homer after Diaz reached on an infield single. Harrisburg tacked on 3 more runs in the bottom of the 5th, using singles by a rehabbing Robert Fick and Melvin Dorta, a 2-run triple to the RF corner by Kory Casto, and an RBI single up the middle by Escobar to finally chase Erie starter Jeremy Johnson after 4+ innings and conclude Harrisburg's scoring for the day. It was more than enough, as Danny Rueckel gave up only 1 run in 4 innings in a spot start, and recent call-up Gerald Plexico pitched 3 scoreless innings to pick up his first AA win. Devin Perrin struggled with his control in his 1+ innings of work, giving up 2 runs in the 9th to allow Erie to pull within 7-3, but Roy Corcoran came on to induce a double-play and also recorded a strikeout to end the threat and game with no further damage.
General game notes:
- Shortstop Ian Desmond again did not play after Friday's minor back injury; he is day-to-day.
- The Senators turned 2 double-plays, including a very impressive 6-4-3 DP in the 1st inning as SS Melvin Dorta made a very nice stop to his right and threw accurately to 2nd base, 2B Dan Dement made a good turn, and 1B Rich Lane made a fine scoop.
- The Erie CF misplayed Frank Diaz' 2nd inning double, initially coming in on a ball that went over his head. It helped open the floodgates for the Senators offense.
- The Senators' regular public address announcer, Chris Andree, wasn't at the game, so the team's assistant GM/second radio announcer Mark Mattern filled in on the in-stadium microphone.
Individual Harrisburg Senators player notes:
Frank Diaz - went 2 for 4 with a double, single, and 2 runs scored, increasing his batting average to .336 and his OBP/SLG/OPS to .368/.473/.841. He wasn't able to catch a low liner that would have been a heck of a catch, but he did keep the ball in front of him and made a good throw on a deep shot to the RF gap that ended up being a double but had a chance to be a triple.
Kory Casto - enjoyed a 2 for 4 game with a triple, single, 2 RBI's, a run scored, and a stolen base. He's now hitting .294 and has OBP/SLG/OPS numbers of .407/.480/.887. In the field he made a nice play on a ball that took a short hop and also started an around the horn 5-4-3 double play in the 9th inning.
Robert Fick - continues to heat up in his rehab, as he went 2 for 4 with 2 singles, a walk, and a run scored. His batting average in Harrisburg is up to .273, after being below .200 for much of April. He played RF in the field today.
Alex Escobar - enjoyed a 2 for 3 day with 2 singles, a walk, an RBI, and a run scored. He continues to hit well in Double A. He also had an outfield assist throwing out a runner trying to stretch a single into a double after Escobar couldn't quite catch a low line drive to LF.
Josh Whitesell - had a strong 1 for 2 day with a 2-run homer, a walk, 3 RBI's, and a run scored. He again was the DH today, just like he was on Saturday night.
Salomon Manriquez - did not play; Josh Emmerick started behind the plate for the Senators.
Danny Rueckel - in the second start of his professional career, giving up 1 run in 4 innings and surrendering 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 4 batters. He was still very effective when he left the game prior to the 5th inning.
Gerald Plexico - picked up the win by pitching 3 scoreless innings (5-7), giving up 2 hits. He walked no batters and struck out 4 men.
Devin Perrin - struggled with his control in 1+ innings, walking 3 batters and also giving 3 hits (2 of which were softly hit). He also worked 3-ball counts to 2 other batters he eventually retired.
Roy Corcoran - cleaned up Perrin's mess, getting a double-play groundout and a strikeout to end the game. He didn't allow either inherited runner to score.
MILB.com box score
