SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE RAILRIDERS

GAME REPORT

Game One

Pawtucket   9    Scranton/Wilkes-Barre   5

8 innings

Game Two

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre   8    Pawtucket   4

10 innings

PAWTUCKET, RI (August 29, 2019) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders split an extra inning-filled doubleheader at Pawtucket Thursday, falling 9-5 in game one in eight and winning game two 8-4 in ten. The twinbill split, coupled with a Syracuse win, maintains a share of first place for the RailRiders with four games left in the 2019 regular season.

Pawtucket took a 1-0 lead in the second inning of game one off Scranton/Wilkes-Barre starter Adonis Rosa. Jantzen Witte singled in Josh Ockimey. The RailRiders evened the score, however, on a sac fly from Erik Kratz in the top of the third.

After the PawSox regained the lead in the home half of the third, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre took a 3-2 lead in the top of the fourth on a two-run home run by Clint Fraizer; his eighth in Triple-A this season.

Juan Centeno doubled to lead off the bottom of the fourth, stole second and scored on a throwing error to tie the game. In the home half of the fifth, Michael Chavis, with Pawtucket on a Major League rehab assignment, and Ockimey each hit solo home runs off reliever Joe Mantiply, giving the Red Sox a 5-3 advantage.

Wendell Rijo homered in the sixth and Breyvic Valera scored on a Trey Amburgey RBI single in the seventh as the RailRiders tied the game at five.

In the home half of the eighth, after Scranton/Wilkes-Barre could not take the lead, Chance Adams hit two batters on two-strike counts before allowing a walk-off grand slam to Centeno.

Adams (4-4) took the loss while former RailRider Colten Brewer (2-2) was charged with a blown save before vulturing the win.

In game two, Ryan McBroom hit a two-run blast to center in the top of the first to stake Brian Keller to the early lead. After Bobby Dalbec answered with a solo shot in the second, McBroom hit his second home run of the game, his 25^th this season, to give Scranton/Wilkes-Barre a 3-1 edge.

The PawSox scored twice in the fifth, evening the score on sac fly and a RBI double by C.J. Chatham.

In eighth, both clubs plated their extra inning runner. Amburgey singled home Fraizer for a 4-3 lead, but a Dalbec single drove in Chavis and the game extended on.

After neither club scored in the ninth, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre brought in four against Cole Sturgeon, a position player tasked with the tenth. With two outs and a runner on third, Sturgeon induced a pop foul that Ockimey could not glove, extending Kyle Higashioka’s at-bat. After back-to-back walks loaded the bases, Frazier scored on a wild pitch. Mandy Alvarez singled to right, bringing in a pair of runs before scoring on a Gosuke Katoh single up the middle.

J.P. Feyereisen (10-2) pitched the final two innings, striking out five of the seven batters he faced. Sturgeon (0-1) took the loss for Pawtucket, which will host its second-straight doubleheader when Lehigh Valley comes to town Friday.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre begins the final homestand of the 2019 regular season on Friday evening. Jordan Montgomery is rumored to make a rehab start for the RailRiders against the Buffalo Bisons and Nate Pearson. The first 2,500 fans, 21 and older, will receive a commemorative 30^th season beer stein. It is also Margaritaville Night and a Glow in the Park Friday with post game fireworks after the final out. Gates open at 6 p.m. with a 7:05 first pitch at PNC Field. Tickets are available now at swbrailriders.com.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Record:

73-63

 Syracuse Mets Announce 2019 Fan of the Year

Skip, Nancy and Zach Motondo have been inducted to the Fan Wall of Fame

SYRACUSE, NY - The Syracuse Mets announced the 2019 “Fan of the Year” as part of the 3^rd Annual Frederick J. Karle Fan Appreciation Day in a pre-game ceremony on the final game of the regular season.

The 2019 “Fan of the Year” is The Motondo Family, Skip, Nancy and Zach. The family has held season tickets in the same seats, in the front row of section 108, since the opening of NBT Bank Stadium in 1997.  Their families before them had season tickets in the old McArthur Stadium.

Zach, Skip and Nancy’s son, have been to just about every game since his birth over 18 years ago.  Zach was born with Down Syndrome and baseball has become a huge part of the Motondo family’s life. In addition to attending almost 70 baseball games a year, Zach also plays Challenger Baseball.

Over the years the Motondo’s have hosted players to live in their home during the season, they attend Syracuse Mets community events, and even work at the stadium. Skip is a fill in public address announcer and this year Zach began working as part of the press box staff.

“We are so happy to continue the tradition of naming a fan of the year. Each year we induct a deserving fan, who loves the team and loves baseball, and this year is no exception. Skip, Nancy and Zach are the very best of what it means to be a Syracuse baseball fan. They love the game, support the players, support the staff, support other fans, and win or lose, they come to just about every home game,” said Jason Smorol, general manager.

The Syracuse Baseball Fan Wall of Fame is named after Frederick J. Karle. Each year on the final day of the season, a new fan is inducted on Frederick J. Karle Fan Appreciation Day.  Fred was a huge fan of the then Syracuse Chiefs and had not missed an Opening Day in 75 years.  He passed in 2017 and the first “Fan of the Year” named in 2017.  The 2018 recipient was Marty Nave.

The Syracuse Mets are currently in contention to be the International League North Division champions and make the play-offs. Play-off tickets will be available at the Onondaga Coach Ticket Office at NBT Bank Stadium when the Mets clinch a play-off spot, TBD. Please check syracusemets.com or follow the Mets on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for current team standings and scores.

Rumble Ponies Fall in Series Finale, Drop Four of Five to Sea Dogs

BINGHAMTON, NY – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies dropped four of five against the Portland Sea Dogs as they fell 4-0 in the series finale Thursday night at NYSEG Stadium.

The Sea Dogs (32-35, 60-75) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Jarren Duran led the game off with a single up the middle. He came around to score on a Tommy Joseph RBI single off Tylor Megill. Joey Curletta followed with a base hit, and Charlie Madden made it 3-0 with a two-out, two-run double.

Megill (0-1) settled down after the first and allowed just an infield hit over the next four innings. He suffered the loss in his Double-A debut and allowed three runs on five hits with no walks and nine strikeouts over five innings.

Portland added one run in the seventh on a Duran RBI fielder’s choice.

The Rumble Ponies (29-42, 64-72) were limited to three hits. Edgardo Fermin and Andres Gimenez each singled, and Austin Bossart smacked a double.

Konner Wade (6-4) earned the win as he tossed seven innings and gave up just two hits.

The Rumble Ponies begin the final series of the year when they welcome the Hartford Yard Goats to NYSEG Stadium Friday at 7:05 PM on NewsRadio 1290 AM WNBF and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies channel on TuneIn. The Horizons Federal Credit Union pregame show starts at 6:50 PM.

POSTGAME NOTES: Megill, Ryder Ryan and Joe Zanghi combined to strike out 15… The Ponies have lost eight of their last nine series.

SYRACUSE MOVE INTO TIE FOR FIRST PLACE

	1:21 AM (6 hours ago)

Jed Lowrie walked and homered for Syracuse on Thursday night (Danny Tripodi).

Syracuse (August 29, 2019) - The Syracuse Mets won their final regular season home game of the season with a 2-0 victory over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Thursday night in front of an electric crowd of 8,997 at NBT Bank Stadium. With the win, Syracuse finishes the regular season with a 42-28 record at NBT Bank Stadium this year. The Mets also hold a share of first place in the International League North Division along with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders with four games left to play.

Syracuse (73-63) broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth inning. With two outs, Jed Lowrie hit a 2-2 pitch over the left-field fence for a home run that gave Syracuse a 1-0 lead.

The Mets added another run in the eighth. Rymer Liriano hit his tenth home run of the season to stretch the Syracuse lead to 2-0.

Lehigh Valley (63-72) was held off the board all day. In likely his final regular-season start, Syracuse starting pitcher Ervin Santana allowed just five hits in six shutout innings. The 36-year-old didn't allow a walk and struck out six batters in the game. In the five games the Mets have played since Monday, they have walked a total of only three batters. Mets relievers Nick Rumbelow, Stephen Nogosek, and Tyler Bashlor all pitched scoreless innings for Syracuse en route to the win.

Syracuse now begins a road series against the Rochester Red Wings for the Mets' final four games of the regular season. The first game of the series is on Friday night. RHP Corey Oswalt is scheduled to start for Syracuse. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

Simonsen Beats Tackett in Roll-off to Win PBA Bear Open

For Seventh Career Go Bowling! PBA Tour Title

Simonsen beats Tackett in second one-ball roll-off 10-9 after tying 267-267 in title match

AURORA, Ill. (Aug. 29, 2019) – After tying 267-267 in the title match, Anthony Simonsen defeated stepladder finals top seed EJ Tackett 10-9 in a second one-ball roll-off to win the PBA Bear Open Thursday at Parkside Lanes for his second Go Bowling! PBA Tour title of the season and seventh of his career.

In the second tournament of the FloBowling PBA Summer Swing presented by the Brands of Ebonite International, Simonsen’s win came after a runner-up finish to winner Sean Rash in the PBA Wolf Open Tuesday, the first tournament of the Summer Swing.

Tackett, who finished the title match first, missed a 2 pin on his fill ball in the 10th frame which opened the door for Simonsen who needed two strikes and a nine count on his fill ball to win. Simonsen couldn’t take advantage of the opportunity after he got the two strikes leaving the 3-10 split on his fill ball sending the match into overtime. Both players struck on the first roll-off ball forcing another tiebreaker which Simonsen won with a strike after Tackett left a four pin on his shot.

“I was fortunate to get into a roll-off but I didn’t get it done on that last shot,” said the 22-year-old Simonsen who uses the two-handed delivery. “I threw two good shots in the 10th but I rushed the last shot and it got away from me a little bit. Looking back, I probably should have backed off and taken more time to refocus.

“Once we both struck on the first ball (of the rolloff) I felt I had to get it done the second time because EJ was throwing the ball well too and you’re not going to get many chances against a player of his ability, said Simonsen, who was the No. 2 seed for the finals.

Simonsen won the PBA Players Championship in February for his first title of the season to become the youngest player to win two majors.

“When I first started my dream was to win one title by this time in my career but to have seven is unbelievable,” Simonsen added.”

Tackett was trying for his second title of the season and 14th of his career after winning the Barbasol PBA Tour Finals in July.

The stepladder finals started with No. 5 seed Kyle Sherman, trying for a second tour title, beating No. 4 seed 10-time tour winner Wes Malott 207-191 in the opening match.  In the second match, Sherman beat No. 3 seed four-time PBA Player of the Year Jason Belmonte 247-237 who was trying for his fifth win of the season and 23rd of his career.  Simonsen then went on to beat Sherman 278-225 in the semifinal to advance to the title match.  

With the conclusion of Bear Open qualifying earlier in the day, Simonsen led 24 players who advanced to PBA Illinois Open match play with a 6,532 28-game pinfall total (233 average). The Illinois Open is the third and final event of the week-long Summer Swing at Parkside Lanes.

The first of two Illinois Open eight-game round robin match play rounds begin Friday at 11 a.m. CT with the second round at 5 p.m. The final match play round gets underway Saturday morning 11 a.m. which will determine the top five players for the Illinois Open stepladder finals at 3:30 p.m. 

The 24 players who advanced to match play will have the added challenge of bowling on the PBA Bear 41-foot lane condition on the left lane and the Wolf 32-foot lane condition on the right lane in each match.

The entire Summer Swing is streamed live on FloBowling. For subscription information visit www.flobowling.com.

PBA BEAR OPEN

Second event of the FloBowling PBA Summer Swing presented by the Brands of Ebonite International

Parkside Lanes, Aurora, Ill., Thursday

Final Standings

1, Anthony Simonsen, Little Elm, Texas, $10,000

2, EJ Tackett, Bluffton, Ind.  $6,000

3, Kyle Sherman, O’Fallon, Mo., $4,000.

4, Jason Belmonte, Australia, $3,500.

5, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas, $2,500.

Stepladder Results

Match One –.Sherman def. Malott, 207-191.

Match Two – Sherman def. Belmonte, 247-237

Semifinal – Simonsen def. Sherman, 278-225.

Final – Simonsen def. Tackett, 267-267

(Simonsen won second one-ball roll-off 10-9 for title)

CASHERS ROUND RESULTS

(20-game pinfall totals. Top five advance to stepladder finals)

1, EJ Tackett, Bluffton, Ind., 4,672.
2, Anthony Simonsen, Little Elm, Texas, 4,647.
3, Jason Belmonte, Australia, 4,631.
4, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas, 4,505.
5, Kyle Sherman, O'Fallon, Mo., 4,493.
6, AJ Johnson, Oswego, Ill., 4,488, $2,000.
7, Jakob Butturff, Tempe, Ariz., 4,476, $1,600.
8, Jake Peters, Henderson, Nev., 4,445, $1,400.
9, Francois Lavoie, Canada, 4,422, $1,400.
10, Dom Barrett, England, 4,420, $1,000.
11, Kyle Troup, Taylorsville, N.C., 4,419, $900.
12, Tom Daugherty, Riverview, Fla., 4,402, $800.
13, Rhino Page, Spokane, Wash., 4,401, $750.
14, Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill., 4,326, $740.
15, Marshall Kent, Yakima, Wash., 4,315, $730.
16, Patrick Hanrahan, Wichita, Kan., 4,297, $720.
17, (tie) Dakota Vostry, Chicago, Ill., 4,265, and Tun Ameerul Al-Hakim, Malaysia, 4,265, $705.

SECOND ROUND QUALIFYING RESULTS

(14-game pinfall totals. Top 18 advance to cashers round)

1, EJ Tackett, Bluffton, Ind., 3,297.
2, Anthony Simonsen, Little Elm, Texas, 3,294.
3, Kyle Sherman, O'Fallon, Mo., 3,240.
4, Francois Lavoie, Canada, 3,153.
5, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas, 3,146.
6, Jason Belmonte, Australia, 3,140.
7, Kyle Troup, Taylorsville, N.C., 3,122.
8, Tom Daugherty, Riverview, Fla., 3,115.
9, Jakob Butturff, Tempe, Ariz., 3,111.
10, Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill., 3,103.
11, Dom Barrett, England, 3,095.
12, Jake Peters, Henderson, Nev., 3,088.
13, Tun Ameerul Al-Hakim, Malaysia, 3,054.
14, AJ Johnson, Oswego, Ill., 3,045.
15, Dakota Vostry, Chicago, Ill., 3,036.
16, (tie) Rhino Page, Spokane, Wash., and Marshall Kent, Yakima, Wash., 3,033.
18, Patrick Hanrahan, Wichita, Kan., 3,027.

Failed to advance:
19, Tom Sorce, Blasdell, N.Y., 3,016.
20, Bill O'Neill, Langhorne, Pa., 3,009.
21, Sam Cooley, Australia, 3,005.
22, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 2,996.
23, Ryan Ciminelli, Lancaster, S.C., 2,992.
24, Jesper Svensson, Sweden, 2,988.
25, Kamron Doyle, Brentwood, Tenn., 2,987.
26, Christopher Sloan, Ireland, 2,979.
27, Dick Allen, Lexington, S.C., 2,978.
28, (tie) Ildemaro Ruiz, Venezuela, and Shawn Maldonado, Houston, 2,975.
30, Mitch Hupe, Canada, 2,968.
31, Nicholas Pate, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., 2,965.
32, Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 2,961.
33, Brad Miller, Lees Summit, Mo., 2,958.
34, Matt Sanders, Evansville, Ind., 2,956.
35, Pontus Andersson, Sweden, 2,954.
36, Zach Doty, Campbellsville, Ky., 2,951.
37, (tie) George Duke, Vidor, Texas, and Nick Kruml, Downers Grove, Ill., 2,949.
39, Richard Teece, England, 2,941.
40, Zach Wilkins, Canada, 2,939.
41, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 2,937.
42, Greg Ostrander, Brick, N.J., 2,921.
43, Arturo Quintero, Mexico, 2,919.
44, BJ Moore, Greensburg, Pa., 2,917.
45, Michael Davidson, Versailles, Ohio, 2,916.
46, Kristopher Prather, Plainfield, Ill., 2,911.
47, Jason Sterner, Rochester, N.Y., 2,908.
48, Andrew Anderson, Holly, Mich., 2,907.
49, Michael Tang, Johnstown, Ohio, 2,902.
50, Christopher O'Neil, Decatur, Ill., 2,898.
51, (tie) Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., and Chris Via, Springfield, Ohio, 2,895.
53, James Grago, Hampstead, N.C., 2,893.
54, Josh Blanchard, Mesa, Ariz., 2,886.
55, (tie) Anthony Lavery-Spahr, Pasadena, Texas, and Zeke Bayt, Westerville, Ohio, 2,884.
57, Raul Ayala Salazar, Ecuador, 2,880.
58, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 2,875.
59, JR Raymond, Clinton Twp., Mich., 2,872.
60, (tie) John Furey, Howell, N.J., and Kurt Pilon, Sterling Heights, Mich., 2,869.
62, William Svensson, Sweden, 2,868.
63, DJ Archer, Spring, Texas, 2,854.
64, Graham Fach, Urbana, Ohio, 2,851.
65, Rafiq Ismail, Malaysia, 2,846.
66, AJ Chapman, Manchester, Iowa, 2,829.
67, Kenneth Ryan, Farmingdale, NJ, 2,818.
68, n-Kyle Salter, Montgomery. Ill., 2,807.
69, Mykel Holliman, Collierville, Tenn., 2,803.
70, (tie) Darren Tang, Las Vegas, and Tim Foy Jr., Seaford, Del., 2,794.
72, (tie) Matt Kuba, Chicago Ridge, Ill. and Zac Tackett, Huntington, Ind., 2,790.
74, (tie) Oskar Wirefeldt, Sweden, and Stuart Williams, England, 2,788.
76, Jake Rollins, Glen Rock, N.J., 2,782.
77, Greg Young, Viera, Fla., 2,771.
78, Mike Coffey, Melbourne, Fla., 2,746.
79, Osku Palermaa, Finland, 2,745.
80, (tie) Francois Louw, South Africa, and Andrew Cain, Phoenix, 2,741.
82, Russ Oviatt, Chandler, Ariz., 2,737.
83, n-Matt Russo, Fariview Heights, Ill., 2,733.
84, Christopher Dower, Cary, Ill., 2,718.
85, Andres Gomez, Colombia, 2,713.
86, Brian Robinson, Morgantown, W.Va., 2,711.
87, Ryan Lakota, Shorewood, Ill., 2,709.
88, Cody Shoemaker, Hanover, Pa., 2,706.
89, Craig Schneider, Marcy, N.Y., 2,702.
90, Chandler Stevens, Archbold, Ohio, 2,692.
91, n-Tannya Lopez, Mexico, 2,670.
92, (tie) Eduardo Astiazaran, Mexico, and Michael Martell, Brooklyn, N.Y., 2,668.
94, Andrew Suscreba, Clifton, N.J., 2,651.
95, Devin Bidwell, Wichita, Kan., 2,650.
96, John Contos, Crystal Lake, 2,640.
97, Stephen Hahn, Sterling, Va., 2,616.
98, Joe Paluszek, Bensalem, Pa., 2,542.
99, Joseph Grago, Hampstead, N.C., 2,541.
100, Richard Lupo, St. Charles, Mo., 2,493.
101, Armando Santacruz, Ecuador, 2,444.

300 games – Francois Lavoie (2)

n-denotes non-PBA member

Sogard Socks Yanks

Renegades Gather Huge Win; Stand Alone in First

STATEN ISLAND, NY—Hudson Valley Renegades second baseman Nick Sogard went 3-4 with two runs and two RBI as the top four batters in the lineup went a combined 9-19 with three RBI in the Renegades’ 6-5 win over the Staten Island Yankees Thursday evening from Richmond County Bank Ballpark.  The victory put Hudson Valley back in first all by itself in the McNamara Division over Aberdeen and Brooklyn with four games to play.

The Renegades started fast by plating three runs in the first inning.  With one out, Sogard and Alexander singled to put runners at first and second before catcher Luis Trevino lined a double to left to score Sogard and move Alexander to third.  First baseman Jacson McGowan followed and reached on a fielding error from Yankees third baseman Andres Chaparro, which allowed Alexander and Trevino to come home and up the Hudson Valley lead to 3-0.

Hudson Valley added another run in the second to increase the lead.  With two out and nobody on base, shortstop Greg Jones roped a single to center, then came around on a double to right by Sogard to make the score 4-0.

Staten Island notched its first run in the bottom-half when rightfielder Jacob Sanford ripped a solo-homer to right centerfield to make the score 4-1.  It was Sanford’s sixth homerun of the season.

The visitors though would continue to put the pressure on the Baby Bombers by scoring two runs in the fourth.  Edwards singled to center to start the inning, then went to second with one away on an errant pickoff attempt from Yankees reliever Nelvin Correa.  That set up Sogard who roped an RBI single into center to bring around Edwards.  Relief pitcher Bryan Blanton came in for Correa and allowed Alexander to ground another single into right while before getting Trevino to hit into a fielder’s choice. With runners at the corners and two away, Trevino got caught in a rundown between first and second, which allowed Sogard to score from third and give the Renegades their largest lead of the game at 6-1.

The Yankees would rally though.  In the fifth, catcher Carlos Narvaez doubled to center, then went to third on a groundout to third from Isaiah Pasteur.  DeMarco stood in next and lifted a sacrifice fly to left to push Narvaez across.  In the eighth, a walk by Josh Smith and a lined single to left from Beau Brundage put runners at first and second with one out.  After a fielder’s choice groundout from short to third put runners at first and second with two away, Sanford ripped his second homerun of the game; a three-run shot to right.  It was homerun number seven of the season for Sanford and pulled the Yankees to within one at 6-5.

But the Renegades would hang on as closer Eleardo Cabrera came in with two out and nobody on in the eighth inning and would record the final four outs of the game on only 13 pitches.  He tossed a 1-2-3 ninth to register his second save of the season on two strikeouts.

The win went to starter Hudson Valley Evan McKendry (4-1) who allowed two runs on five hits over five innings with four strikeouts.  The loss went to Correa (2-2) after he gave up six runs, four earned, on nine hits over 4.1 innings with five strikeouts.

Outside of Sogard, the Renegades got 2-5 performances from Jones, Alexander and Trevino to pace the attack.  Each man scored a run while Trevino doubled and drove in a run.  Third baseman Mason Mallard chipped in by going 2-4 on a couple of singles.

The Yankees got seven hits as Sanford went 2-4 with two homers, two runs scored, and four RBI.  Shortstop David Metzgar had a 2-4 night with two singles and a run scored.

The Renegades and Yankees wrap-up their three-game series tomorrow in a 7:00 start.  Southpaw John Doxakis (0-0, 2.20 ERA) will be on the hill for Hudson Valley against righty Blakely Brown (3-2, 3.45 ERA) of Staten Island.  

Hudson Valley returns home on Saturday, August 31^st when they begin their final home series of the regular season against the Aberdeen Ironbirds.  First-pitch is scheduled for 6:05 and there will be fireworks following the game.  Tickets are on sale and can be purchased online at hvrenegades.com, at the Dutchess Stadium ticket window, or by calling the ticket office at (845) 838-0094.

SYRACUSE WINS OVER IRONPIGS

	Wed, Aug 28, 9:48 PM (15 hours ago)

Brandon Nimmo had two hits, including a two-run home run for Syracuse on Wednesday night (Danny Tripodi).

Syracuse, NY (August 28, 2019) - The Syracuse Mets scored early and often en route to an 8-3 win on Wednesday night over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs at NBT Bank Stadium. The Mets are now a half-game back of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders for first place in the International League North division. 

Syracuse (72-63) opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning. Brandon Nimmo singled, Jed Lowrie singled, and Danny Espinosa drove in Nimmo on an RBI double, making it 1-0 Syracuse. The next batter, Dilson Herrera, plated Lowrie from third base on a sacrifice fly to give the Mets a 2-0 advantage. Grégor Blanco followed with a sac fly of his own, scoring Espinosa to put Syracuse up 3-0. 

Lehigh Valley (63-71) picked up a run in the top of the second inning. With one out, Austin Listi hit a solo home run to right field, trimming the Syracuse lead to two, 3-1. 

The IronPigs got another run in the top of the fifth inning. With two outs, Lehigh Valley starting pitcher Enyel De Los Santos singled and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Phil Gosselin then drove De Los Santos in on a double, cutting the Mets lead to one, 3-2. 

Syracuse responded in the bottom of the fifth. Sam Haggerty led off the inning with a walk. Nimmo then smashed a two-run homer over the center-field wall, extending the Mets lead to three, 5-2. 

The Mets kept the bats going in the sixth. Blanco led off with a walk. One out later, Braxton Lee singled to put two runners on before Sam Haggerty plated both Blanco and Lee on a double, putting the Mets in front 7-2.

Rymer Liriano led off the seventh inning with a walk for Syracuse. Travis Taijeron reached on an error, and one out later, Blanco picked up his third walk of the night to load the bases. Arismendy Alcantara then hit a slow ground ball in front of home plate. IronPigs relief pitcher Kyle Dohy fielded the ball and made a flip to Lehigh Valley catcher Davy Grullon for what would have been a force out, but Grullon’s foot wasn’t on home plate when he made the catch, so Liriano was safe at home to make it an 8-2 ballgame.

In the top of the ninth, José Pirela doubled, and Austin Listi brought him around on an RBI single with one out, cutting the Mets lead to five, 8-3. 

Syracuse hosts Lehigh Valley in the series finale on Thursday night. First pitch from NBT Bank Stadium is set for 6:35 p.m.

Jannis Tosses Complete Game, Fans 10 in Ponies’ Win over Sea Dogs

BINGHAMTON, NY – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies defeated the Portland Sea Dogs 7-2 Wednesday night at NYSEG Stadium. RHP Mickey Jannis threw a complete game and struck out 10, while allowing two runs on four hits.

The Rumble Ponies (29-41, 64-71) scored six runs in the sixth inning. David Thompson and Jeremy Vasquez started the rally with back-to-back singles. After a fly out, Mike Paez drew a walk to load the bases. Jacob Zanon and Cody Bohanek followed with walks of their own to bring home two runners. After a wild pitch brought Paez home, Quinn Brodey came through with a two-run single. He finished the night 2-5 with three RBI. Patrick Mazeika drove in the sixth run of the frame with an RBI double. In total 11 batters came to the plate and the Ponies had a 7-2 lead.

Portland (31-35, 59-75) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the third as Tommy Joseph smacked a two-run single to left. The Sea Dogs have scored first in each of the four games so far this series.

Matthew Kent (5-7) suffered the loss as he was tagged with four runs on nine hits over 5.1 innings.

The Rumble Ponies and Sea Dogs conclude their series Thursday at NYSEG Stadium at 6:35 PM on NewsRadio 1290 AM WNBF and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies channel on TuneIn. The Horizons Federal Credit Union pregame show starts at 6:20 PM.

POSTGAME NOTES: This was Jannis’ first win since July 4… Jannis has struck out 37 batters over his last four starts, surrendering only three earned runs… In addition to Brodey, Mazeika and David Thompson each tallied two hits… Mazeika has a team-high 69 RBI… Binghamton out-hit Portland 11-4.

Brutal…Just Brutal

Gades Blow Several Chances; Lose to Yanks

STATEN ISLAND, NY—In the heat of a pennant race, the Hudson Valley Renegades squandered a tremendous start by pitcher Edisson Gonzalez and left 11 men on base as they fell to the Staten Island Yankees 3-2 Wednesday night at Richmond County Bank Ballpark.  The bullpen could not hold a two-run lead in the late innings as the Renegades lost their fourth consecutive game to the Yankees who clinched the season series with the win.

The Renegades began the scoring in the third with a run.  Rightfielder Beau Brundage started the inning with a line drive triple into left.  After a popup and walk, shortstop Greg Jones lifted a sacrifice fly to right to score Brundage and Hudson Valley owned a 1-0 lead.

They would add another run in the fourth.  With one out, designated hitter Hill Alexander grounded a single into center.  A wild pitch moved him to second before first baseman Jacson McGowan ripped a double down the rightfield line to increase the Renegades’ lead to 2-0.

However, the Renegades let a tremendous opportunity to blow the game wide open go by the wayside in the fifth.  A single, walk, and failed fielder’s choice attempt loaded the bases with nobody out to start the frame.  With centerfielder Garrett Hiott batting the runner from third, leftfielder K.V. Edwards, was picked off on a strong throw from Yankees catcher Carlos Gallardo for the first out.  Hiott and Alexander would each follow with strikeouts and Hudson Valley came up empty.

Things stayed that way until the seventh when the Yankees scratched across two runs to tie the game.  With one out, reliever Joe LaSorsa walked the .175 hitting Gallardo on four pitches.  Shortstop Josh Smith and second baseman David Metzgar followed with singles to load the bases before third baseman Andres Chaparro lofted a sac fly to right to plate Gallardo and move Smith to third.  With two away, centerfielder Jacob Sanford reached on a fielding error from McGowan bringing in Smith and tying the game at two.

Hudson Valley had a chance to retake the lead in the eighth when third baseman Nick Sogard started the inning with a single to right.  With two out, he stole second and McGowan drew a walk to put runners at first and second.  However, Staten Island reliever Barrett Loseke came into the game and got catcher Luis Trevino to ground to first and end the inning.

Staten Island would take the lead in the eighth.  Designated hitter Carlos Narvaez led off the inning with a double to right center and was lifted for pinch runner Isaiah Pasteur who moved to third on a passed ball.  That set the stage for pinch hitter Borinquen Mendez who blooped a single into shallow rightfield to push across Pasteur and give the Yankees a 3-2 advantage.  

In the ninth, Brundage was hit with a pitch to lead off the inning.  However, Loseke settled down and got pinch hitter Mason Mallard to line to short, Edwards to pop to second, and shortstop Greg Jones to ground to second and finish the game.

Getting the win for Staten Island was Loseke (3-0) who went the final 1.1 scoreless innings.  The loss fell to LaSorsa (5-3) after the southpaw gave up three runs, two earned, on four hits in only one inning of work.  The loss wasted a tremendous effort by Gonzalez who tossed six shutout innings for Hudson Valley on six hits with a walk and four strikeouts.

The Renegades had only five hits in the game, while the Yankees registered 10.  Metzgar finished 3-5 with three singles, while Narvaez went 3-4 with a double.

The Renegades and Yankees continue their three-game series tomorrow in a 7:00 start.  Right-hander Evan McKendry (3-1, 1.31 ERA) will be on the hill for Hudson Valley against fellow-righty Nelvin Correa (2-1, 0.72 ERA) of Staten Island.  Tickets are on sale and can be purchased online at hvrenegades.com, at the Dutchess Stadium ticket window, or by calling the ticket office at (845) 838-0094.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jerry Schneider | PBA Media Relations 

Professional Bowlers Association | 55 E. Jackson Blvd., Suite 401 | Chicago, IL 60604

| Jerry.schneider@pba.com | 262.366.2157

Sherman Edges Simonsen by One Pin

to Take PBA Bear Open Lead After First Round

Simonsen holds commanding lead in PBA Illinois Open qualifying heading

into Thursday’s second Bear Open qualifying round

AURORA, Ill. (Aug. 28, 2019) – Kyle Sherman of O’Fallon, Missouri, made the necessary adjustments to a different PBA lane condition averaging nearly 240 for eight games Wednesday to take the PBA Bear Open first-round lead in the second of three events that make up the FloBowling PBA Summer Swing presented by the Brands of Ebonite International at Parkside Lanes.

Bowling on the 41-foot PBA Bear lane conditioning pattern, the 25-year-old Sherman finished the day with a 1,918 pinfall total with games of 223, 237, 236, 244, 222, 279, 230 and 247 to edge out PBA Wolf Open runner-up Anthony Simonsen of Little Elm, Texas, finishing the round in second just one pin behind with 1,917.                                        .

Sherman, who is in pursuit of his first Go Bowling! PBA Tour individual title, rebounded after a 45th-place finish in the Wolf Open which was conducted on PBA’s 32-foot Wolf lane condition.

“I just had to forget about the last two days and clear my mind going into this (Bear Open) tournament,” said Sherman who teamed with Amanda Greene to win the Storm PBA/PWBA Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles in July for his first tour title. “The 230 and 240 games could have been 250 or 260 but I didn’t have good finishes in those games, so I left some pins on the table. But overall, I’ve regained my confidence mentally and with the adjustments I need to make so hopefully this will be a very different tournament for me.”

Rounding out the top five were Wolf Open fourth-place finisher Kyle Troup of Taylorsville, North Carolina  in third with 1,886 followed by 2018 Bear Open winner EJ Tackett of Bluffton, Indiana, in fourth with 1,835 and four-time PBA Player of the Year Jason Belmonte of Australia in fifth with 1,831.

Wolf Open winner Sean Rash of Montgomery, Illinois finished the first round of the Bear Open in 22nd with a 1,750 eight-game pinfall.

The entire field returns for a six-game qualifying round Thursday at Noon CT that will determine the top 18 players who will advance to a six-game cashers round at 5 p.m. The top five players after the cashers round will advance to the Bear Open stepladder finals at 8:30 p.m. CT.

The players are also competing to make the cut to the top 24 for the match play rounds of the PBA Illinois Open.

Based on the combined 28-game qualifying totals from the Wolf and Bear events, the top 24 will advance to Illinois Open match play, consisting of two eight-game match play rounds on Friday beginning at 11 a.m., and the final eight-game round Saturday morning at 11 a.m. that will determine the top five players for the Illinois Open stepladder finals at 3:30 p.m.

Simonsen holds a commanding lead in the Illinois Open standings with a 5,155 pinfall (234 average) for 22 games, 188 pins ahead of Rash in second with 4,967.

Rounding out the top five in Illinois Open qualifying are Troup, 4,961; Francois Lavoie of Canada, 4,921 and Belmonte and Wolf Open third-place finisher PBA Hall of Famer Norm Duke tied for fifth with 4,914.

The entire PBA Summer Swing is streamed live by PBA’s online streaming partner FloBowling. For subscription information visit www.flobowling.com.

PBA BEAR OPEN

Second event of the FloBowling PBA Summer Swing presented by the Brands of Ebonite International

Parkside Lanes, Aurora, Ill., Wednesday

FIRST-ROUND QUALIFYING RESULTS (after eight games)

1, Kyle Sherman, O'Fallon, Mo., 1,918.
2, Anthony Simonsen, Little Elm, Texas, 1,917.
3, Kyle Troup, Taylorsville, N.C., 1,886.
4, EJ Tackett, Bluffton, Ind., 1,835.
5, Jason Belmonte, Australia, 1,831.
6, Christopher Sloan, Ireland, 1,811.
7, Bill O'Neill, Langhorne, Pa., 1,810.
8, (tie) Francois Lavoie, Canada, and Tom Daugherty, Riverview, Fla., 1,809.
10, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas, 1,798.
11, Jake Peters, Henderson, Nev., 1,794.
12, Shawn Maldonado, Houston, 1,789.
13, (tie) Mitch Hupe, Canada, 1,787, and Marshall Kent, Yakima, Wash., 1,787.
15, Kurt Pilon, Sterling Heights, Mich., 1,778.
16, Ildemaro Ruiz, Venezuela, 1,766.
17, Jesper Svensson, Sweden, 1,764.
18, (tie) Tun Ameerul Al-Hakim, Malaysia, and AJ Johnson, Oswego, Ill., 1,760.
20, Dick Allen, Lexington, S.C., 1,754.
21, Michael Davidson, Versailles, Ohio, 1,752.
22, Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill., 1,750.
23, Matt Sanders, Evansville, Ind., 1,746.
24, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 1,740.
25, Ryan Ciminelli, Lancaster, S.C., 1,733.
26, Christopher O'Neil, Decatur, Ill., 1,728.
27, Patrick Hanrahan, Wichita, Kan., 1,717.
28, Arturo Quintero, Mexico, 1,708.
29, Dom Barrett, England, 1,704.
30, (tie) Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., and Nick Kruml, Downers Grove, Ill., 1,700.
32, Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 1,697.
33, (tie) Kamron Doyle, Brentwood, Tenn., and Sam Cooley, Australia, 1,693.
35, Jakob Butturff, Tempe, Ariz., 1,692.
36, Zach Doty, Campbellsville, Ky., 1,687.
37, (tie) Josh Blanchard, Mesa, Ariz., and Rafiq Ismail, Malaysia, 1,675.
39, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 1,673.
40, Brad Miller, Lees Summit, Mo., 1,669.
41, Tom Sorce, Blasdell, N.Y., 1,666.
42, (tie) Dakota Vostry, Chicago, Ill., Richard Teece, England, and Graham Fach, Urbana, Ohio, 1,665.
45, Jason Sterner, Rochester, N.Y., 1,664.
46, (tie) Andrew Anderson, Holly, Mich., Michael Tang, Johnstown, Ohio, and John Furey, Howell, N.J., 1,663.
49, Jake Rollins, Glen Rock, N.J., 1,661.
50, (tie) Greg Ostrander, Brick, N.J., and Kristopher Prather, Plainfield, Ill., 1,660.
52, Rhino Page, Spokane, Wash., 1,659.
53, Kenneth Ryan, Farmingdale, NJ, 1,655.
54, Zeke Bayt, Westerville, Ohio, 1,653.
55, Zac Tackett, Huntington, Ind., 1,645.
56, (tie) George Duke, Vidor, Texas, and Pontus Andersson, Sweden, 1,640.
58, Stuart Williams, England, 1,639.
59, Chris Via, Springfield, Ohio, 1,631.
60, (tie) Michael Martell, Brooklyn, N.Y., and Cody Shoemaker, Hanover, Pa., 1,627.
62, Tim Foy Jr., Seaford, Del., 1,625.
63, (tie) n-Kyle Salter, Montgomery. Ill., and James Grago, Hampstead, N.C., 1,623.
65, Zacharay Wilkins, Canada, 1,620.
66, Ryan Lakota, Shorewood, Ill., 1,617.
67, (tie) n-Matt Russo, Fariview Heights, Ill., and Anthony Lavery-Spahr, Pasadena, Texas, 1,614.
69, Greg Young, Viera, Fla., 1,605.
70, (tie) DJ Archer, Spring, Texas, and Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 1,603.
72, Brian Robinson, Morgantown, W.Va., 1,602.
73, BJ Moore, Greensburg, Pa., 1,595.
74, Andrew Cain, Phoenix, 1,592.
75, JR Raymond, Clinton Twp., Mich., 1,584.
76, William Svensson, Sweden, 1,581.
77, Matt Kuba, Chicago Ridge, IL, 1,570.
78, AJ Chapman, Manchester, Iowa, 1,569.
79, Christopher Dower, Cary, Ill., 1,567.
80, Oskar Wirefeldt, Sweden, 1,565.
81, Nicholas Pate, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., 1,564.
82, Craig Schneider, Marcy, N.Y., 1,561.
83, Eduardo Astiazaran, Mexico, 1,560.
84, Raul Ayala Salazar, Ecuador, 1,552.
85, n-Tannya Lopez, Mexico, 1,550.
86, Andres Gomez, Colombia, 1,545.
87, (tie) Mike Coffey, Melbourne, Fla., and Darren Tang, Las Vegas, 1,543.
89, Chandler Stevens, Archbold, Ohio, 1,538.
90, Mykel Holliman, Collierville, Tenn., 1,537.
91, Francois Louw, South Africa, 1,536.
92, Devin Bidwell, Wichita, Kan., 1,522.
93, Andrew Suscreba, Clifton, N.J., 1,518.
94, Russ Oviatt, Chandler, Ariz., 1,499.
95, Joe Paluszek, Bensalem, Pa., 1,496.
96, Stephen Hahn, Sterling, Va., 1,480.
97, John Contos, Crystal Lake, 1,477.
98, Osku Palermaa, Finland, 1,471.
99, Joseph Grago, Hampstead, N.C., 1,438.
100, Richard Lupo, St. Charles, Mo., 1,416.
101, Armando Santacruz, Ecuador, 1,363.

300 games – Mitch Hupe

n – denotes non-PBA member

PBA ILLINOIS OPEN STANDINGS (after 22 games)

1, Anthony Simonsen, Little Elm, Texas, 5,155.
2, Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill., 4,967.
3, Kyle Troup, Taylorsville, N.C., 4,961.
4, Francois Lavoie, Canada, 4,921.
5, (tie) Jason Belmonte, Australia, and Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 4,914.
7, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas, 4,895.
8, EJ Tackett, Bluffton, Ind., 4,894.
9, Marshall Kent, Yakima, Wash., 4,863.
10, Jason Sterner, Rochester, N.Y., 4,856.
11, Bill O'Neill, Langhorne, Pa., 4,841.
12, Dick Allen, Lexington, S.C., 4,838.
13, Kyle Sherman, O'Fallon, Mo., 4,813.
14, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 4,802.
15, Tom Daugherty, Riverview, Fla., 4,800.
16, Arturo Quintero, Mexico, 4,792.
17, Jake Peters, Henderson, Nev., 4,781.
18, Mitch Hupe, Canada, 4,779.
19, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 4,772.
20, Josh Blanchard, Mesa, Ariz., 4,761.
21, Tun Ameerul Al-Hakim, Malaysia, 4,758.
22, Sam Cooley, Australia, 4,755.
23, Brad Miller, Lees Summit, Mo., 4,733.
24, Kamron Doyle, Brentwood, Tenn., 4,731.
25, Greg Ostrander, Brick, N.J., 4,726.
26, AJ Johnson, Oswego, Ill., 4,719.
27, Kurt Pilon, Sterling Heights, Mich., 4,718.
28, Jesper Svensson, Sweden, 4,705.
29, Dom Barrett, England, 4,685.
30, Kristopher Prather, Plainfield, Ill., 4,666.
31, Greg Young, Viera, Fla., 4,665.
32, Pontus Andersson, Sweden, 4,664.
33, Christopher Sloan, Ireland, 4,662.
34, Ildemaro Ruiz, Venezuela, 4,659.
35, Michael Davidson, Versailles, Ohio, 4,643.
36, (tie) Nick Kruml, Downers Grove, Ill., and Stuart Williams, England, 4,636.
38, John Furey, Howell, N.J., 4,615.
39, Shawn Maldonado, Houston, 4,598.
40, Jake Rollins, Glen Rock, N.J., 4,592.
41, Nicholas Pate, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., 4,591.
42, (tie) Andrew Anderson, Holly, Mich., and Michael Tang, Johnstown, Ohio, 4,585.
44, BJ Moore, Greensburg, Pa., 4,584.
45, Zach Doty, Campbellsville, Ky., 4,565.
46, Ryan Ciminelli, Lancaster, S.C., 4,552.
47, Zeke Bayt, Westerville, Ohio, 4,548.
48, Anthony Lavery-Spahr, Pasadena, Texas, 4,546.
49, AJ Chapman, Manchester, Iowa, 4,543.
50, Zacharay Wilkins, Canada, 4,542.
51, (tie) Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., Tom Sorce, Blasdell, N.Y., and William Svensson, Sweden, 4,538.
54, Kenneth Ryan, Farmingdale, NJ, 4,524.
55, Chris Via, Springfield, Ohio, 4,520.
56, Osku Palermaa, Finland, 4,515.
57, Michael Martell, Brooklyn, N.Y., 4,514.
58, Dakota Vostry, Chicago, Ill., 4,495.
59, Patrick Hanrahan, Wichita, Kan., 4,487.
60, Matt Sanders, Evansville, Ind., 4,468.
61, Christopher O'Neil, Decatur, Ill., 4,443.
62, Jakob Butturff, Tempe, Ariz., 4,436.
63, DJ Archer, Spring, Texas, 4,434.
64, Zac Tackett, Huntington, Ind., 4,420.
65, Francois Louw, South Africa, 4,415.
66, Darren Tang, Las Vegas, 4,413.
67, Ryan Lakota, Shorewood, Ill., 4,411.
68, Devin Bidwell, Wichita, Kan., 4,409.
69, Graham Fach, Urbana, Ohio, 4,382.
70, Eduardo Astiazaran, Mexico, 4,373.
71, Russ Oviatt, Chandler, Ariz., 4,369.
72, JR Raymond, Clinton Twp., Mich., 4,362.
73, Richard Teece, England, 4,361.
74, Mike Coffey, Melbourne, Fla., 4,352.
75, Brian Robinson, Morgantown, W.Va., 4,347.
76, Stephen Hahn, Sterling, Va., 4,340.
77, Andres Gomez, Colombia, 4,338.
78, Cody Shoemaker, Hanover, Pa., 4,337.
79, Rhino Page, Spokane, Wash., 4,324.
80, Andrew Suscreba, Clifton, N.J., 4,290.
81, Raul Ayala Salazar, Ecuador, 4,287.
82, Joe Paluszek, Bensalem, Pa., 4,275.
83, Matt Kuba, Chicago Ridge, IL, 4,260.
84, Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 4,242.
85, Tim Foy Jr., Seaford, Del., 4,223.
86, n-Matt Russo, Fariview Heights, Ill., 4,191.
87, Rafiq Ismail, Malaysia, 4,175.
88, Mykel Holliman, Collierville, Tenn., 4,141.
89, Andrew Cain, Phoenix, 4,099.
90, Chandler Stevens, Archbold, Ohio, 4,080.
91, Christopher Dower, Cary, Ill., 4,075.
92, George Duke, Vidor, Texas, 4,051.
93, n-Kyle Salter, Montgomery. Ill., 4,021.
94, Oskar Wirefeldt, Sweden, 4,000.
95, Craig Schneider, Marcy, N.Y., 3,994.
96, James Grago, Hampstead, N.C., 3,977.
97, n-Tannya Lopez, Mexico, 3,911.
98, Joseph Grago, Hampstead, N.C., 3,896.
99, John Contos, Crystal Lake, 3,776.
100, Richard Lupo, St. Charles, Mo., 3,715.

101, Armando Santacruz, Ecuador, 3,514.

n-denotes non-PBA member