LORAIN – The floodgates were bound to break at some point, and that is exactly what happened in the sixth inning as the Richmond River Rats scored three runs en route to a 7-6 victory over the Lorain County Ironmen in the first seven-inning game of a doubleheader on July 10.
Richmond (13-21) had threatened a big inning for four of the previous five innings, leaving two runners on in the first and fourth and three on in the second and third innings.
The dam appeared as if it may hold in the sixth inning when Richmond’s Jake Hand flew out to right field for the second out of the inning with runners on first and second. However, a walk drawn by Luke Cuerton loaded the bases and Lorain County (13-22) pitcher Jamie MacLean did not have the final out in him when Richmond’s Zach Fairchild stepped to the plate.
Fairchild hit a 2-2 pitch up the third base line for a double to clear the bases and give the River Rats a 7-3 lead heading into the final at bat for the Ironmen.
In spite of not having a hit since the second inning, the Ironmen managed to make a comeback in the top of the seventh with back-to-back singles by leadoff hitter Cody Semler and Nate Langhals.
River Rats reliever Matt Brankle walked Lucas Raley to load the bases, and Andrew Gronski delivered with an RBI single to left to trim the River Rats’ lead, 7-4, while leaving the bases loaded.
A sac fly by Tyler Bires brought Langhals in to make the score 7-5, and Raley scored when Richmond first baseman Justin Paulson couldn’t hold on to a throw, allowing Billy Salem to reach base and cut the River Rats’ lead to one, 7-6.
With runners on second and third, catcher Lou Peterlin struck out to end the Ironmen rally and the game.
The Ironmen had been playing catch-up the entire game after falling behind 2-0 in the first inning. Lorain County managed to grab a brief lead in the second, plating three runs – only one of which was earned – for a 3-2 lead.
Richmond knotted the game with an RBI single in the third to score Luke Cuerton and took the lead, 4-3, in the fourth when Paulson scored on an errant throw to first by third baseman Billy Salem.
Ironmen starter Logan Landon struggled to find the strike zone throughout the game, picking up his fifth loss of the year. He went 3 1/3 innings, allowing four runs – three earned – on six hits. He walked seven of the 23 batters he faced, compared with two strikeouts.
Reed Evan evened his record at 2-2 for the River Rats, pitching six innings while allowing three runs – one earned – on four hits. He struck out three and walked three. River Rats 7, Ironmen 6
Lake County 030 000 3 – 6 7 2
Richmond 201 103 x – 7 8 3
Hitting: (LC) Carlos Ortiz, 1-for-3, 3B, run, RBI; Nate Langhals, 2-for-4, run, RBI; (R) Zach Fairchild, 2-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI; Justin Paulson, 0-for-1, 3 runs.
W: Reed Evans (2-2); L: Logan Landon (0-5)
Records: Richmond 13-21; Lorain County 13-22
