On a night when one of their players was signed by an MLB organization, the Crushers rallied after a slow start.
They trailed visiting Tri-City, 5-0, after two innings, but rallied to make it a two-run game after five. But the comeback was crushed by the ValleyCats, 7-3, on July 29.
The Crushers (27-38) have dropped the first two games of the three-game home series. The ValleyCats improved to 41-24 and are the top team in the Frontier League East Division. They extended their winning streak to six games.
The Crushers' slow start conceded five runs in the first two innings. However, pitcher Yasel Santana (2-5) settled in to shut out the ValleyCats in the final four innings of his outing.
"They didn't give up, that's for sure. I thought Yasel (Santana), after the first couple of innings settled in nicely. We gave ourselves a chance (to win)," Crushers Manager Jared Lemieux said.
The team began to click in the fourth and fifth innings and scored three runs. Right fielder Jack Harris scored on a wild pitch in the fourth. Sam Frontino walked and was brought home by Zach Racusin's single. A fielder's choice in Harris' at-bat scored another run.
"I felt like we were putting fairly competitive at-bats together, we just didn't have anything barreled up (early in the game). I want the ball to be screaming around the ballpark and we weren't able to do that," Lemieux said.
The damage done by the ValleyCats early on was too much. Pavin Parks recorded three runs, two hits and two RBI. Jakob Godlfarb led Tri-City with three RBI and three hits. Juan Kelley produced one of the two ninth-inning runs with an RBI double.
The Crushers will play their third and final game against the ValleyCats on July 30.
Hammer time
Crushers ace J.D. Hammer was picked up by the Los Angeles Angels organization.
"I am really happy for (Hammer)," Lemieux said. "He deserves it as much as anybody. I know that was a goal of his to work toward, as is with a lot of these guys in the locker room. It is nice to see a guy that works as hard as he does and as good of a teammate as he is get recognized for that."
Hammer pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2019 and 2021. He made 19 appearances for the Crushers this season, including nine starts. He was 3-3 with a 3.46 ERA. He pitched 52 innings, striking out 46 and walking 20.
