Game 58: Stormers 12-5

VS SOMERSET PATRIOTS
Keith Ramsey (4-1, 4.85 ERA) vs.
Brett Evert (3-4, 5.44 ERA)

Same teams, different venue. The Barnstormers, coming off a three-game sweep in Somerset, can only hope it’s a different result. Evert has recorded three consecutive quality starts and posted a 3.46 ERA in five games in June. Ramsey, a lefty, is making his first start of the season against Lancaster.

Pre-game notes:

– Lance Burkhart has been activated and is back in the lineup in the No. 6 spot. It’s his first appearance since June 10.

– Newcomer Ryan Harris, who was acquired to complete the trade with the Schaumburg Flyers last week, will be in the bullpen for the Barnstormers tonight. He hasn’t pitched in relief since Sept. 1, 1999.

– Closer Derrick DePriest is not available after pitching two innings on back-to-back nights.

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Lineups …

SOMERSET (34-23): Danny Garcia, 2B; Elliott Ayala, 3B; Mike Lockwood, CF; Alan Zinter, RF; Josh Pressley, DH; Todd Leathers, 1B; Jose Morban, LF; Travis Anderson, C; Teuris Olivares, SS.

LANCASTER (24-33): Mike Woods, 2B; Danny Gonzalez, SS; Jeremy Todd, 1B; Jutt Hileman, CF; Dominick Ambrosini, LF; Lance Burkhart, DH; Steve Van Note, 3B; Chris Van Rossum, RF; Russ Cleveland, C.

Scoring summary:

FINAL: Barnstormers 12, Patriots 5

Stormers 1st: Ambrosini’s single scores Woods. Burkhart’s double scores Hileman.

Patriots 3rd: Olivares hits solo home run. Ayala’s single scores Garcia. Leathers’ hit by pitch scores Ayala.

Patriots 4th: Olivares’ single scores Anderson.

Stormers 4th: Van Rossum’s sacrifice fly scores Burkhart. Cleveland’s home run scores Van Rossum.

Stormers 6th: Woods’ double scores Van Note and Burkhart. Gonzalez’s triple scores Woods.

Patriots 7th: Leathers’ single scores Lockwood.

Stormers 8th: Woods’ triple scores Van Rossum and Cleveland. Gonzalez’s double scores Woods. Todd’s double scores Gonzalez.

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RECORD: 25-33

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Mike Woods (2-for-4 with a double, triple and four RBIs) Not bad for a guy who wasn’t supposed to be in the starting lineup until about an hour before game time.

WHAT WENT RIGHT: The Barnstormers won. It’s that simple. After a 1-5 road trip that included two gut-wrenching extra-inning losses, they needed this one to just feel better about the direction of the team.

*Lancaster crushes at the Clip. This is a different offensive team at home. The Barnstormers have averaged nearly six runs a game at home and 4.7 runs on the road.

*Woods had a monster night. June was a rough month for the second baseman, who batted .180 as he took over the starting job. Initially, Woods wasn’t going to play Tuesday night because Somerset was originally scheduled to start righty Sam Marsonek. When they opted for lefty Keith Ramsey, Klebe made the switch and it paid dividends.

*Lance Burkhart returned and went 1-for-3. The catcher makes a huge difference because of his ability to get on base. He extends innings with walks and gets a lot of extra-base hits.

*Ryan Harris arrived. The righthander, acquired from Schaumburg in the Jimmy Hurst deal, allowed one run in two innings. Harris, a 32-year-old indy league veteran, will try to provide a boost for the bullpen. He hasn’t pitched in relief since 1999.

*Danny Gonzalez went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. He has cemented his status as team MVP for the first half.

*Russ Cleveland belted his fifth home run, a monster shot to the opposite field.

*Brett Evert pitched well enough. He allowed four runs in six innings as he evened his record at 4-4.

*The Barnstormers turned four double plays.

*Lancaster played spoiler. Its win knocked Somerset out of first place. Camden beat the Road Warriors Tuesday night and leads the South Division by a half-game.

WHAT WENT WRONG: Nothing of significance.

*Seven of the nine starters collected hits, the pitching was solid and the team didn’t commit an error.