Game 79: Stormers 19-9

AT NEWARK BEARS
Carlos Mirabal (8-4, 3.81 ERA) vs.
Gustavo Martinez (4-7, 4.27 ERA)

The Barnstormers haven’t won back-to-back games since July 9, when they swept a meaningless doubleheader against Somerset. They have a chance to end that unwanted drought against Newark tonight. The Bears, who captured the first-half title in the North Division, have won four of their last five games.

Pre-game notes:

– Martinez’s mercurial season has hit a downward turn. The righthander has lost his last four decisions. His last victory came against York on June 20. After posting a 2.81 ERA in June, Martinez’s ERA is 5.40 in July.

– Mirabal has enjoyed success against Lancaster. He’s 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA in three starts. Although his overall numbers are good, Mirabal is 2-4 with a 5.22 ERA in Newark’s hitter-friendly ballpark. So that’s an encouraging stat for Lancaster’s hitters.

– How much has changed since the last time the Barnstormers won two in a row? Well, Frank Klebe was fired. Vince Blue was traded to Bridgeport. Jeremy Deitrick retired. John Wolff and Steve Booker were released. Felix Jose was signed and left. Chris Brock was signed. Eric Crozier and Travis Hake returned. All that in 19 days.

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No scoring summary for fear of carpal tunnel.

RECORD: 5-11 (34-45)

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Dominick Ambrosini (4-for-7, team-record 5 runs scored, 4 RBIs)

WHAT WENT RIGHT: Lately, Ambrosini has been Lancaster’s most consistent and productive hitter. He smashed a two-run homer in the fourth – his 12th – and hiked his average to .322. Lancaster fans should rejoice that Ambro didn’t want to play in Bridgeport, where BASA originally assigned him.

*Jeremy Todd belted a three-run homer in the third inning and finished with six RBIs. Remember this guy? He’s a difference maker when he’s hot – which hasn’t been the case lately. This was Todd’s first homer since June 28. He was hitting .176 in July before this eruption.

*Travis Hake went 2-for-4 and scored four runs. It was a less-than-auspicious return to Lancaster for the second baseman prior to this night when he finally snapped out of it.

*Danny Gonzalez went 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs. Most nights that’s player of the game worthy. Tonight it was just a footnote.

*Ryan Harris retired 12 of the last 14 batters to close it out. The righthander earned the second save of his 10-year professional career. The first one came in 1998 when he was pitching for Tri-City of the Western League. Harris said he wants to write a book about his lifetime in indy ball. Maybe this game will earn a page.

*Lancaster finished with 19 runs on 18 hits. That’ll work.

*Newark is the second-most hitter friendly ballpark in the Atlantic League behind Clipper Magazine Stadium – only it tends to favor right-handed batters. The Barnstormers took advantage.

*The Barnstormers’ all-or-nothing offense was in peak form. After being shut out twice this week and being held to one run in a 33-inning span, Lancaster erupted for a team-record 19 runs. That’s great and all, but it will take some consistency to get this team back to .500.

*Back-to-back wins. Although it doesn’t sound like much, the Barnstormers need a winning streak to change the course of their season. This is a start.

*Can you imagine a lineup with Reggie Taylor, Ambrosini, Todd and Eric Crozier – all lefty hitters – at the Clip? If that happens, it’ll be fun to watch.

WHAT WENT WRONG: Gustavo Martinez struggled despite getting his first win in more than a month. The hard-throwing righty allowed 11 hits and eight runs in five innings. What can you say? It was a hitters night.

YORK WATCH: The Revs defeated Long Island 9-5 in Central Islip Saturday night. They are 12-4 and lead Lancaster by seven games in the South.