Game 104: Stormers 8-4

AT YORK REVOLUTION
Pete Hartmann (NR) vs.
Josh Stevens (8-7, 4.13 ERA)

The final series between the Barnstormers and Revolution is here and it doesn’t mean much to Lancaster in the standings. The Barnstormers are six games behind first-place Somerset. All that’s left for the defending champs is a chance for the Community Cup – Lancaster trails the season series 8-7 – and a chance to play spoiler against the Revs, who are a half-game back.

Pre-game notes:

– Hartmann, who started the season in Italy, is making his debut for the Revolution. The lefthander was acquired by the Revs from the Long Island Ducks in the expansion draft in January.

FINAL: Barnstormers 8, Revolution 4

RECORD: 19-22 (48-56)

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Lance Burkhart (3-for-4 with a triple, homer, two runs scored, and three RBIs)

SOME HIGHLIGHTS: Josh Stevens bailed them out. The Barnstormers desperately needed a strong outing from their starter. Stevens provided one: 7 innings, 9 hits, 2 earned runs. The righthander earned his third win in his last 10 starts.

“He was in control all the way,” interim manager Rick Wise said. “We got those early runs and he allowed us to build on it. He mixed and matched his pitches very well and had a real solid outing.”

*Travis Hake went 3-for-5 against his old team near his hometown of Brogue. Hake has fared better since he started seeing more regular playing time. He’s seven for his last 16.

*Derrick DePriest earned another five-out save. He entered in the eighth inning with the bases loaded and the Barnstormers leading 8-3. After allowing a single, he retired five of the final six hitters he faced. His team record for saves rests at 17.

*This was Lancaster’s eighth game in six days and it was playing a day game after traveling overnight from Bridgeport. It was a gut check and the team responded. Do the Barnstormers have enough energy left to get to the finish line?

“I think we do,” DePriest said. “Obviously, there’s no way to tell. We’re doing everything we can. Rick has been fantastic at keeping us loose and motivated. Guys are having fun. As much as the trials and tribulations mount up at times, we’re still thinking positive.”

*The Community Cup series is tied at eight.

*The Barnstormers know they need a sweep if they have any hope of making these last three weeks meaningful in terms of the standings.

“That’s pretty much what we’re looking at,” Wise said. “Every game is extremely important. The guys know that. They know where they stand. We’ll just keep on battling.”

WHITHER REGGIE?

*The players didn’t seem concerned about the Reggie Taylor fiasco. One player said the team was joking about his absence on the bus ride from Lancaster to York. Another said that as the days dragged on without Taylor, the team stopped expecting him to arrive. Wise said this … “You can’t miss what you never had.”

*Head of baseball operations Adam Gladstone refused comment on Taylor’s situation. In my business, that usually means something isn’t resolved. Prior to the start of Sunday’s game, no one associated with Lancaster had talked with Taylor about his decision. Gladstone and hitting coach Glenn Murray each tried to reach Taylor by phone.