Game 105: Stormers 6-2

AT YORK REVOLUTION
Wayne Franklin (6-1, 4.84 ERA) vs.
Zack Parker (3-0, 1.10 ERA)

While much of the attention has turned to the Reggie Taylor debacle, the South Division race has taken a turn. Somerset has won five games in a row and now leads York by 1½. Although the Barnstormers are off in the distance at 6 games back, they can deal a blow to the Revs’ playoff hopes and capture the Community Cup by winning the next two games.

Pre-game notes:

– ALB.com and the Trenton Thunder’s official site notes that former Stormer Scott Patterson has been named the team’s fan favorite. I’m sure Patterson would prefer a promotion, but it’s still a nice honor.

– Pitcher Brett Evert was activated from the DL and released.

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Lineups …

REVOLUTION (24-18): Keoni De Renne, 3B; Rayner Bautista, SS; Nate Espy, 1B; Jason Aspito, RF; Ramon Nivar, 2B; Joe Jiannetti, LF; Justin Singleton, CF; Luis Taveras, C; Luis Cotto, DH.

STORMERS (19-22): Mike Woods, LF; Travis Hake, 2B; Danny Gonzalez, SS; Jutt Hileman, CF; Jeremy Todd, 1B; Lance Burkhart, DH; Eric Crozier, RF; Russ Cleveland, C; Steve Van Note, 3B.

Scoring summary:

FINAL: Barnstormers 6, Revolution 2

Stormers 4th: Cleveland’s double scores Hileman and Todd.
Barnstormers lead 2-0.

Revs 5th: Aracena’s groundout scores Jiannetti.
Barnstormers lead 2-1.

Stormers 6th: Burkhart steals home. Van Note’s home run scores Crozier.
Barnstormers lead 5-1.

Stormers 7th: Todd’s single scores Hileman.
Barnstormers lead 6-1.

Revs 7th: Aracena’s single scores Jiannetti.
Barnstormers lead 6-2.

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RECORD: 20-22 (49-56)

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Zack Parker (6 1/3 innings, 7 hits, 2 earned runs)

SOME HIGHLIGHTS: Parker has been a revelation since joining the Barnstormers on July 29. The lefthander is 4-0 with a 1.59 ERA in five appearances. If Lancaster is somehow able to make a playoff run, Parker deserves credit for providing a huge boost to the rotation.

“He’s come in here, pitched with confidence, pitched with aggressiveness and pitched with poise,” interim manager Rick Wise said. “Every time he has gone out there he has given us a chance to win. He likes to take the ball. He loves to compete. That’s huge for a pitcher. He’s a take charge guy out there.”

*Coming to the Barnstormers has rejuvenated Parker’s enthusiasm for the game. His last two seasons with the Rockies were a struggle because of a high ERA and control problems. Lancaster has provided a much-needed fresh start. Wise made no adjustments with his new lefty. None were necessary.

“He basically just left me alone said, ‘You’re going to start, so go pitch well,’” Parker said. “I felt like if I could work through some situations, I could get that confidence and that swagger back.”

*It’ll be shocking if Parker doesn’t earn another shot in affiliated ball.

*Russ Cleveland broke out of his 6-for-46 slump with a two-run double that opened the scoring in the fourth inning.

*Steve Van Note, who was 7-for-51 in August, belted a two-run homer in the sixth. It was his seventh home run, but just his second since July 2.

*The bullpen was great. Again. Ryan Harris and Ross Peeples combined to toss 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. Considering their recent workload, that’s impressive.

“We’re struggling because of the way the schedule was set up and the weather conspired against us to give us those doubleheaders,” Wise said. “Guys are really sucking it up right now. They’re doing a great job and I really respect them for that.”

*The Barnstormers are five games behind first-place Somerset. They lead the Community Cup series 9-8 with one game to play.

“I feel like we’re better than York and Somerset,” Parker said. “It’s just a matter of putting it together every day.”

“We’re running out of games,” Wise said. “We’re running out of time. But if we keep playing like we are right now, we’ll be in the thick of it.”