Game 54: Stormers 6-4

	Nick Renault 2-2, 4.98 ERA		Keith Ramsey 0-1, 8.22 ERA

The last turn through the rotation went exceptionally well for the Barnstormers. Four of the five outings resulted in quality starts. The only one that didn’t came from Shane Youman, who has yet to build the arm strength to throw the necessary six innings.

Here are the combined numbers from Youman, Josh Hall, Eric Ackerman, Nick Renault and D.J. Mattox:

32 IP

17 H

7 R

7 ER

15 BB

21 K

A 1.97 ERA. A 1.00 WHIP. Fewer than five hits per nine innings. Those stats are impressive at any level and astounding in the hitter-friendly Atlantic League. It’s no coincidence that the Barnstormers are 4-1 during this stretch and have secured that elusive first three-game winning streak.

One of the reasons for the team’s recent turnaround is it finally has some stability. The rotation includes four pitchers who have made at least five starts for Lancaster. Everyone also seems healthy. The Barnstormers have been plagued not only by serious injuries, but by nagging ones as well. That has led to some ineffective outings and some bullpen games with relievers serving as starters. Those throw the whole pitching staff out of whack.

This is a rotation with high-quality stuff by Atlantic League standards. All five pitchers throw in the high-80s or better and are relatively difficult to hit. The only one with an opposing batting average above .270 is Hall, who happens to have the best control of the group.

Winning streaks are often the product of strong starting pitching. So there’s reason for optimism here. If the Barnstormers can keep this group together for a while and keep it healthy – two big ifs at this level – they should be more successful going forward. The talent is definitely there.

Atlantic League teams are perpetually hurting for starting pitching. Just look at Southern Maryland, which saw its Liberty Division hopes fizzle when it lost John Halama and Dan Reichert to affiliated ball. Right now the Barnstormers have five good arms that are capable of dominance — at least in the short term. That’s a nice luxury.

---

Songster shines:

Remember when the Barnstormers were jettisoning one relief pitcher after another? Mark Alexander, Franklin Mendible, Rob Averette and Nate Hoelscher certainly do. The one right-handed pitcher to survive the early-season purge was Judd Songster. It’s a good thing he did.

Over the last month, Songster has been close to flawless:

11.2 IP

10 H

0 R

0 ER

4 BB

9 K

The Barnstormers were wise to show patience with Songster because he has an excellent track record. His career ERA is 2.96 and he has averaged nearly a strikeout per inning. Camden gave Songster away in spring training and the Barnstormers are benefiting from a smart acquisition.

You wonder how things might have unfolded if the team showed the same patience with Hoelscher, who was the most talented of the pitchers who was released. The lefty has a 1.13 ERA and a .167 BAA for Gary in the Northern League.

---

Lineups …

(22-31)	(26-26)
Juan Francia, 2B	George Sandel, SS
Mike Woods, LF	John Ramistella, RF
Danny Gonzalez, SS	James Shanks, LF
Manny Mejia, C	Patrick Osborn, 3B
Lance Burkhart, 1B	Clint Johnston, DH
Jutt Hileman, CF	Jeremy Owens, CF
Greg Blosser, DH	Eric Crozier, 1B
Lloyd Turner, 3B	Chad Ehrnsberger, 2B
Jarred Ball, RF	Adam Shorsher, C

Scoring summary …

Barnstormers	000	032	001	6	11	2
Blue Crabs	002	001	100	4	7	2

WP: Nick Renault (3-2)
LP: Keith Ramsey (0-2)
SV: Jose Cabrera (5)

FINAL: Barnstormers 6, Blue Crabs 4

Crabs 3rd: Sandel scores on Renault’s throwing error. Osborn’s sacrifice fly scores Ramistella.
Southern Maryland leads 2-0.

Stormers 5th: Woods’ home run scores Ball and Francia.
Lancaster leads 3-2.

Stormers 6th: Blosser’s single scores Mejia and Burkhart.
Lancaster leads 5-2.

Crabs 6th: Ramistella’s single scores Owens.
Lancaster leads 5-3.

Stormers 7th: Crozier’s double scores Owens.
Lancaster leads 5-4.

Stormers 9th: Turner scores on Derrick DePriest’s throwing error.
Lancaster leads 6-4.

---

Box score:

RECORD: 23-31

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Mike Woods (2-for-5, 3 RBIs)

The left fielder doubled and belted his fifth home run. The three-run shot in the fifth inning erased some early-game frustration for the offense, which squandered a few scoring chances. Woods has been the Barnstormers’ most consistent offensive player. If he doesn’t make the All-Star team, they should cancel the event.

---

The pitchers:

*Nick Renault earned his third win:

5.2 IP

5 H

3 R

1 ER

5 BB

4 K

Renault came within one out of recording his third consecutive quality start. His own defense hurt him. The pitcher committed two errors and mishandled a bunt that helped contribute to the three runs he allowed. The walks remain high, but Renault remains difficult to hit. He only surrendered five singles.

*Yamel Guevara struck out James Shanks with the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth inning. Lancaster was leading 5-3 at the time.

*Jose Cabrera walked two and allowed a single, putting the go-ahead run on base, before striking out Adam Shorsher with the bases loaded in the ninth. Cabrera is 5-for-6 in save chances. This one got the heart racing.

*It wasn’t a gem. The staff walked nine. But it was good enough.

---

The hitters:

*The Lloyd Turner Show continued. He reached base in all four plate appearances. He’s hitting .453 with a .531 on-base percentage this month. Those are Nintendo stats. It might be time to move him up in the lineup. Speaking of the All-Star team, Turner belongs on it as well.

*Greg Blosser delivered a two-run single. It’s interesting that Blosser has started each of the last two games against a left-handed starting pitcher. Clearly, he has earned manager Von Hayes’ confidence. After going hitless in his first 10 at-bats, Blosser is 5-for-11.

*Ivanon Coffie sat out for the second game in a row against a lefty.

---

The bottom line:

Four in a row. The Barnstormers are within eight games of .500 for the first time since May 30. They’ve dealt a major blow to SoMd’s flickering playoff hopes.