Staten Island, NY — For the second straight night, the Crosscutters jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, only to see the Staten Island Yankees leave with a 3-2 win late.
Malvin Matos gave the Crosscutters an early 1-0 lead, driving a two-out double into left field to chase homeBrian Mims in the top of the 2nd inning against Staten Island starter Jio Orozco.
Greg Pickett added to the Cutters lead in the top of the 3rd inning, drilling his 4th home run of the season over the wall in right-center to bump the Crosscutters lead to 2-0 in the process. For Pickett, it was his 2nd home run in as many days and gave him his 16th RBI of the season.
Little did Williamsport know, but that would be the final run they would score on the night.
Given an early lead, Andrew Brown attacked the strike zone, working three-straight scoreless innings, including a clean 3rd to start his night.
Brown found himself in some trouble in the 4th inning, allowing a pair of runs in the frame as the Yankees were able to take advantage of Brown’s battle with command.
Ryan Krill ripped a book-rule double to center to give the Yankees runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out in the inning.
Brown uncorked a wild pitch, that kicked away from Nerluis Martinez and allowed Tim Robinson to score from 3rd to cut the deficit in half at 2-1, while allowing Krill to advance to 3rd.
Keith Skinner followed with a single through the middle to plate Krill and tie the game at 2-2.
The Cutters starter was able to get out of the 4th with a inning-ending doubleplay to keep the game knotted after four innings of play.
Andrew Brown finished the night allowing the two runs over six innings of work, scattering six hits and striking out two in the no decision.
Randy Alcantara relieved Brown in the bottom of the 7th, and was outstanding, holding the Yankees scoreless over the next four innings, working around three hits and a walk while striking out three.
The Crosscutters bats were unable to respond to the strong pitching from Brown and Alcantara, being retired in order from the 8th inning on, seeing their 14 batters get retired in order by the Staten Island bullpen.
Kyle Dohy took over in the bottom of the 11th for Williamsport, allowing a lead off walk to Kendall Coleman. After a pop out by Tim Robinson, Dohy hit Ryan Krill with a pitch to move runners to 1st and 2nd.
After a Dohy wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position, Keith Skinner was intentionally walked to load the bases with Manny Argomaniz stepping to the plate.
Dohy got Argomaniz to ground to shortstop Nick Maton, who threw to 2nd to get the 2nd out of the inning, but the relay to first by Brian Mims was late to 1st base, allowing Coleman to score the game-winning run from 3rd and give the Yankees a 3-2 victory.
The Crosscutters will look to salvage the series tomorrow morning, as they wrap up the series against Staten Island. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
Cutter Carvings – Pickett joins Cole Stobbe and Jhailyn Ortiz as Cutters who have homered in back-to-back games this season… The Crosscutters finished the night 1-11 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10 runners in the loss… The Crosscutters have scored one run combined after the 4th inning in the series… The Cutters are 3-5 in extra innings… The Cutters are 10-7 in one-run games…
