Morgantown, WV. — Ranger Suarez was roughed up as the left-hander suffered his first loss of the season, as the Cutters fall 9-1 at West Virginia Sunday evening. The Cutters have dropped the first two games of the series and three straight to West Virginia.
West Virginia got to the Crosscutter starter for two runs in the bottom of the 1st inning, pounding out four hits in the process to take an early 2-0 lead over Williamsport.
Williamsport had a chance to strike in the top of the 3rd inning when Jesus Alastre ripped a double down the right field line. Juan Luis tried to score from 1st base, but missed home plate on a foot-first slide. Luis was tagged out by Chris Harvey, keeping the game at 2-0 in favor of West Virginia.
Gregori Rivero doubled with one out in the 4th inning on a flare down the right field line. Enmanuel Gracia was able to plat Rivero with a triple to right-center, cutting the deficit to 2-1 in the top of the 4th. The triple was Garcia’s first and it was his 5th RBI of the season.
Chris Harvey started up a three-run 4th inning for the Black Bears as the West Virginia catcher connected on his first home run of the season, which landed in the Cutters bullpen beyond the left field wall. West Virginia added two more runs in the frame to take a 5-1 lead after four complete.
Suarez went five innings, allowing a season-high five runs, all earned on a season-high eight hits, including allowing his fourth home run of the year. The southpaw walked one and struck out out three.
West Virginia wasn’t done, adding a run in the bottom of the 6th and three more in the bottom of the 7th inning against Cutters reliever Jake Kelzer to push their lead to 9-1. The Black Bears took advantage of a pair of errors en route to their three runs in the 7th inning.
Kelzer finished the night, allowing four runs, three earned, on three hits over two innings. The big right-hander struck out a pair of Black Bears in the outing.
Julian Garcia worked around a pair of base runners in a scoreless inning of relief in the bottom of the 8th. Garcia picked up two strikeouts while allowing a walk and a hit in the frame.
Jesus Alastre and Enmanuel Garcia each recorded two hits in the loss. Alastre picked up his 2nd double of the season in the 3rd inning, while Garcia’s 1st triple of the season plated a run to give him his 5th RBI.
Williamsport wraps up their three-game set against the West Virginia Black Bears tomorrow in Morgantown. Felix Paulino takes to the mound for Williamsport. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Monongalia County Ballpark.
Cutter Carvings – West Virginia out-hit Williamsport 12-7…The 9 runs are tied for the most runs allowed by the Cutters this season… Williamsport finished the night 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position…
