SCRANTON - GAME RECAP

After two postponed games in Rochester and Syracuse, I was finally able to return to baseball and enjoyed a sunny afternoon tilt between my hometown Ottawa Lynx and the Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Barons.  

The starting pitchers were Travis Driskill for Ottawa and Greg Kubes for SWB. Both were on top of their game, giving up the occasional hit, but no runs as the game was scoreless through 5. Due to the cold weather, however, both hurlers were lifted after 5, and the game went to the bullpens. Julio Santana was the second pitcher for SWB and he was superb, going 3 strong innings, yielding only a single. The Ottawa relievers, on the other hand, were not sharp. Todd Rizzo pitched the 6th inning and was victimized by some excellent small-ball tactics from SWB, who manufactured a run on a bunt single, sacrifice, infield single, and sacrifice fly. In the 7th, Rizzo remained in and gave up a double, infield single, and hit batsman to load the bases with two out. Juan Sosa then hit a grounder to short and Ottawa shortstop Eddy Garabito lollygagged it, allowing Sosa to beat the throw. A run scored on the play (a fielder's choice) and SWB led 2-0. 

Dave Hollins grounds to first

In the bottom of the 8th, Bill Pulsipher came on for the Lynx and promptly walked 3 batters and gave up 2 singles as SWB led 4-0. Hector Carrasco was brought in to mop up, but he allowed 2 inherited runners to score, and SWB was in command 6-0.

Jose Cabrera was brought in to close the game and he did so convincingly, getting the Lynx in order as Scranton defeated Ottawa 6-0.

Carlos Mendez fouls one off