Y-D: 5, Orleans: 4

YD OUTLASTS ORLEANS IN 5-4 WIN


Home runs powered the YD Red Sox (7-7-2) to their first win in the last four games as they defeated the Orleans Firebirds (7-7-1) at Eldredge Park 5-4. Matt Reynolds and James Ramsey each knocked the ball out of the park and energized a struggling YD offense.

The action began in the top of the second when designated hitter Mason Katz lead off the inning with a walk. With one out Matt Reynolds blasted a two-run home run over the left field wall to put the Red Sox on the board and take a 2-0 lead. It was Reynold’s first home run of the year.

Danger struck for YD starting pitcher Andrew Thurman in the bottom half of the frame when Orleans centerfielder Jake Stewart lead off the inning with a solo home run to cut the YD advantage in half, 2-1. Thurman was able to escape the rest of the inning by retiring the next three batters.

Nevertheless, Orleans was able to grab another run in the bottom of the third inning after a leadoff single and a hit by pitch put runners on first and second with no outs. After getting one out, Thurman surrendered a single to Steve Selsky to bring home the second Firebird run and tie the game at two.
That would be the last run Thurman allowed as he went six innings, giving up five hits and striking out five while walking none. Thurman entered the game with an 8.44 ERA in 5 1/3 innings but lowered his earned run average to 5.56 while picking up his second win of the season.

The scoring continued for YD in the top of the fifth inning when a leadoff walk by shortstop Matt Wessinger and a successful hit-and-run executed by second baseman Tyler Hanover, who singled, put runners on second and third with no outs. On a 1-2 count and after Orleans brought in a new pitcher, James Ramsey launched a 3-run home run over the left field wall, his second of the year, to give the Red Sox a 5-2 lead.

Ramsey went 2-4 with a walk, reaching base in three of his five at-bats. Right fielder Cody Keefer also had a good game, slapping doubles in his first two at-bats.

The Firebirds got two runs back in the bottom of the seventh after the first batter reached on an error and the next reached on a single. A fielder’s choice placed runner’s on the corners when leadoff man Matt Duffy drove in the third Orleans run with a double. Second baseman Maxx Tissenbaum grounded out to let a run score and cut the YD lead to one, 5-4.

Red Sox relief pitcher Kyle Hansen surrendered those two runs in the bottom of the seventh but was able to preserve the win for YD. Hansen threw three full innings while striking out five, walking one, and allowing only two hits.

YD returns home on Wednesday to play the Brewster Whitecaps and attempt to continue their success.