York Revolution (3-2) @ Lancaster Barnstormers (2-3)

Monday, September 26, 2011

Clipper Magazine Stadium:  Lancaster, PA

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REVS CLINCH PENNANT IN THRILLING SERIES, GAME THAT GOES THE DISTANCE

The York Revolution erupted for four runs in the top of the tenth inning and held on for dear life as the Lancaster Barnstormers scored three times in the bottom of the tenth inning, as the Revs won a classic in Game Five of the Freedom Division Championship Series, 5-4 in front of 5,916 fans at Clipper Magazine Stadium on Monday night.  The Revs have won back-to-back division pennants and make a return trip to the Atlantic League Championship Series where they will meet the Liberty Division champion Long Island Ducks in the first of a best-of-five series at Bethpage Ballpark in Central Islip, NY on Wednesday night.

The Revs used their biggest inning of the postseason to storm in front with the game tied 1-1 after nine innings.  Liubiemithz Rodriguez kick-started things with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by pinch-hitter Chris Walker.  After an intentional walk to Scott Grimes, Bryant Nelson hit a sharp ground ball to second base with the runners going.  The ball deflected off second baseman Gilberto Mejia’s glove and into centerfield, allowing Rodriguez to score on the error.  The Revs then took full advantage as Grimes scored on a sacrifice fly in foul ground by Ramon Castro.  Chris Nowak and Vince Harrison followed with RBI singles, as the Revs leapt ahead, 5-1.

Terry Tiffee lined a three-run homer to right field in the bottom of the tenth, but Dumas Garcia entered to strike out Travis Metcalf and seal the win for the Revs, earning his first save with York.

Revs starter Corey Thurman was outstanding in his biggest start in four years in a York uniform.  The right-hander allowed only a short porch solo homerun to Stephen Douglas in the bottom of the second inning, and retired 13 consecutive batters until allowing a two-out single in the seventh.  Thurman totaled 6.2 innings giving up only four hits and struck out a season-high nine.  His biggest test came in the third inning when Lancaster loaded the bases with one out, but Thurman navigated through the heart of the order, striking out the side to keep it a one-run game at the time.

Barnstormers starter Steve Hammond allowed only one hit through six innings of work, but the Revs greeted reliever Jeff Bennett with a trio of singles in the top of the seventh producing the tying run.  Harrison (4-for-5) led off with a single up the middle, and Val Majewski followed with a single to right-center.  Harrison was thrown out at third attempting to advance on the play, but Majewski took second on the throw and moved to third on a passed ball.  With the Barnstormers infield drawn in, Eric Eymann, making his first start of the series, chopped an RBI single up the middle tying the game at 1-1.

R.J. Rodriguez (2-0) earned his second win of the series despite allowing the three-run homer to Tiffee in the tenth.  Rodriguez’ perfect ninth inning forced extras.

Ryan Cullen (0-1) took the loss for Lancaster, one of four relievers used in the monster tenth inning.

The Revs have won a five-game division series with a one-run victory in the clincher in back-to-back seasons.  They have now won three consecutive postseason series.  They have clinched their last two postseason series with 5-4 victories in ten-inning games.

Game One of the Championship Series is set for Wednesday night at 6:35 p.m.  Revs fans can catch the action live on SportsRadio 1350, Shoutcast.com (WPDC) and YorkRevsTV.com with Darrell Henry on the call.