Much like the 95-degree weather that blanketed BB&T Ballpark at first pitch, the New York-Penn League cannot escape the heat that the Doubledays (9-6) pitching staff has been emanating the last three games. Auburn pitchers held the Crosscutters (7-8) to just one run – only the fourth opposing run to score over the past three contests – in a 4-1 Doubledays victory at Williamsport on Sunday afternoon.
Doubledays starting pitcher Francys Peguero received a well-earned win after allowing just one earned run over his last two starts (9 IP). Auburn’s righty allowed just one run on two hits over five innings.
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Right on cue, the Doubleday offense sparked in the fifth inning with a Jose Sanchez double and a walk by Cole Daily. Gage Canning kept the rally going with another double, but Sanchez was thrown out at the plate in a bang-bang play that managed to rile up Doubledays manager Jerad Head to the point of inciting an argument with home plate umpire Thomas Fornarola.
While Head’s conversation with Fornarola unsurprisingly failed to change his mind, the Doubledays caught a break with the Crosscutters’ curious decision to intentionally walk centerfielder Cody Wilson. Wilson had only gotten five at-bats the entire season and hadn’t played since June 19, but was walked in favor of getting a lefty-on-lefty matchup with right fielder Jacob Rhinesmith.
With the bases juiced, Rhinesmith – entering the contest with a .349 BA – connected on triple to empty the bases and give the Doubledays their first lead of the night, 3-1.
Aaron Barrett provided a crucial shut down inning following the Doubledays’ huge three-spot in the fifth. With two seasons of major league experience with the Nationals under his belt, Barrett had a quiet sixth inning in front of his teammates, who were all leaning against the dugout railing to watch him pitch.
The Doubledays pushed across an insurance run in the seventh inning courtesy of a wild pitch while Jamori Blash batting. Gage Canning was able to scurry into home to give Auburn it’s fourth and final run, with the Doubledays winning 4-1 score.
The Doubledays will be back in action Monday when they take on Williamsport for Game 2 of their series at 7:05 PM. You can hear the game live on FL1 Radio.
