Not even Mother Nature herself could stop the Doubledays (25-20) as they took on the Spikes (19-27) in a Thursday night double-header. Making up their game from June 21 that was postponed due to rain, the Doubledays’ bats hit the cruise button as Auburn ran away with Game 1, 7-1, and coasted into a 6-0 victory in Game 2.
Looking past the Doubledays lethal offense – which had a combined 21 hits between both seven-inning games – Auburn’s starting pitching combined for only five hits, zero runs, and six strikeout over nine innings on the night.
Aaron Fletcher solidified his case for an appearance in this year’s All-Star Game with yet another gem of a start – lowering his ERA from an already impressive 1.23 to a dazzling 1.02 over his three innings of work. He allowed just two hits as his offense gave him a 2-0 lead by the time he was replaced on the mound by Gilberto Chu.
Chu continued his streak of three strong outings with a fourth, allowing a run but nothing else in two innings of relief work as he struck out two and eventually received the win. David Smith slammed the door on State College, going two perfect innings for his team-leading fifth save of the season.
We're on the board!
Pablo O'Connor stays hot from Game 1 and hits a single up the middle to give the Doubledays a 1-0 lead in the first! pic.twitter.com/g6Q3ngnrNT
— Auburn Doubledays (@Doubledays) August 2, 2018
The Doubledays combined for a team cycle – Carson Shaddy with an RBI double, Moises Sierra with a home run, Pablo O’Connor with a RBI single, and Ricardo Mendez with an RBI triple – to score the first six runs of the game, with Jacob Rhinesmith rounding off the scoring in the seventh with an RBI groundout.
And if Fletcher’s start in Game 1 solidified his case for a chance of playing at Lubrano Park on August 13 amongst the league’s best, Game 2 starter Angel Guillen’s all but guaranteed it. Guillen went six innings – a new season high – while shutting out the Spikes en route to a sparkling 7-0 Doubledays win. He struck out three and allowed three hits while lowering his ERA by nearly half a run to 2.52.
On offense, the Doubledays put on yet another clinic with big hits from throughout the order. Jamori Blash continued to swing his way out of his July slump by going 3-for-4 with two RBI, Ricardo Mendez increased his RBI total on the night to five with a two-run single in the fifth, and Nic Perkins failed to make an out after singling in the first inning and walking three times.
GAME OVER 👾
The Doubledays take Game 2 and sweep the double-header against State College with a 6-0 win! pic.twitter.com/Cd6MzFcNkH
— Auburn Doubledays (@Doubledays) August 3, 2018
The Doubledays continue their series against the Spikes on Friday at 7:05 PM. Listen LIVE on FingerLakes1.com Radio.
By Chris Valentino Tril
