Fritz and Barnstormers Blank Revolution

By Corey Righter on September 1, 2008

YORK, PA – The series finale between rivals York Revolution and Lancaster Barnstormers was a nail biter for most of the game as Lancaster bounced back with a 3-0 victory snapping a four game losing skid. Sunday’s game turned out to be an interesting pitcher’s duel as Revs’ Aaron Rakers and Stormers’ Ben Fritz faced off.

The two pitchers combined for sixteen strikeouts, each striking out eight. Making his fifth start for the Barnstormers this season Fritz allowed just three hits, walked four, and did not allow a run as he earned his first win in the Atlantic League. Sunday’s shutout was York’s fifth on the season.

Fritz was recently released by the Erie Seawolves, the AA affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. He left with a 6.40 ERA and hitters were batting a solid .325 against him in the Eastern League. His first four starts with Lancaster were all no decisions.

The Revolution were coming off a 16-4 blowout and Fritz was making his first start against the hot hitting home team, it had the makings of another rough night for the Barnstormers.

Lancaster would quickly get off to a good start in the second inning as cleanup hitter Ian Bladergroen took Rakers yard to right field near the picnic area. It was Bladergroen’s 13th long ball of the season.

The Revolution struggled all day to put guys on base and had plenty of opportunities to make something happen as Fritz was shaky and walked four throughout the game. The Revs failed to record an extra base hit.

On two occasions York designated hitter Matt Dryer came to the plate with two men on with two outs and the same result occurred each time up, a strike out. Dryer would account for four of the eight total men left on base by the Revolution.

Lancaster pitching made a complete turnaround from last night as they kept York hitless from the fifth inning on. The Barnstormers would add two more runs on a Bladegroen double to right field and a bunt by Mike Caruso.

Reliever Ryan Cullen registered a perfected ninth inning on the mound earning his ninth save on the season. Rakers is now 9-8 on the season, and Fritz improved to 1-0 in five starts. Lancaster improves to 21-27 and Yorks first place lead shrinks to 1.5 games and 27-21 overall, as Newark won their day game on Sunday.

The game became under protest by York in the ninth inning when Lancaster’s Jordan Herr was used a pinch runner for Matt LeCroy. The confusion was cleared up later on and Herr’s number was listed differently on the lineup card than what the number that was on his jersey.

York will begin a three game series in Bridgeport on Labor Day, meanwhile Lancaster returns home to begin a seven game home stand starting with Long Island.

The projected starters for tomorrow’s game in Bridgeport are York’s Dan Foli (4-6, 5.53) vs. Bridgeport’s Barry Hertzler (8-7, 4.88). The game begins at 7:05 p.m.

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