Rockers fall 10-5

YORK, Pa. – The High Point Rockers built an early 6-0 lead but could not stop the Atlantic League’s most powerful offense as the York Revolution claimed a 10-6 decision Friday night at WellSpan Park.

The loss drops the Rockers to 18-25 in the second half and 47-59 on the season. York continues to lead the North Division at 31-12 and 66-40. With Lexington’s win over Staten Island on Friday, the Rockers have fallen eight games out of first place with 20 games remaining.

After a pair of scoreless innings, the Rockers exploded for six runs in the top of the third. Singles by Braxton Davidson and Luke Napleton put runners at first and third. York starting pitcher Rhett Kouba then delivered a pitch that catcher Austin Bates could not handle as it bounced to the backstop, allowing Davidson to score and Napleton to wind up on third. Ty Hubbard was hit by a pitch and Hogan Windish drew a walk to load the bases. Colin Davis delivered a two-run single before Ryan McCarthy cleared the bases with a three-run homer.

The Revs scored a pair of runs off Rockers starter Matt Colucci in the bottom of the third. Mike Rosario singled and scored on a triple by Andrew Ramirez. Bates then lifted a sac fly to score Ramirez and pull York to withing 6-2.

York made it a one-run game with three runs in the fifth, all with two outs. With one on, Jacob Teter’s fly ball to right was lost in the lights by McCarthy, allowing one run to score. Another double by Nick Dunn and an RBI single from Jackson Ross added two more runs and the Rockers held a 6-5 lead after five.

But York’s offensive onslaught continued in the sixth. Colucci allowed a double to Ramirez  before being removed for Brayden Matthews (L, 2-4) with one out. Tomo Otosaka reached on a broken bat single the scored Ramirez. An errant pickoff throw to first move Otosake to second. Brian Rey followed with an RBI single before a hit batter loaded the bases. Matthews walked Dunn to force home one run and Ross delivered a sac fly to complete a four-run inning and leave the Revs with a 9-6 lead. York tacked on an insurance run in the eighth to account for the 10-6 final.

Shane Gray (W, 10-3) earned the win with one inning of scoreless relief in the sixth inning.

Davis and McCarthy each had a pair of hits for the Rockers who totaled eight hits on the night. York scored its 10 runs on 16 hits.

Saturday’s game five of the series will start at 6:30 at WellSpan Park.

Rocker fans can follow the action live on DugoutTV.org or the audio broadcast on the free app MixLR.