FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 9, 2007

Contact: Joe Montefusco (973) 848-1000, ext. 112

 

                                                                                

BEARS FALL SHORT TO BARNSTORMERS, 6-3

 

NEWARK, NJ – June 9, 2007 – Newark Bears left-fielder Marcus Nettles scored on a sacrifice-fly in the bottom of the seventh inning to cut the Lancaster Barnstormers lead in half, however the Barnstormers added a run in the eighth and ninth innings to defeat the Bears 6-3 Saturday evening in front of 3,170 fans at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium.  Despite the loss, the Bears pitchers tied their season high with 12 strikeouts in a game

 

With the game tied at two in the top of the seventh inning, Lancaster shortstop Danny Gonzalez hit an RBI single and first baseman Jeremy Todd hit an RBI double to give the Barnstormers a 4-2 lead.

 

Trailing 2-0 entering the bottom of the sixth inning, the Bears had five hits while sending eight men to the plate scoring two runs to tie the game.  With one out and the bases loaded, center-fielder Keith Reed hit an RBI single followed by another RBI single by third baseman Corey Smith.

 

Lancaster took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Gonzalez hit an RBI single to centerfield scoring left-fielder Quincy Foster.  They doubled their lead in the top of the sixth inning when third baseman Steve Van Note scored on a throwing error by Bears right-fielder Jose Herrera attempting to throw Van Note out at third on a single by right-fielder Dominick Ambrosini.

 

For the Bears, Herrera went 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Reed went 2-for-4 with an RBI.  Gonzalez led the Barnstormers finishing the day 3-for-5 including three singles, one run scored, and one RBI.

 

Bobby Brownlie (3-3) took the loss after allowing two earned runs on eight hits in 6.1 innings pitched, while striking out eight.  Gustavo Martinez (3-2) earned the victory after surrendering two runs on seven hits in six innings, and Derrick DePriest earned his third save of the season allowing one hit and striking out one in the ninth inning.

 

The Bears and Barnstormers will complete the three-game series Sunday afternoon at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium with first pitch scheduled for 3:05 PM.  Carlos Mirabal (2-2) will take the mound for the Bears against left-hander Rob Henkel (2-3) for the Barnstormers.  Gates to The Den open at 2:05 PM to Women in Sports Day.  All fans are asked to join the Bears to honor all the female athletes.  All sisters will receive a "Venus & Serena Sisters" 2-for-1 ticket deal at the box office.  In addition all fans will have the opportunity to participate in a pre-game autograph session with the coaches and players, and all children 14 and under may run the bases after the game as part of the Bears Family Fun Day Sundays.