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Clinging to a one-run lead in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Hudson Valley Renegades found themselves in a most precarious position against the visiting Brooklyn Cyclones on July 1.
Renegade reliever Travis Risser had entered the game with a runner on first. Risser proceeded to issue two walks and an RBI single to cut the Hudson Valley lead to 2-1. With one out and the bases loaded, Cyclone Ralph Henriquez stepped into the batters box with the game on the line.
“My release point was off and my two-seam sinker was up in the zone,” said Risser.
Sticking with his best pitch, Risser threw another sinker that Henriquez chopped into the ground. The ball was hit slowly enough that it seemed a foregone conclusion that Brooklyn would tie the game.
It didn’t happen.
First basemen John Mollicone, playing a step in on the grass, charged the ball and uncorked a bullet of a throw to shortstop Robbi Estrada at second. With Mollicone nowhere near the bag it was a foot race between Henriquez and Risser to see who would get to the base first.
“At first I thought the infield was back and I hesitated. I just busted to the base. I’ve never run that hard. I could barely breath,” said Risser.
The throw from Estrada and a streaking Risser arrived at the same time: a half step ahead of Henriquez. The inning was over and so, in effect, was the game. Matt Gorgen came into the game in the ninth and struck out the side to preserve the 2-1 Renegade victory.
With the win, the Renegades moved to 9-6, good for first place in the New York-Penn League’s McNamara Division.
After a slow start, Hudson Valley is on a roll and the main turn in fortunes has been pitching and defense, like the key double play that saved this game.
Starting pitcher Shane Dyer and four relievers combined to limit Brooklyn to five hits. Dyer, who was hit hard in his first start at Dutchess Stadium, issued four walks in 4-and-a-third innings, but bore down with runners on base. In the first inning with one out and the bases loaded with Cyclones, Dyer struck out Eric Campbell and induced John Servidio to ground out.
The Renegades grabbed an early lead when Brooklyn shortstop Jake Eigsti failed to catch a hard hit line drive off the bat of Mike Ross. Jake Jefferies, running on contact, scored from second base.
Meanwhile, Dyer was cruising until the fifth inning, when he issued a pair of two-out walks. Diego Echeverria came in from the bullpen and promptly struck out 2008 first round draft pick Reese Havens to end the Brookyn threat.
Hudson Valley tacked on another run in the fourth inning, when Estrada lined a two-out single to plate Jeff Carroll. From there it was the bullpen show, with Echeverria, Gorgen, Neil Schenk and Risser holding the Cyclones at bay.
“The bullpen is doing a great job for us. We have to try to minimize our leadoff walks, but the guys showed great composure,” said pitching coach Rafael Montalvo.
Renegades notes
The Renegades honored the memory of Poughkeepsie native Mark Palmateer in a pre-game moment of silence. Spc. Mark Palmateer lost his life in Afghanistan last month when his convoy was attacked, and he became the first Dutchess County man to be killed in action in Afghanistan.
Jason Tweedy went 0-3, snapping an eight-game hitting streak. Tweedy went 13-34 during the streak, good for a .390 average.
