In
an effort to shake up Clint Wolf’s 0-10 hitting slump, coach Jonmarc Lippincott
elected to donate his No. 8 jersey to the All-Star centerfielder for the Rangers’
Sunday afternoon affair with the Springfield Indians. ‘
Jersey No.
8 not only relished in one trip around the bases, but two, as its new suitor
belted a solo shot to left field in the first inning and then in the fifth,
launched a 3-run bullet to center. Clint’s second and third homers of the
season, pushed his career total to 17 and catapulted his all-time MVABL ranking
from 7th place into sole possession of 4th place, five
home runs shy of coach Lippincott for third place.
Jacob
Robinson started on the hill for the Rangers and went the distance striking out
four for his fourth win of the season. Jacob improves to 3-0 in the month of
June with a 1.46 ERA this month. Jacob will go for the team record in wins in a
single month as he is on tap for a start in next Sunday’s twinbill against the
Panthers.
The Rangers jumped out
early on Indians starter Phil Beach as Wolf and Brad Clark hit back-to-back
homeruns with two outs in the top of the first inning. The Rangers added
another run in the third after Jonmarc Lippincott singled to left center to
drive in Jared Bradley. Jacob got himself out of a jam in the bottom of the
third after three straight two-out singles, as he struck out Kevin Canfield
looking to end the threat. The Indians started off the fourth with three
straight hits again. But Jacob beared down once more to induce a 1-2-3 double
play that almost turned into a triple play as 1B Joe Staten caught Matt
Spradlin racing around third base trying to score. However, the relay throw to
home was mishandled and the Indians were on the board.
With a 3-1 lead in the
fifth, Jacob singled with one out and Lippincott followed with a free pass to
bring up Wolf, who deposited a Beach fastball over the fence in center for a
6-1 Rangers advantage. The Indians turned to Matt Spradlin in the sixth, who
struck out three over four hitless innings of work. The Indians final two runs
scored on a towering RBI double by Joey Herren to left (which spectators swore
pierced a cloud on its way back down to earth), and an RBI single by Joey
cherry in the seventh inning.
Offensive highlights:
Clint Wolf 3-4, 2HRs, 4RBI; Brad Clark 1-4 HR; Jonmarc Lippincott 1-3 RBI, BB,
run, Jacob Robinson 1-3 run, SB.
Historical note: Jake is
7 strikeouts away from 5th place on the all-time MVABL leaderboard.