Early Runs Hurt Rangers

  The Rangers fell to 3-6 in the MVABL this year, losing to the Dayton Angels by a score of 7-4.

      Matt Sparks started for the Rangers and was rudely awakened by the Angels lineup in the first and second inning. The Angels batted around in the first scoring 4 times on 6 hits capped by a 355 HR off the bat of lefty Tom Long. Two more runs came around in the 2^nd helped by doubles from Jeff Dillard and Greg Stallard. But Sparks was able to hold the Halos in check over the final five frames allowing only 3 more hits.

      However, the Rangers batters could smell blood, but never went for the kill. The Rangers scored their first 2 runs in the bottom of the first. Brian Robinson led off with a base hit and came around to score on a 400-ft triple to center from Clint Wolf. Joe Staten followed with a sacrifice fly to cut the early deficit to 4-2. Clint scored again in the 3^rd inning on a 2-out RBI single from catcher Brent Collinsworth. The final tally for the Rangers came in the 6^th when Matt Hood tripled to deep right center field and came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Jacob Robinson.

      The Rangers had plenty of opportunities to tack on some more runs. The Rangers had 3 innings where the first two batters made outs before a potential rally began. “It’s tough to work from scratch with 2 outs,” coach Lippincott commented. “We never could get that one lucky break that would give us a shift in momentum. Give credit to the Angels. Jeremy Cunningham made an outstanding Jim Edmonds-esque over-the-head catch in short centerfield in the final inning, which pretty much summed up the evening for our hitters. The Angels made the plays when they had too.”

RANGERS "MARKS"

OFFENSE
Jacob Robinson – 2-for-2, sacrifice fly
Matt Hood – leadoff triple, run scored

Clint Wolf – RBI triple

Brent Collinsworth – 2-for-2, 2-out RBI.

DEFENSE
Brent Collinsworth – threw out running attempting to steal 2^nd base

Scott Sundermeyer – sliding 3^rd out catch to stop a rally.