HIGH POINT, NC – A long bottom-of-the-ninth inning battle between Ben Aklinski and
Chris Nunn was eventually won by the Rockers right fielder, who launched a payoff pitch off the wall in left field to plate the winning run in a 3-2 game at Truist Point on Friday night. It's the FerryHawks third one-run loss in over the last four games.
Julio Teheran took the mound for a team-leading sixth start this season, but allowed a pair of first-inning runs before settling in for another strong start. The 31-year-old retired to first two Rockers before walking Logan Morrison and allowing a single to Quincy Lattimore. With two on and two out, Zander Wiel belted a triple deep into the right-field alley, pushing home both Morrison and Lattimore to give High Point an early 2-0 lead.
Rockers starting pitcher Jheyson Manzueta retired the first 11 FerryHawks before an
Angel Aguilar single, but the FerryHawks wouldn't touch up the righty until seventh inning.
Ricardo Cespedes knocked a single down the right field line, before a Yunior Santana fielders choice. That brought
John Nester to the plate representing the tying run. The Catcher proceeded the belt his first home run of the season over the left field fence, tying the game at 2-2.
Adam Choplick (2-1) tossed a scoreless ninth inning to preserve the 2-2 tie despite giving up a leadoff single to Nester.
Kuzia (0-2) started the ninth inning, but
Chris Nunn was on the rubber when the Rockers walked-off.
Edgardo Alfonzo yanked Kuzia after issuing a pair of walks, in favor of the lefty
Chris Nunn. With the winning run on second in the form of Michael Gullino, Ben Aklinski continued to duel
Chris Nunn with the game on the line. He took a 3-2 offer and sent it into the left-field alley to win the game for the Rockers, 3-2.
Staten Island (5-19) play the middle game of the three-game set on Saturday evening. RHP
Jordan Simpson takes the bump for the FerryHawks against Rockers RHP Andrew Church. First pitch at Truist Point is scheduled for 6:35 PM with the FerryHawks Pregame show slated for 6:20 on the SI FerryHakws YouTube page.
Postgame Notes: Angel Aguilar (2-for-4) recorded his team-best 11th multi-hit game of the season and has his average up to .376...three of
John Nester's last four hits have been two-run knocks...Nester's second multi-hit game of the season, third 2 RBI game...four of the last six FerryHawks losses decided by one run
