Record Broken

The formula is becoming familiar.  Five strong innings out of the starting pitcher.  An early offensive surge.  And solid work from the bullpen.

All of those elements came together again on Tuesday evening, as the Lancaster Barnstormers struck for six runs in the bottom of the fourth to support Nate Reed en route to a 7-1 victory over the York Revolution at Clipper Magazine Stadium.

It was a franchise record 11^th straight win for the Barnstormers, who pushed their divisional lead over the Sugar Land Skeeters to 2 ½ games.

Reed (4-0) shut out York on four hits and two walks for five innings.  For the fourth consecutive time, the lefty struck out exactly six batters in a five-inning stint.  His ERA for the season dropped to a league-low 1.35 with his third win over York this season and seventh of his career.

Lancaster took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second.  With two outs, Carlos Garcia picked up a walk from Mitch Atkins (0-3).  Garcia stole second and rode home when Vladimir Frias drilled a single out to the right field wall.

The fourth inning uprising received some assistance from the York defense.  With one out and Joey Terdoslavich aboard on a walk, Atkins dropped a throw from Zach Wilson while covering the first base bag.  Ryan Casteel took advantage of the opportunity, pounding a three-run homer to left field for a 4-0 lead.

Garcia reached base on Wilson’s fumble, then stole second and third.  Rico Noel, the league’s top hitter, singled up the middle to score Garcia with the inning’s fourth run.  York second baseman Alexi Casilla could not pick up Darian Sandford’s grounder.  The league’s top two thieves executed a double steal, and both runners scored on Tyler Bortnick’s single to center.

York’s only run came on a Michael Burgess home run off the first pitch thrown by Jesus Sanchez.  Lancaster’s bullpen yielded only one hit after that.

The Barnstormers host the Revs in the second game of the series on Wednesday evening.  Steve Johnson (2-1) will make the start against right-hander Dominic Severino (2-1).  Fans may tune into BRC 11 or the Barnstormers YouTube Channel starting at 7:00.