By Darryl Harding Sr –
On a beautiful Sunday before Memorial Day, the Woosox battle in their last game of the homestand against the Norfolk Tides. After dropping the last four games to the Tides, the Woosox look to rebound from this losing skid.
RHP Josh Winckowski takes the mound for Worcester with a 2.84 ERA and an 0-1 record. After being hit in the foot by a liner, in the 1st inning, Winckowski managed remain in the game.
Taking the rubber for Norfolk, a AAA-affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles and reigning AAA champs, RHP Justin Armbruester comes in with a 1-3 record and 39 strikeouts. Previously shelling Armbruester in the first homestand outing, the Woosox blasted back to back to back homeruns to Jamie Westbrook, Tyler Heineman and Eddy Alvarez, in the 2nd, giving Worcester a 3-0 lead early in the game.
Winckowski was replaced after 3.1 innings, throwing 67 pitches 46 for strikes. Leaving the bases loaded new LHP Bailey Horn gave up a 2 RBI single, coupled with one unearned run in the 3rd, letting Norfolk tie the game 3-3. Spelling Armbruester after 80 pitches, 48 for strikes, LHP Trey McGough steps to the sacred hill for the Tides.
RHP Justin Hagenman took over for the Woosox but unfortunately allowed a two homer to Terrin Varva, giving the Tides the lead 5-3. Norfolk increased the margin to 6-3 with a solo homer by Nick Maton in the top of the 6th.
RHP Corbin Martin relieved McGough after 3 scoreless innings pitched. Martin immediately gave up a solo shot to Eddy Alvarez, a double to Mark Contreras and an RBI double to Chase Meidroth, making the score 6-5. Martin then loaded the bases but the Woosox were unable to capitalize and left the men stranded.
Following consecutive scoreless innings, spun by RHP Luis Guerrero and RHP Ryan Zeferjahn, the Woosox rallied against Tides RHP Bryan Baker. A Jamie Westbrook double and a beautiful sacrifice bunt by Heineman, set up an RBI single by Alvarez to tie 6-6. Mark Contreras then tripled to drive in Alvarez and take the lead 7-6.
A fielding error scored Contreras to increase the lead to 8-6. Zeferjahn got to two outs with two strikes on Hudson Haskins before falling apart and permitting three runs, the Woosox again losing by one run 9-8.
This loss marks the 4th game lost in the ninth inning meaning Woosox are one shutout inning, in each game, away from turning a 1-5 homestand into a 5-1 triumph.” That one there stings the most,” said Chad Tracy Woosox manager, “we didn’t just come back and tie it …we took the lead.” Woosox look to rectify with a wins on their road trip to Charlotte.