NEWARK BEARS ~ Scratch Out Victory In Ninth Inning

From the desk of:  GROWLINGS FROM BROOKLYN



LINK:   Newark Bears

NEWARK BEARS:  After Blowout Victory Thursday, Bears Scratch Out Win In Ninth Inning Tonight.

FRIDAY FINAL:
New York Federals....7
Newark Bears.............8

A truly entertaining game in Newark on this late Friday afternoon.


The Bears were cruising again leading 3-0 after three innings played. 

In the second inning, Daryle Ward led off with a triple.  The next batter, Danny Santiesteban, promptly drove him in with a single.  After Santiesteban advanced to second on an error by N.Y. Feds' pitcher Giuseppe Granito, the struggling Todd Gossage made good with an RBI driving in Santiesteban from second with a single for a 2-0 Newark lead.  The Bears tacked on a third run when N.Y.'s Giussepe Granito was charged with his second error of the game which eventually led to an unearned run for Newark in the third inning.

In the top of the fourth frame, the Federals struck back and touched Newark starter Ryan Lobban for three runs off three hits to tie the game at three.

With the preliminaries out of the way, this game really got started with Newark's next at-bat.  In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Bears struck for four runs while sending Fed's pitcher Granito to an early shower after pitching 3.1 innings for New York.

With one out, Newark DH Burt Reynolds singled.  Todd Gossage then collected his second hit of the game.  Hot hitting Billy Alvino likewise, promptly singled to drive in Reynolds.  Paddy Matera-(2B) drew a walk to load the bases with Bears.  Then the big blow.  Brandon Watson cleared the bases with a triple putting the Bears up 7-3.

The teams traded zeroes on the scoreboard over the next three innings.

In the top of the eighth inning, the Feds mounted another comeback.  Three runs scored had the Federals within a one of the Bears.  Newark pitcher Kyle Morrison got touched up for three hits and all three runs.

The top of the ninth could have been viewed as a bad omen.  A wild pitch put a Federal runner in scoring position who was quickly driven in by an Andrew Barbaro single.  And this game was now tied an in threat of slipping away from Newark

But the Bears had last licks and made the most of their chance.  To lead off the home ninth, Tim Raines Jr. was hit by a pitch and taken out of the game.  Kyle LaMotta, pinch running for Raines advanced to second on a 3-1 FC.  Daryle Ward was intentionally walked.  Both runners advance on a Santiesteban sacrifice fly.  Burt Reynolds then singled home Kyle LaMotta from third for the Bears game winning run.

The Newark bullpen wasn't nearly up to the task this afternoon.  Kyle Morrison and Mikey Mehlich combined for three innings; six hits; and four runs allowed (one walk and two strikeouts) to let the New York Federals back into the game.  But because the Bears were able to string together a couple of hits in the ninth and win, these types of implosions often go over-looked and Mikey Mehlich earns a win.


It was good to see Todd Gossage get two RBI and a couple of hits.  He needs the confidence boost right now.

No word yet about Tim Raines Jr. leaving the game.  He was 0 for 3 today with one RBI.


The Newark Bears have now evened their record at 4-4 for the season.  Their .500 winning percentage also leap-frogs them into fourth for the moment; two and a half games back of first.


Bear lead five series vs. Federals two games to none.

Next game:   Saturday, June 4 ~ N.Y. FEDERALS @ NEWARK BEARS



Mike.BTB

NEWARK BEARS ~ Win First Game in a Romp

From the desk of:  Growling in Brooklyn


NEWARK BEARS:  Win Their First Ever Game In CanAm League and Avoid Sweep by Rockland.

FINAL SCORE:
Rockland Boulders  4
NEWARK BEARS  16


After dropping the first two games of the season, the Newark Bears roared back at their competition Saturday night.  They finally won their first game of the season and also avoided a sweep at the hands of the Rockland Boulders.  Rockland only rolled out three pitchers against Newark and the Bears clawed them all.

Newark pounded out 18 hits and plated 16 runs tonight in a romp over the Boulders at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium.  Tim Raines Jr. had a break-out game as well with his first three hits of the season.  In going 3 for 5 tonight, he drove in 6 RBI.  Todd Gossage also chipped in with 3 more RBI.  The two combined for 9 RBI and 4 runs scored.

Other notable swings - Lead-off batter Brandon Watson set the table with a 4 for 6 day; an RBI and 2 runs scored.  Catcher Billy Alvino went 3 for 3; two runs scored and an RBI.  And first baseman Brian Nichols went 3 for 5 batting clean-up today with two runs scored.

Ryan Lobban was the starting pitcher for Newark tonight, hurling five innings and is credited with the win.  He gave up four hits and surrendered three runs all coming in the fifth, while walking two and striking out two.  By then the Bears were leading 9-3 and the bullpen took care of the rest. 

TJ Hose relieved Lobban with two innings pitched.  He gave up two hits, allowed a run and struck out two.  Andrew Pluta pitched the final two innings to seal the deal for Newark.  He allowed only one hit and struck out two, including the last batter of the game in a non-save situation.




NEXT GAME:

The Newark Bears face their officially declared rival; the New Jersey Jackals for the first time since being newly minted foes.  The first game of a home-and-home series is in Newark Sunday with a start time of 1:05pm.  Both teams head to the home of the Jackals for the second game on Monday.




Mike.BTB