Box Score

The game seemed as though it would never end tonight in McKinney, Texas, but the Bombers came through with a 7-6 win in extra innings. Kip Masuda hit two home runs and Danny Hernandez was 4-for-6 with two doubles and the game-winning RBI for the Bombers, who improved to 16-18 on the season.

The Marshals struck first in the ballgame, using three singles to take a 2-0 lead on Bombers pitcher Trey Sperring. Despite his early difficulties, Sperring settled down nicely, retiring six of the next seven batters he faced heading into the fourth inning. With the Bombers struggling to put runs on the board, Kip Masuda hit a two-run bomb to left field to tie the game at two.

Two innings later, Masuda came up with the score tied at three with two outs and Danny Hernandez standing on first base. With Nick Thomas in to pitch, Masuda drove his full count pitch deep over the left field fence for his second home run of the game. The multi-home run game by Masuda was the first of the season by a Bombers player. The blast gave the Bombers the 5-3 lead, but the Marshals were able to slowly crawl back into the game, tying it at five heading into the eighth inning.

The Marshals then gained the lead in unusual fashion, bringing the McKinney crowd to its feet. Myrio Richard, the TCL’s stolen base leader, was hit by pitch to begin the inning. After going to second base on a passed ball, he advanced over to third base on Justin Bloxom’s ground ball. With Mike Walker at the plate, Richard broke for home while Zylstra was in his windup. Zylstra did not notice Richard in time and he was able to steal home for the go-ahead run.

With the odds stacked against them, the Bombers were able to tie the game for the second consecutive night in the ninth inning. Taylor Zambreski began the inning with a double down the left field line to start the rally. After Kip Masuda put down a perfect sacrifice bunt advancing Zambreski to third base, Freddy Carmona singled to right field to tie the game at six.

The game went into extra innings and the Bombers came inches short of taking the lead. Zach Grichor tried to score from second base on Taylor Zambreski’s single to center field, but missed home plate and was called out by the home plate umpire.  Bombers coach Brent Alumbaugh immediately challenged the umpire’s questionable call, but to no avail as the Marshals were able to get out of the inning.

The Bombers took the lead for good in the top of the twelfth inning, as Danny Hernandez drove a double into the left field corner, scoring Zach Grichor for the game-winning run. Dave Sever retired the Marshals in the bottom half of the inning to seal the victory for the Bombers.