Siena’s Two-Run Shot In Tenth Inning Proves To Be The Difference

(Lancaster, PA– June 13, 2018) – The New Britain Bees (19-24) defeated the Lancaster Barnstormers (28-13) 7-5 by way of come-from behind fashion in ten innings at Clipper Magazine Stadium on Wednesday night and have now taken the first two games of the three game midweek series in the Keystone State. New Britain has won a season-high four consecutive games overall and have won eight of their last 11 games on the road while improving to 4-1 in extra-inning contests.

New Britain starting pitcher Kyle Simon tallied a no-decision in the ballgame, allowing five runs (four earned runs) on nine hits across five innings pitched, walking two and striking out one while tossing wild pitch and hitting a pair of batters. Lancaster starting pitcher Steve Johnson also did not factor in the game’s final outcome after surrendering three runs on six hits over five innings on the mound, walking two and striking out three along with a wild pitch thrown.

New Britain took an immediate 1-0 lead versus Johnson just four batters into the matchup when Josh Thole plated Reid Brignac after Brignac walked with one man down earlier in the frame, extending Thole’s on-base streak to a season-best ten straight games. Trailing 7-5 in the top half of the ninth inning, the Bees went to work against Barnstormers closer Matt Reynolds, who began the evening second in the Atlantic League in saves with ten. Vinny Siena tallied a leadoff single, while James Skelton drew a free pass, and the visitors were in business. Skelton also drew a walk in the top of the fifth and has now reached base safely in 16 consecutive games, matching Brignac for the team-high. Darren Ford’s sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position, and Brignac cut the deficit to 5-4 when he drove home Siena by way of a sacrifice fly. With the tying-run 90 feet away and two men out and down to his final strike, Jason Rogers got the Bees even at five with a broken bat run-scoring base knock that enabled Skelton to cross the plate. In the top of the tenth, Siena was at it again as he put New Britain up for good 7-5 with a game-winning opposite-field two-run roundtripper to right center off losing pitcher Matt Marksberry (0-1), the second big fly in the last three games for the local product out of Woodbridge. Evan Scribner shut the door in the bottom of the tenth for his fourth save of the campaign (tops on the ballclub), making a winner out of Devin Burke (1-0) and giving the Bees their most dramatic win of the season. Rogers led the way for the boys from the Hardware City with three more hits and runs batted in, his tenth multi-hit game and ninth multi-RBI game in 2018. Rogers has now driven home five runs in the first two games of the series. Photo provided courtesy of Joe Doll.

The Bees return to New Britain Stadium on Tuesday, June 19^th when they welcome in the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs to the Hardware City for a four-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. It will be another Two-Fer Tuesday in the Nutmeg State, as everyone can buy one full price ticket and get one FREE when you purchase on-line, by phone, or at the Bees Ticket Office. CLICK HERE for tickets.

About the New Britain Bees

The New Britain Bees are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at New Britain Stadium. For information on ticket packages, group outings and sponsorships call 860-826-BEES (2337) or visit NBBees.com.

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 38 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment. For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.

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