Generals 4 Mariners 3 (8 innings)
Hamilton pulled out a dramatic extra-inning victory on Thursday
night at Patton Park on the strength of a Avon Stewart III walk-off
homer leading off the bottom of the eighth. Manchester/Essex led 2-1 in
the bottom of the fifth when Justin Tilley tied the game with a RBI
double for Hamilton. The Generals threatened to take the lead in the
bottom of the sixth, but Ryan Marques was able to record back-to-back
strikeouts with runners at second and third to end the inning.
Mike Cain led off the top of the seventh with a solo HR, putting
the Mariners back on top, 3-2. In the bottom of the seventh, Jim
Maloney doubled with one out and Hamilton's hopes rested on the
shoulders Matt Greeke, who had entered the game late as a defensive
replacement. With two outs, Greeke fouled off several two strike
pitches and was able to eventually deliver a base hit up the middle,
scoring Maloney, to tie the game at 3-3. Mike Drinkwater entered the
game and shut down the Mariners in the top of the eighth, setting the
stage for Stewart. Big Brother then came through by launching a
towering fly ball to leftfield that left the yard, ending the game in
dramatic fashion.
