HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point Rockers fell to the York Revolution 11-6 on Monday night in front of a crowd of 4,278, the third-largest crowd in Truist Point history.
The Rockers remain in second place in the Atlantic League’s South Division with a record of 39-20. They trail Gastonia (41-18) by two games with four contests remaining in the first half.
In a game that included three lead changes, it was the Revolution that overcame a 5-4 deficit with a six-run outburst in the seventh inning that helped propel York to the win.
Rockers starter Craig Stem had not pitched in 66 days since suffering a broken hand in the second inning of his start against Long Island on Opening Night on April 28. Stem went five innings but left the contest with a 5-4 lead.
Shed Long, Jr. staked the Rockers to an early 1-0 lead as he led off the game with a solo homer that rattled the video board in right-center. It was his sixth home run of the year. The Rockers took a 2-0 lead in the second when Ben Aklinski singled and took third on a single by Brian Parreira before scoring on Michael Martinez’s sacrifice fly.
The Revolution roared back and took a 4-2 advantage in the top of the third on a pair of two-run homers off Stem. Alex Pantoja reached on a single and scored on a blast by Trent Giambrone. Tomo Otosaka followed with a single before Drew Mendoza hit another two-run homer for a 4-2 lead.
The Rockers scored three times in the fourth to get back on top 5-4. York starter Jorge Martinez allowed a leadoff single to Ryan Grotjohn and a walk to Aklinski. Parreira then smacked a two-run double and came around to score on a fielder’s choice by Long, Jr.
The Revolution would explode for six runs in the seventh to take a commanding 10-5 lead. York opened the frame with three consecutive singles off reliever Bryce Hensley (L, 3-1) before Drew Mendoza hit a two-run double. After Hensley was replaced by Kyle Halbohn, Jacob Rhinesmith delivered an RBI single and pinch-hitter Trey Martin blasted a three-run homer during the six-run outburst. Troy Stokes, Jr. knocked a solo homer in the top of the eighth York’s lead to 11-5. Aklinski reached base on a single in the ninth, stole second, and scored on a wild pitch to account for the 11-6 final.
York reliever Andrew Cabezas (W, 1-0) threw two shutout innings in relief of Martinez to earn the win.
The Rockers will travel to Southern Maryland on Wednesday and start a three-game series with the Blue Crabs. Wednesday’s game time is set for 6:35 p.m. and will be streamed live on FLO Baseball and will also be available on the Mixlr app.
