May 9, 2012
Featured Game: Miami at Jacksonville
Miami held on for an 8-7 win over Jacksonville in a divisional matchup.
The Whales (5-4) were led by game MVP Dan Hinkle, who finished 2 for 4 with a home run, 4 RBI and 2 runs.
“We had a tough one on the road today,” Hinkle, who is the player-coach for the Whales, said. “However, we did what we had to do. Jacksonville was a tough team to score on today, but we found a way. That first inning homer most certainly helped!”
Hinkle hit his only home run of the game in the top of the first. Miami had two on following singles by Ronald Boucher and Rafael Padilla before Hinkle’s dinger.
The Buzzards (4-5) found a way to answer in the second. With one out, Mark Underwood singled and R.J. Harper doubled. Mike Carpenter then singled in Underwood. Harper then scored when John Lutz reached on an error. With two outs, Bob Holmes hit a three-run home run to give Jacksonville a 5-3 lead.
Miami cut into the lead with a run in the third. Joseph D’Abrichecourt hit a one-out triple, and Hinkle followed with an RBI ground out, his fourth RBI of the game.
Jacksonville added another run in the fifth. Following singles by Lou Whittier and Underwood, Harper hit an RBI single for the 6-4 lead.
The Whales answered right away in the sixth. Andrew Vaughn doubled, followed by a Hoyt Price single. Pedro Marino then hit into an RBI fielder’s choice to make it 6-5.
Miami then tied the game in the eighth inning. Price hit a one-out double and then advanced on a ground out. Rory Cooke then singled Price home for a 6-6 tie heading into the ninth.
In the top of the inning, the Whales took the lead. With one out and a runner on, Hinkle singled. Vaughn then hit an RBI single to drive in D’Abrichecourt. With two outs, Marino singled in Hinkle for the 8-6 lead.
The Buzzards tried to answer in the bottom of the ninth but fell just short with the winning runs on. To lead off the inning, Stan Herring, Holmes, and Juan Navarro all singled, scoring Herring and making the score 8-7. Eric Holley then flew out, followed by a fielder’s choice. After Underwood walked to load the bases, Harper grounded out to third to end the game.
“We coulda woulda shoulda won it,” Jacksonville player-coach Rusty Lewis said. “You can’t have the winning run on in the bottom of the ninth and keep the ball in the infield. Miami tried to hand us the game but we blew it. Blew it.”
Outstanding Players of the Game:
Dan Hinkle, Miami, 2-4, HR, 4 RBI, 2 R
Bob Holmes, Jacksonville, 2-5, HR, 3 RBI, R