Lara Throws Gem

photo by George Napalitano

The Cyclones offense gave Rainy Lara plenty of support as they defeated the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 5-1. Lara finished the game with 10 strikeouts, becoming only the third pitcher in franchise history to record double digit strikeouts multiple times in the same season.

The Scrappers were able to strike first as they took an early lead against Lara in the bottom of the first. After retiring the leadoff batter, Tyler Naquin doubled down the left field line with one out. After Joseph Wendle flew out to left for the second out, Charlie Valerio singled to center, scoring Naquin from second. After that single surrendered to Valerio, Lara would not allow another batter to reach base until the bottom of the sixth with two outs.

After being down early in the game, the Cyclones suddenly hot hitting bats came alive, as they were able to score two runs. After Juan Gamboa singled to right to lead the inning off, he was thrown out trying to steal second base for the first out. Dimas Ponce would then fly out for the second out of the inning. Eudy Pina started the two out rally by drawing a walk. The hot hitting, Brandon Nimmo then came up and singled to left, moving Pina to third. Richie Rodriguez then drew the second walk of the inning to load the bases for Jayce Boyd. Boyd would come through in the clutch as he singled to center, scoring both Pina and Nimmo, and giving the Cyclones the 2-1 lead.

In the top of the fifth, the Cyclones offense put up two more runs. With one out, Brandon Nimmo ripped a double to center field, bringing up Rodriguez. Richie would hit a grounder to third baseman, Joseph Wendle who was unable to field the ball cleanly, allowing Richie to reach first with one out. Boyd then came up and grounded out to the pitcher allowing Nimmo to move to third and moving Rodriguez to second. After Alex Sanchez walked to load the bases with two out, Stefan Sabol singled to left scoring Nimmo and Rodriguez. Rainy Lara had now a comfortable 4-1 lead as he continued his dominance over the Scrappers hitters.

The Cyclones would tack on another run in the top of the sixth inning thanks to an RBI double by Brandon Nimmo. Rainy Lara had his best game of the season tonight as he went 7.0 innings, giving up only one earned run, three hits, no walks and striking out 10 batters.