Lexington 2 - Columbia 1

Press Release:

LEXINGTON, KY – Columbia and Lexington played the bare minimum on Tuesday night. The Fireflies fell to Lexington, 2-1, in a five-inning game that was shortened due to rain. The Fireflies previously lost to the Legends on Monday in an eight-inning rain-shortened game. Columbia now sits at .500 (31-31) on the season.

Fireflies starter Tony Dibrell (L, 2-3) had just recorded an out in the bottom of the fifth when the rain began to fall. The umpires called for the tarp at 8:37 ET, a tarp that would not be lifted the rest of the night. The game was officially called 40 minutes later due to inclement weather in the Lexington area (only four and half innings are needed to be complete – if the home team is ahead – for a game to be ruled official and complete).

The Legends pulled ahead first for a second straight night with a run in the second. Suely Matias led off the frame with a double down the left-field line. Matias whizzed to third on a wild pitch and tagged and scored moments later when Marten Gasparini vaulted a fly ball to centerfield.

Columbia (31-31) evened the score with a run in the following inning. Wuilmer Becerra ripped the first pitch he saw from Lexington (35-29) starter Janser Larra into left field. That was the last pitch Larra threw after he left the mound with apparent discomfort. Becerra then whirled to third base after Edgardo Fermin singled off the new reliever, Sal Biasi (W, 2-2). With Becerra sitting at third, Raphael Gladu bounced an infield single past Biasi. Becerra scored and tied the game.

Columbia fell behind again, though, when the home team added a run in the bottom of the third. The Fireflies did not score in the subsequent innings as storm clouds moved over the field at Whitaker Bank Ballpark. With one out in the bottom of the fifth, and the Legends leading, the umpires called for the tarp as the rain started to fall.

Columbia and Lexington turn around quick and meet at 10:35 a.m. on Wednesday at Whitaker Bank Ballpark. The Fireflies are expected to throw righty Joe Cavallaro (6-1, 2.26) on the mound to face Legends right-hander Andres Sotillet (1-3, 3.57).