FIU: GAME 3

Miami falls to cross-town rivals 9-7. Miami starter Ashton Crowther surrenders 4 runs in the first two innings and for the umpteenth time, Miami is again playing from behind. Miami fought back, not by hits, but by walks to get to within one run and eventually tie it in the 5th, but defense and pitching faltered in the 7th giving the Panthers a 4-run advantage into the 9th. Miami rallies in the 9th and a possible Mark Light Miracle appeared to be a reality with two runs already in, and the tying run comes to the plate with a man on first and two outs.

Changes in the infield had Jack Scanlon returning to the lineup after injuring his wrist, catching and batting 6th. This moved Carlos Perez back to playing first in the still absence of Jason Torres. Hopefully, he is being held in reserve for weekend duty where his presence will be a much-needed addition to the lineup. His batting slump has to end and this would be the perfect time to see him as he was at the beginning of the season where he was off the charts. JD Urso moved back to his regular position as short with Antonio sitting out.

Miami is in a real serious need of finding a mid-week starter as Ashton Crowther just doesn’t fit the bill. His last outing only lasted 2 innings and tonight just 1.1 as the Panther hitters crucified him with 4 runs on five hits before being relieved. Although this is our last mid-week game, if we make it to the Tournament, the team requires 4 solid starters and right now we have only one. Tonight, Ashton opened relinquishing a single on the 2nd pitch and you just knew it was one of those nights. He walks the next batter setting up the game’s first run with an RBI double. SF to center followed by an RBI single and with a blink of the eye, Miami is trailing 3-0 before they even come to bat. The Panthers added to their score with a lead-off HR in the 2nd to extend their lead to 4-0 and the crowd was already getting restless at another ineffective pitching performance. JD saw enough following a double and a walk and resorted to going to the BP early and we are still in the second inning. JD brings in Slaide Naturman who manages to end the inning with a 6-4-3 DP.

Miami trailing 4-0 still looking for the first hit going into the 3rd inning. Daniel Cuvet was robbed from getting #18 in the first on a spectacular grab by CFer Armando Becerra off the wall. He would do likewise twice more in the third from Lorenzo Carrier leading off the 3rd and Jack Scanlon in the 4th. FIU change of pitchers opened the door for Miami. Starter David Eckaus had retired 4 straight and Panther coach decided to go to the BP to bring in their first reliever. They would end up using 6 relievers before the end of the game as did Miami. Panthers went with Owen Puk allowing Miami to get runners on base and runs on the board. After Carrier gets robbed to lead off the third, Miami records their first baserunners with consecutive walks to Perez and Urso. Jacoby hits a grounder to short setting up a 6-4-3 DP but the relay to first goes wide into the Cane’s dugout. Perez scores and Long advances to second. Edgardo and Daniel both walk to load the bases bringing in a new pitcher. Dorian takes a 0-2 count and drills the ball to left for a double scoring 2 bringing Miami to within one run.

Slaide still on the rubber to start the 4th manages to get the first two outs before getting into trouble to end his day. After hitting 2 consecutive batters, JD brings in Chris Scinta who hits his first batter faced to load the bases. Scinta with BL issues a walk on 4 straight pitches. Panthers extend their lead 5-3.

Canes responds in the bottom half of the 4th on a 2-out single by Carlos followed by a double by JD  who hits the yellow marking top in center and bounces back onto the field. Ruled a double and reviewed on being challenged saying it should be ruled as a HR. The call was upheld scoring Perez narrowing the lead back to one.

The 5th Miami tied the game at 5 with Lucas Costello grounding out with runners on the corner resulting from opening walks to Edgardo and Daniel. 

The tie would hold until the 7th when the Panthers put the kibosh on Chris Diaz. Chris was brought in to relieve Ben Chestnutt after pitching two scoreless innings. Pitching and fielding collapsed to the toll of four runs. A lead-off single ended up with the runner on second due to an E7 retrieving the ball. Infield single which hugged the 3rd base line put runners on the corners, setting up the back breaker. Jeff Liquori with a 1-1 sends a moon shot to the second deck of the parking garage to break the tie extending the lead to 8-5. Following a 5-3 groundout, a double to right compounded by an E9 takes the runner to third. SF to left for the 4th run of the inning and it appeared that the final nail had been stuck for another mid-week loss.

Cardiac Canes were hitless for most of the game only having 4 hits through eight opened the 9th with a walk. Daniel flew out to right and Dorian reached base on an E8. Runners on 2nd and 3rd two outs, Scanlon singles up the middle scoring two cutting the lead to two with the tying run coming to the plate. Carrier 0-3 for the night, getting robbed in the third looking for his first hit and wanting it to be his 6th of the year and take the game into extra innings. Swinging for the fences strikes out ending the Panthers losing steak against the Canes at 12.

Miami continued its silenced ways only recording 5 hits with only 3 by the end of the 7th. Miami stayed in the game receiving 11 walks. Miami’s two doubles (Dorian, JD) resulted in 3 of their five runs set up by walks. The other two runs again involved a walk along with an error. Miami continues to be inconsistent with their hitting only batting .156 tonight and  2-12 with runners in scoring position. Strikeouts were down from double digits with 7. All 5 runs scored were with two outs. Only one player with Multiple hits: JD Urso 2-3 (Double,RBI).

Pitching, Nothing that hasn’t been said all season: it just doesn’t exist. No mid-week starter and never expecting much coming from the BP. With no Closer and no solid weekend rotation, don’t expect any hope of pulling the biggest Magic of the Year if we get to Charlotte.

Not getting ahead of ourselves, we first must win at Blacksburg which is a large task if the batting, fielding, and pitching continue to perform as they have all season. A turnabout is a must to move forward. The first pitch is set for Friday at 7PM