NEWARK FALLS TO SURF 8-7

Newark, NJ - Saturday, June 30, 2001 -The Newark Bears (34-19) saw little relief from their bullpen tonight, as a 5-4 seventh inning lead was lost as they eventually fell to the Atlantic City Surf (32-22) 8-7.

The Bears fell behind early, as three first inning errors allowed the Surf to put up three runs. The Bears began their climb back in the bottom of the first as a Peto Ramirez single through the left side scored Steve Hine. The Bears added another run in the second inning as a double by Hine scored Sandy Vasquez. The Surf would extend their lead to 4-2 in the third inning off of a Jose Velazquez single that brought in Keith Gordon.

Bears starter Tim Cain settled down after the first three and lasted into the seventh inning. He departed after allowing five runs, only three earned, off of seven hits and one walk. Surf starter Andy High, who leads the league in wins with 8, exited after 6.2 innings and allowing four runs on nine hits.

The Bears cut the lead to 4-3 in the fifth inning off of an Alonzo Powell homerun and in the bottom of the seventh, the Bears rallied to take their first lead of the night. With two outs, Ric Johnson got things going with a single to left field. That followed with a walk to Powell, and Peto Ramirez pushed Johnson home as he reached first on a fielding error by Enoel Polanco. Reggie Williams then stepped to the plate, and delivered a clutch single up the middle to give the Bears a 5-4 lead.

However, things would fall apart as the game was placed in the hands of the usually reliable bullpen. Over the next 1.2 innings, Dwayne Henry (0-1) and Jason Pierson combined to allow three runs off of three hits and four walks.

Trailing 8-5 heading in the bottom of the ninth, the Bears made one last chance at a comeback as Ramirez delivered his seventh homerun of the season, a two run shot to left field. But that would be all Newark would get as they fell 8-7.

Randi Mallard (5-3), who relieved High, earned the win, and John Mangieri recorded his fourth save of the season. Gordon went 3-for-4 with four runs scored and Velazquez was 2-for-3 with three runs batted in.

For the Bears, Hine was 3-for-5 with an RBI, and Ramirez was 2-for-4 with three runs batted in.

Article continues below

---

advertisement

---

Author: Newark Bears