Rascals fall to Lake Erie

River City stranded 10 runners on the bases, hit into three double plays, and couldn’t recover from a botched rundown play in the third inning that led to four runs and a 7-0 deficit en-route to a 7-1 loss to the Lake Erie Crushers, in Avon, Ohio, Wednesday night.

Lake Eriestarter Paul Fagan lost a shutout on his throwing error in the ninth but finished with his second complete game despite allowing eight hits and walking four.

River City (22-15) started the game by getting both Eric Williams and Doug Sanders on but failed to advance or score the two while the Crushers (17-20) plated three runs in the first on five hits, including a two-run homer from Jason Taylor.

The Rascals stranded two more in the second inning, and left 10 on in the game, but it was a botched rundown with two outs that led to the big inning for the Crushers, who scored four runs on three hits in the frame.  It appeared the Rascals would get out of the inning with just one run allowed but a walk followed the misplay before a bases loaded triple sentLake Erieto a 7-0 lead after three innings.

Every time it looked like the Rascals were getting something going offensively, a double play ball would end the threat.  One in the fourth, fifth, and eighth innings lead to the frustrating night forRiverCity.