Crushers Fall to Aigles in Error-Filled Canada Opener
Sports — Avon
Watkins, Mendez Provide Bright Spots in 12-8 Loss at Trois-Rivières.
The Lake Erie Crushers dropped the opener of a six-game Canadian road trip Tuesday night, falling to the Trois-Rivières Aigles 12-8 at Stade de Trois-Rivières. The loss evened the Crushers’ record at 11-11 and gave new Aigles manager TJ White a win in his managerial debut. Watkins Keeps Rolling Shortstop Jarrod Watkins continued one of the team’s hottest stretches at the plate. He drove in a run on a double in the second inning and added a second RBI on a line drive single in the fourth, giving the Crushers an early 4-0 advantage. First-year second baseman Angel Mendez recorded his first professional hit and RBI in that same fourth-inning rally. Former Crushers Take Center Stage Familiar faces did the most damage for Trois-Rivières. Right-hander Anthony Escobar, who posted two strong seasons in Lake Erie, started for the Aigles and earned the win, improving to 2-1. Former Crusher Sam Franco did even more harm with the bat, hitting two home runs off Lake Erie pitching. Defense Unravels in the Fourth Starter Brandon Scott held a 4-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth, but the inning fell apart quickly. A three-run home run by Kenen Irizarry erased the lead. Two errors by third baseman Pavin Parks allowed additional unearned runs to score. Scott was charged with the loss, finishing with a line of 3.2 innings, three hits, seven runs (only two earned), three walks, and three strikeouts on 78 pitches. Left-hander Kenny Pierson entered to close the inning but could not stop the bleeding. The Aigles ended the fourth leading 8-4. Franco added his second home run in the sixth, and Trois-Rivières pushed the lead to 12-5 before the Crushers mounted a late charge. A Push in the Ninth Comes Up Short Lake Erie made things interesting in the final inning. Samuel Benjamin started the rally with a double. Singles from Jacob Tobias, Joe Redfield, and Garret Pike loaded the bases. A walk to Watkins brought the Crushers within 12-8 with the tying run at the plate. Pinch hitter Jaidan Quinn, returning from the injured list, faced Aigles closer Landon Leach. Leach struck out Quinn and then pinch hitter James Jett to close out the game. Seven combined errors between the two teams made for a sloppy contest on both sides. The Crushers return to action Wednesday, June 3, for game two of the series against Trois-Rivières at 7 p.m. Lake Erie comes home to ForeFront Field in Avon to face the Evansville Otters on Tuesday, June 8. Tickets are available at LECrushers.com . Photo credit: Lake Erie Crushers
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Crushers-Aigles opener?
The Lake Erie Crushers fell 12-8 to the Trois-Rivières Aigles on Tuesday night at Stade de Trois-Rivières in the opener of a six-game Canadian road trip. The loss evened the Crushers' record at 11-11 and gave new Aigles manager TJ White a win in his managerial debut.
How did Jarrod Watkins and Angel Mendez perform?
Shortstop Jarrod Watkins continued a hot stretch, driving in a run on a double in the second inning and a second RBI on a line-drive single in the fourth to help build an early 4-0 lead, then drawing a walk in the ninth-inning rally. First-year second baseman Angel Mendez recorded his first professional hit and RBI in the fourth-inning rally.
What went wrong for the Crushers?
Starter Brandon Scott carried a 4-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth before it unraveled: a three-run homer by Kenen Irizarry tied it, and two errors by third baseman Pavin Parks let unearned runs score. Scott took the loss (3.2 innings, three hits, seven runs — only two earned, three walks, three strikeouts on 78 pitches). Former Crusher Sam Franco hit two home runs, and seven combined errors made for a sloppy game.
How close did the Crushers get in the ninth?
Lake Erie loaded the bases on a double by Samuel Benjamin and singles from Jacob Tobias, Joe Redfield, and Garret Pike, then a walk to Watkins cut it to 12-8 with the tying run at the plate. Aigles closer Landon Leach struck out pinch hitters Jaidan Quinn and James Jett to end the game.
When do the Crushers play next?
The Crushers continue the series at Trois-Rivières on Wednesday, June 3 at 7 p.m., then return home to ForeFront Field in Avon to face the Evansville Otters on Tuesday, June 8. Tickets are available at LECrushers.com.