West Virginia Black Bears series wrap-up v. Muckdogs

The Pittsburgh Pirates Short Season-A affiliate, the West Virginia Black Bears, wrapped up their eleventh road series of the season Tuesday night. The Black Bears hosted the Batavia Muckdogs. The Muckdogs are an affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Black Bears entered the series with a record of 36-31, while the Muckdogs came into the series with an 27-39 record.

Game 1

Game one on Sunday resulted in a 8-5 loss for the Black Bears. The Muckdogs put together a walk, two single and a double in the bottom of the second inning to take a three run lead. They would add two more runs in the third inning. In the top of the fourth, the Black Bears would get on the board with a Carlos Munoz home run. The Muckdogs would add two more in the bottom of the fourth to take a seven to one lead. In the top of the fifth, the Black Bears would get a single from Erik Forgione to lead off the inning. Mitchell Tolman would then double. Ryan Nagle grounds out scoring Forgione. Daniel Arribas would then hit a two run homer to make it a three run game. Carlos Munoz would be hit by a pitch in the top of the eighth and eventually score on a Maximo Rivera ground out. The Muckdogs then added another run in the bottom of the eighth on their way to an 8-5 win.

Mitchell Tolman, Ryan Nagle and Erik Forgione each had two hits. Daniel Arribas and Carlos Munoz each had home runs. Ke’Bryan Hayes added a hit and three walks. Nagle and Maximo Rivera both had RBIs.

Black Bears starting pitcher Brandon Waddell suffered the loss while going four innings and allowing seven runs (6 earned) on ten hits, two walks and two strikeouts. Stephan Meyer pitched three innings and picked up four strikeouts. Jerry Mulderig pitched one inning and allowed one earned run on two hits and one strikeout.

Game 2

Game two on Monday resulted in a 5-4 loss for the Black Bears. The Black Bears got on the board first when Ke’Bryan Hayes scored on a Daniel Arribas double. The Muckdogs would score two in the bottom of the second and one in the bottom of the third. In the top of the fourth, Ke’Bryan Hayes scored on a Daniel Arribas single. Then in the top of the fifth, Erik Forgione would reach third on an error by the right fielder. Forgione would then score on a Mitchell Tolman sacrifice fly to tie the game at three. In the bottom of the seventh, the Muckdogs added two runs to take the lead. In the top of the eighth, Christian Kelley scored on a wild pitch.

Daniel Arribas led the way with two hits and two RBIs. Mitchell Tolman added two hits and an RBI. Christian Kelley, Ryan Nagle, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Albert Baur and Erik Forgione each added a hit.

Black Bears starting pitcher Juan Paula went three innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits, one walk and one strikeout. Cesilio Pimentel suffered the loss while going three innings and allowing two earned runs on three hits, two walks and three strikeouts. Julio Eusebio went two innings and allowed one hit, one walk and three strikeouts.

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Game 3

Game three on Tuesday resulted in a 9-0 win for the Black Bears. The Black Bears offense and pitching both showed up in a big way in this one. In the top of the third inning, Casey Hughston scored on a Mitchell Tolman single. In the top of the fourth, Ryan Nagle scored on an Erik Forgione single. Then, in the fifth, Ty Moore scored on a Daniel Arribas single. Daniel Arribas later scored on a Ryan Nagle groundout. In the sixth, Erik Forgione scored on an error. Christian Kelley would score on a Ty Moore single. In the seventh, Ryan Nagle scored on a Casey Hughston single. Then in the top of the ninth, Casey Hughston would score on a Mitchell Tolman double. Erik Forgione would score on a Christian Kelley ground out.

The Black Bears offense scattered fifteen hits. Mitchell Tolman led the way with three hits and two RBIs. Casey Hughston and Erik Forgione each had three hits and one RBI. Ryan Nagle and Ty Moore each added two hits and an RBI. Carlos Munoz and Daniel Arribas each added a hit.

The Black Bears had five pitchers see action in the game. Luis Escobar started the game and went three innings and allowed two hits, two walks and three strikeouts. Eric Dorsch pitched one inning and allowed one hit, one walk and one strikeout. Tanner Anderson picked up his first win while going two innings and allowing one hit and one strikeout. Sean Keselica went two innings and struck out four. Daniel Zamora pitched the final inning and struck out two.

Playoffs

The Black Bears are currently tied with the State College Spikes in the Wild Card Standings. As for the division race, the Williamsport Crosscutters have already clinched the division.

Looking Ahead

The Black Bears return home for the final home series of the season with the Williamsport Crosscutters starting on Wednesday. Then they will wrap up the season with a visit to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

Be sure to get your tickets now as the Black Bears only have six home games remaining in the regular season! For tickets, visit www.westvirginiablackbears.com, visit the ticket office at the ballpark, or call 304-293-8422.

Make sure to tune in to Rum Bunter as we continue to provide coverage of not only the Pittsburgh Pirates but of the West Virginia Black Bears throughout the season!

Next: Black Bears/Scrappers Recap