Sloppy play costs Spikes

Guy Cipriano

UNIVERSITY PARK — State College Spikes pitcher Tyler Cox faced a brutal task during Sunday's fifth inning against Williamsport.

For the CDT/Eric Smith

The Spikes’ Brock Holt dives back to first base on a pickoff throw during State College’s game against Williamsport on Sunday at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Holt had three hits in the Spikes’ 5-3 loss.

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The Crosscutters had a 2008 supplemental first-round draft pick at-bat, a hard-swinging designated hitter with two doubles on deck, one of the New York- Penn League’s top prospects in the hole, a runner on third and no outs.

Cox ensured Jiwan James never scored by striking out Zach Collier, Leandro Castro and Sebastian Valle.

But a failure to execute routine tasks resulted in a 5-3 loss before a Medlar Field at Lubrano Park-record 5,757 fans.

From a baseball perspective, the home finale, which eliminated the Spikes from playoff contention, represented a dud, one that convinced manager Gary Robinson to conduct an on-field workout once the crowd left the ballpark.

With Pirates director of player development Kyle Stark watching, the team returned to the field at 9:30 p.m. The Spikes went through calisthenics before an extensive fielding session with Robinson, hitting coach Brandon Moore and pitching coach Mike Steele rapidly belting balls across the diamond and coach Steve Suarez lofting balls to outfielders. The impromptu workout ended at 10 p.m., and represented the final time many players will step on the Medlar Field turf.

“I was a little surprised,” said second baseman Brock Holt, who went 3 for 5. “I wasn’t expecting it. But it was a good thing. It can help us learn to take care of the ball and be accountable for actions on the field. Hopefully, it will kind of motivate us to pick things up this last week.”

Robinson declined to comment about the postgame practice, but the Spikes (34-35) offered multiple reasons for frustration. The team committed four errors in the first five innings, allowed an inside-the-park homer and left 10 runners on base.

“You have to expect it,” Robinson said. “We are talking about young players. I would have liked to have caught the ball a little better.”

Nobody experienced a crueler fate than Cox, who allowed four hits and struck out six in six innings. The Crosscutters (38-31) scored four times in the first five, but Cox, who dropped to 8-3, allowed just one earned run on a rare play in the fourth.

Hewitt hit a pitch to left-center with one out. Center fielder Evan Chambers and left fielder Edward Garcia both converged on the ball. Garcia had the ball in his glove, but it was knocked away when he collided with Chambers. Hewitt scored standing up to record the first inside-the-park homer at Medlar Field since Nathan Southard hit one against the Crosscutters on Aug. 3, 2006. Neither Chambers nor Garcia sustained injuries and both players remained in the game after trudging to their feet.

“It was just a communication problem,” Robinson said. “We had a strong wind, and I think Chambers called the ball a little bit late. He had to run a long way. He made a good break. He didn’t quit. He just called late.”

The Spikes committed gaffes before and after the homer. An errant throw by third baseman Ty Summerlin, who was playing the position for the first time since July 1, forced Aaron Baker off first with two outs in the first, and Castro scored Williamsport’s first run from second base.

Two innings later, shortstop Elevys Gonzalez misplayed a ball hit by James, who scored on Castro’s second double to right field. The fifth then started with Jonathan Villar breaking his bat, but reaching first when the ball trickled between Summerlin’s legs. Villar stole second base, advanced to third on catcher Craig Parry’s throw into center field and scored on James’ double. James then reached third on a wild pitch.

Allowing one run in the fifth was a moral victory. Collier, Castro and Valle are three tough outs and at 18, 20 and 19, respectively, also three of the league’s youngest players. Sliders finished Collier and Valle while Castro missed a changeup Robinson called “filthy.” Castro, who’s hitting .315, slammed his bat after whiffing.

“In that situation it’s just damage control,” Cox said. “They did me a favor by fouling off a couple of pitches early in the count to allow me to get ahead. I just let them swing to finish them off.”

The Spikes outhit the Crosscutters 11-6, but stranded five runners in scoring position, including two when David Rubinstein doubled and Gonzalez dropped a bunt single to begin the third inning.

Victor Black kept the Spikes close by allowing two hits and one run during the final three innings. Four of Williamsport’s hits went for extra bases as a strong crosswind altered the direction of flyballs throughout the night.

“I think any loss is tough under any circumstances,” Cox said. “I think the team is going to learn a lot from tonight, come out and play hard all the time.”

Notes: Holt, who plays both middle infield positions, and right-hander Kyle McPherson received team Most Valuable Player and Pitcher of the Year honors, respectively. A panel that included coaching staff, front office and media members voted on the awards. Rubinstein received the leadership award presented by the team booster club. …Former Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield attended the game. Littlefield is a special assistant to Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry. …The previous record crowd of 5,708 was established Aug. 21 against Brooklyn. …The Crosscutters hold a 23-22 SawBuck Series lead. The teams begin a three-game series Wednesday at Bowman Field.