State College Spikes’ winning streak ends as Batavia rallies

The State College Spikes’ winning streak has ended at five games.

The Batavia Muckdogs rallied in the seventh inning Monday for a 5-4 comeback win in a New York-Penn League game at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Starting Spikes pitcher Paul Balestrieri was nearly perfect in three innings, allowing just one hit while striking out one and walking two. But the trouble started once he left the mound with a three-run advantage.

Batavia chipped away at the lead, and it all came to a head in the seventh with the Spikes nursing a slim 4-3 lead. With two outs and a Batavia runner on second, State College plugged in reliever Colton Thomson — who subsequently allowed two consecutive hits and a walk.

J.C. Millan doubled on a flyball to right, and Tyler Curtis then drove Millan home with a line drive to left for the go-ahead run.

The Spikes are now 9-5 with the loss, while the Muckdogs are 6-8.

Player of the game

Batavia third baseman Tyler Curtis: Not only did he knock in what would prove to be the game-winning run, but he was a force all game long. He finished with a game-high three hits (in four plate appearances) and had two RBIs and a pair of runs.

Roster moves

Cuts: The Spikes released two prospects Monday, infielders Hunter Newman and Danny Martin. Newman was a 22nd-round draft pick in 2015 and was 3-of-12 hitting this season, while Martin was 3 for 20 (.150 batting average). This was Martin’s third season with the Spikes; the 24th-rounder hit .304 as a rookie and .286 last season.

Next up

State College at Williamsport, 1:05 p.m. Tuesday: It looks as if the Fourth of July has the potential to be a pitcher’s duel. Anthony Shew (2-0, 0.84 ERA) will be making his third start for the Spikes this season, and he’ll be going up against 2016 10th-rounder Julian Garcia (1-1, 0.82 ERA). The two have combined to allow just two runs over 21  2/3 innings. The Crosscutters are currently three games behind State College.

This story was originally published July 4, 2017 at 12:10 AM with the headline "State College Spikes’ winning streak ends as Batavia rallies."