Freedom's Rodriguez Delivers Clutch 8th Inning Hit for Victory

July 14, 2012 - Frontier League (FL) Florence Freedom SAUGET,IL-Eddie Rodriguez broke a 3-3 tie in the eighth inning with a two run double that lifted the Freedom(28-22) to a 5-4 win on Friday night over the Gateway Grizzlies(26-24). Brennan Flick improved to 6-0 out of the bullpen, pitching 1.2 scoreless innings, while Matt Kline earned his fourth save of the season.

The Freedom took a 2-0 advantage in the fifth, after Drew Rundle hit his fifth homer of the season. Freedom starter Scott Moviel earned a no decision after pitching 6.1 innings, allowing six hits and three earned runs. Moviel gave up a three run homer to Chris McClendon in the sixth which gave the Grizzlies a 3-2 lead.

The Freedom came back though, as John Malloy came off the bench to pinch hit to lead off the eighth inning. Malloy hit a towering fly ball off Phillip Reamy(3-1) over the right field wall for his fifth homer of the season which tied the game at 3-3. After a walk to Junior Arrojo, Reamy struck out Pierre LePage, and intentionally walked Peter Fatse. It was Rodriguez then who drove a pitch over CF Antone DeJesus's head to score Arrojo and Fatse and give the Freedom a 5-3 lead.

McClendon homered again for the Grizzlies in the ninth, but the Freedom ended the game with a defensive gem for their fourth double play of the night. Kline got Richie Jiminez Jr to hit into a 5-4-3 twin killing which ended the Freedom's three game losing streak.

The Freedom and Gateway Grizzlies will play the rubber match of their three game series Saturday night. LHP Andres Caceres will start for the Freedom, as the Grizzlies will send RHP Tim Brown to the mound. The game can be heard with Steve Jarnicki starting at 7:50 pm on Real Talk 1160 and realtalk1160.com.

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Freedom's Rodriguez Delivers Clutch 8th Inning Hit for Victory