Fans at Rebel Park witnessed an outstanding ballgame Saturday night in New Market's home opener, a 2-0 victory for the visiting Waynesboro Generals. For six innings, Rebel lefty Jimmy Ryan and General righty Mike Hernandez matched zeros. In fact, Ryan had allowed only two hits heading into the 7th inning when a Rebel error lead to the first run of the game off reliever Max Kreuter. Waynesboro added a run in the 8th. Meanwhile, Hernandez carried a one-hitter through 8 innings when General skipper Derek McDaniel replaced his starter with closer Andrew Blackwell.
Blackwell almost demonstrated the silliness of the "closer" position by immediately doubling the number of Rebel baserunners, allowing a single to Rusty Smith and a walk to Jovan Rohena. He wriggled out of trouble, however, but not before catcher Joe Maloney's outstanding at-bat. Maloney worked the count full and fouled off several pitches before swinging at a third strike for the final out.
This entertaining contest took only 2:19 to complete and was a fun way to begin the home season, despite the fact that the Rebels lost.
Rebel rousers are looking forward to the next home game on Wednesday, when former Rebels Kevin Rufus and Sanchez Gartman return to Rebel Park in the yellow and blue of the Rockbridge Rapids. If you can't attend the game, then listen to the webcast (go to the Rebels' website, and click on the Stretch Internet icon) as Charlie Dodge and I bring you the ballgame!
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