Newark Completes Sweep

by: Mark Krulish | Staff Writer - NY Sports Day | Thursday, May 22, 2008



NEWARK, NJ - The Newark Bears have a knack for winning doubleheaders. They completed their third straight twin-billing sweep taking the second game of the day from the York Revolution. A strong start from Will Cunnane and a three-run bomb by Randall Simon led the way to a 10-2 Bears victory.

Cunnane, who has battled some elbow problems in the early going, pitched five innings giving up two runs and striking out three, tossing what he called his “best performance of the season.”

“I’ve been dealing with some elbow issues,” said Cunnane. “You know, you have two years off and something is going to happen, although I thought it would be my shoulder. I’ve gotten much more bite on the ball than the last two or three starts.”

The 34-year-old veteran could have possibly gone a little longer into the game. However, a few tough chances in the field extended a couple of innings. Twice the Bears had a chance to turn a double play but came up just short. Still, it was an encouraging sign for Cunnane.

“It was all fastball and changeup, because the curveball has been hurting my elbow,” Cunnane said. “I toss in a rinky-dink slider every now and then just to change things up a little.”

Newark was in control of the game from start to finish. Ramon Castro put the Bears up 2-0 with a solo shot in the top of the third inning.

Even when York tied the game at two on a double by Matt Dryer, it seemed inevitable that the Bears offense would come storming back as they have during their seven-game winning streak.

That prophecy became fulfilled in the top of the fifth when the floodgates began to open up for Newark.

Cory Aldridge got the hit carousel rotating when he doubled in Jose Herrera from first base for his team-leading 21st RBI. Keith Reed followed with a walk and that set the stage for Simon’s towering three-run homer to right field which broke the game wide open. Val Majewski came up next and singled and then he was plated by catcher Scott Knazek when he doubled down the right field line. One batter later, Bobby Hill came up and knocked in Knazek with a double of his own.

Majewski and Mike Just picked up RBI singles in the bottom of the sixth to further the lead to 10-2.

From a pitching standpoint, Corey Willey and Rich Scalamandre tossed scoreless frames to finish off the game for the Bears. It was a solid all-around effort for Newark who has stormed into first place in the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League.

“Its three doubleheaders in a row now and I don’t know, it’s pretty hard to sweep doubleheaders,” said Wayne Krenchicki. “We’ve been fortunate to go out and play well in the first game and that gives us a chance to win the second one. The starting pitching is definitely coming around from where it was earlier in the year.”

Notes: Cunnane improved to 2-0 on the season with the win he picked up tonight. Attendance for the doubleheader was 1,736. Newark finishes their four-game set with York Thursday morning at 11:05 AM. Mike Bumstead takes the mound against Corey Thurman.