NEWARK, NJ - Randall Simon got his first chance to be the hero for Newark in Game 1 of their doubleheader with Lancaster Barnstormers. Simon came up big in a pressure situation, singling in the winning run with the bases loaded in the bottom of the final inning to win 4-3.

However, the game began with the Bears falling behind. Lancaster wasted little time getting on the board scoring in the top of the first inning. Michael Woods led-off with a double over right fielder Jose Herrera’s head. Danny Gonzalez then sacrificed Woods over to third and Brian Stavisky sent a fly ball to right field that was deep enough to score Woods.

The Barnstormers struck again in the fourth inning when Vasili Spanos connected off of starter Benito Baez for a solo home run to left field.

The Bears returned fire in the bottom of the fourth. Ramon Castro took first after he was hit by a pitch from Lancaster starter Michael Nannini. Simon singled to the opposite field giving Jose Herrera an opportunity to drive in a run. Herrera drove both in with a triple to the right-center field gap, knotting the game up at 2.

Nannini was lifted two batters later after issuing consecutive walks to Keith Reed and Val Majewski. Judd Songster came on to end the threat getting catcher John Pachot to ground out to third.

Newark took the lead 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth when Cory Aldridge singled in Bobby Hill who had previously doubled with one out to get on base.

Bears starter Benito Baez left the game with that lead. After recording one out in the bottom of the sixth, he was replaced by right-hander J.J. Trujillo.

“They had their two right-handers in the middle of the lineup that Trujillo had dominated earlier in the series and it didn’t happen, it kind of backfired on us,” said Wayne Krenchicki. “But, [reliever Corey] Willey came in and did a great job.”

There was a scary moment in the bottom of the seventh for Lancaster reliever Ryan Cullen. Bears shortstop Vic Gutierrez lined a pitch directly back at Cullen and it hit him in the head, knocking his baseball cap clear off of him. However, Cullen immediately stood right up and walked into the dugout to get his jacket and then walked down the line back towards the Lancaster bullpen. He appeared extremely angry, but not hurt. Initial word came up to the press box saying that Cullen was going to be fine and E.M.S. was not called.

Gutierrez ended up with a single since the ball ended up in right field as a result of that strange play. Nate Hoelscher came on and walked Castro and Aldridge which brought Simon to the plate with the bases loaded and one out. Simon hit the walk-off single through the right side to win the first game of the twin-bill.

Notes: Cullen showed no signs of concussion after the game, but unfortunately took the loss. Willey improved to 3-0 on this season, picking up the win in relief. Jose Herrera and Ramon Castro have both recently re-joined the team, they have gotten their visa issues worked out.

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