Rapids After the Final Out. Timothy Charvat, 2024
Times have become challenging for the Utica Blue Sox. After losing to the Watertown Rapids in a shocking 4-3 loss on Sunday, July 21, the Sox returned home on Tuesday, July 23 to face the Rapids with the fate of the fourth seed on the line.
And despite a valiant effort, the Sox fell to the Rapids 11-7.
Rapids Start Strong
The Rapids struck first in a big way in the top of the second. With runners on the corners and nobody out, third baseman Trey Runge connected for an RBI single off Sox starter Aiden Aggarwal to give Watertown the early edge.
Two batters later, with runners on second and third, center fielder Seth Meyer connected for an RBI single to give the Rapids a 2-0 lead. During the next at bat, Aggerwal threw a wild pitch, allowing another run to score.
Two pitches later, designated hitter Dylan Wanat connected for another RBI single to put Watertown up 4-0. Later in the inning, with runners on the corners and two men out, the Rapids attempted a double steal, but catcher Luke Shahin threw the ball past second baseman Benny Partridge to cap off a five-run inning for Watertown.
Blue Sox Fight Back
The Sox responded in the bottom of the third. With runners on the corners and two men out, shortstop Yomar Carreras hit a ground ball off Rapids starter Kael Clarkson that second baseman Nick Bergamotto mishandled, allowing the Sox go get on the board.
This would be followed by back-to-back RBI singles by right fielder Kevin Denty and first baseman Matthew Williams to cut the Blue Sox deficit to 5-3. The inning ended when right fielder Jake Blozy threw Denty out while he was attempting to advance to third.
Denty Connecting for an RBI Single. Timothy Charvat, 2024
In the next inning, the Blue Sox loaded the bases with one out and Shahin connected for a sacrifice fly making it a 5-4 ballgame. After a walk to designated hitter Johnny Brucato with two outs, Clarkson got Partridge to fly out, preserving the Rapids lead.
A Back and Fourth Fifth
The Rapids struck again in the top of the fifth. Kris Giangreco was in his third inning of relief and ran into trouble.
With a runner on third and two men out, Blozy connected for a ground ball that Williams misplayed, allowing Watertown to go up 6-4.
The Blue Sox remained unfazed as they responded in their half of the frame. With one out, Denty reached a triple which caused Rapids manager Matthew Petrossi to remove Clarkson from the game for Evan Froelich.
Williams then capitalized on the opportunity with an RBI single to make it a one run ball game again.
Rapids Seal the Win
After a tense sixth and seventh, the Rapids broke through in the top of the eighth. Gavin Enright was in his second inning of work, and Watertown loaded the bases with nobody out.
This set up Meyer to connect for a sacrifice fly to put the Rapids up 7-5. After Enright struck out Wanat, Hadson-Taylor connected for an RBI single to pad Watertown’s lead.
On the very next pitch, Bergamotto connected for a two-run triple, putting the Rapids in double digits. During the next at bat, the Sox would get Bergamotto in a rundown after leaning too far off third base but he was able to score due to a mishandling of the play, putting the Rapids up 11-5.
Bergamotto Two-Run Triple. Timothy Charvat, 2024
The Sox responded in their half of the frame. With runners on first and second and nobody out, third baseman Omar Carreras attempted a sacrifice bunt, but Froelich would throw the ball wide, allowing both runners to score, cutting the deficit to 11-7.
Three batters later, the Sox would load the bases with one man out. This would be the end of the night for Froelich, as Petrossi brought in Kolby Robinson to hold the lead.
Robinson would come up big, as he got Yomar Carreras to ground into a double play to end the inning. And this lead would remain as the Rapids would take care of business in the ninth to seal the win.
Blue Sox Playoff Situation
With this loss the Blue Sox are now tied for the fourth seed with the Rapids, putting their first-round home playoff game aspirations into jeopardy.
The Sox, however, finished the season 6-5 against the Rapids, meaning they hold the tiebreaker for the fourth seed.
What’s Next
The Sox play their final regular season home game on Thursday July 25 as they face off against the Oneonta Outlaws. The first pitch is at 6:45 p.m.
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