7/21/05 – Daily News Record

By Michael Rothstein Daily News Record Waynesboro had the game won. Then, the Generals watched it walk away. Harrisonburg took advantage of four walks in the ninth inning and Matt Denker of Eastern Arizona drove in the winning run to boost the Turks past Waynesboro 5-4 in a Valley League baseball game Wednesday in front of 700 fans at Memorial Stadium. The Turks entered the bottom of the ninth down 4-3 when Waynesboro manager Derek McDaniel brought in right fielder Ryne Reynoso to close out the game. Ten pitches later, Harrisonburg had men on first and second with no outs thanks to two free passes. Yet McDaniel left Reynoso in the game even though part-time closer Jonathan Johnston was ready in the bullpen. "Thwat was probably my mistake," McDaniel said. "When they went first-and-second, I should have taken Ryno out then." Daniel Ramirez – considered by Harrisonburg manager Bob Wease, the team’s best bunter – bunted a full-count pitch in play, advancing Dean Cademartori to third and Tony Thomas to second. Reynoso then walked Brett Munster to load the bases and threw two balls to Jeff Carroll before McDaniel finally pulled him. Johnston fared no better, walking Carroll to score the tying run. Denker followed and hit a single through the infield to drive in Thomas and score the game winner. The win kept Harrisonburg (21-17) in second place in the South Division. Waynesboro remained in last place at 10-27, four games behind fourth-place Woodstock for the final South playoff berth. Waynesboro 310 000 000 – 4 7 1 Harrisonburg 200 001 002 – 5 12 0 Moffitt, Dobson (7), Reynoso (9), Johnston (9) and Hutchins. Baugh, Dawson (7), Butts (8) and Denker. WP-Butts (1-0), LP-Reynoso (0-1)