W: Zach Woolcock
L: Jordan Priddle
S: Lidyard

 

Garrett Autrey and the Winchester Royals outlasted inclement weather and the Turks in Harrisonburg last night to run out of town with a 6-4 win.

Neither Harrisonburg’s Alex Cruz nor Winchester’s Janson Carr earned a decision despite both starters pitching for seven full innings. Both gave up two earned runs through the majority of the game, though Cruz was charged with an additional two runs after starting the eighth inning. After the starters left the game, each team used a relief-by-committee approach, opting to allow three different pitchers to record two of the final six outs.

The game seemed to yo-yo back and forth after lightning delayed the game just prior to the 7th inning stretch. Winchester (13-5)broke the stalemate first with Autrey’s eighth inning RBI double; Alan Filauro’s single later in the inning brought him in from second to give the Royals a short-lived 4-2 advantage. Harrisonburg (12-7) struck right back with second baseman Thomas Smith and designated hitter Grant Gibbs each recording one RBI to tie the game again at 4-4.

But the Royals would not be denied. Another double in the ninth frame– this one by pinch hitter Leo Rojas– drove in two more runs to give the visitors a 6-4 advantage. The Turks loaded the bases with just one out in the bottom of the ninth, but they failed to capitalize as all three runners were left on base.

Autrey, the Winchester left fielder, finished 3/4 with an RBI and a walk. Smith was the only Turk to finish the game with multiple hits.