Pulaski Mariners rally twice, still fall short

PULASKI - Nine runs surrendered, six hits, five errors in the first inning alone - that's enough to kill any baseball team's chances, right?

Not the Pulaski Mariners. Down by nine after a half inning, Pulaski had the score tied after four, then had to stage another rally in the ninth only to leave the tying run at second in a 13-12 Appalachian League loss to the Princeton Rays at Calfee Park Saturday.

The Mariners (31-18) have now lost three of four after winning seven in a row. Princeton (13-36) hung on when Josh Kimborowicz pitched his way to the finish line in a dicey three-run Pulaski ninth.

"I liked the way we didn't give up," Pulaski manager Chris Prieto said. "But we did still have 27 outs to go after the first."

Isaiah Yates had a big game for the Mariners, going 3-for-4, scoring four runs, and driving in three. He also walked while going a home run short of the cycle.

The bombs came elsewhere for the Mariners, with big Kristian Brito rocketing a line drive to left in the third to keep a three-run frame going.

Wilton Martinez crushed a two-run bomb in the fourth to tie a bow on a four-run inning that tied the score. The Rays took control for good with four runs over the seventh and eighth innings.

IN FROM THE PEN: Left-hander Scott Ronnenbergh played a key roll in stemming the tide while allowing one unearned run in 3 1⁄3 innings. He'd come in with two out in the first in relief of shell-shocked starter Ramire Cleto.

Ronnenbergh, who is from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is in his fourth year as a pro, but this particular appearance carried more than the usual stress for him. His parents Erik and Monique had flown in Friday night from Europe. It was the first time they'd seen him play this year.

"I was extra pumped," he said. "When you're a relief pitcher, you never know when you're going to pitch. I wanted to make them proud and show them what I've got."

For sure the mother and father knew what they were looking at with expert eyes. He'd played in the Dutch major leagues. She was a veteran international softball player. The two of them had met at the ballpark.

"I was trying to keep it at 7-0, but the adrenaline rush was just too much," the son said. "But I settled down."

NEW GUY: Third baseman Dan Kemp was playing in only his third game for the Mariners since joining the team on the road. He had a hit and scored twice but had a tough night in the field with two of the team's seven errors. ... Gabrial Franca got the start at short after Tyler Smith had his first off night of the season. Franca went 1-for-4, walked twice, and scored four runs. ... It was a mixed bag for Pulaski pitching with seven strikeouts and eight walks. "You're not going to see too many games like that," Pulaski pitching coach Nasusel Cabrera said.

Princeton 900 000 310 - 13 11 0
Pulaski 203 400 003 - 12 10 7

Gannon, Crum (4), Kimborowicz (8) and Araiza. Cleto, Ronnerbergh (1), Pina (5), Gonzalez (6), Marte (8) and Torres. W - Crum. L - Pina. HR - Brito (P) 3rd, none on, Martinze (P), 4th, one on.

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