Boomers win in 10th against division-leading Crushers
AVON, Ohio — Steve McQuail recorded an RBI double with two outs in the 10th inning to bring home Sean Mahley from first base with the game-winning run as the Schaumburg Boomers claimed a 4-3 victory over the East Division leading Lake Erie Crushers.
The Boomers fell behind early as Lake Erie scored a run in the first inning. Winners of four straight on this road trip, the Boomers rebounded with a pair of fourth-inning runs to take the lead.
Frank Pfister registered a two-out RBI single to even the game and scored later in the inning on an error.
Ty Nelson made it 3-1 with an RBI single in the sixth. Lake Erie was able to tie the game in the eighth, but the Boomers won in extras.
Starter Chris Phelan worked into the eighth but did not factor in the decision for Schaumburg, the top road team in the league. Phelan worked his 11th quality start with 72⁄3 innings, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits with 6 strikeouts.
Dexter Price struck out five in 21⁄3 innings to earn the win.
Mahley finished with 3 hits to lead the third consecutive double-digit hit attack. The Boomers own a 7-4 mark in extras this season and have won seven straight road series.
The Boomers (53-33) have a magic number of 5 with 10 games to play and own a 6½-game lead in the West Division along with the best record in the league. Less than a month ago, Schaumburg was down 5½ games following a five-game losing streak.
The road trip concludes Sunday at 4:05 p.m. with the final game against Lake Erie. Right-hander Mike GIovenco (8-6, 3.83) is the scheduled starter for the Boomers against another all-Star, left-hander Dave Middendorf (10-7, 2.89).