Evansville, Ind. – Tim Holdgrafer threw eighth shutout innings as the Evansville Otters defeated the Sussex County Miners 4-0 Wednesday afternoon at Bosse Field.
Evansville’s ace was at his finest in his eighth start of the season, allowing just five hits and tying a season high with eight strikeouts.
He did not allow an extra base hit or walk until the eighth inning.
The Otters defense helped Holdgrafer in his only trouble in the eighth. Jeffrey Baez made a racing grab down the right field line and then threw out a Miners’ runner trying to tag to second base for a double play.
With two out and two on, Holdgrafer struck out his final Miners’ batter to escape the jam and finish his shutout outing.
The third-year Otter pitcher earned his sixth win of the season, the most of any pitcher in the Frontier League. He has worked four shutout outings of six innings or longer this year.
Evansville’s runs all came in the second inning. Ethan Skender was hit with one out to reach base. Aaron Beck lined a base hit to start the threat for the Otters. A walk to Noah Myers loaded the bases.
Bryan Rosario then came through in the clutch with a two-out two-RBI base hit through the left side to give Evansville the lead. Kona Quiggle followed with another base hit and two more came around to score, making it a four run inning.
Kevin Davis worked a perfect ninth inning, striking out the side to close out Evansville’s victory.
Jomar Reyes’ notched another base hit to extend his hit streak to 13 games. Reyes’ hit streak is the longest by an Otter this season.
Aaron Beck had two hits for the first professional multi-hit day of the Evansville native’s career.
Wednesday marked the Otters’ fifth shutout of the season tied for the most in the Frontier League.
Evansville and Sussex County play for the series Thursday evening with a 6:35 PM CT first pitch. The game is part of Margaritaville Night at Bosse Field on Budweiser Thirsty Thursday with discounted drafts and domestic cans.
All home and road Otters games this season are televised on FloSports with audio-only coverage available for free on the Evansville Otters YouTube page.
