The Evansville Otters won the rubber game of a three-game series against the Normal Cornbelters 5-4 in front of 1,162 fans at Bosse Field on Sunday afternoon.Â
Evansville scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning when Jeff Gardner singled through the right side to score Ryan Long.
The Otters added a second run in the third when Brandon Dulin singled to left, but Toby Thomas was gunned down at the plate trying to score from first to end the inning.
Normal took the lead in the fourth when Chris Iriart hit a three-run homer to left, his second of the season. The Cornbelters scored their fourth run of the inning when Tanner Lubach singled home Andrew Godbold.
Evansville trimmed the deficit to one in the bottom of the frame when Thomas homered to left, his second of the year.
The Otters tied the game in the seventh when Thomas scored from third on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Brandon Dulin. A Caleb Eldridge single then scored Travis Harrison to give the Otters a 5-4 advantage.
Mitchell Aker came on in the ninth to shut the door and record his fourth save of the season.
Randy Wynne records the win, his first of the season, after coming on in relief and throwing three scoreless innings while striking out five.
Jonathan De Marte is dealt his first loss as it was his inherited runners who scored the winning run for the Otters.
Otters starter Austin Nicely received a no-decision after allowing four runs, all unearned, in five innings on eight hits while striking out two.
For Normal, starter Kevin Matthews tossed five innings, giving up three runs and striking out five in the no-decision.
Following a day off Monday, Evansville begins a six-game road trip on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. The Otters will play the Windy City Thunderbolts in a three-game series May 22-24 before traveling to play in a three-game set against the Traverse City Beach Bums on May 25-27.
The Otters will return home for a three-game series May 30-31 against the Florence Freedom. Wednesday, May 30 will be a doubleheader, starting at 5:05 p.m. and is Deaconess Hospital Skilled Nursing Facility Night. The series finale on May 31 starts at 6:35 p.m. and will be the first Thirsty Thursday of the season with special price drafts.
