Liners sink River Rats in 10 innings

SYCAMORE –  In a fight for the second-half crown, the DeKalb County Liners need timely hitting, great pitching and the occasional break. On Monday night at Sycamore Park, the Liners got all three as they defeated the Richmond River Rats, 2-1, in 10 innings to move into a tie for first place in the Prospect League Western Division.
 
The timely hitting was provided by Kenton Parmley, whose lead-off, ground-rule double in the 10th set the stage for victory. The great pitching was provided by starter Trey Frahler, who scattered five hits, and reliever Jack Havey, who entered the game in the eighth and struck out the side, giving up no hits in three innings. The occasional break came in the form of a two-out overthrow by Richmond catcher Aaron Etchison, whose toss back to pitcher Adam Painter was high, allowing Parmley to score from third with the winning run.
 
Richmond took a 1-0 lead in the fifth on a no-out, bases-loaded walk to Kevin Plawecki by Frahler. In a jam, Frahler induced Casey Jones to ground into a 5-2-3 double play, then struck out Ryan Skellie to end the threat.
 
No hit through 5 1/3 by Richmond's Hobs Donovan, the Liners' first hit came from Chad Hinshaw, who singled to left. In the seventh, the Liners tied the score off Painter. One-out walks to Joe Long and Alex Beckmann were followed by Anthony Foulk's RBI single.
 
The Liners (10-6 second half, 20-21 overall) are tied for first with the Quincy Gems, who won at home, 4-0, over Springfield. The Sliders are one-half game back in the chase for first place. The Liners are in action at 7 p.m. today against the division-rival Cavemen in Hannibal, Mo., and return home Aug. 3 for their final two home games.