Unable To Hold Big, Early Lead, Paints Fall 11-10 In Johnstown

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - The Chillicothe Paints, presented by CohenOrthopedic, were unable to hold a large, early lead, losing to the Johnstown Mill Rats 11-10 Saturday night at Sargent's Stadium at the Point.

Miguel Vega led off the bottom of the first, sending the second pitch of the inning over the tall net in left field for his first home run of the season. After Johnstown (5-5) added another in the inning, the Mill Rats were on top 2-0 after one.

Chillicothe (6-6) answered quickly, scoring six times on six hits in the top of the second. Cameron Bowen doubled off the wall in left, bringing home the first two runs, Cole Kwiatkowski knocked one home with an RBI single, an Owen Wilson sacrifice fly added another. Arturo Disla (3) blasted a two-run home run to cap the big inning and giving the Paints a 6-2 lead.

They made it 9-2 with three more in the third. Bowen collected his third and fourth RBIs on the night with a two-run single, later scoring on a double steal.

The Mill Rats took advantage of nine walks, a hit batter and a wild pitch over the next few innings, scoring the next nine runs and taking the lead at 11-9. Seven of the 11 runs to cross the plate for Johnstown were put on base by either a walk or a hit by pitch.

Gavin Ganun (3) hit a solo home run over the net in left field, cutting it to a one run game at 11-10, but that's the way it would end, with the Paints dropping their third straight.

Chillicothe has Sunday and Monday off. They return to action Tuesday, when they start a two-game series in Lafayette, Ind., against the Aviators at 7 p.m. The game can be heard on the radio at 100.9 WXIZ and online at ChillicothePaints.com and the Paints' free mobile app. Fans can also watch the game on Prospect League TV for a fee.