Three Home Runs Help Paints Past Champion City 10-9

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio - The Chillicothe Paints, presented by CohenOrthopedic, grabbed their fourth-consecutive win Thursday night, beating the Champion City Kings 10-9 at VA Memorial Stadium.

Tim Orr got things started in the bottom of the first, launching his fifth home run of the season, giving the Paints (26-12, 4-3) an early 1-0 lead.

Champion City (16-24, 6-5) tied the the next half inning, scoring an unearned run on an error.

Chillicothe took its second lead of the night in the bottom of the third. Tyler Shaneyfelt stole second and, after the throw down by the catcher bounced away, Cameron Bowen scored from third. Orr collected his second RBI of the night with a single that plated Shaneyfelt. Owen Wilson scored on an RBI groundout by Victor Figueroa and Orr scored on an RBI groundout by Arturo Disla, making it 5-1.

The Kings answered the next half-inning, scoring three runs and getting back to within one run at 5-4.

Nate Manley doubled with two outs in the fifth for the Kings, scoring on a Brayden Quincel double, tying the game at 5-5.

The Paints grabbed their third lead of the night in the bottom of the fifth, thanks to Orr's second solo home run of the night. After Figuero walked, Disla hit his ninth home run of the season - a two-run blast - making it 8-5.

Blake Buzzeo doubled for Champion City in the top of the sixth, driving home Jake Sherman, cutting it to an 8-6 ballgame. 

Manley homored in the seventh, getting the Kings back to within one at 8-7 heading into the stretch.

In the bottom of the seventh with runners on the corners and one out, Orr stole second base, drawing a throw from the Kings catcher, which got away, allowing Orr to advance to third and Shaneyfelt to score. Orr then scored on a wild pitch, making it 10-7.

Champion City got a sacrifice fly from Manley in the top of the eighth inning, making it 10-8. Then, with runners at second and third and one out, Lucas Day hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Ben Bach while the throw went to third, skipping away and allowing Sam Seeker to score, at least for the time being. After the play, the field umpire declared Seeker out for leaving second base early, taking his run off the board and ending the inning with the Paints still up 10-9.

Cole Pauley came in to pitch for the Paints in the top of the ninth, striking out all three Kings hitters he faced to notch his fifth save of the season. Bryson Brown (5-0) got the win in relief after allowing one run on two hits over two innings.

Champion City starter Kyle Kesel (0-4) took the loss, allowing eight runs on five hits while walking four and striking out four over five innings.

Orr finished the night 3-3 with two home runs, three RBIs and four runs scored. Disla finished 1-3 with a home run and three RBIs, giving him a Prospect League-best 55 on the year to go along with his league-best nine home runs. Figueroa also drove in a run for the Paints and Bowen went 2-4 with a run scored.

OTHER NOTES:

• Chillicothe is now 18-4 when hitting at least one home run, they lead the Prospect League with 34, tied with the Quincy Gems.
• The Paints are now 16-4 in their last 20 games.
• Chillicothe is now 6-2 against Champion City this season.
• Tim Orr has at least one hit in his last 16 games
• With three home runs Thursday, the Paints have now had eight multi-home run games, and have three such games in their last four.

Chillicothe hosts Lafayette Friday at 7:05 p.m. with the first 500 fans to the ballpark receiving a free replica VA Memorial Stadium, courtesy of North Fork Animal Clinic.