Paints Win Fifth Straight, Beat Mill Rats 9-3

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio - The Chillicothe Paints, presented by CohenOrthopedic, grabbed a fifth-straight win Sunday night at VA Memorial Stadium, beating the Johnstown Mill Rats 9-3, regaining first place in the Ohio River Valley Division in the process.

Johnstown (12-12) grabbed the early lead, scoring on an RBI hit from Jalen Freeman in the top of the first, but it didn't last long.

Chillicothe (15-8) answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the first, Tim Orr doubled down the right field line, scoring Cole Kwiatkowski, who singled earlier in the inning, making it 1-1.

The Paints took their first lead of the night in the bottom of the second. Jack Gidcumb hit a ball up the middle of the infield, where it was misplayed by the Mill Rats' shortstop, allowing Sean Kolenich to score and giving the Paints a 2-1 lead. They made it 3-1 on Tyler Shaneyfelt's RBI single that brought home Gidcumb.

Johnstown got a lead off home run from Lance MacDonald in the fifth. They tied the game at 3-3 when Miguel Vega stole second and third, scoring on a throwing error on the play.

Chillicothe took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth. Arturo Disla knocked home Orr, making it 4-3.

In the seventh, the Paints out the game out of reach, scoring five times. A wild pitch brought home the first run, Disla drove home another, doubling to left field, Kolenich beat out the back-end of a double-play attempt by Johnstown, allowing Disla to score and Gavin Ganun capped the inning with a two-run home run, making it 9-3.

Jared Adams started for the Paints, allowing three runs on five hits, walking three and striking out five over 4 2/3 innings. Bryson Brown (2-0) earned the win in relief, throwing 2 1/3 scoreless innings while allowing one hit and walking one. Landon Vance tossed a scoreless eighth, striking out one. Cole Pauley pitched the ninth, striking out two of the three batters he faced. 

Johnstown starter Daniel Morgano (0-1) took the loss for the Mill Rats, allowing four runs, three earned, on seven hits while walking two and striking out five.

The Paints and Mill Rats play again in Chillicothe Monday at 7:05 p.m. Seniors age 65 and over get free admission on Senior Citizen Night, sponsored by CohenOrthopedic.