NILES, Ohio - The State College Spikes' Jacob Stallings, D.J. Crumlich and Tyler Gaffney each helped the National League All-Stars hold onto an early lead and add to it late in an 8-1 victory over the American League All-Stars in the 2012 New York-Penn League All-Star Game at Eastwood Field on Tuesday night.
All three Spikes entered the game after the fifth inning. Stallings flied out to center field in the sixth inning, and then took over as the NL catcher. Crumlich and Gaffney each pinch-hit in the seventh inning, with the former striking out and the latter getting hit by a pitch. Gaffney currently leads the NYPL in times hit by pitch with 17.
Crumlich then took over as the third baseman for the National League, while Gaffney took center field. In the ninth inning, Stallings drew a walk to continue the Senior Circuit's last scoring burst. After Crumlich popped out, Gaffney took a walk as well. Stallings then scored on a base hit by Austin "Catfish" Elkins of Tri-City to make the score 6-0. Gaffney crossed the plate one batter later following a pair of wild pitches to make it 7-0, National League.
Jamestown center fielder Juancito Martinez stoked the offensive fires early for the NL All-Stars, notching a pair of hits while driving in a run and scoring one as well. Williamsport shortstop Roman Quinn also hit an inside-the-park home run in the eighth inning for the National League.
Brooklyn left-hander John Mincone earned the win, striking out both batters he faced in the bottom of the second inning just prior to Brevic Valera's RBI single in the third inning to score the first run of the game.
Hudson Valley right-hander Jeff Ames allowed the NL's first run and took the loss for the American League. Ames yielded two hits in his lone inning of work.
In the game, 19 different pitchers made an appearance - 10 for the National League side. Five NL?pitchers earned a hold.
The National League was working on a shutout until connecticut's Tyler Hanover belted a home run in the ninth inning.
The start of the game was delayed an hour from its original start time of 7:35 p.m. due to inclement weather in the Mahoning Valley area.
The Spikes, with Crumlich, Gaffney and Stallings back in action, will start a four-game homestand on Wednesday with a 7:05 p.m. matchup against the Jammers at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Right-hander Jason Creasy (0-3) gets the ball for State College, while Jamestown's starter is as yet unannounced.
