Titans swept by Miners, losing streak extends to three

Ottawa, ON – The Ottawa Titans (23-10) took an early 2-0 lead in the first but had it evaporate in the late innings, on route to a 3-2 loss to the Sussex County Miners on Thursday night.

Following a clean top of the first by lefty Chris Burica (loss, 4-1), the Titans got two aboard with Jackie Urbaez and Jake Sanford lining singles off Miners starter Vin Mazzaro (win, 3-2) in the bottom half.

AJ Wright cashed in Urbaez on a groundball to the left side, as the Titans stayed out of a possible inning-ending double play as Sanford was in motion on the pitch. Tyrus Greene plated Sanford with a single, making it 2-0 after one.

Burica was locked in over the first five innings as the lefty retired nine of the first ten he faced on Thursday. The Miners got to the southpaw in the sixth, with Mikey Reynolds reaching on a fielding error by shortstop Taylor Wright to lead off the inning.

With Reynolds on, Kevin Rolon drew a walk, then the two executed a double steal with Martin Figueroa at the dish. Burica got Figueroa to fly out, scoring Reynolds to get the Miners within one. Jawuan Harris followed up with a base hit, tying the game as Rolon scored.

Following another single and a walk, Burica got the hook going five and a third, allowing three runs (two earned), on six hits, walking two, and striking out three in his first loss of the season.

Gavin Sonnier inherited the bases loaded and served up the eventual game-winning sac fly off the bat of Cito Culver, scoring Harris to make it a 3-2 game.

After Sonnier got out of the jam, the righty ended up finishing the night for the Titans on the mound, going three and two-thirds, allowing no runs, on no hits, walking one, and fanning four.

The Titans’ offence fell quiet after taking an early 2-0 lead in the first, recording only three hits from the third inning onwards. Mazzaro went six strong, allowing two runs on seven hits, walking two, and striking out five.

Darwin Matos, Billy Layne Jr., and Robert Klinchock (save, 4) combined for three shutout innings out of the bullpen to preserve the sweep.

The loss marks the first time that the Titans have been swept in a three-game series this season and extends the losing streak to a season-high three games.

The Ottawa Titans continue their six-game home stand, opening a three-game series with the New York Boulders on Friday at 6:30 p.m. from Ottawa Stadium.

For information on Ottawa Titans’ 2022 season tickets, group outings, and 8-game mini packs, visit the Titans’ official website at www.ottawatitans.com.

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