Homers Sink Titans in Loss to Miners

OFFICIAL FRONTIER LEAGUE BOX SCORE

Ottawa, ON - Returning home to open a six-game homestand, the Ottawa Titans (17-23) were doubled-up 4-2 by the Sussex County Miners (25-14) on Tuesday.

Following a 51-minute rain delay that pushed back the start of the contest, the Titans started off hot by capitalizing in the bottom half of the first. Sicnarf Loopstok's deep fly ball to right-centre was caught on a terrific sliding grab by Jawuan Harris on the warning track but it managed to score Jackie Urbaez to open the scoring.

Making his second start of the season, Chris Burica (loss, 2-2) surrendered a pair of one-out doubles in the top of the second inning, as Willie Escala plated Will Zimmerman to tie the game. After getting two outs on two pitches in the third, Gavin Stupienski's solo blast made it 2-1, before Juan Santana's double scored Oraj Anu before the inning came to a close.

Burica tossed three innings and allowed three runs on six hits, striking out one in the loss.

The Titans made it a one-run game with Jamey Smart's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third against Griffin Baker (win, 4-2), cutting the deficit to 3-2.

Baker went six and allowed two runs on six hits, striking out three in the victory.

Brooks Walton tossed five innings in relief in the series opener, only allowing one run as Oraj Anu put the Miners ahead 4-2 with a leadoff solo homer in the sixth. Walton allowed just four hits out of the bullpen and struck out a pair.

In the loss, Jackie Urbaez went 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and scored both the Titans' runs.

The Ottawa Titans continue their three-game set against the Sussex County Miners on Wednesday night at 6:30 pm at Ottawa Stadium. Over the Canada Day long weekend, the Quebec Capitales roll into town for a trio of games. All the action can be heard on CKDJ 107.9 and 94,5 UNIK FM and live-streamed on Flo Baseball. For information on season tickets, group outings, and nine-game mini packs, visit the Titans’ official website at www.ottawatitans.com.