Changes may be coming if things don’t turn around soon.

That’s the sentiment York Revolution manager Andy Etchebarren expressed following the Revs’ fifth straight loss on Wednesday.

This time, the Revs fell to the Road Warriors, 5-2, at Sovereign Bank Stadium.

And again, York got a poor performance from its starting pitcher. Corey Thurman allowed five earned runs on nine hits in five innings of work. Thurman (1-1) surrendered all of the runs in the third inning.

York’s starters entered Wednesday’s game with a 12.12 ERA in the previous four losses.

“(The starting pitchers) gotta stay out there. They need to learn how to get out of jams. And if they can’t learn, then I’ll make a change,” Etchebarren said.

Road Warriors starter Luke Massetti (1-1) held York (8-6) scoreless in his six innings of work, allowing just four hits while striking out three. The Revs collected eight hits in the game, getting a run in the seventh and another in eighth.
Following the loss, Etchebarren called a team meeting.

“He just told us to come out ready to play,” outfielder James Shanks said. “We just need to come out mentally prepared for the game and give it 100 percent, like we did when we first started off the season.”

Among his other concerns, Etchebarren said he isn’t impressed with the hitting, or lack-there-of, of his first two hitters. Those two spots have fluctuated among Scott Grimes, Chris Walker and Liu Rodriguez through most of the team’s first 14 games. Grimes, last year’s co-Atlantic League MVP, owns the team’s worst batting average (.174), while Walker is hitting just .237. Rodriguez, meanwhile, has gone 1-for-16 at the plate in the last four games.

The manager is also upset with the team’s defense, which has committed eight errors in the last five losses, including one by Shanks on Wednesday.

Part of the problem with the defense has been on the left side of the infield, where the Revs have struggled since shortstop Andy Gonzalez left the club about a week before the season started when he was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers’ organization.

Infielders Van Pope and Juan Martinez have each seen playing time at short, but the pair has combined for five errors this season, and neither has produced at the plate, batting a combined .208 in 53 plate appearances.

Etchebarren said York is close to signing an infielder to help solve the defensive and offensive woes, but he didn’t disclose who that might be.

While some changes might be lurking in the future, Etchebarren has already begun making a change elsewhere. Reliever R.J. Rodriguez has lost his closer role after his performance Sunday against Southern Maryland.

That game, Rodriguez tossed a scoreless inning, but walked two, and threw only eight of his 28 pitches for strikes. In the loss on Wednesday, Rodriguez pitched the eighth inning while reliever Scott Rice tossed a scoreless ninth inning.

“I’m not saying I won’t use (Rodriguez) in the ninth inning, but it’s not his job anymore,” Etchebarren said.
York will return to action on Thursday to host the Road Warriors (5-9). And Shanks said he hopes to see a different team come game time.

“It’s still early in the year. So, we just got make it a point of coming out and being ready,” he said. “I think we’ll do that.”
First pitch for Thursday is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Polanco released: York released relief pitcher Celson Polanco on Wednesday because there’s not enough room for him in the bullpen to get any work, Etchebarren said. Polanco had an 8.11 ERA in three games for the Revs, allowing six runs, three earned, on seven hits.

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The 2010 Atlantic League title is a thing of the past for the York Revolution.

But it appears the momentum from last year’s championship has carried over into 2011.

After winning the season opener on Friday in a commanding 8-2 victory, York followed up on Saturday and Sunday with back-to-back come-from-behind wins.

“It says competitiveness,” Revs’ outfielder James Shanks said Sunday after York’s 6-5 victory over the Camden Riversharks at Sovereign Bank Stadium. “You come out and play to win the game. You hate losing. Sometimes it’s good to lose. But to start off with wins is good, it gets the momentum going.”

Shanks played a big role in York’s victory on Sunday. With York down 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning, the right-handed hitter smacked a three-run home run over the left-field wall to tie the score at 3-3. Shanks finished 2-for-4 on the day. Not bad for his first start for York this season.

Shanks, who played for York all of last year, hadn’t started until Sunday because he arrived to spring training late after he was involved in a two-car accident about a week ago. He crashed into the back of a cement truck at a stop light, injuring his arm and causing some soreness in his upper body.

After spending the past week recovering, Shanks said he’s fine now.

“My power is there. But my timing is still off a little,” he said.

The score remained tied until the top of the sixth inning, when Revs reliever Celson Polanco gave up a solo home run to Noah Hall and an RBI single to Andrew Jenkins, giving Camden (0-3) a 5-3 lead.

York drew within 5-4 in the bottom half of that inning when outfielder Val Majewski scored from third on a wild pitch by Camden reliever Mike Koplove.

Koplove had relieved starter Robert Rohrbaugh that inning. Rohrbaugh, a Littlestown High School graduate, tossed 52/3 innings in his first Atlantic League start, giving up six hits and four earned runs — his only major mistake being the three-run homer to Shanks.

Down a run in the bottom of the seventh inning, York had the bases loaded with one out when Majewski stepped to the plate and hit a two-run single off of Koplove to put the Revs ahead, 6-5.

Majewski broke out of a 1-for-8 slump on Sunday, going 4-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and two RBIs.

York reliever Jason Richardson, who made his 400th appearance as pro, picked up the win by tossing 2/3 of a scoreless inning in the seventh.

Relievers Ronnie Morales and Sean Stidfole combined for a scoreless eighth inning. And closer R.J. Rodriguez picked up his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth.

The win for York (3-0) marked the first season-opening sweep in franchise history. It also keeps the Revs alone in first place atop the Freedom Division.

York will attempt its first 4-0 start in franchise history when it returns to action on Wednesday to host Somerset at Sovereign Bank Stadium.

Game Notes

–Returning the favor: The Revs were swept in Camden to open the 2008 season. York returned the favor by sweeping Camden this weekend.

–Milestone: Shanks is just one home run away from reaching 50 homers in the Atlantic League, and is just three home runs away from reaching 100 for his career.

–Playing injured: Chris Walker played second base for just the fourth time in his pro career on Sunday. He replaced Liu Rodriguez, who was injured the night before when he was plowed over in the basepath by a Camden runner when trying to make a play on a ground ball. Before the game Sunday, Rodriguez said he would not play until Wednesday because he was recovering from the collision – his left leg and neck were sore, he said. Revs manager Andy Etchebarren plugged Rodriguez in at second base in the top of the eighth inning, though, when Camden was down by just a run with a runner on first and one out. The move paid off, as the next Camden batter, Raul Padron grounded into a 4-6-3 double play.

Game Box:

Batting

Camden:

J. Francia, SS: 0-for-5, K

L.Turner, 2B: 1-for-4, run, RBI

M.Lamb, DH: 1-for-4, run, walk

B.Burgamy, 1B: 1-for-4, run, K

N.Hall, LF: 2-for-4, run, 2 RBIs

D.Macias, CF: 2-for-3, run, RBI, walk

A.Jenkins, 3B: 1-for-4, RBI, K

T.Hall, C/PH: 0-for-1

J.Hill, RF: 1-for-4, 2 Ks

York:

S.Grimes, CF: 0-for-3, run, walk

C.Walker, 2B: 0-for-3, run, K

L.Rodriguez, 2B: 0-for-0

V.Majewski, RF: 4-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs

J.Botts, 1B: 2-for-4, run, K

M.Ori, DH: 0-for-4, 2 Ks

J.Shanks, LF: 2-for-4, run, 3 RBIs

V.Harrison, 3B: 0-for-4, K

S.Paniagua, C: 2-for-4, run, 2 Ks

V.Pope, SS: 0-for-3

Pitching:

Camden:

R.Rohrbaugh: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 6 K

M.Koplove: L, 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB

J.Marshall: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 K

E Camacho: 1 IP, 1 H

York:

C.Cody: 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

C. Polanco: 0.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER

S.Rice: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 K

J. Richardson: W (1-0), 0.2 IP, 1 K

R. Morales: 0.1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K

S.Stidfole: 0.2 IP

R.Rodriguez: 1 IP, 1 K, 1 HBP

Other:

Doubles: Y, Majewski, Shanks; C, Hill 2

3B: C, Macias

HR: Y, Shanks; C, Turner, Hall

RBI: Y, Majewski 2, Shanks 3; C, Turner, Hall 2, Macias, Jenkins

Stolen base: Y, Botts; C, Francia, Lamb

Left on base: Y 6; C 7

 

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In all of his years of pitching, what happened to 26-year-old Celson Polanco on Wednesday may have been his craziest experience in pro baseball.

Before the York Revolution’s exhibition game at Sovereign Bank Stadium on Wednesday evening, Revs’ manager Andy Etchebarren informed Polanco that he would be sent to the Road Warriors after the game. Polanco then went out and pitched a perfect third inning for York, getting all three batters he faced to ground out.

As soon as Polanco came off the field, Etchebarren informed him that he had changed his mind. Polanco was staying with York.

“It was crazy. I was so excited (to stay in York). Really excited. My life changed,” said Polanco, who was a key member of last year’s Atlantic League championship club, when he fired three scoreless outings during the playoffs. “This is my team. I was with them when they won the championship last year. And I really like this team. I’m glad I’m staying.”

Etchebarren said he decided to keep Polanco because he thinks the Revs might soon lose another reliever to an affiliated club.

Earlier in the day, Etchebarren found out that reliever Chad Thall was signed by the Tampa Bay Rays and assigned to Class AA Montgomery.

“I got a feeling I’m gonna lose (reliever Mike) DeMark, I just got a feeling,” Etchebarren said. “So, if I lose DeMark, I don’t want to send Polanco over there (to the Road Warriors) for two days and then bring him back.”

Had the Revs sent Polanco to the Road Warriors, York would have had the option to bring Polanco back at any point later in the season. Overall this spring, Polanco has tossed three exhibition innings, giving up three hits, two earned runs, walking two and striking out three.

Angelle retiring: In one of a string of moves made by York on Wednesday, the Revs traded left-handed pitcher Kevin Angelle to the Wichita Wingnuts of the independent American Association.

Upon hearing the news, the 23-year-old Angelle informed Revs’ pitching Mark Mason by text message that he was retiring. Angelle confirmed his retirement when reached by phone Wednesday night.

“I looked at York as being a good place to be,” he said. “Wichita is a little lower league. I feel I’m going down and not going up.”

Etchebarren said he made the trade because he thought Angelle was out of shape.

“He needed to work on his conditioning. And we don’t have time to wait,” Etchebarren said.

Angelle said he arrived to camp weighing 227 pounds, about 10 more pounds than what he weighed a year ago when he showed up to camp with Class A Williamsport. He blames the increased weight on poor eating habits during the offseason.

“I figured I’m young and I could show up and I could pull it off,” he said. “I guess they didn’t think I was in good enough shape. I felt after a few days I was back to normal. I already lost six pounds.”

The Texas native was a 32nd-round draft choice by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009. He pitched at Class A Williamsport in 2010, where he had a 1.36 ERA in eight starts. But he was released by the Phillies in August 2010 for what the team called disciplinary reasons.

Angelle said part of the reason he’s retiring is because he wants to return to school at Lamar University in Texas.

Ellis released: York released pitcher Jon Ellis on Wednesday. Ellis, a 28-year-old righthander, pitched three innings for York in spring training, giving up five hits, two runs, one earned run, with a walk and two strikeouts.

Exhibition: York beat the Road Warriors, 3-0, in a rain-shortened, four-inning exhibition on Wednesday.

Val Majewski had a solo home run in the first inning. Chris Walker drove in Salvador Paniagua on an RBI fielder’s choice in the third inning. And Vince Harrison drove in Jason Botts on an RBI fielder’s choice in the fourth inning.

Opener: York will open defense of its Atlantic League championship on Friday, when it will host the Camden Riversharks at Sovereign Bank Stadium. The game will be preceded by a championship ring ceremony and the unveiling of the championship banner, honoring the 2010 club.

Arrivals: Pitcher Scott Rice suited up for York for the first time on Wednesday but didn’t pitch. Rice was supposed to pitch the fifth inning for York had the game not been called due to rain, Etchebarren said.

Rice recently pitched in spring training with the Chicago Cubs. So, although he only arrived in York this week and did not pitch in any exhibition games, he will be “OK” to pitch this weekend, Etchebarren said.

“I’m not really worried about him because he faced a lot of hitters in spring training. He was in a big league camp (with the Cubs) and he pitched against big league hitters,” Etchebarren said. “He’s a guy that’s pitched for eight or nine years. He’s faced a lot of hitters. He’s in shape. So, he should be OK.”

Infielder Juan Martinez, who first arrived in York on Tuesday, saw playing time for the Revs on Wednesday when he played a half inning at second base.

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Before Monday, spring training games for the York Revolution usually lasted seven or eight innings.

But with spring training winding down, and Revs manager Andy Etchebarren wanting to get some of his pitchers live action, the Revs and the Road Warriors agreed to play 11 innings on Monday at Sovereign Bank Stadium.

Had the game ended after the top of the ninth inning, York would have won, 5-2. But with the extra innings, the Road Warriors came back from a 7-5 deficit to win, 8-7.

On top of the unusual extended game, Revs pitcher Celson Polanco also threw an inning for the Road Warriors, allowing a run on two hits with two strikeouts.

Including Polanco, York had seven pitchers see action on Monday. Reymond Cruz got the start and pitched two innings, allowing a run on three hits with one strikeout.

Kevin Angelle rebounded from his poor showing on Saturday by tossing two scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Jeremy Lewis then pitched the fifth and sixth innings, allowing a hit and striking out one. Jon Ellis pitched the seventh and eighth innings, giving up a run and three hits while striking out one.

Mike Demark pitched the ninth inning, giving up a hit and striking out one. Sean Stidfole struggled in the tenth inning, allowing three runs on four hits with one strikeout.

Closer R.J. Rodriguez also struggled on the mound in the eleventh inning, giving up three hits, including a go-ahead three-run home run to former Rev Victor Gutierrez.

On the offensive side, the Revs were led by Mark Ori (2-for-5, double, triple, RBI), Scott Grimes (2-for-5, home run), Jason Botts (3-for-5, RBI, run), and Van Pope (2-for-5, double, RBI).

York will continue its exhibition schedule Tuesday at Lancaster, with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. The Revs will then return home Wednesday  for their final exhibition game of spring training against the Road Warriors at 6:30 p.m.

Signing: York signed 24-year-old infielder Juan Martinez, who will provide some depth to the infield after shortstop Andy Gonzalez signed with an affiliated club over the weekend. Martinez, who is the younger brother of Revs catcher Octavio Martinez, is expected to arrive in York by Wednesday.

Arrivals: Outfielder James Shanks and relief pitcher Scott Rice should be in York by Tuesday. Shanks will isn’t expected to play in the first couple regular season games this weekend, Etchebarren said.

Rice, though, is expected to practice Tuesday and might pitch in the exhibition game against the Road Warriors on Wednesday. So, there’s a chance he could be ready for opening day on Friday.

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