Edeburn, Furlong Stifle Paints Offense In 5-3 Loss

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio - The Chillicothe Paints, presented by Adena Health System, ran into some strong pitching from in a 5-3 loss to the Johnstown Mill Rats Thursday night at VA Memorial Stadium.

Johnstown (8-13) got an early lead against Chillicothe, plating one run on a single to right field from JD Greeley in the top of the second inning for the game's first run.

The Paints (15-7) wasted little time in getting the run back and then taking the lead on three straight hits to open the bottom of the inning. The third, a single from Mike Sprockett scored Tim Orr, putting the Paints on the board. Nate Dorinsky scored on a double play hit into by Brett Hilsheimer, giving the Paints their only lead of the game at 2-1.

The Mill Rats were able to tie the game up in the top of the third on a pair of singles and a sacrifice fly to deep left field, tying the game at 2-2.

The Paints would give up the lead in the top of the fourth after on an RBI single from Asher Corl to the right-center gap, making 3-2 Johnstown.

Chillicothe would struggle on offense through the seventh inning, as Johnstown starter Mark Edeburn allowed just two runs on four hits, striking out 10 over seven innnings. Sean Furling (1-2) came in to pitch for the Mill Rats in the eighth and, with one out, Santrel Farmer hit the first pitch he saw over the center field wall, tying the game up at 3-3. It was the only run Furlong would end up surrendering over the final two innings en route to earning his first win of the season.

Johnstown took the lead back for good in the top of the ninth on a two-out RBI fielder's choice from Lukas Torres and Pete Capobianco made it 5-3 with an RBI double.

With two out in the bottom of the ninth, Sprockett singled, attempting to score from first on a double to the gap in left-center field by Brett Hilsheimer, but was called out at the plate on a relay from the outfield.

Chillicothe pitcher Justin Diefenbach got a no-decision after turning in a quality start, allowing three runs on nine hits over six innings. Nick Lallathin threw two scorless innings in relief. Criz McFadden (0-1) took the loss, allowing two runs on two hits in the ninth.

It's the just the second time the Paints have lost back-to-back games this season and is the first loss to Johnstown this year after winning the first five matchups.

The Paints play in Springfield, Ohio Friday against the Champion City Kings at 6:35 p.m. They return home for games Saturday and Sunday against West Virginia and Johnstown, respectively.