Rev's Bullpen Goes China Syndrome, 'Sharks Win

In a 46 minute 8th inning that included 13 batters, 7 runs, and a questionable call at third by umpire Buzz Albert, the Camden Riversharks roared past the York Revolution and held on to win 7-5 tonight at Sovereign Bank Stadium.

Revs starter Shawn Hill had baffled the 'Sharks hitters over seven innings of work, allowing no runs on just three hits while striking out five.

York scored four times in the bottom of the third, on consecutive RBI doubles by Ramon Castro and Chris Nowak. Nowak later score on a wild pitch from 'Sharks starter Ricky Brooks.

But after Hill's departure, the Revs bullpen imploded. Most of the blame fell to reliever Stephen Penney, who gave up RBI singles to Lloyd Turner and Marquez Smith, before being yanked for James Houser. In relief of Penney, Houser gave up an RBI single to Brian Burgamy that tied the game at 4-4.

Camden scored again when Houser walked Jake Eigsti with the bases loaded, bringing home Smith to make it 5-4.  Steve Doetsch scored Burgamy one batter later with an RBI single, and Andy Etchebarren had seen enough. Houser was yanked for Shaun Garceau, but Garceau walked catcher Chris Caves on four pitches with the bases loaded, scoring Eduardo Perez and making it 7-4 Camden. It took Chris Walker swinging at ball four on a 3-1 count and grounding out to first for the bloodletting to finally come to an end.

Then it was up to the 'Sharks bullpen. Reliever Jason Bergamann walked the first batter he faced in the 8th, but recovered to strike out the side. Bergmann has been overpowering hitters in the Atlantic League this season, with 28 Ks in 19.1 innings pitched.

John Lujan came on in the 9th. The Revs got a run back when with one out, Travis Scott blasted a line drive homer to right, but Lujan retired the nexy two batters he faced to notch his 8th save and complete a remarkable comeback victory for the Riversharks.