Revolution and Freedom Division manager Chris Hoiles managed the perfect game in the Atlantic League All-Star Game. But when his former Orioles teammate entered the game in the ninth inning, everything fell apart.
Armando Benitez surrendered more runs in the ninth inning than the rest of the rest of the Freedom Division pitching staff allowed all night. The Liberty Division stormed back with a four-run ninth inning off the former major league closer for a 7-5 victory before an announced crowd of 6,491 fans at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium in Newark, N.J.
Benitez allowed five hits and four earned runs in the ninth.
Southern Maryland's Mike Just singled in a pair of runs to tie the game in the ninth. He stole second and scored the go-ahead run on a Luis Lopez single to earn MVP honors.
All of the Revolution All-Stars played well. Infield reserve Keoni DeRenne singled and left-hander Jason Kershner pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning.
Revolution designated hitter Tom Collaro scored an insurance run in the eighth and helped build the Freedom Division's early lead when he led off the bottom of the second with a double. Newark's Michael Hernandez singled, and Lancaster's Lloyd Turner hit a two-run double to provide the Freedom Division with a 3-0 lead.
Long Island's Ray Navarrete hit a two-run homer in the third to keep the game competitive.
But Turner proved to be a difference-maker again in the fourth inning, hitting a double and stealing third. He
Hoiles called on York right-hander Corey Thurman to start the game against Camden's Nate Bump.
Thurman struck out three and walked two in two innings of work. He allowed one hit, a double by Long Island catcher John Pachot. Replaced by Newark's Bobby Brownlie, Thurman left the game after two innings with the Freedom Division holding the lead.
Notes: The Atlantic League kept the same All-Star Game rotation they approved last July. York will host the 2011 All-Star Game. Long Island will host next season. ... The league did not host the traditional home run derby, opting to host a celebrity softball game. Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith and actress Queen Latifah played in the game.



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