Pioneers cut down ‘Jacks with home run in 11th

ELMIRA, N.Y. – Elmira’s Scott Hunter cranked a leadoff home run off Bangor reliever Roger Kalinowski in the 11th inning to give the Pioneers a 4-3 Northeast League victory over the Lumberjacks Monday night.

Hunter’s homer ruined a strong relief bid by Bangor rookie righthander Santiago Henry, who didn’t allow a run and gave up only two hits in 4 1/3 innings after Elmira reached Bangor starter Danny Miller for three runs in 4 2/3 innings.

Elmira took a 3-1 lead after five innings, but Bangor rallied to tie it on a two-run home run by Donnie Ross in the seventh after a single by Brad Hargreaves.

Ross also figured in the scoring in the fourth when he doubled and scored on a Mark Burke single.

Bangor plays Elmira Tuesday and Wednesday night before heading to Pittsfield, Mass., for a three-game series with the Berkshire Black Bears.

Portland 5, Reading 3

READING, Pa. – Justin Sherrod hit a pinch-hit grand slam with two outs in the top of the ninth inning to rally the Portland Sea Dogs to a 5-3 win over the Reading Phillies on Monday night in the Eastern League.

Sherrod, Portland’s home run leader with 15, was not in the starting lineup because of an ankle injury.

But after Ryan Hutchison (2-2) allowed a leadoff single to Sean McGowan and issued two-out walks to Jeremy Owens and Carlos Leon, Sherrod hit a 2-2 pitch over the left-field fence.

Juan Perez (3-3) got the win in relief despite allowing a tie-breaking two-run double to Jim Deschaine in the eighth inning.

Reading took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning on Jeff Inglin’s league-leading 19th home run.

Portland tied it in the fifth on a home run by Tony Schrager, his ninth.

Leon went 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles for Portland.

Inglin went 3-for-3 with a home run, double and two runs scored for Reading.