Lumberjacks’ Andrews stifles Quebec

QUEBEC – The Bangor Lumberjacks picked up an important victory over division rival Quebec as starting pitcher Clayton Andrews pitched 8 2/3 innings of five-hit ball to lead Bangor to a 4-1 decision Friday night.

Andrews (7-4) struck out five batters and walked three during his fifth straight strong outing for Bangor, which is now 13-6 and a game behind first-place Quebec (14-5).

Lance Calmus came on with two out in the ninth and notched a strikeout to earn his sixth save this season.

Bangor jumped on Quebec early as Mark Burke drew a two-out walk in the first, went to second on a Derry Hammond single, and scored on Jose Garcia’s single to left. Bangor made it 2-0 in the second on Paul Powell’s solo home run to left.

Quebec cut the lead to one run in the fifth as Lee Delfino homered to left with two outs.

Hammond, who went 3-for-4, added to his Northeast League-leading home run total (now 19) with a solo shot to left in the sixth. The Lumberjacks added an insurance run in the ninth on Ryan Kane’s one-out double to right center, a groundout, and a wild pitch.

Bangor’s Adam Thomas will oppose Keith Dunn on the mound in the series finale Saturday night. Bangor will open a seven-game homestand Monday night.