REX Fall in Run-Rule Loss at Chillicothe, 12–2

REX continued  their five-game road trip Thursday night with a tough 12–2 run-rule loss to the Chillicothe Paints, who used a mix of patience at the plate and timely hitting to secure a dominant win in eight innings.

Chillicothe got the scoring started right away in the bottom of the first. After back-to-back walks to center fielder Alex Bemis and second baseman Cam Gravelle, DH CJ Richmond delivered an RBI single to open the scoring. A fielder’s choice from left fielder Jackson Boles brought in another run, giving the Paints an early 2–0 lead after one.

They added to it in the second. Catcher Michael Patellis led off with a triple to deep center, and Cam Carmichael brought him home with a sacrifice fly to make it 3–0.

REX found a spark in the fourth inning when right fielder Emil Estrella knocked in his first RBI of the season with a single to right, scoring shortstop Nomar Garcia to cut the deficit to 3–1. But the Paints answered immediately. Bemis stayed hot, launching his second homer of the year—this one a two-run shot in the bottom of the fourth to stretch the lead to 5–1.

First baseman Wally Diaz continued to pace the REX offense with an RBI single in the top of the seventh, bringing home center fielder Andrew Carter for his team-leading third RBI. But once again, Chillicothe punched right back.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Paints broke things open. Gravelle singled and stole second, Richmond walked, and Boles dropped down a bunt single. A throwing error on the play allowed both Gravelle and Richmond to score. Boles later crossed the plate on a Zach Henderson RBI single to make it 8–2.

Chillicothe sealed the win in the eighth. With the bases loaded, Patellis was hit by a pitch to bring in another run, and Carmichael drew a walk to score the twelfth and final run of the night—ending the game early via the run rule.

Meanwhile, Chillicothe’s pitching staff was dominant, striking out 11 and allowing just two runs on the night, keeping REX’s offense quiet and off-balance throughout.

REX now falls to 1-2 on the young season. Chillicothe begins the season 2-1

REX will continue their road trip in Chillicothe on May 30th. First pitch is at 7:05 EDT