L.J. Biernbaum made his return to Camden's Campbell's Field, his home for four years, with a rabbit's foot in his pocket.
The Barnstormers right fielder went 4-for-4 with two RBI, leading Lancaster to a 9-6 win over the host Riversharks Friday night. It was the seventh straight win for the Barnstormers, who climbed to within 2½ games of first place in the Freedom Division.
None of Biernbaum's four hits got through the infield cleanly. The luckiest of all for Biernbaum, and the Barnstormers, was the pivotal play of the night.
With one out and runners at first and third in the top of the fourth, Biernbaum rolled a ground ball up the middle. Shortstop Kyle Haines moved in position to start a step-and-throw double play when the ball caught the edge of the bag and deflected away into left center, scoring Lloyd Turner and tying the game at 1-1.
Danny Bravo followed with an RBI single to center, and Jed Morris delivered the biggest blow of the night off Brian Lawrence (3-3) with a three-run homer.
Lancaster added two runs in the fifth, one on a Biernbaum single lined off the glove of second baseman Brian Finnegan, and two in the eighth with a Biernbaum infield hit off the glove of third baseman Brian Burgamy playing a big role.
Lancaster used six pitchers after scheduled starter Tom Cochran was signed late in the afternoon by the Cincinnati Reds. Eventual winner Juan Ovalles (1-2) allowed a two-run single to Chris Walker in the fourth. Ricardo Gomez, in his first 2009 appearance, allowed three runs in the fifth before striking Walker out with runners at second and third, preserving a one-run lead.
Ross Peeples pinned the tying run at third in the sixth inning after two errors put Gomez in trouble. Peeples carried the game through the seventh before Jon Huber and Ryan Cullen finished the Riversharks. Cullen earned his fifth save.
Cochran to Reds: The Cincinnati Reds purchased the contract of left-hander Tom Cochran from the Barnstormers, it was announced Friday. Cochran, who was scheduled to start Friday in Camden, will be assigned to the Reds Class AA affiliate, the Carolina Mudcats, located in Zebulon, N.C., outside of Raleigh.
Cochran, 26, started the season in Lancaster's bullpen but joined the rotation on May 13. He was 3-2 with a 4.67 ERA overall but excelled in his last start, beating the Bridgeport Bluefish, 10-2, last Saturday at Clipper Magazine Stadium. In that game, the Wilmington, Del. native allowed only six hits and two runs in eight innings. He walked one and struck out five.
The left-hander has not played affiliated baseball since being released by the Boston Red Sox after the 2004 season. He spent three seasons in the Frontier League before joining the Worcester Tornadoes of the Can-Am League last year, going 13-3 and earning a spring training invitation to the Reds minor league camp this year.
"This just serves as another example of how the Atlantic League works for these players who work hard," said Barnstormers manager Von Hayes. "He had a chance to open some eyes in spring training and continued to perform well here."
Notes: Cullen earned his 21st save as a Barnstormer, setting the franchise record. … Lancaster has won seven straight for the fourth time in franchise history. The last time was Sept. 5-11, 2008. … Morris' homer was his third in six games. … Biernbaum has 25 RBIs on the season, 14 of which have tied the game or given Lancaster the lead.