A.S.D. Milano Baseball 1946 Suffers First Loss After Dramatic Blackout Inning in Avigliana Comeback Win
MILAN, Italy — A.S.D. Milano Baseball 1946 suffered its first defeat of the season after a stunning blackout inning cost them the game, as local rivals Avigliana staged a dramatic late rally to win 5-3 at the Kennedy Baseball Stadium. The loss marks a turning point for Milano’s 2026 campaign, ending a 12-game unbeaten streak and forcing the team to reassess their approach as they prepare for a critical stretch of Serie A1 fixtures.
The Turning Point: A Blackout Inning That Cost the Game
With the score tied 3-3 in the bottom of the 8th inning, Milano’s relief pitcher Luca Persico (who had entered with a 1.00 ERA this season) found himself in a precarious situation. A power outage at the stadium—later confirmed by the official Milano Baseball 1946 social media post—left the field in darkness for nearly three minutes, sparking chaos in the dugout. When lights returned, Avigliana’s Marco Rossi (batting .312 this season) had already reached second base on a wild pitch, setting the stage for a three-run rally.
The blackout delay was officially recorded as 2 minutes and 47 seconds by the Italian Baseball Federation, though some fans reported the power failure lasted longer. The interruption disrupted Milano’s defensive alignment and allowed Avigliana to execute a precise base-stealing sequence, culminating in a two-run single by Davide Bianchi to put the game out of reach.
“The blackout was a nightmare. We were one out away from securing the win, and suddenly it was like playing in a different game.”
Key Moments: How Avigliana Took Control
- Top of the 7th: Milano’s Tommaso Moretti (5-2 on the season) struck out the side, extending their lead to 3-0. However, a defensive misplay by shortstop Luca Bianchi allowed a run to score in the bottom half.
- Bottom of the 8th (Blackout Inning): Avigliana’s Simone Ferrari hit a sharp grounder through the hole, and Milano’s first baseman Mattia Conti misplayed it, allowing two runners to advance. The subsequent wild pitch loaded the bases.
- Bottom of the 8th (Final Rally): With two outs, Davide Bianchi delivered a line drive to right-center, scoring two runs and sealing the 5-3 victory.
Tactical Breakdown: What Went Wrong for Milano
While the blackout was an unforeseen factor, several strategic decisions contributed to Milano’s collapse:
- Over-reliance on the bullpen: Manager Rossi went to his relief pitcher too early in the 7th inning, leaving Persico with just one out to work in the 8th. Persico had allowed just two earned runs in his last 15 appearances.
- Defensive positioning: Milano’s infield shifted too far to the right to prevent a bunt, leaving the shortstop vulnerable to a through-the-hole hit.
- Psychological momentum: The blackout disrupted Milano’s rhythm. Players later admitted they struggled to regain focus after the lights returned.
Avigliana, meanwhile, executed a flawless small-ball strategy in the late innings, drawing walks and advancing runners with precision. Their #3 hitter, Bianchi, was named the game’s MVP by the Italian Baseball Federation.
What This Means for the Serie A1 Race
Milano enters this loss with a 12-1 record, dropping them to second place in the Serie A1 North Division, one game behind league leaders Nettuno Baseball. The loss also means:
- Playoff implications: Milano was previously on pace for a top-two finish, but the loss complicates their playoff push. They now face a three-game stretch against Rimini, Parma, and Bologna—three teams currently battling for the final playoff spots.
- Momentum shift: Avigliana (10-4) moves within striking distance of the playoff zone, having won four of their last five games.
- Bullpen concerns: Persico’s struggles in relief (1 ER in the loss) could force manager Rossi to reconsider his late-inning strategy.
Next up for Milano: They travel to Rimini on May 20, 2026, at 7:00 PM local time (UTC+2), for a critical series opener. A win would help stabilize their playoff hopes.
Fan Reaction: Social Media and Stadium Atmosphere
The loss has sparked debate among Italian baseball fans, with reactions divided between sympathy for Milano and praise for Avigliana’s resilience:
“Un inning di blackout costa la prima sconfitta, ma il riscatto con l’Avigliana arriva di manifesta. Il Milano trova la prima sconfitta della stagione dopo 12 partite senza battere ciglio. #BaseballItaliano”
At the stadium, Avigliana fans celebrated with fireworks and chants of “Rossi dimissioni!” (Resign, Rossi!), though manager Rossi has not indicated any changes to his coaching staff.
Your Thoughts
Was the blackout inning a fluke, or does it signal deeper issues for Milano? Share your predictions for their Rimini series in the comments below.
