Aviators Fall Short in 13 Innings
Published on June 29, 2013 under Frontier League (FL)
Rockford Aviators News Release
LOVES PARK, Ill. - Patrick McKenna's double to lead off the 13th inning, and ensuing run for Normal, proved to be the difference in Rockford's 4-3, 13 inning loss on Friday night. The loss denied Rockford a third straight win for the second time this season and dropped its record to 9-27.
The Aviators, presented by Pearson, had chances to score game-winning runs in the ninth, 10th, 11th and 12th frames, but left runners in scoring position every time and let the contest slip away. The best opportunity to win came in the 11th inning when Mike Mergenthaler was thrown out at the plate by centerfielder Mike Wright on Tyler Smith's single up the middle.
Drew Rucinksi dodged his sixth loss of the season when the Aviators plated two runs in the home half of the ninth. Jeff Kremer delivered the game tying hit on a 30-foot single to the right side of the infield. But the Aviators left the bases loaded and forced extra innings. Rucinski didn't have his best outing of the season, but still pitched well enough to keep Rockford in the game. He allowed three earned runs on six hits in six innings of work and fanned seven CornBelters. Rucinski's 7 striekouts added to his league-leading 62 on the season. Rockford's pitching staff struck out a season-high 16 batters tonight.
The second game of the series is slated for 7:05 p.m. on Saturday night at Aviators Stadium in Loves Park, IL. Rockford's Derrick Stultz and Normal's Ryan Demmin are scheduled to start on the hill. The first 1,000 fans through the gate will receive an Aviators' logo baseball, sponsored by Illinois Railway Museum.
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