Beach Bums split double header
July 3, 2008 - Frontier League (FL)
Traverse City Beach Bums News Release
KALAMAZOO, MI - The Traverse City Beach Bums split a doubleheader with the Kalamazoo Kings at Homer Stryker Field to take two of three from the leaders of the East Division and pull within two games of first.
GAME ONE: KALAMAZOO 12, BEACH BUMS 3 Kalamazoo connected on four homers in the doubleheader opener including three in the bottom of the fifth inning to grab a 12-3 decision in the opener.
Trailing 3-2 entering the bottom of the fifth, Kalamazoo grabbed a 4-3 lead before Brendan Murphy hit a three-run homer, his second of the game. Simon Williams followed with a solo shot and Brandon Anderson capped an eight-run inning for the Kings with a two-run homer. Kalamazoo tacked on two more runs in the sixth to account for their total.
The Beach Bums got started early against Kalamazoo starter Trent Lare. Traverse City tallied three hits, a walk, and a hit by pitch in the top of the first to grab a 1-0 lead. Mike Goetz was hit by a pitch and with one out Jake Whitesides singled. Kyle Maunus followed with a base hit but Goetz was thrown out at the plate by Kalamazoo left fielder Simon Williams. Mike Epping gave the Beach Bums the lead on the first pitch with a double down the line in right that scored Whitesides. Traverse City left the bases loaded in the inning.
After Kalamazoo tied the score in the bottom of the third, the Beach Bums tallied an unearned run to retake the lead in the fourth. Mike Goetz and Steve Young posted back-to-back infield hits and Goetz scored on an error. The Kings tied it again in the fourth only to watch the Beach Bums open a 3-2 edge when Joe Blackburn hit his first professional homer in the top of the fifth, an opposite field blast over the wall in right.
Traverse City posted 10 hits in the opener. Kyle Maunus was 2-for-3 with a double and a walk to earn Player of the Game honors. Jake Whitesides and Zack Kalter also posted two hits in the contest. Bryan Cryer did not factor in the decision during his second start, tossing four innings. Jared Locke, Pete McEneaney, and James Leford appeared out of the Beach Bums bullpen.
GAME TWO: Beach Bums 4, Kalamazoo 2 (9 Innings) The Beach Bums salvaged a split by winning an extra-inning affair 4-2. It was the second extra-inning game of the series and the third of the season against the Kings.
The Beach Bums opened a 1-0 lead in the top of the second in the nightcap, gathering an unearned run against Kalamazoo starter Jeff Long. Kyle Maunus singled to start the inning and was sacrificed to second by Mike Epping. The Kings committed an error on the bunt and Maunus moved to third. Joe Blackburn put the Beach Bums ahead with an RBI groundout.
Kalamazoo tied it with an unearned run in the bottom of the third. Jeff Grose drove in Jorge Araiza with a sacrifice fly. Traverse City went ahead 2-1 in the fifth inning. Zack Kalter drew a leadoff walk and scored from second on a Steve Young single into right.
The Kings again tied the game in the bottom of the sixth as Jeff Grose tripled with one away. Joe Ramos plated Grose with a sacrifice fly. Both teams had chances to win the game in regulation, but the contest extended to extra innings in the third extra-inning game of the season between the Beach Bums and Kings. Kalamazoo had the winning run at third in the eighth inning but came up empty.
Traverse City took a 4-2 lead in the top of the ninth. Jeff Brown led off the inning with a single and went to second when Kalamazoo second baseman Joe Ramos threw the ball away. Mike Goetz walked and Steve Young was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Kings closer Brandon Parillo unloaded a wild pitch to score the first run.
Ryan Gehring struck out a season high eight in his start, lasting seven innings and allowing just one earned run. The pitching staff fanned 12 in the game with Jeff Williams striking out three. Williams (1-2), who struck out Joe Ramos to end the inning with the winning run at third in the eighth, tallied his first win of the season. Nick pepper recorded the final out as the Kings left the bases loaded in the ninth.
The Beach Bums (23-19) will return home tomorrow evening for a special Military Night - Welcome Home Celebration as the Midwest Sliders visit Wuerfel Park for a 7:05 pm game. RHP David Nathanson (7-1, 2.24) the league leader in wins and a unanimous choice for the All-Star Game will be on the hill as the Beach Bums wear special uniforms. LHP Mark Suchowiecki (1-3, 6.19) counters for Midwest.
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Frontier League Stories from July 3, 2008
- Rascals come away with double header split - River City Rascals
- Grizz split with Rascals - Gateway Grizzlies
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- RiverHawks activate Balteff, release Dulkowski - Rockford RiverHawks
- Kings take one of two - Kalamazoo Kings
- RiverHawks lose, 5-2, in front of all-time record crowd - Rockford RiverHawks
- Beach Bums split double header - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Grizz edge Rascals - Gateway Grizzlies
- Five Beach Bums Selected as Frontier League All-Stars - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Three RiverHawks named to all-star team - Rockford RiverHawks
- Wild Things Game Cancelled - Washington Wild Things
- Frontier League All-Star Team - Evansville Otters
- Beach Bums Sign Brewers Product Newton - Traverse City Beach Bums
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