Durand, Muller Win 2-1 Duel
Published on June 10, 2009 under Frontier League (FL)
Rockford RiverHawks News Release
LOVES PARK, Ill. - On a historic night for Rockford hitting, it was pitching and defense that won the day for the RiverHawks.
Brett Durand and John Muller combined on a six-hitter on Wednesday as the RiverHawks beat Windy City, 2-1.
Durand (3-0) scattered a run on five hits, struck out five and walked one over eight innings. Muller escaped a ninth-inning jam for his Frontier League-leading fifth save.
Left fielder Jason James was 1-for-4 to break Ben Fjelland's all-time team hits record of 311. James' record-breaking hit was a third-inning single to center field.
James' bigger contribution Wednesday was a key defensive play in the top of the fifth inning. With two outs, Nate Hall tried to score from first base on Zach Aakhus' double to the corner in left. James fired the ball to second baseman Doug Sanders, who had moved to the left side of the infield as a cutoff man. Sanders relayed a strike to catcher Ben Blumenthal to nip Hall at home.
Rockford never trailed. Robert Sabates singled in a two-out run in the first inning. In the top of the second, Windy City's J.T. Restko homered to left. The RiverHawks regained the lead in the second inning when Caleb Fields doubled, stole third base and scored on an errant throw by Aakhus, the ThunderBolts' catcher.
Windy City starter Shane Zegarac (1-2) struck out five without a walk over 5 1/3 innings, but took the loss.
The RiverHawks have won two straight and have a chance for a series sweep at 7:05 p.m. on Thirsty Thursday. It's Miller Lite/104.9 - the X Dollar Beer Night. It's also Jimmy Buffet Night, an annual event when Road Ranger Stadium becomes a Parrothead paradise.
Frontier League Stories from June 10, 2009
- Durand, Muller Win 2-1 Duel - Rockford RiverHawks
- Rascals Continue Dominance Over Grizzlies - River City Rascals
- Crushers Lose Pitcher's Duel - Lake Erie Crushers
- ThunderBolts Fall to RiverHawks - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Long Ball Carries Freedom to Win - Florence Y'alls
- Kings Win Two Straight - Kalamazoo Kings
- New Pitcher on the Mound - Evansville Otters
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