Hagens, Homers Help Hawks Hold On

Published on July 16, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
South Bend Silver Hawks News Release


Appleton, WI - Bradin Hagens pitched 7.0 innings of one-run ball and the offense hit three home runs as the South Bend Silver Hawks defeated the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 5-4 on Saturday night at Fox Cities Stadium. The win gives the Hawks back-to-back victories for the first time since June 27-28.

Hagens (WP, 5-3) stole the show on the mound, allowing just three singles over 7.0 innings. He allowed a run in the second inning on a RBI groundout by Tony Pechek, but set down 15 straight hitters from out two in the second through the first out in the seventh. Of the 26 batters that hit against Hagens, only four took the ball to the outfield and seven went down on strikes.

It was the home run ball from the Silver Hawks' offense that gave Hagens the support he needed. Yazy Arbelo got it started with a two-out, two-run homer in the first inning and Raywilly Gomez followed with a solo blast as the team went back-to-back for only the second time this year.

Arbelo's blast was his league-leading 23rd of the year, putting him alone in second place on the Hawks' single season homer leader board. He is two home runs shy of tying Billy Martin's team record of 25 homers from back in 2000.

Matt Helm put his hand into the home run derby in the sixth inning, hitting a solo shot against starter Del Howell (LP, 1-6). Helm also homered last night against Beloit and now has three in the second half after behind held without a homer in the first 70 games.

The other Silver Hawks run scored in the second against Howell, after Roberto Rodriguez tripled and scored on a groundout from Roberto Ortiz. Howell was charged with five runs, all earned, over 6.0 innings.

The Timber Rattlers made it interesting in the late innings, scoring twice against Blake Cooper (ND) in the eighth inning and once in the ninth against Eury De La Rosa (SV, 1). De La Rosa stranded the tying run at first base by striking out Reggie Keen to end the game.

The Silver Hawks and Timber Rattlers play game two on Sunday afternoon, beginning at 2:05 PM Eastern Time. RHP J.R. Bradley (3-12, 5.10 ERA) will start for South Bend while Wisconsin's starter is still to be announced. Pre-game coverage begins at 1:45 PM Eastern Time on www.sportsjuice.com and www.silverhawks.com.

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Midwest League Stories from July 16, 2011


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