Harmsen gem fuels BC Yankees

June 25, 2004 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Southwest Michigan Devil Rays News Release


BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — The Battle Creek Yankees got great pitching from Brandon Harmsen and knocked out 10 hits Friday night, beating the Fort Wayne Wizards 7-2 in front of a season-high 4,057 fans at C.O. Brown Stadium. The Yanks are now 1-1 in the second half of the Midwest League season.

Harmsen (6-0), in his third start of the season, pitched eight strong innings, allowing just one hit through seven innings and four total. He allowed two runs, struck out four batters, and walked no one.

The Yankees started their scoring in the third inning. Erold Andrus singled with one out and scored on an RBI double by Eric Duncan — his 50th RBI of the season. Willie Vasquez' two-out single scored Andrus, putting the Yanks ahead 2-0. Battle Creek added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth. John Urick led off with a double to right-center field and scored when Omir Santos followed with a single. Santos later stole second base and scored on an Andrus single, increasing the Yankees' lead to 4-0. In the fifth inning, Matt Carson singled to lead off the frame and then stole second base. Urick's second double of the game and third hit of the night scored Carson, and Battle Creek led 5-0.

After Harmsen continued to breeze through the Fort Wayne batting order in the top of the sixth, the Yankees added two more runs in the bottom half. Andrus reached on an error with two outs, and Duncan followed with a two-run homer over the right-field fence, giving Duncan three RBI for the game.

The only two runs allowed by Harmsen came in the eighth. Fernando Valenzuela Jr. led off with a solo homer. After consecutive hits with one out, outfielder Drew Macias drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, making the score 7-2. That became the final after Paul Thorp pitched a perfect ninth inning of relief for Battle Creek. Fort Wayne starter Greg Conden (2-5) took the loss, allowing five runs in 4.2 innings pitched.

The Yankees (1-1) look to take the lead in the four-game series against Fort Wayne (1-1) Saturday night at 7. Elvys Quezada is the scheduled starter for Battle Creek.



Midwest League Stories from June 25, 2004


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