Nathanson and Clutch Hitting Combine for Fifth Win in Six Games
Published on July 22, 2009 under Frontier League (FL)
Traverse City Beach Bums News Release
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.- In a game that ended in a Wuerfel Park record 1 hour and 43 minutes, Beach Bums starting pitcher David Nathanson held the Rockford RiverHawk bats at bay until the Traverse City Beach Bums' offense drove in three late-inning runs in a 3-1 win.
The crowd of 2,647 at Wuerfel Park was treated to a gem by both pitchers. Nathanson kept the RiverHawks off balance all night, surrendering just one unearned run in the third inning, while allowing only five hits for the complete-game win and did not walk a batter.
Rockford starter Jay Monti had a perfect game going into the sixth inning, retiring the first 16 batters he faced before Beach Bums catcher Andrew Barbaro singled up the middle. A double play, however, would end any threat by the Bums.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, with the hosts down, 0-1, Brad Miller led off with a single. A textbook groundout to the first baseman by Brandon McArthur moved Miller to second. A Mike Epping single would put runners on first and third, setting up the Beach Bums' first run on a passed ball. Another double-play ball would end the inning.
After a lead-off single, Nathanson induced a fly-out and a double play to end the top of the eighth inning.
The Beach Bums would whip the crowd into a frenzy in the bottom of the frame.
Singles by Mike Victor and Brian Lapin put runners on first and second. Another passed ball put runners on second and third. Left fielder Anthony D'Alfonso drove in the winning run on a single to left field, plating Al Barbato who pinch ran for Victor.
Monti was relieved by Elliot Cribby with no outs in the Beach Bums' half of the eighth. Barbaro added an insurance run, scoring Lapin with a sacrifice fly. A subsequent single by Andrew Stafford looked to add another, but both he and D'Alfonso were tagged out in run downs to end the frantic action.
Nathanson, like he had all night, made quick work of the RiverHawks to close out the game, striking out one and inducing two fly-outs to end the game and improve the Beach Bums' record to 24-30.
After a franchise-record 11-game losing streak, the Beach Bums have returned from the All-Star Break to post five wins in their last six games, gaining plenty of momentum heading into a six-game road trip.
Traverse City will play three games at Washington on Thursday through Sunday before heading to Florence for a three-game set against the Freedom, Sunday through Tuesday. Right-hander Jason Kiley will get the ball tomorrow night for Traverse City against the Wild Things' southpaw Craig Snipp.
The Beach Bums return to Wuerfel Park on Wednesday, July 29, when they host the Lake Erie Crushers.
You can listen to all the action, home-and-away, on 94.3 and 92.5 The FOX FM.
Frontier League Stories from July 22, 2009
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- Grizzlies Rally to Win - Gateway Grizzlies
- Kings Sweep Windy City - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Nathanson and Clutch Hitting Combine for Fifth Win in Six Games - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Bums Rally to Beat RiverHawks, 3-1 - Rockford RiverHawks
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