FL River City Rascals

Rally Starts Too Late as Rascals Fall

Published on July 31, 2007 under Frontier League (FL)
River City Rascals News Release


O'Fallon, MO - The River City Rascals came into Tuesday's game against the Chillicothe Paints desperately trying to find a fifth starter for their rotation. The position has been in constant flux all season and Tuesday night was Bryan Hansen's turn.

The good news for the game was that the Rascals may have found their fifth starter as Hansen threw a complete game allowing only three runs on four hits, walking one and striking out five. The bad news was that the Rascals' offense was only able to manage two runs on three hits as the team fell to the Paints 3-2.

After the first professional start of his career, Hansen talked about overcoming his early troubles.

"I felt like the strike zone was really pinched in the first," said Hansen. "I was able to get my fastball over for strikes and get in a groove later though, and felt really good."

Hansen struggled early and the Rascals fell behind as the Paints were able to put up two runs in the first off of only one hit to take a 2-0 lead.

A walk to center fielder Gavin Ng and a hit-by-pitch to designated hitter J.T. Thomas started the inning. Shortstop Travis Garcia knocked in Ng with an RBI single in the next at bat and Thomas came in one out later on an RBI sacrifice fly by catcher Dan Cummins.

Chillicothe added another run to their lead in the second when left fielder Lance Koenig doubled with one away and scored one out later on an RBI single from Ng.

That would be all the runs Hansen would give up as he shut down the Paints through the final seven innings of the game.

The Rascals were finally able to break through in the hit and run columns in the fifth when they scored one run on one hit to make the score 3-1.

First baseman Bobby Mosby led off the inning with a bloop single for the first hit of the game and was able to move up to second on a wild pitch. Left fielder Trey Hendricks was hit by a pitch in the next at-bat, but was erased at second base when shortstop Brad Hough grounded into a fielder's choice that put runners on first and third with one out. During center fielder Chris Bielski's at-bat, Hough was caught stealing second, but Mosby was able to come home later in the at-bat on another wild pitch.

The Rascals made one last push to try to get the win for Hansen in the ninth, as second baseman Jeff Landry led off the inning with a solo homer to bring the Rascals within a run at 3-2. Pinch hitter Andy Bettis entered and popped up to short for the first out. Jeff Miller, who was 0-3 with two strikeouts before his ninth inning at-bat, crushed a double to right-center. Miller took third on the error by Ng in center. With Mosby lurking on deck, representing the game winning run, the Paints and closer Eric Teall decided to intentionally pass on the first baseman. The move would prove wise as Trey Hendricks and Brad Hough followed by striking out, sealing the Rascals' fate.

Hansen (1-2) was credited with the loss despite his stellar start and Paints starter Daryl Arreola (3-2) got the win after pitching seven innings and allowing only one run on one hit while walking one and striking out six. Teall picked up his twelfth save of the season after giving up one run on two hits in the ninth.

The Rascals (24-40) will try to avoid the sweep tomorrow when they take on the Paints (31-33) at 7:05 pm.

*Puppy Chow*

August 1 - The first 1,000 fans will receive a stars and stripes baseball compliments of 1st Financial Federal Credit Union to kick off the festivities as the Rascals Salute America's Troops. The Rascals players will also be wearing limited edition patriotic jerseys presented by 1st Financial Federal Credit Union. Fans will have an opportunity to bid on and win the jerseys. All proceeds from the auction will go directly to the Children's Miracle Network. Also, it is Wednesday night, so all kids 12 and under eat for free!

Check out the River City Rascals Statistics

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Frontier League Stories from July 31, 2007


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