FL River City Rascals

Rascals Bullpen Falls Apart

June 19, 2007 - Frontier League (FL)
River City Rascals News Release


O'Fallon, MO--The River City Rascals looked to be on their way to winning their first game of the season against the Kalamazoo Kings Tuesday night, but a ninth inning meltdown by the Rascals bullpen spoiled the evening as the Rascals fell 9-6 at T.R. Hughes Ballpark.

The Rascals held a 6-4 lead at the start of the ninth inning, but four Rascals pitchers were unable to hold the lead, allowing five runs in the frame.

Rascals' manager Toby Rumfield voiced his displeasure with his bullpen after the game.

"It's not fair," said Rumfield. "It's not fair to these other guys to go out there and scrape and claw for a lead, only to have the bullpen go out there and blow it."

The game started off quiet, as both teams failed to score through the first two innings. The third inning was a different story.

The Kings struck first, scoring three runs on four hits in the top half of the inning. Back-to-back singles from shortstop Andrew Smith and second baseman Kyle Kmiecik led off the inning, followed by a walk to third baseman Joseph Ramos to load the bases with nobody out. A balk by Rascals' starter Chris Clem brought in the first run, while a two out, 2-RBI single from left fielder Keith Brachold drove in the other two runs.

The Rascals responded in their half of the inning, plating four runs on three hits to take the lead 4-3.

After designated hitter Anthony Albano started the inning with a ground out and second baseman Jeff Landry was caught in a run down after a walk, catcher Ken Lup Jr. drew a walk of his own. A bunt single from center fielder Ryan Czyz put moved Lup into scoring position which allowed right fielder Phil Laurent to drive him home with an RBI single. First baseman Bobby Mosby delivered the big blast one batter later, hitting a three run homerun over the right-center field wall.

The Rascals would add to their lead in the fifth, scoring two more runs to push the lead to 6-3. Mosby was the hero again, hitting a 2-run homer for his second of the evening and his eighth of the year. The two out blast drove in Czyz who had reached on a fielder's choice earlier in the inning while trying to bunt over Lup.

The score would remain the same until the seventh, when the Kings were able to score one run to make the score 6-4. A leadoff single from Smith and a one out double from Ramos put runners on second and third with one out. Center fielder Jeff Grose drove in the run with a RBI sacrifice fly to left field.

An uneventful eighth set the stage for a disastrous ninth for the Rascals.

Singles from Smith and Kmiecik followed by a walk from Ramos loaded the bases with nobody out. A bases loaded walk to Grose drove in the first run followed by an RBI ground out by Brachold. After an intentional walk to designated hitter Josh Carter, catcher Michael Russell drove in two more runs with a single. First baseman Robert Moron brought in the last run with an RBI ground out.

Mark Kelly (1-0) picked up the win for the Kings after pitching one inning, allowing no runs and striking out one. Mike Benacka (0-4) received the loss for the Rascals after allowing one run on no hits and a walk, while getting nobody out. John Sullivan IV picked up his fifth save after working a scoreless ninth.

The Rascals (9-18) and Kings (16-11) play again tomorrow, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm at T.R. Hughes Ballpark. Left starter Tim Dugan (1-1) will be on the mound for the Rascals.

*Puppy Chow*

All fans are encouraged to wear red to the ballpark tomorrow, Wednesday June 20th. It is Healthcare Workers Appreciation Night presented by Progress West Healthcare. Prior to the game there will be a "Docs on the Diamond" softball game.

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Frontier League Stories from June 19, 2007


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