RiverHawks Beat Wild Things, 3-2
Published on July 28, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Rockford RiverHawks News Release
WASHINGTON, Pa. - The Rockford RiverHawks had to gamble either way - pitch to a batter who has hit them hard this season or put the possible go-ahead run on base.
Manager Rich Austin chose the latter, and his risk paid off. Closer Brett Durand, after an intentional walk of Estee Harris, got out of the eighth inning with the tying and go-ahead runs left on the corners and pitched the last four outs of the RiverHawks' 3-2 defeat of the Washington Wild Things on Thursday at Consol Energy Park.
Matt Gibbs scattered a run on five hits over six innings in his Frontier League debut. Gibbs (1-0) struck out four and walked one for the win. The Rockford bullpen pitched three hitless innings and Durand got a four-out save, his 13th of the year.
Harris, who is hitting .471 against Rockford this year, singled in a first-inning run on Thursday and was 1-for-2.
Rockford rallied for three runs in the sixth inning to take a 3-1 lead. Freddy Parejo led off with a single to center field, Dave Cooper sacrificed and Jake Eigsti tripled home Parejo. Eigsti scored the go-ahead run on Jason James' groundout to second base. Matt Greener followed with a home run to left field, his fourth of the year.
Washington rallied for a run without a hit off setup man Corey Frerichs in the eighth inning. Frerichs walked two and threw a wild pitch. Luis Rivera drove in a run on a groundout to cut Rockford's lead to a run. Right-hander Durand came into the game, intentionally walked the lefty Harris, then got right-handed hitter Blake Ochoa on a foul to third to end the inning. In the ninth, Durand struck out two and retired the side in order.
Washington starter Jhonny Montoya lost for the first time in three starts against Rockford. Montoya (2-4) gave up three runs on five hits over six innings.
Rockford has won two of three since the end of a team-record nine-game losing streak.
The series finale is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. CDT Friday.
The RiverHawks' next home game is 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2 against Southern Illinois. Petco sponsors Dog Days of Summer. Fans are invited to bring their pooch to the park. It's also a Thompson's Transmissions Kids Eat Free Night.
The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league in its 19th season. Advertising and ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit www.rockfordriverhawks.com.
Frontier League Stories from July 28, 2011
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- Ninth Inning Rally Falls Short in 5-4 Loss - Florence Y'alls
- ThunderBolts Ride Jernstad's Arm to 2-1 Victory - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Crushers Slammed At Home - Lake Erie Crushers
- Slammers Win Home Run Derby Disguised as Baseball Game - Joliet Slammers
- RiverHawks Beat Wild Things, 3-2 - Rockford RiverHawks
- Wild Things Nipped by Rockford 3-2 - Washington Wild Things
- Beach Bums Bring Back Nathanson - Traverse City Beach Bums
- July 28 Joliet Slammers Game Notes - Joliet Slammers
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