RiverHawks Survive 4-3
Published on August 31, 2007 under Frontier League (FL)
Rockford RiverHawks News Release
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Rockford RiverHawks survived a ninth-inning rally by Kalamazoo on Friday and held on to beat the Kings, 4-3.
The RiverHawks head home for the last two days of the season a half-game behind the Kings in the chase for the Frontier League wild card. Rockford must win three of four to take the final playoff spot.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Rockford closer Jason Baca walked the bases loaded with one out. Roy Bringleson relieved him and gave up a RBI single to Jeff Grose before he gave way to Dane Towery with two outs. Towery struck out Joe Ramos swinging on a 3-2 pitch out of the strike zone to get the final out. Towery, usually used as a long or middle reliever, picked up his first save.
Rockford rallied for three runs in the sixth inning to take a 3-2 lead. With one out, Matt Sauls singled, advanced on a wild pitch and Jason James hit a game-tying home run to right field off Kalamazoo starter Sam Mann. Brandon Cohen later doubled home the go-ahead run.
In the ninth inning, Jono Brooks singled home an insurance run off former RiverHawk John Brownell.
Mann (6-2) gave up three runs, two earned, on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings.
Rockford starter Brady Salter struck out a career-high seven and walked two over eight innings to get the win. Salter (7-5) spotted the Kings a 2-0 lead on Mike Russell's RBI single in the first inning and Kyle Kmiecik's RBI double in the second inning.
The RiverHawks and Kings play again at 5:05 p.m. Saturday at Road Ranger Stadium. They'll complete a suspended game from Aug. 6, which Kalamazoo leads, 1-0, in the bottom of the third inning.
On Saturday, the RiverHawks honor a two-time Frontier League all-star on Rico Santana Bobblehead Night. The first 1,000 receive a Santana bobblehead. Dog Days of Summer has been rescheduled for Saturday. Fans are invited to bring their pooch to the park and watch a dog-training demonstration between games of the doubleheader.
The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league in its 15th season. Advertising and ticket information is available by calling the box office at (815) 885-2255. Most games are broadcast live on WNTA (1330 AM) and the internet. Fans can also visit the RiverHawks online at www.rockfordriverhawks.com.
Frontier League Stories from August 31, 2007
- Rascals Take Home Finale From Gateway - River City Rascals
- Rascals Get Past Grizzlies - Gateway Grizzlies
- Late Beach Bums Rally Falls Short - Traverse City Beach Bums
- RiverHawks Survive 4-3 - Rockford RiverHawks
- James named to league's postseason all-star list - Rockford RiverHawks
- Two Rascals Awarded By Frontier League - River City Rascals
- Redmon and Basham Pickup Frontier League Awards - OSC Original by Andrew Kappes
- Haines Named Frontier League Manager of the Year - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Truck Raffle Better Bet Than Stocks - Gateway Grizzlies
- Grizzlies Nab Five Post-season Awards - Gateway Grizzlies
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