Thunderbolts slip past Beach Bums

Published on July 17, 2006 under Frontier League (FL)
Traverse City Beach Bums News Release


Windy City ThunderBolts righthander Nick Renault struck out 10 in eight strong innings as the Traverse City Beach Bums fell, 3-1, to Windy City on Monday night at Wuerfel Park. Robbie McClellan allowed only three runs in a career-high 8.1 innings but suffered the loss as the Beach Bums failed to cash in on several strong scoring opportunities.

A crowd of 2,436 stuck around through a one hour, 51-minute rain delay to support the Beach Bums in the first game of a six-game homestand. The loss drops Traverse City to 17-5 at home this season, still the best mark in the Frontier League. The Beach Bums (31-17) are tied with the Chillicothe Paints for the best overall record in the league at the midpoint of the 96-game schedule.

The ThunderBolts strung together a pair of two-out base hits to take the lead in the top of the third inning. With Jason Mann at first and two outs, shortstop Anthony Seratelli split the right-center gap with a run-scoring triple. Clemente Bonilla followed with a grounder through the left side of the infield for a 2-0 ThunderBolts edge.

Traverse City got some help from faulty Windy City defense as they squeaked across a run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Justin Holmes led off with a single, then advanced to second on a groundout. After a strikeout left Holmes at second with two outs, Nick Batkoski hit a groundball to short. Seratelli's sidearm throw from short got past first baseman John McCarthy, and Holmes scampered home from second to slice Windy City's lead to 2-1.

The ThunderBolts closed the scoring in the top of the ninth inning, when Adam Balkan drew a bases-loaded walk against Shaun Parker.

Traverse City's offense was never able to mount a consistent offensive attack, as the Beach Bums left ten runners on base and struck out a season-high 12 times in the contest. Traverse City got the leadoff man on base in six different innings, but only were able to push across the run with the help of Windy City's error in the fifth. Traverse City's biggest missed opportunity came in the third inning, when Justin Meagher and Holmes started the inning with consecutive singles, but a failed sacrifice, a strikeout, and a popout ended the threat.

Holmes provided the bulk of Traverse City's offense, collecting three singles and a walk in five plate appearances. Steve Young was the only Beach Bums batter who did not strike out on the night, going 1-for-4 with a sacrifice bunt.

McClellan (3-3) was effective in a losing effort for Traverse City, striking out a season-best seven while walking only two. After allowing consecutive run-scoring hits in the third, the righty retired 12 consecutive batters, a streak that ended when he walked McCarthy with two outs in the seventh frame. McClellan was charged with a run in the ninth inning, as he exited following a one-out walk to John Santor and a single from Josh Buhagiar.

Renault, the Frontier League's strikeout king in 2005, was fantastic in his second appearance after an injury-riddled first half. He allowed just one run on six hits in eight innings, fanning ten and walking four. Brian Beuning, who led the Frontier League in ERA while working out of the Kalamazoo bullpen last season, allowed only a Holmes single and struck out two in the ninth to collect his league-leading 14th save.

Up Next: The Beach Bums and ThunderBolts continue the series on Tuesday night, as Traverse City sends David LeMieux (0-0, 4.73) to the hill against Mike Mlotkowski (2-3, 3.12). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05, and coverage on 94.3 The Fox FM will begin at 6:45.

Promotion: "Beat the Heat" Week continues on Tuesday night, as the Beach Bums will give away sunscreen on Sunburn's Sunscreen Night. Tickets are available for all Beach Bums games by calling (231) 943-0100.

Homestand: The Beach Bums will give away beach balls on Wednesday night, and beach towels on Thursday night. Friday's game will be followed by spectacular post-game fireworks and will feature a souvenir poster giveaway, and the Beach Bums will give away t-shirts to the first 500 kids courtesy of the YMCA on Saturday night. All games start at 7:05. Tickets are available for all Beach Bums game by calling (231) 943-0100.

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Frontier League Stories from July 17, 2006


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