2008 Woodie Awards
River Bats end first half in first place
The River Bats struggled through a 2-4 week, yet head into the All-Star Break in first place
Travis Weldon
Issue date: 7/9/07 Section: Sports
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The River Bats went 21-13 in the first half of the season, which guarantees a spot in the playoffs. The River Bats are 1-1 so far in the second half.
The River Bats started off the week losing 8-7 to the Mankato Moondogs last Sunday.
Steve Blevins took the loss for the River Bats giving up five runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked two.
The game looked to be all over in the ninth when Mankato held an 8-3 lead. The River Bats never gave up, as Chad Dawson came in to close the game. He had trouble finding the strike zone, walking the bases full with nobody out.
Adam Yeager would score on a wild pitch, then Tim Wheeler cracked a double down the left field line that scored D.J. Belfonte and T.J. Thompson. Dawson settled down to retire the next two batters.
Dawson got himself into trouble again when he plunked Matt Fanelli to put him on first. Dawson got Brian Hernandez on what seemed to be a surefire ground ball out to third baseman Nate Hanson. His throw sailed over the first baseman's head as Wheeler came around to score.
The comeback fell just a little short when Dylan Tonneson grounded out to the shortstop to end the game.
"It shows the importance of every play during the game," River Bats Manager Tony Arnerich said after the game. "If we could have done something to save one run, we'd still be playing right now."
The River Bats would travel to Battle Creek Monday to start a two game series. Battle Creek would win the first game 7-5.
Kurtis Frymier (0-1) pitched, letting one run in during the first inning and unraveling in the second inning when he gave up six runs.
Brumagin went 3-for-5 with one RBI and two stolen bases. Hernandez's second home run was the only extra base hit for the River Bats.
The River Bats had runs the first two innings and three more in the fourth, but could not muster enough for the win.