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July 9, 2006 - O'FALLON, Mo. – For the second consecutive game, Rockford and River City were tied going into the ninth. For the second consecutive game, the RiverHawks capitalized on two Rascal errors to score the winning run in the final inning.
With the score tied at two, Matt Sauls led off the ninth with a ground ball off starting pitcher Aaron Ledbetter that third baseman Justin McKinley bobbled and could not handle. Gooby Gerlits followed with a sacrifice bunt to move Sauls into scoring position. Then Brad Dutton grounded one that went right past McKinley into left field that scored Sauls and gave the RiverHawks the 3-2 lead.
It was not an easy lead to keep, however. Joe Barbosa started the game and pitched into the ninth. He got the first out, but then gave up a single to Mike Just. Auggie Rodriguez relieved Barbosa and gave up a single to Mike Madrid. After Eddie Kim ground into a force out at third base, Beau Massey came on in relief with runners at first and second and two away. Mike Cockrell singled into left field, but Rico Santana threw out Madrid trying to score from second to end the game.
Barbosa (2-2) gave up just one earned run in his 8 1/3 innings pitched to get the win. He struck out five and walked one in the longest outing of the year by a Rockford starter.
Ledbetter (3-5) suffered his fifth complete game loss of the season. He gave up just four hits while striking out six and walking three. He gave up just two earned runs.
The RiverHawks never trailed in this one. They scored in the first on an RBI groundout by Scott Lefler. The Rascals tied it in the bottom of the inning with a two-out home run by Madrid.
Rockford retook the lead in the second when Bo Flowers hit a sacrifice fly. But River City again answered immediately, scoring on an Eric Chevalier groundout in the bottom of the second inning. The score remained 2-2 until the ninth.
The RiverHawks will go for the sweep Monday, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05. This is the last game of the first half of the season, with the all-star break following it. Seven RiverHawks will be making the trip to Evansville to compete in the game. The 'Hawks do not return to Loves Park until July 17 when they face the Gateway Grizzlies for a three-game set.
The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, a 10-team independent professional baseball league in its 14th season. Advertising, ticket and suite information is available by calling the box office at (815) 885-2255. All games are broadcast live on WRHL-FM, 102.3 – the Hub and online at www.rockfordriverhawks.com. |
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