July 8, 2007 - O'FALLON, Mo. – Sometimes all it takes is one big inning to make or break a baseball game.
River City got that in their half of the fourth inning, scoring all the runs they would need as they defeated Rockford 5-4, at T.R. Hughes Ballpark.
After Brad Dutton hit a triple to left center in the first, Jason James followed with a single, bringing Dutton home. Rockford also got two more runs in the top half of the fourth inning, as Brandon Cohen came home on an RBI single by Matt Sauls. Justus Kimbrough also scored when Dutton hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield.
River City answered in their half of the same inning, rocking RiverHawks starter Brady Salter for five runs. Manager J.D. Arndt replaced Salter in favor of Dave Dowling after that, and the 'Hawks got out of the inning when the Rascals Jeff Landry was tagged out by Kimbrough after failing to touch the plate going for home on a Phillip Laurent single.
The RiverHawks would score one more time, as Sauls hit a home run off River City starter Steve Brook in the eighth inning. Brook (5-3) picked up the win for the Rascals, pitching 7 2/3 innings, despite giving up 12 Rockford hits.
Although he sent the Rascals down in order in the first three innings, Salter (2-3) picked up the loss, as he did not last through the fourth inning. River City closer Mike Benacka earned his eighth save, striking out two Rockford batters, before getting Alhaji Turay to ground out to the shortstop to end the ball game.
Matt Sauls went 3-for-4 in the game, with two singles and a home run.
Rockford will look to end the road trip on a winning note as they face the Rascals to conclude the series tomorrow night, July 9. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. at T.R. Hughes Ballpark in O'Fallon.
The 'Hawks will also start the second half of the season against the Rascals, as they begin a six-game homestand with a 7:05 p.m. game on July 13, at Road Ranger Stadium.
The RiverHawks are the Western Division champions of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league that will play its 15th season in 2007. Advertising and season-ticket information is available by calling the box office at (815) 885-2255. All games are broadcast live on WNTA (1330 AM). Fans can also visit the RiverHawks online at www.rockfordriverhawks.com. | 
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