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James streaks to 32, Blumenthal homers in split
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July 6, 2009 - O’FALLON, Mo. – Jason James extended his hitting streak to a Frontier League-record 32 games and Ben Blumenthal hit three home runs and drove in eight runs on Sunday as the Rockford RiverHawks split a doubleheader with the River City Rascals. Rockford won the opener, 11-1, and the West Division-leading Rascals won the nightcap, 6-3, to salvage the finale of the three-game series.

The Rascals’ win in the nightcap snapped Rockford’s season-best five-game winning streak.

James was 2-for-4 in the opener and 1-for-2 with a double and two walks in the nightcap. He broke the old record of 30 games set by River City’s Mike Robertson in 2001 and matched by Florence’s Mike Galloway in 2005.

Rockford hit five home runs in the opener, three off River City starter Chris Ingoglia (4-4), and never trailed. Brandon Romans singled in a run in the second inning. In the fourth, Ross McCoy homered to left-center field and, after Romans walked, Blumenthal lined a two-run homer to left. Doug Sanders left led off the fifth with a home run and James followed with his record-breaking single to right-center.

Caleb Fields homered in the sixth inning and Blumenthal homered with two on and two outs in the seventh.

Rockford starter Kyle Wright (5-1) struck out seven and walked one in a complete-game victory. He is unbeaten in his last seven starts.

In the nightcap, Rockford starter Brett Durand (4-3) struck out five without a walk, but gave up home runs to Chad Maddox, Danny Sawyer and Scott Robinson and was gone after 4 1/3 innings. Blumenthal hit a three-run homer to center in the top of the fourth to give Rockford a 3-1 lead, but Sawyer hit a solo shot in the bottom of the inning and Robinson homered with two on in the fifth to give the Rascals the lead for good.

River City starter Josh Lowey (2-0) walked five and walked two, but lasted five innings for the win. Twin Jason Lowey escaped a two-on, two-out jam in the seventh to earn his 10th save.

The RiverHawks come home at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday to play Traverse City. It’s a corporate buyout. The Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 23 has purchased all available seats in the ballpark and is inviting Stateline baseball fans to join them at the stadium. Fans must visit the stadium box office in person to claim their tickets.

The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league in its 17th season. The RiverHawks host the 2009 Frontier League All-Star Game at 7:05 p.m. on July 15. Advertising and ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit the RiverHawks online at www.rockfordriverhawks.com. Most games are broadcast live on ESPN 1380, and on the team website.

 

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