July 19, 2009 - LOVES PARK, Ill. – For the second time in as many starts, two of the best pitchers in the Frontier League faced each other on Sunday. For the second time, Kyle Wright came out the winner as the Rockford RiverHawks beat the Kalamazoo Kings, 2-1.
Wright (7-1), a West Division All-Star with the best ERA in the league, pitched eight effective innings and did not allow an earned run to outlast Kalamazoo starter John Brownell (6-3). Brownell was the East Division’s starting pitcher in last week’s All-Star Game. John Muller earned his 12th save of the year.
Rockford first baseman Brandon Cohen provided the difference with a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Cohen played for the ‘Hawks regular first baseman, Todd Martin, who is nursing a tender wrist.
Jason James’ Frontier League record 40-game hitting streak came to an end as he finished 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. During the streak that began on June 2, James batted 76-for-156 (.487) with seven home runs and 23 RBI. He also had 23 multi-hit games.
Wright gave up seven hits, allowed one unearned run, walked two batters and struck out five. Wright last pitched on July 10 when he faced Brownell of the Kings. He pitched his first career shutout in a 3-0 victory.
The RiverHawks head north on Monday to take on the Traverse City Beach Bums in a three-game series before returning home to open a three-game homestand against the Southern Illinois Miners at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, at Road Ranger Stadium. Thursday night will be Miller Lite Dollar Beer Night, sponsored by Miller Lite and WXRX-FM.
The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league in its 17th season. 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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