August 2, 2009 - LOVES PARK, Ill. – On Sunday, the Rockford RiverHawks put themselves back in the thick of the Frontier League West Division race with their third straight victory over the first-place River City Rascals.
The RiverHawks won, 8-2, behind a third straight game of solid starting pitching and climbed to three games behind the Rascals. Rockford starter Jay Monti (6-6) earned the victory in 7 2/3 innings pitched. He allowed two runs, one earned, on seven hits over 7 2/3 innings and struck out a career-high eight batters without a walk.
The RiverHawks took the lead for good on an RBI groundout from Robert Sabates in the bottom of the first inning. Sabates finished 1-for-4 with two RBI.
Ben Blumenthal provided the crushing blow with a three-run home run in the sixth inning off River City starter Pablo Lopez. Blumenthal has feasted on River City pitching this season. He is batting .455 (10-for-22) with four home runs and 10 RBI in seven games against the Rascals.
Lopez (1-2) took the loss. He gave up six runs, four earned, on seven hits in six innings. He walked none and struck out eight.
The series concludes tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. at Road Ranger Stadium. The Power Connection is sponsoring a corporate buyout. They have already bought every available seat in the stadium for the game and are offering the entire Stateline community a night of professional baseball on its tab.
Fans can visit the team website to print a voucher for tickets to the game. They can visit the box office to redeem their voucher.
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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