Watch Live
Lunkers Hold On, Win Second Half Opener
July 9, 2010
BRAINERD Minnesota--With the tying run at third and nobody out, Ray Black collected two strikeouts and fielded a ground ball to collect his fourth save of the season and sealing the Lunkers' 5-4 win over the St. Cloud River Bats.
In a tie game in the bottom of the eighth inning, Levi Fergsuon's single brought Matt Hillsinger home to give the Lunkers a late lead.
St. Cloud got on the board first when Joey Benke hit his second home run of the season on a 3-1 fastball from Lunkers starter Kyle Teague. It was the first of four consecutive innings in which the River Bats brought home one run.
In the middle of St. Cloud's offensive streak, the Lunkers brought home four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, when their first three hitters reached on River Bats' errors. St. Cloud committed another error later in the inning aiding the Lunkers' big frame.
Matt Lewis was the hard luck starter for St. Cloud, as he exited after six completed innings without surrendering a single earned run. He struck out six batters, while walking only one.
Kyle Teague got a no-decision in his start, as well. He went six innings, was knocked around for nine hits, giving up four runs--three earned.
Brandon Baumgartner went two scoreless innings after Teague and gets credited with his third win of the season for his relief efforts.
Nick Sutherland, son of Lunkers and River Bats' owner Joel Sutherland, picked up the loss in relief of Lewis.
The series resumes tomorrow night at Stewart C. Mills Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
