BRAINERD Minnesota--Sander Beck (1-1) threw eight shutout innings and collected his first win of the season, getting the better of the Lunkers the second time around, 4-0.
After collecting a hard-luck loss his first start of the season against Brainerd in which he struck out seven in eight innings, retiring the final 17 hitters he faced, Beck was even more dominant Wednesday night.
Nick Anderson went four scoreless before exiting the contest with tightness in his throwing elbow. His status is day-to-day.
Patrick Biondi was the star for Alexandria. He scored two runs on one hit and a walk, but he made two spectacular defensive plays--one, a laser throw from center field, gunning down Matt Hillsinger, the potential go-ahead run, at the plate, and the other, a diving catch robbing Stephen Wickens of a hit in the seventh, preventing the tying man to reach base.
In addition to Biondi, the leadoff hitter, Marcus Semien, Mikel Alvarez, and Jake Tanis, the two-through-four hitters, each reached base multiple times. Combined, Alexandria's first four hitters went seven-for-16 at the plate. Marcus Semien's two hits came in the eighth and ninth, an run scoring triple, and a two-rbi double, respectively.
Rob Matthews (0-1) picked up the loss for the Lunkers. After facing six hitters through his first two innings of relief, the first four runners reached base against him in the seventh--the first, Tanis, was thrown out stealing--which ultimately led to Will Miller's sacrifice fly, giving Alexandria the lead.
It was the first win for the Beetles against the Lunkers this season, and first win against them after losing the last six matchups between the two, dating back to last year.
Alexandria's Brandon Garcia and Patrick Biondi each extended their on-base streak to 11 consecutive games, and Biondi extended his hitting streak to nine games with his ninth inning single.
In a losing effort, Matt Hillsinger's single in the first extended his hitting streak to seven games.
Wednesday night's ballgame was the finale of an eight-game home stand--the team's longest of the season. The Lunkers finished their stay at home with a 3-5 record.
The two conclude their two-game, home-and-home series tomorrow night at Knute Nelson Memorial Park, with first pitch scheduled for 6:05.