Traverse City Record-Eagle

Beach Bums

July 9, 2012

Rippers take series from Bums

TC's Vargas keeps up streak with his 11th homer in last 12 games

From staff reports ----

LONDON, Ont. — After surging into a big lead in the East Division, the Traverse City Beach Bums go into the All-Star break with a two-game losing skid.

The Beach Bums dropped a 9-2 decision in the rubber game of a series at London. The loss cuts TC's division lead to three games.

One Traverse City player who definitely isn't going into the break slumping is Jose Vargas, who slammed his 11th home run in the last 12 games with a solo shot in the first inning.

Vargas leads the Frontier League in homers (18) and RBIs (54) and is ninth in batting (.312).

Kyle Colligan hit his fourth homer of the season on a seventh-inning solo shot.

Sean Gusrang, Colligan and Vargas each had two hits to account fro all but one of TC's on the day.

Reid Kelly took the loss, giving up eight runs in 2.1 innings. With the All-Star break coming up, the Bums were able to use Bennett Whitmore and Brooks Belter in relief stints. Whitmore surrendered one run in 1.2 innings, while Belter, Sam Brown, Scott Mueller and Matt Miller each worked one scoreless frame.

Brandon Sinnery earned the win with eight innings of seven-hit ball. He struck out seven and walked one.

The post-break schedule is favorable for the Beach Bums, who play sub-.500 teams in four of their next six series, and then have six of nine series at home down the stretch.

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