Traverse City Record-Eagle

Sports

July 20, 2012

Beach Bums' win streak snapped

From staff reports ----

LOVES PARK, Ill. — Traverse City pitchers gave up only four hits, but Rockford still managed to scrape out a 1-0 victory on Thursday.

The Beach Bums were coming off a three-game sweep of Florence and had won five of six after the All-Star break before the setback.

The RiverHawks scored in the fourth on a Jet Butler RBI single that brought home Evan Button for the game's only run.

Traverse City threatened in the ninth, with Marcus Nidiffer cracking a one-out double to right. Matt Howard pinch ran, but Brian Heere and Ryan Still worked back-to-back walks off Garrett Granitz before Jose Vargas lined out to shortstop for the final out.

Scott Dunn started and went six strong innings, giving up only four hits and three walks while striking out six.

Sam Brown came on in the seventh and walked the only two batters he faced. Nick Capito came on and got out of the jam on eight pitches — ending a seven-pitch at-bat to Michael Thomas with a double play. The inning ended with Brandon Anderson picked off at first by Capito, who tossed two shutout frames.

Kyle Schepel (3-1) earned the victory, throwing 7.1 innings of four-hit ball. He struck out five and walked four to lower his season ERA to 0.54.

The loss cuts Traverse City's lead in the East Division to four games over Southern Illinois, which beat Washington 4-2.

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