07/09/2007

Bums double up on Sliders

Kalter smacks 3 hits, Meigs picks up his first save

FROM STAFF REPORTS

TRAVERSE CITY — The Traverse City Beach Bums used three first-inning runs to propel the club to its second straight win, a 4-2 decision over the Slippery Rock Sliders at Wuerfel Park on Sunday evening.

The Beach Bums scored three opening-inning runs off of Slippery Rock starter Judson Smith, as Zack Kalter and Jeff Brown singled to start the game.

With two away, Slippery Rock ran into some defensive difficulties, committing two straight errors that allowed Brown to score the first run. Sam Orr doubled into right center field to score two runs and give the Beach Bums more than enough run support for starting pitcher Robbie McClellan.

The single by Brown extended his hitting streak to eight games. Kalter ended with three hits.

McClellan lasted six innings in his ninth start of the season and recorded his fourth win, the most among Beach Bums starters. He allowed no runs on seven hits and did not walk a man while striking out seven. The Bums were still being cautious with McClellan, who threw 93 pitches through his six innings of work after leaving a start on June 21 with a shoulder injury.

Traverse City was able to extend the lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning on an RBI single by Brown that scored Kalter.

Brett Bostelman threw the eighth inning while Tyler Meigs — acquired in a trade with Chillicothe last week — worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his first save of the season.