07/17/2007

Beach Bums fall to Wild Things

Washington has won six straight

FROM STAFF REPORTS

TRAVERSE CITY — The Traverse City Beach Bums fell to the East Division leading Washington Wild Things 5-2 at Wuerfel Park on Monday night in the opener of a three-game series.

Washington has won six in a row.

Both teams threatened in the first inning but it was the Beach Bums who were able to get on the board first. Curtis Ledbetter walked to lead off the bottom of the second and moved to third on a base hit by Sam Orr. Brad Roblin hit a grounder up the middle that Washington hurler J.J. Hollenbeck knocked down but Ledbetter was able to score on the RBI groundout to give the Beach Bums the lead.

The Wild Things answered quickly against Robbie McClellan. Chris Sidick led off the top of the third inning with a solo homer to right to knot the game. The Wild Things went on to add single runs in four more innings to total their five runs in the game. Robbie McClellan pitched 5.2 innings and was charged with three runs on six hits. He walked four while striking out two.

Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Beach Bums loaded the bases against the Washington bullpen with one away. Ledbetter and Orr walked against Matt Ogrodnik, who was making his pro debut. Roblin followed with a single into center to load the bases. Aaron Garza bounced into a fielder's choice but was able to beat the return throw to pull Traverse City within 3-2.

The Wild Things added runs in the seventh and eighth against the Beach Bums bullpen to account for the final margin. Both team totaled nine hits in the fourth meeting of the season between the two teams. Zack Kalter posted his eighth three-hit game of the season and was chosen as the Player of the Game after finishing 3-for-4. Ledbetter drew two walks and scored both times. Justin Holmes finished with two hits including his tenth double while Orr concluded the game 2-for-3 with a walk against Wild Thing pitching.

Traverse City activated reliever Nick Pepper from injured reserve prior to the start of the contest. Pepper faced two batters in the eighth and was charged with a run.

NOTEBOOK: Left-handed reliever Jack Nelson was placed on the voluntarily retired list in order to be with his ill father. ... The series will continue tonight at Wuerfel Park in a 7:05 p.m. contest, with the Beach Bums sending out 2006 Frontier League Pitcher of the Year RHP Tony Casoli (3-5, 5.78) while Washington will use its bullpen.