06/11/2007

Rockford erupts for 11 as TC rally stalls

TC trades for infielder Ramsey

FROM STAFF REPORTS

LOVES PARK, Ill. — No rally this time.

After coming from behind to win the previous two nights, the Traverse City Beach Bums couldn't pull off the trifecta and fell to Rockford 11-6.

Jeff Vincent doubled in the eighth, newcomer Ben Ramsey walked and pinch hitter Justin Holmes was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Sam Orr walked in a run and the Bums scored twice to cut the deficit to 8-6 in the inning, scoring two runs with the benefit of only one hit.

But in the RiverHaks half of the eighth, Rockford extended its lead back to a more comfortable five, highlighted by a double by Joey Huskins that plated Matt Hagen and a Rob Perkins single that scored Roberto Valiente, as reliever Jack Nelson gave up his first runs of the season.

The Bums loaded the bases in the second inning and Zack Kalter drove in two runs with a double, but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple to end the inning and prevent R.C. Dickerson from crossing the plate. Kalter extended his hitting streak to seven games with a lead-off single in the first inning.

Curtis Ledbetter drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the second inning.

Jeff Brown's single drove in J.T. Thomas in the third inning to pull the Bums within a run at the time.

Rockford scored three runs in the first off starter Steve Shippey (0-3).

The Beach Bums added Ramsey from Washington in a trade on Sunday and released second baseman Eric Lawson. An infielder, Ramsey hit .333 with one home run and nine RBIs in 11 games for the Wild Things. The Bums surrendered their first pick in the league's 2008 tryout camp.