The Bombers went into extra innings again on Saturday, this time dropping the series opener to the Madison Mallards 5-4, ending Battle Creek’s three-game winning streak in front of 6,500 people at Warner Park in Wisconsin.
Battle Creek trailed for much of the game, scoring the tying run in the fifth inning on a Danny Rockett single. The division-leading Mallards scored a run in the first inning but were then shut out until the bottom of the ninth by Nick Frey (in his first start) and Nolan Sanburn. But with the game 1-1 heading into bonus baseball, the Bombers struck with a pair of RBIs from Rhett Goodmiller and Jordan Dean, but Madison pulled even in the bottom of the 10th. In the 11th inning, Ryne Otis sent a screaming solo shot over the centerfield fence giving the Bombers the lead, but Battle Creek closer Kristian Calibuso gave up two unearned runs, giving the Mallards the victory.
Together, Frey and Sanburn allowed just two hits and one run through eight complete innings.
The series concludes tomorrow night in Madison at 6:05pm eastern. Fans can hear the game live online at www.battlecreekbombers.com with Voice of the Bombers, Greg Talbott, calling the action.