The Bombers fell to the Rockford Rivets 7-6 Sunday afternoon at C.O. Brown Stadium, dropping their overall record to 10-10.

Starting pitcher Felix Minjarez had a dominant performance for Battle Creek. Through six innings, he only allowed two walks. Second baseman David Cronin led off the seventh inning with a single over the head of Minjarez, breaking up the no-hit bid. He finished off the seventh and ended his day with allowing one run on two hits. He walked two batters and recorded six strikeouts in the no decision.

The Bombers bats continued to be hot against Rockford. They had six runs on 12 hits through six innings.

With the Bombers leading 6-1 in the eighth inning, Chris Collins came on in relief of Minjarez. He loaded the bases with two walks and an error. With nobody out, Collins walked Michael Smith, and the Rivets made it a 6-2 Bombers lead.

Brandon Guske came on in relief and got David Cronin to hit into a fielder’s choice. Jacob Vander Wal scored on the fielder’s choice, and the Bombers’ lead was cut to three. Guske hit Ricardo Ramirez and then struck out Cade Bunnell. A wild pitch scored Hunter Steinmetz, and the Bombers led 6-4.

While leading by two in the ninth inning, Guske got Alex Maloney to ground out for the first out of the inning. Guske was taken out of the game and was replaced by Cody Puckett. After hitting Joshua Hauser, Puckett walked Jacob Vander Wal and Hunter Steinmetz to load the bases. Michael Smith hit a double, scoring Hauser and Vander Wal, tying the game at 6.

Krystien Johnson-Battilana came on in relief with one out in the ninth. After getting David Cronin to ground out for the second out, a wild pitch to Ricardo Ramirez scored Steinmetz, giving the Rivets the 7-6 lead, which would be the final result.

The Bombers now have a doubleheader with the Kalamazoo Growlers with game one being Monday morning at 11:05 in Battle Creek, and then game two being at 7:05 Monday night in Kalamazoo.