The Battle Creek Bombers fell to the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters 1-0 Tuesday night at C.O. Brown Stadium, splitting the two-game series. With the loss, the Bombers fell to 18-18 on the year as the first half of the season comes to an end. With the victory, the Rafters clinched the South division title and earned an automatic playoff berth.
After a shaky start, Bombers starting pitcher Nigel Ward went seven innings, but took the loss. He allowed one run on five hits. He walked four batters and struck out three.
Ward and the Bombers defense kept the game close. The Bombers turned four double plays, with one in the first inning, one in the second, one in the third and one in the eighth.
The Bombers were able to record five hits on the evening, but were unable to do anything with them. Shortstop Daniel Patzlaff led off the third inning with a single. Christian Helsel attempted a sacrifice bunt, and Rafters starting pitcher Damien Richard threw the ball into right field. Some miscues on the basepaths caused both Patzlaff and Helsel to be out on an unorthodox 1-9-2-6-2 double play.
The Bombers attempted a rally in the bottom of the ninth while trailing 1-0. After Jacob Blunt struck out to lead off the inning, third baseman Ryan Dorow worked a one-out walk. After Kevin Dupree struck out, Nick Podkul came in to pinch hit for Eric Gilgenbach. However, he struck out for the final out of the game.
The Bombers will hit the road for a two-game series in Madison starting Wednesday night at 8:05/7:05 Central.