By: Ari Ross, Broadcaster

Behind a dominant outing from Cody Puckett in his first start of the year, the Battle Creek Bombers topped the Rockford Rivets, 4-2.

The Bombers struck first against the Rivets, taking the early lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Against Nick Drahozal, Daniel Jipping led off the inning with a double, advancing to third as he slid just under Ryan Long's tag on Christian Helsel's infield single. Jipping would come around to score on Dean Miller's fielder's choice to give the Bombers a 1-0 lead.

An inning later the Bombers added to their lead as with Cody Young at first, Eric Gilgenbach hit a ground-rule double off the left field foul pole to put runners on second and third for the Bombers. After Cody Sporrer struck out, Jarrod Watkins blooped a single over Rivets' shortstop Jordan Hovey's head, to extend the Bombers' lead to 3-0.

On the mound for the Bombers, Puckett was absolutely dominant through six innings pitched, allowing just three hits.

In the top of the seventh though, Puckett got himself in a jam as the Rivets loaded the bases, scoring their first run of the game as Puckett walked Braden Williams with the bases loaded.

Max Ritchie would relieve Puckett in the seventh, and get out of the jam as he got Cory Wright to line out to Ryan Dorow and struck out Michael Smith to leave the bases loaded. Puckett finished the afternoon throwing 6.1 innings, allowing one run on five hits, walking two and striking out five, picking up his second win on the season.

Brandon Guske would relieve Ritchie with two outs in the top of the eighth and need one pitch to retire Hunter Hargrove.

The Bombers would tack on an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, as Daniel Patzlaff, a defensive replacement for Cody Sporrer in the top of the inning, drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second on Watkins' sacrifice bunt, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on Jipping's RBI single. Jipping finished the day 3 for 4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI.

The Rivets would threaten in the ninth, as Williams singled with Hovey on second to cut the lead to 4-2, but Cody Young cut down Williams at second base for the third out to give the Bombers the 4-2 victory.

Drahozal took the loss for the Rivets, while Guske earned his eighth save. With the win the Bombers move 21-20, back above .500, while the Rivets fall to 21-20.

The Bombers will finish off the season series against the Rivets Monday evening at 7:05 at C.O. Brown Stadium as Battle Creek looks to sweep the two-game set with Tommy Parsons on the hill.