The Battle Creek Bombers defeated the Wisconsin Woodchucks 2-1 Saturday night at C.O. Brown Stadium, taking game one of the series. With the win, the Bombers improved to 28-28 on the season and 10-10 in the second half. With the win, the Bombers have a one-game lead over the Rockford Rivets for the second wild card spot, and are in a four-way tie for fourth place in the second half of the season.

The Bombers struggled early on, stranding four runners on base through the first four innings, but they broke through while trailing 2-1 in the fifth inning. With one out, second baseman Jarrod Watkins hit a single and advanced to second base after shortstop Daniel Patzlaff walked. Right fielder Christian Helsel followed with a walk to load the bases. Third baseman Ryan Dorow then lined a double into left field, scoring Watkins and Patzlaff to give the Bombers the 2-1 lead.

That was all that was needed as the pitching for the Bombers got through the last four innings by allowing just four hits.

Nigel Ward picked up his second win of the year for the Bombers. He went five innings and allowed one unearned run on four hits. He walked two batters and struck out four en route to the win. Brandon Guske picked up save number 12 after getting out of a bases loaded jam in the ninth inning.

The Bombers and Woodchucks play again Sunday afternoon at 3:05 as the Bombers look to improve their playoff chances before taking on the Kalamazoo Growlers in a home-and-home doubleheader on Monday.