Loves Park, Il. – The Rockford Rivets lost their fourth straight game Friday night in Rockford when they fell to the Battle Creek Bombers by a score of 2-1.

Rockford managed to score first in the second inning off of a Parker Bates RBI double that scored second baseman Kian O’Brien. This was Bates first game back after suffering a hand injury a couple weeks ago. O’Brien was also making his first start in the Rivets lineup and finished with two hits and a run.

The Rivets had multiple chances to score in the game but could not seem to get hits in clutch situations. Rivets Manager Brian Smith commented on Rockford’s offensive struggles after the game.

“We need to get the job done with runners in scoring position,” Smith said. “One of the things that these guys need to do a better job of is situationally knowing that you just need to put the ball in play and at least give yourself a chance.”

Rockford led 1-0 until the sixth inning when the Bombers managed to push across a run to tie the game. They then scored in the seventh to go ahead and ultimately go on and win the game.

Brad Littleton made his first start of the summer on the mound for the Rivets on Friday night and went six innings with no walks and three strikeouts, while allowing just one earned run. Anthony Holubecki then came in for relief and pitched three innings while allowing just two hits, one run, no walks and striking out two.

Smith was very happy with the way his pitchers performed Friday despite the loss.

“Brad Littleton pitched his butt off tonight,” Smith said. “He and Anthony both did a great job. You can’t ask anymore of two guys to go out there and allow two runs and no walks in nine innings.”

With this loss the Rivets now have a 0-3 record in the second half of the season of the Northwoods League. The Rivets hope to avoid the sweep tomorrow in Rockford when they take on the Bombers at 6:35 pm.

The Rockford Rivets are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Now in its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 190 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR).  All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.rockfordrivets.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rivets as your favorite team.