By: Larry Larson
LOVES PARK, IL — For the sixth game in a row, the Rockford Rivets found themselves behind in the first two innings, as starter Bryce Barnett (R-Fr, Arizona State) surrendered 5 runs in 1.2 innings and the Rivets couldn’t come back, falling 6-1 to the Battle Creek Bombers at C.O. Brown Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The loss drops Rockford’s record to 2-5, which ties them with Battle Creek at the bottom of the Great Lakes East.
After Barnett allowed an RBI single in the 1st, the Bombers used four hits and three runs to chase Barnett in the 2nd with the bases loaded. Hruz Wagner (Fr, Milwaukee Area Tech) would come on to finish the inning, but walked in a run to make it a 5-0 Battle Creek lead.
On the other side of things, Bombers starter Burrell Jones (So, Michigan State) shut down the Rivets – allowing no runs and just 1 hit while striking out 6.
After Battle Creek scored a run in the bottom of the 6th, Rockford pushed across its only run in the top of the 7th on an RBI single by Zack Beatty (Fr, McCook Community College).
The Screws threatened again in the 8th as Greg Ziegler (So, Missouri State) and Blake Mozely (So, Missouri State) started the frame with back-to-back singles, but were left stranded. In the 9th, Rockford was set down in order on their way to the loss.
Barnett would take the loss to fall to 0-1, while Jones would get the win.
Rockford will get another shot at the Bombers tomorrow at 6:35 ET before heading to Kokomo for a two game set starting on Tuesday.