Big Express Fifth Sends Rafters to Fifth Straight Loss

Wisconsin Rapids, WI August 11, 2010. For the third straight night the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters held a lead after their first at bat, but for the third straight night another big inning sunk the Rafters chances as the Eau Claire Express used an eight run fifth to send the Rafters to a 10-3 defeat Wednesday night.

Tommy Organ rolled into the fated fifth after striking out the side in the fourth. After holding the Express to just a lone single, things turned quickly in after a bloop base hit and two walks loaded the bases in the fifth. Then, after a harmless fly out to left, Michael Blatchford shot a laser beam home run just over the left field wall to make it 4-1.

Organ allowed two more singles and hit a batter to load the bases for reliever Howie Heinrich. The second Rafters lefty struggled right along with his fellow southpaw, as he surrendered a hit and two walks before nailing down the third out. All told in the inning Organ allowed seven of the eight Express tallies.

Trailing 8-1 until the seventh, the Rafters offense tried to mount a comeback. Matt Johnson singled with one out, and then swiped his 12^th bag of the season. After a fly out and a pair of walks, Evan Laude singled home two, cutting the deficit to 8-3. With an RBI single in the first Laude posted a three RBI night, giving the first baseman a team high 23 on the season.

Cody Koback and Steve Godawa both worked scoreless innings in relief. Garrett Branske allowed two runs in the top of the eighth to set the final margin at 10-3. With the loss Organ drops to 1-3 in 2010.

Friday August 13^th is the start of the Rafters final weekend in 2010. The first 500 fans through the gates at 6:05 will receive a Rafters hat courtesy of Charter Communications. The Rafters take on the Eau Claire Express at 7:05.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed