RiverHawks fall 5-3 to Rippers

06/02/2012 8:35 PM -

LOVES PARK, Ill. – The Rockford RiverHawks were beaten 5-3 by the London Rippers on Saturday night to halt their winning streak at three games.

Justino Cuevas’ two-run double in the fourth inning gave the Rippers a 2-1 lead they never relinquished. The RiverHawks got on the board early with a sacrifice fly from Jet Butler, but Cuevas’ double in the fourth would put the visitors ahead for good. In the top of the fifth inning, a wild pitch by Rockford starter Nick Sarianides (1-2), and an RBI single by Clifton Thomas would put the visitors up 4-1.

Sarianides went five innings, giving up four runs on eight hits while walking five and hitting two while striking out four. 

The RiverHawks would cut the lead to 4-3 on a two-run double by Jet Butler, who finished 1-for-3 with three RBI on the night. However, Butler was thrown out trying to stretch the double to a triple, ending the Rockford fifth inning. 

London’s Matt Schimpf (1-0) would earn the win on the mound, giving up three runs on eight hits in six innings pitched.

The RiverHawks’ bullpen would come in to keep the deficit at 4-3 into the eighth inning, when Javier Herrera was thrown out at the plate by Thomas from left field on a single off the bat of Evan Button, ending the inning. 

The Rippers would tack on an unearned run in the ninth off Rockford’s Mike Lee as Thomas legged out an infield single that scored Stephen Cardullo following Cardullo’s steal and throwing error by catcher Elliot Hagburg. 

“They got key hits, and we hurt ourselves early,” manager Rich Austin told NTA FM. “We had a couple of opportunities, but we weren’t able to capitalize on those.”

London’s Andrew Chilcoat pitched three innings of scoreless relief to earn his first save of the season. 

Rockford’s Brandon Anderson went 3-for-3 with three infield singles, a run scored, and a stolen base. 

The RiverHawks send southpaw Kevin Patterson (0-1, 7.71 ERA) to the mound, and the Rippers will counter with righty Yohan Gonzalez (1-0, 2.25 ERA).  

First pitch is slated for 3:05 p.m., and tomorrow is YMCA Family Day. Kids (ages 3-12) get in for $2 and have the opportunity to run the bases after the game. 

The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, an independent professional baseball league in its 20th season. Games are broadcast on NTA-FM (100.5). Advertising and ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit www.rockfordriverhawks.com.