RiverHawks rout Rascals 14-5 in series finale

07/18/2012 2:13 PM -

LOVES PARK, Ill. – Rockford’s Cody Hallahan took a no-hit bid into the sixth inning and allowed just one hit over six innings, and Michael Hur hit a three-run homer as the Rockford RiverHawks routed the River City Rascals 14-5 in the series finale Wednesday afternoon.

The win gave the RiverHawks their fifth series win in their last six series. Hallahan’s no-hit bid was broken up with one out in the sixth inning as Jason Patton singled to center field. Hallahan (3-5) walked four and struck out four, throwing 58 of his 105 pitches for strikes.

“He kept his composure, and his defense played well behind him,” manager Rich Austin said.

Nick Kennedy (4-3) picked up the loss, giving up five earned runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings pitched.

Rockford took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on an RBI fielder’s choice by Michael Hur that pulled first baseman Chris Andreas off the bag. Andreas then fired home, but it was not in time to get a sliding Matt Greener at the plate. River City’s Matt Serna was ejected from the game for arguing the call at first base

The RiverHawks scored four times in the bottom of the third inning to go up 5-0. In that inning, Hur blasted his 10^thhomer of the season. In his last five games, Hur is batting .500 (13-for-26) with two home runs and 10 RBIs. Hur now trails the single-season team record of 15 by five, set by manager Rich Austin in 2004.

Rockford capitalized on two River City errors to score four unearned runs in the fifth inning and go ahead 9-0. The RiverHawks tacked on two more runs in the seventh to go up 11-0.

Tempers flared in the top of the eighth inning as catcher Greg Van Horn was ejected from the game and benches yelled at each other.

The Rascals broke up the shutout in the eighth inning on a Chris Andreas bases-loaded walk, and they scored four times in the frame of reliever Blake Drake. 

The RiverHawks outhit the Rascals 16-5 in the game.  Ted Obregon had four hits for Rockford.  The Rascals committed five errors.

The RiverHawks open a three-game series tomorrow with the East Division-leading Traverse City Beach Bums Thursday. The probables for the first game are Traverse City’s Scott Dunn (1-1, 4.02 ERA) against Rockford’s Kyle Schepel (2-1, 0.68 ERA). 

“Traverse City has a good ball club,” Austin said. “But with Schepel, Rucinski, and VanderWall coming in to pitch, we are ready to go.”

Tomorrow is American’s Bring it Home Thursday and also Perry Rock $1 beer night at RiverHawks Stadium. One lucky fan will walk away with a 40” 1080p LCD TV.

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.