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Bulls make it three straight |
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Written by Dylan Purcell
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Monday, June 29 2009, 12:02 AM |
LETHBRIDGE HERALD
Somebody break this team up.
The Lethbridge Bulls won their third straight Western Major Baseball League game Sunday, an 8-6 victory over the Weyburn Beavers Sunday night at Spitz Stadium that evened up the their record at 11-11 and means maybe things have turned around for the club after struggling earlier in the season.
“I’m not going to say that but we got the result and we’ve got one more before we can take a day off,” said Lethbridge head coach Scott Rhodes. “If we get the win against Weyburn (today), I’ll feel a little better.”
Rhodes saw his team bobble away a comfortable 8-4 lead with a ninth-inning stumble but said he was trying to get a few more of his pitching arms into games to keep them fresh and ready. It’s a good problem to have because the limited bullpen work means his starters are going deep into games. Matt Bannister (2-1) went seven innings Sunday, earning the win and Rhodes said he was good to keep playing but Richard Pharr and Rob Hogue, who finished the game, needed some work.
“It’s mid-season,” he said. “I need these guys for the end of the season, not necessarily for right now. I think they know that but Matt wanted to stay in there and the other guys pitched well and held on for the win. That’s what counts, is getting ready for the long haul while staying sharp right now.”
Weyburn, which plays in the WMBL’s East Division, fell to 7-10 with the loss while the Bulls pulled three games ahead of the Medicine Hat Mavericks with the win. The Bulls are even with the second-place Edmonton Prospects (13-13) in the West division standings, which are based on winning percentage.
“I try not to worry too much about what Medicine Hat and Edmonton are doing because if we take care of our business, that’ll take care of itself. I know we need to play better against Okotoks (14-7) because I don’t think we have yet this year. They’re in the lead and if we’re chasing anybody, it’s them.”
Rhodes added that his hitting is getting better, but the meat of his order needs to capitalize with runners in scoring position. Sunday, the eight runs came off just 10 hits.
Taber’s Brendan Miller was strong offensively for the Bulls, as he finished the game 3-for-3 with a trio of RBIs. Playing cleanup, Josh Lowden 3-for-4 with four RBIs.
The Bulls will face Weyburn again tonight at 7 p.m. at Spitz Stadium before taking a day off Tuesday.
Then comes the annual Canada Day game, which sees the team host two games against the Prospects. Game 1 is at 1 p.m. and Game 2 will begin at 7:35 p.m. As always, the crowd is invited to stay around after the second game for the city’s fireworks display.
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