By Greg Halbleib
NORMAL – The Normal CornBelters lost 3-1 in the seventh straight win for the Traverse City Beach Bums on Tuesday night at the Corn Crib.
The Beach Bums began scoring early in the first inning off of an RBI single from Jose Vargas. Yazy Arbelo also hit a sacrifice fly to put up the Bums 2-0.
In the fourth inning, the Beach Bums would add to their lead with a Reggie Lawson one-out RBI single.
Belters reliever Victor Beriguete came in for starter Mike Schweiss (2-3), who threw over 110 pitches and allowed eight hits in six and two-third inning. Bums starter Anthony Montefusco (2-2) was relieved by Chuck Ghysels in the seventh as well after allowing six hits.
The Belters finally broke through in the bottom of the seventh. Ozney Guillen led off the inning, doubling and later reaching third on a Steve Sucolski putout at first. Jason Merjano would bring Guillen home on a one-out RBI-single, making the score 3-1.
Bums closer Andrew Brockett pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to record his seventh save of the year.
The Cornbelters and Beach Bums play game two of their three game series on Wednesday night at 6:35 in a pitching match-up of left-handers, Kevin Brahney (4-1, 2.87 ERA) for Normal and Alex Phillips (0-1, 11.00) for Traverse City. Broadcast time is 6:20 on WJBC.com.
