Carmain’s complete game leads CornBelters to victory

Posted on August 28, 2015

By Greg Halbleib

ROCKFORD – The Normal CornBelters supported a complete game from Chris Carmain with two ninth-inning runs to beat the Rockford Aviators 4-3 on Friday night at Aviators Stadium.

The CornBelters struck early with two runs on four hits in the opening frame on RBI singles from Pat McKenna and a Cameron Monger bases-loaded bunt. The Aviators tallied once in their first time at bat when Raul Linares led off with a single, stole second, went to third on a fielder’s choice and scored on a wild pitch.

The Aviators surged in front 3-2 with three doubles in the sixth inning, including back-to-back two-base hits from Justin Fox and Linares to tie the game. Linares scored from third on a ground out by Michael Hur despite a drawn-in infield to give the Aviators the lead.

The Belters regained the lead while down to their final out in the ninth inning as Mark Micowski and Santiago Chirino singled and were both sent home on three consecutive wild pitches from losing pitcher Patrick Dolan (3-4).

Carmain (7-2) registered his second straight complete game, giving up five hits while striking out eight, and not issuing a walk for the second consecutive contest.

The CornBelters (54-34) remain on top of the River City Rascals by four games at the top of the Frontier League West Division with the magic number to clinch the pennant now at four. The Aviators (45-43) are now tied with the Florence Freedom for the final wild card playoff spot.

The CornBelters continue the series at Rockford on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. against the Rockford Aviators as right-hander Robert Baroniel (2-3, 4.10 ERA) starts on the mound for the Belters against lefty Payton Baskette (1-3, 5.98) for the hosts. The broadcast on WJBC.com begins at 6:50 p.m. from Aviators Stadium.

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