The Brooks Bombers lost to the Lethbridge Bulls on thursday night 9-7. The July 4th spirit was in the air given the American representation on the team both National Anthems were sung before first pitch. Jack Leary would get the call for Brooks once again against Lethbridge, Javier De Alejandro would counter for the Bulls.
The Bombers would get the bats going early with Kelton Phillips sending a solo homerun over the wall to take the lead. Jacob Gillis and Payton Matthews each hit solo homeruns as the Bombers took a quick 3-0 lead going into the Second inning. In the top of the second the Bulls had a pair of hits but a nice 6-4-3 double play got them out of the inning with no damage.
In the top of the third Lethbridge had one on and two outs when Scott Hansen and Jack Kalisky both got hit by pitches to load the bases. Kyle yip and Mikey McGinnis both hit RBI singles as the Bulls tied the game with those clutch hits. Lethbridge would take the lead in the fourth off a wild pitch. The Fifth Inning saw Roberto Chapparo beat out a groundball with two outs that scored another run. Tyler Monroe would then force a bases loaded walk for Lethbridge to score their sixth unanswered run.
In the Sixth inning Lethbridge would get a three run homerun from Zaden Wake to take a 9-3 lead. While Lethbridge was getting it done at the plate De Alejandro was settling in not giving up a hit until the sixth inning. De Alejandro only surrenders three baserunners in that scoreless stretch. Brooks finally got to him in the sixth inning curtosey of a Cash Benavidez RBI single.
In the seventh and eighth inning Jeremy Kahle silenced the Bulls bats giving Brooks a chance to mount a comeback. In the bottom of the eigth inning the Bombers found themselves in a bases loaded non out situation looking to capitalize. Cash Benavidez lined out to first base and Dylan Bordayo struck out. Jacob Gillis would score off a wild pitch to make it a 9-5 game but Jacob Police couldnt cash in any more runs as he went down swinging.
The Newest Bomber Brock Lenhardt came on to pitch in the ninth giving up just one hit and continuing to keep the Bulls bats quiet. The Bombers started the bottom of the ninth strong with runners at Second and third with non out. Antony Gilbert hit a single through the right side to score D’Andre Gaines as the Bombers trailed by three. Shortly after Jack Kalisky would come on to try and close the game out. Zander Bretza would hit an RBI infield hit but unfortunately that would be it for the Bombers as Kalisky shut the door and got the save.
The Bombers will be on the road Friday night in Lethbridge before returning to Elks Field on Saturday night for Christmas in July.