The Brooks Bombers defeated the Fort McMurray Giants 9-1 on Thursday night. It was a Halloween in June theme night at Elks Field and there was alot of anticipation in the air as this was the first of a season long four game homestand.
Tyson Kilbreath would make his first start of the season and the Giants would counter with steady lefty Matt Whitney.
Killbreath would start stong retiring the side in order and so would Whitney in the bottom half. Both pitchers struck out two of their first three batters and it was clear that the pitching battle was about to commence. Killbreath would rack up two more K’s in the top of the second but Whitney would do one better striking out the side and five in a row to end the second.
Killbreath would have another 1-2-3 inning sending the Bombers to the plate in the bottom of the third where Whitney ran into troubble. Cash Benavidez would walk and be the first base runner of the game which would be followed by Zander Bretza getting hit by a pitch. Jouesph Gelpi would then double to score the first run of the game. Payton Matthews would get hit by another pitch. Kelton Phillips would ground into a fielders choice that scored Zander Bretza. Jacob Gillis would tack on another RBI to complete the three run inning.
Killbreath would see a small chip in his armour during the top of the fourth where he had a pair on base with just one out. He would get a strikeout and a groundout to get out of the jam. Whitney however would get back to his usual ways by ringing in two more strikeouts to complete a scoreless inning.
The fifth and sixth innings would looked very similar, both pitchers imposing their wills on the oppisition hitters. The Giants would make the first call to the bullpen pulling Whitney after going six innings giving up three runs on two hits and striking out nine.
Jason Maldonado would come into the game and immediately give up a single to Antony Gilbert. Cash Benavidez would walk again before a pair of outs were recorded to turn the order back to the top. Jouseph Gelpi would hit a two RBI single to add to the lead. Payton Matthews would later drive Gelpi home off another single. Kelton phillips would continue the trend driving Matthews home with a double of his own.
Tyson Killbreath would give up a hit but strikeout a pair to continue his excellent outing. Antony Gilbert would follow it up with a two run homerun in the bottom half to put the cherry on top. The Giants would score a run in the top of the ninth but that would be all.
Killbreath ended his night after the Eighth going eight shutout innings walking just a batter and striking out 10.
“His changeup was on tonight, I rarley had to call any pitches, he’s absolutely smart enough to call his own game”, said Pitching coach Jake Zettel.
The Bombers will be right back at it tomorow for tight and bright night at Elks field for game two against Fort McMurray. Gates open at 6 and first pitch is at 7:05.