PITCHERS DUEL GOES TO KINGS

7/18/2010 - TRAVERSE CITY, MI – The Traverse City Beach Bums saw Kevin Reese battle against the Kalamazoo Kings’ Joe DiPietro for eight innings, but the Kings were able to make two first inning unearned runs stand up, defeating the Beach Bums 2-0.

The Kings scored a pair of unearned runs in the top of the first inning on RBI singles from Matt Maloney and Matt Greener to take a 2-0 lead.

That would be all the offense in the game for quite some time as both Kevin Reese and Joe DiPietro were atop their game on the mound. The Beach Bums benefitted from an amazing play in rightfield in the fifth as with a runner on first and two out, Matt Greener dropped a ball into rightfield. Matt Brown charged hard and was able to gun Greener down at first base for the final out of the inning.

Reese worked his way out trouble in the seventh inning as an error and a hit put runners on first and third with no outs. Reese was able to reach back and dial up strikeouts against Eric Suttle and Matt Maloney before getting Brendan Murphy to fly out to right to end the frame.

Unfortunately for TC, DiPietro was equal to the task as he shut out the Beach Bums over eight innings, allowing four hits in earning the win. Scott Reid gave up two baserunners in the ninth, but was able to end the frame with a double play in order to notch his second save. Kevin Reese scattered nine hits over nine innings in pitching his league leading fourth complete game of the year.

Traverse City now heads out on the road for a three game set at Lake Erie, Monday Tuesday and Wednesday. Enrique Lechuga (3-3, 4.05) will get the start for the Beach Bums in Monday’s game. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. with the pregame show starting on Sunny Country 101.9 beginning at 6:45. For more information or tickets, call 231-943-0100 or visit tcbeachbums.com.