Chanhassen Red Birds earned a come-from-behind victory on Sunday over the Le Sueur Braves, 5 - 4.  The Central Division tilt was a pitcher's duel between Red Bird starter Justin Thompson and Braves hurler, Darron Culbert, through 5 innings.

The Braves threatened in the second inning with a leadoff walk and two singles that loaded the bases with nobody out.  Thompson then got Braves 3B Sam Rinehart to line to second for a double play that left men on 2nd and 3rd.  After another walk, Braves 2B Ed Fahey grounded softly to Red Birds second baseman, T.J. Gulden for the third out to end the threat.

In the top of the 6th for the Braves, three singles in a row plated two runs for the Braves to open the scoring.

In the bottom of the 6th, reliever Ryan Wolf for the Braves got two strikeouts and then Red Birds third basemand, John Gulden launched a booming fly ball that caromed off the left field wall for a double.  Wolf then got Nate Swenson to fly out to center to end the inning.

Following a stirring rendition of "God Bless America" by local artist Lynn Pauly, the Red Birds bats got going.   With one out, Elliot Powell drew a walk.  Casey Malgren then lifted a soft blooper that landed between Braves 2B and RF.  Tom Bergner reached on a fielder's choice as he beat the throw to first.  With bases loaded, Justin Kurth took an inside pitch on his arm that forced in Powell from third base.  

Then Red Birds pitcher "J.T." Thompson laced a line drive single to center that scored Malmgren and Bergner.  Kurth advanced to third and Thompson to second on the center fielder's mis-handling of the liner.  After Zach Swenson struck out,  John Gulden hit a towering high infield pop up that bounced off the glove of 3B Sam Rinhart.  With two outs, and the runners moving on the play, Kurth and Thompson easily scored to make it 5 - 2.   Nate Swenson then walked and T.J. Gulden hit a grounder to 3B that got miss-played again.  Bases loaded again with two outs, but Elliot Powel lifted a soft fly ball to left field to end the inning.

In the top of the 8th, the Braves got 2 more runs on two walks and two singles to get within one run.  But in the top of the 9th inning, Andrew Roy came in to try to save the game for Thompson.  Braves second baseman,  Ed Fahey hit what appeared to be an easy grounder to third base, but a slight juggle allowed him to reach first.  Roy then struck out CF Drew Dawson, who had hit two solid singles earlier in the game.   Then 1B Mike Milam hit a grounder toshortstop that the Red Birds turned for their third double play of the game to end the inning and preserve the win for the Red Birds.

BOX Score   Braves -  4 - 10 - 4 , 7 LOB;   Red Birds  5 - 6 - 2 , 12 LOB,  WP - Thompson, LP Wolf, SV - Roy

Next Game for the Red Birds, Saturday, June 11, 2:00 PM Home game against the Cologne Hollanders.

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