Lucas Penovich got the start for the Red Birds against the Class “B” Cubs and allowed just one earned run over 5 an 1/3 innings.  Andrew Roy relieved Penovich in the bottom of the 6^th inning with the scored tied at 2-2 and Cubs threatening with two runners and only one out.  Roy got Cubs second baseman, Eric Oscarson, to hit a hot come-backer to Roy, who turned quickly to throw to second baseman, TJ Gulden, who fired off to Zach Swenson at first base for the inning ending double play. 

Roy then allowed just two hits and a walk in the remaining 3 innings to notch the win for the Red Birds.

The Cubs got on the scoreboard in the second inning when catcher, Cory Poppitz led off with a single to left.  Left fielder Erik Duzan dropped a perfect bunt to sacrifice Poppitz to second.  After Greg Lane flied out to Tom Bergner in left field, Oscarson hit an easy grounder to third baseman Gulden who threw high to Swenson at first and Oscarson reached on the error, leaving Poppitz at third.  Cubs DH Adam Happ then delivered a single that scored Poppitz with an unearned run to make the score 1-0, Cubs.

The Red Birds came right back in the top of the 3^rd inning to score two runs.  T J Gulden drew a walk off Cubs starting pitcher, Griff Kilber.  Elliott Powell dropped a bunt to sacrifice Gulden to 2^nd.  CF Casey Malmgren then hit a ground ball to shortstop Tony Lane, who mishandled the ball and Malmgren reached on the error.  With Red Birds on 1^st and 2^nd, Tom Bergner laced a double to right field that scored Gulden from second and left Malmgren at third base.  Zach Swenson then hit a sacrifice fly ball to deep center that scored Malmgren for the second run and the Red Birds led, 2-1.

Ryan Seifert relieved Kilber in the 6^th inning and allowed one hit while striking out two to keep the Red Birds from extending their lead.

In the bottom of the 6^th inning, Cubs first baseman, Josh Korth, worked Penovich for a lead-off walk.  Poppitz followed with a single to right and Erik Duzan lined a single down the first base line to score Korth from second base to tie the score at 2-2.  With Cubs on first and third, Manager Chris Reuvers, called on Andrew Roy to stop the momentum.  The 1-4-3 double play ball by Oscarson ended the inning to the cheers of the Red Bird fans.

Craig Gralapp relieved Seifert in the top of the 8^th inning for the Cubs and Malmgren promptly lined a single to right field to lead-off the inning.  Tom Bergner hit a sharp grounder to Korth at first base who threw to second and then received the return throw for a nifty 3-6-3 double play to erase Malmgren.   Zach Swenson then lined a single down the left field line, but Justin Thompson hit a soft ground ball to shortstop and a flip to second on the fielder’s choice ended the inning.

In the bottom of the 8^th, Roy struck out Korth to open the inning.  Poppitz then line his third single of the game to right field and the Cubs fans cheered in anticipation.  But, Erik Duzan hit a sharp grounder to Red Birds first baseman, Justin Kurth, who just like Josh Korth the inning before, turned the nifty 3-6-3 double play to end the inning and the momentary threat by the Cubs.

In the top of the 9^th, Gulden got his third hit for the game, with the leadoff homer that easily cleared the left field wall.  The Red Birds dugout exploded onto the field to greet Gulden as he touched home plate.   DH Tony Marengo then followed with a single to right and stole second on a wild throw from the catcher.   Nate Swenson then grounded out to the shortstop. Reid Teigland looped a pinch hit single to right field that scored the speedy Marengo from second to make the final score 4-2.

Penovich and WP Roy combined to allow just 7 hits (all singles), three walks, got three strikeouts and no wild pitches or hit batsmen.  Red Birds also turned two double plays on defense and left six men on base.

Cubs pitchers combined for 5 strikeouts, just two walks, allowed 8 hits, including two doubles and Gulden’s homer.  Cubs also turned a double play and left 5 men on base.

Next game for the Red Birds is Friday night at Storm Red Bird Stadium when the Belle Plaine Tigers visit for a 7:30 PM start.

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