The Le Sueur Braves took the second game in the division series this year with a 3-1 victory over the visiting Red Birds at Bruce Frank Field on Sunday afternoon.  Jordan Sinell pitched the complete game to get the win scattering 8 hits, allowing just two walks and striking out six. 

Starting pitcher, Casey Malmgren took the loss for the Red Birds though he allowed just 5 hits, and struck out six.  Each of the three runs that the Braves scored were by runners who reached first base with a base on balls.  "Walks will haunt" was truly evident for the Red Birds on Sunday, as Malmgren allowed 4 free passes and one hit batter.

The Braves led 3-0 after 5 innings.  By the 6th inning the Red Birds had accumulated 4 hits and two walks, but left 4 men in scoring position.  In the top fo the 7th, Nate Swenson led off with a double into left center.  After T.J. Gulden flied out to left, Jeff Pavlovich singled, putting Swenson at third.   Malmgren hit a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Swenson for the first run.  RF Tom Bergner then singled to right.  With Pavlovich running on the pitch, he easily reached third base.  Bergner then reached second with an uncontested steal.  DH Cary McLaughlin worked the count full and hit a 3-2 grounder to shortstop Jason Sundermann who easily threw out McLaughlin at first to end the inning and the scoring chances for the Red Birds.

Justin Kurth relieved Malmgren in the bottom of the 7th and worked two shutout innings.

The Red Birds completed the busy week getting wins over Chaska and Henderson, and losing to Belle Plaine and Le Sueur.  Red Birds have a season record of 7-6 with a River Valley League record of 4-3 and 2-2 in the Central division.

Next game for the Red Birds is at home against the Waconia Lakers for a non-league game on Thursday evening, June 23rd for a 7:30 PM Start.  Then the Chanhassen Nine returns to RVL play on Sunday, June 26th with a home game against the Arlington A's.  Game time is 2:00 PM on Sunday at Storm Red Bird Stadium.

Don't forget the 37th Annual Lion's All-Star games played at Storm Red Bird Stadium on Friday and Saturday, June 24th and 25th.  If you love baseball, you'll love seeing the best High School Seniors in Minnesota competing against one another.  First game is Friday afternoon at 4:00 PM.  Opening Ceremonies at 6:00 PM and the night game at 7:00 PM; all at the Chanhassen High School Baseball complex.

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