RED BIRDS WIN 2 - 0 OVER HENDERSON, KEEP PLAYOFF HOPES ALIVE!!! ....

The Red Birds rode the strong arm of Justin Thompson to a 2 - 0 victory over the visiting Tigers this afternoon.  Red Birds continue in the Central Division playoffs with a HOME GAME on TUESDAY NIGHT, JULY 26th at STORM RED BIRD STADIUM for a 7:30 PM START.

JT Thompson worked 8 scoreless innings scattering 3 singles, while striking out 11 Tigers.  The only two walks issued by Thompson in the first two innings were erased by a caught stealing in the first and a line drive to short stop Nate Swenson that caught the runner off first base for an inning ending double play in the top of the second.

Thompson scored the only run he needed in the fourth inning with a one-out single to center.  After John Gulden worked a 3-2 count, he drew a walk that moved Thompson into scoring position at 2nd base.  T.J. Gulden then lifted a deep fly over the center fielder's head that scored Thompson easily.

Red Birds got an insurance run in the bottom of the 8th with a two out single to right by Zach Swenson.  With Jeff Douglas running for Swenson, Tom Bergner launched a double off the left field wall and Douglas scored all the way from first with an insurance run for the Red Birds.

Zach Neubauer pitched an easy 1-2-3 Ninth Inning for the save and a victory for the Red Birds.

Thompson allowed only one runner to reach second base.  In the third inning, after striking out Tiger CF Nick Willmson, Matt Graham and Cody Boelter lined singles to left and right field respectively.  But Thompson struck out the next two batters leaving both men on and ended the mini-threat.

Thompson and Neubauer combined to get the last 17 batters out to end the season for Henderson.

The Red Birds look to Tuesday Night's Home game against the Le Sueur Braves for a chance to go against the Arlington A's, who lost today to the Belle Plaine Tigers by a score of 4-0.

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