The Chanhassen Red Birds beat the Chaska Cubs last night 11 - 1, in 8 innings.  The local Nine got their fourth straight win on the shoulders of Justin Thompson's 7 innings of strong pitching and Kurt Jantscher's 6 RBIs from two homeruns and a double.  T.J. Gulden also collected 5 singles in 5 AB, scoring twice and getting an RBI.

Chaska opened the scoring in the top of the second inning on a double to right center by Cory Poppitz, advancing to third on an infield grounder and then trotting home on a WP by Thompson, the only miscue he had all evening.  Thompson allowed just e more hits through 7 innings, giving way to Adam Johnson who pitched a scoreless 8th inning in relief.

For the Red Birds, it looked early on like they would be stymied by the Chaska defense.  In the bottom of the 1st inning, T.J. Gulden laced his first single to right field.  John Gulden followed with an infield grounder, and T.J. was out at second.  Shawn Riesgraf then looped an opposite field double down the left field line.  With John motoring from first, a perfect relay from left field nailed John at the plate for the third out.

In the third inning, Nate Swenson opened with a single.  Malmgren laid down a perfect bunt moving Nate to second.  Pavlovich then singled to right moving Nate to third.  Pav was picked off at first on a brilliant PO move by Cubs starter, Griff Kilber.  With two outs, TJ lined his second dingle to right center to drive in Nate from third for the tying run.

In the bottom of the fourth, Riesgraf and Thompson reached on infield errors by Cubs shortstop.  Jantscher strode to the plate to face the Cubs left hander.  Kilber got two strikes on Kurt, but he made a mistake and left a fastball over the plate that Kurt turned on nicely and deposited it on the Football stadium mezzanine over the right field wall and the Red Birds had a 4-1 lead.

IN the 5th inning, Red birds got three straight singles by T.J, John and Riesgraf, the last being a broken bat single to the right side that Shawn beat out for a hit.  With the "ducks on the pond" Thompson lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to plate T.J. for the 5th run for Chan.  Jantscher then doubled to right center to drive in John Gulden from 2nd for a 6-1 lead.

In the 6th inning, facing Cubs reliever, Drake Kilber, Malmgren struck out but advanced to first when the third strike got past the Cubs catcher.  Pavlovich singled with a bloop fly down the right field line.  T.J. then got his fourth single to drive in Malmgren for the 7-0 lead.

In the bottom of the 8th, leading 7-1, Pav opened with a line single to left field. T.J. followed with his 5th single, and a WP by Cubs reliever Craig Gralapp, moved the runners into scoring position.  John Gulden's fly to center, drove home Pav from third. Riesgraf infield grounder moved T.J to third.  With two outs, the Red Bird fans welcomed Andrew Berenguer back as he pinch hit for Thompson.  Andrew lined a curve ball to right center to score T.J. from third.  With two outs, Berenguer holding close to 1st base, Jantscher launched a deep fly to right center that easily cleared the fence his second homer of the evening and the walk off hit that ended the game under the 10 run rule.

Great win for the Red Birds to keep their momentum going in League play.  Chan has now beaten two of the three "B" teams they have faced this year.

Next game on Friday night for a 7:30 start against the Savage Outlaws.  Season Ticket Premium night.  See you at the Ball Park.

Red Bird Fever is Hot!  Catch it.