RedHawks Rally in Ninth, But Fall in 11 to Milkmen

FARGO, N.D. — The RedHawks rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth and forced extra innings against the Milwaukee Milkmen, but could not score again and lost 5-4 in 11 innings in front of 2,311 fans at Newman Outdoor Field on Tuesday night.
The RedHawks lost their third straight game and dropped from the top in the American Association North Division for the first time since May 28. Milwaukee’s David Washington, who came into the game leading the American Association in home runs, hit a solo shot in the 11th inning for the game-winning run.
RedHawks starter Bret Helton (1-2, 5.40 ERA) got into trouble early, allowing three runs on four hits and a walk in the first inning. However, he allowed only two more baserunners through five innings and struck out three batters total. Fargo-Moorhead used three relievers (Flores, Hope, and Ver Steeg) in the game, as Ver Steeg (0-1) picked up the loss after giving up the solo home run in the 11th inning.
Seven of the nine Milkmen batters reached base at least once in the game, and five different players scored a run. First baseman David Washington hit his league leading 11th home run of the season and had two RBIs in the game. Second baseman Aaron Hill also hit a home run, a solo shot in the sixth inning and his seventh home run of the year, to extend the Milkmen lead to 4-1.
In the fourth inning, RedHawks third baseman Leo Pina hit a tape measure home run (his second of the season) over the left-field wall to get Fargo-Moorhead on the board. Dylan Kelly reached base four times in the game including an RBI single in the sixth inning. Kelly was hit by a pitch in the ninth inning and had to exit the game, but pinch runner Nick Shumpert eventually scored a run.
After Kelly reached base to start the rally, designated hitter Kevin Krause drew a walk and outfielder Alex Boxwell laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to get pinch-runners Nick Shumpert and Will Zimmerman into scoring position. Sam Dexter then drove both runners home with a first-pitch single to send the game into extra innings. It was the first extra-innings game of the season for the RedHawks.
Fargo-Moorhead and Milwaukee will continue their series with games on Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon. The RedHawks’ starter on Wednesday will be right-hander Brent Jones (0-1, 3.75 ERA) as the Milkmen are expected to start LHP Brian Johnson (0-0, 0.00 ERA). First pitch for Wednesday night’s game is scheduled for 7:02 p.m.
By Chad Ekren, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks