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The Bellingham Bells snapped the Victoria HarbourCats nine game winning streak by defeating them 8-1 on Friday, Aug. 2, at Joe Martin Field in Bellingham, Wash. The right-handed pitcher, Devyn Hernandez, went five shutout innings with six strikeouts in his first start as a Bellingham Bell.

Hernandez took the ball for his first start of 2024 after coming out of the bullpen as a long reliever for his first six appearances. He allowed just two hits which both came in the opening frame en route to his fourth win of the season. 

The Bells granted Hernandez an early lead with four runs in the first inning coming off of RBI singles by Roman Martin and Nate Kirkpatrick as well as a two RBI double from Gabe Henderson. They added to the lead with two runs in the third inning after Conner Smith was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Trent Mallonee had an RBI infield single.

Up 6-0, the Bells did not take their foot off the gas pedal. In the fourth inning, Jorge Olivera had an RBI single that came with the bases loaded. Hernandez would exit after five innings up 7-0. Nic Peterson took the ball for his usual long relief appearance. This was Peterson’s 10th relief appearance of the season and the sixth time he’s gone four innings as a reliever.

Peterson was given one more run of cushion in the bottom of the seventh inning after Dustin Davidson balked a run in. Up 8-0, Peterson allowed just his third earned run of the season on Gunner Antillon’s RBI double. Exiting his four relief innings to finish the game, Peterson had two hits allowed, one walk and six strikeouts.

The Bells won 8-1 and took game one against the HarbourCats in Bellingham. The Bells are now 30-19 overall and 13-9 in the second half of the season. Victoria and Bellingham are tied for the second half lead in the North Division since Wenatchee’s second half record is irrelevant after they won the first half of the season.

Tonight Henderson had two RBIs in a 2 for 4 night at the plate that included a double. Mallonee picked up two infield hits, an RBI and a run scored. Martin went 1 for 4 but had an RBI and two runs scored thanks to a walk. Martin has now reached base safely in 19 straight games. Kirkpatrick went 1 for 3 with an RBI single and a run scored. Kirkpatrick extended his hitting streak to eight games.

Tomorrow night the Bells and HarbourCats play game two of three at Bellingham this weekend. The Bells can secure a series win with a victory tomorrow night in a game beginning at 6:35 p.m. Follow along as the Bells look to become the number two seed in the West Coast League’s upcoming playoffs. This series against the HarbourCats is the final home series of the regular season.

Tonight’s game recap is presented by Everstrong Physical Therapy and Performance.