The Bellingham Bells lost 6-4 against the Nanaimo NightOwls on Saturday, July 13, at Joe Martin Field in Bellingham, Wash. In a game where the Bells had 13 hits they left a total of 16 runners on base. The Bells couldn’t get the big hits when they mattered and lost game two of a three-game series against the NightOwls.

The game started with West Coast League All-Star pitcher, Josh Flaugher, who gave up his most earned runs in an outing this season. The NightOwls scored in the very first inning on a walk and two hits. A hit by pitch and a double play allowed another run to cross and Nanaimo had an early 2-0 lead. The Bells showed early grit with the ability to answer with an RBI single from Jacob Mejia in the bottom of the first. The Bells then snatched the lead with two runs in the bottom of the second to go ahead 3-2.

Josh Flaugher exited his start in the fourth inning after allowing his third earned run of the game. Will Anderson came in to pitch four and a third innings, allowing three earned runs which came in the eighth inning on a two-run home run that broke the 3-3 tie. Cal Young came in with a runner on second in the eighth and an RBI single gave the NightOwls a 6-3 lead. The Bells scored their final run when Colton Bower was walked in the eighth inning. 

With 16 runners left on base the Bells gave away multiple opportunities to score. They were led offensively by Trent Mallonee’s four hit day with an RBI and a run scored. Roman Martin reached base successfully five times out of six plate appearances and scored one run. Jacob Mejia had another RBI with one hit and two walks. Conner Smith had a double as his singular hit. Anthony Kodama had a double as part of a 2 for 5 night. Gavin Long, Gabe Henderson and Nate Kirkpatrick all had one hit tonight.

The losing pitcher tonight was Will Anderson who gave up the go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth. Winning pitcher was Issac Araiza for Nanaimo with Ryan Inouye getting his second save of the season.

The Bells and NightOwls play a rubber game tomorrow afternoon to determine the winner of the three-game series. First pitch is at 1:35 p.m. at Joe Martin Field. The Bellingham Bells are now 4-4 in the second half of the season and are 21-14 overall.

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