The Bells bested the Portland Pickles by a final score of 5-0 on Sunday to win the series finale. Portland (5-4) took the first two games. Bellingham moves to 6-9 on the year, and the win snaps a three-game losing streak.
This game was another dominant performance from the Bells pitching staff, who held the Pickles to only one hit for the second straight game. Will Armbruester had a terrific start, only allowing two baserunners with four strikeouts in four hitless innings. Kai Francis earned the win and Player of the Game honors, only allowing one baserunner and striking out four in four hitless innings. Duncan Favor (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K) got himself into a bases-loaded jam in the 9th, but retired the side to end the game. As a staff, the Bells only allowed three earned runs and eight hits in the series to the Pickles, for an ERA of 1.00.
Bellingham’s offense came into this game riding a 20-inning scoreless streak, but that came to an end in the first inning on a sacrifice fly from DH Cole Miller. Miller added another RBI in the 6th inning after back-to-back doubles with CF Daniel Gernon. Gernon put together a strong performance, going 3-4 with a run scored and one RBI.
The offense really got rolling in the 7th, where they added three runs. The first three batters reached base on a walk and two hit by pitches, and 1B Dylan Joyce came in to score on a balk. C Ezra Samperi then walked to load the bases again, and two more runs were driven in on a sac fly from 2B Ty Saunders and Gernon’s RBI single. 1B Dylan Joyce was the only other Bell to record a hit, a single.
The Bells will have an off day tomorrow after six days with a game in a row. They will be back in action for $2 Tuesday against the Bend Elks, presented by WECU. You can get your tickets for the upcoming series against the Elks at www.bellstickets.com