The Bells fell to the Yakima Valley Pippins by a final score of 6-2 on Wednesday night. Bellingham out-hit Yakima Valley 8-6, but committed two errors and left 13 runners on base.

Elusive Home Plate
Bellingham strung together a total of 16 baserunners and had the bases loaded twice, but only managed to score two runs. C Ezra Samperi hit an RBI double in the 6th, his first RBI as a Bell this summer. LF Daniel Gernon had an RBI groundout with the bases loaded in the 7th. 2B Yugo Hamakawa led the way offensively with 3 hits, going 3-5. Five other Bells recorded a hit, and RF Zac Berryman was hit by his fourth pitch of the season, most in the WCL.

Pippins Strike Early
Starting pitcher Justin Tucker (1-1) (3.2 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 0 K) was hit hard and early, allowing five runs through the first three innings. Jordan Hara plated two runs with an RBI single in the 2nd, and Michael Carpentier Jr. blasted a 2-run HR in the 3rd. The Pippins drew seven walks, but only had five baserunners over the final six innings.

Pitching Report
Tucker struggled in his second start of the season, and has a 5.87 ERA in 7.2 innings of work. Bellingham’s relievers pitched very well, with Connor Portugal (2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K), Noah Ferguson (2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K) and Hunter Alberini (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K) combining for nine strikeouts. Each of the Bells pitchers threw their fastball at 85 MPH+, with Ferguson topping out at 90.7 MPH.

Up Next
The Bells will take on the Pippins in the series finale tomorrow, Thursday, June 10th at Joe Martin Field, with first pitch set for 6:35 PM. The team will then depart for a six-game road trip beginning Friday in Wenatchee.