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The Bellingham Bells lost 3-2 in heartbreaking fashion against the Port Angeles Lefties on Saturday night, July 20, at Joe Martin Field in Bellingham, Wash. Nic Peterson had three runs score against him in a ninth inning where the Bells entered leading 2-0. The Bells left the bases loaded with two outs in the ninth and will now play a rubber game tomorrow at 1:35 p.m. against the Lefties.

Tyler Van Dyke began the game with another shutdown start. The right-handed pitcher made his first start since starting the All-Star Game on Wednesday and pitched his sixth scoreless outing. Van Dyke went five innings with five strikeouts to one walk and two hits allowed. Through 27 innings, Van Dyke has not allowed a run to score against him.

In the fourth inning Van Dyke let the first three Lefties in the inning reach to load the bases. Van Dyke struck out the next three batters in a row to keep the game tied 0-0. That tie would not last as Gavin Long scored Roman Martin on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth inning to put the Bells ahead 1-0.

Nic Peterson entered the sixth inning with a 1-0 lead. Peterson allowed the leadoff batter, Yahir Ramirez, to double and Ramirez would move to third base after tagging up on a flyout. Ramirez attempted to tie the game by heading home on a ground ball to second base. Anthony Kodama threw him out with Conner Smith applying the tag to keep the Bells up 1-0.

The Bells doubled their lead in the second inning after Martin led off with a double. Kirkpatrick traded places with Martin on an RBI double to the left field corner. Up 2-0, Peterson and the Bells would remain in front until the ninth inning. 

Peterson in the ninth got the first out of the inning on a spectacular defensive play by Martin at shortstop. Peterson then walked a pinch hitting Jason Leon followed by a Kosei Suzuki single. Jared Bujanda grounded into a near double play but was safe at first putting runners on the corners for Port Angeles. Travis Helm singled and drove in the first run of the game, cutting the lead to one, 2-1 Bells. Ethan Kodama hit a bouncer that Peterson leaped up to grab and the throw to first that would have ended the game was offline and escaped to the right field fence on an error by Peterson. Two runs scored on that error and the Lefties led 3-2. 

Matt Capel entered the ninth inning with two outs after the Bells put runner on first and second. Logan Degroot could not be the hero tonight as he flew out to right field and ended the win for the Lefties. Peterson was the losing pitcher, Francisco Lopez got the win for his scoreless eighth and Capel recorded a save in his first appearance with Port Angeles.

These two North Division teams play for a series win tomorrow afternoon at 1:35 p.m. After that the Bells have Monday off and begin a three-game series against the Kelowna Falcons on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. Get your tickets at bellstickets.com and come see the Bells finish their second half of the 2024 West Coast League season.

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