The Bellingham Bells were defeated by the Corvallis Knights by a final score of 2-0 on Saturday night. Corvallis out-hit the Bells 6-5, and committed one error to Bellingham’s zero. Two games into the series, the Bells have only scored one run.

RHP Eric Chavarria was on the mound tonight, and he entered the game as the WCL leader in ERA (1.51). He allowed one run over 5.0 innings pitched tonight, with WCL batting average leader Travis Bazzana knocking in an RBI single in the 3rd. That run opened up the scoring in the game, and the 1-0 lead held until the 9th inning. Chavarria (3-3) finished with a final line of 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, and earned the loss. His ERA rose to 1.55, and he still leads the league.

Ryan Sanders and Hunter Alberini came on in relief and pitched the middle innings well. Sanders (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K) tossed a scoreless 6th, and Hunter Alberini (2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K) threw two hitless innings, earning him Player of the Game honors. Greg Blackman (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K) loaded the bases and let a run come in to score in the 9th, but recorded back-to-back outs with the bases loaded to limit the damage.

The Bells had just five hits in the game. Daniel Gernon, Nick McLain, Luis Aviles and Emilio Corona each singled, and Bennett Lee tripled in the 9th. Bellingham drew just one walk (Nick McLain), and struck out 10 times.

Despite the loss, the Bells still hold a 4-game lead over the Wenatchee AppleSox for the potential final playoff spot. Bellingham will host Corvallis for the final time tomorrow, Sunday, August 1st at 1:05 pm. The Bells will then have two more league series on the road, and will host the non-league Highline Bears next weekend for the final home series of the season. Tickets can be found at www.bellstickets.com.