Fielders drop sixth in a row to T-Bones 5-3

Zion, Ill. - The Lake County Fielders (38-56) dropped their sixth game in a row after falling to the Kansas City T-Bones 5-3 in game one on Monday night at Fielders Ballpark in Zion. The T-Bones are now riding a seven game win streak.

The Fielders took a 1-0 lead in the first inning against Reid Santos (6-5) after Guillermo Martinez led off the inning with a double and came across on an RBI groundout off the bat of Josh Short. Kansas City was quick to answer back against Fielders starter John Brownell (3-9) on a solo home run by Dwayne White in the top of the second. Brownell came back to retire the next three batters to end the inning.

Lake County regained the lead in their half of second after Jeff Dunbar and Amos Ramon led off the inning with consecutive singles and were moved up on an Anthony Esquer groundout. A Kyle Higgins RBI sacrifice fly to centerfield scored Dunbar, putting the Fielders up 2-1.

The T-Bones gained a 3-2 lead in the fourth after Ray Sadler and Jim Fasano reached on consecutive singles. Rico Washington drew a walk to load the bases then Keith Hernandez was hit by a pitch to bring Sadler around from third. Jimmy Mojica then came up big with an RBI sacrifice fly to plate Fasano.

Brownell surrendered his final run on a sacrifice fly by White in the fifth and left with the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth. Ryan Falcon came in from the bullpen and induced a fielder’s choice groundout to end the threat for Lake County. Brownell (3-9) was tagged with the loss after throwing five and two-thirds innings giving up four runs off seven hits, while striking out five and walking three.

Santos pitched four scoreless innings before allowing the Fielders to come within one in the bottom of the seventh as Higgins picked up his 18^th double of the year, advancing Esquer to third who had reached on a walk. Esquer came around to score on a Guillermo Martinez RBI sacrifice fly that capped the scoring for Lake County. Santos (6-5) was credited for the win after going seven innings, giving up six hits, three runs and striking out five.

The T-Bones added a run in the ninth with an RBI double from Sadler to ensure the 5-3 victory. Sadler ended up 3-for-4 on the night with one RBI.

The Fielders look to get a win in tomorrow’s 7:00pm game against the T-Bones. Garry Bakker will take the mound for the Fielders opposite Mike Rocco. Tickets are still available for $5 and can be purchased by visiting www.fieldersbaseball.com or calling 847-731-8000.