Kalamazoo spoils Bums' season finale

FROM STAFF REPORTS

September 04, 2008 12:00 am

TRAVERSE CITY -- The season finale for the Traverse City Beach Bums was a lot like their push to make the Frontier League playoffs for the first time.

Despite a late rally, the Bums fell just short in their regular-season finale, dropping a 4-3 decision to East Division champion Kalamazoo at Wuerfel Park.

Traverse City, knocked out of playoff contention on Tuesday, finished with a 50-46 record. That mark was four wins better than last season, but worse than the 57-39 record during the inaugural campaign.

The Bums scored a run in the seventh and eighth innings to get within one. Reed Welker led off the ninth inning with a single, but Brandon Parillo prevented the tying run from coming across for his 20th save of the season.

Jeff Brown led off the seventh inning with a triple to right center and scored one batter later on Brad Roblin's RBI groundout to cut the Kings lead to 4-2. Steve Young led off the eighth inning with a single, stole second, took third on a wild pitch and scored on Zack Kalter's RBI single.

Traverse City scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth as Kalter hit a one-out double and scored on Brad Miller's two-out single to center.

Kalamazoo scored one in the top of the fifth on Mike Russell's sacrifice fly.

The Kings scored three times in the sixth on Joe Frazee's two-run homer and a RBI fielder's choice by Joe Ramos.

Bernard Robert (4-2) went seven innings to pick up the victory for Kalamazoo.

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.

Photos


Traverse City Beach Bums shortstop Brad Miller (15) gives a hug to Carol Thompson, who hosted Miller with Dick Thompson, left, this season. Record-Eagle


Kalamazoo's Kyle Kmiecik, left, congratulates Joe Frazee on his two-run homer Wednesday at Wuerfel Park. Looking on are home plate umpire Sal Giacomantonio and Traverse City Beach Bums catcher Patrick Perry. Record-Eagle