Sox Enter All-Star Break With Win
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BELLINGHAM, WA - Kodie Kolden drove in the game-winning run in the seventh as the AppleSox defeated the Bellingham Bells, 5-2, on Sunday afternoon at Joe Martin Field.
With the game tied entering the seventh inning, Connor Kiffer hit a pinch-hit double and scored two batters later following a single up the middle by Kolden.
Gavin Gorrell (3-2) tossed 5.2 innings to pick up the victory. He allowed two unearned runs on three hits. Landon Schirer struck out two in a scoreless ninth to lock down his fifth save of the year.
For the first time in the series, the Sox opened up the scoring. Justin Lutz walked and Kolden doubled to put runners at second and third to lead off the inning. Ryan Altenberger grounded out to plate Lutz and then Johnny Sage singled in Kolden.
The Sox committed three errors in the fifth and sixth innings to plate to Bells runs, but then quickly retook the lead in the seventh. In the ninth, Altenberger hit a two-run homer with two outs on the 10th pitch of is at-bat.
Though Wenatchee dropped two-of-three over the weekend against the Bells, they did claim the season series, 4-2.
The Sox go in to the All-Star Break with an 8-4 record, good for second place in the North Division. Altenberger, Cole McKenzie, Jake Saum and Sam Wyatt will represent the AppleSox in Bend for the 2019 West Coast League All-Star Game on Tuesday. Altenberger will compete in Monday’s home run derby. Both events start at 6:30 and can be seen live on the Bend Elks Facebook page.
Listen to AppleSox broadcaster Joel Norman’s postgame interviews with Gorrell, Altenberger and head coach Kyle Krustangel.
