NORMAL, IL–The River City Rascals snapped their three-game losing streak in style on Thursday night at the Corn Crib, beating the Normal CornBelters 3-1 to salvage a win in the seres finale. Hector Hernandez (7-0) was lights out again, going six innings and allowing just one run, while walking two and striking out seven. He saw his consecutive scoreless innings streak end at 19 with a leadoff homer from Andrew Godbold in the fourth, the only run for Normal on the night. Braxton Martinez paced the offense, finishing 3-3 with two doubles, an RBI and a walk.
The Rascals scored in the second on an RBI single from Ransom LaLonde, and made it 2-0 when Paul Kronenfeld scored on a double play ball in the fourth. They added their final run on an RBI double from Martinez in the sixth.
The CornBelters had the bases loaded with nobody out in the sixth, but as Santiago Chirino tried to score after tagging up from third on a fly ball caught by Clint Freeman in right field, he was cut down on the plate by a perfect throw from Freeman to Rascals catcher Mike Jurgella, who applied the tag. Hernandez then struck out Tony Holton to end the threat.
Belters starter Ryan Lawlor (0-2) took the loss, allowing three runs, two earned, in six innings. He walked two and struckout eight.
Joe Iorio and Cody Mincey combined for three scoreless innings out of the Rascals bullpen, with Mincey earning his 11th save of the year, the second most in the Frontier League.
The Rascals (22-20) head to Evanville for a weekend series against the Evansville Otters beginning tomorrow night at historic Bosse Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm CT. Josh Kimborowicz is expected to start for the Rascals.
