The Bells are tied with the Victoria Harbourcats for second place in the West Coast League North Division with a 15-12 record, one-and-a-half games behind the Wenatchee Applesox.
Bells bats deliver in final games
As the regular season winds down, the Bells have averaged nearly seven runs per game in their last six games.
Since Joe Martin Stadium is a pitcher-friendly park, the Bells have been able to score in various ways. Gabe Henderson shined in an 8-1 victory against the Harbourcats on Sunday, Aug. 4 with a two-run double in the first inning. Gavin Long earned an RBI in a 3-2 victory on Saturday, Aug. 5 by reaching first base on an error, while Nate Kirkpatrick also had an RBI with a sacrifice fly. Jacob Mejia hit a two-run homer in a 13-12 loss to the Springfield Drifters on Tuesday, Aug. 6.
The Bells scored five runs in the fifth inning in the 5-1 victory against the Drifters, Wednesday, Aug. 7. Mejia scored two runs while Anthony Kodama, Colton Bower and Logan DeGroot each scored a run.
Trent Mallonee shined in that six-game stretch with seven hits, three walks and four RBIs.
Pitching continues to struggle
The Bells allowed 40 runs in the last six games, the most they have given up in a week this season. They started the week strong by allowing just one run in an 8-1 win over Victoria. Devyn Hernandez pitched five shutout innings with two hits allowed, while Nic Peterson pitched four innings and allowed one run off two hits.
In the next game, an 11-3 loss to Victoria on Saturday, Aug. 3, the Bells gave up all 11 runs from the sixth to the ninth innings. The four relievers allowed nine hits and three walks during that span.
On Aug. 5, Springfield scored all 12 of its runs in the first two innings. The Bells totaled seven errors and allowed 11 stolen bases. In the two games against Springfield, Bellingham pitchers allowed 32 hits and 11 walks.
On Aug. 7, the Bells gave up nine hits and one walk. Everett Swaim started and threw 4.1 innings, gave up four hits and six walks, but no runs allowed.
Local player to watch
Bellingham native Eli Knowlton, who has been a reliever for the Bells this season, pitched a combined 4 1/3 innings in the Victoria and Springfield series while striking out five batters.
Knowlton has pitched 14 innings this season and holds a 7.94 ERA with 15 strikeouts and 15 walks.
What’s next
The Bells will start the playoffs on the road against the Edmonton Riverhawks at 7:05 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10. Game 2 will be played at 6:35 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11 at Joe Martin Stadium, and Game 3 (if necessary) will be played at 6:35 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12 at Joe Martin Stadium.
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
