Butler starter Max Vogel delivers a pitch to a Slippery Rock batter during Monday's game at Pullman Park. Reliever Kyle Rucker held the fort for four innings as the BlueSox topped the Sliders 7-5.

The Butler BlueSox haven't received strong relief performances on a consistent basis this season, but they got one Monday night.

Kyle Rucker, who joined the team last week, pitched four scoreless innings, allowing just four baserunners from the fourth frame through the seventh, and earned the win as the BlueSox claimed a 7-5 victory over Slippery Rock at Pullman Park.

Rucker, a right-hander who attends West Virginia State, pitched a scoreless inning of relief in Butler's 10-7 loss to Chillicothe (Ohio) July 27.

"This was his first outing longer than one inning," BlueSox manager Jason Wuerfel said. "Especially at this point in the season, with as many guys who have been injured for us, an outing like Kyle had tonight is big."

Rucker relieved Butler starter Max Vogel in the top of the fourth inning with the score tied at 2-all.

He allowed consecutive base hits to Slippery Rock's Zach Hofer and Eric Miranda, but then got Sean Mahley to line out before Sam Sivilotti bounced into a 4-3 double play.

The Sliders (8-13) went down in order in the fifth and sixth before mounting a threat in the seventh.

Miranda and Mahley both singled to lead off, but Sivilotti flied out and Jeremy Banks and Matt Baer each grounded out.

Slippery Rock stranded 10 runners Monday.

"I think it was a lack of focus, a lack of effort on our part, and that falls to me," said Slippery Rock manager Andy Chalot. "We had a lot of missed opportunities. (Rucker) has a slow curve and our guys were trying to do too much with it, trying to yank it. We should have just settled for line drives."

Leading 4-2 in the bottom of the seventh, Butler scored three runs to push its advantage to five.

Against Sliders starting pitcher, Kevin Kumazec, John Sulzicki singled home Austin Wulf and Colby Roberts.

Reliever Lucas Anderson was brought in and Tyler Sciacca managed a sacrifice fly that scored Kevan Smith.In the top of the eighth, Rucker was pulled in favor of Danny Fawcett, who allowed three runs as Slippery Rock closed the gap to 7-5.Butler's Ryan Thompson retired the last four Sliders batters to end the game.The BlueSox (9-14) have now won four of their last five games.<B>Slippery Rock 002 000 030 — 5 9 1Butler 101 011 30x — 7 10 3W:</B> Kyle Rucker 4 IP (0K, 0BB). <B>L:</B> Kevin Kumazec 6 1/3 IP (3K, 2BB).<B>Slippery Rock (8-13):</B> Eric Miranda 2-1B 2R, Sean Mahley 2-1B RBI, Sam Sivilotti R, Jeremy Banks 2-1B RBI, Derek Carr 1B R RBI, A.J. Miller 1B R, Kyle Mossbarger RBI, Zach Hofer 1B<B>Butler (9-14):</B> Austin Wulf 2-1B R, Colby Roberts 2-1B 2B 3R RBI, Kevan Smith 2-1B R 2 RBI, John Sulzicki 2-1B R 2 RBI, Tyler Sciacca RBI, Adam Jury 1B RBI, Zach Duggan R<B>Today:</B> Chillicothe at Slippery Rock, 5:30 p.m.<B>Wednesday:</B> Butler at Slippery Rock

Polly Jo eats a snack from the hand of her owner, Terry Steighner of Butler, as part of the Dog Days of Summer event during the Butler BlueSox's 7-5 win over Slippery Rock Monday at Pullman Park.