BlueSox split pair with Quincy

By Mike Kilroy Eagle Staff Writer

July 17, 2015 Last Updated: July 17, 2015 11:19 AM Amateur

What Butler was able to do well in Game 1 eluded the BlueSox in Game 2.

Clutch hitting.

The BlueSox scored seven runs on only six hits in the doubleheader opener against Quincy at Kelly Automotive Park Thursday night, getting two-run singles by Daniel Hrbek and David Markus in a five-run fourth inning on the way to a 7-3 win.

In the nightcap, however, Butler stranded the bases loaded in back-to-back innings and scored just two runs on nine hits in a 4-2 loss.

“We hit the ball pretty well in the first game,” said Butler manager Jason Radwan. “Our hitters went up there and attacked the ball and got some clutch hits when we needed it. It was good to get that win. I just wish we could have gotten that second win.”

Marcus had a big night again for the BlueSox (21-19 overall, 8-5 in the second half) with a 4-for-7 day with a triple and four RBI.

Marcus is now batting .383 with seven home runs and 31 RBI.

He had three RBI in the first game.

Game 1 starter for Butler, Ben Hartz, got plenty of support.

He was staked to a 7-1 lead in the fourth inning and left with a no-hitter after four innings of work.

He did give up a run in the third inning after he hit back-to-back Quincy batters with pitches. The Gems scored after a sacrifice bunt and sacrifice fly.

Still, it was the best start of the season for Hartz, who had two weeks off and had been dealing with arm issues.

“He came out and was throwing pretty hard, which was good to see after two weeks off and a little bit of arm trouble,” Radwan said. “It was good to see him go out, pitch well and get a win.”

It was the first win of the season for Hartz.

Tim Faix closed the game out with two scoreless innings out of the pen for the BlueSox.

Game 2 did not start as well for Butler.

Quincy (15-24, 4-9) capitalized on an error in the second inning for two unearned runs and then tacked on a run in both the fifth and sixth innings to back starting pitcher Kade Granier, who won his fourth game and sports a 2.09 ERA this season.

Butler, though, was able to get nine hits off of the Quincy ace. The BlueSox just weren’t able to get enough of them in big spots.

“We got to (Granier) a little bit,” Radwan said. “We got some runners on, but we just didn’t get any clutch hits.”

Matt Hansen, Marcus and Jamie Switalski each had a pair of hits for Butler in the nightcap.

Marcus nearly tied the game in the bottom of the seventh, just missing out on a three-run home run. Instead he had to settle for a sacrifice fly to deep center.

“The clutch hitting was a little bit of a problem for us in the first half,” Marcus said. “In the second half, it has been pretty good for us. It was just a case in the second game where their pitcher buckled down against us and threw some quality pitches.”

The Prospect League format of first- and second-half champions qualifying for the playoffs has rejuvenated the BlueSox, Marcus said.

“Anything can happen with the way the playoffs work,” Marcus said. “If you don’t do too well in the first half, you still have a chance in the second half to get into the playoffs. That’s pretty cool and for us, it has sparked us.”

The BlueSox host Quincy again tonight at 7:05 p.m.

Game 1

Butler 002 500 0 — 7 6 1

Quincy 001 020 0 — 3 5 1

W: Ben Hartz 4IP (3K, 1BB). L: Lane Hanzel 3IP (1K, 4BB).

Butler: Tyler Sullivan 1B, Daniel Hrbek 1B 2-RBI, David Marcus 3B 1B 3-RBI, Jamie Switalski 1B, Michael Patrick 1B

Quincy: Dominic Miles 1B RBI, Taylor Schwaner 1B RBI, Justin Wylie 1B RBI, Chase Simmons 1B, Austin Piscotty 1B

Game 2

Quincy 020 011 0 — 4 6 1

Butler 001 000 1 — 2 9 2

W: Kade Granier 7IP (9K, 2BB). L: Andre Jones 5IP (4K, 3BB).

Quincy (4-9): Dominic Miles 1B 2-RBI, Justin Wylie 1B, Hunter Stratton 3B 1B RBI, Aaron Meyer 3B 1B, Austin Piscotty RBI