After four quiet innings, Butler's bats came to life and chased Champion City starting pitcher Mike Ramirez from the mound.

Instead of being the start of a breakout offensive performance, however, it proved to be the end of scoring for the BlueSox.

Four relief pitchers combined to hold Butler scoreless over the last 4 1/3 innings in the Kings' 8-3 win Friday night at Kelly Automotive Park.

Doug Smith replaced Ramirez on the mound and inherited runners at first and third with no outs and the Kings leading 5-1.

Grant Hannant, who had doubled in Anthony Venezia earlier in the inning, scored on a wild pitch from Smith. Daniel Patrice then singled in Andrew Chuba.

The Sox had sliced Champion City's lead to 5-3, but that's where Butler's production was cut off. Smith got out of the inning before pitching a scoreless sixth frame. Jake Monnin, Alex Shirazi and Spencer Owen each followed to keep Butler at bay.

“I think their relievers did a great job of keeping us off balance,” said Butler manager Cody Herald, “not just with changing speeds, but also moving the ball in and out.”

Butler found itself down 3-0 thanks to the Kings' 4-hit third inning against starter Jace Warkentien. The left-hander had positive moments, striking out seven in four innings, But he also walked four and allowed six hits, including a two-run triple by Sheldon Reed in that third frame.

Warkentien allowed two more runs in the fourth inning and did not return for the fifth frame.

“I thought he came out and threw well,” Herald said. “It's only two games into the season. When things are working for him, he has a fastball, curveball and slider. It's easy for him to get ahead of hitters. He was also throwing to a catcher (Kellen Sarver) he had never worked with.”

Cole Horew, Kevin Norton and Anthony Rini all pitched in relief for Butler. Horew allowed two runs in the seventh inning and Norton one in the eighth.

Champion City leadoff hitter Joe Acker went 3-for-5 at the plate. Butler managed just five hits, with Patrice singling twice and Hannant, the No. 9 hitter, doubling twice.

Butler (0-2) plays at West Virginia this weekend.

“It had been a while since a lot of these guys played a competitive game,” said Herald. “We got off to this same start last season and that turned out pretty well (playing in the league title series.”

Champion City 003 200 210 — 8 10 2

Butler 000 030 000 — 3 5 2

W: Mike Ramirez 4+ IP (4K, 2BB). L: Jace Warkentien 4 IP (7K, 4BB).

Champion City (2-0): Joe Acker 3-1B R, Sheldon Reed 3B 2R 2RBI, Gehrig Anglin 1B RBI, Alex Ronnebaum 2B R RBI, Zach Santoro 1B R RBI, Nic Mertes 2B, Wyatt Stapp 1B 2R, Damon Nuss 1B 2RBI, Zac Luckey R

Butler (0-2): Daniel Patrice 2-1B RBI, Andrew Chuba R, Anthony Venezia 1B R, Grant Hannant 2-2B R RBI

Saturday: Butler at West Virginia