RIDGEFIELD — With the West Coast League’s most runs, home runs and highest slugging percentage, the Ridgefield Raptors have typically swung their bats like Superman.
The Cowlitz Black Bears must have found some kryptonite.
For the second straight game, Cowlitz’s pitchers shut down Ridgefield in a 7-1 win Wednesday at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.
Ridgefield was held to just two hits, thanks largely to Cowlitz starter Micky Thompson. The left-hander allowed just six baserunners over seven innings.
The Raptors mustered just four hits in the series opener Tuesday. With back-to-back victories, Cowlitz took a 4-2 lead in the season series and clinched the inaugural Columbia River Cup, a prize vied for by the Southwest Washington rivals.
For a Ridgefield team that averages 5.9 runs per game, the challenge is making sure the power outage doesn’t linger.
“We’re getting cold, but that happens in baseball,” Raptors outfielder Caden Connor said. “Tomorrow night’s another night, so hopefully we’ll come out swinging.”
Connor, Ridgefield’s leadoff hitter, said his focus will be setting up the rest of the lineup for success when the three-game series concludes on Thursday.
“It starts at the top of the lineup,” Connor said. “We set the tone and the bottom of the lineup picks us up. Tomorrow, we’re going to come out firing. Everyone is going to contribute and the pitchers are going to do their thing.”
Three moments
Perfect execution — Matthew Schwarz opened the door for a big fifth inning for Cowlitz. With two on and none out, Schwarz laid down a perfect bunt for an infield single. Cowlitz would score four runs after having the bases loaded and nobody out, taking a 4-1 lead.
Aggressive on basepaths — Cowlitz boosted its scoring chances in the seventh inning with a double steal with no outs. That allowed Rikuu Nishida and Brock Bozett to each score on sacrifice flies, putting the Black Bears ahead 6-1.
Missed chance — Ridgefield had a chance to turn the tide when Brady Kasper led off the seventh inning with a triple. But Thompson struck out the next three batters, ending the Raptors threat and capping a dominant outing.
Three players
Beau Kearsey — The Raptors starter threw four excellent innings before finding trouble in the fifth. Through four, the lefty from Central Washington and Union High allowed no runs, struck out five and had just one three-ball count. But Cowlitz chased Kearsey with one out in the fifth.
Micky Thompson — The Cowlitz starter was superb over seven innings. The Washington State pitcher struck out nine in his third outing this summer. His prior outings saw him allow eight runs in six innings. He lowered his ERA from 11.37 to 6.08 on Wednesday.
John Peck — The Raptors shortstop put a 0 for 3 game Tuesday behind him with an RBI single in the first inning. The Pepperdine player has hit safely in four of the last five games.
Three numbers
4 — Raptors to reach at least second base.
6 — Games this season Ridgefield has been held to one run or less.
0 — Cowlitz hits that went for a double or better. All 10 were singles.
