One-Run Losses Crushing For Crushers

Despite yet another one-run loss, John Massarelli is even more convinced a winning streak is just around the corner for the .

The Crushers opened a six-game homestand Friday night with a 2-1 loss to the Southern Illinois Miners at .

"We got good pitching, fielding, and hit the ball hard all night -- just right at some people," Massarelli said after the Crushers fell to 7-12 with their fifth one-run loss in the last seven games. Four of them have been to the Miners (13-6), who lead the Western Division of the Frontier League.

Last weekend in Marion, Ill., the Miners swept Crushers by scores of 5-4, 3-2, and 7-6.

"It has been something different every night," Massarelli said. "We get hitting, and not the pitching to go with it. Then we get a well-pitched game and not enough offense or make a mistake in the field. It is just not one thing. What we have to do on this homestand is get settled, get some consistency and most of all get some wins."

Massarelli would not blame the bullpen for blowing some early-season games, including the home opener two weeks ago in which a 4-1 lead turned into a 7-4 loss when Jeff Cinadr was hit hard.

This week, Cinadr was released.  One of the most reliable relievers in the league a year ago, the right-hander was hit hard in seven outings. He allowed 12 hits over 7 1/3 innings with seven walks and a 12.27 earned run average.

"It was one of the toughest releases I've ever had to do," Massarelli said. "That's because of what Jeff has done for us in the past, how much he cares and what a quality individual he is. It is times like this I wish we were a big-league ballclub and I could send a guy down to Triple-A to get straightened out.

"It's not fair to blame one man or certainly the bullpen. We've had a couple guys down there pitching the lights out in (Kelyn) Schellenberg and (Ruben) Flores."

In 11 outings, Schellenberg has an 0.68 ERA, allowing only eight hits, one walk and one earned run over 13 1/3 innings. Flores is 2-0 with an 0.82 ERA in nine appearances. He has 19 strikeouts in 11 innings, including two Friday night when he worked a scoreless top of the ninth.

Starter Andrew Weeks (2-2, 4.00 ERA) gave up two runs over 6 1/3 innings to the Miners. The left-hander allowed six hits and one walk, striking out four.

"Weeks' performance was very positive to see," Massarelli said.

The Miners scored on a pair of sacrifice flies, once in the third inning and again in the seventh.

Ryan Zink (2-0, 2.05 ERA) held the Crushers to six hits over seven innings for the win. He struck out two without issuing a walk. Miners reliever Erik Draxton gave up a home run to Kellen Kulbacki in the ninth, but earned his sixth save.

Kulbacki, Nick Mahin and Scott Houin each had two hits. Mahin extended his hitting streak to six games, though Andrew Davis went 0-for-4, snapping his streak at seven.

Houin and Felix Martinez both singled in the first inning, but each was caught trying to steal second base. In the second, Mahin lined a ball down the left-field line, but was thrown trying to extend it into a double.

Before the game, Massarelli said he was sticking with Kulbacki in the cleanup spot in the order, even though the former first-round draft pick of the San Diego Padres was struggling with a .233 average and only five RBI in 17 games.

"He's got a good approach at the plate," Massarelli said. "The hits will come."

Massarelli believes that will be the case for the entire team.

"A year ago, we hit .220 and finished four games over .500," he said. "We're are not going to hit only .220 again this year. This is a good team. We are going to hit. If we continue to pitch and field the way we did tonight, we'll be OK."

The Crushers will continue their three game series with the Miners on Saturday night. Travis Risser (1-3, 7.11) will start for Lake Erie against Sean Teague (1-0, 4.50) in a matchup of right-handers at 7:05 p.m.

SEEING STARS:

Tickets for the Frontier League All-Star Game on July 13 and the All-Star Fan Fest and Home Run Derby on July 12 are on sale.

Individual All-Star Fan Fest and Home Run Derby tickets are $5. Fans wanting tickets to those events and the game can purchase an All-Star Ticket Package for $14. Groups plans are also available.

Call the Lake Erie Crushers Box Office at 440-934-3636 for information.