For the second straight game, Bret Harte will face off against Linden. The Bullfrogs will challenge the Lions at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Bret Harte is on a ten-game streak of home wins (dating back to last season), Linden a six-game streak of away wins, meaning someone's leaving a streak behind.
The home team had won the previous four meetings between Bret Harte and Linden, and Linden kept the tradition alive. The Bullfrogs fell 8-3 to the Lions on Tuesday. The Bullfrogs haven't had much luck with the Lions recently, as the team has come up short the last eight times they've met.
For Linden's part, Marco Holguin was a major factor no matter where he played. On the mound, he tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. What's more, Holguin posted four strikeouts, the most he's had since back in March. He was also big at the plate, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with two RBI.
In other pitching news, Linden got a great performance from Justin Sales as he pitched five innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off four hits. Sales has been consistent for a while: he hasn't given up more than two walks in 13 consecutive appearances.
Back at the plate, the team relied heavily on Brody Black, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with four runs and two doubles. Those four runs gave him a new career-high.
Linden was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .448. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Bret Harte only posted a batting average of .167.
Linden has been performing incredibly well recently as they've won 14 of their last 15 matches. That's provided a nice bump to their 18-4 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 8.7 runs over those games. As for Bret Harte, their loss dropped their record down to 15-8.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Bret Harte has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Linden struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one. Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
