Bello and bats struggle against Rockford

Some days, nothing goes right.

Starter Antony Bello lasted only an inning and a third while the Goldeyes offence just couldn’t get a big hit when needed as Winnipeg fell 7-1 to the Rockford RiverHawks in front of 5,611 at Canwest Park on Thursday night.

“Antony just couldn’t come up with a pitch when he needed it,” said Goldeyes manager Rick Forney. “He’d thrown 61 pitches and only got four outs. He just couldn’t find a way and to avoid a chance at an injury, it was in his best interest and ours to get him out of there, let him think about it and we’ll talk tomorrow... make sure he’s ready to pitch another day.”

When Bello left the game, the Goldeyes were trailing 2-0. Reliever Ulysses Roque gave up three runs in two-and-two-third innings of work, Ian Thomas gave up two runs in four-and-a-third innings and Chad Benefield came in and got the final two outs in the ninth.

Rockford Catcher Travis Scott had a big night for the RiverHawks going two-for-five with a triple and a two run homer. The two-run bomb made it 4-0 and pretty much sealed the deal for Rockford.

“We finally got the lefty (Bello) out of there and I’m a lot more comfortable against right-handers,” Scott said. “He hung a change-up to me and I was able to get the barrel of the bat on it.

“This was a huge win for us. After a long bus trip, almost 17 hours, we were able to come up with a good effort. And Kyle (starter Wright) was great. He got ahead of almost every hitter he faced and didn’t walk anybody. It was a really great effort.”

The Goldeyes scored their only run in the sixth. With two out, Justin Justice doubled and then Vince Harrison singled to drive him home. It was Winnipeg’s second straight loss and dropped the Goldeyes to 18-15 on the season and 10-9 at home.

Game 2 of this four-game series will be played tonight at Canwest Park. Kyle Ruwe (1-4, 5.86 ERA) will get the start for Rockford while Stephen Flake (2-1, 2.96 ERA) will toe the slab for Winnipeg. Game time is 7 p.m.