Express lose game one

The Eau Claire Express waited about two weeks for to finish their season opener.
After all that waiting, what they got was missed opportunities and some bad luck for right-hander Drew Kendrick.

With his offense unable to cash in on some early chances, Kendrick left the game injured and took a tough-luck loss as the Express fell to the Wisconsin Woodchucks, 6-2, on Tuesday at Carson Park. That concluded the suspended Northwoods League season opener that originally began May 29.

“We couldn’t execute again,” Express manager Dale Varsho said. “We have a hard time executing with runners in scoring position. We have to start playing good baseball again. We haven’t been playing good baseball for three days now.”

The loss, the first game of a hybrid doubleheader, dropped Eau Claire (4-7) five game behind division-leading Wisconsin (9-2) in the South Division first-half standings. Check back for results of the second game, which will be of the seven-innings variety.

The Express began play Tuesday trailing 2-0 in the middle of the fourth inning. They had plenty of chances early to rough up Woodchucks left-hander Terrance Jackson, who allowed seven baserunners in his three innings of work.

But the Express left runners at third base in the fourth and fifth innings and managed only an RBI infield single by David Cales in the fourth. Jackson, who took over for opening day starter Zac Moore, was wild high early. But the Express didn’t make Jackson fully pay.

“It’s disappointing,” Varsho said. “We just have to start playing good baseball and try to score some runs. They’re giving us runs. All we have to do is hit a groundball and we’re not getting runs. We just have to start playing good baseball and putting the ball in play.”

The Express tied the game at 2 in the seventh inning when an errant pickoff throw by reliever Brad Riddle allowed Robbie Knight to score.
Kendrick, meanwhile, was turning in a stellar long relief outing in what essentially was a start. He took over for Shane Dyer, who started on opening day and allowed two runs. Dyer is no longer with the Express, having signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Rays last week.

Kendrick threw three 1-2-3 innings Tuesday before hitting a rather unfortunate patch in the eighth.

Carson Vitale began the inning with a chopper up the middle that snuck into the outfield. Kendrick then got Brent Weaver to hit what could have been a double-play ball to D.J. Anderson at third base. But Anderson bobbled the ball and everyone was safe.

After Bobby Pritchett’s sacrifice bunt, Troy Frazier drove in the go-ahead run with a single through the drawn-in infield.
Kendrick then left the game with what Varsho said was a groin injury.

“Who knows how serious,” Varsho said, “but I’m sure we’ll get a diagnosis soon and find out where we’re at.”

Kendrick was replaced by Joe Bonfe, who gave up an RBI double by Chris Wade and a sacrifice fly by pinch-hitter Jeremy Barnes. That made the score 5-2.

Kendrick was charged with three runs – one earned – on two hits. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out five in 3 1/3 innings but took the loss.
Weaver added an insurance run for the Woodchucks with an RBI double in the ninth inning.

Notes
Several lineup changes were made prior to the conclusion of the game. The Woodchucks, who were short-handed for the opener and had to use three pitchers in the field, made three changes. Pitcher Terrance Jackson, who took over for Zac Moore, still had to bat for himself because Wisconsin forfeited the designated hitter in the opener. The Express made two lineup changes, both out of necessity. Robbie Knight replaced the injured Erik Knutson (sprained ankle) in center field, and Landis Ware took over for Ronnie Olson at shortstop. Olson is no longer with the team after his 10-day contract expired. … Woodchucks left fielder Troy Frazier played in the first game but was ineligible for the second game. Frazier was ejected from Monday’s game so he was suspended for Tuesday’s regularly scheduled game. Because the first game technically was played May 29, he was eligible to play in that game.

- Joe Ziemer