Crushers End Homestand Winless

The offense woke up for the on Wednesday night, but a late rally wasn't enough as the Traverse City Beach Bums beat the Crushers, 9-7, on Avon Community Night at .

It was the seventh straight loss for the Crushers, a franchise record. The Beach Bums swept the series and kept the Crushers (7-17) winless in this homestand. It was the eighth win in nine games for the Beach Bums (11-13).

got things off to a good start for the Crushers when he belted a solo home run to right field in the bottom of the first to give the Crushers the first lead of the game.

But then the Beach Bums got four runs in the top of second to take a 4-1 lead.

Joel Collins drove in runs with sacrifice flies in the second and fourth. The Crushers were able to tie the game in the fourth when Chris Luick scored on a wild pickoff attempt by Beach Bums pitcher Wayde Kitchens.

Each team got two runs in the sixth to keep the game tied. The Beach Bums took the lead in the seventh, and added two more runs in the top of the ninth.

Kyle Shaffer hit an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth. With two runners on and the winning run at the plate with no outs, Beach Bums reliever Scott Mueller was able to get the next three batters out to end the Crushers' hopes.

The Crushers now hit the road, starting a three-game series at the Rockford Riverhawks at 8:05 p.m. Thursday.  Jairo Cuevas (0-0, 0.00 earned run average) gets the start for the Crushers.

Come back at noon, and we'll have a photo gallery of all the fun of Avon Community Night!