The Brazos Valley Bombers took their first step towards a happy All-Star break by soundly beating the Weatherford Wranglers on the road Friday night, 5-0.

Scooter Hicks (3-2) held the Wrangler offense to three hits in six innings and Casey Whitmer came out of the bullpen to pitch three perfect innings. Hicks rebounded from his last start to strike out six and walk just two. Whitmer, making a rare relief appearance prior to starting for the Speaker Division in Monday’s TCL All-Star Game, struck out three to close out the game.

After putting runners on base in the early innings with nothing to show for it, the Bombers offense erupted for four runs in the fourth inning, then added an insurance run in the eighth. The offense was led by Blake Walker, who got the start in left field Friday and went 3-for-4 with a walk and a run scored. Ryan Weber drove in three with a single and a double in four at-bats. Kip Masuda also broke out of his recent slump with a 2-for-5 outing, driving in a run and scoring twice.

The Bombers close out the first half on the road Saturday night in a divisional clash against the Colleyville LoneStars.

The All-Star break begins on Sunday, followed by the TCL All-Star Game on Monday, July 9. Whitmer and third baseman Joseph Towns will start for the Speaker Division, and first baseman Will Basom, outfielder Keith Stein, designated hitter Mark McGonigle, and relief pitcher Tyler Davis will join them as reserves.

Brazos Valley will end the All-Star break early to make up a doubleheader on Tuesday, July 10 in Coppell against the Copperheads. The Bombers will enjoy another off-day before returning to action at Brazos Valley Bank Ballpark for a blockbuster three-game stretch, featuring Thirsty Thursday on July 12, Fireworks Friday on July 13, and Bombers T-shirt Giveaway Night on July 14.