The Brazos Valley Bombers hit parade marched into Denton Tuesday night and cranked out eight runs on 11 hits, but the Bombers couldn’t keep pace with the Denton Outlaws and fell by a score of 13-8.
The contest was the second straight strong outing for the Bombers offense, which posted 13 runs in the first five innings on Monday night in trouncing the Wichita Falls Roughnecks. In Brazos Valley’s first four games, the team had averaged a shade over three runs per game.
Once again on this road trip, offense was not an issue for the Bombers, and once again, it was Joseph Towns and Keith Stein leading the way. Stein, who went 2-for-4 with 3 runs scored last night in his Bombers debut, went 2-for-3, scored twice, drove in a run, and stole a base against the Outlaws.
But the real hitting star for Brazos Valley continues to be Towns, who entered the game batting .500 on the young season. He proceeded to pound out 3 hits in 4 at-bats, including his second home run in as many nights to move into a tie for the league lead in that category. He also drove in 5 runs to bring his season total to move into a tie with Denton’s Jose Hernandez for tops in the TCL. Towns is now batting a robust .542 on the season.
At issue on Tuesday night wasn’t the Bombers ability to post numbers on the scoreboard, but to keep the Outlaws from doing the same. The Bombers jumped out to a 3-0 lead though an inning and a half, only to see Denton bat around in the second inning to tie the score. The Outlaws scored again in the third only to see the Bombers answer in the fifth. Denton took control of the game in the bottom of the fifth, though, scoring four runs and chasing Brazos Valley starter Brice Ary. Ary suffered his first loss of the season in giving up seven earned runs over 4.1 innings.
The Bombers clawed back to within one in the top of the seventh inning when Towns crushed a three-run homer. But the rejoicing was short-lived, as the Outlaws responded again in the home half of the frame. Denton scored five unearned runs off of relievers Ryan Riddle and Tyler Davis to cement the victory.
The team will enjoy a day off on Wednesday before taking the field at Brazos Valley Bank Ballpark again on Thursday night to open their second homestand of the season. Thursday will be the first of four Thirsty Thursday promotions presented by Jack FM. Fans can enjoy fifty-cent 16-ounce soft drinks and one dollar 12-ounce draft beers as they watch the Bombers take on the Mineral Wells Steam. The Steam will be back again on Friday, June 15, for Fireworks Friday; after the game, fans will enjoy a spectacular fireworks show, courtesy of College Station Medical Center.