Blue Sox win third straight game

Published 10:19 pm Thursday, July 11, 2013

Blue Sox catcher Luke Anderson tags New Richland's Chris Somage on a play at the plate during the first inning Thursday night at Marcusen Park. -- Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Blue Sox catcher Luke Anderson tags New Richland’s Chris Somage on a play at the plate during the first inning Thursday night at Marcusen Park. — Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

The Austin Blue Sox won their third straight game when they topped New Richland 8-4 in Marcusen Park Thursday.

The Blue Sox (7-7 overall) have won those three games behind solid pitching performances and Thursday was on different as Jon Mittag struck out six and allowed just one earned run in nine innings.

“We got three good pitching performances the last three times out,” Blue Sox manager Jamey Pratt said. “I can’t remember the last time we had three straight complete games. That’s pretty good.”

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Austin also had plenty of offense as it totaled 14 hits in the win. New Richland took a 3-2 lead in the top of the fifth, but the Blue Sox took the lead back in the bottom of the fifth when Jamie Adams doubled in two runs to make it 4-3.

The Austin Blue Sox' Jon Mittag pitches against New Richland Thursday evening at Marcusen Park.

The Austin Blue Sox’ Jon Mittag pitches against New Richland Thursday evening at Marcusen Park.

Preston Higbe singled in a run to make it 5-3 in the sixth and Chris May tripled in a run and Carter Guthmiller doubled in run t make it 7-4 in the seventh.

Guthmiller finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs.

“I’ve been seeing the ball well lately. It’s a pretty simple game. See the ball, hit the ball,” Guthmiller said. “We’re putting the ball in play more and the pitchers are pitching good. Overall, we’re playing better baseball.”

On Wednesday, the Blue Sox beat the Rochester Royals 5-2 on the road.

John Kirby struck out seven in nine innings of work for the Blue Sox.

Nate Wilson went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs, Mark Harber went 2-for-5 with a double and Quinn Yocom was 1-for-3.

NR 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 — 4 8 0

Austin 0 1 0 1 2 1 2 1 X — 8 14 4

Blue Sox pitching: Jon Mittag (W), 9 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 6 K, 1 HBP

Blue Sox hitting: Brandon Rector, 1-for-2, double; Jamie Adams, 2-for-4, double, 2 RBIs, R, BB; Chris May, 2-for-5, 2 triples, 2 RBIs, R; DJ Taylor, 2-for-3, 2 R, HBP; Carter Guthmiller, 3-for-4, double, 2 RBIs; Lukas Anderson, 1-for-4, RBI; TJ Parlin, 1-for-4; Preston Higbe, 1-for-2, RBI, R, 2 BBs; Jamey Pratt, 0-for-2, 2 BBs; Josh Kunze, 1-for-3, R