Birds unable to overcome early deficit

Chester Bird fell behind by seven runs and, despite six runs in the final two at bats, were unable to overcome the deficit in a 9-8 loss at Richfield.

The hosts scored five unearned runs in the second inning, all with two out, to take a 6-1 lead, a margin which they would expand to seven runs at 9-2 before The Birds started their comeback.

A two-run sixth occured when Jimmy Heck's ground ball to short was thrown away at second base as Richfield attempted to start a double play. Robby Sutherland scored all the way from first with Heck reaching third, and Greg Zeman followed with an RBI single.

In the seventh, Sutherland's RBI single and Heck's two-run double highlighted a four-run outburst but Dan Beyel came into the game to get Zeman on a fly ball to center field to end the game.

Heck finished the game 4-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI to earn the Boost Nutritional Drinks player of the game award. He also worked four innings in relief, allowing three runs on seven hits with a walk and three strikeouts.

Zeman added a 3-for-5 performance at the plate and Grant Besse chipped in with a pair of hits, including an RBI double.

The Birds are idle until next Wednesday, July 6, when they host St. Louis Park in a South Hennepin League game at 6 p.m.