All-Star pitching carries Lunkers

Northwoods League All-Star Dennis O'Grady gave up a hit to the second batter he faced before retiring the next 20 batters he faced, guiding the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers to a 2-1 victory over the Duluth Huskies Monday.

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O'Grady struck out six batters, issued one walk and held the Huskies scoreless through eight innings.

"It's what you come to expect from Dennis," Lunkers coach Ryan Levendoski said. "Every time he comes out he gives you a chance to at least be in the game."

The win kept O'Grady's perfect season intact as he moved to 5-0, while the Lunkers are now 4-0 against the Huskies.

The Lunkers broke the 0-0 dead-lock in the second when Justin Gominsky's double to the corner in left field drove in Mike Kvasnicka for a 1-0 lead. Gominsky finished 2-for-3 for the Lunkers.

Lunkers 2, Duluth 1

Key: After surrendering a one-out hit, Lunkers' Dennis O'Grady retired 20 straight batters.

Attendance: 647

Overall: Brd 6-4, Dul 3-7

Next: Brainerd vs. Rochester 7:05 p.m. Tuesday

In the eighth inning, the Huskies' Todd Baumgartner and Zac Elgie were finally able to connect for a pair of hits off of O'Grady before he induced a 6-3 double play to get out of the inning.

"(O'Grady) uses the strike zone, gets guys off balance, and never gives in," Levendoski said, "especially when he gets in a situation when he needs to make a pitch. He's always able to make a pitch and get out of it."

The Lunkers responded in the bottom of the eighth inning by executing small-ball to perfection. Stephen Wickens laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Zack Stewart, who reached on a leadoff single. Stewart didn't remain at second base long as T.J. Berg connected with a 2-2 pitch to earn an RBI single and providing the Lunkers with all the insurance they would need with a 2-0 lead.

After Lunkers closing pitcher Drew Smith, another Northwoods League All-Star, walked two of the first three Huskies batters, a throwing error by Berge allowed Scott Sommerfeld to pull the Huskies within one. Smith buckled down and got Nathan Meledres to ground-out and earned his 11th save of the season.

"That's nine innings in a row where (Smith) hasn't given up an earned run," Levendoski said. "He's been really effective out of the pen for us."

The Lunkers continue to roll in the second half and have now won four straight improving their second-half record to 6-4.

Duluth 000 000 001 - 1 4 0

Brainerd 010 000 001 - 2 9 1

Duluth: RJ Fondon, Khris Tate (8) and Nick McCoy

Brainerd: Dennis O'Grady, Drew Smith (9) and Mike Kvasnicka

WP: O'Grady. LP: Fondon. Sv: Smith.

2B: Brd-Justin Gominsky

SB: Brd-Will Pimnica-Worms

RBIs: Brd-T.J. Berge, Gominsky

LOB: Brd 6, Dul 3

DP: Brd 1, Dul 0

T: 2:06