Game 1: Buffleheads 7, Minions 1
Rich Harden silenced the powerful Minions of Jobu bats at Safeco Field Monday night, propelling the Budd Bay Buffleheads to a 7-1 home victory. Harden (5-1) allowed only two hits in seven innings, striking out seven and walking six. The Buffleheads struck for two in the 3rd when Jobu starter Chris Young (2-2) walked Travis Hafner and Carlos Pena with two outs, and then gave up consecutive singles to Wilson Betemit and Frank Catalanotto. Jeremy Hermida brought the visitors to within one with a solo homer, his fifth, in the top of the 7th. But Jhonny Peralta’s grand salami into the left field seats off Jobu reliever Rich Hill in the 8th inning sealed the deal for the home squad.
Game 2: Buffleheads 10, Minions 3
The Buffleheads’ onslaught continued against Ian Snell and three relievers in Game 2, lifting the Ducks into a momentary tie for first place in the Paige Division. Frank Catalanotto’s third homer of the season got things started against Snell (2-1) in the bottom of the 2nd, and Asdrubal Caberera’s long ball brought home three more in the 4th. Single runs in the 5th and 6th increased the Ducks’ lead to 6-0. Meanwhile, Buffleheads’ starter Andy Pettitte (2-3) was cruising, allowing only two baserunners through seven innings. Jobu touched Pettitte for two runs in the 8th on a solo homer by Jeremy Hermida and a sacrifice fly by Chase Utley, but the Ducks answered with four runs in the bottom of the 8th on only one hit off Jobu reliever Heath Bell to put the game away. Three walks, a HPB, a single and a sacrifice fly accounted for the damage.
Game 3: Minions 3, Buffleheads 1
Back-to-back-to-back home runs propelled the Minions of Jobu to a 3-1 victory in the getaway game of their series against the Budd Bay Buffleheads on Wednesday afternoon. Jeremy Hermida, Chris Young and Stephen Drew each connected with one out in the second to hand Bufflheads’ starter Tim Wakefield his first defeat of the year against four wins. Hermida’s homer was his seventh of the year and his third of the series. Wakefield and two relievers blanked the Minions the rest of the way, but Cole Hamels allowed only a solo shot to Travis Hafner in eight strong innings to move to 5-1 on the year. Jose Valverde finished up for his league-leading 12th save.
The Buffleheads (22-11) play host to the Ivy Dwellers this weekend, while Jobu (25-8) returns home to face Money Ball.
