River Dogs scorch Bellevue

Columbia Basin's Robert Bragg turned out to be a hero for a day.

With the River Dogs' program in desperate need for pitching arms, manager Randy Boruff called on Bragg from the Desert Dogs. While Bragg's performance may not have been a gem, his sweeping curve ball and consistency on the mound allowed Columbia Basin to control the game and eventually win 10-3.

"We found a guy who has been playing for the Desert Dogs and I would call it a great, solid performance," Boruff said.

Bragg went seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits in his first outing for the River Dogs. He allowed only two base runners, but found himself in a jam in the sixth inning after filling the bases on two hits and a walk.

Bellevue's Josh Corson knocked in a two-run single and Craig Cole followed with an RBI single to cut Columbia Basin's lead to 6-3. Bragg followed with a walk to Steven Kost, but got out of the inning with a ground out to shortstop Severo Rodriguez.

The River Dogs' pitching situation has been a concern for Boruff, who lost Chad Hunter on the mound for the rest of the summer and has Sonny Garza and Ryne Phillips at summer football games.

Brandon Hill has started to come back from a hamstring injury sustained during the high school baseball season and saw some at bats against Bellevue.

"He is slowly getting into it right now," Boruff said about Hill. "His arm means more to us than his bat does."

Boruff said he currently has four starting pitchers on the bench, but will have to use all four in the upcoming High Desert Baseball Tournament. Until he gets his complete pitching staff back together, Boruff said his current staff is going to have to go the distance and the offense has to carry most of the load for the River Dogs to stay competitive.

"We have seven games in the next five days and I am short a few guys and we are going to have to hit the baseball," Boruff added.

The River Dogs jumped out early on Bellevue, creating a 3-0 lead after the first inning, allowing Bragg to settle in on the mound with a comfortable cushion.

Columbia Basin gave him another chance to relax in the fourth with three more runs. Rodriguez led off the inning with a single to center field, moved to second on a grounder off the end of Brad Tracy's bat and scored on Kyle Chamberlain's double to deep left field.

Derek O'Konek kept momentum alive with a bloop single to center field and Brady Lamb added another run with a single.

After a rough sixth inning for Bragg and company, the River Dogs fired again at Bellevue with four runs in the seventh, including an RBI double from Nick Dietzen. Lamb also came through with another RBI single.

Lamb took the mound in the eighth inning and allowed one hit in the final two innings of work, closing out the game for the River Dogs and preserving a 10-3 victory.

"Brady Lamb is a utility guy and he threw well for us," Boruff added.

Columbia Basin opens the High Desert Baseball Tournament today at 4:30 p.m. at Larson Field.