Kevin Richardson

Kevin Richardson appeared in just two games for the Oklahoma City RedHawks of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League last week, but turned in a two-home run performance on Thursday, July 16, to earn my Bells Blog former player of the week award.

His two home runs were his sixth and seventh of the season and were part of his three-hit game in which he drove in three runs and scored a pair.

If you know of any former Bells currently playing in any type of professional baseball, please let me know by sending an e-mail to BellinghamBellsBlog@gmail.com. All of your assistance is greatly appreciated.

JOHNNY BOWDEN | Played for Bells in 2005
Drafted: 41st Round in 2007 by the Colorado Rockies
Current Team: Tulsa Drillers (AA)

Bowden is currently on the disabled list and has not played since May 4.

STEPHEN FIFE | Played for Bells in 2007
Drafted: 3rd Round in 2008 by the Boston Red Sox
Current Team: Salem Red Sox (A)

Fife was promoted to Class A Advanced Salem of the Carolina league last week and made his first start on Thursday, July 16. In 6 innings, Fife struck out five batters and allowed just one earned run off of six hits.

SEAN HALTON | Played for Bells in 2008
Drafted: 13th Round in 2009 by the Milwaukee Brewers
Current Team: ALZ Brewers (R)

Currently riding a seven-game hit streak, Halton was 11-for-20 (.550) last week for the AZL Brewers. On Sunday, July 19, Halton was 4-for-4 with a run scored and 2 RBI.

MARK HOLLIMAN | Played for Bells in 2005
Drafted: 3rd Round in 2005 by the Chicago Cubs
Current Team: Huntsville Stars (AA)

Holliman lasted just 3 2/3 innings in his last start of Sunday, July 19. He allowed four earned runs on six hits and walked three in the losing effort.

EDDIE KUNZ | Played for Bells in 2005
Drafted: 1st Round in 2007 by the New York Mets
Current Team: Buffalo Bisons (AAA)

Did not appear in any games last week.

BRANDON PULLEN | Played for Bells in 2007
Drafted: 37th Round in 2008 by the Seattle Mariners
Current Team: Everett AquaSox (A)

In two relief appearances, Pullen pitched two scoreless innings and allowed just two hits while striking out one batter.

STEVE SPURGEON | Played for Bells in 2005
Drafted: Undrafted
Current Team: Sioux City Explorers (IND)

Against the Lincoln Saltdogs of the independent American Association, Spurgeon struck out four batters in 5 1/3 on Thursday, July 16. In the start, Spurgeon gave up just two runs on three hits but did not factor into the decision.

MATT STABELFELD | Played for Bells in 2008
Drafted: 41st Round in 2009 by the Tampa Bay Rays
Current Team: Princeton Rays (A)

Stabelfeld earned his first win of the season in one inning of relief work on Sunday, July 19. He also struck out two batters in his other relief appearance of the week in one inning of action on Wednesday, July 15.

BRANDON TULLIS | Played for Bells in 2009
Drafted: 8th Round by the Texas Rangers
Current Team: Spokane Indians (A)

In his lone start last week, Tullis pitched 6 innings without allowing a run and fanned six batters but ultimately did not factor into the decision. In three starts this season, Tullis has allowed just one run in 15 innings for a 0.60 ERA and has struck out 19 batters.

Former Pacific International League-era Bells

ANTHONY CLAGGETT
Drafted: 11th Round in 2005 by the Detroit Tigers
Current Team: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA)

Claggett allowed one run in three innings of work during his lone appearance of the week. He walked one and struck out one during his time on the mound for the Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees.

KEVIN RICHARDSON | Played for Bells in 2000
Drafted: Undrafted
Current Team: Oklahoma City RedHawks (AAA)

Richardson saw action in two games last week and went 3-for-9 (.333) at the plate including a two-home run game on Thursday, July 16, on the round against Round Rock. His two home runs were his sixth and seventh of the season and were part of his three-hit game in which he drove in three runs and scored a pair.

EMERSON FROSTAD
Drafted: 13th Round in 2003 by the Texas Rangers
Current Team: Oklahoma City RedHawks (AAA)

In two games, Frostad was 3-for-6 (.500) on the week and drew three walks on Friday, July 17. He also scored a run in each of his two games last week.

TY TAUBENHEIM
Drafted: 19th Round in 2003 by the Milwaukee Brewers
Current Team: Indianapolis Indians (AAA)

Did not appear in any games last week.

Bellingham won two of its three games in Bend to take sole possession of second place in the West Coast League’s West Division. The Bells opened the road series with 4-3 victory on Friday and took the second game 12-10 before falling 4-5 in the Sunday finale.

Now 17-13 this season, the Bells are seven games behind division-leading Corvallis heading into a three-game road series against the Knights. Bellingham holds a one-game edge over Bend for the final playoff spot in the West Division.

Tyrell Poggemeyer pitched 8 1/3 Friday, July 17, to pick up his fourth win of the season. Seth Harvey came in to face the final two batters of the game and earned his seventh save.

With his lone hit in Friday’s contest, Chris Amezquita hit his second home run of the season to put the Bells up 3-0 in the top of the first inning.

Saturday was more of a hitters contest as Bellingham pounded out 17 hits to earn the 12-10 victory. Sam Richter was 5-of-6 at the plate and Mike Chiarelli homered in the fourth inning to pull the Bells even with he Elks. Jordan Stern left with the lead after 6 1/3 on the mound. He earned the win after Harvey came in the pick up his second save in as many nights.

The Bells were denied the series sweep Sunday when Bend scored the game-winning run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Four errors doomed Bellingham as only one of the four runs allowed by starter Zach Fowler were earned during his seven innings on the bump.

Bellingham now moves to Corvallis for a three-game series. The Knights currently hold the best record in the WCL at 24-6 and are ranked third in the Summer College Baseball Top 25.

The Bellingham Bells held the upper hand Thursday against Bellingham Post 7 at Joe Martin Field. After jumping out to an early lead, the Bells held off the pesky Post 7 squad to capture an 10-6 victory—the Bells’ eighth straight at home.

Sam Richter hit a leadoff home run in the home half of the first inning to put the Bells on top—a position they held throughout the contest. The Bells scored two more runs in the inning before jumping out to a commanding 8-1 lead with five runs in the third.

But the lead was quickly cut down to two runs when Post 7 responded with a five-run inning of their own in the top of the fourth. Three of the first four batters in the frame were hit by a pitch to reach base and five of the first six batters reached home before the Bells were able to escape the inning with an 8-6 lead.

“We’ve played some tough competition in our league and we knew these past three games weren’t going to be any easier,” said Bells head coach Brandon Newell. “Tonight’s game was a little fun because of the dynamic it had with a pair of brothers facing off against each other and the Post 7 team is full of local talent. But it was still a game and our team wants to win every time they take the field.”

Luke Scott started on the mound for the Bells and struck out six batters in just three innings of work, but left with the bases loaded in the fourth inning after putting the first three batters on. Jordan Stern came in to relieve Scott and earned the win after allowing just one run in two innings on the bump.

In the seventh inning, Post 7 brought in Evan Fenton to face leadoff batter and Evan’s brother, Bells’ first baseman Rhett. In a one-pitch appearance, Evan threw a lazy breaking ball that stayed inside and hit Rhett between the back numbers. The two hammed it up a little before Rhett jogged down to first and Evan returned to his regular defensive position at third base.

Richter finished the night 2-of-5 at the plate with two runs scored and three runs batted in. Craig Hertler also added two hits for the Bells.

The Bells scored their final two runs after the first two batters walked to lead off the eighth inning—both later scored.

The two teams also met in 2008, the Bells won that game 2-1.

Bellingham’s Patrick Claussen was selected as the Hitter of the Night by the Summer Ball blog for his efforts on July 13 against the Moses Lake Pirates. Claussen was 4-of-5 on the night with a double and a stolen base. He also scored two runs and drove in another.

Claussen is the second player honored by Summer Ball this season — Tyrell Poggemeyer was named pitcher of the night on July 7.

CLICK HERE to read the Summer Ball blog.

I have to apologize for the recent lack of postings. I recently returned from a trip to Spokane where I had a chance to take in a few innings of the Bells’ victory over the RiverHawks before I was banned from baseball leading up to my July 11 wedding. But the now-wife is back to work and so am I.

Bellingham went 5-3 during it’s recent eight-game road trip prior to Tuesday’s return to Joe Martin Field. Although only home for three exhibition games, the Bells continued their home win streak by taking Tuesday’s game 5-4 thanks to some ninth-inning heroics.

Be sure to check back soon as another Bells player has been honored by the Summer Ball blog and I’ll hopefully be able to put up some photos from Bellingham’s July 8 victory over the RiverHawks.

Summer Ball is an independent blog that tracks college baseball and summer ball leagues throughout the year. Recently, the blog recognized Bellingham’s Tyrell Poggemeyer as its West Coast League pitcher of the night for his performance against the Kitsap BlueJackets on July 3. Poggemeyer tossed a complete game shut out and allowed just six hits while striking out a pair. The win moved Poggemeyer to 2-0 on the season.

CLICK HERE to read the Summer Ball blog.

Former Bells pitcher Brandon Tullis made is first professional start on Saturday, July 4, striking out nine batters in 5 innings of work. His performance in his first start has earned him my Bells Blog former player of the week award.

With help from others and some additional research, I have also been able to find four former Bells players that were with the team between 1999 and 2004 that are currently playing in organized baseball. These players include Anthony Claggett, Kevin Richardson, Emerson Frostad and Ty Taubenheim

If you know of others currently playing in any type of professional baseball, please let me know by sending an e-mail to BellinghamBellsBlog@gmail.com.

JOHNNY BOWDEN | Played for Bells in 2005
Drafted: 41st Round in 2007 by the Colorado Rockies
Current Team: Tulsa Drillers (AA)
Bowden is currently on the disabled list and has not played since May 4.

STEPHEN FIFE | Played for Bells in 2007
Drafted: 3rd Round in 2008 by the Boston Red Sox
Current Team: Greenville Drive (A)
Fife struck out seven batters in his only start of the week, but fell to 0-3 on the season after giving up three runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings pitched on Sunday, July 5.

SEAN HALTON | Played for Bells in 2008
Drafted: 13th Round in 2009 by the Milwaukee Brewers
Current Team: ALZ Brewers (R)
On June 29 Halton hit his first professional home run to kick start a week in which he hit .364 (8-for-22). He raised his season average to .393 following a 3-for-4 performance that included his lone home run and now boasts a team-best average of .348.

MARK HOLLIMAN | Played for Bells in 2005
Drafted: 3rd Round in 2005 by the Chicago Cubs
Current Team: Huntsville Stars (AA)
With his win on July 1, Holliman improved to 7-2 this year with a 4.23 ERA. Holliman pitched 5 2/3 innings in his only start of the week and allowed just one run on seven hits with four strikeouts to win his third straight game in as may tries and his sixth straight since last losing on May 19.

EDDIE KUNZ | Played for Bells in 2005
Drafted: 1st Round in 2007 by the New York Mets
Current Team: Buffalo Bisons (AAA)
Kunz was hit hard in his one inning of work last week. In an inning of relief, Kunz was tagged with four runs on five hits and his earned run average ballooned from 2.43 to 3.41.

BRANDON PULLEN | Played for Bells in 2007
Drafted: 37th Round in 2008 by the Seattle Mariners
Current Team: Everett AquaSox (A)
Pullen saw relief action in two games last week, picking up the win on Sunday, July 5, in 2 innings of scoreless baseball in which he struck out five batters. In 3 2/3 innings of scoreless work last week, Pullen allowed just two hits and struck out six to improved to 2-0 on the season. Pullen’s earned run average fell from 2.45 to 1.23 on the season after his work last week.

STEVE SPURGEON | Played for Bells in 2005
Drafted: Undrafted
Current Team: Sioux City Explorers (IND)
Spurgeon split his two starts last week, going 1-1 in 10 2/3 innings of action. On June 27, Spurgeon fell after giving up four run on four hit and striking out four in 5 innings. He returned to the mound July 3 to pick up the win in a similar outing. He pitched 5 2/3 innings and gave up four runs on five hits while striking out four. Spurgeon walked six batters in each start to double his walks total on the year.

MATT STABELFELD | Played for Bells in 2008
Drafted: 41st Round in 2009 by the Tampa Bay Rays
Current Team: Princeton Rays (A)
Stabelfeld allowed his first professional run this past week but escaped seemingly unscathed. He two appearances from the bullpen, Stabelfeld tossed 3 innings and allowed just one run while striking out four batters in his two innings of work on June 29.

BRANDON TULLIS | Played for Bells in 2009
Drafted: 8th Round by the Texas Rangers
Current Team: Spokane Indians (A)
After giving up two runs in 3 1/3 innings of relief on June 29, Tullis made his first professional start on July 4. Tullis fanned nine batters of the 19 batters he faced and did not give up a walk or a run in his 5 innings on the hill.

Former Pacific International League-era Bells

ANTHONY CLAGGETT
Drafted: 11th Round in 2005 by the Detroit Tigers
Current Team: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA)
Claggett made one appearance in the Majors this season but has spent most of his time with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Last week Claggett pitched in one game, throwing two scoreless innings on July 3.

KEVIN RICHARDSON
Drafted: Undrafted
Current Team: Oklahoma City RedHawks (AAA)
Catching five games last week for Oklahoma City, Richardson was 6-of-19 (.316) at the plate with three home runs, a double, and 4 RBI.

EMERSON FROSTAD
Drafted: 13th Round in 2003 by the Texas Rangers
Current Team: Oklahoma City RedHawks (AAA)
Frostad played three different positions in four games last week with Oklahoma City. He had three hits in 12 at-bats for a .250 average and drew five walks.

TY TAUBENHEIM
Drafted: 19th Round in 2003 by the Milwaukee Brewers
Current Team: Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
Appearing in just one game last week, Taubenheim pitched a scoreless inning on June 29 at home and allowed just two hits while striking out one.

After a shaky start to the 2009 season, the Bellingham Bells seem to have found a formula for winning. Bells skipper Brandon Newell told me during Bellingham’s last homestand that he’s changed some of the pre-game warmup routines his team goes through and that the players have been willing to do whatever it takes to win.

Not normally a fan of routinely using the sacrifice bunt or being risky with his baserunners, Newell said he’s even a smaller fan of losing — his team’s new tactics appear to be working.

Bellingham opened the season with a 1-3 record before crawling back to .500 with a three-game win streak that included back-to-back wins over league-leading Corvallis (16-4 through July 5). But after losing six of their next eight games, the Bells used an off day and an exhibition win over the Everett Merchants to right the ship.

The Bells are now 12-9 thanks to a six-game win streak and are tied with Bend for second place in the West Division. At the plate, the Bells are batting .300 during their last six games — over 60 points higher than their first 15 games. On the mound, Bellingham pitchers have a 2.17 ERA during the win streak compared to the 3.32 ERA the staff sported during the Bells’ 6-9 start.

Bellingham’s lastest victory, an 8-5 win in the series finale on the road against Kitsap, included Brady Locker’s first home run  of the season. Ray Hanson made his first WCL start of the year after working five scoreless innings in Bellingham’s 3-0 exhibition win against Everett on June 28. Prior to Sunday, Hanson’s only appearance in league play came on June 6 when he pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball at Joe Martin Field against Kitsap.

Newell’s squad plays its next 12 WCL games on the road mixed with three exhibition games, July 14-16, at home. The Bells have a 4-4 record away from Joe Martin Field this season and are batting .253 with a 4.63 ERA on the road against WCL competition.

For more statistical information on the Bellingham Bells, visit WCCBL.com.

Joe Martin Field was packed Friday night as the second-largest crowd in Bells history witnessed a 2-0 win for the home team and stuck around for post-game fireworks.

Nearly all of the 1,747 stayed long enough to see Kevin Whitehead hit his second home run of the season and Tyrell Poggemeyer finish what he started with a nine-inning shutout of the visiting Kitsap BlueJackets.

Following the game a 15-minute fireworks extravaganza was on display beyond the left field wall at Joe Martin Field. The event was presented with great enthusiasm by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and included a pregame fly over by one of the helicopters in the border patrol fleet.