Rockets’ run ends

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — It had been nearly six weeks since the Rockets lost consecutive games.

Back-to-back losses ended their season.

The Portland Rockets had their year come to a close Saturday with a 6-1 loss to the St. John’s (Pittsburgh) Lefty’s in the National Amateur Baseball Federation World Series tournament quarterfinal at C. O. Brown Stadium.

Portland’s defense was a big part in the Rockets (35-12) making it to the world series for just the second time in team history — the other was in 2012 — but in the single-elimination tournament Saturday it was the backbreaker.

An error allowed St. John’s, which defeated Portland in the title game of the Cincinnati regional July 30, to score two runs in the bottom of the second inning. One frame later, the Lefty’s benefitted from another error and tacked on three more runs for a 5-0 advantage.

Portland’s only run came in the top of the fifth inning, and the Rockets couldn’t put up a rally in the final four stanzas.

Dan Bollenbacher took the loss for Portland. Mitch Waters also pitched in relief.

After opening the world series with a pair of pool-play victories to secure a guaranteed spot in the tournament, Portland relaxed a little bit on Friday, losing to the host Battle Creek Merchants 11-4. Alex Delk started and suffered the defeat.

Zach Tanner and Brandon Reamon paced Portland offensively throughout the tournament. Tanner hit .467 (7-for-15) while Brandon Reamon finished 7-for-16 (.438). Cody Krumlauf, Mitch Waters and Dustin Lewis also collected five hits apiece.