Rockets end with split

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One inning was what the Rockets used to keep the streak going.

Then one inning put an end to it.

Justin Marrero hit a two-run homer for the only runs the Portland Rockets really needed in game one, but a six-run fourth in the second game was too much to overcome as the Rockets split a doubleheader with the Michigan City Lakers on Sunday at Portland Memorial Park’s Runkle-Miller Field.

“We had plays that could have gotten us out of that inning,” said Rockets manager Randy Miller, whose team won 4-0 in the first game before an 8-2 loss in game two ended its 17-game winning streak. “But pitchers didn’t make pitches, coaches didn’t make changes. It just didn’t seem to work.”

Danny Brit and Brandon Clautier each had RBI singles for Michigan City (26-7) in the top of the fourth inning of game two. Then a fielding error brought around two more runs as the Lakers, who swept the Rockets (25-8) on June 18, nabbed a 4-1 lead while chasing Portland starter Zach Short from the game.

Short allowed six runs — four earned — on four hits to take the loss while surrendering four walks and striking out two.

Larry Dye hit an RBI double to straightaway center field off reliever Jimmy West, and Jeff Boehm drove in another run on a groundout.

After Portland left the bases juiced in the fifth inning, Brandon Reamon blooped an RBI single to shallow right center field in the sixth as the Rockets trimmed the deficit to 6-2, but another RBI from Brit and a throwing error cost Portland as Michigan City tacked on a pair of insurance runs.

“We had runners in scoring position numerous times,” said Miller, whose team left nine on base. “We look like a team that’s played five games in four days in a heat wave.

“Tip my cap to these guys for gutting it up, being mentally tough, playing hard … being a 17-game win streak that has now ended, probably not the worst case scenario right now.”

In fact, Miller agreed it was better for the streak to end now, rather than the upcoming mini-regional tournament Friday through Sunday in Cincinnati. If the Rockets win the six-game tournament, they advance to the National Amateur Baseball Federation World Series in Battle Creek from Aug. 11 through 13.If Portland should not win the tournament in Cincinnati, it’ll have another shot at making the World Series with a regional Aug. 4 through 6 at Carrington Field in Fort Wayne.

“We’ll regroup on a new season, a new opportunity,” Miller said.

Veterans Dan Bollenbacher, Zach Tanner and Marrero were the driving force behind the Rockets taking game one. Bollenbacher dazzled on the mound, tossing a complete-game shutout while allowing five hits and a pair of walks with seven strikeouts.

The only real chances the Lakers had off him were in the third and sixth innings. During the former, he allowed consecutive two-out singles but left the runners stranded. In the sixth, the right-handed flamethrower allowed a leadoff single and a two-out walk but nothing else.

“Country hard, country strong all day long,” Miller said. “He is a bulldog. Shows no fear. Total command. He is a gamer.”

Marrero put Portland out front 2-0 with a no doubt, two-run rocket of a homer to right to follow a Mitch Waters single.

“He has got the sweetest swing I’ve seen around this game for some time,” Miller said, salivating at having the switch-hitting weekend warrior primed for a postseason run. “He is not tuned in yet fully but he hits the ball hard.”

An inning later, Zach Tanner one-hopped the fence in center field with bases loaded to drive in a pair.

Waters and Reamon both had three hits, including a pair of singles apiece in the second game. Dustin Lewis, Dalton Tinsley and Tanner each had two hits on the day.

“This loss, we’ve already flushed it,” said Miller, whose team begins mini-regional pool play at 5 p.m. Friday against the Cincinnati Mudcats. “We’re more right now about staying healthy, focused and sharp.”