Schaumburg Boomers can’t catch Evansville Otters

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The West Division-leading Schaumburg Boomers rallied late but left the tying run in scoring position in both the eighth and ninth innings and dropped a 2-1 decision to Evansville in the series opener at Bosse Field on Tuesday night.

The Otters, who own an ERA under 2.00 at home, grabbed a 1-0 lead with two outs in the second when Matt Sheely received a bases-loaded walk, scoring the only earned run allowed by hard-luck loser Robby Donovan (5-2). Donovan worked 7 innings and gave up an unearned run in the fifth.

The Boomers (27-16) pulled within 2-1 in the eighth when Chad Mozingo extended his hitting streak to nine games with an RBI single. Otters closer Eric Massingham came on in relief and stranded the tying run at second and did the same in the ninth after a one-out walk to Ty Nelson. Karexon Sanchez belted a deep drive down the line in right field with two outs that went foul.

Frank Pfister had 2 hits, and Nelson and Steve McQuail reached base twice. But the Boomers were unable to solve Bryce Morrow (3-4), who tossed 7 shutout innings.