Hawks back on track

Stuck in their longest losing streak this season, the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks had the ideal pitcher on the mound Wednesday -- Jodie Kennedy.

The RedHawks' most reliable starter delivered again, pitching eight solid innings. The left-hander's performance lifted F-M to a 9-2 Northern League victory against the Sioux Falls Canaries at Newman Outdoor Field.

The RedHawks (25-12) had lost four consecutive games.

"He's been very solid," RedHawks manager Doug Simunic said of Kennedy. "He's a real battler and competitor. He's a guy who can't stand giving up a run or a hit."

Kennedy scattered seven hits, threw 120 pitches and allowed two earned runs, improving his record to 5-2 and lowering his ERA to 2.64.

"We rely on Kennedy," RedHawks right fielder Steve Foley said. "He works real fast and he gets us in and out real quick. That helps us stay in a groove. We expect a lot out of him and he expects a lot out of himself."

Coupled with Lincoln's 4-3 loss at St. Paul, the RedHawks lowered their magic number for clinching the West Division first-half title to 2.

F-M can clinch the division title and a spot in the Northern League playoffs today with a victory over the Canaries and a Lincoln loss.

"It was important for us to get a win after losing our edge for the last four games," Simunic said. "This is a good team."

Kennedy started slow against the Canaries, allowing five hits and two runs in his first two innings.

But the rookie hurler adjusted to not having his best fastball. Kennedy said he went more to his change-up and slider. He retired 15 of the last 17 batters he faced before he was lifted.

"He's not a guy that's going to dominate you with strikeouts," RedHawks pitching coach Jeff Bittiger said. "He dominates by keeping the ball on the ground and frustrating you."

While Kennedy quieted the Canaries' bats, the RedHawks used balance to crack Sioux Falls pitching.

Every F-M starter had one hit and six different RedHawks drove in runs.

Foley led the way with three RBI. He drove in runs with a single, a sacrifice fly and also on a fielder's choice.

"That's the way we were in the early part of the season," Foley said. "It wasn't just one guy carrying the load, everyone was chipping in. That's what we have to do to be successful."

NOTES: The Northern League fined RedHawks first baseman Toby Rumfield and Simunic for their ejections in Tuesday's game. Rumfield also was suspended for one game, but played Wednesday as the RedHawks have appealed the suspension. ... RedHawks right-handed pitcher Todd George (3-3, 4.32 ERA) is scheduled to make the start today against the Canaries. Sioux Falls is expected to counter with right-hander Chad Johnson (3-3, 4.05 ERA). George, who was recently acquired in a trade from Gary, will be making his first start with the RedHawks. ... Ivanon Coffie, who started this season with the RedHawks, has been lighting up the Double-A Eastern League. Coffie was batting .314 with five home runs, 20 RBI and a .437 on-base percentage in 31 games, playing for the Bowie (Md.) Bay Sox, a Baltimore Orioles affiliate.

SIOUX FALLS REDHAWKS

ab r h bi ab r h bi

Pendrgrss, cf 4 1 1 0 Mathis cf 5 0 1 1

Mirizzi ss 3 0 1 0 Salazar 3b 5 0 1 1

Wilson dh 4 0 1 1 Ward 2b 3 1 1 0

Pennyfthr rf 4 0 0 0 Weber lf 4 2 1 1

Rivero lf 4 0 1 0 Rumfield 1b 5 1 1 2

Pagan 3b 3 0 0 0 Sprout ss 1 2 1 0

Schelhaas 1b 3 1 1 0 Gerald dh 3 2 1 0

Rodrigues c 4 0 1 0 Foley rf 3 0 1 3

Lee 2b 3 0 1 1 Goldbach c 4 1 1 1

Bush 2b 1 0 0 0

Sioux Falls 110 000 000--2 7 2

RedHawks 020 310 30x--9 9 1

E--Bush (7); Burgess; Salazar (6). LOB--Sioux Falls 7; RedHawks 8. 2B--Wilson (4); Rumfield (10). HR--Weber (6). HBP--Sprout. SH--Mirizzi. SF--Foley. SB--Gerald (4).

IP H R ER BB SO

Team

Burgess L,0-2 6 8 6 5 2 1

Martinez 2 1 3 2 4 0

RedHawks

Kennedy W,5-2 8 7 2 2 2 1

Dormanen 1 0 0 0 0 0

PB--Rodrigues. HB--Burgess.

Umpires--Home: Ben Franson, First: John Sahlberg, Third: Richard Katz. Time--2:32. A--2,939.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Eric Peterson at (701) 241-5513