Braves 14, Challengers 4

The Challengers NLB team was beaten by the Chur Braves 14-4 in seven innings on Saturday. The Braves scored nine times in the sixth to blow open a close game.

Benny Räber>

Starter Benny Räber allowed 14 runs in 6 innings, although only 4 were earned.

The Challengers scored twice on an error by starter Dropic and an RBI-single by Christian Bülte.

But the Braves came right back in their half of the first by scoring two runs on two errors.

The Challengers responded by scoring again two runs, this time on Benny Räber's first double of the season, followed by Alexis Misailidis' RBI-single.

Then the Braves were able to score one run apiece in each of the next three innings while shuting down the Challengers' offense for a 5-4 lead. They profited from one more error by shortstop Patrick Zöllig and constantly stole second and third base off catcher Stefan Eisenring.

The Challengers couldn't find an answer to Dropic's hot pitching and had just eight baserunners in the last five innings.

Then came the sixth inning: Second baseman Mikulandra led off with a homer, but Räber was able to strike out two and also walk to batters. But the Braves suddenly started to hit the ball and had six of their total of nine hits in this sixth inning.

But the defense was not completely flawless, though, as pitcher Räber threw the ball wide to third baseman Bülte with two outs that scored another run. Eisenring had four passed balls and allowed five steals in this inning alone.