Kevin Cederstrom
Bluffton Braves sluggers David Klinnert and Mark Sweere, along with starting pitcher Cody Geiser, upstaged the post-game fireworks Monday night at Russ Jacobson Field.
Geiser struck out 13 in nine innings to beat New York Mills in the annual 4th of July game in Mills. And with the score tied 2-2 in the eighth inning Klinnert and Sweere blasted back-to-back home runs over the right field fence off Millers starter Tony Meech. Klinnert first scorched a fastball to break the tie and before the Braves fans settled back into their seats Sweere hit a towering fly ball into the night sky for a 4-2 Bluffton lead.
Bluffton added two more runs in the ninth inning before Geiser shut the Millers down one final time for the 6-2 Braves win.
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Geiser, who seemed to get stronger as the game went on, gave up two runs on only six hits and struck out 13 for the complete game win.
Bluffton got on the board first in the second inning when Matt Sweere hit a 2-out triple over the head of Millers left fielder Chad Keskitalo's head. Geiser followed Sweere's triple with a 3-bagger of his own to right center, past a diving Jeramie Weller, to plate Sweere. Geiser then scored on a wild pitch to lead 2-0.
The Millers answered with one run in the bottom of the second when Brent Weller hit a 1-out single, stole second and later scored on a Nick Ostlie base hit.
NY Mills tied the score in the seventh inning. Josh Hendrickx hit a single, Matt Schornack reached on a walk and the Millers loaded the bases when Jeramie Weller was hit by a pitch. Hendrickx scored on a Brent Weller ground ball to tie the game at 2-2.
The Braves took control of the game in the eighth on back-to-back homers off Meech, who had pitched well for seven innings, to win the July 4th tradition between the Hi-10 rivals.
Klinnert finished 3-4 with a double and homer, and Cody Geiser was 2-5 with a triple. For the Millers, Brent Weller and Nick Ostlie were both 2-4.
The Millers fell to 5-7 and remain in second place behind league-leading and undefeated Perham. Bluffton improved to 5-9.
Next up for the Millers is this Sunday at home against Perham. Game time is 7 p.m. Bluffton plays at Perham this Friday at 7:30 p.m.
