Melbourne Aces first-baseman Jared Schlehuber in action against Adelaide. Source: News Limited
MELBOURNE was clinical in its series sweep of Adelaide with a 4-1 win.
Unflappable Lewis Thorpe laid the foundations, pitching seven brilliant innings at Melbourne Ballpark.
The 18-year-old sensation - with a 150kmh fastball - allowed just one hit while striking out eight Bite hitters.
"I was in a groove and when you're in a groove you just don't think, you just throw the ball," he said.
"It's a good sweep ... having a good defence behind you helps a lot, just eliminating the errors - 27 outs, that's all you got to play for."
But it was Jared Schlehuber who crushed the Bite's spirits early on Sunday with his third home run of the season - a three-run shot in the bottom of the third.
The first-baseman cleaned up the good work of Brad Harman, double to left field, and Tyler Massey, single to centre, to set up the Aces fourth straight win over the Bite.
Harman was at it again in the fifth driving one down the left field line for his second double.
Closer Eric Marzec, on loan from the Milwaukee Brewers organisation, shut the gate on Adelaide with two blistering innings.
The right hander struck out three of the six batters he faced while giving up just one run.
Aces manager Phil Dale said the four-game sweep was reward for effort after several close losses.
"We've been playing good baseball all season, just been missing out on a run here and there," he said.
"I think adding (Andrew) Russell and Marzec to our bullpen just tightens it all up.
"Now we're within reach of any team it's going to be an important series up at Brisbane."
Dale said Thorpe's return after a rough start last week against Canberra Cavalry was most pleasing.
"He worked really well today," he said. "He was back in his frame of mind, it was a learning experience for him last week, he's only going to get better from that and he did today."
Melbourne (9-9) travels north to take on Brisbane (6-12) next week.
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