Pacifics Ride Long Ball to 6-3 Victory over Hawaii
August 17, 2013 - North American League (NAmL)
San Rafael Pacifics News Release
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. - The San Rafael Pacifics Home Run Derby isn't until Saturday but that didn't stop participants Kyle Dhanani, Maikel Jova, and Johnny Woodard from each going deep on Friday night. The trio's solo shots helped the Pacifics to a 6-3 victory in game one of a three-game set over the Hawaii Stars at Albert Park.
Pacifics (51-16) right fielder Maikel Jova broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the sixth with a solo shot, then Johnny Woodard made it back-to-back homers to give San Rafael a 5-3 lead. Woodard's 11th long ball of the season leads the Pacific Association, three ahead of teammate Dhanani.
"It was 3-2 and he threw me a fastball. I swung and it went out, I wasn't trying to hit one out," said Jova, who also expressed his excitement at participating in the upcoming Home Run Derby. "It's going to be fun, I want to win tomorrow but we'll see. I know they're all home run guys."
Stars (25-37) designated hitter Mitch Levier singlehandedly kept Hawaii in the game up to that point. His solo shot in the fourth kept the Stars within a run and his double to right in the sixth tied the game at 3-3.
Dhanani's home run in the bottom of the second erased a 1-0 deficit and San Rafael took the lead, 3-1, in the third on Price Kendall's double and a Maikel Jova groundout.
Kendall (2-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs, SB), the Pacific Association's leader in batting average (.336), RBIs (62), and runs scored (67) drove in Pace in the seventh with his second hit of the night.
"I'm just trying to have some fun. This is a group of guys right here, everything I've done I couldn't have done without them," said Kendall. "I've got great batters behind me. Everybody at the bottom of the order is getting on ahead of me."
San Rafael starter Logan Odom (9-1) retired the first two batters he faced in the game, then allowed a pair of hits and a walk that resulted in a 1-0 lead for Hawaii . Odom, who appeared shaky out of the gate settled in to throw seven innings. He struck out seven to maintain his lead in the Pacific Association with 89.
Dan Rogers pitched a clean eighth inning and struck out a pair. Colin Allen closed it out by striking out the side and notched his Pacific Association-best 14th save.
Dhanani, Woodard, and Jova (four home runs), along with teammate Chase Fontaine (six home runs), will participate in the Pacifics' Home Run Derby on Saturday, August 16. First pitch versus the Stars is slated for 5:00 p.m. and the Home Run Derby will take place shortly after the conclusion of the game.
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North American League Stories from August 17, 2013
- Pacifics Turn Triple Play But Comeback Falls Short - San Rafael Pacifics
- Pacifics Ride Long Ball to 6-3 Victory over Hawaii - San Rafael Pacifics
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