Salem-Keizer Opens Second Half with Victory
July 27, 2016 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes News Release
EUGENE, Oregon - Left-handed pitcher Mac Marshall put up five scoreless innings to go along with his five strikeouts and one hit on the day, propelling the Volcanoes to a 5-1 victory over the league-leading Eugene Emeralds in game one of a three game series.
The evening started out with both teams threatening to score in the first inning, but neither team could break through and bring anyone home. Despite three hits from the Volcanoes in the top of the first inning by third baseman Manuel Geraldo, right fielder Heath Quinn and first baseman Ryan Kirby, the Volcanoes were unable to score, leaving the bases loaded.
As the game progressed, it became apparent that this was going to be a classic pitchers' duel. Despite giving up three hits in the first inning, Emeralds right-handed pitcher Erling Moreno locked in and went five scoreless innings.
Moreno's counterpart Marshall easily had his best outing this season. Despite loading the bases in the first inning on no hits, Marshall was able get out of the inning unscathed. Marshall showed a strong competitiveness in this performance, which helped solidify the victory for the Volcanoes.
At the top of the sixth inning, the Emeralds put in right-handed pitcher Dakota Mekkes.
The Volcanoes were able to heat up following the pitching change, with all-star right fielder Gio Brusa leading off the sixth inning with a line drive single into left field. Kirby followed up with a walk, then a ground out by shortstop Ryan Howard moved over the runners.
A wild pitch from Mekkes allowed Brusa to race home, scoring the Volcanoes' first run of the night. Second baseman Kevin Rivera then hit a fly ball to left field, deep enough to allow Kirby to trot home, scoring the Volcanoes' second run of the contest.
This left the Volcanoes with a 2-0 lead entering the bottom of the sixth inning. Manager Kyle Haines then decided to hand the ball to right-hander Hengerber Medina.
Medina had a strong first inning of relief, putting the Emeralds down in order. The seventh inning, however, was not so kind to Medina.
The Emeralds' first baseman, Jose Paniagua, hit a well-placed bloop just out of reach of Geraldo. A wild pitch from Medina then allowed the runner to advance to third, making it an easy score off of a single through the infield by second baseman Trent Giambrone. This score left the game 2-1 in favor of the Volcanoes with just two innings to go in the contest.
Brusa stayed hot with a fly ball double that had left fielder Christopher Pieters spinning in circles trying to make the catch. With two outs, Rivera hit a chopper to third, where Wladamir Galinado made a low throw to first that got past Paniagua. This errant throw allowed Brusa to rumble around third and score on the play, furthering the Volcanoes lead to 3-1.
Haines then called on his right-handed reliever, Patrick Ruotolo, to help shut down the game, but the Emeralds would not go down without a fight. In the bottom of the eighth, center fielder Robert Garcia led off with a single up the middle, though Ruotolo was able to settle down and put the next three batters down in order.
Salem-Keizer tacked on another run for good measure with a Geraldo single followed up by a Reynolds double to the left-centerfield gap. Reynolds was then able to advance on a wild pitch by Mark Malave. A line drive to right field by Quinn allowed Reynolds to score, distancing the Volcanoes even further, leaving the score at 5-1.
Ruotolo came back for the ninth and, despite walking two batters early in the inning, was able to close out the game without giving up a run. The three-game series will continue tomorrow, July 27, at 7:05 p.m at PK Park. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
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