Baxter, Contreras Ignite Beavers Offense in 6-3 Win

Published on July 7, 2010 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Mike Baxter hit a two-run home run to tie the game in the sixth inning and Anthony Contreras hit a two-run, inside-the-park home run in the seventh to lead the Portland Beavers to a 6-3 win in the series finale against the Las Vegas 51s Wednesday afternoon at PGE Park.

Lance Zawadzki and Cedric Hunter finished with two hits each and set the table for Baxter's and Contreras' two-run homers.

Josh Geer (6-7) pitched seven innings, giving up three runs on five hits in recording his fifth win in his last six starts for the Beavers (33-53).

Beavers All-star Ernesto Frieri shut down the 51s in the ninth inning to earn his league-leading 17th save of the season.

Brian Dopirak hit his 10th home run of the season as the 51s (40-47) managed to score in only one inning.

Las Vegas starter Robert Ray gave up two runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings before Zach Jackson (2-3) gave up four runs in 2/3 of an inning to take the loss.

Zawadzki scored on a wild pitch moments after stealing his fifth base of the season to give the Beavers a 1-0 lead in the third inning.

The 51s tallied three runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by Dopirak's home run.

Baxter hit the first pitch of the game by Zach Jackson into the visitor's bullpen behind the right-field fence for a two-run home run to tie the game at 3-3 in the seventh inning.

Contreras highlighted a three-run seventh inning with the second inside-the-park home run of the season for the Beavers. With Zawadzki on second base, Contreras made it all the way around the bases after hitting a ball over center fielder Danny Perales' head.

The Beavers and Sacramento River Cats will meet Thursday at 7:05 p.m. (Pacific) for the opener of a four-game series at Raley Field.

NOTES: Beavers reliever Adam Russell pitched in his 200th minor league game ... the Beavers are 12-0 at home this season when leading after seven innings ... Contreras' inside-the-park home run was only the sixth in franchise history ... Nashville reliever Chris Smith also has 17 saves on the season.

Beavers Game File WEDNESDAY'S GAME: Beavers 6, Las Vegas 3 WINNING PITCHER: Geer (6-7) LOSING PITCHER: Jackson (2-3) SAVE: Frieri (17) HOME RUNS: Baxter (9), Contreras (3), Dopirak (10) THURSDAY'S GAME: Portland (Steve Garrison: 1-2, 7.47) at Sacramento (Clayton Mortensen: 10-2, 3.52), 7:05 p.m. (Pacific), live audio broadcast on Freedom 970 AM and www.portlandbeavers.com. Follow the Beavers on Twitter (www.twitter.com/PortlandBeavers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/OfficialPortlandBeavers).

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 7, 2010


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