Beavers can't hold on to early lead in the desert

Published on June 9, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release

LAS VEGAS - John-Ford Griffin's three-run homer snapped a tie game and highlighted a seven-run seventh as the Las Vegas 51s erased a three-run deficit to defeat the Portland Beavers 8-4 Monday night at Cashman Field.

Jason Repko had three hits and Mike Koplove (1-1) pitched two perfect innings to get the win for the 51s (34-30), who fell behind 4-1 before sending 12 men to the plate in the decisive seventh that helped them win for the sixth time in their last seven games.

Backed by the three-run lead, Justin Germano (0-2) was sharp through six innings but suffered his second loss in as many starts with Portland (31-31) this season, giving up eight hits, five runs (4 earned) and a pair of walks over 6 1/3 innings. Mauro Zarate relieved Germano in the seventh, allowing two inherited runners to score and Griffin's home run that broke a 4-4 tie.

Brett Dowdy hit his first Triple-A homer, Peter Ciofrone was 3-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored, and Chase Headley doubled twice and drove in a run to lead the Beavers, who are 1-4 at Las Vegas this season.

After Dowdy homered to start the game, Brian Myrow, who had two hits and two walks, logged an RBI single in the third for a 2-0 Portland lead.

The 51s bounced back in the fourth, getting a run when Sergio Garcia reached on an error as Greg Jacobs scored from third. But Headley's RBI double drove home Ciofrone and Chip Ambres added an RBI single to put Portland up 4-1 in the fifth.

The series between the Beavers and 51s continues Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m.

NOTES: The Beavers left 10 men on base and committed two errors ... Will Venable was 2-for-4 and has hit safely in five straight.

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