Beavers come back but fall to late power surge

Published on April 13, 2006 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


Colorado Springs gets first three home runs of the season in 12-6 win over Portland

For immediate release: April 12, 2006 PORTLAND, Ore. - Carlos Rivera hit a grand slam, and the Colorado Springs Sky Sox hit their first three home runs of the season to defeat the Portland Beavers 12-6 Wednesday evening at PGE Park.

Rivera, who tallied five RBIs on the night, put a tight game out of reach with his bases-loaded clout in the top of the ninth. Juan Melo stroked a solo shot in the sixth and J.D. Closser broke a tie game with a solo homer in the eighth for the Sky Sox, who took a 2-1 advantage in the series.

Jeff Baker, Ryan Spilborghs and Closser each had three hits for Colorado Springs (2-5), which tallied 15 hits in the contest.

After blowing an early five-run lead, Closser put the Sky Sox up 7-6 with a first-pitch solo homer off Ryan Meaux in the eighth. Still clinging to their one-run lead, Rivera cleared the bases with a towering shot to right off Meaux (1-2) in the ninth to cement the win.

It was the second grand slam allowed by the Beavers (4-3) this season.

After digging a 5-0 hole in the first inning, the Beavers chipped away with a run in the second, Justin Leone's three-run home run in the third and a two-run shot by Jason Hill in the sixth to tie the game at 6-6.

Leone's home run was his fifth in the last six games and his second in the last two games combined with his game-winning blast Tuesday afternoon. He leads the league in homers and extended his season-opening hitting streak to a perfect seven games by going 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored.

Beavers starter Mike Thompson walked the second batter of the game, and the next four batters logged hits. Baker drove in a pair with a double and Rivera followed an RBI single. With two outs, Jayson Nix singled off the glove of diving center fielder Freddy Guzman to score Rivera and Closser.

Thompson regained his composure to retire 13 of the final 16 batters he faced before leaving the game after five innings.

The Beavers loaded the bases with no outs in the second, but Eric Valent grounded into a 4-6-3 double play; Leone, who singled to start the frame, scored on the play.

The Sky Sox pushed their lead to 6-4 when Melo greeted reliever Jason Anderson in the sixth with a solo homer, the Sky Sox' first home run of the season.

Hill's home run with Paul McAnulty aboard knotted things in the bottom of the sixth.

Zach McClellan (2-0) pitched two scoreless innings of relief to get his second win of the series.

The Beavers conclude their season-opening homestand Thursday night at 7:05 p.m.

NOTES: Beavers players Walter Young, Brian Sikorski and Eric Junge will read with students at Peninsula Elementary School Thursday from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. ... the Beavers gave up five runs each in the first and ninth innings ... Thompson threw 37 pitches in the first inning ... the Beavers have homered in each of their first seven games ... Beavers relievers have allowed 10 of the team's 12 home runs given up this season ... coming into the game, the Sky Sox were the only team in the PCL without a home run.

Beavers Game File

WEDNESDAY'S GAME: Colorado Springs 12, Beavers 6.

WINNING PITCHER: McClellan (2-0).

LOSING PITCHER: Meaux (1-2).

SAVE: None.

HOME RUNS: Leone (5), Hill (1), Melo (1), Closser (1), Rivera (1).

THURSDAY'S GAME: Colorado Springs (Justin Hampson: 0-0, 0.00) at Portland (Mario Ramos: 0-0, 4.50), 7:05 p.m.; live broadcast on KKAD AM-1550 and www.portlandbeavers.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 13, 2006


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