Beavers earn series split with Thursday victory

Published on July 7, 2005 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Jon Knott came a double shy of hitting for the cycle and scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth as the Portland Beavers defeated the Tacoma Rainiers 4-1 before 6,421 Thursday night at PGE Park.

Knott, who was 3-for-3, clubbed his team-leading 19th home run in the fourth to give the Beavers their first lead and later added his second triple in two nights. Knott walked to lead off the eighth and scored to break a 1-1 tie when Josh Barfield dropped a ground-rule double into shallow right. Greg Sain added a two-run single as the Beavers (43-44) earned a series split with the Rainiers.

Portland starter Clay Hensley turned in yet another solid outing but fell into his 11th no-decision of the year by allowing a solo home run to Aaron Rifkin in the top of the eighth, a shot to right-center that tied things at 1-1.

Hensley, making his final start before appearing in the July 13 Triple-A All-Star Game at Sacramento, struck out six and gave up just the solo home run and four hits over 7.0 innings of work for his ninth quality start of the year.

Jason Kershner (5-1) picked up his fifth win and Brad Baker continued his run at the Pacific Coast League record for saves by logging his 25th.

Jared Thomas (2-2) gave up three runs in the eighth for the loss. Rifkin was 3-for-3 to lead the Rainiers (49-37).

After Knott homered in the fourth, the next batter, Adam Hyzdu, lined a single off the left heel of starter Chris Buglovsky, who later in the inning was taken out with a slight limp. Former Beaver Mike Bumstead came on in relief of Buglovsky, loading the bases before facing one-time Rainier Wilson Valdez, who flew out to right to end the inning. Bumstead and Valdez swapped teams when they were traded for one another on June 8 this year.

The Beavers begin a three-game set with Las Vegas at PGE Park Friday night at 7:05 p.m.

Beavers Game File THURSDAY'S GAME: Beavers 4, Tacoma 1. WINNING PITCHER: Kershner (5-1). LOSING PITCHER: Thomas (2-2). SAVE: Baker (25). HOME RUNS: Rifkin (12), Knott (19). FRIDAY'S GAME: Las Vegas (Derek Thompson: 1-1, 4.50) at Portland (Chris Oxspring: 6-4, 5.01), 7:05 p.m; live broadcast on KKAD AM-1550 and www.portlandbeavers.com, beginning at 6:40 p.m.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 7, 2005


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