Beavers gets series split with top PCL team

Published on June 29, 2006 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Jon Knott's RBI single keyed an eighth-inning rally as the Portland Beavers broke a late tie to defeat the Tucson Sidewinders 5-3 Thursday night at PGE Park before 11,572, the largest crowd of the season.

The net result was a series split with the Sidewinders (50-31), who own the top record in the Pacific Coast League.

With the game tied, Terrmel Sledge and Paul McAnulty both walked against reliever Mike Schultz to start the eighth-inning rally. Knott dropped a single into shallow right to score Sledge from second with the go-ahead run. Jack Cust then walked to load the bases, forcing Schultz (2-4), who took the loss, out of the game. McAnulty scored on a double-play groundout, giving the Beavers a two-run advantage.

David Matranga gave the Beavers (38-42) an earlier lead with a two-run homer, his eighth of the season.

Jim Brower (3-2) emerged as the winner in relief of starter Jack Cassel, who turned in seven innings of work in a quality start.

Cla Meredith pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his second save and lower his season ERA to 1.39.

The Beavers took their first lead in the sixth inning, getting a two-out walk from Cust and a subsequent two-run homer from Matranga to go up 3-2.

The lead was short-lived, however, as Robby Hammock hit his fourth home run of the series in the seventh to even up the game.

Chris Carter's two-out RBI single put the Sidewinders up 1-0 in the top of the first. Carter sparked another rally three innings later, reaching on a double and coming around to score on Brian Barden's single to center.

With Cust on first base in the bottom of the fourth, Bobby Hill plated the Beavers' first run with a two-out double to right.

Cassel went seven innings in the start for Portland, striking out five and allowing three runs on five hits in the no-decision.

The Beavers begin a four-game series at Colorado Springs on Friday.

NOTES: Third baseman Justin Leone, who had the night off on Thursday, was selected to play in the 2006 Triple-A All-Star Game on July 12 ... Cust has reached base safely in 34 straight home games ... Hammock, the hero of Wednesday's game, has homered in each of his last three games ... the Beavers return to PGE Park for a big Fourth of July game next Tuesday against Las Vegas. Tickets are still available for the game, which drew more than 15,000 fans last season.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 29, 2006


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