Beavers Hold on for 11-6 Win

August 17, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


LAS VEGAS - Yamid Haad went 4-for-4 with three doubles and three RBIs to lead the Portland Beavers to an 11-6 win Saturday night over the Las Vegas 51s.

The Beavers had 15 hits, including two each by Khalil Greene, Rico Washington, and Ben Howard, as Portland remained two games behind Edmonton in the Pacific Coast League's North Division.

The Beavers (62-66) led by as many as10, but a six-run fifth-inning helped the 51s claw back into the game.

After allowing just one hit in the first four frames, Howard struggled in the fifth, giving up seven hits and all six runs. Despite Howard's troubles, Portland manager Rick Sweet let his starting pitcher finish the inning, allowing him to earn his sixth victory of the season.

Howard, who came into the game with a .143 batting average, had two doubles and drove in three runs.

Although Las Vegas (68-58) couldn't catch up to the Beavers Saturday night, the game brought back memories of the greatest comeback in Portland's three-year history. On May 16, 2002 - against these same Las Vegas 51s - the Beavers erased a six-run ninth-inning deficit and held on for a 12-11 victory.

Even more improbable, Portland scored all of its runs in that inning with two outs. And, although the Beavers did have ten hits in the frame, the team managed to score all of its runs without the benefit of a home run.

Back in 2002, Las Vegas' bullpen was unable to stop the Beavers offense during the ninth-inning rally. But on Saturday, Portland's relievers made sure Las Vegas wasn't able to copy the Beavers' comeback.

Entering the game an inning after the six-run rally, Kevin Walker quashed the 51s' momentum by pitching two scoreless frames. After Walker's stint, fellow left-hander Cliff Bartosh tossed back-to-back 1-2-3 innings.

Joel Hanrahan, making his second Triple-A start, lasted five innings but was roughed up by the Beavers. Hanrahan (0-1) allowed ten runs on ten hits.

NOTES: Alex Fernandez was ejected in the sixth inning after being called out on a close play at first base ... the Beavers are 9-20 in games decided by 5 or more runs ... Washington is 4-for-7 with 3 RBIs since joining the Beavers on Friday.



Pacific Coast League Stories from August 17, 2003


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