Beavers Score Four in Tenth to Beat Salt Lake

August 8, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


SALT LAKE CITY - Behind a four-run tenth-inning rally, highlighted by Bernie Castro's run-scoring single and Jason Bay's three-run home run, the Portland Beavers defeated the Salt Lake Stingers 7-4 on Thursday night.

The win snapped the Beavers' three-game losing streak and put Portland back in second place in the Pacific Coast League's North Division. The Beavers are now a half game ahead of the Stingers.

Portland appeared ready to win the game before extra innings. The Beavers (58-61) took a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth, but closer Brandon Villafuerte was unable to hold it. The right-handed reliever allowed two ninth-inning runs to push the game into extra frames.

Although he failed to convert his ninth save, Villafuerte earned the win for the Beavers when his teammates scored four times in the tenth.

Bart Miadich, the third pitcher of the night for the Stingers, took the loss. He allowed four runs on two hits.

After each team scored just once through eight innings, Portland broke through in the top of the ninth, scoring two runs to take a 3-1 lead. With two outs in the frame, Xavier Nady hit an opposite-field two-run home run, his second of the season.

The Stingers (57-61) came back, scoring two runs in the bottom of the ninth. After Nady's error on Chone Figgins' single allowed the first run to score, Trent Durrington drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game.

Following Durington's one-out walk, Salt Lake had a chance to win the game. But with the bases still loaded, neither Wil Nieves nor Julio Ramirez could drive in the winning run.

After Portland's tenth-inning rally, the Stingers scored once in the bottom of the frame to make it 7-4.

Castro led the Beavers with three hits and stole his 43rd base of the season. Alex Fernandez and Rich Gomez each went 2-for-4.

Beavers starting pitcher Mike Bynum, who has lost eight of his last nine decisions, allowed just one run in six innings. The left-hander gave up five hits, walked two and struck out four.

NOTES: The Beavers haven't scored first in a game since July 30, a string of seven contests ... when Portland's opponents score first, the Beavers are 17-46 ... Yamid Haad went 0-for-3, ending his seven-game hitting streak ... the Beavers evened their extra-innings record at 4-4.



Pacific Coast League Stories from August 8, 2003


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