Beavers take to the road for four-game series in Tucson

Published on August 15, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Brad Hennessey turned in his league-leading third complete game and Scott McClain belted his 24th home run as the Fresno Grizzlies rallied for three runs in the eighth inning for a 5-3 victory over the Portland Beavers before 5,983 Friday night at PGE Park.

After McClain's solo homer broke a 2-2 tie, Fresno (59-68) loaded the bases against reliever Joe Thatcher, and Hennessey helped his cause by dropping an RBI single into shallow left-center and the Grizzlies added further insurance when a passed ball allowed Eli Whiteside to score from third.

Ben Copeland led Fresno's 14-hit attack by going 4-for-5.

Hennessey (7-9) snapped a personal, four-game skid, striking out seven and holding Portland to three runs and five hits in his fourth start of at least eight innings this season.

His counterpart, Portland's Justin Germano, turned in six solid innings but still hasn't won since June 19 after allowing two runs and eight hits in his sixth no-decision in his last seven appearances.

Thatcher (4-1), who gave up just his second home run for the Beavers (65-61), suffered his first loss in two seasons with the club by giving up three runs (2 earned) and four hits in his inning of work.

Justin Huber got things going for Portland in the second, reaching on a one-out double, moving to third on J.D. Closser's single and scoring when Closser broke up a potential inning-ending double play on a ball hit by Matt Antonelli.

Fresno took a brief lead in the top of the sixth on a run-scoring flyout by Brian Horwitz and an RBI single from Ben Copeland, but Portland responded in the bottom of the inning as Brett Dowdy singled and later scored from third on Paul McAnulty's sac fly.

The Beavers, who have 18 games remaining in their season, open a four-game set at Tucson Saturday night at 6 p.m.

NOTES: McAnulty played in his 261st career game for the Beavers, tying Kory De Haan for second place among career leaders since the team returned to the PCL in 2001. Jon Knott tops the list with 390 games played ... Huber has five doubles over his last four games ... the Beavers, who were 9-7 against Fresno this year, have never lost a season series to the Grizzlies ... it was 100 degrees at game time.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 15, 2008


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