Brown Leads Late Charge, Beavers Win In 10

Published on April 11, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


FRESNO, Calif. - Kyle Blanks recorded three hits and Emil Brown delivered a double to plate the game-winning run as the Portland Beavers rallied to a 5-4 win over the Fresno Grizzlies in 10 innings Friday night at Chukchansi Park.

Led by the efforts of Blanks and Will Venable, the Beavers assembled a four-run frame in the fourth inning to climb out of a three-run deficit and take a 4-3 lead, and then put the team in position to capture the victory in extra innings behind Brown's extra-base hit.

Blanks' three hits on the night included a double and a single as part of key innings for the Beavers and Venable added a pair of hits and scored two runs to lead the Beavers (2-0) to their second straight win to start the 2009 campaign.

Portland's Greg Burke (1-0) yielded the tying run in the ninth, but pitched a steady 1-2-3 10th inning to pick up the victory in his Triple-A debut. Burke's effort was part of a solid outing by the Beavers' bullpen, led by Arturo Lopez, Scott Patterson and Jon Ellis, which threw six solid innings and combined for six strikeouts.

Mike McBryde, who was 3-for-5, scored the game-tying run, and Jesus Guzman collected a pair of RBIs to lead the Grizzlies (0-2). Geno Espineli (0-1) conceded the game-winning run and surrendered three hits in the 10th to take the loss.

Trailing by three runs, Portland sent eight batters to the plate and used three extra-base hits, including a double from Kevin Howard, to spark their go-ahead rally in the fourth. Following Venable's triple to begin the frame, Blanks doubled to left field to score Venable and put the Beavers on the board. A pair of wild pitches by Fresno starter Kevin Pucetas on a walk to Brown scored Blanks and cut the Grizzlies' lead 3-2. After a double by Howard, Sean Kazmar and Beavers starter Cesar Ramos each picked up RBIs to help Portland gain a one-run lead.

Leading off the ninth inning with a single, McBryde helped Fresno level the score at 4-4 late in the game when he came around to score the tying run on a single by Kevin Frandsen.

But the Beavers answered back in the 10th inning, starting when Venable reached base on an error by Fresno's Matt Downs. A single by Blanks put Venable in position to score on Brown's lone hit of the night - a double into centerfield.

Fresno jumped out to an early lead, scoring a run in each of the first three innings of the game. The Grizzlies took advantage of a Portland error to start the second and third innings to tack on two unearned runs and gain a 3-0 lead.

The Beavers and Grizzlies continue their four-game series Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at Chukchansi Park.

NOTES: Earlier in the day, San Diego optioned outfielder Drew Macias to Triple-A Portland ... Portland's Peter Ciofrone had his 40-game road on-base streak come to an end Friday ... McBride picked up the first hit and scored the first run allowed by Beavers relief pitchers in eight innings of work spread over the first two games of the season.

Beavers Game File

FRIDAY'S GAME: Beavers 5, Fresno 4 (10 innings)

WINNING PITCHER: Burke (1-0)

LOSING PITCHER: Espineli (0-1)

SAVE: None

HOME RUNS: None

SATURDAY'S GAME: Portland (Matt Buschmann: NR) at Fresno (Steve Hammond: NR), 7:05 p.m.; audio broadcast on KPAM 860 and www.portlandbeavers.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 11, 2009


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