Bynum-Led Beavers Beat Sounds, Move to Within a Game of Edmonton

Published on August 13, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Mike Bynum struck out a season-high 10 batters in his third sharp outing in a row and three relievers finished off the game as the Portland Beavers defeated the Nashville Sounds, 2-1, Tuesday night in front of 5,339 at PGE Park.

Bynum, who was lifted with two out in the top of the sixth, got off to a rough start at first, allowing singles to the game's first two batters. >From there, though, the left-hander fanned four of the next five batters and retired 15 of 17 until he allowed a solo home run to Dave Doster to start the sixth.

"It felt pretty good," Bynum said of his performance. "I had good command of the inside fastball, so I was able to set them up with that and use my back-door slider for a lot of the strikeouts."

Bynum (6-9) allowed one run on four hits in his 5.2 innings.

Steve Watkins worked out of trouble in the seventh, Cliff Bartosh worked the scoreless eighth and Brandon Villafuerte came on in the 1-2-3 ninth to get his ninth save.

Justin Reid, used primarily as a reliever with Nashville, matched Bynum for the most part, giving up two runs on six hits to take the loss. Reid (3-6) walked four and struck out a pair in his eighth start for the Sounds (70-53).

By winning, the Beavers (60-64) moved to within a game of division-leading Edmonton in the North. The Trappers, who have dropped their last seven games, lost at Tacoma Tuesday night, while second-place Salt Lake moved to a half-game behind Edmonton with a 5-4 victory at Iowa.

The Beavers got the scoring underway in their half of the first. Bernie Castro, who has reached base safely in 14 of his last 15 games, singled to lead off the frame and stole his 49th base. Castro later scored on Tagg Bozied's RBI single to center. Portland made it 2-0 when Xavier Nady's sac fly to right plated Khalil Greene, who drew a walk earlier in the first.

Castro and Bozied each had two hits. Ben Risinger singled, walked twice, was hit by a pitch and stole a base for the Beavers, who won for just the third time in their last 14 home games. Risinger, who has played every position in the field this season except for center field and second base, also made several nice defensive plays at third base, including a throw to the plate to preserve the one-run lead in the seventh.

Doster cut the lead in half by leading off the sixth with a solo home run-his second of the series and eighth of the season.

Nashville threatened in the seventh, putting runners on second and third with no outs. Watkins coaxed a pop out from pinch-hitter Blake Barthol. Tomas de la Rosa was thrown out at home trying to score an Tony Alvarez' grounder to third for the second out and Doster grounded out to third to end the threat.

Portland left 11 men on in the game and has stranded 24 runners over the first two games of the series with the Sounds.

NOTES: The Beavers activated outfielder Kory De Haan from the Disabled List prior to the game ... De Haan, who missed 68 games, last played May 29 before suffering a thumb injury ... Bernie Castro has stolen seven bases over his last six games ... Tagg Bozied, who drove in the game's first run, has just five RBIs in his last 30 games ... Jason Bay singled in the third inning and has reached base safely in 23 straight games ... Bay also extended his hitting streak to seven games.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 13, 2003


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