Ciofrone Powers Beavers To 6-5 Win Over Sky Sox

Published on July 18, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Peter Ciofrone extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a 4-for-5 outing, including a home run, and drove in the game-winning run as the Portland Beavers topped the Colorado Springs Sky Sox 6-5 in front of 7,578 at PGE Park on Friday.

Paul McAnulty recorded a hit and two walks, Justin Huber drove in a pair of runs and Ciofrone was just a triple away from hitting for the cycle to lead the Beavers (51-46) to their fourth consecutive win, and fifth victory in the their last six games.

Dirk Hayhurst (2-3) logged two shutout innings in relief, struck out two and did not allow a hit to pick up his second victory of the season. Edwin Moreno closed the door in the ninth teaming up with Shawn Wooten on a double play that struck out Christian Colonel and threw out Eduardo Cornejo attempting to steal second base.

Jon Herrera collected two hits while Edwin Bellorin logged two hits of his own and drove in four runs on the night as the Sky Sox (47-52) dropped the first in a four-game series against Portland.

The Sky Sox jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but the Beavers stayed the course and rattled off five runs their first two at bats to take a 5-3 lead. After conceding the lead in the fifth inning, Portland took advantage of an error by Colorado Springs to put Matt Antonelli in position to score on Ciofrone's game-winning RBI single off Matt Daley (1-4) in the eighth.

Both starting pitchers were tagged early giving up a combined seven runs in the first inning. The Beavers scored five of their six runs in the first two innings off of starter Jason Hirsh, who ended the night giving up five runs on seven hits in four innings of work for the Sky Sox.

The Sky Sox jumped on Portland starter Justin Germano by manufacturing three runs in the first inning. A double by Ian Stewart opened the door scoring Jon Herrera, who reached base on a bunt single. After a walk by Sean Barker, Edwin Bellorin drove in both Stewart and Barker with a double into center field to give Colorado Springs a 3-0 lead.

Portland answered back in their half of the frame by sending nine men to the plate to overtake the Sky Sox 4-3 in the first. A single by Ciofrone and walks given up to Venable, McAnulty and Sinisi set the table for Justin Huber's two-run single and Matt Antonelli's RBI double to help the Beavers capture the lead.

In the second inning, Ciofrone launched his ninth home run of the season to extend the Beavers' lead 5-3.

Another two-run base hit by Bellorin helped the Sky Sox pull even at 5-5 in the fifth inning. Herrera led off the inning with a single for his second hit of the game. Stewart followed with a walk while Barker was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Bellorin who capitalized on another opportunity with runners in scoring position.

Ciofrone broke the stalemate in the eighth inning driving in Antonelli from third with a bloop single to left field. Antonelli reached base on a walk and then advanced to third on a throwing error by Stewart and a fielder's choice by Craig Stansberry.

The two sides square off again on Saturday at PGE Park at 7:05 p.m.

Notes: Prior to the game, San Diego recalled right-handed pitcher Clay Hensley, who is 1-1 with a 3.94 ERA in 16 appearances (10 starts) with the Beavers this season ... Herrera left the game after suffering an injury while stealing a base in the fifth inning ... Catcher Josh Bard made his first major league rehab appearance with the Beavers on Friday.

Beavers Game File

FRIDAY'S GAME: Beavers 6, Colorado Springs 5

WINNING PITCHER: Hayhurst (2-3)

LOSING PITCHER: Daley (1-4)

SAVE: Moreno (11)

HOME RUNS: Ciofrone (9)

SATURDAY'S GAME: Portland (TBA) vs. Colorado Springs (Sean Smith: 3-2, 5.28), 7 p.m.; televised live on FSN; live audio broadcast on KKAD AM-1550 and www.portlandbeavers.com.

SATURDAY'S PROMOTION: With less than a year left until the 2009 Cricket Wireless Triple-A All-Star Game in Portland, the Beavers play host to All-Star Celebration Night at PGE Park. The first 1,903 fans receive limited edition all-star logo baseballs on a Fred Meyer Super Giveaway Saturday. Everyone in attendance will be treated to a special fireworks display following the game.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from July 18, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central