Deano clutches up for Dust Devils in final at bat
Published on July 12, 2004 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Tri-City Dust Devils News Release
PASCO, WA â Erik Dean slapped a line drive to left that scored Matt Macri to win the game for the Dust Devils in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Dust Devils never led at any point in the game until Dean's final swing. With the win Tri-City takes sole possession of first place in the Northwest League's east division as Spokane lost 6-3 to Vancouver.
Early on the game was completely dominated by the starting pitcher, Steven Register for Tri-City and Ruben Flores for Everett. Neither gave up a hit until Devil's DH Florentino Nunez singled down the right field line in the fourth. On the play Everett right fi elder, Mike Wilson made a strong throw to punch out the speedy Nunez who was attempting to stretch the hit into a double.
In the fifth the AquaSox answered after Register plunked Omar Falcon and Wilson. The runners advanced to second and third on LF Trevor Heid's groundout which set up Brent Johnson with a shot to knock in Everett's first runs. He responded with a sharp single up the middle to score both runners and put Everett ahead 2-1.
The lead would hold until the bottom of the ninth as both teams pitchers were terrifi c. Flores would end up throwing eight complete innings for the Sox allowing five hits while striking out six and walk only one. Register was nearly as good pitching six innings, allowing only two hits and two runs. Reliever Steven Thomas entered the game in the seventh for Tri-City and pitched two scoreless innings.
Closer Jim Miller (1-0) took the mound in the top of the ninth with the Devils down 2-1. He promptly struck out the side to give the Devils one last chance to win it.
Nunez led off the ninth with a single to right off of Everett reliever, Joe Woerman (0-1). Macri then stepped up to the plate and executed a perfect hit and run that left him on fi rst and Nunez on third. Woerman then threw a wild pitch that scooted past catcher Omar Falcon to tie the game at two. After a walk to Matt Miller Woerman was replaced by lefty Brandon Perry who was brought in the face left handed hitting Erik Dean. Perry jumped ahead of Dean with a nasty curve ball. With the count at one ball and two strikes Dean calmly stepped into the box slapped the next pitch down the left field line to win the game and give the Devils the series three games to two.
The Devils will enjoy their first off day in 24 days Monday and then travel to Salem on Tuesday to play a five game series with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (San Francisco Giants). Lefty Jake Postlewait (0-2, 3.60 ERA) will make his second start of the year in his home state of Oregon Tuesday after pitching a game against Eugene earlier this season. Tri- City will return to Pasco on Sunday, July 18th at 6.05 PM to take on the Spokane Indians. Listen to all away games live on KJOX 960 AM or online at www.dustdevilsbaseball.com.
Northwest League Stories from July 12, 2004
- Spider-Man, ZOOperstars and Yankee Legend Don Larsen highlight homestand - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
- Deano clutches up for Dust Devils in final at bat - Tri-City Dust Devils
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