Devore Tosses Complete Game Shutout in Pacifics Home Opener
Published on June 12, 2013 under North American League (NAmL)
San Rafael Pacifics News Release
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. - The San Rafael Pacifcs are 2-0 and on Opening Nights. While the Pacifics didn't have any home runs this time around, the club metaphorically knocked it out of the park. A pregame ceremony honoring the 2012 North American League Champions set the stage for a 6-0 victory by the Pacifics over the Vallejo Admirals before a capacity crowd at Albert Park.
The Pacifics (7-3) took advantage early versus the first-year Admirals (3-5). In the bottom of the second inning, Vallejo shortstop Jesse Olivar couldn't come up with a failed pickoff, which allowed Pacifics first baseman Johnny Woodard to make a heads-up decision and advance to third. Danny Gonzalez's broken-bat sacrifice fly that neared the center field warning track scored Woodard and saw the first run of the night posted on Albert Park's brand new hand-operated scoreboard.
Starter Kyle Devore was perfect for 4.2 innings before surrendering a single to Scott Underwood - one of just four hits - and tossed a complete-game shutout. The Pacifics defense backed the righty, who had several friends and family in the crowd from his hometown of Sacramento to see his 94-pitch effort. Woodard grabbed the crowd's attention with a diving play to the line to keep a ball from going by for a hit, then shoveled it to Devore, who was there to cover the bag.
"I wanted to do it for my team. Anything I can do to help save the bullpen," said Devore. "I'm glad I could go deep into the game and help us get a W."
Gonzalez drove another pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth and an RBI single by third baseman Kyle Dhanani made it 4-0 in the fifth.
"I was just looking to make things happen and they did," said Gonzalez. "It was really fun to have all these people here with us."
Admirals reliever Bo Henning started off the sixth by issuing a walk to Chase Fontaine, who then stole second. Gonzalez groundout moved Fontaine to third and catcher Matt Kavanaugh drove him home. Two batters later, second baseman Price Kendall drove home Kavanaugh to put the sixth and final run on the board.
Kendall saw his nine-game hitting streak come to a close while center fielder Zack Pace went 1 for 3 and continues to lead the Pacific Association with a league-best .550 batting average.
"It's the home opener man, you get those jitters no matter where you're playing, even if it's Little League," said Pacifics Manager Ryan Priddy. "You didn't have to worry about getting up for this game, the fans were here.You're playing off adrenaline and for the love of the game and it all just worked out tonight."
San Rafael and Vallejo face off for five more games at Albert Park from Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets for the homestand are available at pacificsbaseball.com.
North American League Stories from June 12, 2013
- Devore Tosses Complete Game Shutout in Pacifics Home Opener - San Rafael Pacifics
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