Grizzlies Hand Beavers First Loss

Published on April 6, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Clay Timpner drove in three runs, Justin Leone hit his second home run of the series against his former team, and Patrick Misch worked six strong innings as the Fresno Grizzlies avoided being swept in an abbreviated, three-game set, beating the Portland Beavers 9-1 Sunday afternoon at PGE Park.

Scott McClain added two RBIs for the Grizzlies (1-2), who out-hit Portland 12-4 to pick up their first win of the year.

Despite the loss, the Beavers (2-1) settled for their second opening-series victory since returning to the Pacific Coast League in 2001, taking two of the three games against Fresno. Saturday's scheduled game was postponed due to rain and will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Aug. 13.

Portland's opening homestand continues Monday night as the defending PCL-champion Sacramento River Cats come to PGE Park to begin a four-game series with the Beavers.

Misch (1-0), the scheduled starter who came on in the second inning after Vinnie Chulk worked the first inning as part of his major league rehabilitation assignment, held the Beavers to a run on three hits and three walks while striking out four.

Making his Triple-A debut, Portland left-hander Cesar Ramos didn't get out of the third inning, allowing four runs, three hits and four walks in his 2 2/3 innings of work for the loss.

Ramos (0-1) retired the side in order in the first inning, but the Grizzlies sent eight men to the plate in the second, taking their first lead of the season with three runs in the frame.

The Beavers struck for a run in the bottom of the second when Nick Hundley singled and later scored on a fielder's choice groundout by Chip Ambres. But Leone connected for his fourth home run in the last two seasons against his former team to make it a 4-1 Fresno lead in the third.

A leadoff double by Jake Wald in the sixth started a two-run rally for the Grizzlies, who extended their lead to 6-1.

McClain's two-run single capped a three-run eighth and cemented Fresno's series-finale win.

NOTES: The Beavers debuted their new Vintage Sunday uniforms, a two-color combination featuring navy jerseys and white caps ... the game was interrupted in the top of the second inning by a 23-minute rain delay ... the Beavers are 57-42 all-time against Fresno ... reliever Kevin Cameron pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings in his debut with the Beavers. Fellow relievers Dirk Hayhurst and Paul Abraham also made their season debuts ... the Beavers transferred infielder Marshall McDougall to Class AA San Antonio and added outfielder Jody Gerut to the active roster before the game. Gerut was optioned to Portland on Saturday after starting the season with San Diego ... the Beavers committed three errors ... the only other time the Beavers won a season-opening series since returning to the PCL in 2001 was during the 2006 season, when the club took three of four games against Sacramento at PGE Park to start the campaign.

Beavers Game File

SUNDAY'S GAME: Fresno 9, Beavers 1.

WINNING PITCHER: Misch (1-0).

LOSING PITCHER: Ramos (0-1).

SAVE: None.

HOME RUNS: Leone (2).

MONDAY'S GAME: Sacramento (Chad Gaudin: NR) at Portland (Wade LeBlanc: NR), 7:05 p.m.; live broadcast on KKAD AM-1550 and www.portlandbeavers.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 6, 2008


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