Honkers Silence Pippins Bats, Win 3-1
June 18, 2014 - West Coast League (WCL)
Yakima Valley Pippins News Release
YAKIMA, Wash. - After scoring 30 runs in the three-game series at Klamath Falls, the Yakima Valley Pippins' bats were shut down by the Northwest Honkers, who won 3-1 at County Stadium on Tuesday night in front of a crowd of 1,289.
The Honkers (9-8), from the Pacific International League, got to Yakima Valley starter Matt Trask in the top of the first, as Erik Peterson's RBI single gave the visitors a 1-0 lead. That lead would hold until the top of the 5th, when Clayton Truex drove in two more on an RBI single to make it 3-0. That would be Trask's final inning, giving up 8 hits, 3 runs, 0 walks and 6 strikeouts in his Pippins debut.
Yakima Valley (5-7 overall, 4-5 West Coast League) was held hitless through 4 2/3 innings by Honkers' starter Tanner Braun before Shaun Wardian ended the no-hitter with a bunt single. The Pippins picked up three more hits, including an RBI single from Wardian to cut the lead to 3-1. With runners at 2nd and 3rd, though, they were unable to cut into the deficit any further. Braun finished with 4 hits and 1 run allowed over 7 innings to pick up his first win of the year.
"We saw a good guy on the hill from them that could really pitch," said Pippins Manager Marcus McKimmy. "He wasn't a big [velocity] guy, but had a really sharp breaking ball and pitchability. And for us, we've just got to find ways to create offense sooner."
With relievers Gabe Gentner, Beau Kerns and Kenny Rosenberg keeping the Honkers off the board, the Pippins had another shot to score in the 8th, with the first two men reaching against reliever Spencer Trautmann. However, Trautmann was relieved by Jeff Wyner, who retired the next three hitters to get the Honkers out of trouble and, ultimately, get them a victory.
The Pippins, who returned from a six-game road trip early Tuesday morning, have now dropped back-to-back games at County Stadium, dating back to a 10-7 loss to the Thurston County Senators a week ago. They'll look to break that losing streak on Wednesday night in game two of the series with the Honkers. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. at County Stadium with Austin Woodward slated to make the start.
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