Hot Bats, Stingy Bullpen Help Beavers To 7-4 Win

Published on April 29, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


SALT LAKE CITY - Kyle Blanks had two hits, including his fourth homer of the season, and Will Venable hit a tie-breaking double in the sixth inning as the Portland Beavers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 7-4 victory over the Salt Lake Bees at Spring Mobile Ballpark Tuesday night.

The Beavers (11-9) got hits from every batter in the lineup as the offense exploded for 12 hits and seven runs. Emil Brown and Eliezer Alfonzo joined Blanks with two hits on the evening, while Josh Alley and Craig Stansberry drove in two runs apiece.

Chris Pettit, who entered the game with seven hits in 10 at-bats in the series, collected another four hits in five at-bats for Salt Lake on Tuesday. Freddy Sandoval, Terry Evans and Luis Figueroa added two hits apiece for the Bees (13-6).

Jon Ellis (3-0) struck out three over two scoreless innings for the Beavers to pick up his team-leading third win.

Eddie McKiernan (0-1) took the loss for Salt Lake, allowing two runs in 1 2/3 innings.

The Beavers' bullpen came up big Tuesday. Ellis, Scott Patterson, Joe Thatcher and Greg Burke held the Bees to just three hits and a walk while fanning seven over five innings in relief of starter Wade LeBlanc, who gave up all four runs on nine hits.

LeBlanc was staked to a 4-1 lead through 3 1/2 innings, thanks in part to Blanks' solo homer to left in the third, but that lead evaporated with the Bees' three-run fourth.

Portland regained its lead in the sixth when Stansberry walked to lead off the inning and came home on a two-out double by Venable. Venable then scored on Brown's RBI single to give the Beavers a 6-4 advantage, one the bullpen would not relinquish.

The Beavers tacked on an insurance run in the seventh on an RBI double by Stansberry

Salt Lake starter Dan Denham allowed four runs (2 earned) on seven hits and three walks in four-plus innings.

Greg Burke struck out the side in the ninth for his fourth save of the year.

The Beavers have the day off tomorrow before making their first trip to Reno to begin a four-game series at brand-new Aces Ballpark Thursday at 6:05 p.m. (Pacific).

NOTES: Before the game, the Padres announced that they selected left-handed pitcher Arturo Lopez, optioned outfielder Drew Macias to Portland and designated right-handed pitcher Mike Ekstrom for assignment ... until Macias arrives with the team, the Beavers will have a 21-man roster ... the Bees scored first in all four games of the series ... Chris Pettit finished 11-for-15 with four doubles and a triple in the four-game series ... with two hits, Eliezer Alfonzo pushed his hitting streak to eight games while Josh Alley extended his streak to six games with a ninth-inning single ... Portland hitters drew seven walks, matching their second-highest total for the season, while striking out a season-low two times.

Beavers Game File

TUESDAY'S GAME: Beavers 7, Bees 4

WINNING PITCHER: Ellis (3-0)

LOSING PITCHER: McKiernan (0-1)

SAVE: Burke (4)

HOME RUNS: Blanks (4)

THURSDAY'S GAME: Portland (Josh Banks: 0-1, 3.00) at Reno (Cesar Valdez: 1-1, 7.50), 6:05 p.m. (Pacific); live audio broadcast on KKAD AM-1550 and www.portlandbeavers.com. Follow the Beavers on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PortlandBeavers.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 29, 2009


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