Hundley, Ambres Help Beavers Come Back To Beat Rival Bees

Published on May 26, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


SALT LAKE CITY - Nick Hundley hit a two-run double and Chip Ambres added a go-ahead, three-run triple as the Portland Beavers erased an early three-run deficit and secured their third consecutive series victory by beating the Salt Lake Bees 6-3 Monday night at Franklin Covey Field.

After taking three of four from the Bees (33-16) in the series, the Beavers are now seven games back in the Pacific Conference North Division. Portland (26-23) has won six of its last seven games and nine of its last 12 to trim 5 ½ games off Salt Lake's lead.

The Beavers, who are 13-3 over their last 16 home games, return to Portland Tuesday to begin a four-game series with the Sacramento River Cats at PGE Park. Tuesday's first pitch is 7:05 p.m.

Portland starter Enrique Gonzalez (2-0) picked up his second win in a row, striking out six and allowing one earned run (3 total) and six hits in six innings. Mauro Zarate and Carlos Guevara each turned in an inning of late scoreless work, and Joe Thatcher worked the ninth for his first save in his two seasons with the Beavers.

Kasey Olenberger (3-4) gave up five runs, though only two were earned, and five hits in six innings for the loss, his second to Portland this season.

Matt Brown doubled home a run and Dee Brown added a two-run single as the Bees took a 3-0 lead in the first.

The Beavers, who are three games above .500 for the first time since early in the 2006 season, took their turn in the middle innings. Bryan Myrow singled, Ambres walked, and both scored on Hundley's double to left field in the fourth. An inning later, the Beavers loaded the bases - aided by an error charged to Matt Brown - setting the table for Ambres' decisive, two-out triple that cleared the bases for a 5-3 Portland lead.

In the eighth, the Beavers got an insurance run when Tom King singled home Myrow, who scored three runs on the night.

Brad Coon was 4-for-5 to lead the Bees, who have lost eight of their last 10 games.

NOTES: It was Portland's first series victory at Salt Lake since May 31-June 3, 2005 ... right-hander Clay Hensley is scheduled to make his second major league rehab start for Portland in Tuesday's series opener with Sacramento at PGE Park. Regularly scheduled starter Wade LeBlanc is slated to follow Hensley ... Portland manager Randy Ready returned to the helm Monday night after missing the last two games while attending the school graduations of two of his sons ... the start of the game was delayed because of a short rain shower ... the Bees out-hit Portland, 10-8 ... the Beavers improved to 10-13 on the road.

Beavers Game File MONDAY'S GAME: Beavers 6, Salt Lake 3 WINNING PITCHER: Gonzalez (2-2) LOSING PITCHER: Olenberger (3-4) SAVE: Thatcher (1) HOME RUNS: None TUESDAY'S GAME: Sacramento (Dan Meyer: 5-1, 4.30) at Portland (Clay Hensley: 0-1, 3.00), 7:05 p.m.; live audio broadcast on KKAD AM-1550 and www.portlandbeavers.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 26, 2008


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