Key Mistakes Sour Pippins' Shot at Victory over Portland
July 1, 2023 - West Coast League (WCL)
Yakima Valley Pippins News Release
After winning their first series of the season at The Orchard a day earlier, the Yakima Valley Pippins committed too many key miscues as Portland rallied for a 4-3 victory Friday.
The Pippins had plenty of chances to come away with a potential victory, but couldn't get the big hit they needed in the latter innings.
In the ninth, Maxim Fullteron led off with a bloop single to left, but was thrown out trying to scamper back to the bag after taking too wide a turn and getting caught in no man's land. That was just one of the Pippins' two hits in the final six frames.
Two pop ups ended the game.
In the eighth, Zack Blaszak and Jake Borst drew inning-opening walks and Jace Phelan advanced them a base with a sac bunt. The Pickles brought in reliever Zack Elsos, who got a pop out to the first baseman and a groundout back to the mound to end the inning.
Yakima Valley starter Tyler Frieders struck out five against two walks in 5.2 innings. He allowed four runs - all unearned - including three in the sixth after a two-out grounder that could have ended the inning was booted.
Fullerton and Beck Maguire each finished 2-for-4 for the Pippins.
The two teams face off in Game 2 of the series at 7:05 p.m. Saturday during Celebrate America Night, presented by Banner Bank, with 1,000 souvenir hats for fans and postgame fireworks.
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