Late-Inning Rally Pushes Beavers Past Aces, 8-7

Published on July 21, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


RENO, Nev. - Peter Ciofrone knocked in a grand slam in his only at-bat of the game and Mike Baxter recorded the game-winning RBI to lead the Portland Beavers over the Reno Aces 8-7 in 10 innings Monday night at Aces Ballpark.

After Portland tied the game at seven in the ninth inning, Baxter hit a two-out RBI double in the 10th to give the Beavers their first lead of the game. Edwin Moreno (2-1) then pitched a scoreless bottom frame to secure the win. The right-hander yielded no runs on three hits in three innings.

Ciofrone, who replaced Inman as a pinch-hitter in the fourth, recorded his first four-RBI game of the season, Val Pascucci added an RBI and scored two runs, and Chad Huffman gathered a pair of doubles and an RBI for the Beavers (44-52).

Reid Mahon (0-1) went one inning, giving up one run on two hits to earn his first loss of the season, while starter Travis Blackley surrendered Ciofrone's grand slam in the fourth and was replaced after allowing five runs on four hits in 3 2/3 innings.

John Hester finished with two solo homers, three RBI and three runs scored, Trent Oeltjen had a home run and Brandon Watson went 3-for-4 with an RBI and scored a run for the Aces (48-48).

Beavers starter Will Inman gave up six runs on seven hits, including two homers, in three innings of work.

The Aces jumped out to a big lead, batting around and scoring five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Oeltjen belted Inman's second pitch of the game out of the park to start off the frame, followed by Hester, Watson and Ruben Gotay each recording RBI singles. Abraham Nunez completed the early flurry with a sacrifice fly.

Hester began the third inning with a solo shot to right-center field, extending Reno's advantage, 6-0.

The Beavers rallied in the fourth, matching Reno's first frame with five runs. Sean Kazmar plated Craig Stansberry with a single to put Portland on the scoreboard and Matt Antonelli walked in the next at-bat to load the bases. Ciofrone then promptly hit a two-out grand slam, the second of his career, to bring the Beavers to within a run, 6-5.

Pascucci scored Brett Dowdy on an RBI groundout in the fifth to tie the game at six runs apiece, but Hester hit his second home run of the game in the bottom of the inning to put the Aces back on top, 7-6.

Huffman drove in the game-tying run on an RBI double with two outs in the top of the ninth.

The Beavers play Reno again Tuesday night, 7:05 p.m. (Pacific), at Aces Ballpark.

NOTES: Catcher Michael Collins made his Beavers debut Monday, going 0-for-4 ... Brett Dowdy hit the Beavers' last grand slam, June 1 against Fresno ... Beavers manager Randy Ready was ejected in the fourth inning.

Beavers Game File

MONDAY'S GAME: Beavers 8, Reno 7

WINNING PITCHER: Moreno (2-1)

LOSING PITCHER: Mahon (0-1)

SAVE: None

HOME RUNS: Oeltjen (8), Hester 2 (6), Ciofrone (4)

TUESDAY'S GAME: Portland (Brian Lawrence: 4-1, 3.00) at Reno (Billy Buckner: 4-2, 4.57), 7:05 p.m. (Pacific); live telecast on FSN, live audio broadcast on KKAD AM-1550 and www.portlandbeavers.com. Follow the Beavers on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PortlandBeavers or by phone at (800) 745-3000. For group tickets, contact the Beavers at (503) 553-5555.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 21, 2009


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