Mendez Return Sparks Beavers Win

Published on July 9, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Donaldo Mendez scored twice and had two hits, including a two-run home run, and Bernie Castro added a two-run triple to lead the Portland Beavers to a 5-2 win over the Tacoma Rainiers in front of 7,029 Wednesday night at PGE Park.

Carlton Loewer got into minor trouble in the early innings but retired the side in order in each of his last four innings of work to get his team-leading seventh win of the campaign. Loewer (7-2) struck out four and gave up two earned runs on six hits and a walk.

With the game tied at 2-2, the Beavers (47-47) took command in the seventh, chasing Tacoma starter Brian Sweeney from the game. Yamid Haad had an RBI single that scored Mendez; one batter later, Castro's triple plated Ben Risinger and Haad to give Portland a three-run cushion that would last the rest of the game.

Kevin Walker pitched a scoreless eighth and Brandon Villafuerte pitched a perfect ninth for his third save.

Sweeney had the Beavers' number early, retiring 12 of the first 13 batters he faced. Down 2-0, though, the Beavers tied things in the fifth on a two-run home run by Mendez, playing for the first time since being optioned to Portland earlier in the week.

Playing third base for just the second time in his seven-year professional career, Mendez added a single and a stolen base in his first game with Portland in a month.

J.R. Phillips hit a solo home-the 250th of his minor league career-to give Tacoma (40-54) the lead in the top of the first. Phillips made it 2-0 in the third on a sacrifice fly that scored Jamal Strong, who led off the inning with a single and a steal of second.

With the homestand behind them, the Beavers begin a four-game series at Tacoma Thursday night at 7:05 p.m.

NOTES: The Beavers announced Wednesday that Jermaine Clark was traded to the Texas Rangers organization for future considerations ... the start of Wednesday's game was delayed 10 minutes due to a temporary power outage that affected the immediate area around the stadium ... the Beavers were 3-3 on the homestand.



Pacific Coast League Stories from July 9, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central