Ninth Inning Rally Falls Short

Published on August 19, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


LAS VEGAS - Chin-Feng Chen had two hits and drove in three runs to lead the Las Vegas 51s to a 5-4 win Monday night over the Portland Beavers.

The Beavers dropped three-of-four to the 51s and remained in third place in the Pacific Coast League's North Division, 2.5 games behind Salt Lake.

Portland returns home Tuesday to start a five-game series against second-place Edmonton.

The Beavers entered the ninth inning down 5-1, but sent eight men to the plate as part of a three-run rally. With two outs, Portland had the tying run at third and the winning run at second, but Tagg Bozied popped out to end the game.

Although Portland's offense came alive in the ninth, the Beavers bats were silent for most of the night. Between the third and seventh inning, Portland had just one hit, a single by Jason Bay. And shortly after reaching first base, Bay was caught stealing.

Both Bill Simas and Bryan Corey controlled Portland's offense through the first six frames.

Simas, making his third start of the season, allowed just an unearned run in three innings, but left the game before he could qualify for the win.

Corey, who relieved Simas in the fourth, picked up his fourth victory of the season. The right-handed reliever worked three scoreless innings and retired nine of the 10 men he faced.

Clay Condrey took his second consecutive loss, allowing five runs and a season-high 10 hits in six innings. He walked one and fanned four.

After the Beavers loaded the bases but failed to score in the top of the first, the 51s pushed across a run in the bottom of the frame. Following a triple by Eric Riggs, Chen drove in his first run with a single up the middle.

The Beavers made it 1-1 in the second on Condrey's run-scoring single, but the game didn't stay tied long. In the bottom of the frame, Las Vegas regained its one-run advantage on Ryan Kellner's sacrifice fly.

Chen struck again in the fifth, giving the 51s a 4-1 lead with a two-run double to right center. An inning later, Las Vegas extended its lead when Shane Victorino hit a run-scoring single.

Rich Gomez, who batted leadoff for the Beavers, went 2-for-5. Bay also had two hits.

Portland returns to PGE Park Tuesday to start a 10-game homestand. First pitch is 7:05.

NOTES: The Beavers released Mario Valdez before Monday's game ... Portland finished its series with Las Vegas with a 6-10 record ... the Beavers have 14 games remaining, all of which come against North Division opponents.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 19, 2003


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