Patience at the plate leads Volcanoes to another win
Published on June 20, 2015 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes News Release
Volcanoes' reliever Nolan Riggs fired four scoreless innings and picked up the win for Salem-Keizer. (Mason Shoultz)
The Volcanoes won their second consecutive game Saturday night, defeating the Vancouver Canadians 4-0 in front of 3,129 at Volcanoes Stadium.
Salem-Keizer only collected three hits - all in the fourth inning - but drew six walks as they took advantage of a shaky Vancouver bullpen for the second consecutive night.
Canadians starter Francisco Rios (0-1, 4.50 ERA) held the Volcanoes hitless through the contest's first three frames, but Salem-Keizer broke through for two runs in the fourth. The Volcanoes' first three men reached in the inning and, two batters later, Mark Nelson managed to punch a single into left field, scoring Junior Amion. Miguel Gomez then hustled out a fielder's choice, scoring Chase Compton and pushing the Salem-Keizer advantage to 2-0.
Salem-Keizer added to its lead in the fifth. With Christian Lichtenthaler already at first base, Vancouver reliever Joe Claver walked three consecutive batters, forcing in a run and extending the Volcanoes' lead. The Canadians' called on reliever Brandon Hinkle to work out of the jam and he nearly did, striking out Fernando Pujadas and tallying two strikes on Mark Nelson. But Hinkle's next pitch skipped by his catcher and all the way to the backstop, allowing Compton to score and make it 4-0, Salem-Keizer.
That lead would hold as the bullpen proceeded to fire five shutout innings.
Volcanoes reliever Nolan Riggs (1-0, 0.00 ERA) was fantastic, tossing four scoreless innings while allowing only two hits. He struck out three and retired the last nine batters he faced.
Rayan Hernandez pitched a scoreless ninth that secured the win for Salem-Keizer.
Starter Nate Santiago was effective in his Salem-Keizer debut, shutting out Vancouver in his four innings of work. He maneuvered out of trouble throughout his outing, stranding six runners on base.
The Volcanoes wasted no time recording their first shutout in 2015, accomplishing the feat in just their third game. Salem-Keizer didn't throw a shutout until the 33rd game of last season.
Up Next: The Volcanoes continue their series with Vancouver Sunday night at Volcanoes Stadium. Andrew Leenhouts, who is set to begin his third season with Salem-Keizer, will start for the Volcanoes. First pitch is set for 5:05.
Northwest League Stories from June 20, 2015
- Vancouver strands nine on-base, walk six in 4-0 loss to Volcanoes - Vancouver Canadians
- Patience at the plate leads Volcanoes to another win - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
- Hillsboro Hops at Spokane Indians - Hillsboro Hops
- J-Rod Jams Tribe as Hops Break out Bats - Hillsboro Hops
- AquaSox Late Rallies Come up Short - Everett AquaSox
- Indians' Offense Falters in Loss to Hops - Spokane Indians
- Salem-Keizer Earns First Victory of Season - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
- Errors Costly in Canadians First Loss - Vancouver Canadians
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