Pippins Turn In Complete Performance In 10-0 Win Over Gems
June 15, 2014 - West Coast League (WCL)
Yakima Valley Pippins News Release
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - The Yakima Valley Pippins put up a season-high 10 runs and threw a combined one-hit shutout on the mound to take a 10-0 victory against the Klamath Falls Gems Saturday night at Kiger Stadium.
After allowing 8 runs in the first two innings Friday night, the Pippins (3-4) scored 7 in the first three innings of Saturday's contest. Randy Fuller hit the Pippins first home run in franchise history leading off the 2nd inning, and Troy Labrie provided the big blow with a grand slam in the 3rd to make it 7-0.
"We found ways to manufacture runs early, which is a point of emphasis for this club," said Manager Marcus McKimmy. "I think we had a very dialed in approach at the plate and concept of how we wanted to attack their pitchers."
Meanwhile, starter Brandon Williams was nearly untouchable on the mound in his first start of the summer. Williams went 7 innings, allowing just one hit to Ethan Schlecht in the bottom of the 2nd. The right-hander out of Central Washington University only walked two, while striking out nine en route to his first victory of the young season.
"Days like this, they come hopefully more often that you feel like," said Williams, who just finished his junior year at Central Washington University. "It felt good. My arm was fresh...I was just really focusing on keeping the ball down and throwing strikes with all of it."
While Williams kept the Gems (1-6) scoreless, the offense added more runs late in the ball game. A wild pitch in the 7th made it 8-0, before JC Snyder clubbed the team's third home run of the night - a 2-run shot in the 8th - to cap off the final two runs of the big night.
In addition to the 10 runs and three homers, the Pippins also drew 11 walks for the second consecutive game. Yakima Valley has now walked 42 times in seven league games this season.
"You put that many guys on base, you're going to cash in eventually," said McKimmy. "I'm sure we left quite a few guys on tonight, but that happens when you walk 11 times."
The middle game of the series will take place at 2:05 p.m. Sunday afternoon on father's day. Mitch Yada is slated to start for Yakima Valley, which will go for consecutive wins for the first time this season.
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West Coast League Stories from June 15, 2014
- HarbourCats Win Series in Bend, Head Home - Victoria HabourCats
- Gems Rally Late For 10-9 Victory - Yakima Valley Pippins
- Falcons Drop Two on Saturday - Kelowna Falcons
- Elks lose 4-1 - Bend Elks
- Fourth Straight Comeback Win Falls Short - Bellingham Bells
- Walla Walla loses 13-3 - Walla Walla Sweets
- HarbourCats Remain Stingy, Win Second Game in Bend - Victoria HabourCats
- Pippins Turn In Complete Performance In 10-0 Win Over Gems - Yakima Valley Pippins
- Elks Drop Another Game to Victoria - Bend Elks
- Rogues' Win Streak Reaches Six - Medford Rogues
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