Portland begins final 2008 homestand Wednesday night

Published on August 19, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


TUCSON, Ariz. - Justin Huber was 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs and Matt Antonelli tallied his first three-hit game of the season and drove in two runs as the Portland Beavers gained a split in their final series against the Tucson Sidewinders with a 10-4 victory Tuesday night at Tucson Electric Park.

Chip Ambres hit his 20th home run and scored twice, Brett Dowdy drove in two runs and Vincent Sinisi was 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored for the Beavers (67-63), who overcame a four-run deficit and racked up 17 hits in their final game with Tucson (56-72), a franchise that is set to relocate to Reno, Nevada, for the 2009 season.

In all, six different players had at least two hits for the Beavers, who begin their final homestand of the season Wednesday night at PGE Park when they open a five-game series with rival Tacoma at 7:05 p.m.

Shawn Estes, who returned to the Beavers to make a major league rehab start as he works his way back from a thumb fracture, allowed four runs and nine hits over four innings in his first no-decision in seven starts for Portland this season.

Despite spotting the Sidewinders a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the third, Portland responded in kind with a four-run rally of its own in the fourth. Huber's two-run double scored Paul McAnulty and Ambres, while Shawn Wooten and Estes added RBI singles to even the score.

Ambres' solo home run in the top of the fifth then gave the Beavers the lead. Huber's RBI single and Brett Dowdy's two-run single upped the advantage in the eighth and Antonelli added a two-run single for good measure in the ninth.

Portland's Jonathan Ellis (1-1) gained his first Triple-A victory with an inning of scoreless relief. Meanwhile, Tucson starter Evan MacLane (7-7) suffered his second loss to Portland this season by giving up five runs and eight hits in six innings.

Tim Raines Jr. tallied three hits to lead the Sidewinders, who got RBI doubles from Jamie D'Antona and Jesus Merchan as part of their four-run third that gave them the early lead.

NOTES: Three of the Beavers' final 10 home games will be televised live on FSN, beginning with Wednesday's series opener with Tacoma at PGE Park. The remaining two TV games are Aug. 27 and the final home game on Aug. 28 ... the Beavers were 11-5 in their final season series with the Sidewinders ... Peter Ciofrone drew a walk in a pinch-hit appearance in the eighth inning to preserve his road-hitting streak, which now stands at 28 games. He has reached base in each of his last 35 games away from PGE Park ... pitcher Cla Meredith, who was optioned to Portland on Saturday, made his first appearance with the Beavers since the 2006 season.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 19, 2008


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