Portland holds on for 3-2 victory before 6,048 on Mother's Day

Published on May 10, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Walter Silva was solid in his second rehab start and Jose Lobaton hit his second home run of the season as the Portland Beavers held on to beat the Salt Lake Bees 3-2 before 6,048 Sunday afternoon at PGE Park.

For the second day in a row, the game featured a pair of starting pitchers on major league rehab assignments. Angels' right-hander John Lackey made his second start for the Bees, striking out five and allowing three runs and five hits over five innings in the loss. Lackey, who last pitched at PGE Park on Aug. 14, 2001, is making his way back from strained right forearm injury.

Josh Banks (1-2), Joe Thatcher and Greg Burke combined to allow just two hits over the final 4 1/3 innings as the Beavers (15-16) held the Bees to just three total hits on their way to taking a 2-1 lead in the series.

Though he didn't factor in the decision, Silva, also making his second rehab start, did not allow a hit until the fifth inning and left after allowing one run, one hit and three walks over 4.2 innings (68 pitches).

Peter Ciofrone led off the bottom of the second with a double down the right field line and Chad Huffman's single up the middle gave the Beavers the lead. Huffman then moved to third and scored on Sean Kazmar's groundout.

Silva faced just one batter over the minimum over the first four innings, but Matt Brown got the Bees (19-11) on the board in the fifth with a solo home run to left-center.

Lobaton responded in the bottom of the inning, taking Lackey deep to right-center to restore Portland's two-run cushion.

Burke yielded a two-out solo homer to Brandon Wood in the top of the ninth but held on for his seventh save.

Kyle Blanks, the No. 1 prospect of the San Diego Padres, started in left field Sunday. It was his first appearance in the outfield since July 25, 2005, during his rookie season with the Arizona League Padres. Blanks, who finished the game at first base, wasn't tested in the outfield until the sixth when he camped under a lazy fly off the bat of Freddy Sandoval.

Taking Blanks' usual first base spot was Huffman, who was making just his second career appearance at the position.

The Beavers put the finishing touches on their homestand Monday morning against the Bees. First pitch is 11:05 a.m.

NOTES: The Beavers pulled off a rare double play in the fourth, nabbing Brandon Wood in a rundown between first and second and getting Sandoval trying to go home ... the first 500 moms got flowers, and one lucky mother received VIP treatment as the "Best Mom in Portland" Sunday ... Kazmar assisted with an hour-long stadium tour for the Beaverton Little League before the game, while infielder Brett Dowdy greeted kids and moms during "kids run the bases" after the game.

Beavers Game File SUNDAY'S GAME: Beavers 3, Salt Lake 2 WINNING PITCHER: Banks (1-2) LOSING PITCHER: Lackey (0-1) SAVE: Burke (7) HOME RUNS: Lobaton (2), Brown (2), Wood (6) MONDAY'S GAME: Salt Lake (Sean O'Sullivan: 2-1, 6.48) at Portland (Eulogio De La Cruz: 0-1, 1.80), 11:05 a.m.; televised live on FSN, live audio broadcast on KKAD AM-1550 and www.portlandbeavers.com. Follow the Beavers on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PortlandBeavers. MONDAY'S PROMOTION: The Beavers conclude their homestand with a special US Bank Art & Science of Baseball School Day presented by Intel televised live on FSN. Portland-area kids descend on PGE Park for a day of fun and learning featuring special hands-on exhibits and a pre-game presentation from OMSI starting at 9 a.m. On a Home Run Derby Monday presented by American Family Insurance, kids in attendance receive an official US Bank School Day hat. A season-long MLB 2K9 tournament continues for a shot to play in the championship round late at the end of the season.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 10, 2009


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