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Portland snaps seven-game losing streak to 51s at PGE Park

September 5, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Brett Dowdy launched a tiebreaking two-run homer onto 18th Street in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Portland Beavers a 5-4 win over the Las Vegas 51s as 4,997 fans came out to see the Beavers' final night game of the season at PGE Park Saturday.

Dowdy's first home run since June 1 could not have come at a better time, as the Beavers (59-83) snapped a six-game home losing streak and beat the 51s for the first time this year at PGE Park.

Brian Dopirak had a pair of RBI singles but committed a costly error that allowed Portland to jump on top in the second inning. Aaron Mathews and Kevin Howard also had two hits apiece for the 51s (70-72), who wasted an opportunity to tie Fresno for third place in the Pacific South Division of the PCL after the Grizzlies lost in Reno.

Mike Ekstrom (4-2) earned his fourth win of the season by punching out three 51s over two perfect innings while Eulogio De La Cruz notched his ninth save despite allowing one run in the ninth.

Davis Romero (3-6) took the loss, giving up the two-run homer while also striking out four across three innings of work.

The teams exchanged runs in the first inning. Mathews singled, stole second and scored on Dopirak's RBI single before Jason Codiroli doubled and came home on Mike Baxter's RBI single in the bottom half of the frame.

A throwing error by Dopirak with the bases loaded in the second inning allowed Dowdy and Jason Hagerty to score and put Portland up, 3-1.

Beavers starter Josh Banks eventually ran into a jam in the top of the sixth when the first four batters all reached base with hits, including Howie Clark and Dopirak, who each hit RBI singles. But Banks would escape, inducing an infield fly from J.P. Arencibia and a harmless infield single by Howard before striking out Jason Lane and getting Kyle Phillips to fly out.

Danny Putnam singled in front of the right fielder Lane and circled the bases on Dowdy's blast in the ninth.

Banks finished his season with his ninth quality start, pitching six innings and allowing three runs on eight hits while walking none and striking out six.

Las Vegas starter Fabio Castro worked around four hits and five walks in five innings to give up just three runs (2 earned) and also fanned five.

The series continues Sunday with a 2:05 p.m. (Pacific) matinee start at PGE Park.



Pacific Coast League Stories from September 5, 2009


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