Rainiers Make Saunders' Blast Stand, Win 5-3

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


TACOMA, Wash. - Michael Saunders hit a three-run homer to highlight a four-run third inning that propelled the Tacoma Rainiers to a 5-3 win over the Portland Beavers Thursday night at Cheney Stadium.

Saunders' 11th homer of the season gave the Rainiers (41-46) a 5-1 lead and the bullpen tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings to hold off Portland.

Adam Moore collected three singles and Jeff Clement added a pair of hits for Tacoma.

Matt Antonelli and Val Pascucci both homered on a night where the Beavers (42-46) got a hit from every spot in the lineup but none with runners in scoring position, going 0-for-11 as a team. Sean Kazmar and Brett Dowdy tallied two hits each.

Chris Seddon (5-5) scattered eight hits and two walks over 5 1/3 innings and gave up three runs (2 earned) while striking out seven.

Matt Buschmann (3-10) made his team-leading 17th start for the Beavers but allowed five runs on six hits, two walks and two hit batters across 5 2/3 innings.

The Rainiers scratched out their first run in the second inning when Buschmann hit two straight batters to bring in Mike Carp.

Portland tied it in the third with Antonelli's fourth home run of the season.

Saunders' three-run blast highlighted a four-run third for Tacoma as they took the lead for good.

The Beavers cut the deficit in half in the sixth with a pair of runs. Pascucci blasted his second home run in as many nights to lead off the inning before Dowdy and Drew Macias singled to chase the starter Seddon from the game. Dowdy would score on a fielding error by third baseman Erick Monzon but Denny Stark struck out the next two batters to escape the jam.

Randy Messenger tossed 1 1/3 innings to earn his 17th save of the year.

The Beavers face Tacoma again Friday night, 7 p.m. (Pacific)

NOTES: Beavers outfielder Chad Huffman was named to the PCL All-Star Game Thursday to replace Fresno's John Bowker, who was called up by San Francisco; Huffman will also compete in the All-Star Home Run Derby ... every Portland batter had at least one hit.

ALL-STAR COUNTDOWN: There are 6 days remaining until the 2009 Cricket Wireless Triple-A All-Star Game, which will be held Wednesday, July 15, at PGE Park. Tickets are available at the PGE Park box office, area Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000. For group tickets, contact the Beavers at (503) 553-5555.

Beavers Game File

THURSDAY'S GAME: Tacoma 5, Beavers 3

WINNING PITCHER: Seddon (5-5)

LOSING PITCHER: Buschmann (3-10)

SAVE: Messenger (17)

HOME RUNS: Antonelli (4), Pascucci (10), Saunders (11)

FRIDAY'S GAME: Portland (Wade LeBlanc: 2-5, 3.58) at Tacoma (Steven Shell: 1-1, 8.20), 7 p.m. (Pacific); live telecast on FSN, live audio broadcast on KKAD AM-1550 and www.portlandbeavers.com. Follow the Beavers on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PortlandBeavers or by phone at (800) 745-3000. For group tickets, contact the Beavers at (503) 553-5555.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 10, 2009


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