Salem-Keizer Falls in 11 Innings
July 8, 2015 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes News Release
Miguel Gomez of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes Breaks his Bat
(Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, Credit: Mason Shoultz)
The Volcanoes fell to the Tri-City Dust Devils in 11 innings Tuesday night, losing 6-5 at Volcanoes Stadium.
A.J. Kennedy drew a leadoff walk in the 11th and advanced to third when Ty France singled to right. Reliever E.J. Encinosa (1-1, 3.00) nearly escaped the jam, striking out the next two batters he faced, but he threw a wild pitch by his catcher that allowed Kennedy to score and push Tri-City out in front.
Lou Distasio (1-0, 1.42 ERA) pitched two scoreless innings, including the final frame, and picked up the win for the Dust Devils.
The game featured five lead changes, three ties, 11 pitchers and a combined 26 runners left on base between the two teams. It took four hours and 19 minutes to complete.
The contest was a back-and-fourth battle early on, with both clubs exchanging single runs through the first four innings.
The Dust Devils scratched across a run in the first to take an early lead - their first lead of the series. Rod Boykin stroked a double into center to lead off the frame and scored when Ty France punched a double into right field four batters later.
That first lead was short lived, as the Volcanoes tied the game in the second. John Riley drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second when Julio Pena walked two batters later. Richard Rodriguez - making his first start in five games - then laced a single into center that scored Riley and knotted the game at 1-1.
Tri-City reclaimed the lead in the third but the Volcanoes again tied it up the following half inning. Chase Compton led off the frame with a triple and came in to score when Miguel Gomez grounded out, tying the contest at 2-2.
That tie was brief as well, as the Dust Devils retook the lead yet again in the fourth. Justin Pacchioli walked to lead off the inning and scored when Peter Van Gassen singled to left, putting Tri-City ahead 3-2. The Dust Devils' first three runs all came when runners were in motion, drawing Salem-Keizer's infield defense out of position.
The two teams combined for 12 hits and ten walks but left 16 on base through the game's first five frames. Connolly battled through his 4 2/3 innings of work, allowing three runs on seven hits. He allowed at least two base runners in all but one of his innings.
Tri-City tacked on an insurance run in the sixth but again fumbled away an opportunity to bust the game open. The Dust Devils loaded the bases with only one out but could muster just a single run. Tri-City loaded the bases four times in the contest but scored only twice as a result.
The Volcanoes finally made them pay the next half inning. With men at the corners and two outs, Miguel Gomez blasted a towering three-run home run on the first pitch he saw to put Salem-Keizer up 5-4.
The Dust Devils tied the game once again in the eighth, though they again squandered a big inning. Reliever Cory Taylor allowed four consecutive batters to reach to begin the frame, surrendering the lead. Taylor kept the game tied in incredible fashion, though, fielding a ground ball with his bare hand to throw out the go-ahead run at the plate. He struck out the next two batters to end the frame, stranding two more Tri-City runners on base.
The teams exchanged scoreless frames until Tri-City took the lead in the 11th for the fourth and final time.
Player of the Game: Miguel Gomez had a night to remember, going 3-for-6 with a home run and four RBIs.
Up Next: The Volcanoes wrap up their series with the Tri-City Dust Devils Wednesday night. Nick Gonzalez (0-2, 7.80 ERA) will start for Salem-Keizer. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m.
Images from this story
 Miguel Gomez of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes Breaks his Bat (Mason Shoultz) |
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