Salem-Keizer Shrugs off Early Deficit, Evens Series
August 14, 2016 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes News Release
Quinn was a perfect 4-for-4 on the night as Salem-Keizer snapped a five-game skid. (Gordie Clary) EVERETT, Washington - Behind an offensive onslaught of 11 runs and 15 hits, the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes snapped a five-game skid and evened a five-game series with the AquaSox on Saturday night. Heath Quinn led Salem-Keizer's charge with his first career four-hit game.
The Volcanoes used a seven-run outburst between the third and fourth innings to erase an early deficit and take control of Saturday's game two. Quinn and Kevin Rivera combined for seven hits - nearly half of Salem-Keizer's 15-hit total.
At first it looked like the home team who would be putting up the gaudy offensive numbers. Salem-Keizer starting pitcher, Matt Krook, gave up a four-spot to Everett in the opening inning. The University of Oregon product walked the bases loaded without recording an out and promptly allowed a grand slam to Everett third baseman Nick Zammarelli, his fifth home run of the season. In an early 4-0 hole, Krook stopped the bleeding before allowing the lead to grow any larger.
Salem-Keizer did not delay its attempt at a comeback with shortstop Ryan Howard homering on the first pitch of the second frame.
The Volcanoes completely erased the deficit in the top of the third inning with four runs on four hits. Rivera and Manuel Geraldo opened the inning with back-to-back singles. Quinn and Gio Brusa came through and did the real damage, logging consecutive doubles to drive in three runs and tie the ballgame. After doubling, Brusa went to third on a wild pitch and scored the go-ahead run on an RBI ground out from Howard.
Salem-Keizer's newly-found lead didn't last long as Krook's struggles with control resurfaced. After drawing two early walks in the third, Everett plated the tying run on a single.
The see-saw affair continued with the Volcanoes nearly matching their four-run third inning with three more runs in the fourth. With Zack Bowers on base, Rivera smashed his second home run of the season - a no-doubter off of the bat to right field. Geraldo scratched across another run on a wild pitch after reaching on an error.
From the fourth inning on, two runs is as close as the AquaSox would come, with Salem-Keizer offering a rebuttal for every Everett run.
The Volcanoes tacked on two final insurance runs in the top of the eighth to extend their lead to four runs. Quinn's fourth and final hit of the evening scored Geraldo and an RBI ground out from Howard scored Bryan Reynolds, who singled earlier in the frame.
Krook lasted just 2.2 innings and, despite allowing just two hits, surrendered five earned runs due to five walks issued. Krook's bullpen picked him up, however, combining to throw 6.1 innings while allowing just one earned run. Kendry Melo, Rayan Hernandez, Hengerber Medina and Jeff Burke limited the AquaSox' attack through the final six frames.
With the series even at one game apiece, Raffi Vizacaino (0-4, 4.97 ERA) and the Volcanoes will look to take the series edge. The middle game of the three-game series is set for 4:05 p.m. at Everett Memorial Stadium, with the Volcanoes Live pregame show at 3:45 p.m. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
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Northwest League Stories from August 14, 2016
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