Shepherd Shepherds Tri-City to Sweep
Published on August 21, 2011 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Tri-City Dust Devils News Release
Tri-City outfielder Jaron Shepherd went 3-for-3, falling a home run shy of the cycle, as the Dust Devils (38-25 overall, 16-9 second half) beat the Yakima Bears, 7-2. Shepherd, a Rockies' 2011 draft pick out of Mississippi State, scored a run and picked up two RBI in front of a sold out crowd of 3,720 at Gesa Stadium Saturday night. The turnout was the largest this season for the Dust Devils.
The victory improved Tri-City's Northwest League best home record to 23-7. They have now won eight straight at home and sixteen of their last 18. The game was the last of the twelve-game season series between the Dust Devils and the Bears (23-40 overall, 10-15 second half). Tri-City won ten of the twelve matchups, making it only the third time since 2005 they have gone 10-2 against an opponent.
Shepherd's big night was complimented by fellow outfielders Brian Humphries and Tyler Massey. Humphries, hitting lead-off tonight, went 2-for-2 with two singles, three walks, one run, and his team-leading tenth stolen base of the season. Massey followed up yesterday's two-RBI performance by tallying two singles, two runs, and two stolen bases.
The Dust Devils fell behind 2-0 after the third inning as starting pitcher Ricardo Ferrer struggled to find a rhythm through four innings. Ferrer threw first-pitch strikes to only 14 out of 18 batters he faced but kept Tri-City in the game by pitching out of jams and giving up only two runs (1 ER). But relievers Rhett Ballard, Craig Bennigson, and Jeremiah Sammy combined to give up just two hits over five scoreless innings. Ballard picked up the win to improve to 3-2.
Bears' starter Yiomar Camacho (1-1) suffered his first NWL loss in only his fifth start. The Venezuelan right-hander allowed four runs (1 ER) over 5 1/3 innings but was the victim of poor defense. Yakima reliever Greg Robinson struggled to throw strikes in 2 2/3 innings, giving up three runs and allowing five walks.
Tri-City will begin a three-game series with the Spokane Indians tomorrow night at Gesa Stadium. Right-hander Tyler Gagnon (3-1, 2.67) will get the start for the Dust Devils and go up against left-hander Chris Hanna (2-1, 3.72). Fans in attendance will receive a magnet commemorating the Dust Devils' 2011 First Half Eastern Division Championship. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:15 pm.
Northwest League Stories from August 21, 2011
- Canadians Take Slugfest To Open Series In Salem - Vancouver Canadians
- Comerota and Kudryk Lead Bears to Victory - Yakima Bears
- Hawks Fall to Bears 4-1 - Boise Hawks
- Sellout Crowd Enjoys Fireworks as Indians Drop Series Finale - Spokane Indians
- Offense busts out to help Canadians salvage series against Everett - Vancouver Canadians
- Shepherd Shepherds Tri-City to Sweep - Tri-City Dust Devils
- Dust Devils Complete Sweep Over Bears Saturday - Yakima Bears
- Hawks win 7-3 - Boise Hawks
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