Smith, Bees Hold Off Beavers for 5-4 Win

Published on June 3, 2010 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Will Smith took a shutout into the sixth inning and the Salt Lake Bees held off a rally by the Portland Beavers to earn a 5-4 win in a seven-inning game Thursday evening at PGE Park.

The game was part of a scheduled doubleheader, but the second game was postponed due to rain.

Smith earned his first career Triple-A win, tossing 6 1/3 innings and allowing four runs (3 earned) on eight hits and one walk while striking out three.

Nate Sutton had three hits, one RBI and one stolen base and Gary Patchett hit a pair of RBI singles for the Bees (27-25).

Craig Cooper hit a two-run single in the sixth and Chris Stewart had two hits, including a two-run double in the seventh, but the Beavers (20-33) could not bring home the tying run from second with one out in the seventh.

Beavers starter Josh Geer (1-6) gave up five runs on nine singles, including seven in the first two innings, and struck out one across four innings.

Cory Aldridge put the Bees on the board in the first when he followed singles by Sutton and Hank Conger with a single to second.

The Bees extended their lead with three runs in the third after beginning the inning with hits by Terry Evans, Ryan Budde and Patchett. After a sacrifice bunt, Budde scored on Sutton's second hit and Patchett came across on Conger's sacrifice fly.

Budde led off the fourth with a single, moved to second on a wild pitch by Geer and scored on Patchett's second RBI single.

The Beavers finally broke through against Smith in the sixth. Stewart and Luis Durango, who joined the Beavers Thursday after being optioned by the Padres the previous day, started the sixth with singles and scored on Cooper's hit up the middle.

With one out in the seventh, Sean Kazmar doubled to left and Anthony Contreras hit an infield single to short. Following a visit from manager Bobby Mitchell, Smith gave up Stewart's double to the left-center gap to make it a one-run game with the tying run on second. But Bees closer Rafael Rodriguez came in and induced a lineout by Durango. Then, after a walk to Aaron Cunningham, Mike Baxter lined a shot into the left-center gap that was tracked down by center fielder Peter Bourjos to preserve the win.

Rodriguez earned his seventh save for his efforts.

The Beavers and Bees put a wrap on their four-game series at PGE Park Friday at 11:05 a.m. (Pacific).

NOTES: Cooper extended his hitting streak to seven games with the sixth-inning single ... the postponed game will be made up as part of a doubleheader at PGE Park on Aug. 1.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 3, 2010


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