Sweets Mount Rally To Stun Pippins
Published on July 6, 2014 under West Coast League (WCL)
Yakima Valley Pippins News Release
WALLA WALLA, Wash. - The Walla Walla Sweets put a big rally together Saturday night, scoring nine runs in the final three innings to claim an 11-10 victory over the Yakima Valley Pippins.
After being held to just one run on Friday, the Pippins (14-10) brought out the bats on Saturday. Yakima Valley scored twice in the first, before adding three more runs with a two-out rally in the top of the 5th.
A 5-0 lead at the time seemed like plenty of support for Pippins starter Austin Woodward, who cruised through the first four innings of Saturday's game. However, a dropped fly ball in left field by Justin Jacobs with two outs in the 5th opened the door for Walla Walla (10-14). The Sweets scored two unearned runs in the 5th to make it a 5-2 game.
The Pippins had an answer in the 7th, though, stringing three straight hits on three straight pitches together with two outs, which, along with a wild pitch and a double steal, boosted the Pippins lead to 8-2.
The Sweets struck back in the 7th inning, scoring five times against four different pitchers to climb back into the game at 8-7.
Once again, the Pippins had a response, putting up two runs in the top of the 8th to restore a three-run lead at 10-7. Yakima Valley appeared to have another run on a sacrifice fly, but umpires ruled that Mitch Skaggs, who had scored on the play, left third base before the ball was caught, negating the run.
In the bottom of the 8th, the Sweets scored twice more to make it a one-run game once again at 10-9. After a scoreless top of the 9th, the Sweets made one final push in the bottom of the 9th. Reliever Kenny Rosenberg retired leadoff hitter Mike Paulson, before allowing a single to pinch-hitter Jordan Frabasilio. Rosenberg then struck out shortstop John Skrbec to set up the final out, but gave up a single to Ryan Littlefield that moved Frabasilio's pinch-runner Moe Handcox to third base.
Handcox scored the tying run on a wild pitch that also sent Littlefield to second base before Aldo Ferrante drew a walk. Another wild pitch advanced Littlefield to third base, with Mikey Duarte coming to the plate. Duarte bounced a full count pitch softly on the infield and Mitch Skaggs' throw to first was not in time, plating the winning run and finishing the comeback for the Sweets.
The bullpen, which entered the night with an ERA of 2.79, gave up eight of the 11 runs, after starter Austin Woodward allowed just three (one earned) in his six innings of work.
The Pippins will take their second off day of the season on Sunday before welcoming the Victoria HarbourCats to Yakima on Monday for a three-game series.
West Coast League Stories from July 6, 2014
- HarbourCats Complete Road Sweep of Kitsap - Victoria HabourCats
- Gritty effort gives Sweets second straight series win - Walla Walla Sweets
- HarbourCats Continue Mastery of Kitsap - Victoria HabourCats
- Sweets Mount Rally To Stun Pippins - Yakima Valley Pippins
- Kelowna Falcons Crush Wenatchee - Kelowna Falcons
- Elks Split in Medford - Bend Elks
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