Thompson Effort, Three Homers Help Beavers Snap Skid

August 15, 2007 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Mike Thompson turned in seven strong innings in his return from San Diego and the Portland Beavers hit three home runs to snap a five-game losing streak with a 5-2 win over the Sacramento River Cats Wednesday night at PGE Park.

Craig Stansberry and Peter Ciofrone hit two-run homers and Ray Chang added a solo shot for the Beavers (50-75), who were limited to four hits.

All seven runs in the game came off home runs; Jeff DaVanon and Kevin Melillo went deep for the River Cats (73-52), who had a five-game winning streak come to an end.

Thompson (4-9), who was optioned from San Diego on Tuesday, gave up a pair of runs and six hits in the win. Will Startup and Jared Wells combined for two innings of scoreless relief to seal the win. Wells picked up his third save of the year by getting the last two outs.

Despite allowing just three hits, Brad Knox (9-6) took the loss after giving up three runs over six innings in the start for Sacramento.

The game was tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh when Chang lifted a first-pitch, leadoff homer to left to give Portland its second lead.

Ciofrone's clout in the eighth, his fourth with the Beavers, gave Portland a three-run cushion.

A solo homer from DaVanon gave the River Cats a short-lived lead in the top of the third, but Stansberry's two-run blast put the Beavers up by a run in the bottom of the inning.

Melillo's solo shot off Thompson in the seventh tied the game at 2-2.

The series continues Thursday night at PGE Park in a 7:05 p.m. start.

NOTES: Before the game, the Beavers placed pitcher Steve Watkins and outfielder Hiram Bocachica on the disabled list. Additionally, outfielder Yordany Ramirez was reinstated from the disabled list.

Beavers Game File

WEDNESDAY'S GAME: Beavers 5, Sacramento 2

WINNING PITCHER: Thompson (4-9)

LOSING PITCHER: Knox (9-6)

SAVE: Wells (3)

HOME RUNS: Stansberry (11), Chang (3), Ciofrone (4), DaVanon (1), Melillo (10)

THURSDAY'S GAME: Sacramento (Dallas Braden: 1-1, 3.18) at Portland (Tim Stauffer: 6-4, 4.96), 7:05 p.m.; live broadcast on KKAD AM-1550 and www.portlandbeavers.com.

THURSDAY'S PROMOTION: The Beavers host their final Miller Lite Thursday of the 2007 season on Beach Night at PGE Park presented by Jammin' 95.5. The Beavers' game against Sacramento sets the stage for the Rock, Paper, Scissors, finals as the eight finalists from the season-long competition battle for a trip to San Diego.



Pacific Coast League Stories from August 15, 2007


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