Tri-City Beats Yakima in Pitchers Duel
Published on August 19, 2011 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Tri-City Dust Devils News Release
The Tri-City Dust Devils (14-9 second half, 36-25 overall) turned a double-play with the bases loaded in the top of the ninth to finish off the Yakima Bears 3-1 in front of 2,563 at Gesa Stadium. The win is the Dust Devils' sixth straight at home and it improves the team's Northwest League best home record to 21-7.
Chris Dennis, the University of Portland's all-time saves leader, earned his first professional save by getting Henry Zabala to ground into the game-ending twin killing. The play finished a wild ninth in which the Bears loaded the bases with only one out against Tri-City reliever Will Rankin. Earlier in the inning, field umpire Lee Meyer ruled that Taylor Featherston did not touch second base on a potential force play. As the Dust Devils contested the call, Bears base-runner Danny Pulfer attempted to catch Tri-City off guard by taking third. He was retired in a run-down for the inning's first out.
Rankin (1-0) picked up the win in his NWL debut, throwing 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Tri-City starting pitcher Chris Jensen was solid in his fifth professional start. The right-hander allowed one run in five innings with five strikeouts and no walks. Bears' starter John Pedrotty was just as impressive, giving up only one run over six innings. The NWL Pitcher of the Week tied a career high with eight strikeouts and didn't allow a walk.
Tim Smalling had a big offensive night for the Dust Devils. The infielder tied the game in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI-groundout and drove in the team's third run in the eighth with an RBI-triple. Taylor Featherston recorded the game-winning hit with a two-out single in the seventh, scoring Tyler Massey. Yakima's lone run came in the first inning. Jensen gave up back-to-back base hits to start the inning and Westley Moss stole third to set up an RBI-groundout for Garrett Weber.
Christian Bergman will take the hill for the Dust Devils tomorrow night as they take on the Bears in game two of the series. Bergman will go up against Yakima right-hander Yiomar Camacho. The Spitball Gang will be at the ballpark to entertain fans and it will also be Lamb Weston's $1 Family Feast Night. First pitch is at 7:15 pm.
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