Volcanoes Drop Series Opener to Eugen
September 2, 2015 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes News Release
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes Pitcher Domenic Mazza
(Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, Credit: Mason Shoultz)
KEIZER, Ore. - The Volcanoes opened up their final home series of the season Tuesday night with a 5-4 loss to the Eugene Emeralds at Volcanoes Stadium.
Chris Shaw crushed a one two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to get the Volcanoes within one with two outs left. Jose Vizcaino Jr. then singled and advanced to second after a Dillon Dobson sacrifice bunt.
John Riley walked before a Byron Murray strike out and Christian Lichtenthaler ground out ended the game in Keizer.
The Emeralds busted the game open with a four-run fourth after both offenses struggled out of the gates. P.J. Higgins and Eloy Jimenez opened the frame with back-to-back singles.
Volcanoes starter Mike Connolly (4-3, 3.66 ERA) then threw two wild pitches that allowed Higgins to score and Jimenez to reach third. Connolly tossed his third wild pitch before allowing four more hits, including two doubles, and two more runs.
With one out left in the top of the fourth manager Kyle Haines turned to Volcanoes' Domenic Mazza, to get out of the inning. Mazza retired the first batter he faced with a ground out to second.
Salem-Keizer also debuted three new position players behind Mazza, Murray, Dobson and Tyler Brown moved up from the Arizona League Giants along with Mazza. Murray started in left field as Dobson filled in at third and Brown played second base. Vizcaino Jr. made his professional debut at shortstop as well.
Emerald's starter Justin Steele worked through the Volcanoes with ease. Steele only allowed a broken-bat single to Shaw on his way to completing four innings and striking out four.
Jose Paulino (4-6,4.09 ERA) gave up four runs in four innings but walked away with the win after being relieved in the ninth. Craig Brooks recorded on strike out on his way to picking up his second save of the season.
In the bottom of the sixth Ronnie Jebavy hit his eighth home run of the season to open up the scoring for the Volcanoes.
After Eugene added an insurance run in the seventh, Miguel Gomez ripped a double down the left-field line. Gomez made his way around the paths to score after ground out by Shaw and Vicaino Jr.
Up Next: Game Two will see Grant Watson (0-1, 3.86 ERA) and Oscar De La Crus (6-3, 2.96) on the mound. De La Crus got the better of Watson on August 20, when they faced off in Keizer. De La Crus went six innings while allowing four runs on his way to a win. Watson, making his first start as a Volcano, only lasted 3 2/3 innings allowing three runs on six hits.
Images from this story
 Salem-Keizer Volcanoes Pitcher Domenic Mazza (Mason Shoultz) |
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