Zephyrs Pull a Fast One on Beavers

Published on June 19, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland had its 39th victory signed, sealed and ...

Well, the delivery fell a little short as a seemingly harmless two-out throwing error by pitcher Courtney Duncan extended New Orleans' time at bat in the ninth and eventually led to a most improbable 5-4 win for the Zephyrs at PGE Park Wednesday night.

The Zephyrs (42-31) went on to score three unearned runs in the inning, capped by a game-winning RBI single by Henri Stanley through the left side of the infield that completed the come-from-behind win.

Kirk Bullinger worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth to get his 10th save.

Duncan, coming on in search of his 18th save, sat down the first two batters he faced in the ninth before fielding a two-out come-backer off the bat of John Buck. The right-hander rushed a casual throw over to first base that landed in the dirt and handcuffed Tagg Bozied to keep the inning alive.

Jason Alfaro then singled to right and Buck came around to score on a double by Kyle Logan. Alfaro tied the game on a passed ball off the glove of Wiki Gonzalez before Stanley capped the Beavers misery with his crowd-shushing single.

The Beavers (38-36) took a 4-2 lead in the sixth on a two-run home run by Gonzalez. Ben Risinger led off the inning with a sharp single to left, setting the table for Gonzalez, who cleared the left-field fence with his first home run for Portland.

Portland starter Brian Tollberg gave up a solo home run to Buck in the second inning but bounced back to retire 13 of the next 14 batters he faced before allowing another solo shot to Jason Lane that tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the sixth.

The Beavers took their first lead in the fourth inning on a two-RBI single by Rich Gomez, giving Portland a 2-1 advantage.

Gomez was 3-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and two RBIs for the Beavers, who amassed 12 hits on the night.

The loss in front of 3,964 extended Portland's home losing streak to four games and spoiled what would have been Tollberg's first win for the Beavers.

Ken Vining got the win for the Zephyrs while Duncan (1-3) took the loss.

NOTES: The Beavers have hit 60 home runs this year, 13 more than they had through June 18 last year ... it was Tollberg's second start in three days ... the right-hander worked just a third of an inning Monday night at Albuquerque before a 54-minute rain delay cut short his fifth Triple-A start of the year after facing just three batters.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 19, 2003


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