Pickles Cruise Past Night Owls In Opener
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 21, 2024) – The Portland Pickles (11-6) did not mess around in a comfortable 11-3 game one victory over the visiting Nanaimo NightOwls (7-9). Walker Stadium saw fireworks early with a six run second inning, and a three run third inning.
It was a balanced attack from the Pickles’ lineup that saw eight different Pickles record a run and seven different hitters recorded at least one hit. Three Pickles’ hitters recorded two RBI (Christiansen, Metcho, and Wood), and three hitters recorded at least two walks (Metcho, Griffith, and Keigrhan). First baseman Patrick Keighran (San Francisco) recorded three runs and four walks (the most walks by any Pickles’ hitter in a game this season).
Starting left-hander Ben Smith (GCU) made his second start of the season. Smith guided the Pickles to their hot start, striking out four in 3.0 innings of work, while giving up only one hit and one walk. Right-hander reliever Shay Timmer (Northern Colorado) dominated in four innings of work, matching his season high. Timmer gave up one hit, one walk, and recorded a season high seven strikeouts. Timmer now leads the Pickles pitching staff in strikeouts (18) and innings (14).
Key Moments of the Game:
In the top of the first, Starting left-hander Ben Smith (GCU) struck out the side. A pair of singles to left center from center fielder Sam Christiansen (Oklahoma) and shortstop Jack Metcho (Pacific) gave the Pickles the early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first.
The bottom of the second, first baseman Patrick Keighran (San Francisco) worked his first walk of the night. A double from left fielder Dominic Chacon, and a double to left center from center fielder Sam Christiansen (Oklahoma) would bring in two runs to extend the 3-0 lead. A single from designated hitter Nathan Wood (South Alabama) would bring two more runs across. A wild pitch, then another single from catcher Connor Stewart (CSUN) would bring another run in. The Pickles would push across six runs in the inning to take the commanding 7-0 lead.
In the top of the third, the first two runners delivered a single and a walk. A nice double play from third baseman Alex Gouveia (UC Davis), and a line drive to shortstop would quiet the NightOwls. Another Keighran leadoff walk would help another productive inning for the Pickles. A Chacon single, a bunt error, a double steal, and a Griffith single to right field, pushed across three more runs to make the lead 10-0.
In the top of the fourth, a leadoff single, a HBP, and a two run single would bring two NightOwls across for their first runs of the night. Bases would be loaded with one out, but right-handed reliever Shay Timmer (Northern Colorado) would limit the damage and the lead 10-2. The seventh inning, the Pickles would add another run to take a 11-2 lead. The NightOwls pushed one runner across in the bottom of the ninth, as the Pickles would win 11-3.
GAME NOTES:
Right-hander Cade Reitzenstein (Cal St. Chico) pitched a season high 2.0 innings in his third appearance of the year.
Right fielder Tanner Griffith (St. Marys) recorded a walk and has reached base safely in 13 of 15 games this season. Has five games this season with at least two walks.
Center fielder Sam Christiansen (Oklahoma) recorded a single and has reached base safely in 14 of 16 games this season. Also recorded his third double this season, and second in three games.
Patrick Keighran (San Francisco) recorded his third game with at least two walks, his second with three walks in a game, and first with four walks.
Shortstop Jack Metcho (Pacific) recorded at least one walk for his third straight game, and two walks in two of the last three games. Metcho has also recorded two RBI in back-to-back games.
Nate Wood (South Alabama) recorded a single and has recorded at least one hit in 7 of the last 8 games.
Dominic Chacon (GCU) recorded his second multi-hit game of the season.
Three Pickles’ hitters recorded at least two walks in the game
Pickles had runners in scoring position in 4 of 8 innings and left 7 base runners on base.
Eight different Pickles recorded a run in the game, and seven different hitters recorded at least one hit.
Pickles are 7-4 at home, 4-2 on the road, and 6-4 in their last 10 games.
Pickles In The WCL:
The Pickles stand 3.5 games back of first place in the South Division of the WCL, and second overall in winning percentage (.647). Team defense is second in fielding percentage (.976)
Offense is first in total walks (107), second in OBP (.387) third in stolen bases (39).
Pitching is second in total strikeouts (170), AVG against (.182), third in WHIP (1.20),
Sam Christiansen (Oklahoma) sits second in stolen bases.
Tanner Griffith (St. Marys) sits third in total walks (16).
Next Up:
The Portland Pickles will host game two of the three-game home series June 22nd against the Nanaimo NightOwls.
Ticket Info: https://www.picklestickets.com/
