Pickles’ Rally Late, Fall To Black Bears In Game Two
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 19, 2024) – The Portland Pickles (9-6) offense were outpaced by the Cowlitz Black Bears (5-8) in a game two 9-5 defeat. The Black Bears used a four run third and eighth inning to help even up the series and force a rubber match in game three of the series.
The Pickles’ offense was unable to light up the scoreboard until the seventh inning. Two Pickles' hitters recorded two multi-hit games (Griffith and Gouveia) and totaled five of the Pickles’ six hits.
Three Pickles’ pitchers combined to strike out 10 Black Bears hitters (Benson, Gienger, and Guest).
Heading into game three of the series, Pickles’ sit three and a half games back of first in the south division of the WCL, and hold the third highest winning percentage across the south and north divisions (.600).
Key Moments of the Game
In the top of the third, an infield single with runners on second and third would give the early lead to the Black Bears. Next batter, a three run home run would extend the lead 4-0. The following inning, right-hander Murphy Gienger (Northern Colorado) would work out of a bases loaded jam with a strikeout and a double play, but the Black Bears would add a run to add to their 5-0 lead.
Designated hitter Alex Overbay (UNLV) led the bottom of the seventh with a walk. Right fielder Tanner Griffith (St. Marys) would then work a walk to have runners on first and second. Second baseman Alex Gouveia (UC Davis) would then bring two runs across with a single up the middle to cut the Black Bears 5-2 lead. Gouveia recorded his first two RBI of the season, and first multi-hit game as well. A Jack Metcho walk would bring the tying-run up to the plate, but the Black Bears forced a ground out to keep their 5-2 lead.
The Black Bears were able to push four runners across to push their lead back to seven runs and take the lead 9-2 in the top of the eighth. In the bottom of the eighth, designated hitter Alex Overbay (UNLV) recorded his second walk of the night and his third game with at least two walks this season. Harries and Griffith would then record a walk a piece to load the bases. A pass ball would bring across one run to cut the deficit 9-3, but a diving catch in left would end the threat and keep the six run lead.
In the bottom of the ninth, second baseman Alex Gouveia (UC Davis) started the inning with his third single of the night. Back-to-back walks would give the Pickles bases loaded once again. A walk, and a HBP would help score two runs cutting the deficit 9-5. With the tying run at the place the Black Bears struck out back-to-back hitters, and a fly ball to center field clinched game two, forcing a rubber match in game three.
GAME NOTES:
Left-hander Shaydon Benson (College of Southern Idaho) started in his team-leading third start of the season and matched a season high three strikeouts.
Reliever Murphy Gienger (Northern Colorado) recorded four strikeouts in three innings of work. Gienger now is second on the team with 11.1 innings pitched this season.
Right-hander Murphy Gienger (Northern Colorado) would make his third appearance of the season, second out of the pen.
Reliever right-hander Luke Guest (Northern Colorado) set season highs with two innings of work and three strikeouts.
Center fielder Hunter Clayton (Clackamas CC) earned his first start of the season.
Second baseman Alex Gouveia (UC Davis) earned his first three hits of the night with two RBI as well.
Tanner Griffith (St. Marys) recorded his third multi-hit game, and reached base safely five times. Griffith has reached base safely in 11 of 13 games this season.
Designated hitter Alex Overbay (UNLV) recorded two runs, and has recorded two or more runs in three games this season.
Four Pickles’ hitters recorded two walks in the game (Griffith, Metcho, Ferguson, and Overbay)
Pickles had runners in scoring position in seven of nine innings and left 14 base runners on base.
Pickles are 5-4 at home, 4-2 on the road, and 4-6 in their last 10 games
Next Up
The Portland Pickles Host the Cowlitz Black Bears tomorrow night for the finale of this three-game home series. They will then host another three-game home series the Nanaimo NightOwls June 21st-23rd.
Ticket Info: https://www.picklestickets.com/
