PORTLAND, Ore. (July 14, 2024) – The Portland Pickles (26-9) struck out 15 hitters in their sweep clinching win over the Bend Elks (21-15). After winning their 11th series, this was their fourth sweep of the season. The second half of the season has treated the Pickles well, as they move to 9-1 and sit tied with the Ridgefield Raptors for the most wins in WCL second half play. The Pickles are now two wins away from last year's win mark (28).

Starting right-handed pitcher Freddy Rodriguez (Hawaii) would throw 5.0 innings for the fourth straight straight start and strike out a season high eight batters, while giving up one earned run on four hits and one walk. Left-hander Chris Downs (Cal Poly), and right-hander Alex Overbay (UNLV) would pick up where Rodrigues left off. The two combined for 3.0 innings, six strikeout, one run on two hits. Downs would earn his first win of the season, and Overbay would strikeout the side in his lone inning pitched.

A three-run sixth inning would help the Pickles in their victory with first baseman Kevin Ferguson (Hawaii) belting his second home run of the season in the bottom of the eighth for another insurance run. Ferguson would be one of two hitters with a multi-hit game with right fielder Tanner Griffith (St. Marys) recording a double and a triple to go along with two RBI. Seven of the nine hitters in the lineup would score once as the Pickles would only leave six runners on base.

The Pickles finished second in the South Division of the first half of the WCL and second overall in winning percentage (.724) in the first half of the season. In order to make the playoffs, the Pickles will need to finish in the top four of the South Division in the second half of the season. Four Pickles made the 2024 WCL All-Star Game. Patrick Keigrhan (San Francisco), Tanner Griffith (St. Marys), Shay Timmer (Northern Colorado), and Freddie Rodriguez (Hawaii). The WCL All-Star game will be broadcasted live on the MLB network Wednesday, July 17th, beginning at 6:30 PM Pacific Time.

KEY MOMENTS OF THE GAME:

In the bottom of the second inning an error, and a balk would put third baseman Alejandro Grarza (Cal Poly) on second and scoring position with no outs. A two out wild pitch would score Garza and give the Pickles the early 1-0 lead.

A two out single in the top of the third would be the only action for the Elks in the inning as starting pitcher Freddy Rodriguez (Hawaii) would record a pair of strikeouts to push the total to five in three innings. In the bottom half, a one out error, and a stolen base from designated hitter Patrick Keigrhan (San Francisco) would bring another Pickles’ runner to second base for the third straight inning. A two out double to deep right center from right fielder Tanner Griffith (St. Marys) would push across another Pickles’ run for the 2-0 lead.

Bend would respond in the top half of the fourth inning however. A one out walk and an error from the Pickles would give the Elks their first runner in scoring position for the game. A pair of singles with one out to left field, and a fielder's choice would tie the game 2-2. Rodriguez would record his seventh strikeout of the game with runners on second and third to keep the game tied 2-2.

The Pickles would be threatened again in the top of the fifth. A leadoff single, and a sacrifice bunt would give the Elks the go-ahead run on second. An error, and a ground out would move runners to second and third with two outs. A big strikeout would give Rodriguez his eighth strikeout of the game, and eliminate the threat to keep the game tied 2-2.

Top of the 6th: Left-hander Chris Downs (Cal Poly) would come in for relief for the fifth time this season. After a leadoff nine-pitch walk, a pop up, and a pair of strikeouts would move the game to the bottom half.

The Elks would bring a left-handed reliever in the bottom half of the sixth, and a leadoff double to left field from left fielder Carter Frederick (Oklahoma) would give the Pickles the go-ahead run on second base. Right fielder Tanner Griffith (St. Marys) would push a liner to left field for a triple and retake the lead 3-2. A wild pitch would help extend the lead, and score Griffith from third base for the 4-2 lead. A two out walk from center fielder Tony Otis (Pacific) and heads up baserunning on a wild pitch would help advance him to third base. A two out liner to center field from first baseman Kevin Ferguson (Hawaii) would bring in another Pickles run for a three run sixth and the 5-2 lead.

The Elks looked to respond in the top of the seventh with a leadoff double to left center field. A two out single up the middle would bring in a run, but Downs would record a strikeout to keep the 5-3 lead. The bottom half of the inning would see a shortstop Tyler Harries (San Francisco) infield single and a designated hitter Patrick Keigrhan (San Francisco) sacrifice bunt. This would put Harries on second, and bring a pitching change for the Elks with one out. A walk and a hit-by-pitch would load the bases, and second baseman Alex Gouveia (UC Davis) recorded an RBI on a ground ball to second to push the lead back to three runs. The Elks however would prevent further damage with a two out strikeout with the bases loaded and keep the 6-3 deficit.

Right-hander Alex Overbay (UNLV) would come in for relief in the top of the eighth inning and strike out the side to keep the momentum. First baseman Kevin Ferguson (Hawaii) would belt a leadoff home run to left field for his second of the season to extend the 7-3 lead and provide the killshot needed to come away with the 7-3 victory.

SEASON NOTES:

Tyler Harries (San Francisco) has recorded eight multi-hit games this season, and recorded 12 hits in the last nine games.
Tanner Griffith (St. Marys) has reached base safely in 29 of 33 games played this season. Griffith has recorded nine multi-hit games, and leads the team with 32 walks this season. Griffith has also recorded 2+ walks in a game nine times this season.
Patrick Keighran (San Francisco) has recorded at least one hit in 11 of the last 13 games, with seven multi-hit games this season. Keighran has also recorded at least two runs in 11 games this season, and has recorded 2+ walks in nine games this season.
Alex Gouveia (UC Davis) has reached base safely in 17 of 22 games played this season. Gouveia has recorded 10 multi-hit games this season, and four games with at least three hits.
In his first seven games, Carter Frederick (Oklahoma) has recorded a hit in all seven games and has recorded at least one walk in six of seven games. Frederick is 12-26 with four doubles, seven runs, recording seven RBI, and a 8-3BB/K ratio while adding two stolen bases.
In his first seven games, Alejandro Garza (Cal Poly) has recorded a run in six straight games, and recorded a hit in six of seven games. Garza is 9-29 with a double, six runs, and a 4-1 BB/K ratio.
Sam Christiansen (Oklahoma) has reached base safely in 22 of 26 games this season.
Dylan Smith (Northern Colorado) is second on the team in innings pitched (24), and has thrown for 4.0+ innings in five of six appearances this season.
Murphy Gienger (Northern Colorado) has recorded 4+ strikeouts in five of six appearances this season, and is third on the team in innings pitched (23).
Freddie Rodriguez (Hawaii) has thrown for 5+ innings in all five starts this season, and has won three of his five starts this season. Rodriguez also leads the team in innings (26) and strikeouts (31).
Brock Roundy (Utah Tech) has recorded 5+ strikeouts in three of four games pitched, and has not given up a run this season in 16 innings pitched.
Shaydon Benson has appeared in seven games and has thrown for at least 2+ innings in every appearance, and struck out 3+ three times.
Noah Luchessi (Sacramento State) leads the team with eight appearances this season.
The Pickles have won their 11th series this season, and have won eight straight series.
The Pickles are 13-4 at home, 13-5 on the road, and 9-1 in their last 10 games

PICKLES IN THE WCL:

The Pickles are 9-1 in the second half of the season. Pickles finished second overall in winning percentage (.680) in the first half of the season, and second in the South division with a 17-8 record.
Team defense is second in fielding percentage (.974).
Offense is first in walks (210), HBP (69), sacrifice hits (47), second in runs scored (228), OBP (.396), third in RBI (178), stolen bases (79), OPS (.732), and fourth in HR (12).
Pitching is first in hits allowed (229), strikeouts (315), SLG allowed (.246), AVG against (.199), tied for first in wins (26), second in runs (107), earned runs (97), WHIP (1.21), and ERA (2.74).
Tyler Harries (San Francisco) sits fourth in AVG (.346), and seventh in OBP (.448).
Tanner Griffith (St. Marys) sits first in total walks (32), tied for third in runs scored (28), and HBP (9), and fourth in OBP (.457).
Patrick Keighran (San Francisco) is first in runs scored (38), and OBP (.514), tied for first in HBP (15), second in total walks (30), and fifth in SLG percentage (.490).
Tony Otis (Pacific) is tied for second in HR (4).
Connor Stewart (CSUN) is tied for fourth in HBP (8).
Sam Christiansen (Oklahoma) is tied for fourth in stolen bases (14).
Freddy Rodriguez (Hawaii) is tied for sixth in total strikeouts (31).

NEXT UP:

The Portland Pickles (26-9) will be back home in Walker Stadium to face the Ridgefield Raptors (19-16) in a battle for first place in the second half of the WCL season. Both teams have nine wins, and this is the Pickles’ second makeup game due to a rainout in the beginning of the season. This game will conclude a three-games series started earlier in the season, Thursday, July 18th, and it will be 10 cent beer night. Come join us for a huge WCL match up in Walker Stadium as tickets are selling fast!

Ticket Info: https://www.picklestickets.com/

The Brooms Come Out In Walker Stadium

Pickles Fall In Battle For First

Pickles Stay Hot, Clinch Series