Volcanoes prevail in one-run contest against Canadians

KEIZER, Ore. - The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes began the second half of the 2017 season on a high note when they held on for a 4-3 win on July 24 against the Vancouver Canadians in the fifth game of a five-game set at Volcanoes Stadium.
Salem-Kiezer grabbed the initial advantage with two runs in the bottom of the first. With two runners on, first baseman Ryan Kirby lifted a fly ball right field that was deep enough to score right fielder Logan Baldwin from third base. Second baseman Orlando Garcia doubled on a line to left field thereafter to plate another and extend the lead to 2-0.
However, the Volcanoes lead waxed and waned throughout the night more than a buoy in choppy waters. The Canadians had runners on second an third with no outs in the top of the second inning for right fielder Norberto Obeso in the batter's box. Obeso wounded up grounding a ball sharply throw the wickets of Volcanoes second baseman Orlando Garcia, allowing both runners to cross home plate and tie the score at 2-2 all.
The weight of the scale shifted back towards the Volcanoes 3-2 in the bottom of the third inning. Baldwin led off the frame with a base hit and then reached second via a ground ball by left fielder Bryce Johnson. With the next batter Kirby hacking, Baldwin jetted for third base. Canadians catcher Matt Morgan chucked a low throw that third baseman Bryan Lizardo could not corral. The ball trickled into the outfield as Baldwin scored on the throwing error.
Nonetheless, the Canadians evened up the score at 3-3 all in the proceeding top half with a run-scoring single off of the lumber of Obeso. Yet the Volcanoes countered with a run of their own in the bottom of the fourth inning with a run-scoring single by catcher Rob Calabrese, the first of his professional career, and regained the lead 4-3.
The fluctuation ceased the rest of the way as both pitching staffs tugged on the reigns of the hitters. Salem-Keizer's bullpen faced multiple jams, but was able to buckled down and maneuver itself out of trouble.
In the top of the fifth, after retiring the first two hitters, Volcanoes starting pitcher Jose Marte surrendered a single to shortstop Logan Warmoth, who eventually advanced to second on wild pitch, and walked designated hitter Kacy Clemens.
Subsequently after the base on ball, manager Jolbert Cabrera pulled Marte and called upon right-handed reliever Aaron Phillips. Marte, who received a no-decision on the night, pitched 4.2 innings and allowed three runs - two earned - on six hits and three walks while fanning three batsmen.
Phillips notched the third out of the inning when he induced a ground ball off of the bat of Canadians first baseman David Jacob to shortstop Manuel Geraldo who threw over to Kirby to complete the play.
Vancouver applied more pressure in the top of the sixth with runners on first and second with one out, but Phillips whiffed Morgan and logged a force out at second off of Pruitt to hold the Canadians scoreless in the inning.
After a quiet top of the seventh, the Canadians made some more noise on the base paths in the top of the eighth. Phillips struck out Morgan swinging with two outs and two runners on base, but the pitch was wild and Morgan reached first setting up a bases loaded situation with Pruitt at the plate. Phillips remained tightfisted, though, as he struck out Pruitt on three pitches to extinguish the threat.
Right-hander Andy Rohloff took over for Phillips in the top of the ninth. Rohloff served up a leadoff two-bagger to second baseman Cullen Large, but struck out the next two hitters and induced a fly out of Jacob to preserve the 4-3 victory and tally the first save of his professional career.
Phillips picked up his second win on the season, improving his record to 2-0 on the year. He threw 3.1 scoreless innings while permitting three hits and one walk and striking out four. Canadians starting southpaw Wilfri Aleton was charged with the loss, dropping his record to 2-4. Aleton pitched four innings and allowed four runs - three earned - on five hits and two walks while striking out four in the ballgame.
The Volcanoes will start a three-game series with the Eugene Emeralds on July 25 at Volcanoes Stadium. The Emeralds have yet to announce their starter for the game. Julio Benitez (0-2, 4.18 ERA) will start for the Volcanoes. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m.