Volcanoes cruise to victory behind seven-run inning

KEIZER, Ore. - Salem-Keizer came into Tuesday night craving a win, as Tuesday marked the start of the second half of the season. The Volcanoes' hunger for victory showed as they erupted for seven runs in the bottom of the fifth and went on to defeat the Spokane Indians 10-4 at Volcanoes Stadium.

Christian Arroyo was a key piece in the bottom of the fifth, singling to lead off the inning and then knocking in two with another single later in the frame.

"That was cool," Arroyo said. "I've never had two hits in an inning before."

The Volcanoes made the first splash in the bottom half of the first. Spokane starter Reed Garrett issued a leadoff walk to Johneshwy Fargas to begin the frame. Seth Harrison followed with a bloop single to center, and after the two runners advanced on a wild pitch, Arroyo slashed a line drive down the left field line for a two-run single.

Spokane seemed poised to erase the Volcanoes lead in the top of the second when a walk, an error, and a single started off the inning and made the score 2-1. However, Ethan Miller returned to his first-inning form, striking out Charles Moorman and inducing a spectacular 4-6-3 double play.

Salem-Keizer jumped ahead by two once again in the bottom of the third. Singles from Harrison and Skyler Ewing paved the way for T Relaford who plated Harrison with a soft ground ball to shortstop. At the end of three, the score was 3-1 in favor of the Volcanoes.

The game was broken wide open in the bottom of the fifth. Arroyo got things started with a leadoff single to right-center. Ewing and Relaford both made quick outs, and it looked like the Volcanoes might be happy with scratching across one run in the inning. However, eight straight hitters were able to reach base with two outs, plating seven runs. The inning saw two walks, an error, and six singles, two of which came off the bat of Arroyo.

"I have a routine going with [hitting coach] Ricky Ward before the game, so when it comes to the game I'm not even thinking about hitting, I just put a good swing on the ball and let the rest happen," Arroyo said.

Spokane tried to scratch their way back from the nine-run deficit with two runs in the sixth and another run in the seventh, but their efforts fell short as Ian Gardeck shut the door in the top of the ninth.

Arroyo finished the night 3-5 with 4 RBI. He now has 13 hits in his last six games.

Salem-Keizer currently sits atop the NWL south division with a second-half record of 1-0.

Up Next: The Volcanoes host game two of the five-game series against the Spokane Indians tomorrow night with a 6:35 first pitch. Jason Forjet will carry a 2-0 record and a 3.79 ERA into the matchup, as the Volcanoes look to build on their early second-half success.

About the Volcanoes: The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes are a minor league affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Home games are played at Volcanoes Stadium in Keizer from mid-June through early-September. Tickets start at just $7. For more information call the Volcanoes at (503) 390-2225.