Volcanoes offense grows cold in series decider
The Volcanoes fell behind early and couldn't recover as they dropped Wednesday's rubber match to the Dust Devils 4-2 at Gesa Stadium.
The Dust Devils bullpen fired 6 1/3 scoreless innings to close out the game, holding Salem-Keizer to only two hits while striking out eight.
The Volcanoes threatened early, loading the bases with nobody out in the first, but only managed to scratch across a single run. Miguel Gomez put Salem-Keizer on the board with his team-leading 27th RBI, but it was all the Volcanoes could muster as they stranded a couple on the basepaths.
The Volcanoes take a 1-0 lead in the first! Miguel Gomez drives in his 27th of the season! #GoSKV
- Volcanoes Baseball (@SKVolcanoes) July 23, 2015
The Dust Devils came right back to even the contest in the bottom of the first. Tri-City loaded the bases with only one out before Ty France slapped a single into left, tying the game at one run apiece.
Volcanoes starter Drew Leenhouts (4-2, 2.33 ERA) ran into trouble the following inning, allowing three straight singles without recording an out. Peter Van Gansen then followed suit, shooting a single into center that scored Justin Pacchioli and put Tri-City back out in front, 2-1.
The Dust Devils add another run in the second to take a 2-1 lead, but @Drewl37 again works out of a bases-loaded jam! #GoSKV
- Volcanoes Baseball (@SKVolcanoes) July 23, 2015
The Dust Devils added to their advantage in the third, cashing in on two Salem-Keizer errors. With already one out in the inning, Leenhouts struck out Mason Smith but the ball scampered away from catcher Miguel Gomez, allowing Smith to reach first safely. A.J. Kennedy and Pacchioli then singled before Mitch Morales punched a single into left that Julio Pena misplayed, allowing both Kennedy and Pacchioli to score.
A two run advantage proved to be plenty for the Tri-City bullpen, which dominated following Dust Devils starter Brandon Fry's exit in the third inning. Relievers Griffin Russell (2-1, 4.02 ERA) and Phil Maton combined to allow one base runner in five innings while striking out eight. The Tri-City bullpen retired 16 consecutive Volcanoes batters before reliever Sam Holland hit Julio Pena with a pitch with two outs in the ninth.
Salem-Keizer's bullpen preformed admirably as well, as Cory Taylor allowed only two hits in three scoreless innings while striking out six. It was all for naught, though, as the Volcanoes dropped their second straight.
Player of the Game: John Riley went 3-for-4 on the night for his second three-hit game of the season.
Up Next: The Volcanoes travel to Eugene to begin a three-game set with the Emeralds Thursday night. Mike Connolly (2-1, 3.55 ERA) will make the start for Salem-Keizer. The broadcast will be available on volcanoesbaseball.com or through the TuneIn Radio app. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m.