Snodgrass works six strong innings before Krill breaks tie with homer

KEIZER, Ore. - Jack Snodgrass worked six strong innings and Brett Krill broke a sixth inning tie with a two run home run as the Volcanoes defeated the Boise Hawks on Saturday in front of 3,539 at Volcanoes Stadium.

With the game tied 1-1 in the sixth inning, Joe Panik led off the sixth inning with a bloop double down the left field line against Boise reliever Hector Mayora.

Two batters later, Krill crushed a Mayora offering over the wall in left-center for a 3-1 lead. It was Krill's first home run since July 31 and sixth of the year.

Snodgrass (4-0) seemed to improve as the game progressed, retiring ten of the final 11 batters her faced. The Volcanoes lefty worked 6 innings for the first time, allowing 1 unearned run on 4 hits. He walked none and struck out 6. Snodgrass improved to 3-0 with a 0.76 ERA in 23.2 innings in August.

Leading 3-1 in the seventh, Ben Thomas and Chuckie Jones each drew walks to start the inning. Then, Kaohi Downing blooped an RBI single to right field for a 4-1 lead. Panik followed with an RBI groundout and Mike Murray drove in the final run with an RBI single.

Eugene defeated Spokane 5-1 on Saturday and Everett lost 6-5 to Yakima in 11 innings. With six games remaining, the Volcanoes are two games behind Eugene and one back of Everett in the Northwest League West Division second half race.

Salem-Keizer (17-15, 33-37) and Boise (14-18, 31-39) will decide the five-game series with a rubber game on Sunday at 5:05 pm. It is the final regular season home game at Volcanoes Stadium.

For tickets, call 503-390-2225 or visit the Stadium ticket office or volcanoesbaseball.com.