Duggar, bullpen lead Volcanoes to win
The Volcanoes outlasted Eugene in a wild game Friday night, defeating the Emeralds 6-5 at PK Park.
A night after mustering only five hits, Salem-Keizer banged out eight hits and scored five runs in the contest's first two innings. Steven Duggar led off the first with a single and later scored when Fernando Pujadas hit a two-out single to left, putting Salem-Keizer in front, 1-0.
The second inning began in similar fashion, as the first five Volcanoes batters reached to begin the frame, plating five runs. Duggar, Ronnie Jebavy and Chris Shaw all picked up RBIs in the frame to extend the Volcanoes lead to 5-0. Miguel Gomez made a bit of history as well, extending his hitting streak to 19 games and tying the franchise record.
Miguel Gomez writes his name in the record books, hitting safely in 19 straight games. Ties a Volcanoes record. pic.twitter.com/to8IM6uFDu
- Volcanoes Baseball (@SKVolcanoes) July 25, 2015
Eugene chipped away at the deficit in the second and third innings courtesy of solo home runs by Matt Rose and Donnie Dewees and came within two in the sixth. With one out in the inning, Alex Bautista reached on a fielding error and advanced to third when Ho-young Son punched a single into center. Kevonte Mitchell then reached on a throwing error by shortstop C.J. Hinojosa - Salem-Keizer's second error of the inning - that allowed Bautista to score and cut the Volcanoes lead to 5-3.
The Volcanoes added a crucial insurance run in the eighth. With two outs in the inning and Hinojosa at second base, Adbert Alzolay struck out Julio Pena but the ball trickled away from catcher Ian Rice. Pena hustled into first safely and Hinojosa scampered all the way around the score, pushing the Salem-Keizer advantage to 6-3.
In comes another run for Salem-Keizer! @C_Hinojosa9 doubles and comes in to score on a wild pitch. Volcanoes on top 6-3 in mid-8. #GoSKV
- Volcanoes Baseball (@SKVolcanoes) July 25, 2015
Eugene's defensive miscue proved vital the following half inning, when Alex Bautista blasted a two-run home run to bring the Emeralds within one. Reliever Jarret Leverett then came on and immediately issued a leadoff walk to Blake Headley before Son sliced a single into right. Headley raced around second headed for third, but Duggar fired a perfect throw to cut down Headley on the basepaths. Leverett retired the next batter he faced before Caleb Smith worked a four-out save - his third of the season.
Andrew Suarez pitched well in his second start for Salem-Keizer, allowing only the two solo home runs in 3 2/3 innings while striking out five. Luis Pino (2-0, 0.00 ERA) allowed a single unearned run in 3 1/3 innings of relief, picking up his second win of the season.
Player of the Game: Steven Duggar collected two hits and scored two runs, but his outfield assist in the eighth titled the momentum back in Salem-Keizer's favor.
Up Next: The Volcanoes wrap up their series with the Eugene Emeralds Saturday night. Logan Webb (3-1, 4.06 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 7:05 p.m.