Boise withstands furious Salem-Keizer rally, 9-8

BOISE, Idaho - Boise survived a furious, weather-infused rally from Salem-Keizer 9-8 to punch its ticket to the 2014 Northwest League South Divisional playoffs in front of 3,396 at Memorial Stadium.

The Volcanoes trailed 8-1 after the bottom in the third inning and outscored the Hawks 7-1 in the final innings, but could not complete the comeback.

Salem-Keizer stranded the tying run at second base in the top of the ninth inning as the playoff chase came to a close with Austin Slater left at second base as Ryder Jones struck out to end the frame.

Boise jumped all over Volcanoes starter Jose Reyes in the bottom of the first inning, scoring four runs off Reyes in six batters. Charcer Burks reached on a fielding error by Christian Arroyo at short stop with one out. Kevin Brown launched a triple to right-center field to score Burks from first base. Next batter Danny Canela grounded in Brown from third base. Jesse Hodges hit a double off the right field wall followed by a Justin Marra home run to right field. Reyes allowed two more singles and finished the game after facing just eight batters. Jason Forjet, the Volcanoes projected starter for Sunday's contest, came in for the first time during the season in relief.

The Hawks plated two more runs in the bottom of the second inning as Canela brought in Burks and Brown who reached on a walk and error respectively.

Salem-Keizer scratched out a run in the top of the third as Skyler Ewing reached on a fielder's choice scoring T Relaford from third base.

But, the Hawks would answer right back with two runs in the home half of the third innings via another error from Arroyo and a RBI single form Burks, making the score 8-1 after the third inning.

Then, the weather became a game-changer for the Volcanoes as 30-40 mph winds blowing out to right field changed the pace of the game. Rain showers soaked most of the middle innings of the game.

Relaford started the fifth inning off with a wind-blown right-field home run as a part of a three-run rack for Salem-Keizer. Seth Harrison would score on a wild pitch and Jones doubled in Skyler Ewing.

The Hawks noticed the ability to put the ball in the jet stream and took advantage in the bottom half of the inning as Gleyber Torres launched a ball to right field to make the score 9-4 Hawks. That would be the last time Boise would score.

Relaford homered again to right field with two outs in the top of the sixth inning. Salem-Keizer benefitted from two additional home runs in the top of the seventh from Slater and Jones to cut the lead to 9-8 after the top of the seventh frame.

Salem-Keizer could only muster one more hit the rest of the way, and with the loss, was eliminated from post season contention.

The Hillsboro Hops will meet the Boise Hawks in the South Divisional playoffs starting Tuesday in Boise and then heading back to Hillsboro for games two and three if necessary on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

Up Next: The Volcanoes continue the three-game series with Boise Sunday from Memorial Stadium. With the playoff fortunes dramatically changing, probable pitchers were not released at the time of press. Catch the broadcast on KBZY starting at 4:45 p.m. PST with the Bullpen and first pitch at 5:45 from Memorial Stadium Sunday night.