Bears Rally From Down 6-1 In 10-8 Win

The Yakima Bears scored eight runs in the sixth inning Sunday at Volcanoes Stadium in Keizer, Oregon and went on to win 10-8 over the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. The Bears won four of the five games in the series and the team is now 19-11 this season.

Both starting pitchers had short nights. Bears starting pitcher Cody Wheeler lasted only one and two thirds innings, while the starter for the Volcanoes pitched only two innings. In the end, the two teams combined to use 12 pitchers, six each. Wheeler gave up four earned runs in his time on the hill and Bears reliever Chris Thomas allowed two earned runs in one and a third behind the starter.

The Bears found themselves down 6-1 at the end of three innings, with the only run coming on a solo home run by Shaun Cooper. Three-straight two-out singles by Yogey Perez-Ramos, Mike Lang, and Steven Rodriguez led to a run in the fourth to pull the Bears within four runs of the Volcanoes. The Bears took the lead back with eight runs in the sixth inning. The sixth started with a solo home run from Joe Loftus, and that was followed by six other hits and three errors by the Volcanoes, as the Bears sent 13 total batters to the plate. The Volcanoes would score two runs the rest of the game, falling two shy of tying the Bears.

The Bears outhit the Volcanoes 17-12 in the win. Two hitters collected three hits and five others had two-hit games. Josh Parr went 3-for-6 and Steven Rodriguez had a 3-for-5 night. The hitters combined for five doubles and two home runs.

The win went to Jose Jose, who is now 2-2 after allowing no runs in two innings. RJ Hively got his third save by getting through the ninth inning.

The Bears still lead the Northwest League’s East Division by five games, with only eight games left to play in the first half. The eight-game road trip continues with three games in Boise against the Hawks. First pitch on Monday is scheduled for 6:15 pacific time. Right-handed pitchers Blake Perry of the Bears and Jose Arias of the Hawks are the probable pitchers.