Offense Goes on Display in 10-2 Win Over Gems

For the first two innings of Saturday’s game between Yakima Valley and Klamath Falls, it looked as if the two teams might be headed for an offensive shootout. But by the end of Saturday’s contest, it became a one-sided display, as the Pippins knocked off the Gems, 10-2, in The Orchard at State Fair Park.

Klamath Falls (0-2) got on the board in a hurry, scoring a run in each of the first two innings against Pippins starter Mitch Yada. But Yakima Valley (2-0) was up to the task offensively as well. The Pippins scored three times in the first inning to gain the lead and blew things open with a four-run third. Layne Croney capped the scoring in the fourth with a two-run single to left, and finished the night 2-for-5 at the plate.

After knocking Gems’ starter Spencer Johnson out of the game in the third, the Pippins continued the onslaught against the bullpen, adding three more runs in the fifth. Reid Martinez had his second RBI single of the night in the fifth frame and finished 2-for-4 with a walk.

While the Pippins bats put on a show, Yada settled in after a rough first two innings and earned the win. He allowed two runs on four hits through two frames, but did not allow a hit over his final 3 2/3 innings of work, only allowing three baserunners in that span (two via errors). Between Yada and reliever Jens Jensen, the Pippins retired 10 consecutive Gems hitters at one point in the game.

With the win, the Pippins clinched the series against the Gems and have now won all three series the two teams have played in their first two years in the West Coast League. Yakima Valley will go for its first sweep of Klamath Falls Sunday at 5:05 p.m., with Darrion Simons taking the mound for the Pippins opposite Eric Purcell. Advanced tickets are still available online at PippinsBaseball.com, by calling (509) 575-HITS or by visiting the Pippins’ office downtown in the Larson Building at 12 S. Second St.

Listen in on 1460 ESPN Yakima starting at 4:55.