Pippins Bats Break Out In 7-2 Win Over Cowlitz
LONGVIEW – It’s been more than three weeks since the Pippins have scored more than five runs in a league game, but the drought ended Friday with a 7-2 win over Cowlitz at David Story Field.
Trailing 1-0 after the 1st, the Pippins (24-22) tied things at 1 in the 3rd on a double steal attempt that scored Jake Manson from 3rd.
Starter Jens Jensen, who allowed a run in the 1st inning, settled in over the middle innings, keeping the Black Bears scoreless and keeping the Pippins in the game.
The bats finally delivered in the 6th in a big way. With two outs Reid Martinez blasted a three-run home run, his second of the year. Two pitches later, Alex Guenette cleared the fences for the first time this year to make it 5-1. The Pippins had just one home run in the month of July prior to the back-to-back blasts from Martinez and Guenette.
Yakima Valley, which scored all seven of its runs unearned on Friday, added two more runs in the 7th, before giving up an unearned run in the home half of the frame. Jensen finished with 7 hits and 2 runs (1 earned) allowed over his 7 innings of work, moving to 5-1 on the year with the win.
The seven runs were the most in league play since the Pippins put up eight July 8 at Walla Walla. With Corvallis playing out of league, the Pippins moved back within 1 /12 games of the Knights for the West Coast League's wild card lead. Yakima Valley will look to seal the series with a win in game two, Saturday night at 6:35.
Tune in to 1460 ESPN Yakima at 6:15 p.m. for live coverage.
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