Volcanoes Rally for 4-3 Win Over Vancouver

The action-packed top of the first showed promise for an offense game, but it was the pitching that quickly became the story.

The Volcanoes scored four unanswered runs in the seventh and eight innings to deliver a 4-3 win over Vancouver at Volcanoes Stadium. Photo Courtesy: Salem-Keizer Volcanoes

(KEIZER, Ore. ) - Following a night where fans witnessed the biggest comeback victory in franchise history, the Volcanoes continued the show Tuesday with another late inning come-from-behind win.

Salem-Keizer scored four unanswered runs in the seventh and eight innings to deliver a 4-3 win over Vancouver at Volcanoes Stadium.

The Vancouver Canadians got things started in the top of the first, sprinting out of the gate in an eventful frame.

In an inning that saw a walk, a balk, a wild pitch, four hits and three steals, Vancouver scratched across three runs to take an early lead.

The action-packed top of the first showed promise for an offense game, but it was the pitching that quickly became the story.

Jason Forjet cruised through the second and third inning after his shaky first.

"He started to settle down a bit and trust his stuff," Manager Gary Davenport said. "He was trying to pitch around bats instead of being aggressive."

In the top of the fourth, Forjet found himself in a bit of trouble when Brenden Kalfus roped a single into center field with one away. The next man to bat was the struggling slugger Boomer Collins who broke from his slump with a laser double down the left field line.

With only one out, the hot hitting Kevin Garcia stepped to the plate with runners on second and third. Forjet buckled down under pressure, inducing a Garcia pop up followed by a strikeout of Roemon Fields to escape the jam.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Volcanoes looked poised to finally make their mark on opposing pitcher Starlyn Suriel. With runners on first and second and only one out, the streaking Hollick was called out on strikes on a very close 3-2 pitch. Next to bat was T Relaford, who ended the inning with a one hop to the short stop Franklin Barreto.

That was all the Volcanoes would see of Suriel, who shut down Salem-Keizer in five masterful innings.

In the top of the sixth, Forjet gave way to Dustin Knight, a hard throwing right handed pitcher who had arrived at the Stadium less than an hour before the game. On just four pitches, Knight walked the lead-off hitter.

"Nerves obviously played a big role in that first batter getting walked," Knight said.

After that first hitter, Knight settled down and threw two innings of no-hit baseball. "Instead of going to get the game I just thought maybe let the game come to me and relax and take a couple deep breaths," Knight said.

The Volcanoes had another chance to get on the board in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, another Barreto error and a Johneshwy Fargas walk paved the way for the top of the order. Hollick came through with a line drive over the head of Barreto, scoring Pujadas and breaking the shutout.

On the play, Fargas was thrown out attempting to reach third and crushed the Volcanoes hopes of a big rally. After an inning ending Relaford strikeout, Salem-Keizer only chipped one run off of the Canadians three run lead.

That one run proved crucial heading into the bottom of the eighth.

After third baseman David Harris lost a high chopper in the lights, last nights hero Craig Massoni blasted a game tying two-run home run off Joe Lovecchio and over the left center field wall.

"I had already seen him once, and he pretty much showed me everything he had," Massoni said. "I was looking for the first pitch fastball, he put it right where I wanted it and I was fortunate enough to put a good swing on it and tie the game."

Canadian Reliever Joe Lovecchio appeared to settle down after the Massoni bomb, but with two outs in the inning, back to back doubles by Will Callaway and Fernando Pujadas gave the Volcanoes a 4-3 lead heading into the ninth.

EJ Encinosa stayed in the game after a dominant eighth inning, and shut down the Canadians in a 1-2-3 ninth.

The pitching shined for the Volcanoes in Tuesday's victory. Following the rough top of the first, Forjet, Knight, and Encinosa combined for eight innings of shut out baseball, yielding only four hits and three walks.

Massoni was the offensive star, finishing 2-4 with the game tying two-run homer.

Up next: The Volcanoes look to continue their momentum as they head to Hillsboro for a three game series against the Hops. Volcanoes ace Drew Leenhouts will take the mound in game one, hoping to bounce back after a rough season opener against the Vancouver Canadians. Salem-Keizer will face returning Hop pitcher Ben Eckels.

Source: Salem-Keizer Volcanoes