51s Walk Off with Win After Strong Performance from Verrett

Tacoma Rainiers @ Las Vegas 51s

May 13, 2014

Matt Palmer @ Logan Verrett

Teams	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10		R	H	E
Tacoma	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	1		4	11	1
Las Vegas	0	1	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	2		5	8	3

MiLB.com Boxscore

The Highlights:

Pitchers

Logan Verrett – 7.1 IP, 7 H, 2 R (0 ER), BB, 4 SO, 87 pitches, 61 strikes (70%), 29 batters faced, 11 groundouts, 4 fly outs, pickoff

Batters

Allan Dykstra – 2-4, R, 2B (13), RBI (36), BB

Zach Lutz – 2-5, RBI (30), SO

Matt ∂en Dekker – 1-2, 2 R, HR (3), RBI (21), 2 BB

Cesar Puello – 1-1, RBI (7), BB, HBP, CS, Sac

Abraham Almonte – 3-4, R, BB, SB (3), PO

Chris Taylor – 2-5, R, SO

Ty Kelly – 2-5, R, 2B (10), 2 RBI (21), 3 SO

Gabriel Noriega – 2-4, R, 2B (6)

Recap:

            The 51s wrapped up their four-game set against the Rainiers Tuesday morning with a dramatic extra-inning win, nearly wasting a gem of an effort from Logan Verrett. Verrett was facing the Rainiers for the third time in four starts over the past 16 days, having allowed 5 R (3 ER) over 5 IP on April 27 and then 1 R over 7 IP on May 2, when he induced 13 groundouts, so this would be a good challenge for him. He responded to the challenge in a very positive manner, coming out attacking the bottom of the strike zone and getting another high total of groundouts. Tacoma starter Matt Palmer was making his first start of 2014, and was a little wild before being removed with an out in the 3^rd. Chance Ruffin, who is normally a starter, came in and gave the Rainiers a strong effort out of the pen. He got out of a key bases-loaded, no out situation in the 7^th inning with only one run allowed, keeping the game close enough for a Rainiers comeback. Buddy Carlyle relieved Verrett in the 8^th, and allowed both inherited runners to score on a Ty Kelly RBI single. Vic Black came in with a 3-2 lead in the 9^th, but was wild, allowing two walks and blew the save when a run scored on a wild pitch. Jeff Walters couldn’t slow down the Rainiers offense in the 10^th, when Ty Kelly led off the inning with a popup double that landed between everyone in shallow LF. The 51s would recover to win the game in the bottom of the 10^th, after Allan Dykstra doubled in Josh Satin to tie the game, and Zach Lutz drove in pinch runner Kirk Nieuwenhuis to win it.

            Matt ∂en Dekker got things started for the 51s in the 2^nd, with his 2^nd HR in as many games. The 51s would put together three singles for a run in the 4^th, with Cesar Puello driving in Allan Dykstra for a 2-out RBI. The 51s would add a run in the 7^th, but failed to cash in more on the bases-loaded, nobody out situation. Omar Quintanilla would ground into a double play, scoring the only run, and then Josh Satin struck out swinging to end the threat.

            Verrett got knocked out after a Q throwing error put runners on 2^nd and 3^rd with only one out – both runners had reached on infield singles and would score on a Ty Kelly single. Black started the 9^th inning in trouble, giving up a well-hit double on his first pitch to Gabriel Noriega. After a sac bunt advanced the runner, Noriega would score on a low fastball that got under the glove of Centeno. It was really not a great defensive night for Centeno or the 51s as a team, as he committed 2 passed balls to go along with that wild pitch and three errors. Jeff Walters almost took the unfortunate loss, as he induced two pop ups and two groundballs in giving up his 10^th inning run. Things would work out well for him though, taking the win thanks to the walk-off rally in the 10^th.

            Looking ahead, the 51s have an off day Wednesday before El Paso comes in to town for a four game set starting Thursday. Noah Syndergaard is scheduled for the 8:35 PM ET start against Chihuahua’s starter Jason Lane.

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— The Daily Cosmos (@dailycosmos) May 13, 2014