Frazier’s Dominant Start Leads Pippins to Win Over Elks

YAKIMA, Wash. – Tyler Frazier threw 7 shutout innings and the Yakima Valley Pippins pushed across the only run of the ballgame in a 1-0 win over the Bend Elks on Tuesday night at Yakima County Stadium, opening up a 3-game series on the right note.

Frazier, making his second start of the year in West Coast League play, was dominant from start to finish for the Pippins (4-4, 14-19). Four of his seven innings of work were 1-2-3 frames, and he struck out a season-high 8 batters to just two walks. Only one did a runner advance past second base against Frazier, when Vinny Zavolta reached on a single and moved up on a walk in the 7th inning for Bend (2-5, 14-20).

The Pippins did not get much offense going against Elks starter Gil Luna, who was shaky with command over 6.2 innings (6 walks) but kept the Pippins off balance, with just 3 hits allowed on the day and 6 strikeouts. In the fifth inning, the Pippins got to Luna for the only time all night. Zach Meddings led off the inning with a single, but was promptly removed due to injury and replaced by Eddy Pelc. After a hit-by-pitch, a pickoff, and a walk, Nick DiCarlo singled into center field, scoring Pelc from second base and giving the Pippins a 1-0 lead.

The Pippins stranded 9 runners otherwise, including leaving the bases loaded in the 7th inning against Bend reliever Jake Wilson. Mark Woinarowicz closed things out for the Pippins in relief, allowing just two baserunners over 2 scoreless innings, and inducing a 4-6-3 double play to end the game in the top of the ninth inning.

Nobody collected a multi-hit game on either side, with just six combined hits between the two teams. Aside from DiCarlo and Meddings, Brett Wells also had a hit for the Pippins, and reached based in all 3 of his plate appearances. Dayton Provost and Nick Burgarello also collected singles for Bend.

The series continues on Wednesday with a 6:35 PM first pitch, as the Pippins look for the series win over the Elks. Right-hander A.J. Wood will start for the Pippins against a to-be-determined starter for Bend. Pregame coverage with Miles Klotz begins at 6:20 PM at pippinsbaseball.com/live.

By Miles Klotz

July 17, 2019