Pippins Fall Behind Early, Drop Ninth Straight Game

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Corvallis Knights scored runs in each of the first five innings to pound out a 9-1 win over the Yakima Valley Pippins on Sunday at Goss Stadium, completing a 3-game sweep and sending the Pippins to their ninth consecutive loss.

Runs came early and often for the Knights (15-6), who won their league-high ninth straight game, as they pounded Pippins (8-15) starter Darius Garcia for two runs in each of the first three innings. After four extra-base hits in the first inning on Saturday, the Knights managed just two extra-base hits all game, but used 8 walks to their benefit as they put up 9 runs. Garcia, who took his third loss of the year, allowed 6 runs (5 earned) on 8 hits, 3 walks, and 2 strikeouts over 2.1 innings of work.

On the offensive side, the Pippins continued their recent struggles, mustering just one run for the second consecutive game on just five hits. They brought home their only run in the fifth inning against Corvallis left-hander Tevita Gerber, who allowed Owen Cobb to single up the middle, scoring Aidan Welch. Besides that hiccup, Gerber was stellar, striking out 7 and allowing just 3 hits over 5 innings of work to pick up his third win of the summer.

The Pippins also struggled against Corvallis’ relief corps, as David Watson tossed a scoreless sixth inning and Trace Hokkanen threw three scoreless innings to pick up his first save of the year. Corvallis added an insurance run in the 7th inning when Briley Knight hit a solo home run.

The Pippins, now losers of nine consecutive games, head back to Yakima, where they will have the day off on Monday before opening up a three-game series against the Bellingham Bells at home on Tuesday. First pitch for the series opener is set for 6:35 PM.

By Miles Klotz

July 1, 2019