Pippins Avoid Sweep, Defeat Lefties 4-3 in Finale

Graves hits second homer of season to take lead

The Yakima Valley Pippins rallied from two losses to prevent a sweep at home, defeating the Port Angeles Lefties 4-3 in the series finale.

Kirby Robertson started on the mound for the Pippins, striking out six and allowing just four hits. The only damage against him came in the first inning, when Coleman Schmidt singled with two outs and Garrett Lake hit a two-run home run to take an early lead.

The Pippins took advantage of a Lefties error in the third inning to respond with two runs of their own. With runners on first and second base, Michael Carpentier Jr. hit a ground ball to the right side that was headed for right field before it was cut off by second baseman Javy Espinoza.

Rather than hold onto the ball, loading the bases with no outs, Espinoza threw to first to try to retire Carpentier Jr. Instead, he threw the ball away, allowing the lead runner to score and putting runners on the corners with no out. 

Sam Olsson then grounded into a double play, allowing the tying run to score.

The Pippins took the lead in the fourth inning after Blake Dickman was hit by a pitch for the second time of the game and Chase Graves hit a two-run home run to take a 4-2 lead. 

The home run was hit 362 feet to right field, Graves’ second opposite-field home run of the season, and left the bat at 97 miles-per-hour.

Peysen Sweeney and Landon Schirer made their debuts for the Pippins, with Sweeney giving up a solo home run in the seventh inning and Schirer earning a six-out save while holding off the Lefties.

The Pippins depart for a six-game road trip to conclude the first half, starting in Bend Friday-Sunday. Friday’s game will start at 6:35 p.m., with live audio-only coverage by Chris Rosato Jr. available at PippinsBaseball.com/Live.

By Chris Rosato Jr.

July 2, 2021