Pippins Offensive Struggles Continue as Team Loses Eighth Straight

Longview, Wa. — The Pippins dropped their eighth straight game with a loss to the Cowlitz Black Bears in the final game of the three-game road series. The final score in the game was 3-1 in favor of the Black Bears and with the loss the Pippins are now 8-17 in the second half and 19-32 overall on the season.

The Black Bears picked up quickly on Pippins’ starter Dylan Bishop, tagging him for two hits and three walks while scoring three runs in the bottom of the first. The runs came on a bases loaded walk, hit by pitch, and another walk. Bishop only got one out on the mound before being relieved by RHP Mark Woinarowicz.

On the other side of the ball the Pippins struggled to get the bats going and could not score until the top of the eighth inning. With the game still close, Pippins’ first baseman Sawyer Chesley hit a single. Luke Schwartz came on to pinch-run for Chesley and reached second on a single by the next batter in the lineup, Eddy Pelc. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position, then after a walk to James Bell to load up the bases with two outs, Brady Hormel reached first on a dropped third strike. The next batter in the lineup, Pippins’ second baseman Christian Padilla flew out to center on a well-struck ball to end the inning and essentially the night for the Pippins.

Woinarowicz was a spotlight of the game for the Pippins, throwing 5 2/3 innings while allowing five hits, one walk, and no runs to the Black Bears while striking out four.

The Pippins return to the Orchard for the final three games of the season beginning August 9 at 6:35 p.m. The team will be taking on the Walla Walla Sweets as they look to end their losing streak and end the 2019 West Coast League season on a high note.

By Yakima Valley Pippins

August 9, 2019