Pippins Preview: June 5 at Ridgefield

After spoiling the inaugural game in history of the Ridgefield Raptors last night on the road, the Pippins look for their first series victory of the year when they battle the Raptors again in game 2 of a 3 game series. Scott Youngbrandt will start for the Pippins tonight, with first pitch set for 6:35 PM PT. Coverage begins with Miles Klotz on pippinsbaseball.com/live at 6:20 PM.

Full Game Notes

PIPPINS SPOIL RAPTORS INAUGURAL GAME: The Pippins rolled into the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex and spoiled the inaugural game in Ridgefield Raptors history on Tuesday, pulling out with a 4-3 win. Dylan Barkley was strong for the Pippins on the bump, tossing a quality start after allowing 3 runs (2 earned) over 6-plus innings. A 3-run 5th inning capped off by a Zach Lew RBI double pushed the Pippins ahead, and Daniel Cipriano’s go-ahead double down the line in the 8th put Yakima Valley ahead for good. Joe Magrisi was up to 94 MPH with his fastball in a 1-2-3 ninth inning, striking out the side and saving the first game of the year.

NOT-SO-FREE PASSES: The Pippins pitching staff – Barkley, Magrisi, and reliever Mark Woinarowicz, did not issue a walk on Opening Night, making it the first time since August 7th, 2018 against the Corvallis Knights that Pippins pitchers did not surrender a free pass. The trio of Yakima Valley arms also combined for 12 strikeouts (Barkley, 6; Magrisi, 3; Woinarowicz, 3). The 12 strikeouts was the most for Pippins pitching since they struck out 12 on July 31st, 2018 against Victoria.

FOR THE PIPPINS: Right-hander Scott Youngbrandt makes his first start of the season for the Pippins on Wednesday. The Tinley Park, IL, native pitched in 3 games for Saint Louis University this past spring, pitching just 2.2 innings, but posting a 1-1 record and 13.50 ERA. Youngbrandt pitched one scoreless inning in Sunday’s exhibition game against the Seattle Studs, striking out one. A two-way player, he has also appeared in games in right field and as the Pippins’ designated hitter so far this year.

FOR THE RAPTORS: Ridgefield has not announced a projected starting pitcher for tonight’s game.

LOOKING FOR 2-0: The Pippins will look to start the season 2-0 today, something they have not accomplished since sweeping Wenatchee to open up the 2016 season. That series was one of two season-opening sweeps in team history, with the other coming in 2015 against Klamath Falls.

BULLPEN LOCKS IN: The Pippins never led by more than 2 runs on Tuesday, but the bullpen duo of Woinarowicz and Magrisi kept things in check. The duo faced 10 batters out of the bullpen, allowing just 1 single. Other than the single, only one other ball left the infield – a 7th inning flyout by Jonny Weaver. The pair struck out 6 of 9 batters retired, and threw a combined 27 of their 39 pitches for strikes (69.2%).

By Miles Klotz

June 5, 2019