Payton Graham pitched five solid innings, and the Yakima Valley Pippins used a seven-run fourth inning to beat the Springfield Drifters 9-2 on Friday at Yakima County Stadium.

Graham made his second West Coast League start of the season and did not disappoint. The Gonzaga sophomore gave up just two runs on seven hits in his appearance, striking out six.

The Pippins had scored just two runs in 32 innings prior to their four-run ninth inning in Game 2 against the Portland Pickles on Wednesday. Since that frame, Yakima Valley has scored 26 runs over the next 19 innings.

The Pippins offense once again rode one big inning to the victory. In the fourth, Josh Haskins started the scoring with an RBI single, Chris Clement followed two batters later getting plunked by a pitch with the bases loaded, and Spencer Shipman added an RBI single.

After an infield fly, Konner Kinkade rapped a two-run single and Jace Phelan followed two batters later with an RBI single. An error by the catcher brought home the final run of the inning.

Kinkade had one of his most productive nights as a Pippin, finishing 2-for-5. Maxim Fullerton is beginning to heat up down the stretch as well. The big lefty went 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored in the win. Phelan finished 3-for-4.

Yakima Valley will look to win their second series at The Orchard in 2023 against the D rifters at 6:35 p.m. Saturday.