Raptors Edge Pippins 3-1 in Pitchers’ Duel

RIDGEFIELD, Washington — The Yakima Valley Pippins were in it until the end, but couldn’t find a way to win the series against the Ridgefield Raptors on Sunday.

With two on and two outs in the ninth, a pickoff ended the Pippins’ opportunities to tie or take the lead and fell the Ridgefield 3-1.

The Pippins host the Cascade Collegiate League Showcase squad at 6:35 p.m. Monday at Yakima County Stadium in their final nonleague game of the season. The game is a fundraising collaboration between the Pippins, Fred Meyer and Northwest Harvest to “strike out” hunger. Two nonperishable cans of food will allow fans to purchase a general admission ticket for just $5. All food donations benefit Northwest Harvest’s operations to feed needy families in the Yakima Valley.

Coming after a game in which they managed 16 hits, the Pippins collected only four on Sunday, and scored their only run on Jace Phelan’s home run in the second. It was Phelan’s fifth homer of the season.

Zak Elvy had a productive start to his third start of the season, retiring the first eight batters he faced. But the Raptors strung together three straight hits to take a 2-1 lead in the third inning. Elvy finished with three strikeouts in four innings. Andrick Jones had his best outing as a Pippin, striking out four in three innings of work. He allowed one run and two hits.

The Pippins had a chance to tie or take the lead in the ninth. But pinch-hitter Maxim Fullerton didn’t get a chance to put the ball in play as Phelan was picked off at first base to end the game.

After Monday’s nonleague game, the Pippins hit the road again for a three-game series at Portland that begins Tuesday.

By Logan Peter

July 16, 2023