Southpaw Helps Spin Sweep

YAKIMA, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (23-18, 19-17) did what they haven’t done since 2012, as they swept a divisional foe, the Yakima Valley Pippins (21-15), on the road with a 4-2 win to cap the series, Saturday.

The AppleSox entered the series five games back of the Pippins and sat in third place in the WCL East. Headed to the All Star break, they are now just two games back of Yakima and hold the outright second place spot in the East.

To make it sweeter, Saturday’s win ensures that the AppleSox can obtain a season series win over the Pippins, which could be an important factor in tie-breaking, post season qualification situations.

On Saturday, Calvin LeBrun got to make his first 2014 start for the AppleSox. He was reached for a run in the first, when he had runners on the corners with no one out. He did force the Pippins leading hitter, Vince Fernandez into a 6-4-3 double play and traded two outs for a run.

Fernandez, (0 for 4) was held hitless for just the seventh time this season.

LeBrun ended up allowing one more run in the sixth, but that was all the Pippins could scratch off of him.

A beautiful hit and run between Tyler Frost (runner) and Kyle Vanderkin set up the AppleSox first run in the third inning.

Ty Jackson gave the AppleSox a 2-1 lead in the fourth with a solo home run to right center field. It was his second home run of 2014. He will participate in the WCL Home Run Derby on Monday in Klamath Falls, Ore.

After obtaining the lead, the AppleSox wouldn’t look back. They added one more in the fifth on two Pippins errors and were able to secure an insurance run in the ninth on a Vanderkin sacrifice fly, set up by a Frost double.

While John Pomeroy and Hunter Wells did allow runners into scoring position in the seventh and eighth innings, the AppleSox bullpen was able to hold.

Pomeroy totaled an inning and it was his first appearance since being injured in mid-June at Klamath Falls.

Wells picked up his second save of the season as he walked a runner in the ninth, but ended the game by striking out Shawn Wardian to secure the series sweep.

The AppleSox will send Ian Buckles, Caleb Wood and Ty Jackson to the WCL All Star Game on Monday. Additionally, Michael McCann was selected but is unable to attend.

Wenatchee returns to action on Tuesday, as Kelowna rolls into town for a three game set that kicks off at 7:05 p.m. from Paul Thomas Sr. Field.

WEN   0 0 1  1 1 0   0 0 1     4   8   1

YAK    1 0 0  0 0 1   0 0 0     2   9   2

WP – Calvin LeBrun

LP – Andrew Woods

S – Hunter Wells