APPLESOX FACE PICKLES IN PORTLAND'S FIRST VISIT TO WENATCHEE

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series preview july 18 (1).jpg

APPLESOX (13-19, 2-4 second half)

v.s.

Portland Pickles (23-12, 6-3 second half)

Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium

July 18-20

 

The AppleSox start their post-All-Star Break schedule at home against the Portland Pickles for four games in three days starting tonight.

After facing the first-half North division champions, the Bellingham Bells, for six games prior to the All-Star Break, the AppleSox now prepare to face the first-half South division champions, the Pickles.

The two teams last faced each other in a doubleheader on June 11. Portland won both games by scores of 3-0 and 9-0 at Walker Stadium. The three originally-scheduled games from June 8-10 were all postponed due to rain. The third and final game of that series will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Thursday.

Probable Pitchers

Wednesday

Pickles: Colin Suter (2-1, 2.14 ERA)

AppleSox: Hunter Boyd (3-1, 4.93 ERA)

Thursday (Game 1)

Pickles: Michael Newstrom (2-3, 2.66 ERA)

AppleSox: Michael Spellacy (1-1, 3.46 ERA)

Thursday (Game 2)

Pickles: TBD

AppleSox: Tyler Chipman (0-0, 7.56 ERA)

Friday

Pickles: Daniel Copeland (0-1, 2.45 ERA)

AppleSox: Grady Miller (1-3, 5.08 ERA)

Promotions

Thursday: Horan Estates Winery Night. Enjoy wine tasting on the third-base side of the ballpark.

Friday: Foster Family Night sponsored by Sunny FM.

Scouting the Opponent

The Pickles enter Wednesday’s game hot as winners of four straight and five of their last six.

Portland may be the most well-rounded team in the West Coast League. The Pickles are tied for the league lead in batting average (.287) and are second in ERA (2.62)

There is an abundance of league-leaders across the Pickles roster. Brad Bonnefant leads the league in saves (6) Gio Diaz is second in batting average (.362) and first in stolen bases (15) and Joey Cooper is tied for first in extra-base hits (16), just to name a few league-leaders.

Last Game

The AppleSox picked up their second extra-inning victory of the season with a 6-3 win over the Bellingham Bells on Sunday at Joe Martin Field. Jake Taylor blasted a pinch-hit three-run homer in the top of the 11th to give the AppleSox the lead for good. J.T. Schwartz went 3-for-4 at the plate and hit his first home run of the season in the second inning.

Home Runs = Victory

Sunday’s victory was the second time this season in which the AppleSox hit multiple home runs in a game. Along with an 8-7 victory over the Port Angeles Lefties on June 24, the Sox are now 2-0 in games in which they hit multiple home runs. Overall, the Sox are 6-2 in games when homering.