APPLESOX LATE RALLY HELD OFF BY KELOWNA

Wenatchee scored Monday night's final five runs, but fell to the Kelowna Falcons 6-5 at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

BOX SCORE

WENATCHEE - The Wenatchee AppleSox (9-17), rallied late for five runs in the seventh and eighth innings against the Kelowna Falcons (13-13), but fell 6-5 on Independence Day at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. 

Early on, Justin Blatner (2-1) struggled in his start for the AppleSox. The left-hander was hit for a three-run first by the Falcons, and gave up three doubles in the frame. The third, for Brendt Citta scored the third run for Kelowna.

The Falcons cashed in for 8 extra-base hits of the 13 total, Monday night. AJ Sawyer had the team’s sixth extra-base hit on a two-run home run to put Kelowna ahead 5-0 in the third. It was Sawyer’s first home run of the season, and the third for the Falcons. 

Sawyer’s night wasn’t done, however, as he drove in Daniel Nist on an RBI single in the fifth inning. 

After only getting three hits and no runs off of Jake Simmons (4-1), the AppleSox finally broke through against the Kelowna starter in the seventh inning. A sacrifice fly to center field for Haydan Hastings gave Wenatchee its first run, and an RBI single for Otis Statum made it 6-2 after seven. 

Okeefe Hall came in for Kelowna in the eighth, and ran into trouble in the form of Michael Toglia. He crused a two-run home run over the right field fence for a 6-4 score. It was Toglia’s third home run of the season, and good for his 17th and 18th RBI on the season. He is now the WCL North leader in runs batted in. 

Jordan Rathbone contributed a key two-out single later in the inning, to cut the deficit to one. 

Trying to complete their largest comeback of 2016, the AppleSox couldn’t get past final Falcon reliever Jared Morton, who picked up his fifth save. 

Morton picked up the final out of the eighth, when the Falcons caught Rathbone trying to move to third on a pitch in the dirt. 

In the ninth, Morton struck out the first two to face him, and then Alex Gonzales singled to get the tying run aboard. Shane Martinez lined out to center field to end the game, and even the series with the Falcons. 

Tuesday night, the AppleSox and the Falcons will play for the series win. Grady Miller (2-1) will be on the mound for Wenatchee and first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. 

APPLESOX HOPE BATS STAY HOT VS FALCONS

After a record night last night, the AppleSox are hoping for another hot performance, Monday, against the Kelowna Falcons. 

WENATCHEE APPLESOX vs Kelowna Falcons
Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium     |       7:05 p.m.
L- Justin Blatner (2-0) vs. R- Jake Simmons (3-1)
GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE

The Wenatchee AppleSox (9-16, 3-7 North), fifth place in the North Division host the Kelowna Falcons (12-13, 6-7 North) for Independence Day at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium...last night the AppleSox kicked a 7-game losing streak to the curb, with a season-high 12 runs in the victory...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (38-46) (.452), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT -- APPLESOX 12, FALCONS 2
WENACTHEE –  The Wenatchee AppleSox (9-16), got the offensive explosion they needed, Sunday, on Fireworks Night against the Kelowna Falcons (12-13), with a season-high 12 runs...the scoring started early and often, with the AppleSox jumping on Colby Nealy (1-2) for five runs in the first inning...the six-hit inning was the best for the AppleSox since a nine-run outburst at Bend, and was kick-started by a 2-RBI triple down the right field line for Evan Douglas...Jordan Rathbone, Taylor Borchers, and Alex Gonzales also added RBI singles in the inning for the early lead...Wenatchee’s starter Luke Mattson (1-4) had to battle through command issues early, but settled down to toss six shutout innings...he struck out two batters and allowed just six hits...Borchers, who had a two-hit night after collecting his first Sox hit of the summer, added a sacrifice fly RBI in another five-run inning for the Sox in the fifth inning...the sacrifice came after back-to-back RBI triples for Ryan Kreidler and Rathbone...Shane Martinez also drove a 2-RBI double into the right-center field gap, leading to a 10-0 AppleSox lead after five innings...Wenatchee got two more runs in the seventh, after Kelowna scored its first off of Nick Hoefling in a no-out bases loaded spot...he only allowed a sacrifice fly, and would give up one more in the eighth, for the Falcons’ two runs...the AppleSox seventh-inning runs came home on RBI singles for future Arizona teammates Shane Martinez and Matt Fraizer...Miceal Taylor preserved the win in the ninth inning, striking out the games final batter to help put an end to Wenatchee’s seven-game losing streak.

TONIGHT'S NOTES
OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION
Last night, the AppleSox came up with their highest scoring game of 2016 on Fireworks Night...12 runs was the most scored by Wenatchee since the AppleSox plated 17 runs at Kelowna against the Falcons, July 30, 2015...the 12 runs scored was not the most by an AppleSox team on Fireworks Night...in fact, the AppleSox clubbed 14, losing 16-14 to the Kirkland Kodiaks on Fireworks Night back in 2004...the 10-run winning margin was the largest on a Fireworks Night game. 

THREE IS A MAGIC (RECORD) NUMBER
Three triples last night resulted in four of the AppleSox runs batted in...Wenatchee had previously never hit three triples in a single game...Jordan Rathbone hit his team-leading third triple last night...the team’s record for an individual in triples hit, was set by Keston Hiura last season...he hit 6 triples...the team record for triples is 13, set by the 2011 and 2015 AppleSox...this Wenatchee squad already has 11 this season, with still an entire second half to play. 

LATELY
The AppleSox are averaging 7.5 runs-per-game against the Kelowna Falcons dating back to the start of the 2015 season. 

QUALITY START
Luke Mattson picked up a quality start in his winning effort last night...it was the AppleSox fifth quality start of the year, and it snapped a four-game losing streak for Mattson. 

LOSING STREAK OVER
With the 12-2 win, the AppleSox ended their second 7-game losing streak of the season...after the end of the last losing streak, the AppleSox won 4-straight games, with an 8-2 record over a 10-game stretch. 

THE EARLY LEAD
Did you know that last night Wenatchee grabbed just it’s third first-inning home lead of the season?...the previous two were June 29 against the Victoria HarbourCats (2-0)...and June 14 against Walla Walla (1-0)...Wenatchee is now 2-1 at home when grabbing a first-inning lead.

KEEPING THEM AT BAY
The two runs allowed by the AppleSox pitching staff marked the fewest given up since June 24 in a 9-1 on the road at Gresham.

THE BEST
You can call Justin Blatner the AppleSox ‘ace.’...he sports a team-leading 2.03 ERA...Blatner is tied with Grady Miller for the team lead in wins...also has allowed the fewest walks of any Sox starting pitcher (4). 

TO COMPLETE WCL FIRST-HALF PLAYOFF PICTURE
All the Corvallis Knights need to complete their first-half crown in the South division is one win over the Pippins in the next two nights, or to win 2-of-3 when the Wenatchee AppleSox come to town...losing the next two to the Pippins, and losing what will be the AppleSox first second-half series, and the Knights final first-half series, would lead to Corvallis losing the spot to the Yakima Valley Pippins, already done with their first-half schedule to the tune of a 15-12 record. 

APPLESOX BATS EXPLODE ON FIREWORKS NIGHT, WIN 12-2

Wenatchee hit a season-high three triples en route to a 12-2 win over the Kelowna Falcons on Fireworks Night, Sunday. 

BOX SCORE

WENATCHEE - The Wenatchee AppleSox (9-16), got the offensive explosion they needed, Sunday, on Fireworks Night against the Kelowna Falcons (12-13), coming up with a season-high 12 runs along with four extra-base hits to win 12-2 at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium in front of a capacity crowd. 

The scoring started early and often, with the AppleSox jumping on Colby Nealy (1-2) for five runs in the first inning. The six-hit inning was the best for the AppleSox since a nine-run outburst at Bend, and was kick-started by a 2-RBI triple down the right field line for Evan Douglas. 

Jordan Rathbone, Taylor Borchers, and Alex Gonzales also added RBI singles in the inning for the early lead. 

Wenatchee’s starter Luke Mattson (1-4) had to battle through command issues early, but settled down to toss six shutout innings, in his best start of the summer. He struck out two batters and allowed just six hits, and only two of them came after the second inning. 

Borchers, who had a two-hit night after collecting his first Sox hit of the summer, added a sacrifice fly RBI in another five-run inning for the Sox in the fifth inning. The sacrifice came after back-to-back RBI triples for Ryan Kreidler and Rathbone. 

Shane Martinez also drove a 2-RBI double into the right-center field gap, leading to a 10-0 AppleSox lead after five innings. 

Wenatchee got two more runs in the seventh, after Kelowna scored its first off of Nick Hoefling in a no-out bases loaded spot. Hoefling only allowed a sacrifice fly, and would give up one more in the eighth, for the Falcons’ two runs. 

The AppleSox seventh-inning runs came home on RBI singles for future Arizona teammates Shane Martinez and Matt Fraizer. 

Miceal Taylor preserved the win in the ninth inning, striking out the games final batter to help put an end to Wenatchee’s seven-game losing streak. 

The AppleSox continue game two of the series tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m., and team ace Justin Blatner will pitch for Wenatchee. 

APPLESOX HOME FOR FIREWORKS NIGHT, SUNDAY

The AppleSox welcome the Kelowna Falcons to Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium, for Fireworks Night, Sunday July 3. 

WENATCHEE APPLESOX vs Kelowna Falcons
Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium     |       7:05 p.m.
R- Luke Mattson (0-4) vs. TBA
GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE

The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-16, 2-7 North), fifth place in the North Division host the Kelowna Falcons (12-12, 6-6 North) for Fireworks Night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium...it is the AppleSox first meeting with Kelowna this year...Wenatchee is trying to put an end to a seven-game losing streak...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (37-46) (.446), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT -- APPLESOX 4, BLACK BEARS 5
LONGVIEW –  The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-16), battled back for a late-inning lead, but couldn’t hold on against the Cowlitz Black Bears (11-13), suffering a 5-4 walkoff loss in the ninth inning at Story Field in Longview, Wash...Wenatchee scored first in the contest, with an RBI single from Matt Reitano in the second inning, off of David Appleby...Cowlitz answered the AppleSox immediately scoring off of Jimmy Dobrash three times in the bottom of the second inning...an error and Colin Winn and Morgan McCullough RBIs provided the runs...the AppleSox got back a run in the fourth inning on an Alex Gonzales RBi single...Ryan Kreider, who doubled earlier in the inning, came around to score his second run of the night on the play...the AppleSox were held in by Dobrash and Mac Lardner (0-2) in the contest...Michael Toglia provided a two-RBI double to put the AppleSox ahead 4-3 after the top of the seventh...Shane Martinez and Evan Douglas scored on the play...Weston Hatten sacrificed in Andy Armstrong in the seventh for Cowlitz, who was a pinch runner for Lorin Archibald...with the score tied in the ninth inning, McCullough led off the frame with a single off of Lardner...Dylan Riddle entered for the AppleSox and forced a lineout to third base...after Martinez caught the ball, he tried to double McCullough off back at first base, but threw high of Toglia, allowing Cowlitz’s winning run into scoring position...after a lineout to left field, Kenyon Yovan lined a 1-2 pitch into the gap in left center field, and hit it off the base of the wall for a walkoff RBI double to win the game for the Black Bears. 

TONIGHT'S NOTES
HERE WE ARE AGAIN
Wenatchee has now suffered two 7-game losing streaks in 2016...the last time the AppleSox had lost seven straight games they were at home facing the Corvallis Knights...a 6-3 win kicked the streak to the curb and started an 8-2 stretch for Wenatchee.

HERE COMES THE BOOM
It’s Fireworks Night for the AppleSox, and despite playing in front of the largest crowds in AppleSox history on this very night, Wenatchee is only a lifetime 7-9 and 4-8 in league games...the AppleSox won last season’s Fireworks Night game as part of a series sweep of the Klamath Falls Gems...Wenatchee has not had a series sweep this season. 

WCL AND BEYOND
The AppleSox and the Falcons have played 120 times dating back to PIL and non-league games before the start of the WCL in 2005...this is the most of any opponent, with Bellingham next at 95 games...Kelowna has been the visitor 59 times in the series. 

PLENTY OF SCORING
Expect the AppleSox and Falcons to score often throughout the series...the two clubs combine to score an average 10.57 runs per game when facing each other.

GIVING UP THE LEAD
Wenatchee claimed a 4-3 advantage over the Cowlitz Black Bears last night in Longview...unfortunately, the AppleSox also lost that lead...something that has happened 6 times in 2016, resulting in losses...the AppleSox have come from behind to win just three times this year. 

CLOSE GAMES
In 7 games decided by two runs or fewer, the AppleSox are 2-7...a total of 1-4 in one-run games and 1-3 in two-run games...the average losing margin for the Sox during this seven-game losing streak is at 2.3 runs-per-game. 

AMONG THE LEADERS
Michael Toglia has driven in 16 runs in 2016, one of the WCL North lead at 17, held by Victoria’s Cody Snider and three off of the WCL-leader Tommy Lane at 19 with the Bend Elks...Toglia has 9 two-out RBI for the AppleSox after both of his runs came in with two outs in the seventh inning last night to give the AppleSox a lead. 

THE CELLAR
After last night’s loss, the AppleSox first-half fate is locked in...Wenatchee will finish fifth in the WCL North First-Half standings...this is the first time the AppleSox have finished dead last in the standings of a season-marker (end of season or mid-season tally). 

TELLS THE STORY
The offense is struggling in a major way over the last five games for Wenatchee, hitting just .207 with 14 runs driven in. 

COWLITZ SWEEPS WENATCHEE WITH WALKOFF DOUBLE

Cowlitz overtook Wentchee's late 4-3 lead, after tying the game in the seventh. A walkoff with two outs in the ninth for the Black Bears won it on their Fireworks Night, Saturday.

BOX SCORE

LONGVIEW - The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-16), battled back for a late-inning lead, but couldn’t hold on against the Cowlitz Black Bears (11-13), suffering a 5-4 walkoff loss in the ninth inning at Story Field in Longview, Wash. 

Wenatchee scored first in the contest, with an RBI single from Matt Reitano in the second inning, off of David Appleby. Reitano was replaced by Alex Gonzales in the next frame. 

Cowlitz answered the AppleSox immediately scoring off of Jimmy Dobrash three times in the bottom of the second inning. An error in left field scored the first Black Bear run, and Colin Winn and Morgan McCullough added RBI singles for Cowlitz. 

Dobrash settled down over the next three innings, retiring nine straight at one point, while keeping the Cowlitz offense at bay. 

The AppleSox got back a run in the fourth inning on an Alex Gonzales RBi single. Ryan Kreider, who doubled earlier in the inning, came around to score his second run of the night on the play. 

The AppleSox were held in by Dobrash and Mac Lardner (0-2) in the contest until the offense could strike again in the seventh inning off of Parker McFadden. 

Michael Toglia provided a two-RBI double to put the AppleSox ahead 4-3 after the top of the seventh. All four of the AppleSox runs came batted in with two outs. Shane Martinez and Evan Douglas scored on the play. 

Cowlitz responded immediately in the bottom of the seventh inning, when Weston Hatten sacrificed in Andy Armstrong, who was a pinch runner for Lorin Archibald. Archibald doubled earlier in the inning. 

With the score tied in the ninth inning, McCullough led off the frame with a single off of Lardner. Dylan Riddle entered for the AppleSox and forced a lineout to third base. After Martinez caught the ball, he tried to double McCullough off back at first base, but threw high of Toglia, allowing Cowlitz’s winning run into scoring position at second. 

After a lineout to left field, Kenyon Yovan lined a 1-2 pitch into the gap in left center field, and hit it off the base of the wall for a walkoff RBI double to win the game for the Black Bears. 

Wenatchee returns home to take on the Kelowna Falcons, Sunday. It will be a fireworks night in Wenatchee, presented by Edward Jones. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. 

APPLESOX TRYING TO AVOID SWEEP IN LONGVIEW

Jimmy Dobrash is back on the mound for the Wenatchee AppleSox, Saturday, looking for his second win of 2016.

WENATCHEE APPLESOX at Cowlitz Black Bears
Story Field     |       7:05 p.m.
R- Jimmy Dobrash (1-2) vs. R- David Appleby (1-2)
GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE

The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-15, 2-7 North), fifth place in the North Division are trying to fend off a sweep on the road...the AppleSox will face the Cowlitz Black Bears (10-13, 7-5 South) for the continuation of a three-game series before returning home to Wenatchee for Fireworks Night, Sunday...Wenatchee is trying to put an end to a six-game losing streak...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (37-45) (.402), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT -- APPLESOX 0, BLACK BEARS 3
LONGVIEW –  The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-15), struggled to figure out the Cowlitz Black Bears (10-13) lefty, Damon Jones (3-2), in a 3-0 loss Friday night at Story Field in Longview, Wash...the left-hander from Washington State went the distance in his final start of the summer, holding the AppleSox to just three hits, and retiring the side in order in six separate innings...Ross Clevenger (1-1) was reached in the first inning for a run, on an RBI single for Yaeger Taylor...the Black Bears’ left fielder was thrown out of the contest arguing strikes later on in the eighth inning...two more runs were scored off of Clevenger in the fourth inning on an RBI single for Clevenger’s NNU teammate Tim Jones...Toby Johnson scored, after being hit by a pitch earlier in the inning...Michael Forgione drove in Cowlitz’s only other run later in the frame, to score Jones for the 3-0 final...Matt Young pitched three innings in relief for Wenatchee, giving up just two hits and a pair of steals to Forgione...Wenatchee tried to make things interesting in the ninth, getting the first two aboard off of Jones...Matt Fraizer and Shane Martinez each singled in the game, while Evan Douglas had the Sox only extra-base hit on a seventh-inning double...Wenatchee popped out with two on and no out in the ninth...Jones struck out the next two for his seventh and eighth strikeouts of the game, and the series win for the Black Bears. 

TONIGHT'S NOTES
NEVER BEFORE
The Cowlitz Black Bears have never swept the Wenatchee AppleSox...this is the teams’ ninth all-time series meeting. 

ROUGH GAME THREES
Wenatchee is struggling in the third-and-final games of series this season...the AppleSox are 1-6 in those games and have lost 4-straight. 

LAST NIGHT’S SHUTOUT
Last night’s complete game shutout marked the first time the AppleSox had been shut out since an 11-0 loss to the Yakima Valley Pippins June 5...it was the first complete game shutout against the AppleSox since July 18, 2015 in Kelowna...Curtis Taylor threw the full nine innings for the Falcons, surrendering just two hits.

BACK-TO-BACK NIGHTS
In back-to-back nights, the Wenatchee AppleSox have played their shortest and longest games...1:53 last night, and 3:30, Thursday night. 

WITHOUT A WALK
For the first time in 2016, the AppleSox did not give up a walk last night...in total, the AppleSox gave up just one free base, when Ross Clevenger hit a batter with a pitch in the fourth inning. 

BAD STREAKS
Last season, the AppleSox suffered no losing streaks greater than five games...this season, Wenatchee is currently on a six-game slide, and already had a seven-game losing streak earlier in the season...Wenatchee already owns two of the league’s four longest losing streaks, and the league’s longest losing streak at six games (previously Kitsap at 8 games, but the BlueJackets won last night). 

TROUBLE STACKING UP
Opponents have out-hit the AppleSox in 15-of-23 games this season...Wenatchee is 2-13 in the 15 games with fewer hits, and 6-2 in the eight games in which they total more hits than their opponents.  

APPLESOX SHUT OUT TO START JULY

Wenatchee struggled with Cowlitz left-hander Damon Jones in a 3-0 loss, Friday.

BOX SCORE

LONGVIEW - The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-15), struggled to figure out the Cowlitz Black Bears (10-13) lefty, Damon Jones (3-2), in a 3-0 loss Friday night at Story Field in Longview, Wash. 

The left-hander from Washington State went the distance in his final start of the summer, holding the AppleSox to just three hits, and retiring the side in order in six separate innings. 

Ross Clevenger (1-1) was reached in the first inning for a run, on an RBI single for Yaeger Taylor. The Black Bears’ left fielder was thrown out of the contest arguing strikes later on in the eighth inning. 

Two more runs were scored off of Clevenger in the fourth inning on an RBI single for Clevenger’s NNU teammate Tim Jones. Toby Johnson scored, after being hit by a pitch earlier in the inning. 

Michael Forgione drove in Cowlitz’s only other run later in the frame, to score Jones for the 3-0 final. 

Matt Young pitched three innings in relief for Wenatchee, giving up just two hits and a pair of steals to Forgione. 

Wenatchee tried to make things interesting in the ninth, getting the first two aboard off of Jones. Matt Fraizer and Shane Martinez each singled in the game, while Evan Douglas had the Sox only extra-base hit on a seventh-inning double. 

Wenatchee popped out with two on and no out in the ninth. Jones struck out the next two for his seventh and eighth strikeouts of the game, and the series win for the Black Bears. 

Game three is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Story Field, Saturday, and will be a pre-Independence Day fireworks celebration. Jimmy Dobrash (1-2) will get the start for the AppleSox.

APPLESOX TRYING TO EVEN SERIES IN LONGVIEW

The AppleSox have not won a road series in 2016 after losing game one. They are looking to change that tonight, by evening the series in Longview.

WENATCHEE APPLESOX at Cowlitz Black Bears
Story Field     |       6:35 p.m.
R- Ross Clevenger (1-0) vs. L- Damon Jones (2-2)
GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE

The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-14, 2-7 North), fifth place in the North Division are on the road again after a six-game road trip last week...the AppleSox will face the Cowlitz Black Bears (9-13, 7-5 South) for the continuation of a three-game series before returning home to Wenatchee for Fireworks Night, Sunday...Wenatchee is trying to put an end to a five-game losing streak...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (37-44) (.457), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT -- APPLESOX 4, BLACK BEARS 5
LONGVIEW –  The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-14), fell 5-4 to the Cowlitz Black Bears (9-13), in 12 innings at Story Field in Longview, Wash...the AppleSox were guided for six superb innings by Grady Miller, who used just 53 pitches over the first six frames, only allowing three hits, while striking out four batters and giving up zero walks...during the stretch, Wenatchee was hit by pitch five times, and walked four times, while tallying four hits and three runs...a throwing error at third base scored Otis Statum in the fourth inning, after he got aboard on a walk and stole second base...Wenatchee led Riley Ohl 1-0 after his 4 1/3 innings of work...the AppleSox added two more runs in the sixth inning off of Chandler Greenfield on a sacrifice fly RBI to center field for Shane Martinez and an RBI double for Matt Fraizer...with the bases loaded and 0 outs in the bottom of the seventh, a Taylor Yaeger sacrifice fly to center field cut the AppleSox lead to 3-1...later, a 2-RBI single for Toby Johnson tied the game, and an RBI single for Michael Forgione gave the Bears a 4-3 lead...Michael Toglia evened the score in the eighth inning on an RBI ground-rule-double to left field...it scored Matt Fraizer and came earned off of Devon McKesson...Tyler Burch and Jake Hawken (1-0), were locked in a pitchers duel for the eighth-11th innings, Thursday. The two went toe-to-toe, continually rolling each half inning over to the opposing team...with the bases loaded against Taylor Borchers, Morgan McCullough drove in the game’s winning run on a ground ball to shortstop that was bobbled by Ryan Kreidler. 

TONIGHT'S NOTES
MORE K’s
After starting the season leading the WCL in strikeouts, the AppleSox just tossed their fist 10+ strikeout game since June 15, 2013 in a 13-strikeout performance against the Walla Walla Sweets. 

CAN’T REACH HIM
With a phenomenal 4.1 innings of scoreless relief last night, Tyler Burch now leads all AppleSox pitchers with 8-consecutive scoreless innings pitched...this dates back to a 3.2 scoreless relief appearance in a June 15 win over the Walla Walla Sweets.  

BAD LUCK WITH EXTENDED GAMES
In the loss last night, Wenatchee played its third extra-inning game of the season (1-2)...the AppleSox have now lost six of their last seven extra-inning games, dating to last season...the AppleSox are 34-31 all-time in extra innings. 

LOSING A LEAD
Wenatchee led 3-0 after six innings last night...with the loss, the AppleSox have now lost five leads on the season in games that ended in a loss. 

BACK ON THE ROAD
Wenatchee has won its last two road series, but did take game one in each of those sets...this following a sweep in the team’s first road matchup of 2016 at Victoria. 

CLOSING THE MONTH
Wenatchee ended the month of June at 10-14 (including non-league games), at a 41.7 percent winning percentage...the month was the second-worst June in team history...in 2007 the AppleSox were 8-12 (40.0 percent)...the AppleSox aren’t so hot opening the month of July in team history...the AppleSox are 5-8 overall, 1-3 on the road, and have a four-game losing streak. 

IN THE CLOSE ONES
Wenatchee is starting to struggle in the close games in 2016...with eight games decided by two runs or fewer this season, the AppleSox are 2-6 in those contests...now 1-2 in extra-inning games...last season, the two losses here in Longview were decided by just one run. 

AT THE ALL STAR HOUSE
When playing at the home of the WCL All Star Game, the AppleSox were 1-2 last year...the Sox salvaged a series win at Bellingham last year to avoid a sweep...in 2014.

SEVENTH OR LATER
When trailing after seven innings of play, the AppleSox are 0-13 this season, despite closing the gap a night ago and forcing extra innings. 

PLENTY OF CHANCES
Wenatchee left 16 runners on base last night, getting runners aboard and leaving them there in the ninth, 11th, and 12th innings...the 16 runners left on was a new season high for the AppleSox.  

BIG INNING HURTS APPLESOX IN 12-INNING LOSS

A tough four-run seventh inning soured a strong start for Grady Miller, Thursday. 

BOX SCORE

WENATCHEE - The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-14), started Thursday night off with a dominant pitching performance, but troubles in the seventh inning allowed the Cowlitz Black Bears (9-13), to get back into the game and eventually win 5-4 in extra innings at Story Field in Longview, Wash. 

The AppleSox were guided for six superb innings by Grady Miller, who used just 53 pitches over the first six frames, only allowing three hits, while striking out four batters and giving up zero walks. 

During the stretch, Wenatchee was hit by pitch five times, and walked four times, while tallying four hits and three runs. 

A throwing error at third base scored Otis Statum in the fourth inning, after he got aboard on a walk and stole second base. Wenatchee led Riley Ohl 1-0 after his 4 1/3 innings of work. 

The AppleSox added two more runs in the sixth inning off of Chandler Greenfield on a sacrifice fly RBI to center field for Shane Martinez and an RBI double for Matt Fraizer. 

Cowlitz knocked Miller out of his groove in the seventh inning after getting a baserunner on an error at first base. A walk set up first and second with nobody out. Weston Hatten then singled to load the bases for the Black Bears. 

A Taylor Yaeger sacrifice fly to center field cut the AppleSox lead to 3-1. Later, a 2-RBI single for Toby Johnson tied the game, and an RBI single for Michael Forgione gave the Bears a 4-3 lead. 

Michael Toglia evened the score in the eighth inning on an RBI ground-rule-double to left field. It scored Matt Fraizer and came earned off of Devon McKesson. 

Tyler Burch and Jake Hawken (1-0), were locked in a pitchers duel for the eighth-11th innings, Thursday. The two went toe-to-toe, continually rolling each half inning over to the opposing team. 

Taylor Borchers relieved Burch in the bottom of the 12th inning, still tied at four. A single for Johnson started the frame off with a runner aboard, and a single and a catcher’s interference loaded the bases after a failed sacrifice bunt attempt resulted in out number one. 

Morgan McCullough drove in the game’s winning run on a ground ball to shortstop that was bobbled by Ryan Kreidler. The AppleSox shortstop successfully relayed the front end of a double play try to second base, but McCullough beat the return throw to first base, to win the game. 

Wenatchee and Cowlitz play game two, Friday night. Ross Clevenger will pitch for the AppleSox at 6:35 p.m. 

HARBOURCATS SWEEP APPLESOX, WIN 17th STRAIGHT

Former AppleSox outfielder AJ Alcantara delivered three of the HarbourCats' six RBI Wednesday night, en route to a 7-6 win at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. 

BOX SCORE

WENATCHEE - The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-13), were swept by the Victoria HarbourCats (17-3), in a 7-6 loss Wednesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Wenatchee struck first, Wednesday with two runs in the first inning. Michael Toglia knocked in a runner with an RBI single, following Evan Douglas scoring in the inning on a wild pitch. 

With a 2-0 lead in the second, Justin Blatner ran into a bit of trouble. AJ Alcantara, a former AppleSox outfielder, hit a leadoff solo home run in the second inning, to cut the AppleSox lead to 2-1. Ryan Anderson doubled and came to score on a Blatner error later in the inning. Tommy Jew drove in a third runner for a HarbourCat lead. 

Wenatchee jumped on ‘Cat starter Kyle Mora in the third inning for two runs on a Michael Toglia two-run home run. Ryan Kreidler scored, who was aboard on a walk earlier in the frame. 

Wenatchee cut the deficit to one run with the home run, after Ryan Anderson scored a runner on a sacrifice fly to center field, and Brad Plushkell brought home a runner on an RBI double. 

The score held until the sixth inning, when Wenatchee added another run off of Casey Costello. Haydan Hastings scored on an error by Jew, to tie the game at five. 

Victoria promptly responded with two runs in the seventh inning on a two-RBI single for Alcantara. 

Wenatchee tried to chip away late, scoring Otis Statum on an RBI single in the eighth inning for Shane Martinez, but with a tying run aboard in the ninth, the AppleSox’ tying run was caugh stealing to end the game. 

With the win, Victoria won a 17th-straight game and swept a third-straight series over Wenatchee. The AppleSox continue WCL First Half play at Cowlitz, Thursday, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. 

APPLESOX FENDING OFF SWEEP AT HOME, WEDNESDAY

Justin Blatner (2-0), is gunning for his third AppleSox win, Wednesday. A 5 1/3 inning start will put him onto the WCL leaderboard with what would currently be the league's third-best ERA at 0.77. 

WENATCHEE APPLESOX vs Victoria HarbourCats
Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium     |       7:05 p.m.
L- Justin Blatner (2-0) vs. R- Kyle Mora (0-0)
GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE

The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-12, 2-6 North), fifth place in the North Division are trying to keep the Victoria HarbourCats (16-3, 8-3 North) from coming up with a third-straight series sweep in the all-time series...Victoria set the WCL consecutive-win record two nights back with its 15th straight......the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (37-42) (.468), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT -- APPLESOX 4, HARBOURCATS 9
WENACTHEE –  The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-12), were overpowered by the Victoria HarbourCats (16-3), in a 9-4 loss Tuesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium...the HarbourCats jumped all over Luke Mattson (0-4) in the early innings of the contest...Joe Prior doubled home a run in the first, before three more scored in the second on a Cody Snider double and Jarron Silva triple...the AppleSox got to work in the third inning off of HarbourCat starter Jack Wolger (1-0)...Wolger received little help from his defense in the inning, An error at third base was the ‘Cats third of the game, and prolonged a three-run scoring inning for Wenatchee...Michael Toglia delivered the big punch on an RBI triple...the HarbourCats added two more runs in the fourth inning off of Mattson...off of the relief pitchers, one runner was brought around In the eighth, charged to Eli Thornquist. Miceal Taylor surrendered a two-run home run to Victoria’s Jake Stone...Wenatchee’s other scoring came in the seventh inning. An RBI single for Matt Fraizer brought home Ryan Kreidler to score...Good pitching by Victoria’s bullpen held the Sox out of the contest...Blake Hannah and Cameron Schneider pitched the final three innings, giving up just three hits and the one earned run...with the loss, Wenatchee is 8.5 games back of Victoria in the WCL North, with only seven first half games left to play...mathematically, they will not be able to catch Victoria for a first-half crown. 

TONIGHT'S NOTES
OUT
Wenatchee will look to regroup for the second half of WCL play in 2016...the new format could prove quite beneficial for the AppleSox, who started a league-worst 0-7 in 2016...they are playing 8-5 baseball since (.615).

THE ACE
Justin Blatner is trying to prove tonight that he is the AppleSox’ ace up on the hill...the left-hander has won each of his three outings this season (one non-league), which included a win over Corvallis to snap Wenatchee out of the season-opening 7-game losing streak...with an ERA below 1.00, a good start tonight should continue to place Blatner in the conversation for a chance at cracking the North’s All Star roster. 

WHERE HE STACKS UP
Currently, Justin Blatner does not qualify for the league leaderboard (min. .8 inn. per team WCL game), but with a 5.1 inning start tonight, he would fulfill that requirement...his 0.77 ERA would be tied for third-best in the WCL, and tops amongst WCL North pitchers, while also ranking second amongst all left-handers. 

HANDING ‘EM OUT
Last night, the AppleSox gave up a lot of free bases on walks...the nine walks allowed were most since giving up eight at Victoria June 7...Thornquist issued six free passes...Wenatchee has three pitchers ranking in the top-10 for most walks in the WCL, including Thornquist (10), Dobrash (13), and Mattson (13)...the only other team with three pitchers in that top-ten is Cowlitz. 

RUNS
The AppleSox pitching staff is in a major funk...through 20 games, Wenatchee is giving up 5.90 runs per game...the highest total allowed through the first 20 games since 2000 (6.53). 

HARBOURCAT STREAKS
Not only has Victoria won 16-straight WCL games, they also have won 9-consecutive against Wenatchee over the last calendar year (an 11-10 loss in 11 innings at Victoria 6/28/15).

TROUBLE IN GAME THREE
So far this season, Wenatchee is 1-5 in the third and final games of series...twice the AppleSox have tried to fend off sweeps and failed this season. 

THREE-STRAIGHT
A sweep for the HarbourCats tonight would mark the third-straight time they have swept the AppleSox in a series...a feat never accomplished by any AppleSox opponent. 

WITH RUNNERS ON
Opponents are hitting .277 against the AppleSox this season, but once they get a man on base, they ramp it up to a .296 average with four home runs...the AppleSox are hitting .259 with runners on and only two home runs. 

THE BIG THREE
After Victoria’s win last night, there are only three teams in the WCL with all-time above .500 records against the AppleSox (Bend/32-28, Yakima Valley/12-9, Victoria/12-11).

APPLESOX OVERPOWERED BY VICTORIA

Five extra-base hits, including two Jarron Silva triples, powered the HarbourCats past the AppleSox 9-4, Tuesday. 

BOX SCORE

WENATCHEE - The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-12), were overpowered by the Victoria HarbourCats (16-3), in a 9-4 loss Tuesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The HarbourCats jumped all over Luke Mattson (0-4) in the early innings of the contest. Joe Prior doubled home a run in the first, before three more scored in the second on a Cody Snider double and Jarron Silva triple. 

The AppleSox got to work in the third inning off of HarbourCat starter Jack Wolger (1-0). Wolger received little help from his defense in the inning, An error at third base was the ‘Cats third of the game, and prolonged a three-run scoring inning for Wenatchee. Michael Toglia delivered the big punch on an RBI triple. 

The HarbourCats added two more runs in the fourth inning off of Mattson. Off of the relief pitchers, one runner was brought around In the eighth, charged to Eli Thornquist. Miceal Taylor surrendered a two-run home run to Victoria’s Jake Stone.

Wenatchee’s other scoring came in the seventh inning. An RBI single for Matt Fraizer brought home Ryan Kreidler to score. 

Good pitching by Victoria’s bullpen held the Sox out of the contest. Blake Hannah and Cameron Schneider pitched the final three innings, giving up just three hits and the one earned run. 

With the loss, Wenatchee is 8.5 games back of Victoria in the WCL North, with only seven first half games left to play. Mathematically, they will not be able to catch Victoria for a first-half crown. 

Game three of the series is Wednesday. Justin Blatner will pitch for Wenatchee against Kyle Mora for Victoria. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

APPLESOX HOST HARBOURCATS ON COUGAR NIGHT WITH THE APPLESOX

The AppleSox are looking to even their series with the Victoria HarbourCats, Tuesday night. 

WENATCHEE APPLESOX vs Victoria HarbourCats
Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium     |       7:05 p.m.
R- Luke Mattson (0-3) vs. L- Jack Wolger (0-0)
GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE

The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-11, 2-5 North), fifth place in the North Division face the Victoria HarbourCats (15-3, 7-3 North) in a do-or-die divisional matchup...Victoria set the WCL consecutive-win record last night with its 15th straight...if Wenatchee losses tonight, it is mathematically removed from the WCL First Half playoff picture...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (37-41) (.474), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons

LAST NIGHT -- APPLESOX 4, HARBOURCATS 7
WENACTHEE –  The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-11), were downed by the Victoria HarbourCats (15-3), 7-4, Monday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium...a two-out RBI single for Matt Fraizer and a two-out RBI double for Evan Douglas off the right field wall put Wenatchee ahead early...Victoria responded in the top of the third inning with three runs off of Jimmy Dobrash...the HarbourCats connected on a sac fly RBI with the bases loaded and nobody out...Wenatchee did double off a tagging runner at third base to turn two on the play, but Joe Prior launched a HR over the wall in left field for a 3-2 HarbourCat lead...Ben Polshuk also exited the park to left field for 4-2 HarbourCat lead in the sixth...in the seventh inning, Wenatchee responded with runs off of Austin Dondanville (2-0), who worked in relief of Collin Ashworth and Kannenberg, who left the game earlier with an apparent arm injury...with two outs, a two-RBI double for Shane Martinez to deep right field gave the AppleSox new life and brought the game even at 4-4...Victoria took back the lead for good in the eight, chasing AppleSox reliever Mac Lardner (0-1), on an RBI Griffin Andreychuk double to left center field...it scored leadoff hitter Matt Lautz from first base and put Victotia ahead for good. Lardner left the game with the bases loaded and no outs. Tyler Burch entered and surrendered a run on a walk, and another on a wild pitch; both charged to Lardner...the Sox went down in order in the eight and ninth inning at the hands of Dondanville and Holden Lyons, who picked up his fourth save of the season, striking out two-of-three batters faced. 

TONIGHT'S NOTES
MUST-WIN GAME
The AppleSox are 7.5 games behind the Victoria HarbourCats in the WCL North Division with 8 games to play in the first half of the season. A loss tonight would knock Wenatchee from the mathematical possibility of winning the division. 

ON THE WRONG END
After starting the all-time series Victoria 11-3, Wenatchee is amidst an 8-game losing streak...it is the longest losing streak against any AppleSox opponent all-time. 

THE LONG BALL
After the AppleSox got to second-place in the WCL at 6 home runs last week, they have experienced back-to-back multi-HR games against them the last two nights...one by a team that hadn’t hit a 2016 home run, and another by a Victoria outfit that is leading the league with 12 home runs. 

COLLECTING BASES
The Wenatchee AppleSox keep getting Evan Douglas on base...the team’s infielder has reached base in 12-consecutive games, which is the best on the team...it is the second-longest active streak in the WCL behind Andy Atwood of the Corvallis Knights. 

365 DAYS AGO
On this date, last season, the Victoria HarbourCats started their string of recent success against the AppleSox...after falling behind, 7-1 early, Wenatchee score nine of the game’s next 12 runs, including three runs in the ninth inning for a 10-10 tie...the HarbourCats won the contest in extras with a walk-off bases-loaded walk. 

LAST NIGHT’S LEAD
Wenatchee got the early 2-0 advantage a night ago...it was the eighth time the AppleSox have scored first this season, yet just the third time that the club came up with an early lead at home...two of the threeAppleSox wins when scoring second have come at home this year.

CASE OF THE MONDAY’S
Last night was Wenatchee’s first Monday game of the season...as it stands right now, it is the only day of the week that has left the Sox without a victory. 

AFTER FIRST GAME LOSS
Wenatchee started its run of four-straight WCL series wins after falling behind 1-0 in a home series with the Corvallis Knights June 10, 2016...Wenatchee jumped out to series leads against Walla Walla, Bend, and Gresham...the Sox are 1-2 in series wins when they lose the first game of the set. 

FOLLOWING THE HARBOURCATS’ RECORD
Yes, last night Victoria took over the WCL record for consecutive games won last night, but did you know the AppleSox are owners of the league’s two next-longest winning streaks?...Wenatchee has won both 14-straight games and 13-straight games. 

Rathbone Named WCL Player of the Week

Jordan Rathbone was named WCL Player of the Week for June 20-26 League President Donnie Marbut announced, Tuesday. It is the AppleSox first weekly honor of the season.

The West Coast League Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, as announced by league president Donnie Marbut, were Gonzaga redshirt-freshman Jordan Rathbone of the Wenatchee AppleSox and Cal Poly frosh right-hander Bobby Ay of the Walla Walla Sweets for the week of June 20-26.

Rathbone ignited Wenatchee's offense, leading the Sox to a 4-2 week on the road and 43 runs vs. Bend and Gresham. The GU freshman outfielder from Gonzaga Prep went 10-for-15 with six runs scored, two doubles, a triple and 3 RBIs while posting a .737 on base percentage. He is currently hitting .327 with a team-leading 18 hits and three multi-hit games. 

HARBOURCATS DOWN APPLESOX FOR WCL-RECORD WINNING STREAK

The AppleSox took an early lead and tied the game once, but the Victoria HarbourCats held on for a 7-4 victory. 

BOX SCORE

WENATCHEE - The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-11), were downed by the Victoria HarbourCats (15-3), 7-4, Monday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. Victoria won its 15th-consecutive game, which broke the previous WCL record of 14, held by the AppleSox. 

Wenatchee drew first blood in the third inning off of HarbourCat starter James Kannenberg, who was making his second start of the season against Wenatchee. 

A two-out RBI single for Matt Fraizer and a two-out RBI double for Evan Douglas off the right field wall put Wenatchee ahead early. 

Victoria responded in the top of the third inning with three runs off of Jimmy Dobrash, who had faced the minimum nine batters through three innings, allowing only one hit. 

The HarbourCats connected on a sac fly RBI with the bases loaded and nobody out. Wenatchee did double off a tagging runner at third base to turn two on the play, but Joe Prior launched a pitch in the next at bat over the wall in left field for a 3-2 HarbourCat lead. It was Prior’s second home run of the season. 

In the sixth, Victoria added to its lead with a second home run off of Dobrash. Ben Polshuk also exited the park to left field for his third home run of the season and a 4-2 HarbourCat lead. It was the second-straight night Wenatchee had given up two home runs. 

In the seventh inning, Wenatchee responded with runs off of Austin Dondanville (2-0), who worked in relief of Collin Ashworth and Kannenberg, who left the game earlier with an apparent arm injury. 

With two outs, a two-RBI double for Shane Martinez to deep right field gave the AppleSox new life and brought the game even at 4-4.

Victoria took back the lead for good in the eight, chasing AppleSox reliever Mac Lardner (0-1), on an RBI Griffin Andreychuk double to left center field. It scored leadoff hitter Mat Lautz from first base and put Victotia ahead for good. Lardner left the game with the bases loaded and no outs. Tyler Burch entered and surrendered a run on a walk, and another on a wild pitch; both charged to Lardner. 

The Sox went down in order in the eight and ninth inning at the hands of Dondanville and Holden Lyons, who picked up his fourth save of the season, striking out two-of-three batters faced. 

The series continues Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. Luke Mattson (0-3) will pitch against Jack Wolger (0-0). It is Cougar Night and fans who wear WSU apparel will earn general gate admission for $6. The Cougar Cruiser will be in attendance. 

SOX SET TO END VICTORIA’S 14-GAME STREAK

The AppleSox are trying to put an end to the Victoria HarbourCat's 14-game winning streak, Monday in Wenatchee. 

WENATCHEE APPLESOX vs Victoria HarbourCats
Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium     |       7:05 p.m.
R- Jimmy Dobrash (1-2) vs. R- James Kannenberg (0-1)
GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE
 

The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-10, 2-4 North), fifth place in the North Division face the Victoria HarbourCats (14-3, 6-3 North) for the second time this season...Victoria hasn’t lost since sweeping the AppleSox in early June...the HarbourCats won those 11 games over WCL South opponents...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (37-40) (.481), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT -- APPLESOX 9, GREYWOLVES 11
GRESHAM –  The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-10), fell victim to the big inning Sunday night in Oregon, and the Gresham GreyWolves (7-12), salvaged a game in the set, winning 11-9 at Oslund Field in Gresham, Ore...Wenatchee made good on multiple Gresham miscues in the second inning, scoring two runs on three errors...in the fourth the AppleSox got four more runs off of Gabe Benavides on an RBI triple for Jordan Rathbone, RBI single for Alex Gonzales, and an error in left field allowed the other two runs to score...Matt Young was dominant throughout three innings for Wenatchee, but Gresham finally reached him in the fourth for a two-run home run from Nick Snyder...it was the GreyWolves’ first home run of 2016...in the sixth, Gresham scored twice more off of Ross Clevenger, who was working in relief...Mark Cardinalli and Drew Curtis were credited RBI singles...in the seventh, things went from bad to worse for Clevenger. Two more runs came home. Both were hit off of Dylan Riddle (0-1), but charged to Clevenger. Riddle surrendered an additional four runs in the frame on a Dylan Doherty bases-loaded double, and Cardinalli RBI single...Gresham added a run of insurance in the eighth on its second home run of the night (Jack Johnson)...Wenatchee rallied for three runs in the ninth, chasing GreyWolf reliever Carter Buuck...Jake Boyd came in and allowed the runs to score on two RBI singles and a fielder’s choice. He got the final out with the tying runs on base, striking out Matt Fraizer.

TONIGHT'S NOTES
MUST-WIN SERIES
Despite a 8-3 stretch since an 0-7 start, Wenatchee finds itself with its backs against the wall in the WCL North First Half Standings...the Sox have nine games left in the first half to pick up 6.5 games on the Victoria HarbourCats...with a sweep, the Sox could be 3.5 games back with six first-half games to play...anything less than two wins in the series, and Wenatchee is eliminated from first-half contention in the WCL North (7.5+ back with seven-or-less games to play).

BACK-TO-BACK
The last time Wenatchee won back-to-back road series, as they did on their last road trip, was June 23-25, 2014 at Corvallis and July 4-6, 2014 at Kelowna...both series were also 2-1 wins. 

THE BATS
The offense hasn’t been disappointing for the AppleSox over the last five games...a .289 team average in that span ranks second in the WCL (Bellingham, .305)...Victoria ranks 10th over the last five games with a .239 average, a slot higher than the team they just swept (Kitsap, .184).

BAD TO THE BONE
Of players with nine-or-more at bats, Jordan Rathbone owns the best WCL average over the last ten games at .536 (15x28, 7R, 7RBI)...only one batter in the WCL is having a better five-game stretch than Jordan Rathbone...Rathbone is hitting .667 (10x15) with 3 RBI in 4 games played out of the last AppleSox five...Chris Ceballos is hitting .833 (5x6) for Yakima Valley over the last five games.

COMING BACK FROM SWEEPS
Last year, Wenatchee faced one team that swept them for a second time (Yakima Valley)...Wenatchee countered the first-time sweep with a 2-1 series win on the road....Victoria has swept the last two series against Wenatchee at Royal Athletic Park and Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. 

TWO-OF-THREE
Jimmy Dobrash and Luke Mattson are getting a chance for redemption against the Victoria HarbourCats in their second starts against the opponent on the season...Victoria handed Dobrash his second (and last) loss of 2016, while Mattson started his current three-game losing streak at Victoria. 

LAST TIME HERE
The last time Victoria visited Wenatchee, the HarbourCats walked away with a sweep, winning the games 10-5, 8-6, and 21-10...the games averaged out to 3 hours and 21 minutes a piece, with none played under the 3-hour mark...the 39 runs were the most scored by an opponent in Wenatchee last season. 

DO-OR-DIE
It’s a pretty easy equation...Sox lead after seven innings, they win (7-0)...they trail after seven innings, they lose (0-10). 

VICTORIA’S OPPOSITION
The combined records of the teams Victoria has played during its current 14-game winning streak, including Wenatchee is 39-58 (.402)...Wenatchee is the only north opponent Victoria has faced during the stretch. 

DEBUTS
12 AppleSox players are seeing the HarbourCats for the first time this year...this coming after the AppleSox hit .165 off Victoria in the earlier series and gave up 22 earned runs in 24 innings (8.25 ERA).

APPLESOX FALTER IN FINALE, WIN SERIES AT GRESHAM

Gresham scored 11-unanswered runs Sunday to salvage a game in the three-game series. 

BOX SCORE

GRESHAM - The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-10), fell victim to the big inning Sunday night in Oregon, and the Gresham GreyWolves (7-12), salvaged a game in the set, winning 11-9 at Oslund Field in Gresham, Ore.

After trailing the AppleSox 6-0 into the bottom of the fourth inning, the GreyWolves rattled off the game’s next 11 runs to secure their first victory over the AppleSox. 

Wenatchee made good on multiple Gresham miscues in the second inning, scoring two runs on three errors. 

In the fourth the AppleSox got four more runs off of Gabe Benavides on an RBI triple for Jordan Rathbone, RBI single for Alex Gonzales, and an error in left field allowed the other two runs to score. 

Rathbone finished with his team-leading sixth multi-hit game of the year. Gonzales and Evan Douglas also had two-hit nights, and Ryan Kreidler delivered a phenomenal four-hit performance. 

Matt Young was dominant throughout three innings for Wenatchee, but Gresham finally reached him in the fourth for a two-run home run from Nick Snyder. It was the GreyWolves’ first home run of 2016. 

In the sixth, Gresham scored twice more off of Ross Clevenger, who was working in relief. Mark Cardinalli and Drew Curtis were credited RBI singles. 

In the seventh, things went from bad to worse for Clevenger. Two more runs came home. Both were hit off of Dylan Riddle (0-1), but charged to Clevenger. Riddle surrendered an additional four runs in the frame on a Dylan Doherty bases-loaded double, and Cardinalli RBI single. 

Gresham added a run of insurance in the eighth on its second home run of the night. This time, bu Jack Johnson who finished 4-for-4 with two doubles and the solo home run. 

Wenatchee rallied for three runs in the ninth, chasing GreyWolf reliever Carter Buuck. Jake Boyd came in and allowed the runs to score on two RBI singles and a fielder’s choice. He got the final out with the tying runs on base, striking out Matt Fraizer. 

Wenatchee returns home, Monday to try to put an end to the Victoria HarbourCat’s 14-game winning streak. The mark ties Wenatchee for the longest winning streak in WCL history (set in 2011), and Jimmy Dobrash (1-2) is set to face the ‘Cats for a second time this season. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

SOX AIMING TO END TRIP WITH SERIES SWEEP

Wenatchee tries for its first sweep of the season, tonight, in Gresham, Ore. 

WENATCHEE APPLESOX at Gresham GreyWolves
Oslund Field     |       5:05 p.m.
L- Matt Young (1-0) vs. L- Gabe Benavides (1-2)
GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE

The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-9, 2-4 North), fifth place in the North Division face the Gresham GreyWolves (6-12, 4-6 South) for a chance at a first series sweep in 2016...Wenatchee won a fourth-consecutive series last night, and has now won 8 of its last 10 games...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (37-39) (.487), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT -- APPLESOX 8, GREYWOLVES 3
GRESHAM –  The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-9), used a five-run sixth inning to beat the Gresham GreyWolves (6-12), 8-3, Saturday night at Oslund Field in Gresham, Ore...Parker Price delivered a go-ahead 3-RBI triple in the inning, which started with Evan Douglas getting aboard on a single...Ryan Kreidler also singled in the inning, and Jordan Rathbone walked...with the bases loaded and one out, Otis Statum struck out looking...Haydan Hastings came to the plate and delivered an RBI infield single off the GreyWolves pitcher, David Wallum (1-1)...the ball hit Wallum on the left side and got away on the infield for the base hit...Price unloaded the bases in the next at bat with the go-ahead triple...Wenatchee added another run in the inning on a Shane Martinez RBI triple for a 5-1 lead...Gresham started the scoring back in the second inning...an RBI single for Ben Klenke put Grady Miller (2-1) behind early, but the southpaw battled back to throw five innings of one-run baseball to keep his team in the game until the big sixth inning...Gresham got two more runs off of Miller in the sixth, but only one of the runs came earned, due to an error in left field on a dropped baseball...Wenatchee committed two errors on the night...Price added his fourth RBI with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, and Jordan Rathbone provided the Sox their eighth run in the ninth inning with a bases-loaded RBI single...Rathbone went 2-for-2 with an RBI and was hit by two pitches and walked once...Nick Hoefling threw and strong three innings of relief, facing ten batters and retiring nine for his second save of the season.  

TONIGHT'S NOTES
BREAKING OUT BROOMS
It has been awhile since the AppleSox last swept an opponent on the road...a feat not accomplished a season ago, the last Sox road sweet was Aug. 5-7, 2014 at Kelowna...the last Sox sweep in general was July 3-5 at home against Klamath Falls.

SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST
Wenatchee is 7-0 in games it leads after the seventh inning this season...the AppleSox are also a perfect 7-for-7 in save opportunities. 

COMEBACKS
Last night was just the AppleSox’ third comeback win of 2016...Wenatchee is 3-8 when scoring second or being shut out in ball games this year. 

BREAKING EVEN
The AppleSox are trying to get to an even .500 record on the season, tonight...excluding the AppleSox’ 0-0 record to start the season, the last time Wenatchee was at an even .500 record was June 10, 2015 after a win at Walla Walla.

FOUR RBIs
A nice night for Parker Price last night culminated in 4 runs batted in...he and Otis Statum have combined to drive in 8 of the AppleSox 17 runs in the series...the AppleSox saw five 4-RBI performances in total, a season ago. 

SWEEPING IN FIRST MEETING
Did you know Wenatchee has swept five-of-13 WCL opponents in their first series against the opposing team...two of those sweeps occurred on the road (at Spokane and Klamath Falls)...in fact, Wenatchee has only lost one all-time series-opening series in WCL play in 13 tries...at Medford (1-2).

BRUSHING IT OFF
The AppleSox have been outscored 17-5 in their previous two tries for sweeps in 2016 against Walla Walla and Bend...Luke Mattson was the starting pitcher in both of those games. 

BEATING THE SOUTH
After last night’s win, Wenatchee is 6-5 against the WCL South Division.

PUTTING IT ON THE LINE
Matt Fraizer leads the AppleSox in sacrifices in 2016 with four sacrifice bunts and one sacrifice fly...next closest is Parker Price (2), with a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly in the win last night. 

IF...
Wenatchee’s 8-9 record would be good for a third-place spot in the WCL South Division. 

STREAKS
A win Sunday night, would give the AppleSox their first three-game road winning streak this season...it would match the Sox’ longest road winning streak from a year ago. 

ROAD TRIPS
Last year, Wenatchee played one six-game road trip...the Sox went 3-3 on the trip...the last time the AppleSox won four games on a road trip before last night was July 14-19, 2014 at Walla Walla and Yakima Valley...the last time the Sox won five on a road trip was July 22-Aug. 1, 2011 at Kitsap and Bellingham (5-1). 

WENATCHEE WINS FOURTH-STRAIGHT SERIES BEHIND PRICE’S BIG NIGHT

A five-run sixth inning propelled the AppleSox to a 8-3 win, Saturday night in Oregon. 

BOX SCORE

GRESHAM - The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-9), used a five-run sixth inning to beat the Gresham GreyWolves (6-12), 8-3, Saturday night at Oslund Field in Gresham, Ore.

Parker Price delivered a go-ahead 3-RBI triple in the inning, which started with Evan Douglas getting aboard on a single. Ryan Kreidler also singled in the inning, and Jordan Rathbone walked. With the bases loaded and one out, Otis Statum struck out looking. Haydan Hastings came to the plate and delivered an RBI infield single off the GreyWolves pitcher, David Wallum (1-1). The ball hit Wallum on the left side and got away on the infield for the base hit. 

Price unloaded the bases in the next at bat with the go-ahead triple. 

Wenatchee added another run in the inning on a Shane Martinez RBI triple for a 5-1 lead

Gresham started the scoring back in the second inning. An RBI single for Ben Klenke put Grady Miller (2-1) behind early, but the southpaw battled back to throw five innings of one-run baseball to keep his team in the game until the big sixth inning. 

Gresham got two more runs off of Miller in the sixth, but only one of the runs came earned, due to an error in left field on a dropped baseball. Wenatchee committed two errors on the night. 

Price added his fourth RBI with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, and Jordan Rathbone provided the Sox their eighth run in the ninth inning with a bases-loaded RBI single. 

Rathbone went 2-for-2 with an RBI and was hit by two pitches and walked once. 

Nick Hoefling threw and strong three innings of relief, facing ten batters and retiring nine for his second save of the season.

With the win, Wenatchee is 8-2 in its last 10 games, and the AppleSox are guaranteed a fourth-consecutive West Coast League series win, after being swept in the season’s first two series. 

The AppleSox play for a series sweep, Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 5:05 p.m. Wenatchee will send Matt Young (1-0) to the mound to face Gresham’s left-handed Gabe Benavides (1-2). 

APPLESOX GOING FOR FOURTH-STRAIGHT SERIES WIN

The AppleSox have a chance to win a fourth-straight series Saturday night. 

WENATCHEE APPLESOX at Gresham GreyWolves
Oslund Field     |       7:05 p.m.
L- Grady Miller (1-1) vs. R- David Wallum (1-0)
GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE

The Wenatchee AppleSox (7-9, 2-4 North), fifth place in the North Division face the Gresham GreyWolves (6-11, 4-6 South) for a chance at a fourth-straight WCL series win...Wenatchee is meeting the GreyWolves for the first time in franchise history...the club is 11-3 in its inaugural meetings with WCL opponents after the game-one win...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (36-39) (.480), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT -- APPLESOX 9, GREYWOLVES 1
GRESHAM – The Wenatchee AppleSox (7-9), bashed three home runs, and Otis Statum hit two of them in a 9-1 win over the Gresham GreyWolves (6-11), Friday night at Oslund Field in Gresham, Ore...Statum put the AppleSox on the board in the second inning, when he hammered a three-run home run over the left center field fence...Jordan Rathbone and Alex Gonzales scored, and were aboard on a single and a walk...Gresham starter Chris Brown (0-2) continued to struggle with the long ball, Friday, when Ryan Kreidler hit a solo home run in the third inning, following Shane Martinez scoring on a wild pitch...Otis Statum ended Brown’s night on the hill with a second home run...his solo shot to open the fourth inning, put the AppleSox up 6-0...it was the first time an AppleSox player had hit two home runs in a game since Evan Douglas accomplished the feat at Victoria, June 26, 2015...Wenatchee added a seventh run on a Martinez sacrifice fly in the fourth inning...Justin Blatner (2-0) carried the AppleSox through 5 2/3 scoreless innings...he struck out four batters while scattering six hits...the AppleSox scored their last two runs on RBI singles for Michael Toglia and Rathbone in the seventh...Rathbone finished with four hits for the AppleSox, and Martinez, Kreidler, and Statum also chipped-in with multi-hit efforts...Gresham got its lone run in the eighth inning off of Taylor Borchers on an RBI groundout. Borchers threw the final 3 1/3 innings for Wenatchee to earn a save  

TONIGHT'S NOTES
REVERSING FORTUNES
The Wenatchee AppleSox won 9-1 last night after losing 9-1 at Bend in the series finale down South, on Thursday. 

STATUM SLAMS TWO HOMERS IN WIN
A multi-homer night for Otis Statum sparked the AppleSox first all-time victory in Gresham...it was the first multi-home run night for the AppleSox since current infielder Evan Douglas hit two home runs at Victoria June 26, 2015...before last season, the feat hadn’t been accomplished by the AppleSox since 2011...Breland Almadova hit two against Portland in Wenatchee.  

ON A TEAR
The AppleSox are riding a big-time hot streak at the plate in their last five games...the Sox are hitting .287 with four home runs and 51 hits...an average of 10.2 hits-per-game. 

OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT
Grady Miller will be toeing the rubber for the AppleSox tonight...the left-hander supplied the team’s longest start of the season, going 7.0 innings in a winning effort June 12 vs. Corvallis.

RATHBONE THRIVING
Jordan Rathbone is hitting .538 in the last five games, with seven hits in 13 at bats...he has driven in two runs over the stretch and went 4-for-5 last night...Rathbone is also the team’s leading hitter over the last ten games, with a .462 mark (12-for-26).

FOUR-HIT NIGHTS
Speaking of Jordan Rathbone’s four-hit night, Thursday, the AppleSox have now had three players come up with four hits in the last four nights.

JUMPING OUT TO EARLY LEADS
In their last three wins, the AppleSox have grabbed a multi-run lead in the opening three innings...9-0 after three innings, Tuesday...5-0 after three innings, Wednesday...3-0 after three innings last night. 

KREIDLER’S FIRST HOME RUN
Last night, Ryan Kreidler send his first blast of the season over the left field wall...for the AppleSox, all 6 home runs have been hit by true freshmen...Michael Toglia, Haydan Hastings, Jeremy Ydens, Otis Statum, and Kreidler all own the round-trippers.