Sunday, Aug. 02, 2009

Matthes helps Dust Devils beat S-K

By Jack Millikin, Herald staff writer

After Friday's 16-1 loss to Salem-Keizer, a closed-door meeting in the Tri-City Dust Devils' clubhouse probably wasn't something to look forward to.

But it may have been exactly what the Dust Devils needed to hear.

"It was no big deal," said Tri-City manager Fred Ocasio. "Stuff like that is going to happen. I told them what happens tonight is what matters."

The Dust Devils responded with one of their most important wins of the season, a 6-4 decision Saturday over the Volcanoes that allowed

Tri-City to snap a three-game losing streak and maintain a 6 1/2-game lead in the East Division.

The victory in front of 2,498 Gesa Stadium fans also gave the Dust Devils a much-needed boost of confidence heading into the second of the team's three off days this season.

"This was big, because we'll probably be facing (Salem-Keizer) in the playoffs, and we don't want to give any games away," said Kent Matthes, who broke a 2-2 tie with a two-out, three-run double to the wall in left field in the bottom of the second inning for a 5-2 Tri-City lead.

Matthes, a Golden Spikes finalist at Alabama, got off to a hot start in June, going 17-for-37 (.459) through his first 10 games. But the 6-foot-2 right fielder has slowed a bit since then, watching his average drop to .266 heading into Saturday's game.

Matthes hasn't lost confidence in his ability to produce, however, and used that to his advantage against S-K starter Jorge Bucardo (3-2).

"He's a tricky pitcher with a lot of movement and a good slider," said Matthes, who worked the count to 1-1 before picking on Bucardo's next delivery. "I got a fastball in and was able to turn on it."

The big hit capped a five-run inning that gave Tri-City the lead for good.

Dust Devils starter Carlos Luna's numbers weren't that sharp -- four runs (two earned) on four hits in three innings -- but he didn't get much help from his defense. But the

Tri-City bullpen returned to top-notch form after getting hammered in Friday's loss.

Kyle Walker (4-1) tossed the next 31/3 innings, keeping the Northwest League's most dangerous offense at bay. It was the ninth straight appearance -- a stretch of 181/3 innings -- for the 6-1 left-hander without giving up an earned run.

"It feels good any time I can help the team win," said Walker, who lowered his ERA to 1.36 in 16 appearances. Saturday's appearance was the longest of the season for the former

11th-rounder out of the University of Texas in 2008.

"All they ask is for us to go out and compete and get outs for the team," he said. "The tempo is what set the pace, and I was able to locate pitches."

Closer Charlie Ruiz picked up his NWL-leading 10th save with a scoreless ninth inning, despite giving up a one-out single to left by Caleb Curry. But the next batter, Chris Dominguez, grounded to shortstop Jeremiah Sammy to start a game-ending double play.

"I didn't worry because I was still hitting my spots," said Ruiz.

Orlando Sandoval left the game after making a diving catch in centerfield -- his second of the game -- to end the fifth inning. It was the second straight impressive showing for Sandoval, an undrafted free agent in 2005 out of the Dominican Republic.

Sandoval, who drove in the Dust Devils' first run and scored the tying run in the second inning, twisted his ankle diving for the sinkind liner by Juan Martinez. He is day-to-day.