Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009

Dust Devils end 4-game home skid

By Jack Millikin, Herald staff writer

The Tri-City Dust Devils have held a share of the Northwest League East Division lead since the season began June 20, and had at least a five-game lead since July 2.

So the Dust Devils haven't faced any must-win situations thus far in the season.

Saturday's game against Spokane at Gesa Stadium was the first.

Tri-City (35-28) responded with an impressive performance, a 5-1 win over the Indians (29-32) that snapped a four-game home losing streak and pushed its East lead back to six games.

The Dust Devils, who have earned one division crown in eight previous seasons in the Tri-Cities, also cut their magic number to 10 with 15 games remaining in the regular season.

The win held added significance because the Dust Devils clinched the seasonlong series 7-5 and now hold the edge in a tiebreaker if the teams should finish with identical records.

"We had to win this one," said Tri-City manager Fred Ocasio. "We got a good effort pitching-wise. (Sheng-An) Kuo pitched five solid innings, (Craig) Bennigson came in and gave us three good innings and (Charlie) Ruiz got three strikeouts in the ninth.

"Before the game, (roving instructor) Marcel Lachemann talked to Kuo about keeping the ball down in the zone, and that's what he did."

Kuo (3-3) scattered eight hits but only one went for extra bases -- a two-out triple by Miguel Velazquez in the third that led to Spokane's only run. He struck out six batters and walked just two.

"I felt good," Kuo said. "It was an important win."

The bullpen also returned to form after allowing 18 earned runs over its last 25 2/3 innings. Bennigson, perhaps the league's top reliever, lowered his ERA to 1.76 with three scoreless innings.

"(Shortstop Joey) Wong made some amazing plays," said Bennigson, a left-hander taken by Colorado in the eighth round of the 2008 draft. "I just tried to throw some groundballs and let the defense do the work."

Wong made perhaps his most eye-opening play of the season on a grounder by Velazquez to lead off the eighth inning. The Oregon State product ranged to his right to backhand a ball deep into the hole between short and third. Then, in one quick motion, he made the quick transfer to his throwing hand and threw off his back foot to beat Velazquez by a half-step.

"He's made so many plays like that since I've been here," said first baseman Ben Paulsen, whose two-run double in the first drove in Tim Wheeler and Jeremiah Sammy and gave Tri-City all the offense it needed. "When he makes that play, of course I want to pick that ball out (on a short hop)."

Wong was also involved in two double plays, but he wasn't the only defensive standout. Kent Matthes made two strong catches in right field -- including a diving catch on a sinking liner by Thomas Mendonca to end the eighth -- and a cannon of a throw to catch Clark Murphy trying to go from first to third on a second-inning single by Denny Duron.

Spokane starter Robbie Ross (4-4) took the loss, allowing five runs -- four earned -- on five hits through four innings.

Notes

Sammy went 2-for-3 to extend his hitting streak to six games. He also stole his seventh base. ... Tri-City trainer Andy Stover earned NWL trainer of the year honors for the second straight year in a vote by fellow league trainers. He is in his fifth year with the Dust Devils. "I'm honored, especially when it's voted on by my peers," he said. "It's definitely something that can benefit you down the road." Stover, who lives with his wife and son in Tucson, Ariz., holds a B.S. in Athletic Training/Biology from Ashland (Ohio) University and an M.A. in Education from Defiance (Ohio) College.