Moses Lake remains winless after sweep

BEND, Ore. — The Moses Lake Pirates were unable to get into the win column for the 19th time this season and the Bend Elks completed a three-game sweep with a 12-3 victory Wednesday afternoon.

Moses Lake starting pitcher Tony Smith lasted just two innings Wednesday — allowing seven runs on 11 hits — on his way to his third loss of the season.

Although the Pirates dropped their 19th consecutive contest Wednesday, Moses Lake head coach Steve Keller said his team played well in the loss.

“We played great,” he said. “We (just) got baseballed. There are games when no matter what you throw, they hit hard and that happened today.”

Despite giving up seven runs in two plus innings, Keller said Smith challenged the Bend hitters.

“Tony Smith had good stuff, they just hit him,” he said. “Our pitchers came out, made good pitches, and they absolutely crushed some baseballs.”

Bend starting pitcher Spencer Jackson kept the Pirates off of the scoreboard in the top of the first inning before the Elks were able to get to Smith in the bottom.

The Elks got off to a fast start in the first when center fielder Robby Crocker doubled to lead off the game.

Crocker came around to score the first run of the contest when designated hitter Jordan Leyland singled to put the Elks up 1-0.

Bend took a 2-0 lead into the top of the second after third baseman Cal Towey singled to drive in shortstop Tommy Richards from third.

Moses Lake was unable to get to Jackson in the top of the second as the Bend left hander retired the Pirates in order.

The Elks got back to work in the bottom of the second, capitalizing on five hits to score four runs on their way to a 6-0 lead.

The Pirates looked to get on the scoreboard in the top of the third when first baseman Brady McGuire walked to lead off the inning.

McGuire found himself high and dry at first base when Jackson snapped a throw from the mound to first baseman Jacob Clem to pick of McGuire for the first out.

Jackson then walked Moses Lake center fielder Jordan Kelly before retiring second baseman DC Legg and designated hitter Richie Allen to get out of the inning.

Smith came out to start the third for the Pirates before Clem singled. Keller then turned to relief pitcher Brian Pullen.

Pullen came on in relief to pitch three innings for the Pirates, allowing five runs on seven hits although only one of Bend’s runs against Pullen was earned.

Bend capitalized on Clem’s lead-off single in the third and Bend took an 8-0 lead into the top of the fourth.

Despite finding themselves in an early 8-0 hole, the Pirates refused to go quietly.

Moses Lake tried to climb back into the game in the top of the fourth when third baseman Nick Fuoco hit a solo home run with one out.

Fuoco’s home run helped the Pirates narrow the gap to 7-1 but the Elks went back to work in the bottom of the fourth. Bend took advantage of one base hit and one Moses Lake error to push their advantage to 10-1.

The Elks added a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a commanding 12-1 lead over the Pirates.

Moses Lake found themselves facing an 11-run deficit five innings into Wednesday’s contest and Keller said his Pirates didn’t give the Elks many free runs.

“Defensively we made (two errors) and they had 24 hits,” he said. “I will give them everyone of those (hits). They hit it where we weren’t.”

With the Pirates trailing the Elks 12-1 in the top of the sixth, Moses Lake rallied.

Right fielder Seth Anderson reached base on a Bend error to lead off the inning before Fuoco doubled into the left-center field gap. Anderson made his way around the bases following Fuoco’s double and the Pirates pulled within 12-2.

Fuoco moved to third with no outs when shortstop Jye Lanphere doubled for the Pirates.

Fuoco came around to score when catcher Peter Estes forced Towey to commit Bend’s second error of the sixth to give the Pirates their second run of the inning.

After the Pirates scored two runs in the sixth, Jackson settled down to retire three Pirates in a row to get out of the inning with a 12-3 lead.

The Pirates capitalized on scoring opportunities Wednesday and Keller said he was proud of the way his team performed at the plate.

“I liked the way we put together our offensive approach,” he said. “We had base runners in six of the nine innings.”

Moses Lake wouldn’t get any closer Wednesday afternoon and the Pirates dropped their 19th consecutive game to start the 2009 West Coast League season.

Despite falling to 0-19, Keller said his players have stayed together throughout the winless streak.

“I think our guys have grown and built friendships through being on the road,” he said. “We have come together as a good team. The only wish I have for them is that we could have gotten a couple of wins.

“We are gaining knowledge on all of the teams we have played and we are getting into the second 1/3 of the season.”

The Pirates will travel to Spokane Friday night for a one-game series before beginning a nine-game homestand Saturday.

Moses Lake will host the Spokane RiverHawks at 4:05 p.m. Saturday and Keller and the Pirates are anxious to return home to Moses Lake and Larson Playfield.

“We are excited for the Fourth of July,” he said. “We are excited for the second 1/3 of the season. Wins and loses are important to get to the playoffs and we are excited to try and get there.”