Rockets split double-headers (06/07/04)

PORTLAND — The Portland Rockets got four outstanding pitching performances Saturday and Sunday. Still, they had to settle for a two-two split.

Portland lost the opening game Saturday against the Ohio Woodpeckers 4-3, but came back behind Jay County graduate Josh Jellison to win the second 2-1.

Coming off a 10-strikeout effort in his first start, Jellison had a no-hitter against the Woodpeckers through the first four innings Saturday. He finally gave up his first hit — a double to Drew Bridewell — in the fifth inning.

Bridewell scored on a ground out from Chaz DeShayes, and Jellison left the game after another double from Chris Runstead with one out in the sixth inning.

Adam Johnson backed up his starter, retiring Gabe Thomas and Christian Pantoja to get out of the sixth inning unscathed. Johnson allowed each of the first two hitters to reach base in the seventh and final inning, but again escaped.

Artie Caudill put down a bunt to advance runners Willie Colon and Bridewell to third and second respectively. But when DeShayes hit a ground ball to first base Kurt Rammel made the play and tossed to Brandon Dillon at the plate to get Colon.

The other Rammel made his move. Ryan Rammel, the second baseman, made a tremendous diving catch on a looper down the right field line to preserve the victory.

Jellison retired each of the first four batters he faced in the game. He allowed two runners on in the second inning, but got out of it and retired seven of the next eight batters.

He earned the win allowing one run on two hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out three and walked three.

Johnson got the save as he gave up two hits in 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

In addition to his game saving defense, Ryan Rammel did all the scoring for the Rockets.

He singled and scored on an Ohio error to give Portland a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

In his next at-bat, Rammel led off the fourth inning with an infield single. Brandon Cooley and Brad Buckingham each singled to load the bases, and the elder Rammel scored when the younger — Kurt — laid down a squeeze bunt.

Ryan Rammel finished 2-for-3 with his two runs. Tommy Pearce also went 2-for-3.

Bridewell paced the Ohio offense with a 2-for-2, two-run effort.

Jamie Peters took the loss, allowing two runs — one earned — in four innings. He struck out two and walked one.

Jellison’s effort matched that of Mike Hale in game one, but Hale the Rockets couldn’t back him up.

Hale allowed just three hits through the first five scoreless innings.

He carried a 2-0 lead most of the way thanks to a solo home run by Tommy Pearce to start the second inning. Brandon Cooley followed with a double, and pinch-runner Phil Ernst came in to score on a sacrifice fly by Mitch Waters — another Jay County graduate — followed by an error.

But, Ohio got to Hale for two runs in the sixth inning to tie the score. They pulled even thanks to a walk, an error and a pair of singles.

Hale left in favor of Ernst in the seventh, but that plan quickly backfired on manager Randy Miller. Pantoja took Ernst’s first pitch deep to left field for a home run and a 3-2 Ohio lead. Artie Caudill singled to right field and advanced to second on a wild pitch, and Drew Bridewell added a third straight hit off Ernst with an RBI double to left.

Ryan Rammel tried to start a comeback in the seventh, leading of with a single. Tommy Pearce followed with a double, and Rammel scored on a Cooley ground out.

However, Woodpecker pitcher Tony Payne retired Kurt Rammel and Waters to end the contest.

Steve Marshall earned the win, allowing two runs — one earned — in six innings. Payne got the save despite allow a run on two hits in his one inning.

Hale pitched well, but did not get a decision as he gave up just two unearned runs on five hits in six innings. He struck out four and walked two.

Ernst got the loss as he gave up two runs on three hits in one inning.

Pearce and Cooley were each 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI.

Runstead went 2-for-3 with an RBI for Ohio. Pantoja had a run and an RBI, Thomas and Bridewell each drove in a run, and Caudill, Toby Stewart and Marshall each scored once.

On Sunday, the Rockets split a pair with the Celina Grand Lake Mariners. Kurt Woest pitched five strong innings in the opener, which the Rockets won 3-0. John Pettibone pitched in relief.

Rocket runs were driven in by Ryan Rammel, Matt Gard, and Tommy Pearce as the Portland squad chalked up six hits.

The second game was a pitchers’ duel until Rocket hurler Neil Schmitz gave up a two-out double with the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth. The Rockets loaded the bases in the final inning but fell 3-0.

The next game for the Rockets, who are now 5-3 for the season, is against the Grand Lake Mariners in Celina Tuesday at 7 p.m. Indiana time.[[In-content Ad]]