Geeslin, Rockets win in extras

FORT WAYNE — Bill Geeslin used to be a pitcher.
His return to the mound Wednesday helped Portland win in extra innings.
Geeslin, who had given up pitching after numerous elbow problems, struck out two in each of the 10th and 11th innings, and an RBI single by Collin Affolder in the top of the 11th gave Portland a 7-6 victory over the Northeast Kekionga, Indiana Tech’s summer team.
The Kekionga had the winning run at third base in the 10th before Geeslin entered, and he struck out the side to end the threat.
Portland (12-3) saw its 5-1 lead slip away as the Kekionga scored four runs in the seventh to chase starter Auston Branock from the game.
Jimmy West, who had struggled to find the strike zone in his last two outings, kept the opposing offense at bay for three-plus innings before giving way to Geeslin.
Dalton Tinsley paced the Portland offense with two hits, including his second home run in as many games. The Rocket leadoff man also scored three times.
Brandon Reamon and Affolder notched three hits apiece. TJ Lindstrand drove in three runs.
Alex Delk took the loss for the Kekionga. Delk, who is normally a Rocket, attends Indiana Tech and played with his college teammates against his summer league team.
Portland returns home to Runkle-Miller Field on Saturday with a doubleheader against the Fort Wayne Expos. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.