Raptors top Portland Pickles, extend win streak to 5

PORTLAND — The shadows draped over the pitcher’s mound, the beating hot sun baking the plate. It was a hitter’s nightmare trying to eye the incoming pitch on Tuesday at Walker Stadium.

Grand Canyon University sophomore and Ridgefield shortstop Jonny Weaver had no issues when he saw a first-pitch fastball from University of Southern California’s Calvin Schapira.

Weaver ripped it over the left-field wall for his first home run of the season, leading the way to the Raptors’ 3-1 win over the Portland Pickles in a West Coast League bout. It’s Ridgefield’s fifth straight win after an 0-2 start.

“I was just hunting a fastball. Even with the sun, I ended up seeing fastball and putting a good swing on it,” said Weaver, who entered Tuesday hitting just .190 on the year. “Definitely a bit of a slow start, but you just have to trust the process. It’s going good.”

Ridgefield added a pair of runs on a Pickles error and Weaver single in the third and a quartet of Raptor arms (Gonzaga’s Michael Spellacy, Lower Columbia’s Eli Schubert, Boise State’s Wesley Harper and Cal State Fullerton’s Cameron Repetti) struck out 10 batters in a dominant outing.

The three-game road series continues on Wednesday.

Three key moments

What can’t Weaver do? — Just moments after Weaver ranged to his right at shortstop and threw out a runner to end the first inning, he connected for his solo shot to left field to give the Raptors a 1-0 lead.

No easy bases — The Raptors’ fifth inning had three hits and just four batters came to the plate. Catcher Steve Ramirez was caught stealing after his single to right field, and Weaver was thrown out at home trying to score from first on Michael Yourg’s single to left field. The two outs on the basepaths kept the Raptors’ lead at just 3-1.

Turn two — A fatiguing Michael Spellacy needed to find his way out of the fifth inning with his team leading 3-1. He allowed a single and a walk, before getting a 1-4-3 inning-ending double play to end his day with his squad still comfortably ahead.

Three key players

Jonny Weaver — Weaver’s second-inning home run wasn’t the only damage he did. He smoked an RBI single in the third and finished 3-4 with two RBI and a run. He’s hitting .280 on the season, and has been outstanding defensively at shortstop.

Jack Bauer — Each time the Union alumnus stepped to the plate Tuesday, he was reminded by Pickles’ PA announcer that his name is the same as the lead character, played by Kiefer Sutherland, of hit TV show “24”. The Dixie State University senior was the last one laughing after going 3 for 5 with a run on the night.

Michael Spellacy — The Gonzaga junior wasn’t particularly dominant, but his five innings with four strikeouts was enough to give the Raptors a good chance to win. He allowed five hits, four walks and one run on 85 pitches.

Three numbers

92 — Degrees was the temperature at Walker Stadium in Portland for the 7:05 p.m. start time for the series opener between the Pickles and Raptors. The forecast calls for 94 degrees at first pitch Wednesday.

.278 — Grant Heiser’s batting average with the Portland Pickles this summer. The Camas senior and Pickles catcher will graduate later this week, but his bloop double down the right-field line Tuesday led to the Pickles’ lone run of the game.

5 — Consecutive wins for the Raptors after starting the season 0-2. They swept Kelowna on the road and had an off day Monday after the 10-hour return trip.

RAPTORS 3, PICKLES 1

Ridgefield 012 000 000—3 12 0

Portland 000 100 000—1 7 2

Ridgefield

Pitching — Michael Spellacy 5 IP, win, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 H, 4 K, 4 BB; Eli Shubert 2.2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 4 K, 1 BB; Wesley Harper 0.1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 K, 0 BB; Cameron Repetti 1 IP, save, 0 R, 1 H, 1 K, 0 BB. Highlights — Repetti 1-4 SB; Jack Bauer 3-5 1R; Michael Hicks 1R; Steve Ramirez 2-5; Grayson Sterling 1-4; Jonny Weaver 3-4 HR 2RBI 1R; Michael Yourg 1-4; Justin Boyd 1-4.

Portland

Pitching — Calvin Schapira 3 IP, loss, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 H, 3 K, 2 BB; Isaiah Montoya 1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 K, 0 BB; Colin Suter 1 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 K, 0 BB; Titus Groeneweg 3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 5 K, 0 BB; Timothy Post 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 K, 0 BB. Highlights — John Arndorfer 1-4, Kyle Velazquez 1-4; Kyle Manzardo 1-2; Grant Heiser 1-4 2B 1R; Chase Luttrell 2-4 RBI; Jonathan Kelly 1-1.