This time, Bees don't blow 9th-inning lead

PORTLAND — The Bees entered Saturday's game with the best batting average in the Pacific Coast League, but it was their pitching that sealed the win against the Portland Beavers.

Jason Bulger struck out John Knott with the bases loaded and a full count in the bottom of the ninth to prevent the Bess from losing back-to-back leads in the ninth.

Jonathon Rouwenhorst, Matt Wilhite, and Bulger combined to pitch 6 1/3 innings and allowed three hits and no runs.

The win improves the Bees' (10-6) record against the Beavers to 3-1 on the season and keeps the Bees a half-game behind the Tacoma Rainiers for first place in the Pacific North Division.

The scoring started in the first with an RBI double from Mike Napoli after Tim Stauffer walked Nick Gorneault and Dallas McPherson with two outs. The Bees increased their lead to 2-0 after a Adam Pavkovich solo home run in the top of the second.

Luke Carlin homered to start the third inning for the Beavers, and six batters later Marcus Gwyn walked Jon Knott with the bases loaded to tie the game.

The Bees regained a two-run lead in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI ground out by Nick Gorneault, followed by an RBI double from Dallas McPherson.