Kaplan saves series opener against Gresham

Closer Chase Kaplan (pictured) notched his ninth save of the summer as Corvallis clipped Gresham 3-2 in the opener of their final regular-season homestand.

The Kansas-bound Kaplan entered the game with the Knights clinging to a 3-1 lead after the GreyWolves loaded the bases with one out. One run scored on a force out at second, but Kaplan ended the threat with a foul pop out.

He then retired the side in order in the ninth for his second save in the last three days; and his 9th save of the season. He also closed a 1-0 win at Kitsap this past Sunday.

�What a great opportunity to come in and help our team get the job done,� said Kaplan, a lefty from Hillsboro who pitched at Western Nevada for two seasons before signing with the Jayhawks.

�I have fallen short a couple of times; I had some goals in mind that I would succeed in every outing,� he added. �I am happy with what I have done and being able to contribute to this team.�

The Knights (37-19 overall, 30-19 WCL, 12-10 second half) extended their winning streak to six games in row, their longest such streak of the summer.

Corvallis scored twice in the fifth on an Andy Atwood�s (Oregon State) sacrifice fly and an RBI double by Roman Garcia (San Diego) to erase a 1-0 deficit. The eventual winning run scored in the seventh when Cody Hawken (Portland) tripled and was singled home by Emilio Alcantar (Lewis-Clark State).

Corvallis starter Cameron Bishop allowed a solo homer and two singles in his four-inning stint. He struck out seven and walked four, raising his strikeout total to 43 in just 31 innings.

Chris Burkholder (Dartmouth) added two scoreless innings, continuing his streak of outstanding late-season appearances. He has a 1.13 ERA over 16 innings in five appearances since July 15.

The series resumes at 6:40 p.m. Wednesday on 106.3 KLOO-FM Austin Powers Night, presented by Pepsi. Grand Canyon righty Jacob Wong (3-2, 2.70) will start for Corvallis; Gresham�s probable is to be determined.

It is also a Spindrift Wine Wednesday, with specially-priced pours of Spindrift Cellars wine. General admission tickets for fans 60 years of age or older are only $2.

Righty Grant Goodman (1-0, 2.01) of San Francisco will start Thursday night's series finale. It is a Block 15 Thursday, and Pioneer & PEAK Internet Fireworks & Fan Appreciation Night. Adult beverages and hot dogs are only $2 apiece. Please note the special 7:05 p.m. starting time.