BATTLE OF TAYLORS, SERIES, GOES TO FALCONS

The Kelowna Falcons were lifted by a stellar pitching performance from Curtis Taylor. The right-hander tossed a complete-game shutout to even the season series at 3-3.

KELOWNA, B.C. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (18-22, 15-21) had a tough time getting anything going against Curtis Taylor and the Kelowna Falcons (25-12, 24-12), in a complete-game shutout, 1-0 loss, Saturday, at Elks Stadium.

Curtis Taylor (3-2) was locked in from the word go, to complete the pre-All Star portion of the WCL schedule for Kelowna. He retired the side in order in seven-of-nine innings, and only allowed the AppleSox two hits, and two baserunners.

Mitchell Holland led off the second inning with a single, and Keston Hiura added one in the seventh inning, to total the AppleSox offense.

C. Taylor tossed eight strikeouts over his complete-game shutout, with no walks. It was the Falcons first complete game of the season, achieved on 109 pitches.

Micael Taylor (1-4) pitched well on the other side for Wenatchee, only surrendering one run over six innings of work. The Falcon run came in the second inning with the bases loaded and two men out. Evan Douglas made a stop on a ground ball deep in the hole at short, and delivered a strong throw across his body to try to get the runner, after backhanding the ball with his glove hand.

The runner, Joey Crunkilton, was ruled safe, and Grant Meyaln picked up the only RBI to either side on the game.

M. Taylor relied on his defense in a couple innings, notably the fifth, in which the bases were loaded with nobody out. Nick Nyquist pulled in a fast liner down the third base line and doubled up the runner at the bag, who was leading off. A pop up to first base followed in the ensuing at bat.

The Sox turned three double plays in game three, and Colton Loomis tossed the final two innings in relief, scoreless. He now has thrown 8 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings out of the bullpen for the AppleSox.

Kelowna scattered 16 hits, stranding 12 runners, while going 4-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Both teams were error-free for a second-consecutive night.

All of the WCL will rest Sunday, and a select few will participate in the Home Run Derby and All Star Game at Joe Martin Field in Bellingham, Monday. Wenatchee hits the diamond to start the final portion of its schedule, beginning on the road at Kitsap Tuesday night at 6:35 p.m.

WP: Curtis Taylor (3-2)
LP: Micael Taylor (1-4)