PARKER PRICE BLASTS GRAND SLAM, APPLESOX TAKE GAME ONE FROM GRESHAM

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-8) got a big lift from the offense in the first three innings of a 7-4 win over the Gresham GreyWolves (6-10) Saturday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Parker Price smashed the first pitch of a bases-loaded at bat over the left field fence in his second inning at bat, for a 6-0 AppleSox lead. He already brought in the game’s first run, on an RBI single that scored Dugan Shirer (aboard earlier on a double).

The AppleSox also got a run in the second inning on an RBI groundout for Jack Reisinger. In the third, Wenatchee completed its seven runs off of Brayden Bonner (1-2) with an RBI single from Adrian Vela.

Hunter Boyd (2-0) was flying out of the gates for Wenatchee. The right-hander retired all nine men to face him in the first three innings. He ended up racking up 10 strikeouts, and became the first AppleSox starting pitcher since June, 2015 to record 10 strikeouts.

Gresham did reach him for three runs in the fourth inning. Two RBI singles and a wild pitch brought the game closer. They also got a run off of him in his seventh and final inning on an RBI single.

McKabe Cottrell got the final out of the seventh inning on a groundout to keep the AppleSox ahead 7-4. The offense was stymied by Jeremy Polon out of the bullpen. The left-handed pitcher only allowed two hits over five relief innings.

Jalen Garcia threw the final two innings for Wenatchee, entering as a reliever from his starting spot in right field. He nailed down the save and retired Gresham in order in each of his two innings, and ended the game with his third strikeout.

The AppleSox improved to 5-1 in series-opening games, and are back to .500 on the season. Evan Johnson did see his 15-game hitting streak come to an end on an 0-for-4 night.

The AppleSox are back in action for game two, Sunday at 6:05 p.m. Connor McCord will make his AppleSox debut on Cashmere Night at the ballpark.