PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles played spoiler to the hilt, ending Wenatchee’s shot to win the West Coast League North Division’s first-half title and clinch a playoff berth in a 3-2 win Thursday.
Bellingham (20-7) claimed the first-half division crown with a 7-5 win over Kamloops coupled with the Wenatchee loss.
Besides bursting the Apple Sox’s bubble, the Lefties (10-20) made some positive strides against a team that has had the upper hand.
Port Angeles notched their first-ever series victory over Wenatchee (19-8) by taking the last two games of the series — wins which also doubled as the first time in the team’s six-season history the Lefties recorded consecutive victories against the Apple Sox.
Port Angeles closer CJ Lewis came on to shut down a threat with two outs in the eighth inning.
Lewis entered to face Mason Strong, who had previously homered and was a triple away from hitting for the cycle, but got the job done as Strong flied to right field to close the frame.
He allowed a one-out single in the ninth to Washington State’s Brandham Ponce and a two-out RBI single by MJ Sweeney, but was able to induce a ground out. to first to wrap the game.
Port Angeles’ offense all came in the first inning as the Lefties scored three in their first at-bats for the second straight night.
B.Y. Choi, opened the scoring with a shot down the left-field line that scored Trent Jackson.
Chanz Dougherty’s first at-bat for the Lefties ended with a sacrifice fly to score Chase Taylor, who reached on a walk and moved to third on Choi’s double.
Barrett Rose singled and scored Choi to put the Lefties up 3-0.
Port Angeles starter Jack O’Brien was in control all night, going a strong 7.2 innings, allowing one run on five hits and no walks while striking out six.
Wenatchee reliever Jadon Williamson came on early and retired 14 straight Lefties as Port Angeles failed to get another base runner aboard until Roberto Nunez’ two-out single in the bottom of the seventh.
Along with Bellingham, the Ridgefield Raptors also have sealed a playoff berth after winning the WCL South Division first-half title.
There are still six more playoff spots up for grabs as the second-half of the season begins. With eight teams heading to the playoffs — the first- and second-half winners in each division, plus two wild cards — teams that came up just short in the first-half standings are top contenders for wild-card spots, but every WCL team still has a playoff shot.
For more on the WCL’S playoff procedures, visit https://westcoastleague.com/playoff-procedures
The Lefties continue their non-league series with the Redmond Dudes with first pitch at 6:35 p.m.
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News Port Angeles starting pitcher Jack O’Brien delivers on a pitch during the Lefties 3-2 win over Wenatchee on Thursday at Civic Field.
