PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles outfielder Luke Saunders made a sharp debut batting leadoff and collecting three hits and stealing two bases, but the performance went for naught Tuesday night against Bellingham.
The Lefties were shut out 4-0 by the Bells in the first game of a three-game WCL series and the longest Port Angeles homestand of the summer — 12 straight home contests through June 27.
Daniel Gernon blasted a two-run home run in the top of the third inning to put Bellingham on top.
The Bells added a pair of runs in the ninth when Gernon and Cole Miller reached base with leadoff walks by Port Angeles’ Zach Thomas. Riley Parker then was given first base via intentional walk, and Gernon eventually came around to score on a wild pitch and Miller on a flyout.
Bellingham (4-6) starter Eric Chavarria picked up the win, allowing just three hits and a walk in six innings.
Lefties starter Preston Howey was the hard-luck loser, allowing Gernon’s homer and four other hits in five innings, while walking two and striking out six.
Relievers Steven Brooks and Kaden Lewis pitched three clean innings, striking out two apiece for the Lefties (3-7).
Bellingham 4, Port Angeles 0
B 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 — 4 7 0
PA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 6 1
WP: Eric Chavarria. LP: Preston Howey.
Pitching
Bellingham: Chavarria 6 IP, 3 H, BB, 2 K; Armbruester IP, H, 2 K; Portugal IP, 2 H; Favor IP, 3 K.
Port Angeles: Howey 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K; Brooks 2 IP, 2 K; Lewis IP, 2 K; Thomas IP, 2 H, 2 R, ER, 2 BB.
Hitting
Bellingham: Gernon 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR; Hamakawa 1-3, R, BB.
Port Angeles: Saunders 3-4, 2 SBs; Holman 1-3; Chong 1-4; Lake 1-4.
Lefties first baseman Coleman Schmidt bats in the fourth inning aginst Bellingham on Tuesday at Port Angeles Civic Field. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
