Bears come away with 12th inning win in home finale

YAKIMA, Wash. — The ballpark was full and so was the moon — almost.

So why not, in the Bears’ last home game of the year on a warm and windless Monday night, play extra innings?

Yakima and Spokane obliged an announced throng of 3,222, many of whom had added to the festive mood with dueling cheers of “THE Bears,” and no one seemed to object when public address announcer Todd Lyons punched up the Rolling Stones classic “Let’s Spend the Night Together” in the top of the 10th.

It didn’t take that long to decide the issue, but Bears fans were nonetheless happy and relieved when Matt Helm’s two-out single scored pinch-runner Tyrell Worthington in the bottom of the 12th for a 4-3 Yakima win.

The victory at Yakima County Stadium was the Bears’ third straight, and marked their first home series sweep of the year while squaring their home record at 19-19.

Tim Sherlock started the decisive rally with a leadoff single to center. He was then replaced at first by Worthington, who took second on Matt Davidson’s sacrifice bunt.

Gerson Montilla flew out to center, but Helm, who turned 19 a little more than an hour after game’s end, logged his first walkoff hit as a professional by singling through the left side.

Worthington scored standing up, after which the Bears mobbed Helm and the fans awaited the postgame fireworks.

Pedro Rodriguez, who worked a scoreless 12th in relief of Dan Taylor, Will Harvil and Brian Budrow, got the win to improve to 2-3.

The crowd brought Yakima’s attendance total for the year to 72,881 — or 673 more than last season for the team’s fifth straight increase.

While the game finished Yakima’s home season, the Bears have six Northwest League games remaining — three each at Tri-City and Spokane.

Yakima missed a prime chance at victory in the bottom of the ninth when a one-out single by Dan Kaczrowski was followed by Brent Greer’s hit-and-run single that advanced Kaczrowski to third.

With Spokane’s infield in, Sherlock bounced to first baseman Michael Ortiz, who threw Kaczrowski out at the plate. Greer took second, but was stranded when Davidson struck out.

Yakima (26-44) struck first when its first hitter, Kaczrowski, was hit by a pitch, took third on Greer’s single and scored on Indians starter Trevor Hurley’s errant pickoff throw.

Spokane (34-36) tied it in the third on successive singles by Danny Lima and Edward Martinez, a bases-loading walk to Kyle Rhoad and Denny Duron’s sacrifice fly.

In the fifth, the Indians got a one-out infield single from Lima, and Taylor appeared to be out of the inning when Martinez bounced a would-be double play ball to second. But Kaczrowski dropped the ball while attempting an exchange to shortstop Greer, and everyone was safe.

A popout to Greer later, Taylor again seemed out of the inning when he fanned Duron. But the ball was in the dirt and catcher Tyson Van Winkle, after digging it out, threw off the tip of Matt Helm’s glove at first.

The ball rolled into the right-field corner, allowing Lima and Martinez to score and Duron to reach third.

Van Winkle, the Gonzaga product, did make a nifty sliding, juggling catch of a foul bunt in the seventh. He also later threw out two would-be base stealers.

Yakima, meanwhile, got even in the bottom of the inning when Kaczrowski led off with a single, moved to second on Greer’s sacrifice and then stole third. Davidson and Montilla then drew two-out walks to load the bases and Helm, on a 2-2 pitch, punched a two-run single to right that finished Hurley, Spokane’s ace.

Hiking through history on Coal Mines Trail

By RON GRAHAM

Grab your running shoes, hiking boots, bicycle or horse for a journey on the historic Coal Mines Trail. The 4.7-mile route connects Cle Elum, Roslyn and Ronald just off Interstate 90.

On a recent visit we encountered a lone runner, no hikers and a group of bicyclists on a midweek hike of the almost-level rail bed, plus hoofprints and other evidence that horse riders also use the trail.

Yet a trip along the Coal Mines Trail extends beyond mere exercise or enjoyment of the fresh air. The heart and soul of this hike (or bike or horseride or run) revolves around the mining history of these three mountain communities. The trail is dedicated “to the hearty pioneers that created the local communities and endowed them with a rich and enduring cultural heritage,” according to an interpretive sign near the trailhead.

Numerous wooden signs along the trail mark locations of coal mines or other historic structures associated with the mining operations. Key to your enjoyment of the trail’s historic highlights is a copy of a tour-guide pamphlet available at the Cle Elum Visitor Center. The tour guide contains historic photographs as well as descriptive information. Plus, it is free of charge.

Naturally, since the trail leads right through Roslyn, visitors can stop for a bite to eat or take in some other tourist attractions. A plaza area complete with a statue of a miner includes plaques listing the names of miners lost in explosions back in 1892 and in 1909.

For a blast of the past featuring more recent history, many visitors stop at the Roslyn Café, which was used in the television show “Northern Exposure.” Many consider a photo stop along the painted side of the café featuring a camel a necessary part of the experience. On the other side of the café, check out some outdoor mining exhibits.

Although the pamphlet for the trail is a treasure load of information, it lacks a map or directions to the three main access points of the trail, one in each town. All three trailheads feature a large interpretive sign with an excellent map showing distances and key sites along the route as well as a few historic photos. We suggest you study this carefully before setting out.

Although we thoroughly enjoyed our recent outing along the trail, two problems were encountered. First, a number of the wooden signs along the route apparently have been vandalized or are totally missing.

Second, part of the final trail segment between Roslyn and Ronald was listed as “Closed for maintenance.” We investigated this final 1?3-mile trail section and located nobody working on the trail or any sign of ongoing maintenance. During our encounter with a group is cyclists, the leader indicated he and others have continued to travel this section of trail even though it is labeled as closed. The only evidence of a problem we saw was a minor washout on the left side of the trail that had red ribbon with the word “Danger” marking it.

Our trip along the trail occurred on a cool summer day. During hot weather the route might be less enjoyable, but the majority of the trail has partial shade from a mix of trees on both sides. In fact, that mix of trees provides an impetus for making a fall visit, when the golden hues of the aspen and cottonwood would add a colorful spectacle.

The route also includes numerous wooden benches and distance markers are posted every half mile. For some odd reason, though, the first marker in Cle Elum is listed as .5 mile. So by the time you reach Ronald the final marker shows 5.5 miles.

Obviously, you have choices about how far to go and whether to set it up as a one-way trip with a shuttle or make a round trip. We did the whole route out and back starting in Cle Elum.

If you did a shuttle and ended in Ronald, take a side road just past the Ronald General Store on the right. There is a small area to park next to the large interpretive sign marking this trail access. In Roslyn, turn right off Highway 903 at the Brick Tavern and look for the ample parking area a couple blocks away.

Another factor in your plans for a visit could relate to the playground and park area in Roslyn. The trail runs right next to Runje Field and the best restrooms along the route are here. This makes a great lunch spot.

Nearly all of the rail trail which composes the Coal Mine Trail is on firm, lightly-graveled surface, but for several blocks the route follows a paved road in Roslyn. White paint along East Washington Avenue forms the design of railroad tracks and historic information is painted on the roadway as well.

The route crosses several other paved roads, the most heavily traveled being Highway 903 at a crossing between Roslyn and Ronald.

The Coal Mine Trail was developed in the mid-1990s. It resulted from an agreement between the communities of Cle Elum and Roslyn along with Kittitas County to form a Coal Mine Trail Commission. Since that time many visitors have had the opportunity to take a trip down a special “memory lane” along the Coal Mine Trail.

• Ron Graham, an elementary school teacher and native of the Yakima Valley, is an avid outdoorsman who has hiked throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Local report: Paige Mackenzie qualifies for Canadian Open

Paige Mackenzie was on a plane to Calgary, Alberta, on Monday. It was a trip she had planned, in hopes of qualifying for this week’s Canadian Open. Now she doesn’t have to worry about that last part. She’s already in.

The 26-year-old Yakima native took care of that Sunday at the Safeway Classic, finishing tied for eighth place with a 9-under 207 total. It was her first career top-10 finish.

Her previous best finish had been a pair of 23rd-place ties at the McDonald’s LPGA Championship and the Sybase Classic.

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Soccer

Central Women fall to Cal Poly Pomona

POMONA, Calif. — For the second consecutive match, the Central Washington women’s soccer team surrendered an early goal, and that lone tally proved to be the difference as the Wildcats (0-3-0) lost 1-0 to Cal Poly Pomona at Kellogg Field on Monday.

First half: 1, CPP, Cody McClure, 4:00.

Second half: none.

Saves: Amber Easterbrook (CWU) 4, Ashley Salerno (CPP) 1.

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RODEO

Roping event returns to WestStar Ranch

The Best of the Best Open Roping — in which many of the rodeo and roping world’s top competitors compete against each other and in pro-am teams — returns Wednesday to Ellensburg’s WestStar Ranch.

The event gets under way at noon with the pro-am team roping, followed by the open calf roping at 2 p.m. and the open team roping at 4 p.m. Admission is $10.

To reach the WestStar Ranch (1570 Robinson Canyon Road), take the Thorp exit off

I-90, cross over the freeway to the south side, turn left onto Thorp Highway and then left onto Robinson Canyon Road.

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GOLF

Yates nails first ace at SunTides

Kyle Yates scored his first hole-in-one at SunTides Golf Course on Friday. He used a 9-iron to ace the 147-yard third hole, with Rodney Elston, Kevin Upson and Amy Upson witnessing the feat.

Fishing on the Columbia right now almost a ‘sure thing’

Quite possibly one of the best fishing opportunities of the whole year is occurring right now at the mouth of the Columbia River. On each incoming tide, tens of thousands of coho salmon are pouring into the Columbia to begin their journey upstream to the Kalama, Cowlitz, Klickitat and Yakima rivers.

In fact, biologists’ predictions of over a million coho salmon swimming up the Columbia in the days and weeks ahead mean that sport anglers are getting a great chance to catch these hard-fighting, good-eating fish.

I ventured down to the part of the Columbia known as Buoy 10, between Astoria, Ore., and Chinook, Wash., last week to sample what was predicted to be a sure thing for catching salmon. And I wasn’t disappointed. In a little over six hours, six of us fishing in Buzz Ramsey’s 21-foot jet sled landed 25 salmon. We caught one adult chinook, a couple chinook jacks and the rest were beautiful coho salmon running anywhere from 6 to 12 pounds.

Several of the coho we caught were wild fish, identified by their fully formed adipose fin, and those were unhooked and let go to continue their journey upstream. But a few of the others were of hatchery origin, which meant we could keep them for the dinner table. And we did exactly that. Eleven fat coho and one nice chinook went home with our crew — not bad for a short day’s fishing.

The good fishing should continue, according to Ramsey, who has fished this part of the river for a number of years. He figures some of the very best fishing may be had in the days ahead.

In August the limit on salmon was two fish, of which only one could be a chinook salmon. As of today, that changes. Now, anglers in the lowest part of the Columbia can keep only coho salmon. No chinook, whether clipped or not, may be retained. But the limit jumps to three coho per angler.

The technique for catching the coho at Buoy 10 and upriver to the Astoria Bridge and beyond is a fairly simple one. Ramsey is of the belief that the more “stuff” you have on your line, the better your chances of attracting a coho. He will run a spinning flasher right behind a jet diver, and then in between the flasher and the herring or lure he’ll put a foot-long, bright-red snubber or “bungie.” The bungie is stretchy and helps keep a tight line on the often acrobatic, hard-fighting coho.

We used plug-cut herring of assorted sizes last week. All worked, but the medium-sized herring seemed to hook more fish for me. Our leaders from the herring to the bungie were about 5 feet long.

Then it was just as simple as putting the divers out with everything spinning and flashing and clanging and banging behind it. The toughest part was figuring out how far to let the divers out, to keep the bait working just off of the bottom.

Most of the time we were fishing in water that was 20 to 30 feet deep, so we would run the diver out maybe 10 feet farther than the depth would say on the sonar unit. That seemed to work fairly well.

Ramsey also ran a Toman Cascade Blade spinner on a couple of the rods, and those caught fish, too. Same rigging as the herring, just replace the bait with the spinner.

Of course, that part of the river is so close to the ocean that it is affected by the tides, so you want to pay attention to the high and low tides, and when the tide is ebbing or flowing.

Ramsey prefers to fish on an outgoing tide, which is what we did last week. We trolled downstream on the outgoing tide and it worked plenty well. He says salmon can be caught at all times of the day, but has found other times to be less productive than the outgoing tide.

I’ve heard several people say they wouldn’t fish at Buoy 10 because of the huge crowds that are drawn there. Yes, there are plenty of boats, but on the other hand, there are miles of river to fish, from the actual Buoy 10 (where the fishery gets its name) all the way up to the Astoria Bridge and beyond. Sometimes the boat traffic can be a bit much, but it was never really crowded.

Besides, as the adage says, if you want to catch fish, you gotta be fishing where the fish are. And right now the fish are just pouring into the mouth of the Columbia by the tens of thousands, offering anglers one of the best chances of the year for a sure thing.

• Rob Phillips is a freelance outdoor writer and partner in the advertising firm of Smith, Phillips & DiPietro. He can be reached at [email protected].

Eurasian invasion: Collared dove sightings increase

A recent immigrant from Eurasia is making headlines in the bird world hereabouts.

The Eurasian collared-dove was accidentally introduced, possibly from Europe, to the Bahama Islands in about 1975 and soon spread to Florida. By the 1980s, it was rapidly increasing and spreading throughout the southeastern United States.

From its base there, it has marched north and west across the United States, even into southern Canada. The first reached Washington in January 2000, when the birds were documented in Wenatchee. Yakima birders noted it in March 2006 in Moxee.

WHERE AND WHEN: Though still an uncommon bird in our area, its numbers are increasing rapidly. Look for it in older, well-treed residential districts of small towns and in farm country. Neighborhoods near grain storage facilities are a sure bet. Spilled grain is a big draw and the easiest place to spot this bird.

Grain elevators along Highway 22 in Mabton are proving a reliable site in our area. Older residential districts in Moxee are good, too, as are farms in the Lower Valley. This is a nonmigratory species, so expect to see it year-round.

HOW TO SPOT ONE: This is a medium sized, almost pigeon-sized dove, creamy gray in color with a darker back and a blue-gray underwing patch. It is a bit larger than the common mourning dove. The square tail feathers are tipped white unlike the pointed tail of a mourning dove. It has a black half-collar on the side of its neck, hence its name. This is a vocal bird whose song is a “hoo Hoo cook.” Some translate it as “ex-haust-ed” repeated many times.

CHOW TIME: Grain is relished as well as weed seeds and insects.

SOCIAL LIFE: The males have an unusual mating display, consisting of a rapid nearly vertical climb to height, followed by a long glide downward in a spiral. In warm regions such as Florida, this is a very prolific breeder, with up to six broods per year. It builds a flimsy stick nest in a tree, laying two white eggs. The eggs are incubated by the female during the night and by the male during the day. Incubation lasts 14-18 days, and young fledge after 15-19 days. Birds that are mostly vegetarian usually feed their young mostly on insects, as chicks grow quickest on protein. Pigeons and doves have another way to provide their young protein, by providing “pigeon milk.”  This substance is produced in their crop, a pocket in birds upper digestive tract. During the breeding season, the crop walls secrete a milky fluid rich in both proteins and fat. Young birds stick their tiny bills into their parents mouth; this prompts the adult to regurgitate the pigeon milk or mixture for the young to gobble up.  For their first few days, hatchling pigeons are fed wholly on this milk. Then they begin to receive a mixture that includes both pigeon milk and partially digested seeds or fruits.

WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW: The Eurasian collared-dove is undergoing a spectacular range expansion everywhere in its range. Its original haunts were in warmer area regions from the Middle East to Japan with a stronghold in India. However, in the twentieth century it expanded west across much of Europe, reaching as far west as Great Britain in 1953 and a bit later, north of the Arctic Circle in Scandinavia. Because it is an introduced bird in North America, it may compete with native species. However, at this time, no negative impacts have been observed on our native doves such as the mourning dove or other pigeons and doves. This may be because the Eurasian collared-dove seems partial to human created habitats.
• Wildlife Moment, focusing on native wildlife, typically runs in Outdoors on the first Thursday of every month, with the cooperation of the Yakima Valley Audubon Society.

9-1 What’s Happening

Tieton ‘flip flop’ near for rafters

River rafting on the Tieton River has already begun with the onset of the annual “flip-flop” operation in which the Bureau of Reclamation increases the reservoir flows from Rimrock Lake for irrigators while slowing the Yakima River flows. The bigger flows, though, are a week or two off.

The river flows were at nearly 1,400 cubic feet per second as of Monday afternoon, which is big enough for some fun but not the kind of thrills that rafters riding the 2,000 to 2,400 cfs will get. The bureau will up the flows on the Tieton by roughly 100 cfs per day, with this year’s maximum flows expected between Sept. 10 and 15, according to hydrologist Chris Lynch.

Of course, for anglers, this time of year improves on that tremendous trout-fishing opportunity in the Yakima River Canyon. The lesser flows give anglers ample opportunity to wade out into the river to cast to fish that are much more visible.

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Road 1500 travelers should expect delays

Recreationists heading out from the Nile to McDaniel Lake or Rattlesnake Creek can expect delays this week.

Road crews began work Monday on nearly eight miles of Forest Service Road 1500 from the Nile Loop Road to the junction with the 1502 road leading to McDaniel Lake. The work will continue through Thursday, and motorists can expect half-hour delays during regular work hours — except on Wednesday, when the 1500 road will be closed for six to eight hours while crews will apply layers of emulsion oil and crushed aggregate.

Even after the road opens, motorists are asked to limit their speed to 10 mph for a few days while the newly paved rocks set.

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Limits lifted for lakes to be treated

Catch and size limits have been lifted temporarily for fisheries in about two dozen Eastern Washington waters — including several in Grant and Lincoln counties — scheduled for rotenone treatments to improve future fishing.

Anglers will be allowed to take unlimited fish from the targeted waters before they are closed for rotenone treatment to eliminate undesirable fish species that compete with trout.

In Grant County, the Desert Wildlife Area Lakes (Harris, Dune, Sedge, Tern and Desert Wildlife Area) and the Beda and Brookies lakes will have no size or catch limits through Sept. 13,

then will close to fishing on Sept. 14. At Beda and Brookies, selective gear rules are no longer in effect, and you can fish from a boat with a motor. In Lincoln County, Fishtrap Lake will have no limits through Oct. 11 and then close Oct. 12.

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BIRD ALERT

Just when you think you know what to expect at Wenas Lake, the unexpected shows up.

This week a local birder photographing shorebirds there spotted and photographed a short-billed dowitcher. While a few of these medium-to-large shorebirds migrate through the Columbia Basin every late summer and fall, they are rare in the Yakima Valley.

Other shorebirds noted at Wenas were killdeer, spotted sandpiper, greater yellowlegs, western sandpiper, least sandpiper, Baird’s sandpiper, long-billed dowitcher and Wilson’s snipe. A small flock of wild turkeys were also spotted near the aspen/riparian area along Maloy Road.

While removing sod install a butterfly and hummingbird garden a resident near 51st and Englewood, in Yakima had several good birds including two western scrub jays and a single Steller’s jay, along with a calliope hummingbird that was joined by a female Anna’s hummingbird. All four hummingbird species for our area have now been seen in his yard this summer.

Fifteen minutes of a lunch hour spent birding a Wapato yard produced at least two warbling vireos, and several orange-crowned and one Nashville warbler. In some dense shrubbery a gray catbird could be heard giving its distinctive mewing call, while in the nearby chokecherry thickets, cedar waxwings, black-headed grosbeaks, a rather late Bullock’s oriole, and several house finches enjoyed a berry buffet, and rufous and black-chinned hummingbirds darted about the feeders. What a great way to spend lunch.

Please call your bird sightings into the Yakima Valley Audubon phone line at 509-248-1963.

— Kerry L. Turley

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AROUND AND ABOUT

BURLEY ROAD REOPENING: Forest Road 21 out of Packwood in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest — a primary route toward Walupt Lake and Burley Mountain (a huckleberry haven) — will reopen to public access on Friday.

SNAKE RIVER CHINOOK: The Snake River opens today for fall chinook fishing in Area A (from the Highway 12 Bridge near the mouth upstream to the no-fishing zone below Ice Harbor Dam) and Area B (from the Highway 261 Bridge crossing upstream to the no-fishing zone below Little Goose Dam).

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ON THE CALENDAR

TODAY: The Cascadians’ Tuesday hikers will head up Cispus Pass. The Tuesday group meets at 7:30 a.m. at the 40th Avenue Bi-Mart parking lot and carpools from there, generally breaking into faster and slower groups. Next Tuesday: McCall Basin.

WEDNESDAY: The Mount Adams Cycling Club’s weekly

25-mile Naches loop ride begins at 6 p.m. at the Fred Meyer parking lot (near Key Bank).

THURSDAY: The Cascadians’ Pokies will follow the East Side Trail in Mount Rainier National Park, north from the Grove of the Patriarchs. For info, call Jeanne Crawford at 509-966-8608.

SATURDAY: The Cascadians will hike up Alta Peak. For meeting time and place, call Ted Gamlem at 509-697-5051.

Versus gone from DirecTV lineup

YAKIMA, Wash. — At about 9 p.m. on Monday, DirecTV viewers tuning to the Versus network were greeted by a full-screen graphic reading, “Versus is no longer available on this channel.”

Or any other DirecTV channel for that matter.

The owners of Versus, Comcast — the largest cable TV company in the United States — and DirecTV are in a contract squabble over carriage of the network. Until that’s worked out, it appears the channel will remain dark.

Among the sporting events shown on Versus that will be unavailable to DirecTV customers are: select Pac-10, Big 12 and Mountain West football games, IndyCar racing, professional bull riding, mixed martial arts and some cycling. If the standoff continues, coverage of the NHL and the Tour de France could be affected.

For more information, click here for DirecTV’s version of events and here for Versus’ take on the situation.

Odegaard, Bears bullpen shut down Spokane

YAKIMA — Ordinarily, it might not sound like much of a jam to be starting the ninth inning with a one-run lead.

Except in the Bears’ case Sunday night, they started it by facing Spokane’s Jason Ogata, who in the second inning had, in the words of Yakima starting pitcher Chris Odegaard, “completely destroyed” a ball.

But against Alex Thieroff, a collegiate starter thrust into his first save opportunity as a pro, the Indians’ slugger bounced out to third baseman Matt Davidson, and the Bears completed a 3-2 victory.

Yakima’s second straight win, following a seven-game losing streak, came before an announced 1,886 at Yakima County Stadium and, in its next-to-last home game of the year, secured its first and only home series win this month.

It also provided a long overdue reward for Odegaard, whose 1-7 record had vastly misrepresented his performance.

“If there was a guy in this league who deserved a win,” Bears manager Bob Didier said, “it was Chris.”

Helping Odegaard secure it were Rafael Quezada, who followed Odegaard’s six two-hit, two-run innings with a hitless seventh and eighth, and then Thieroff, who got his first professional save.

His first hitter, of course, was Ogata, he of the .393 batting average and author of the aforementioned blow off Odegaard that caromed off a power line beyond the left-center-field wall. Neither Tyrell Worthington in center nor Astolfo Inciarte in left had done much in the way of pursuit, because there was simply no need.

Thieroff fell behind 3-0, but then appeared to have Ogata retired via a popup behind the plate. And though catcher Tyson Van Winkle was unable to hold it after getting a late break, Thieroff induced the grounder to Davidson.

“I thought I got squeezed on a couple of pitches early, but there’s nothing you can do about that,” said Thieroff, who fanned the next two hitters. “From my perspective, pitching’s pretty much the same whether it’s the first inning or last inning. You just have to go out and challenge the hitters.”

Odegaard had, following the lead of Andrew Wolcott the evening prior in Yakima’s 2-0 win.

“Having seven losses isn’t a very good feeling,” he said, “but I’ve been pitching fairly well and tonight I just tried to get ahead of the hitters and let my defense play behind me. I just tried to do what Wolcott did last night.”

YAKIMA — The Bears (25-44) did all their scoring in an eventful third inning that saw them send nine hitters to the plate.

Worthington, leading off, was awarded first on catcher’s interference. Dan Kaczrowksi then singled up the middle and Brent Greer’s well-placed bunt became a hit when Indians third baseman Ogata fielded the ball and looked to third, but found no one covering.

Worthington scored on Tim Sherlock’s sacrifice fly, after which Matt Davidson punched a hit-and-run single to right. The ball hit Greer en route from first to second, however, for the second out.

Gerson Montilla then singled home Kaczrowski, and after an infield hit by Matt Helm loaded the bases, Inciarte drew a walk to force home the third run.

Spokane’s second run came in the fifth via Danny Lima’s leadoff walk, a stolen base and Zach Zaneski’s one-out single to right.

The would be the final hit for the Indians (34-35), however, who had been eliminated from playoff contention the previous evening through the Northwest League’s  tiebreaker.

Ogata’s homer was his fifth since being promoted 44 games ago from the low Class A Hickory Crawdads.

Yakima’s biggest Sunday crowd of the season left its attendance total at 69,659. A crowd of 2,549 for tonight’s home finale will increase the Bears attendance for the fifth consecutive year.

Yakima Bears update

Next game

Opponent: Spokane Indians.

When, where: 7:05 p.m. today, Yakima County Stadium.

Radio: KUTI (1460).

Probable pitchers: Yakima LHP Dan Taylor (4-1, 3.76) vs. Spokane RHP Trevor Hurley (6-2, 3.28).

Box score

Bears 3, Indians 2

SPOKANE    YAKIMA

ab    r    h    bi        ab    r    h    bi

Rhoad cf    3    0    0    0    Kacrwski ss    4    1    1    0

Bnadnna 2b    4    0    0    0    Greer dh    4    0    1    0

Velazquez rf    4    0    0    0    Sherlck rf-lf    2    0    1    1

Ogata 3b    3    1    1    1    Davidson 3b    4    1    1    0

Prince lf    3    0    0    0    Montilla 2b    4    0    1    1

Lima dh    2    1    0    0    Helm 1b    4    0    1    0

Telis dh    1    0    0    0    Inciarte lf    3    0    1    1

Murphy 1b    2    0    0    0    Rodriguez rf    0    0    0    0

Zaneski c    2    0    1    1    Aguila c    3    0    0    0

Duron ss    0    0    0    0    Vn Wnkle c    0    0    0    0

Martinez ss    3    0    0    0    Wrthngtn cf    2    1    1    0

Totals    27    2    2    2    Totals    30    3    8    3

Spokane    010    010    000    —    2

Yakima    003    000    000    —    3

E—Zaneski. DP—Yakima 1. LOB—Spokane 4, Yakima 7. HR—Ogata (5). SB—Lima, Prince, Rhoad. CS—Rhoad. SF—Sherlock.

IP    H    R    ER    BB    SO

Spokane

Henry L,2-4    4    7    3    2    1    4

Ortiz    3    1    0    0    1    3

Gunter    1    0    0    0    0    1

Yakima

Odegaard W,2-7    6    2    2    2    3    4

Quezada    2    0    0    0    2    4

Thieroff S,1    1    0    0    0    0    2

WP—Quezada. HBP—Ogata (by Odegaard). Umpires—Richard Wilson, John Bostwick. T—2:24. A—1,886.

Standings

EAST DIVISION

W    L    Pct.    GB

Tri-City (Rockies)    42    27    .609    —

Spokane (Rangers)    34    35    .493    8

Boise (Cubs)    31    38    .449    11

Yakima (D-backs)    25    44    .362    17

WEST DIVISION

W    L    Pct.    GB

Salem-Keizer (Giants)    43    26    .623    —

Everett (Mariners)    36    33    .522    7

Vancouver (Athletics)    33    36    .478    10

Eugene (Padres)    32    37    .464    11

Sunday’s results

Everett 6, Salem-Keizer 4

Eugene 4, Vancouver 0

Yakima 3, Spokane 2

Boise 2, Tri-City 1

Today’s games

Salem-Keizer at Everett, 7:05 p.m.

Spokane at Yakima, 7:05 p.m.

Eugene at Vancouver, 7:05 p.m.

Boise at Tri-City, 7:15 p.m.

Tuesday’s games

Salem-Keizer at Eugene, 7:05 p.m.

Vancouver at Everett, 7:05 p.m.

Spokane at Boise, 6:15 p.m.

Yakima at Tri-City, 7:15 p.m.

Notes

BACKSTOP TRIFECTA: Bob Didier has probably seen a catcher grab three foul popups in a game before — might even have done it himself, in fact, duing his six-year big league career.

“I just never remember them happening that closely together,” the Bears manager said Sunday, referring to the previous night’s game in which Yakima’s Roidany Aguila made three such plays in the span of four outs.

Aguila made first two outs of the sixth inning in that fashion — the second by catching a ball near the home dugout as the coaches and bat boy scattered. He then retired the first hitter of the seventh in a similar manner.

“Bill Plummer (ex-Yakima manager and current Arizona Diamondbacks catching instructor) put the catchers through a special drill yesterday on popups behind the plate,” Didier said. “He must have had a premonition.”

MISSED IT BY THAT MUCH: Bears president Mike McMurray did some serious number crunching to determine the franchise’s single-season on-base percentage leader.

While the recently departed Ryan Wheeler left in a virtual dead heat with Charles Nelson of 1994 at .461, McMurray determined that Nelson had in fact compiled a .4613 mark while Wheeler finished at .4607.

CORNIEL TO VISALIA: Catcher Jorge Corniel has been sent to Visalia where the advanced Class A Rawhide, managed by ex-Bears skipper Mike Bell (2007), were short at that position.

In 40 games with Yakima this season, Corniel batted .269 with no homers, six doubles and 13 RBI.

— Roger Underwood

Hot Shots results

SUNDAY’S RESULTS

CHILDREN

Girls first/second grade—Championship: Wildcats 3, Naches 1. Other results: Lightning d. Cayuse by forfeit; Naches 3, Lightning 1.

Girls third grade—Championship: All Stars 10, Selah 1. Other results: Lady Bugs 5, PPG 2; KISS 6, Lone Wolf 1; NBA All Stars 9, Selah Swishettes 3; KISS 5, Lady Bugs 4; Star Streamers 2, Go Getters 1; Selah Swishettes 5, KISS 4; Scrappers 18, West Valley Girls 1; D Fenders 8, Zillah 1.

Girls fourth grade—Championship: Super Swoosh 7, Flight 2. Other results: Ballers and Da Beast 8, Lady Vikes 5; Flight 6, Fearless 5; Super Swoosh 11, Rim Rocka Girlz 7; D Fenders 7, Scrappers 3; Super Swoosh 9, Fearless 5; Super Swoosh 12, Granger Ballers 8; Super Swoosh 6, Flight 3; Shooting Stars 13, West Valley Elite Blue 2.

Girls fifth grade—Elite Red 13, Blazers  3; Lil Ballers 9, Road Runners 5; Bubble Blasters 9, Smac Ballers 8; Rising Stars 10, Slamma Jamma Ballerz 7; Rising Stars 12, Bubble Busters 11; Elite Red 9, Shooting Stars 3.

Girls sixth grade Lisa Leslie—Championship: All Stars 9, D is the Key 6. Other results: Naches Knockouts 9, Mean Girls 8; Selah Smashers 12, Girls from the Gap 6; Freedom Fighters 4, Hot Tamales 3; Zillah All Stars 10. D is the Key 9; Grandview Ballerz 7, Tasmanian Devils 4; Freedom Fighters 9, Grandview Ballers 5; D Is the Key 16, All Stars 13;  6 Girls LL Naches Knockouts 10 Selah Smashers 8; D Is the Key 9, Freedom Fighters 6.

Girls sixth grade Sue Bird—Championship: Granger All Stars d. Four Funky Monkeys, score not reported. Other results: Four Funky Monkeys 11, Small Town Girls 9; Furious 6, Phab 4 1; Small Town Girls 13, Flamin Hot Devils 6; Wapato Wild Thangs 3, Battle Chicks 1; Granger All Stars 11, 4 Funky Monkeys 7; Small Town Girls 11, Furious 4 4; Lady Rangers 10, Wapato Wild Thangs 8.

Girls seventh grade—Championship: West Valley Elite Black 13, West Valley Elite Blue 12. Other results: Federal Way Heat 13, Xtreme Ballerz 7; Wildcats 13, Firecrackers 7; Hoop Dreams 8, Lone Wolf 1 2; U Can’t See Me 20, Triple Heat 7; West Valley Black 11, West Valley Blue 6; U Can’t See Me 8, Hoop Dreams 7; FW Heat 12, Toppenish 7; WV Elite Blue 11, U Can’t See Me 7.

Girls eighth grade—Championship: Lightning 9, Sunnyside 8. Other results: Lightning 16, Wildcats 12; Dips Hits 7, White Pass 6; Pheonix Suns 15, Super Heros 2; Da Ninja Turtles 6, Reinforcements 4; Lonewolf 2 10, Lady Scots 8; Sunnyside 7, Port Angeles Ice 4; Dips Hitz 10, The Reinforcements 5; Lightning 18, Port Angeles 5; Sunnyside 10, Turtles 9; Lightning 14, Dips Hit 8; Pheonix Suns 16, Lone Wolf 7; Lightning 12, Ninja Turtles 4; Lightning 10, Sunnyside 9; Rise Above d. Avalanche by forfeit.

Girls ninth grade—Championship: PBAJ Extreme 12, Rise Above 7. Other results: Avalanche 11, Ballerz 8; Zillah Frosh 15, Mabton Girls 10; PBAJ Extreme 12, Rise Above 11; Bamf’s 13, Thrillers 6; Avalanche 8, Zillah Frosh 6.

Girls 10th/11th—Championship: Charlie’s Angels 14, Naches Valley High School 10. Other results: NVHS 16, Valley Girls 2; Bad Medicine 19, Sun-Town Ladiez 8; DADD 20, BOBZ 5; Unshakeables 12, Jokers 10; NVHS 20, Bad Medicine 11; NVHS 20, BOBZ 8.

Girls 12th—Championship: Native Chix 14, Lady Ballers 13. Other results: Masters of the Game 20, Tippin on our J’s 11; Hooperz d. We do it Big by DQ; RIP MJ 7, Got Game 6; Masters of the Game 20, Hooperz 10; Triple Double Blue 11, 2 Legit 2 Quit 10; RIP MJ 14, Triple Double Blue 9; Lady Ballers 18, Native Chix 17; Super DP’s 14, Puget Sound Elite 12; Furious 4 15, Sunnyside Girls 0; Triple Double White 9, Lady Scots 8; Native Chix 18, Masters of the Game 11; Puget Sound Elite 13, RIP MJ 7; Lady Ballerz 18, Super DP’s 11; Native Chix 20, Puget Sound Elite 10; Furious 4 7, Triple Double White 5; Native Chix 18, Super DP’s 11.

Boys first/second grade—Championship: Pirates 12, West Valley Lil Rams 9. Other results: Lil Ballers d. Knicks by forfeit; WV Lil Rams 12, St Paul One 2; Little Pirates 20, Rattlers 0; WV Lil Rams 15, Lil Ballers 5; St Paul 2 6, Optimus Ram 3; WV Lil Rams 8, Rattlers 2;

Boys third grade—Championship: Road Runners 16, Rising Stars 4. Other results: G-Town 12, Naches 9; Yakima Sports Supply 1 14, Rimrock 7; Mario Bros 12, Home Boyz 5; Yakima Sports Supply 1 5, G-Town 1; Triple Threat 9, Yakima Sports Supply 2 8; Triple Threat 10, Yakima Sports 1 6; Yakima Sports 1 8, Triple Threat 7; Mario Bros 8, EV MIB 3.

Boys fourth grade—Championship: Lil Griz 13, Federal Way 6. Other results: Zillah 11, WS Cougs 8; Federal Way Ballers 16, Little Heat 7; Zillah 11, Mustangs 9; Lil Griz 11, Rangers 5; Federal Way 8, Zillah 5; WS Cougars 7, Lightning Boys 6; Federal Way 11, Naches 9;

Boys fifth grade—Championship: Zillah 16, Addicted to Hoops 9. Other results: Harrah Panther 15, Bad Medicine 11; West Valley 13, EV Bombers 10; WV Elite Black 6, EV Monstar 5; Zillah 16, Addicted to Hoops 5; West Valley 12, Harrah Panthers 3; Addicted to Hoops 10, West Valley 8; Lightning Strike 19, WV Elite 3;

Boys sixth grade—Championship: Mabton 12, Speed 10. Other results: Kodiak Boys d. Grizzly Ballers by forfeit; WV Sharks 15, The Four Basketeers 6; Burnin Ice 14, Yakima Cougars 9; Mabton Mighty Viks 14, Renegades 12; Freezin Fire 13, Naches Ranger Danger 5; Speed 17, Wapato Final Four 6; WV Sharks 11, Young Gunz 4; Speed 12, Renegades 9; Freezin Fire 18, Yakima Cougars 11; Mabton Mighty Viks 16, Burnin Ice 14; Speed 13, Freezin Fire 10; Kodiak Boys 14, WV Sharks 5; Speed 18, Burnin Ice 13.

Boys seventh grade—Championship: Street Kingz 14, Hang Time 13. Other results: Marquette 11, Men in Black 5; Street Kings 20, Wapato Warriors 8; Hangtime 16, Terminators 13; Hoop It Up 15, Final 4 9; Lightning 11, Yak Town Ballerz 4; Marquette Boys 9, WV Rams 5; Ankle Breakers 14, Thunder 13; Yakima Terminators 11, Lightning 4; Hoop It Up 18, Warriors 10; Street Kingz 11, Hang Time 10; Hoop It Up 16, Yakima Terminators 11; Marquette Boys 10, AnkleBreakerz 7; Hangtime 13, Hoop It Up 10.

Boys eighth grade—Championship: Future Legends 17, Disturbing the Peace 8. Other results: Bad Medicine 16, Hustler 14; Disturbing the Peach 13, Anger Management 10; Spiderz 17, Yakima Ballerz 9; Disturbing the Peace 20, Bad Medicine 10; Medicine Valley 10, Fantastic Four 9; Spiderz 20, Medicine Valley 19; Future Legends 16, Back 2 Back 12; Z^3 13, Team Fresh 9; Spartan Ballerz 14, Ninja Turtles 12; Disturbing the Peace 15. Back 2 Back 14; Drivers Ed 14, Them One Guys 6; Them 1 Guys 20, Spiderz 17; Future Legends 15, Drivers Ed 14; Disturbing the Peace 18, Them One Guys 9; Z^3 13, Spartan Ballerz 12; Future Legends 15, Drivers Ed 14; Disturbing the Peach 19, Drivers Ed 13.

Boys ninth grade—Championship: Heartbreakers 20, Mabton 6. Other results: Riverside Christian d. Wheeler Boys by forfeit; Riverside Christian 9, Ballers 8; ijerk 20, EV Fight Club 15; Bad Thunder 20, Hulk 11; Ballers 19, Bash 11; Heartbreakers 20, DA 6; Mabton 20, Hit the Boards 5; Thunder 14, Hit the Boards 4; DA 19, ijerk 16; Heartbreakers 11, Mabton 8; Thunder 20, DA 8; Mabton 19, Thunder 11.

Boys 10th grade—Championship: Medeliz Automotive 18, Toppenish 15. Other results: Boats & Hose 17, Naches Blue 16; Dubs 20, Scots 7; Mendelez 14, Grandview 13; We Got Next 20, EV Crew 8; Toppenish 12, Fire Dogs 11; We Got Next 20, Scots 11; Boats & Hose 16, Under Dogs 15; 3D Black 16, The One’s 6; Toppenish 14, Grandview 9; Medevez Automotive 17, Dubs 16; Toppenish 20, We Got Next 16; The One’s 10, Boats & Hose 8; Toppenish 18, Dubs 14.

Boys 11th grade—Championship: Leopards 15, Wapato 14. Other results: Leopards 19, WM 10; Highland d. G Town by forfeit; Wapato 18, Teen Titans 14; Yakima Sports Supply 10, 4 Amigos 8; Eagles 16, Team Wapato 12; Highland 19, Dope Boys 14; Highland 19, Dope Boys 14; DA Assasins 20, Who’s Next 12; Leopards 13, 4 Amigos 11; Eagles 20, Teen Titans 15; Wapato 14, Yakima Sports Supply 10; Wapato 14, Yakima Sports Supply 10; Leopards 13, Eagles 12; Highland 17, DA Assassins 16; Leopards 20, Yakima Sports Supply 11; Zillah 13, Wapato 11.

Boys 12th grade—Championship: Wapato Wolf Pack 20, Nuthin Nice 18. Other results: CSI d. Goon Squad by forfeit; Flint Tropics 20, Dream Team 19; Umatilla 20, Gym Rats 8; Devils 20, War Hoops 17; Holla 20, Wapato Wolves/Attack the Rim 15; Nothin Nice 17, Poochies 7; Devils 11, Holla 9; Wapato Wolves/Attack the Rim 20, Nuthin Nice 18; Poochies 20, Flint Tropic 17; Poochies 16, Devils 12; CSI 20, Umatilla 10; Nuthin Nice 19, Poochies 17; Nuthin Nice 20, Wapato Wolfpack Attack 12.

ADULT

Men’s Open Jordan—Championship: Torn Ligaments 13, Anger Management 12. Other results: Bulldogs d. Triple Double Gray by forfeit; The Bodgikies d. Barely Ballers by forfeit; Philly Boys 13, Anger Management 11; Torn Ligaments 14, College Kids 11; C Ballers 20, Viking Quest 9; My Nets are on Fire 16, Oxford Suites  11; Los Chaparitos 20, Bulldogs 16; C-Ballers 23, College Kids 22; Anger Management 20, My Nets are on Fire 16; Anger Management 20, C Ballers 15; Torn Ligaments 14, Philly Boys 8; Los Chaparitos 20, The Bodskies 12; Anger Management 17, Philly Boys 8.

Men’s Open Lebron—Championship: Krome 7, Tae Kwon Do 4. Other results: Street Smarts 20, Young Gunz 12; Tae Kwon Do 19, Team Obama 11; Krome 20, Loft 16; Long Shot 20, T-Town Ballerz 13; Tae Kwon Do 20, Street Smarts 14; Tae Kwon Do 20, LOFT 16;

Men’s Open Shaq—Championship: Yakima Sports Supply/Old School 18, Flying J’s 13. Other results: Schell’s Produce d. Fresh Out by forfeit; Yakima Regional 20, KCJC 13; Flamin J’s 20, Porcelien Soldiers 15; Yakima Sports Supply/Old School 19, Down Low 9; Flaming J’s 20, Down Low 15; Recognized Ballerz 20, Seven Cedars Casino 17; Porcelain Soldiers 18, Jacksons 14; Yakima Regional 20, Seven Cedars Casino 17; Yakima Sports Supply/Old School 19, Recongnized Ballers 17; Porcelain Soldiers 12, Shell’s Produce 9; Flaming J’s 20, Yakima Regional 9; Flaming J’s 19, Recongnized Ballers 18

Men’s 6-feet and under Jordan—Championship: Fabb 4 20, Scoops 19. Other results: General Council d. NYK by forfeit; Yakima Bears d. Game Time by forfeit; Fabb 4 20, Scoop 16; Sunset 17, Yakima Sports Supply 14; Who Next 15, Old School 14; General Council 20, MNTJ’S 16; Xtreme 19, Westside Scrubs 18; Get It Boys 17, Yakima Bears 15; Scoop 20, Sunset 7; Xtreme 21, Old School 14; Fabb 4 20, Who Next 14; Scoop 20, Xtreme 10; Get It Boys 17, General 16; Scoop 19, Who’s Next 16.

Men’s 6-feet and under Lebron—Championship: Usual Suspects 20, Saucy Stealth 13. Other results: Chunky Boys d. Air Ballers by forfeit; Cliett Boyz d. Chunky Boyz by forfeit; PTO Alumni d. Once Young Guns by forfeit; Wampton 20, Once Young Guns 16; Wapos 17, Vipers 16; Saucy Stealth 20, Ballocaust 9; Usual Suspects 20, Had Game 8; Raimerez Ballers 20, G-Town Ballers 13; Wampton 18, WAPOS 16; Saucy Stealth 19, Chunky Boyz 14; Wampton 20, G-Town Ballers 15; Saucy Stealth 20, Had Game 14; Usual Suspects 17, Ramirez Ballers 15; Saucy Stealth 18, Wampton 13; Cliett Boyz 18, PTO Alumni 17; Saucy Stealth 20, Ramirez Ballers 17.

Men’s 6-feet and under Shaq—Championship: Yee 17, Street Ballers 12. Other results: Team Techno d. Team Finess by forfeit; Techno Tronic d. Sixers by forfeit; Street Ballers 15, Sik Wit It 14; Yee 20, Street Ballin 11; Mabton 20, Z-Uptown 12; Tha Trybe 13, Minute Men 12; Get on Our Level 19, White Men Can’t Jump 10; Mabton 20, Str8 Ballin 19; Sik Wit It!!! 20, Tha Trybe 8; Yee 17, Street Ballers 16; Sik Wit It!!! 13, Mabton 10; Get on Our Level 20, Techno Tronic 15; Street Ballers 20, Sik Wit It !!! 13.

Women’s Open—Championship: La Mamba 17, Team Yak 13. Other results: Bad Bama Jammas 11, Hot Momma 8; LKC 13, Hot Momma 12; Team Yak 11, Hot Mamma Jammas  10.

Coed—Championship: Tim’s Towing 19, Awesomeness 16. Other results: Wildcats 17, Jelly Beans 6; Slawtown 14, Cobras 6; Awesomeness 19, Wildcats 18; Awesomeness 18, Tim’s Towing 15.

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