Rainbows batter Vulcans, 15-4
Advertiser Staff
Hawai'i achieved season-highs in runs and hits in crushing Hawai'i-Hilo, 15-4, last night in Western Athletic Conference baseball at Wong Stadium in Hilo.
The Rainbows (25-27, 12-20 WAC) sent eight batters up in a three-run first inning, 11 in a five-run sixth and batted around in a four-run seventh in reaching season highs in runs and hits (21).
Gregg Omori, who had four RBIs in Friday's game, had five yesterday on a single and grand slam. Patrick Scalabrini batted 5-for-6.
Chad Giannetti (5-5) allowed four runs (three earned), seven hits and two walks in seven innings. William Quaglieri and Grant Sato each pitched a scoreless inning of relief.
Meanwhile, the Vulcans (5-41, 3-29) dropped their 16th consecutive game. Their last victory was the back end of a doubleheader against Washington, 6-5, on April 7.
Ben Siff (1-8) settled down after the rocky first inning, but he gave up three more in the fifth and put the first two runners aboard to start the sixth. In five-plus innings, he was charged with eight runs and 11 hits, while striking out five.
It was 11-0 before the Vulcans finally got on the scoreboard in the sixth, when they batted around against Giannetti. Keola Park's two-run single, Billy Rayl's sacrifice fly and an RBI-ground out by Brian Rooke accounted for the runs.
The Rainbows strung five consecutive hits to open the game with Omori's RBI single driving in the first of 15. His grand slam in the five-run sixth came off reliever Clay Daugherty. It was Omori's team-leading 11th home run of the season. With 11 RBIs in two days, he has a team-leading 51.
The Rainbows substituted freely toward the end after the top seven batters in the order each had at least one hit. Tim Montgomery was 2-for-2 with two RBIs after he entered the game in the sixth inning for starter Kevin Gilbride.
The Vulcans will try to avoid a sweep and stop their losing streak in the process at 1 p.m. today at Wong. It is their final home game of the season.
Meanwhile, the Rainbows need to win today and sweep the Vulcans at Rainbow Stadium in a three-game series starting Thursday to finish with a winning record.
