Bears shutout Volcanoes to win rubber match of the series - SWX Right Now-Sports for Spokane, CdA, Tri-Cities, WA

YAKIMA, Wash. -- The Yakima Bears shutout the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 2-0 Sunday at Yakima County Stadium. The Bears took three-of-five games from the Volcanoes for the team's first series win of the 2012 season.

The pitching staff was the story all day long. Starter Daniel Watts allowed three hits and no walks in his five innings while collecting his first professional win. Victor Acosta then spread out three hits and no walks in two innings of work. Frank Santana tossed a 1-2-3 eighth and Blake Forslund earned his first professional save while allowing one hit in the ninth. The four pitchers walked none while fanning only two batters. Quick work by the pitchers made Sunday's win the fastest game of the season, as it lasted only two hours and nine minutes.

Both teams finished with seven hits, but the Bears were able to plate two runs. In the first inning, Kevin Medrano hit a one-out triple and then scored on a ground ball from Shaun Cooper. With one out in the sixth the Bears added an insurance run, as Jimmy Comerota reached on a single, stole second, advanced to third on a groundout, and Danny Poma singled to drive in the first baseman.

Poma led the offense with a 3-for-3 performance that featured a run batted in and a stolen base from the number nine spot in the order.  Medrano's triple was his second of the season, putting him among the league leaders.

The Bears are now 4-4 this season and still alone in first place in Northwest League's East Division. Monday the Bears play the first of three games at Tri-City. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15. Right-handed pitcher Blake Perry will make his first 2012 start for Yakima, while lefty Roberto Padilla is expected to take the hill for the Dust Devils.