Mail Tribune Sports - Rockies edge a little closer to T'Jacks, 5-2

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Rockies edge a little closer to T'Jacks, 5-2 Southern Oregon isn't really in position to lose ground to Portland. Having had three games rained out the past week, the Timberjacks' lead shrank to four games entering a three-game series against their closest pursuer in the Northwest League Southern Division. But with a chance to take matters into their own hands Wednesday night at Miles Field the T'jacks were beaten 5-2 by Portland. Starting pitcher Matt Gage (6-5), bidding to join Everett's Craig Anderson atop the NWL wins list, surrendered a three-run home run to Chris Moore in the second inning and the Timberjacks (27-22) never got back in the game. As a result, the Rockies (25-26) could whittle Southern Oregon's lead to one game with wins tonight and Friday. Gage ran afoul when he allowed second-inning singles to Justin Hemme and Dan Phillips before Moore's blast. Southern Oregon scratched out one run in the bottom of the inning when Matt Howe singled, stole second and score on GW Keller's hit to right. The score remained 3-1 until the top of the ninth, when Portland scored a pair of unearned runs. Mel Rosario walked and Billy Gasparino reached on an error. Southern Oregon shortstop Carlos Rosario couldn't find the handle on Ricardo Mahoney's grounder, then Hemme followed with a two-run single. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune   Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.