PL Idaho Falls Chukars

Owlz Bullpen Stifles Chukars in 5-3 Loss

Published on June 29, 2012 under Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release


An Orem Owlz pitching staff that entered Thursday night with a Pioneer League worst 7.41 ERA held the Chukars scoreless for six straight innings, en route to the Chukars 5-3 loss at Brent Brown Ballpark.

Orem relievers Yancarlos Santiago and Mike Morin combined shut down the Idaho Falls offense from the fourth through the eighth innings, allowing the Owlz to rally for five unanswered runs. The Chukars did post a 2-out rally in the ninth by scoring two runs and bringing the tying run to the plate, but pinch hitter Jared Schlehuber lined out to right field to end the game at 5-3.

The Chukars looked good early on, as catcher Parker Morin tripled and was driven in by left fielder Ysmelin Alcantara in the second to put Idaho Falls up 1-0. That early lead was paired with the good start from Chukars pitcher Spencer Patton, who shutout the Owlz through the first three innings on just one hit.

Starting in the fourth inning however, things fell apart for the Greybirds. Patton struck out Owlz third baseman Michael Bolaski to start the inning, but then walked second baseman Jerrod Parks and gave up back-to-back singles to Jonathan Walsh and Michael Snyder to tie the game. Catcher Anthony Bemboom followed with an RBI sacrifice fly to give Orem a lead the would never relinquish.

Orem would strike for two more runs in the fifth off of Patton, with center fielder Kyle Johnosn launching a solo homer to left and shortstop Caleb Bushyhead lacing an RBI double to left. Chukars reliever David Middendorf then entered with two on and nobody out, but was able to wiggle out of the frame without further damage.

Unfortunately the Idaho Falls bats wouldn't rally, as the Chukars mustered just five base runners from the third through the eighth and left three men in scoring position.

The Chukars did show one last glimpse of life with a ninth inning rally, started by a one-out single from DH Jin-Ho Shin. One out later, catcher Parker Morin blasted a ball over the right field wall to pull the Chukars to within two runs with two outs. Ysmelin Alcantara kept the rally going with a triple, which brought Schlehuber to the plate representing the tying run. Schlehuber put a good swing on the ball and laced it to right-center, but right fielder Jonathan Walsh made a nice sliding grab to end the game.

Morin finished the night going 2-4 with a triple and 2-run homer while Alcantara went 3-4 with a triple, double and RBI in the loss.

Patton (0-1) took the loss for the Chukars, finishing the night with 4 innings pitched allowing four runs on six hits with four walks and five strikeouts. Santiago (1-1) got the win for Orem for his three shutout innings of relief. Morin (1) earned his first save despite allowing the two ninth inning runs.

With the loss the Chukars drop to 6-5 while the Owlz win back-to-back games for the first time this season and improve to 3-8. The two clubs will wrap up their brief two-game series Friday night at 7:05 p.m.

Check out the Idaho Falls Chukars Statistics

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Pioneer League Stories from June 29, 2012


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