Voyagers Game Notes: July 31 vs. Helena
July 31, 2015 - Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release
After getting a stellar outing from righty Matt Ball to win their series opener with Helena, the Voyagers and Brewers continue their four-game set tonight at Centene Stadium.
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Great Falls Voyagers (2-1, 19-20) vs. Helena Brewers (1-2, 17-22)
LHP Tanner Banks (3-1, 1.21) vs. LHP Christian Trent (2-1, 4.18)
7:00 p.m. - Centene Stadium (Great Falls, Mont.)
BALL, GF TOP BREWERS
The Voyagers took the opener of their four-game set with Helena Thursday behind a great outing from Matt Ball. The righty gave up just one unearned run in six innings, earning his first win of the season. Great Falls got Ball the lead in the third, as Johan Cruz doubled in the night's first run. After Helena scored their only run in the fourth, the Voyagers regained the lead for good in the home half on RBI singles from Sikes Orvis and Grant Massey. Victor Velasquez then added on an insurance run with an RBI single of his own in the sixth. Four runs were plenty for the Great Falls staff, who allowed just three hits, tied for their season-low, and did not walk any.
MASSEY HEATING UP
With two more hits and an RBI last night, shortstop Grant Massey extended his hitting streak to eight in a row, a career-high. A 26th round selection by the White Sox in this year's draft out of Lipscomb, Massey has four multi-hit efforts during his eight-game run, which has seen him go 12-for-29 (.414). During his streak, Massey has seen his average rise from .234 to .290.
MATT'S BALLIN'
Right-hander Matt Ball turned in a stellar outing for Great Falls last night, allowing just one unearned run on on one hit, while striking out a career-high eight. In doing so, the righty earned his first win and third quality start of the campaign. All three of the Bonita, Calif., native's quality starts have come against Helena, starting with his first two outings of the season. An 11th round pick in 2013, Ball has now given up just nine hits and four runs (three earned) in 18.0 innings, while striking out 20 in those starts. Ball has owned Helena in each of his two seasons with Great Falls, and of his four career wins, three of them have come against the Brewers.
DOMINATING THE BREWERS
The Voyagers have dominated the Brewers so far in 2015, taking seven of the season's first eight meetings, including six in a row after last night's win. The Voyagers have been perfect at home so far against Helena, taking all five meetings at Centene Stadium. Great Falls is now 18-6 against Helena over the last two seasons, their most wins against any opponent in that span.Â
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