Chukars Bats Heat up in 16-7 Rout
August 30, 2015 - Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release
IDAHO FALLS, ID ---- In game three of a six-game homestand at Melaleuca Field, the Idaho Falls Chukars outslugged Grand Junction Rockies by a score of 16-7 on Sunday evening.
Following a stretch where they scored 14 runs combined over their last four games, the Chukars broke out for 16 runs, tying their second-largest single game output of the season.
Headlining the offensive barrage was a sixth inning that featured nine runs on seven hits with 13 Chukars batters reaching the plate.
Down 6-3 coming into the inning, the Chukars surge was highlighted two-run double by catcher Nick Dini, two-run single from outfielder Brawlun Gomez, RBI triple and an run-scoring groundout from third basemen Logan Nottebrok and a RBI single by shortstop Gabriel Noriega. Three Rockies pitchers combined to give up three additional runs to give the Chukars their largest run output in an inning this season.
With two more runs in the seventh and eighth innings, the Chukars offense finished off the game scoring 13 of the last 14 runs. In addition to the run output, the 18 hits for the Chukars are the third-highest in any game this year.
Leading the way was outfielder Amalani Fukofuka, who set an Idaho Falls season-high with five hits in six at-bats, finishing a homer away from the cycle and two runs batted in.
Along with Fukofuka, five other Chukars finished with two hits or more.
With a 1-for-5 game and an eighth inning single, second basemen DJ Burt increased his consecutive games on-base streak to 47 games. It is the longest active streak of such kind in professional baseball. He is now tied with Cardinals outfielder Matt Holiday for the longest consecutive games on-base streak in baseball this year overall at 47 games.
On the pitching side, lefty Tripp Davis got the win in relief, improving to 5-2 on the year with 2.1 innings of scoreless baseball. Davis is now tied with righty Alberto Rodriguez for the most wins on the pitching staff this season.
Combined with the win from the Ogden Raptors on Saturday, the Chukars are still tied with the Raptors for first place in the second half of the Pioneer League South standings with nine games remaining in the regular season.
The Chukars will continue their six-game homestand at Melaleuca Field with the finale of four games against the Grand Junction Rockies on Monday. Idaho Falls will send RHP Carter Hope to the bump while the Rockies will counter with RHP Mike Nikorak First pitch is at 7:15 PM.
Make sure to tune to John Balginy and Alex Cohen all season long on MiLBTV, the Chukars Tune-In Radio App and live on ESPN 980 AM, 105.1 FM and 94.5 FM.
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Pioneer League Stories from August 30, 2015
- Chukars Bats Heat up in 16-7 Rout - Idaho Falls Chukars
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- Great Falls Bats Stymied in Matinee Loss - Great Falls Voyagers
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- Voyagers Game Notes: August 30 vs. Missoula - Great Falls Voyagers
- Raptors Walk-Off Owlz in 12 Innings - Ogden Raptors
- Idaho Falls loses 7-6 - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Hilliard's Knock Lifts Rockies over Chukars - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Missoula Suffers Setback at Great Falls - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Brewers One-Hit Mustangs, Win 9-0 - Helena Brewers
- Owlz Fall in Extra Innings to Raptors - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Voyagers Hammer Osprey; Regain Wild Card Lead - Great Falls Voyagers
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