PL Idaho Falls Chukars

7-Run Lead Disappears in Chukars Loss

Published on August 19, 2012 under Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release


For the second straight night the Idaho Falls Chukars jumped out to a big lead on the Missoula Osprey, only to watch the win slip through their fingers. This time it was a 7-0 4th inning lead and an 8-7 8th inning advantage that disappeared in the Greybirds 11-8 loss Sunday night at Ogren Park/Allegiance Field.

The Chukars offense continued their hot hitting in the series with two runs in the both the second and third innings, and another three tallies in the fourth to take a 7-0 lead over Missoula. The lead would actually prove to be short lived however, as the Osprey struck for three runs of their own in the 4th and another four runs one inning later to tie the game at 7-7.

Idaho Falls appeared to save themselves in the sixth when Diego Goris lined a solo home run over the left field wall to put the Chukars back up 8-7. However, that lead would prove all too fragile as well, as Missoula rallied again for four more runs in the eighth inning to take their first lead of the game at 11-8.

The Greybirds early offense was led by third baseman Nick Cuckovich and first baseman Jared Schlehuber. Schlehuber got things started in the second with a controversial 2-run homer over the right field foul poll. The ball appeared to land to the right of the poll though, a fact that enraged Missoula manager Andy Green enough to get him ejected from the game.

Idaho Falls would push their lead to 4-0 the next inning thanks to an RBI single from Cuckovich and a RBI double by Jin-Ho Shin. The lead would finally max out at 7-0 in the fourth, when left fielder Diego Goris doubled and scored on an error and Cuck came through again with a 2-RBI triple off the left field wall.

Cuckovich would finish the game just a homer short of the cycle, going 4-5 with a double, triple, and 3 RBI. Goris also had a good game going 3-4 with a double, homer, RBI and three runs scored while Schlehuber finished 2-4 with his long ball, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored.

The losing pitcher for Idaho Falls ended up being reliever Matt Strahm (1-2), who was only able to record one out while allowing all four runs in the eighth. Osprey reliever Chris Thomas (2-1) picked up the win for his two shutout innings while Vince Spilker (4) earned the save with a scoreless ninth.

The blown Chukars win was also another blown win for Spencer Patton, who was once again stellar out of the bullpen with just one unearned run allowed on two hits and six strikeouts in three innings of work.

The back-to-back blown games by the Chukars (11-10) earn them a 4-game series split with the Osprey (13-8) and drop them two games back of the first place Orem Owlz in the South Division.

The Chukars will try to right the ship at home with a 9-game home stand at Melaleuca Field starting Monday Night. First pitch between the Greybirds and Billings Mustangs is scheduled for 7:15 pm.

Check out the Idaho Falls Chukars Statistics

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Pioneer League Stories from August 19, 2012


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