PL Idaho Falls Chukars

Bats Back Lamb in Runaway Win

Published on September 1, 2012 under Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release


For the second straight night the Idaho Falls Chukars were led by their offense and kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a dominating 12-3 win over the Grand Junction Rockies Saturday night at Suplizio Field.

Coming off a 12-5 win in Ogden the night before the Greybirds kept the hot bats going with 12 hits, but with 11 of them coming as singles. The lone extra base hit was a big one though, with center fielder Ethan Chapman clubbing his first home run of the year in the third.

The Chukars would score six runs in the second and another five, unearned tallies in the third to chase Rockies ace pitcher Matt Carasiti early. Chappy would lead the slugging Greybirds with a 3-4 night including the homer, two walks, four RBI and three runs scored. Third baseman Nick Cuckovich also had a nice night finishing 2-5 with two RBI.

The other story on the night was the starting pitcher for Idaho Falls, rehabbing Royals prospect John Lamb. The former Chukars Pitcher of the Year (2009) and top KC prospect made just his fifth outing of year while coming back from Tommy John surgery, but looked dominant over his four inning outing. During his four frames Lamb allowed just two hits and no runs while walking none and striking out four. Combined with his final appearance in the Arizona League, that is now seven straight scoreless innings for the lefty with eight Ks.

When Lamb left regularly scheduled Chukars starter Ali Williams took over and pitched well with a massive lead. Williams would go the final five frames out of the pen and allow three runs on seven hits, also walking two and striking out eight.

Singles fueled the six-run second inning outburst for the Chukars, as the Greybirds hit five straight base knocks to start the frame and eight singles overall.

The third inning splurge was aided by four Rockies errors, part of a season high 7 miscues on the night, but it was Chappy who came through with the clutch 3-run homer to help Idaho Falls pull away.

Williams (3-3) picked up the victory for his efforts out of the pen while Carasiti (3-4) took the loss after allowing 11 runs, six earned, on 10 hits over just 2.2 innings pitched.

With the win the Chukars (16-17) have now won two in a row while the Rockies (18-15) drop their second straight. The two clubs will face off again Sunday night in game two of the four-game series at 6:05 pm.

Check out the Idaho Falls Chukars Statistics

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Pioneer League Stories from September 1, 2012


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