PL Missoula PaddleHeads

Bracho's First Hit is Game-Winner

Published on June 21, 2015 under Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release


BILLINGS, MONT. - Didimo Bracho (1-for-3) picked a great time to collect his first hit of the 2015 season, lacing a two-RBI double off the wall in left field to break a 2-2 tie in the 8th inning and help the Missoula Osprey (2-2) to a 5-2

victory over the Billings Mustangs (2-1) on Sunday afternoon from Dehler Park in Billings, Mont. With the win, the Osprey evened the series with Billings at one game apiece.

While he did not factor in the decision, right-hander Yefrey Ramirez was outstanding in a start for the O's. The native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic tossed the first six innings, allowing just two runs (one earned) on three hits and one walk while striking out five. He made just one mistake on Sunday afternoon, surrendering a leadoff home run to Mitch Trees to start the third inning. The equalizer, an unearned run, came in for Billings in the sixth when Ramirez uncorked a wild pitch that allowed runners to move to second and third. Luke Lowery, who started behind the plate for Missoula, tried to throw out the trail runner, Kevin Franklin, on the play, but his throw deflected off the leg of Franklin and ended up in shallow left field, allowing Mitch Piatnick to come in from third and hand Ramirez a no decision.

The Missoula bullpen was impressive in the victory on Sunday, as three relievers combined to throw three shutout frames to lock up the victory. Aaron Sookee needed just four pitches to retire the side in the seventh before Gabriel Moya put the Mustangs down in order in the eighth. Dan Savas entered in the ninth and retired the first two he faced, but a pair of infield singles made things a bit interesting and brought the tying run to the plate. Savas, who spent last year at Hillsboro, remained composed, striking out Trees to end the game and convert his second save in as many attempts.

In addition to Bracho's big hit, Missoula received two hits apiece from Austin Byler, Jeff Hoffpauir and Marcus Wilson. Byler tripled and scored in the second inning, while Wilson nearly launched a grand slam in the top of the fifth. The right-handed hitter, who finished 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI, hit it just over the wall in right centerfield, but centerfielder Zach Shields was there to climb the wall and bring it back, juggling the ball on the way down and eventually hanging on to retire the side and steal four RBI from Wilson.

Missoula will continue the four-game series with Billings tomorrow, sending RHP Dallas Newton to the mound to be opposed by RHP Tanner Rainey. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm MT.

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