Bullpen Lets Voyagers Down Again
Published on July 25, 2011 under Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release
OGDEN Utah--The Voyager's bullpen squandered a lead for the second straight game, as the Owlz take the opener, 7-4.
Blake Drake (0-2) came on to start the bottom of the seventh with a one run lead, 4-3, but struggled to find the strike zone. The righty, who has so very reliable all year long, walked the first two batters on four consecutive pitches, each. Then, Drake, fielding Drew Martinez's bunt, misfired on his toss to first as the ball sailed towards the right field bullpen, allowed the tying and go-ahead runs to score and also allowed Martinez to get to third. Drake would manage to collect just one out in his tenth outing of the season, surrendering four runs.
The Voyagers took the early lead, putting up two runs in the third on three hits, which included a Qualon Millender RBI single.
Orem got on the board in the fourth on an RBI double from Ryan Jones which scored Frazier Hall. The score would remain 2-1 until the sixth, when Jarrett Casey walked the leadoff batter and then, one pitch later, gave up an opposite home run to C.J. Cron, the first round pick's sixth of the season, giving Orem a 3-2 lead.
The Voyagers were quick to answer off of Junior Carlin in the seventh (2-0). In the lefty's first inning of relief, Carlin gave up a home run to Jimmy Jacquot, the first batter he faced, evening the score. After Jeffer Patino earned a walk on eight pitches, he would eventually come around to score on Keenyn Walker's sacrifice fly to help the Voyagers reclaim the lead, 4-3. The two runs surrendered by Carlin were the first two runs he's allowed all season.
Unfortunately for the Voyagers, that lead was immediately squandered with Orem's four-run inning off of Drake.
Jarrett Casey picks up the no-decision in a strong effort, going six innings, making just one mistake to Cron, giving up three runs on just six hits, striking out six.
For the Owlz, reigning Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week, Baudilio Lopez, picked up a no-decision, going five innings giving up just two runs, just one of which was earned.
Danny Reynolds (S,3) pitched two scoreless innings to pick up the save.
In a losing effort, Randall Thorpe went 3-for-3 for the Voyagers.
The loss eliminates the Voyagers from contention in the first half, snapping a streak of four straight halves won by the squad.
The series against the Orem Owlz continues tomorrow. First pitch at 7:05 p.m. with the pregame at 6:40 p.m. on 560 KMON.
Pioneer League Stories from July 25, 2011
- Osprey Rally Past Chukars, 4-1, To Clinch Tie For PL North - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Owlz Get Solid Pitching in 8-4 Victory - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Bullpen Lets Voyagers Down Again - Great Falls Voyagers
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