Chukars Blow out Brewers in Series Opener
July 11, 2018 - Pioneer League (PL)
Helena Brewers News Release
Idaho Falls, ID - The Idaho Falls Chukars came into tonight's ballgame with the Helena Brewers as the league's best offense, hitting .304 (1st) as a team and averaging 7.2 runs per game (2nd). Their trends continued against the Brewers, as the Chukars scored 15 runs on 17 hits, both season highs allowed by the Brewers. Helena managed to hit three home runs, but couldn't muster enough to outslug the Chukars, falling 15-8.
Justin Bullock got the first two he faced in the first inning, but back to back singles from Kyle Isbel and Nate Eaton kept the inning alive for Reed Rohlman, who hit a blast to deep right center field, giving Idaho Falls the early 3-0 lead.
Chukars started JC Cloney (W, 5-0) retired the first five that he faced, but then surrendered a solo bomb to Nick Egnatuk in the second, getting the Brewers on the board. In the second, the Brewers got to within a run, as three straight hits plated a run and put two in scoring position with nobody out. Cloney bore down and got the next three, keeping the Chukars in the lead.
The failure to cash in further came back to bite Helena, as Idaho Falls scored twice in the third inning, with the RBIs coming from Eaton and Rohlman. Against Jenri Montas in the fourth, Idaho Falls sent all nine men to the plate, scoring three to extend the lead to 8-2.
David Fry hit a three run homer to cut the deficit in half in the fifth, and the Brewers loaded the bases with two out against Jose Ramirez in the sixth, putting the tying run at first. Ramirez came back to strike out Jean Carmona to end the inning, and spoiling the last good chance the Brewers had to tie the game.
Idaho Falls came back with two in the sixth, and after Pablo Abreu hit a two run homer in the eighth to get Helena back within three, the Chukars put the Brewers away for good with a five run eighth. Reed Rohlman finished the day with 7 RBI, a new career high.
The Brewers look to even the series tomorrow as they send Wilfred Salaman to the hill. Idaho Falls counters with CJ Eldred, the son of Kansas City Royals pitching coach Cal Eldred. First pitch is at 7:15, with the pregame show hitting the airwaves of helenabrewers.net at 7:00.
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