PL Idaho Falls Chukars

Chukars Drop Bizarre Game 7-4

Published on July 17, 2012 under Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release


In easily the most bizarre game of the season the Idaho Falls Chukars rallied from a 2-0 deficit, blew a 3-2 lead in the 9th, rallied for a game-tying run in the 10th and finally fell apart in the 11th as they lost 7-4 to the Great Falls Voyagers at Melaleuca Field.

The contest started innocently enough with the Chukars trailing 2-0 heading into the 6th, with starting pitcher Zeb Sneed putting together his best outing of the season. In the bottom of the sixth however, Chukars left fielder Ysmelin Alcantara reached first base on a weird play that had both Alcantara and Voyagers first baseman Abe Ruiz diving for first base. Alcantara was ruled safe and third baseman Tyler Williams was given a throwing error. The Chukars would take advantage of the error to rally for three runs, including a clutch 2-out, 2-RBI single by Rainier Bello to put IF up 3-2.

That lead would last until the 9th, when Chukars reliever David Middendorf gave up a one out, RBI double to Ruiz to tie the game 3-3.

Following a scoreless bottom of the ninth, the Voyagers had their own head-scratching moment in the top of the 10th. With Middendorf still on the mound, Voyagers center fielder Daurys Mercedes led off the frame with an infield single to bring second baseman Justin Jirschele to the dish. Jirschele would bunt a ball past the mound in a sacrifice attempt, only to have Middendorf chase it down and throw to first. The would-be out didn't happen however, as Bello was surprisingly not standing on first. The infield hit led to the Voyagers loading the bases with one out and also led to another crazy moment. Middendorf would coax what looked to be an inning ending double play ball from Brent Tanner, only to have field umpire Jason Starkovich call Tanner safe at first and allow the go-ahead run to score for Great Falls.

The Chukars would not give up however, rallying for the game-tying run in the bottom of the 10th. The half-inning would not come without another confusing moment, though. Alcantara led off the inning with a blast to left-center field. The Chukars slugger thought the ball was a game tying-homer and began trotting around the bases with his right index finder in the air. In reality the ball hit off the wall, and by the time Alcantara realized it he settled for a leadoff double. One out and a walk to Adalberto Mondesi later, Elier Hernandez singled to center field to score Alacantara and tie the game. The inning would continue however, as catcher Travis Lane would walk one out later to load the bases wit two away. With the game's outcome at stake, Bello would line out to the pitcher to end the inning and send the game to the 11th.

The 11th would finally prove to be Idaho Falls undoing, as the Voyagers rallied for three runs to take a 7-4 lead. The inning should have produced 5 runs for the visiting team though, as DH Micah Johnson blasted a two-out, two-run homer over the left field wall. Starkovich would once again be in the middle of a controversy, as the Chukars appealed to first and Starkovich ruled that Johnson missed first base during his home run trot. The appealed out ended the inning with the Voyagers on top 7-4.

Despite the break the Chukars comeback magic would finally run out in the 11th, as a one out Diego Goris single went unsupported.

When all was said and done the Chukars would lose their third straight game to fall to a season low four games under .500 at 12-16. The Voyagers meanwhile have won five in a row to improve their Pioneer League best record to 18-10.

Sneed finished the game with a no-decision after tossing six innings and allowing two runs, one earned, on just two hits and nine strikeouts. Lopez (1-1) would take the loss for the Greybirds after giving up three unearned runs in his one inning of work. Voyagers reliever Cory McGinnis (1-1) got the win for throwing three innings and allowing one run on two hits. Brett Merkley picked up his fourth save for his scoreless 11th.

The Chukars and Voyagers will conclude their four-game series Tuesday night, with game time scheduled for 7:15 pm.

Check out the Idaho Falls Chukars Statistics

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Pioneer League Stories from July 17, 2012


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