Chukars Drop Finale 4-3
September 9, 2015 - Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release
OREM, UT ---- Wrapping up their 2015 regular season slate, the Idaho Falls Chukars lost to the Orem Owlz by a score of 4-3 on Tuesday night at Ballpark at the Owlz.
A day after a handful of Chukars starters earned a much-deserved day off, the Chukars and Owlz played the majority of their starters for a playoff preview between the two teams.
For the second game in a row, the Idaho Falls offense scored the first runs of the game. With four hits in the first inning, the Chukars scored a run on a wild pitch and a RBI single from designated hitterBrandon Dulin to make the score 2-0.
In the top of the second inning, second basemen DJ Burt increased his consecutive game on-base streak to a baseball-best 53 games with a one-out single. He then swiped second and third on consecutive pitchers and scored on an error to put the Chukars up by three.
Unfortunately for Idaho Falls, the lead would not stand. Against Chukars starter Brandon Thomas (L, 2-2), Orem tied up the game in the top of the second on a pair of RBI doubles by third basemen Kenny Towns and outfielder Alex Abbott as well as a RBI single from second basemen Franklin Torres.
Two innings later, a solo homer from catcher Angel Genao off of Thomas gave the Owlz the lead for good and ended the scoring for both teams for the game.
For Orem, righty Jake Mcdavid (1-0) earned the win in relief with three scoreless innings. Luis Pena earned his first save of the year by shutting out the Chukars in the two final innings of the game.
On the pitching side for the Chukars, lefty Cruz Guevara tossed three scoreless frames with southpaw sidearmer Tripp Davis threw an inning of scoreless relief.
From an offensive perspective, the Chukars were paced with two hits apiece from Burt and outfielderAmalani Fukofuka. First basemen Josh Banuelos also chipped in with a hit, extending his season-long hit streak to 19 games. The hit streak ranks second the Pioneer League this year.
With the loss, the Chukars finished of the regular season with a .500 record (38-38) for the second straight year.
Pioneer League playoffs will begin on Wednesday, with the Chukars slated to play game one of a possible three-game divisional series against the Owlz at Melaleuca Field starting at 7:15 PM. This is the second time the Chukars have made the playoffs in three years, winning the Pioneer League Championship in 2013.
Idaho Falls will send RHP Derek Gordon to the bump while the Owlz will send LHP Jeff Malm to the mound for the Pioneer League South Divisional Playoff opener. First pitch is at 7:15 PM.
Make sure to tune to John Balginy and Alex Cohen all season long on MiLBTV, the Chukars Tune-In Radio App and live on ESPN 980 AM, 105.1 FM and 94.5 FM.
Pioneer League Stories from September 9, 2015
- Brewers End Season with 3-1 Win - Helena Brewers
- Chukars Drop Finale 4-3 - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Raptors Walked-Off in 2015 Finale - Ogden Raptors
- Ferguson's Walk-Off Caps 2015 Season - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Trip to Billings on Tap for Osprey - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Voyagers Lose Season Finale in Billings - Great Falls Voyagers
- Owlz Close Regular Season with 4-3 Win - Northern Colorado Owlz
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