Chukars Edge Mustangs in 10
August 21, 2015 - Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release
DAHO FALLS, ID --- To wrap up a four-game series and week-long homestand at Melaleuca Field, the Idaho Falls Chukars shocked the Billings Mustangs in ten innings by a score of 5-4 on Thursday night .
For the better part of the game, both offenses were silenced by the oppositions starting pitching.
In five innings against Mustangs lefty Jacob Constante, the Chukars offense could only muster singles by outfielders Amalani Fukofuka and Roman Collins without scoring a run. Idaho Falls did not have a runner go past second base through the first six innings.
Against starter Carter Hope, the Mustangs bats were equally as stifled through the first six innings, The Royals third round pick in 2013 blanked the Billings offense over that time, giving up just three hits.
Unfortunately for Hope, his dominance would end in the top of the seventh. After retiring the first two batters of the inning, the 20-year-old righty gave up three hits, one being a two-run homer by outfielder Dalton Carter. After an error by the Chukars defense chased Hope from the game after a season-high 6.2 innings and seven strikeouts, a RBI single by infielder Brantley Bell put Billings up 3-0.
Still stuck on two hits in seven shutout innings, the Chukars began their comeback in the eighth inning against Mustangs reliever Jake Johnson. Following a single by outfielder Cody Jones and an error that allowed infielder Jeckson Flores to reach base, a RBI single from Fukofuka plated Jones to put the Chukars on the board. One batter later, a RBI single from first basemen Josh Banuelos scored Flores while an error on the play plated Fukfofuka to tie up the game at three.
After a crucial error from the Chukars defense that gave the Mustangs back the lead in the ninth, the game would be sent to extras on a RBI single by Jones to score pinch-runner DJ Burt.
Following a scoreless frame hurled by righty Alberto Rodriguez in the top of the tenth, Idaho Falls put together their final surge to win their sixth straight game that featured extra innings.
Starting with a bunt single from Fukofuka and a wild pitch from righty Carlos Marchorro (L, 1-1) to advance him to second, a Banuelos groundout put the potential game-tying run just 90 feet away with one out. After two straight intentional walks loaded the bases, outfielder Brawlun Gomez played hero with a RBI single to deep right field to win the game for the Chukars.
For Idaho Falls, the come-from-behind win was their 18th of the season. The Chukars have now walked off five times at home this year and are 7-1 in extra-inning games.
En route to a victory, the Chukars finished off the homestand with a record of 6-1 and have won nine of their last ten games at Melaleuca Field overall. The win also clinched a season-series victory over the Billings Mustangs, as they finished with a 4-3 record against them in 2015.
With the win, the Chukars finish their season slate against the Pioneer League North with a 16-12 record. They now sit atop the Pioneer League South standings with 15 wins over their first 20 games in the second half.
After a day off on Friday, The Chukars will hit the road and head to Colorado for a four-game series against the Grand Junction Rockies. Idaho Falls will send RHP Derek Gordon to the bump while the Mustangs will counter with a pitcher that is to be determined. First pitch is at 7:05 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.
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