Chukars Edged to Open Second Half
July 29, 2015 - Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release
IDAHO FALLS, ID- To begin the second half of the 2015 Pioneer League season slate, the Idaho Falls Chukars lost a heartbreaker to the Orem Owlz by a score of 5-4 on Tuesday night at Melaleuca Field.
The loss wasted another strong outing by Chukars starting pitcher Derek Gordon, who just may have put together his best start of the season. En route to his fourth straight start of giving up two runs or less, Gordon tossed a season-high seven innings, giving up two runs on nine hits. The seven innings marked the longest start for any Idaho Falls starter this year and the two runs given up dropped his ERA to 3.68, good for fifth in the Pioneer League.
Gordon earned a no-decision as the two teams played back-and-forth baseball through the first seven innings of the game.
Against the Chukars starter, RBI singles from second basemen Hutton Moyer in the third inning and catcher Taylor Ward in the sixth inning gave the Owlz two brief leads.
To get Gordon off the hook, a RBI triple from shortstop Marten Gasparini in the fourth inning against Orem starter Jose Rodriguez and a two-out RBI double by first basemen Logan Nottebrok in the seventh inning off of righty Zack Hartman tied up the game at 2-2 through seven frames.
Unfortunately, the Owlz took charge of the game in the eighth inning and put together one final offensive surge that was strong enough to win the game. Against lefty Drew Milligan (L, 1-1), the Owlz worked two walks into a two-run double from outfielder Jared Foster and a sacrifice fly by first basemen Jeff Boehm to make the score 5-2.
However, the Chukars offense did not go down without a fight. After an eighth inning that featured a RBI single by outfielder Roman Collins and a run-scoring wild pitch to make it a one-run game, Idaho Falls flair for the dramatic didn't fail in the ninth inning.
With the Chukars down to their final out, outfielder Cody Jones ripped a ball past centerfielder Michael Hermosillo that slowly rolled to the wall. In trying to extend a triple into a inside-the-park homer to tie things up at 5-5, Jones was thrown out at the plate on a strong throw by Owlz shortstop Juan Moreno to end the game.
Offensively speaking, the Chukars churned out 13 hits one night after being one-hit for the first time since 2005. Jones paced the bats with four hits, while Fukofuka, Collins and Gasparini each had two hits apiece.
The nailbiting loss brings the Chukars record to 2-7 in one-run games this year
Idaho Falls will try to rebound against Orem with the final game of a three-game set at Melaleuca Field on Wednesday night. The Chukars will send LHP Dylan Sons to the hill while the Owlz will counter with a pitcher that is to be determined. 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.
For tickets or any other information, call (208) 522-8363, follow the Chukars on facebook and twitter at @Ifchukars or visit www.ifchukars.com.
Pioneer League Stories from July 29, 2015
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- Park Added to PBL All-Star Team - PL
- Owlz Capture Victory in Thrilling Fashion - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Rockies Rally to Beat Raptors - Ogden Raptors
- Brewers Start Second Half with Win - Helena Brewers
- Chukars Edged to Open Second Half - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Missoula Falls in Second-Half Opener - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Rockies Rally to Win Second Half Opener - Grand Junction Jackalopes
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