PL Idaho Falls Chukars

Chukars Fall Apart in 13-4 Loss

Published on June 22, 2012 under Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release


Chukars Fall Apart in 13-4 Loss Bad defense and bullpen lead to 12 unanswered runs from Rockies

The Chukars were well on their way towards their fourth win of the season Friday night, but starting in the fifth inning everything fell apart for Idaho Falls as the Grand Junction Rockies scored 12 unanswered runs en route to a 13-4 Chukars loss at Melaleuca Field.

The Chukars held a 4-2 lead through the first five frames, as starting pitcher Spencer Patton went 5 innings allowing two runs, one earned, on six hits and five strikeouts. The Idaho Falls offense was also productive early as well, scoring four runs on seven hits through the first four innings.

Fernando Cruz entered the game for Patton in the sixth, and things went downhill from there. Cruz gave up a game-tying two-run homer to Rockies first baseman Miguel De Leon in the sixth and walked his only batter of the seventh before being pulled for Kevin Allen. Allen unfortunately, didn't have much better success as he allowed four runs, three earned over his inning pitched. Chase Hentges finished out the game for Idaho Falls, throwing the final two frames and allowing four runs, only one earned, on four hits.

As much as the Idaho Falls pitching struggled the defense may have been worse, as the Chukars committed a season high seven errors resulting in five unearned runs for the Rockies. Ysmelin Alcantara, Parker Morin, Rainier Bello, and Ethan Chapman all committed one error a piece, while Adalberto Mondesi had two miscues.

The Chukars offense was not left out of the slump either however, as the IF bats fell asleep after the fourth, stranding a season high 13 men on base one day after leaving 11 men.

Chapman did finish the night with a good line going 2-5 with a double and an RBI, while Elier Hernandez went 2-4 with an RBI of his own.

Reliever Mike Mason (1-0) got the win for the Rockies while Cruz (0-1) was saddled with the loss for the Chukars. With the loss, Idaho Falls drops to 3-2 on the season while Grand Junction improves to 2-3.

The Chukars will now hit the road for the first time this season. The 7-game road trip will start Saturday night in Grand Junction, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05.

Check out the Idaho Falls Chukars Statistics

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Pioneer League Stories from June 22, 2012


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