PL Idaho Falls Chukars

Chukars Salvage Series with Victory over Rockies

Published on June 21, 2015 under Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release


IDAHO FALLS, ID - After losing the first three games of the season, the Idaho Falls Chukars salvaged their first homestand of the season and avoided a four-game sweep by beating the Grand Junction Rockies by a score of 15-5 on Sunday evening at Melaleuca Field.

En route to scoring double-digit runs for the third time in their first four games, the Chukars scored in the first three inning of the game against Rockies starter Parker French (L, 0-1).

After a sac fly from outfielder Roman Collins in the first inning and a solo homer from Brawlun Gomez, Idaho Falls broke the game open in the third inning with eight runs.

In the frame, the Chukars sent ten guys to the plate and at one point at eight consecutive base hits. Headling the barrage was a two-run homer from second basemen Luis Valenzuela, a two-run double from Gomez, a two-run single from first basemen Joshua Banuelos and RBI singles from catcher Nicholas Dini and designated hitter Alexis Rivera to make the score 10-2 at the end of the inning.

The surge was plenty of run support for the Chukars pitching, which for the first time this series, limited the Grand Junction offense to under 10 runs. Starter Derek Gordon put together a decent start, giving up four runs in 3.2 innings while striking out four batters in his first affiliated ball appearance.

To relieve Gordon, lefty Tripp Davis (W,1-0) got the win, pitching 3.1 innings of scoreless baseball. Davis, who has reached as high as Double-A with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, struck out three batters with out giving up a hit.

In his professional debut, recent Royals draftee Drew Milligan finished the game by giving up just a run on two hits in two innings.

Aside from the eight-run third inning, the Idaho Falls offense tacked on five additional runs. In the sixth inning, the Chukars got a two-run double from Banuelos and a RBI double from outfielder Amalani Fukofuka. Two innings later, Idaho Falls got their final runs on a RBI double from Rivera and a wild pitch from Rockies reliever Julian Yan.

As a whole, the Chukars posted a season-high in runs and six players had more than one hit. Leading the way was Banuelos, who ended up the game with four hits, two doubles and four runs batted in. For the series, the California native went 10-for-20 at the plate with 10 runs batted in during the four-game set.

Others who posted a multi-hit game included Rivera, Valenzeula, Fukofuka, Gomez and shortstop Marten Gasparini.

The Idaho Falls Chukars will hit the road on Monday towards to start the first leg of an eight-game road trip. To debut against Ogden, the Chukars will send Todd Eaton (0-0, 21.60 ERA) while the Raptors will counter with LHP Roberth Fernandez (1-0, 3.00 ERA).

Make sure to tune to Alex Cohen on the 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.

Check out the Idaho Falls Chukars Statistics

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Pioneer League Stories from June 21, 2015


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