Chukars Score Big, Drop Ghosts
July 1, 2009 - Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release
The Idaho Falls Chukars didn't have trouble scoring runs Tuesday night in Casper, but there was trouble preventing Ghosts' runs. The Chukars trailed 8-6 after five innings, but kept on hitting on the way to a 12-9 victory.
J.D. Alfaro hit a two-out solo home run in the first inning to give the Chukars an early lead. A bases clearing double in the second inning by Angel Franco pushed the lead, even though the Ghosts scored a run of their own in the first. The Chukars scored two more runs in the top of the third after the Ghosts scored two runs in the bottom of the second. Casper took its first lead at 8-6 with four runs in the fifth inning, after a solo home run by Jeff Squire in the fourth. Two errors by Ghosts' pitcher Chad Rose led to two runs by the Chukars in the sixth inning, and the game was tied 8-8. Idaho Falls broke the tie in the ninth, as Ben Theriot roped a pinch-hit triple to right field and cleared the bases. Theriot would later score in that top of the inning, while the Ghosts could only muster one run in the bottom half.
The Chukars offense had thirteen hits - two less than the Ghosts - but I.F. was aided by the Ghosts miscues: two errors, four wild pitches and four hit batsman. Individually, Salvador Perez led the way for Idaho Falls with three hits in five at-bats and two runs batted in. With a bases clearing extra-base each, Franco and Theriot both had three RBI on the night.
The first two pitchers for the Chukars, Santiago Garrido and Ryan Morgan, struggled against the Ghosts. Cole White came in the sixth and proceeded to shutdown the Ghosts. In two and two thirds innings, White allowed no hits or runs, while collecting five strikeouts and his first career win. Mitch Hodge came in next and allowed a home run to one of the three batters he faced before he was pulled for Richard Fowler. Fowler entered a three-run game with a man on and retired both batters he faced for the save.
The Chukars are now 6-1 after seven games this season, including 4-0 against Casper. Tomorrow the Chukars and Ghosts play two seven-inning games to make up for the rainout in Idaho Falls last Friday. The doubleheader begins at 6:05. The Chukars return home Saturday for a 6:30 start on the fourth of July.
Pioneer League Stories from July 1, 2009
- Belfiore to make debut on Thursday - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Chukars Score Big, Drop Ghosts - Idaho Falls Chukars
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