Chukars Walk-Off with 6-4 Victory; Idaho Falls 6, Missoula 4
July 17, 2015 - Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release
IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO - One night after collecting a walk-off homer over Idaho Falls in the bottom of the ninth, the Missoula Osprey (15-11) suffered the same fate at the hands of the Chukars (9-19) as Roman Collins belted his first homer of the year over the wall in right field to hand Idaho Falls a 6-4 victory on Thursday night from Melaleuca Field.
The Osprey trailed 4-2 headed to the top of the ninth, but Raymel Flores connected for a two-run homer to tie the game and send it to the bottom of the ninth where Collins put it away for good. The homer, a no-doubt shot to left centerfield, was Flores' first of the season and came as part of a 2-for-5 night.
Amalani Fukofuka, who finished 2-for-4 with two triples and two runs scored, tripled in the first before coming in on an RBI-single from Josh Banuelos in the first inning to get the Chukars on the board. The right-handed hitter was the only player to really get to Osprey starter Yefrey Ramirez, as Ramirez went 6.0 innings, allowing just two runs (both scored by Fukofuka) on four hits (two triples from Fukofuka) while striking out a season-high seven batters.
The 1-0 lead held until the fourth when the O's scored two runs without the benefit of a hit. Hard-throwing right-hander Josh Staumont retired the first two he faced, but walked the next five as the Osprey were gifted two runs and a 2-1 lead.
That one-run advantage looked like it might hold up with Ramirez on the mound, as the righty retired 11 straight before Fukofuka tripled to begin the bottom of the seventh. Cody Clark was summoned from the Osprey bullpen, and he induced a ground ball to shortstop, but Isan Diaz' throw to the plate was not in time to cut down the tying run as Idaho Falls drew even at 2-2.
Jeckson Flores broke the deadlock in the bottom of the eighth with a two-out, two-RBI double, driving in a pair of unearned runs and forcing R. Flores' heroics in the ninth to extend the game. Clark committed the error that led to the unearned runs on the first play of the inning, failing to catch a throw from Luke Lowery at first base as he broke to cover the bag on a ground ball to the right side.
Missoula will conclude a three-game road series with Idaho Falls tomorrow night. First pitch between RHP Dallas Newton (0-1, 6.62 ERA) and RHP Derek Gordon (0-2, 4.50 ERA) is scheduled for 7:15 pm MT.
Pioneer League Stories from July 17, 2015
- Rockies Bats Silenced in Nikorak's Debut - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Voyagers Fall on Green Walk-Off - Great Falls Voyagers
- Voyagers Game Notes: July 17 at Ogden - Great Falls Voyagers
- RHP Andres Sanchez activated - Great Falls Voyagers
- Owlz Fall for the Third Time in Three Games - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Chukars Walk-Off with 6-4 Victory; Idaho Falls 6, Missoula 4 - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Collins' Walk-Off Blast Lifts Chukars - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Raptors Even Series with 5-2 Win - Ogden Raptors
- Rubber Match Coming After Another Split - Helena Brewers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
