Chukars Win in Comeback Fashion
August 18, 2018 - Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release
The Idaho Falls Chukars overcame a 4-0 early deficit as they scored 2 runs in the sixth inning and 4 runs in the 7th inning to come back and win 6-5 over the Great Falls Voyagers at Melaleuca Field on Saturday night.
The Chukars fell behind 4-0 early as the Voyagers scored 2 runs in the 2nd inning and 2 more in the 3rd off Chukars starter Jonathan Heasley. Heasley retired the last 7 batters he faced as he finished the game allowing 4 runs and 6 hits in 5 innings. He walked 2 and struck out 3.
Idaho Falls was shut out in the first 5 innings of play but scored 2 runs in the 6th inning as Angel Medina and Hunter Strong both scored on bases loaded walks to get the Chukars back in the game.
The big inning was the bottom of the 7th as Jose Caraballo scored 2 on a single to right field. Chase Vallot drove home Reed Rohlman on a double down the left field line to make it a 5-4 Chukars lead. Caraballo scored as well on a Jesus Atencio RBI single as the Chukars led 6-4 after 10 batters hit for the Chukars in the 7th.
Great Falls made it interesting in the 9th inning as Alex Destino scored on a Maiker Feliz groundout to make it a 6-5 Chukars lead. With Micah Coffey representing the tying run with 2 outs in the 9th, Idaho Falls relief pitcher Domingo Pena got Romy Gonzalez to ground out to 3rd baseman Angel Medina to end the game. Pena allowed 4 hits and 1 run in 4 solid innings of work. Pena picked up the victory to go to 3-4 on the year.
The rubber match is Sunday at 4:00 pm at Melaleuca Field. LHP Rito Lugo goes for the Chukars. He pitched 6 shutout innings in his Pioneer League debut on August 13th at Billings. He will be opposed by Voyagers RHP Jonathan Stiever.
Chukars Notes: Omar Ramirez was ejected in the 8th inning after an argument with umpire Ethan McCranie. It was the first time all season that a Chukars player or coach has been thrown out of a game. The top of the order produced in a big way. Offerman Collado went 2 for 5 in the leadoff spot tonight. He was followed by Nate Eaton's 3 for 4 performance. Reed Rohlman went 3 for 5 and Jose Caraballo went 1 for 5 with 2 RBI's out of the cleanup spot. Chase Vallot hit his 13th double of the season but it was his first 2 base hit at Melaleuca Field. The Chukars didn't commit an error in the game. They are now 12-2 when playing an error free game. Chukars have now won 4 of their last 6 games. They pick up a game in the standings on the Southern division leading Grand Junction Rockies, who lost 8-1 on Saturday to the Helena Brewers.
Pioneer League Stories from August 18, 2018
- Late Runs Sink Voyagers in Idaho Falls - Great Falls Voyagers
- Three-Run Eighth Drops Raptors - Ogden Raptors
- Osprey Top Orem 7-4 Behind Zack Shannon's Four RBI - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Chukars Win in Comeback Fashion - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Brewers Throttle Rockies to Even Series - Helena Brewers
- Rockies Outlast Brewers in Extra Inning Extravaganza - Helena Brewers
- Brewers Top Rox 8-1 - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Mustangs Rally Late to Win 6-4 over Raptors - Billings Mustangs
- Rox Dig Deep for 8-7 Win - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Osprey Drop First Game of the Series vs. Orem Friday - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Rosario, Sala Lead Owlz to 7-3 Win over Osprey - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Voyagers Clip Chukars in Extras - Great Falls Voyagers
- Chukars Lose in 10 Innings, 3-2 - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Bats Quiet as Raptors Drop Opener - Ogden Raptors
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