Chukars Win Second Half South Division Title
September 6, 2015 - Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release
IDAHO FALLS, ID ---- In game four of a six-game series against the Orem Owlz, the Idaho Falls Chukars secured a Pioneer League South division title in the second half of the season with a 13-7 win at Melaleuca Field on Sunday afternoon.
In sweeping the Pioneer League South first half winning in a short two-game series, the Chukars turned an early 5-0 deficit into a playoff-securing rout.
From the third to the eighth inning, the Chukars outscored the Owlz by a 13-2 margin, scoring a run in every single inning in between.
Headlining the offensive barrage were homers from shortstop Jose Martinez (three-run) and outfielderAmalani Fukfofuka (two-run). Fukofuka also chimed in with a RBI single in the seventh inning and reached base four times in the game.
Idaho Falls also got a three-hit game by third basemen Logan Nottebrook, two hits and two more RBI from first basemen Josh Banuelos, a hit and two runs batted in by outfielder Cody Jones and a RBI double from second basemen DJ Burt.
For Burt, his two hits increased his consecutive games on-base streak to 53 games. It is the longest streak of such kind in baseball this year, leaving the previous record of 47 games by Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday in the rearview mirror.
On the pitching side, reliever Alberto Rodriguez earned the win in relief, improving to 6-2 on the year by tossing 2.2 innings, giving up two runs. Rodriguez is now tied with lefty Tripp Davis for the team lead in wins.
To secure the win and the divisional crown for the Chukars, lefty Drew Milligan tossed two scoreless frames to end the game. The rookie has not given up an earned run since July 28, spanning nine appearances.
The victory secured the Chukars their second playoff bid and divisional title in the last three years. In 2013, the Chukars won the second half of the Pioneer League South season slate after finishing the first half under .500. They went on to win the league championship.
Channeling their best worst to first impression, the Chukars went from finishing their first half of the regular season 12 games under .500 (13-25) to securing the PL South title in the second half with a record at a season-high 14 games over .500 (25-11).
Pioneer League playoffs will begin on Wednesday, with the Chukars slated to play game one of a possible three-game divisional series against the Owlz at Melaleuca Field starting at 7:15 PM.
To finish the regular season, Chukars will continue six-game series against the Orem Owlz and start off their last roadtrip in Orem on Monday. Idaho Falls will send a pitcher to be determined to the bump while the Owlz are unsure who they'll send to the mound as well. First pitch is at 6:30 PM.
Make sure to tune to John Balginy and Alex Cohen all season long on MiLBTV, the Chukars Tune-In Radio App and live on ESPN 980 AM, 105.1 FM and 94.5 FM.
Pioneer League Stories from September 6, 2015
- Chukars Win Second Half South Division Title - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Owlz See Five Run Vanish in Loss to Chukars - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Mustangs Shut out Brewers, 5-0 - Helena Brewers
- Raptors Rally Falls Short at Grand Junction 5-2 - Ogden Raptors
- Idaho Falls victorious - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Talley, Rabago Lead Win over Raptors - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Idaho Falls Defeats Owlz in Game 1 of 2 - Northern Colorado Owlz
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