Clutch Hitting the Catalyst in Chukars Win
August 23, 2018 - Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release
The Idaho Falls Chukars overcome an early 3-0 deficit as Nick Hutchins, Kyle Kasser and Jose Caraballo came up with huge 2 out RBI hits in the middle innings to defeat the Billings Mustangs 5-3 at Melaleuca Field.
Chukars relief pitcher Teddy Cillis made his Idaho Falls debut and got the save, pitching 3 scoreless, hitless inning to close out the ballgame. Teddy struck out 3 and walked 2 in relief of CJ Eldred, who pitched 6 solid innings, allowing 6 hits and 3 runs.
Billings got on the scoreboard early as Dylan Harris hit a sacrifice fly to score Zeek White in the top of the first to make it a 1-0 game. The Mustangs tacked on 2 more in the 2nd inning on a White 2 run double to center.
It remained 3-0 until the bottom of the 5th inning when Kyle Kasser put the Chukars on the board with an RBI single to score Offerman Collado. 3 batters later, with 2 outs is when the clutch hitting started. Nick Hutchins hit a 2 run double down the left field line to score Kasser and Caraballo to tie the game at 3-3.
In the 6th inning the Chukars scored 2 more runs with 2 outs to take a 5-3 lead. The first run came on a Kasser single to score Julio Gonzalez. The next run came on a Jose Caraballo RBI single to score Collado.
After that, you can say it was the Teddy Cillis show. He ended the game by striking out White in the top of the 9th.
The Chukars have won 3 of the first 6 games in the 7 game homestand. The final game of the homestand is Thursday night at Melaleuca Field. RHP Connor Mayes will pitch for the Chukars. He will be opposed by RHP Ricky Salinas. 7:15 pm first pitch as the Chukars are 2.5 games behind Grand Junction for first place in the Pioneer League Southern division.
Chukars notes: Chukars LHP Kris Bubic was named Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week for his efforts from August 13-19. Bubic struck out 10 and allowed only 2 hits and 1 walk in the Chukars 6-0 victory at Billings. It's the 3rd time a Chukars pitcher has won the honor and 2nd in back to back weeks. CJ Eldred won from July 2-8 and Jonathan Heasley won the honor from August 6-12. Kyle Kasser went 2 for 3 with 2 RBI and a run scored. Kasser has at least 1 hit in 23 of his 29 games and is hitting .345 on the year. Jose Caraballo went 2 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI. He is batting .409 (9 for 22) against Billings pitching. Jose extends his hitting streak to 8 games. Julio Gonzalez had 2 hits in the game. It's the first multi-hit game since July 25th vs Orem. Time of game: 3:01. Attendance was 3,083. It's the 3rd straight game and the 15th time the Chukars have had over 3,000 fans at a game this season. The Chukars are averaging over 2,800 fans per game.
Pioneer League Stories from August 23, 2018
- Owlz Sink Talons into Brewers Early - Helena Brewers
- Salinas Pitches Gem, But It's Not Enough in 2-1 Loss - Billings Mustangs
- Kris Bubic Named Pitcher of the Week - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Clutch Hitting the Catalyst in Chukars Win - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Voyagers Pitch Their Way to Series Lead - Great Falls Voyagers
- Osprey Fly over Rox 12-4 - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Bats Go Quiet in 5-3 Loss to Chukars - Billings Mustangs
- Osprey Pull to Within 2 Games of 1st with 12-4 Win - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Two-Out Runs Drop Raptors - Ogden Raptors
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