PL Idaho Falls Chukars

Defense Fails Chukars In High-Scoring Loss

Published on August 20, 2010 under Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release


The Idaho Falls Chukars lost 10-6 to the Missoula Osprey Thursday night to finish the four-game series 1-3 against the Osprey. The Chukars committed two errors in the game, but those, along with other miscues, were costly.

The Osprey took an early lead on a solo home run in the first inning by Adam Eaton. After being held scoreless in the first three innings, the Chukars hit four consecutive singles and the Osprey committed an error in a three-run fifth inning. The Osprey would then score nine runs in their next two trips to the plate.

Chukars' starting pitcher Leondy Perez left in the bottom of the fifth inning with a run already in and two runners on the bases. Allen Caldwell came in and got the first batter he faced to hit a pop fly to shallow left field. The ball hit the ground as the left fielder and shortstop looked at each other on what was ruled a double. Both runs were charged to Perez, who gave up a total of four runs in four and two thirds innings. Things got worse for the Chukars in the sixth inning.

With Caldwell still on the hill and a runner at first with one out, Roidany Aguila hit a high, deep drive to right field that Geulin Beltre did not run back fast enough on and the ball went over his glove and landed on the warning track. Aguila made to second base, while the runner from first scored when an errant throw from the cut-off man bounced past catcher Dale Cornstubble, who would have had an easy play to get the out if the throw had been accurate. The next batter reached on a dropped fly ball by the left fielder and the floodgates opened. The Osprey sent ten men to the plate and scored six unearned runs off of Caldwell to take a 10-3 lead.

The Chukars battled back, with two runs in the seventh and another in both the eighth and ninth innings. There were mistakes on the Osprey side that allowed some of those runs to come in. As far as official errors go, the Osprey actually had one more than the Chukars in the game.

On the positive side for the Chukars, Alex Rivers pitched two and a third scoreless innings to finish the game. The bottom of the Chukars order: Correy Figueroa, Dale Cornstubble and Reggie Taylor had five of the Chukars' nine hits and scored six of the Chukars' seven runs. Cornstubble finished 2-for-4 with three runs scored and Taylor was 2-for-2 with a triple, two walks, two runs and two RBIs. Juan Polonia went 2-for-5 with three RBIs. Murray Watts hit a home run for the third straight day to take the Pioneer League lead in homers and finished the night 1-for-3 with two walks.

The Chukars are now 4-15 in the second half and 20-37 overall. The team starts a three-game series in Helena on Friday. The opening game between the Chukars and Brewers is scheduled for 7:05.

Check out the Idaho Falls Chukars Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pioneer League Stories from August 20, 2010


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.

OurSports Central