Diaz Hits for Cycle in Rout
August 23, 2015 - Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release
BILLINGS, MONT. - Isan Diaz hit for the fifth cycle in Missoula Osprey history on Sunday afternoon, going 4-for-6 with two runs scored and four RBI, as the Missoula Osprey (37-23) posted a 13-2 rout of the Billings Mustangs (27- 33) from Dehler Park in Billings, Mont.
The cycle was the first since Trevor Mitsui hit for the cycle against Grand Junction on July 17, 2014. The Osprey have now posted a cycle in each of the last four years. Diaz' cycle was the third of the year in the Pioneer League, as Ogden's Scott De Jong (July 11 vs. Great Falls) and Orem's Jared Foster (July 31 vs. Grand Junction) also have managed the feat.
Diaz began his day with a double down the right field line in the first inning, eventually coming in to score the first of two runs in the frame. After striking out and popping up to second in his next two at bats, the native of Springfield, Mass. belted his ninth home run of the year in the sixth inning. An RBI-triple followed in the seventh before he came to the plate in the ninth and shot an RBI-single past the bag at third to complete the cycle.
Although Diaz' big day was certainly the highlight of the game, Osprey starter Bryant Holtmann was stellar in his fifth start of the season. The left-hander dealt 6.0 innings and allowed just one run on a homer to Tyler Stephenson in the sixth, surrendering eight total hits while striking out four to record his first career quality start and improve to 1-1 on the year.
The Osprey got to Billings starter Tanner Rainey right out of the gates, tagging the righty for five runs on five hits and four walks over the first 2.2 innings of work. The decision dropped Rainey to 2-2 on the year.
In addition to Diaz, Matt McPhearson and Francis Christy also had outstanding days at the plate. McPhearson finished 4-for-5 with two runs scored and a pair of stolen bases, while Christy went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBI.
Austin Byler highlighted the two-run first inning with an RBI-double before Kal Simmons contributed a two-RBI single in the three-run third that ultimately left Missoula with a 5-0 lead headed into the home half of the frame. That lead stood into the sixth when the O's plated two more runs on Diaz' two-run homer with Tyler Humphreys aboard at first.
After the first career home run from Stephenson in the bottom of the sixth to cut the lead to 7-1, Missoula tacked on three more runs in the seventh to push the lead to 10-1. Christy delivered a two-RBI double in the frame before coming around to score on Diaz' triple off the right-centerfield wall - leaving him just a single short of the cycle.
Pioneer League Stories from August 23, 2015
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- Diaz Hits for Cycle in Rout - Missoula PaddleHeads
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- Matt Jones Leads Ogden to Crosstown Victory - Ogden Raptors
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- Brewers Take 2nd Straight vs. GF - Helena Brewers
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