Downes Leadoff Blasts Highlight Doubleheader Split
Published on August 17, 2014 under Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release
MISSOULA, MT -- Idaho Falls went the first 55 games of the season without a leadoff home run. Brandon Downes ended that streak in game one of the doubleheader. The University of Virginia product was sent to leadoff game two of the twin billing, and blasted another home run to left. Corey Toups followed the the Downes game two home run with one of his own, en route to a 6-2 game two win.
Idaho Falls (30-27, 10-9) scored two runs off of Dallas Newton (2-4) in each of the first three innings. DonAndre Clark was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the second inning to drive in a run. Downes served a sacrifice fly to add the fourth run of the game. In the third frame, Luis Valenzuela tripled in one run, and scored on a Cesar Gonzalez single.
Matt Strahm cruised through the first three inning for Idaho Falls, keeping the Osprey (27-31, 10-10) scoreless while allowing no hits. Cruz Guevara allowed two runs in the middle innings. Sam Lewis (3-1) locked the door, pitching the final 2.1 innings, striking out six of the seven he retired.
Missoula won game one of the doubleheader 3-2. After the Downes home run, the Osprey tied the game on a wild pitch in the first. Taylor Ard launched his second homer of the season to give Missoula a 3-1 lead in the fourth. Brawlun Gomez added his third long ball of 2014 in the fifth, but Derek Cape and Brody Greer kept the Chukars scoreless from there.
On the mound, Jake Newberry (4-4) went the distance for Idaho Falls, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out seven.
The Chukars continue their seven game road trip by playing game three of the four game series against the Missoula Osprey tomorrow. Royals 2012 first round draft choice Kyle Zimmer is expected to make his Chukars debut.
Pioneer League Stories from August 17, 2014
- Causey's Double Seals Rockies Win - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Deshazier Dominance Paces Chukars Past Osprey - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Idaho Falls Drops Missoula, 4-1 - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Rockies Outslug Voyagers in Sunday Matinee - Great Falls Voyagers
- Raptors Squeak out 3-2 Win - Helena Brewers
- Ogden's Three-Run Third Is Enough in Win - Ogden Raptors
- Chukars Game Notes: Zimmer Makes Debut - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Voyagers Game Notes: August 17 at Grand Junction - Great Falls Voyagers
- Owlz Give up Game Two, 7-1 - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Rockies hold on to beat Voyagers - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Raptors' Rally Falls Short - Ogden Raptors
- Downes Leadoff Blasts Highlight Doubleheader Split - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Missoula, Idaho Falls Split Doubleheader - Missoula PaddleHeads
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