Early Homers Not Enough for Great Falls
August 16, 2014 - Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - The Great Falls Voyagers struck out a season-high 14 times Saturday night, and fell 5-3 to the Grand Junction Rockies at Suplizio Field.
Great Falls (8-12, 31-27) wasted little time in taking the lead, plating the contest's first runs in the very first inning. With two down, Zach Fisher took Grand Junction starter Carlos Polanco (6-4) deep for a two-run shot, giving the Voyagers the early lead.
Voyager starter Matt Ball (2-6) retired the first eight Rockies (12-7, 35-22) he faced, but ran into trouble with two outs in the third, starting when Omar Carrizales legged out an infield single. Forrest Wall followed with an RBI triple to get Grand Junction on the board. One batter later, Dom Nunez singled up the middle to bring in two more, giving the Rockies a 3-2 edge.
The cushion did not last long as Patrick Palmeiro started the fourth frame with a solo homer, his seventh of the campaign, tying the game at three apiece.
Grand Junction then took the lead right back in the bottom of the fourth. Roberto Ramos drove in his third run of the series with a double, then came home on a groundout by Wesley Jones to end the contest's scoring.
The Voyagers had a great opportunity to get closer in the fifth, as they put Hunter Jones and Tyler Shyrock in scoring position with nobody out. However, Polanco struck out the next three Great Falls hitters to work his way out of trouble. In all, the righty whiffed a career-high ten Voyagers in six innings.
The Great Falls bullpen kept the visitors within shouting distance, as Grant Monroe and Jon Bengard each tossed a pair of scoreless innings. Bengard struck out five Rockies in his two frames, setting a new career-high.
The Rockies strong pitching ended up being too much on the night for the visitors, as they struck out 14 Voyagers, and held Great Falls to just one hit in nine at-bats with runners in scoring position.
The Voyagers continue their four-game series with the Rockies Sunday afternoon at Suplizio Field. Great Falls will send right-hander Dane Stone (5-1, 3.30) to the mound, while Grand Junction will counter with fellow righty James Lomangino (2-0, 3.75). First pitch is set for 4:05 and coverage will begin at 3:50 on 1400 AM KXGF and gfvoyagers.com.
Pioneer League Stories from August 16, 2014
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