PL Grand Junction Jackalopes

GJ Rallies to Top Idaho Falls 8-6

Published on August 3, 2018 under Pioneer League (PL)
Grand Junction Jackalopes News Release


A four run ninth inning rally helped the Grand Junction Rockies to an 8-6 win over the Idaho Falls Chukars Thursday night at Melaleuca Field.

The last inning heroics started when Coco Montes walked with one out against Jarrett Hellinger. After Niko Decolati singled him to second, a wild pitch moved the tying run into the scoring position. Montes scored when Grant Lavigne reached on an error to bring the Rockies within one, and Javier Guevara gave Grand Junction its first lead of the night when he lined a double into the left center field gap. Reese Berberet's RBI single gave Rockies closer Alexander Martinez an insurance, which he didn't need, though the last of the ninth was far from easy.

Martinez walked Jose Caraballo to start the inning, but he recovered to strikeout Chase Vallot and Angel Medina. Martinez walked Andres Martin to put the tying run on base, but on a full count he struck out Kyle Kasser to lock down his 12th save of the season, putting him one shy of Scott Oberg's franchise record set in 2012.

Before the ninth inning, the Rockies were just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position. The Chukars finished the game 3-for-15 and left 12 men on base.

Reagan Biechler earned the win after tossing a 1-2-3 eighth inning.

Caraballo got the scoring started when he doubled home two runs in the first, but Berberet's home run in the fourth tied the game, though it didn't stay tied for long as Nate Eaton doubled home two with two out in the bottom of the inning.

Alejandro Mejia started for the Rockies and allowed four runs in four innings, and after Niko Decolati doubled home Coco Montes with two out in the fifth, the Chukars scored an unearned run off Michael Agis in their half of the inning to get the lead back to two. The Rockies had a chance to tie the game in the sixth as they loaded the bases with nobody out, but they managed just one run, and Guevara grounded into a double play with runners at the corners in the seventh. Kasser made it a 2-run game again when he doubled off the wall in right field, but they didn't score again.

The win improves the Rockies to 6-3 in the second half, 26-21 overall. They remain tied with Ogden for first place in the South division.

Guevara finished with three hits, while Montes, Decolati, Lavigne, Daniel Montano, and Berberet added a pair.

Check out the Grand Junction Jackalopes Statistics

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



Pioneer League Stories from August 3, 2018


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