PL Idaho Falls Chukars

Idaho Falls wins over Helena

August 7, 2015 - Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release


HELENA, MT- In game two of a weekend series at Kindrick Field, the Idaho Falls Chukars increases their season-high win streak to seven games with a 8-7 victory over the Helena Brewers in 10 innings on Friday night.

For the sixth time during the prodigious winning streak, the Chukars were able to score first.

In the second inning, first basemen Josh Banuelos and outfielder Roman Collins started things off with back-to-back singles. One batter later, shortstop Marten Gasparini drove Banuelos in with a sacrifice fly to make the score 1-0.

After giving up two runs in the bottom of the second and a run in the third to go down 3-1, Gasparini started things off in the fourth inning to get the Chukars back the lead. The reigning Pioneer League Player of the Week singled to leadoff the frame and then stole his league-leading 18th stolen base of the year. During that same at-bat, catcher Nick Dini singled to score the 18-year-old and cut the Chukars deficit to 3-2.

Fortunately for the Chukars, their big inning was not done. With Dini on first after the single, outfielderBrawlun Gomez crushed a two-run homer to give Idaho Falls back the lead. The homer was a team-leading 7th of the year for Gomez.

To complete the inning, Idaho Falls got a RBI single from second basemen Jeckson Flores and then another run on a wild pitch to make the score 6-3.

All in all, the Chuksrs sent 11 batters to the plate during frame.

Unfortunately for Idaho Falls, the lead would not hold up. With a single run in the fourth, seventh and ninth innings, Helena tied things up at 6-6 and sent the game into extra innings.

In the top of the tenth, the Chukars bats were able to load the bases against Brewers righty Alex Farina with nobody out. During the next at-bat, a throwing error by shortstop Jacob Gatewood allowed two runs to score and put the count at 8-6.

During the bottom of the frame, righty Brian Bayliss (W, 1-1) gave up one run but held on to complete the extra inning victory for the Chukars. The win for Bayliss was the first of his professional career.

Offensively, Idaho Falls got two hits apiece from Gasparini, Flores and outfielder Cody Jones. With another multi-hit games, Gasparini has now increased his batting average 51 points (.205 to .256) over the last eight games.

The victory for Idaho Falls increases their season-high win streak to seven games. The streak is the longest since the Chukars won nine straight games to beging the 2007 season.

Idaho Falls also improved to 4-1 in extra innings this season with the win. They now lead the Pioneer League South division by two games in the second half.

Continuing their four-game series with the Helena Brewers and week-long road trip in Montana, the Chukars will send RHP Carter Hope to the bump on Saturday night. Helena will counter with righty Jordan Yamamoto. First pitch is at 7:05 PM.

Make sure to tune to John Balginy and Alex Cohen all season long on MiLBTV, the Chukars Tune-In Radio App and live on ESPN 980 AM, 105.1 FM and 94.5 FM.

For tickets or any other information, call (208) 522-8363, follow the Chukars on facebook and twitter at @Ifchukars or visit www.ifchukars.com.




Pioneer League Stories from August 7, 2015


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