Mustangs Lose Grip on Late Lead in 3-2 Loss to Great Falls

July 5, 2019 - Pioneer League (PL)
Billings Mustangs News Release

GREAT FALLS, Mont. -- The Billings Mustangs (7-13) tied their season-low in hits in a 3-2 loss to the Great Falls Voyagers (7-11) on Friday in front of 1,017 at Centene Stadium.

Back-to-back singles in the third helped the Mustangs score the first run of the game. After Cash Case bunted himself aboard, he scored two batters later on a wild pitch to give Billings a 1-0 advantage.

Sam Abbott tied the game for the Voyagers in the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run. It was Abbott's second home run of the season. He has hit both off the Mustangs.

TJ Hopkins led off the sixth with a single for Billings. After stealing his team-high third base to take second, Hopkins advanced to third on a wild pitch. On a sharp grounder back to the pitcher, Hopkins got caught in a rundown between third and home. Rigo Fernandez sailed his throw to third base high, sending it into left field to allow Hopkins to score and give the Mustangs their second lead at 2-1.

The Voyagers took their first and only lead of the game in the bottom of the seventh. Trailing 2-1, Great Falls utilized a one-out single from Abbott and a walk issued to Jakob Goldfarb to put two on with two out. Cameron Simmons singled up the middle to tie the game and a wild pitch in the next at-bat put Great Falls up for the first time Friday night.

Hopkins singled again in the eighth to put the tying run aboard for Billings, but he would be retired on a double play to retire the Mustangs' final baserunner of the game.

The Mustangs now return home to host the Missoula Osprey for a three-game series in Billings. First pitch on Saturday, July 6, is set for 6:35 p.m. MDT at Dehler Park.

Pioneer League Stories from July 5, 2019

• Fireworks Start Early with Eighth-Inning Comeback - Ogden Raptors
• Late Inning Troubles Doom Owlz - Northern Colorado Owlz
• Mustangs Lose Grip on Late Lead in 3-2 Loss to Great Falls - Billings Mustangs
• Scires Powers Owlz over Rockies - Northern Colorado Owlz
• Rockies on Wrong Side of Fireworks; Fall 8-4 - Grand Junction Jackalopes
• McWilliams Blasts Raptors in Front for Win - Ogden Raptors
• Rockies on Wrong Side of Fireworks; Fall 8-4 - Grand Junction Jackalopes
• Voyagers' Holiday Victory Snaps Streak - Great Falls Voyagers

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