Mustangs Open Second Half with 9-5 Win over Missoula
July 27, 2019 - Pioneer League (PL)
Billings Mustangs News Release
MISSOULA, Mont. - The Billings Mustangs (1-0, 16-23) opened the second half of the season with a 9-5 win over the Missoula Osprey (0-1, 20-19) in front of 2,201 at Ogren Park Allegiance Field Friday night in Missoula.
The Mustangs took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a pair of doubles. Quin Cotton led off the game with a double down the left field line and scored on a two-out double to left from Eric Yang.
The Osprey tied it up in the bottom of the first aided by a fielding error. Axel Andueza singled to right and advanced to third on the error in right by Reniel Ozuna. Andueza then came in to score on a grounder to second base.
A four-run third inning gave Billings a lead they would never surrender, leading the rest of the way. It was the second straight game the Mustangs have posted four runs in the top of the third. Reniel Ozuna and Victor Ruiz opened the inning with back-to-back singles followed by a three-run home run from Yang. Matt Lloyd made it four consecutive hits with a single lined to the right side of the infield. He scored later in the inning with the help from two wild pitches to make it a 5-1 Mustangs lead after the third.
TJ Hopkins cranked his first professional home run later in the game, going deep for a two-run homer in the seventh inning. Hopkins finished 2-for-5 for his third multi-hit game in his last four appearances.
Matt Lloyd reached in each of his final four plate appearances of the night, going 2-for-3 with a double, three runs scored and two walks.
Eric Yang finished Friday's contest 2-for-5 with a double, home run and four RBI.
The Mustangs lead was never less than three after the second inning and stretched to five runs on multiple occasions.
The Mustangs and Osprey will play in game three of their four-game series Saturday, July 27, in Missoula. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. MDT at Ogren Park Allegiance Field.
Pioneer League Stories from July 27, 2019
- Mustang Bats Held Quiet in 5-1 Loss to Missoula - Billings Mustangs
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- Carranza Homers, Osprey Fall to Mustangs, 9-5 - Missoula PaddleHeads
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- Mustangs Open Second Half with 9-5 Win over Missoula - Billings Mustangs
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