Ninth Inning Blasts Lift Voyagers Past Rockies
Published on August 16, 2014 under Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release
GRAND JUNCTION, CO - Trailing 8-6 entering the ninth, the Great Falls Voyagers pushed across four to claim an 8-6 come-from-behind victory over the Grand Junction Rockies Friday night at Suplizio Field.
Louie Lechich started the theatrics for Great Falls (8-11, 31-26), as he led off the ninth with a solo homer against Rockies closer Alec Crawford (0-4). With two outs and one on, Tyler Shryock kept things alive as he ripped a single through the right side of the infield. Mason Robbins then completed the Voyager comeback, launching a three-run shot to right to regain the lead for the visitors.
In the bottom of the ninth, Alex Powers retired the Rockies (11-7, 34-22) in order to seal the win, and give the Voyagers their first win in four tries against Grand Junction in 2014.
Great Falls was not able to score six days ago when facing Rockies lefty Harrison Musgrave, but made sure to put that possibility to bed early on Friday, getting a run in the very first inning. Playing his first game since July 20, Hunter Jones led the game off with a double, went to third on an error, then scored on a wild pitch to make it 1-0.
The Voyagers added single runs in the second and third frames as well, with Patrick Palmeiro coming home on a passed ball in the second, and Dillon Haupt plating Shryock with a bounce out in the third.
Haupt then pushed the Great Falls lead to four in the sixth as he led the inning off with a solo homer, his ninth of the season and second of the road trip.
Grand Junction started their comeback in the home half of the inning. Dom Nunez led off with a home run against Luis Martinez, the lone run surrendered by the righty who went five and a third for Great Falls.
The Rockies then took the lead with five in the seventh against the Voyager bullpen. Kevin Padlo hit a two-run shot, Roberto Ramos collected a two-run double, and Terry McClure capped the inning with a run-producing single.
For Great Falls, the win is their first last at-bat win since they had three straight last at-bat victories from June 23-25 against Billings and Helena, and pushes them to 3-1 on their current road trip.
The Voyagers continue their four-game series with the Rockies Saturday night at Suplizio Field. Great Falls will send right-hander Matt Ball (2-5, 6.75) to the hill, while Grand Junction will counter with fellow righty Carlos Polanco (5-4, 5.24). First pitch is set for 7:05 and coverage will begin at 6:50 on 1400 AM KXGF and gfvoyagers.com.
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