PL Missoula PaddleHeads

Osprey and Chukars Set for Game Three of the Series Monday

Published on July 23, 2018 under Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release


MISSOULA, MONT - With two games left in the first half of the Pioneer League season, the Missoula Osprey (18-18) host the Idaho Falls Chukars (20-16) at Ogren Park Allegiance Field Monday. First pitch is slated for 7:05 pm.

Right-hander Wilfry Cruz (4-0) takes the mound for Missoula in the third game of the series. The 20-year-old owns a 4.82 ERA in six starts, racking up 28 strikeouts in 28 innings. Opponents are hitting just .219 off Cruz. Cruz has thrown at least four innings in each start, including four games of five innings.

J.C. Cloney (6-0) receives the start for Idaho Falls as the lefty is having a career year, holding a 1.96 ERA in six starts. Cloney has compiled 34 strikeouts to just five walks in 36.2 innings.

The series is evened 1-1 after the Chukars held on for a 12-8 win Sunday. Idaho Falls wasted no time in cracking the scoreboard, plating five runs in the first frame off Osprey starter Edgar Martinez (3-3). Jose Caraballo, Hunter Strong, Angel Media, and Jesus Atencio each drove in runs to put the Chukars in front 5-0. However, Missoula's offense stormed back to pull the game within one in the bottom of the frame.

With a man on second, Zac Almond roped a single to left to put the Osprey on the scoreboard. He was followed by a Zack Shannon three-run homer to pull Missoula within one. Idaho Falls then tagged on a run in the second to extend the lead to two. The Chukars exploded for four more runs in the fourth, taking a 10-4 lead. The Chukars plated one run in the fifth before Missoula tagged on three runs in the sixth.

Jesus Marriaga, Geraldo Perdomo, and Eddie Hernandez each drove in a run for Missoula in the home half of the sixth to make it an 11-7 game. Both teams traded runs in the seventh, as Shannon drilled his second homer of the night for the Osprey. It is the first time Shannon has recorded two home runs in a game in his professional career.

Domingo Pena (2-4) tossed the final five innings out of the bullpen for the Chukars to earn the win. Martinez is tagged with the loss for the Osprey.

Missoula returns to action Monday for a 7:05 pm first pitch vs. Idaho Falls at Ogren Park Allegiance Field. The Selway Armory Pregame Show begins at 6:45 p.m. on ESPN 102.9 and the MiLB First Pitch App.

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Pioneer League Stories from July 23, 2018


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