Osprey and Mustangs Play Two Sunday
July 1, 2018 - Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release
MISSOULA, MONT - The Missoula Osprey (8-6) and Billings Mustangs (4-10) are set for a double-header at Ogren Park Allegiance Field Sunday after the Osprey opened the series with a 7-4 win Saturday.
The first run put on the board came in the bottom of the second when Zack Shannon clubbed his second home run of the season to left field to give the Osprey a 1-0 lead.
David Sanchez led off the bottom of the fifth for the Osprey with a single while Nick Dalesandro and Jesus Marriaga followed with consecutive singles to load the bases. Brandon Leyton recorded a sacrifice fly to score Missoula's second run of the game.
Billings put its first run on the board in the sixth when Mariel Bautista doubled, but the Osprey quickly countered with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Zac Almond reached on an error while Shannon singled. Joe Robbins drew a walk to load the bases, and Sanchez singled home a run to push the lead to 4-1. The Osprey plated two more runs on passed balls to own a 6-1 lead through six.
A rain delay of 40 minutes held the game in the bottom of the seventh, but when play resumed Almond crushed his first professional home run to put the Osprey on top 7-1. Billings rallied in the eighth with three runs, but left the tying run at the plate in the ninth as Bryan Menendez pitched a scoreless inning to earn his second save this season in the 7-4 Osprey win.
Martinez allowed one run on two hits, walking none and recording a strikeout of the last batter he faced to end the sixth. Ricardo Smith (0-3) is pegged with the loss after throwing five innings and allowing two earned runs and seven hits.
On the mound in game one Sunday for the Osprey is right-hander Wilfry Cruz. The 20-year-old makes his third start of the season and his first against Billings. Cruz owns a 2-0 record with a 2.70 ERA. He has hurled 10 innings this year with seven strikeouts. Erin Baldwin takes the mound for game two as the righty has two appearances with one start this year. Baldwin has allowed one earned run in three innings pitched.
Game one's starter for Billings is right-hander Ricky Salinas. The 22-year-old has two starts on the year with five innings pitched. Salinas owns a 1.80 ERA with six strikeouts. Justin McGregor is set for game two on the hill for the Mustangs. The righty is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in two relief appearances this year.
Both games Sunday are slated for seven innings and will start at 5:05 pm. The Selway Armory Pregame Show begins at 4:45 p.m. on ESPN 102.9 and the MiLB First Pitch App. The gates at Ogren Park Allegiance Field open at 4:30 pm.
Pioneer League Stories from July 1, 2018
- Rox Hit Parade Leads to 18-6 Win over Owlz - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Voyagers Streak Halted by Helena - Great Falls Voyagers
- Sunitsch Shines as Brewers Salvage Series - Helena Brewers
- Osprey Announce Two Additions to the Roster Sunday - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Osprey and Mustangs Play Two Sunday - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Doubleheader Sweep Extends Voyagers Winning Streak - Great Falls Voyagers
- Voyagers Blast off to Sweep Double Header - Helena Brewers
- Osprey Defeat Mustangs 7-4 Saturday to Open Six Game Homestand - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Osprey Win Rain-Delayed Series Opener, 7-4 over Mustangs - Billings Mustangs
- Grand Junction Takes Game One over Orem 5-2 - Grand Junction Jackalopes
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