PL Missoula PaddleHeads

Osprey Drop Finale at Billings, 6-4

Published on August 25, 2015 under Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release


BILLINGS, MONT. - The 16-game regular-season series between the Missoula Osprey (37-24) and the Billings Mustangs (28-33) ended in an 8-8 split as the Mustangs earned a 6-4 victory over the Osprey on Monday night from Dehler Park.

Missoula led 4-3 headed to the bottom of the seventh, but a three-run seventh handed the Mustangs the lead and the eventual victory. Dalton Carter got the inning going with a dribbler past the mound for an infield single before a sacrifice bunt and a single from Shane Mardirosian put runners at the corners with only one out. Hector Vargas plated the tying run with a sacrifice fly before Mardirosian stole second and third base to set the table for an RBI-bloop single from Brantley Bell to bring home what proved to be the winning run. Kevin Franklin, who had a two-RBI double in the third inning, collected his second run-scoring double on the ensuing play, adding the sixth run for insurance.

Vargas finished the game 1-for-2 with a pair of RBI and a run scored, while Franklin was 2-for-3 with the two doubles and three RBI.

The seventh-inning runs were all charged to reliever Scott Schultz, as the right-hander allowed the three on four hits and a walk with four strikeouts over 2.0 innings. The loss dropped Schultz to 3-2 on the year.

Juan Martinez was credited with the victory and moved to 1-4 after throwing 2.0 perfect innings of relief and striking out two hitters. Jimmy Herget needed just six pitches in the ninth inning to seal the victory and convert his 12th save of the year.

Offensively, Missoula received a solo home run from Tyler Humphreys. The round-tripper was the first of Humphreys' career. Austin Byler was the lone Osprey hitter to collect multiple hits, finishing 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Junior Garcia got the start for the Osprey and dealt the first 5.0 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk with four strikeouts. Over three starts and 15 innings of work, the lefty owns a 2-0 record and a 1.50 ERA.

Missoula will return to action tomorrow when it opens a two-game home series with Helena at 7:05 pm MT from Ogren Park Allegiance Field.

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