Osprey Get Walk-Off Win over Brewers, 7-6
Published on June 29, 2012 under Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release
MISSOULA, MONT - Well, the Missoula Osprey have found unique ways to win games in the past week against the Helena Brewers, and another odd way to end a game happened again here at Ogren Park Allegiance Field on Thursday in front of 2,026 fans.
Socrates Brito scored the winning run on a wild pitch - meant to be Ball One of an intentional walk to Michael Perez - to give the Osprey a 7-6, 11-inning win. Missoula has now won four of their last five games, and moved into sole possession of second place in the Pioneer League North Division standings.
Both teams had chances to score in the ninth and 10th innings, and the Brewers even had a chance in the top of the 11th, before the Osprey put up a serious push in the home half. Brito had an infield hit, Jake Lamb was hit by a pitch and Breland Almadova laid down a sacrifice bunt to put runners on second and third.
With Perez stepping up to the plate, the Brewers elected to put him on first with an intentional walk. The first pitch from reliever Michael White (1-1) sailed back to the net behind home plate, allowing Brito to score the winning run.
Chase Stevens (1-1) pitched the final two innings for the Osprey to pick up the win on the mound. Stevens fanned four batters, helping the O's strike out 12 Brewers on the evening.
The Osprey scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning to take an early 2-0 lead. Pedro Ruiz led off the inning with a single to left. With Brito up to bat, Helena starter Will West attempted to pick off Ruiz at first base, but short-hopped the throw, allowing Ruiz to head to third. Brito then hit a grounder to third that was mishandled for an error, allowing Ruiz to score the first run of the game. Perez - who, ironically, needed a double to complete a cycle in Wednesday's Osprey win, but did not get it - doubled home Brito to make it 2-0 Missoula.
The Brewers (3-8) scored three times in the top of the fifth to take a 3-2 lead, but the Osprey (6-5) scored four times in the home half of the inning - highlighted by a two-run single by Almadova - to take back the lead and grow it to 6-3.
Helena catcher Emmanuel Quiles hit a three-run home run in the top of the eighth off of Missoula reliever Justin Thompson to tie the game. It was the first earned run Thompson has allowed this season.
The Osprey collected 14 hits on the night, led by Ruiz and Brito, who had three hits apiece. Lamb and Perez each had two hits, while John Leonard, Ty Linton and Danny Pulfer added base hits.
The Osprey and Brewers will wrap up their three-game series on Friday at Ogren Park Allegiance Field. The Osprey send right-hander Chris Pack to the mound, while the Brewers will counter with right-hander Michael Schaub.
Tickets are available now at the MSO Hub Box Office, located at 140 North Higgins in Downtown Missoula, online at MissoulaOsprey.com and by phone (406) 543-3300.
Pioneer League Stories from June 29, 2012
- Osprey Rally Falls Short in 6-5, 10-Inning Loss to Brewers - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Diaz Delivers in Owlz' Third Straight Win - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Chukars Squander Late Rally in 6-5 Loss - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Chukars Squander Late Rally in 6-5 Loss - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Osprey Get Walk-Off Win over Brewers, 7-6 - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Owlz Bullpen Stifles Chukars in 5-3 Loss - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Game Slips Away from Voyagers Late 4-3 - Great Falls Voyagers
- Owlz Pitching Leads Way in 5-3 Win - Northern Colorado Owlz
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