Osprey Hang on to Beat Mustangs, 10-8
Published on August 1, 2011 under Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release
BILLINGS, MONT - The Missoula Osprey picked up their first win of the second half of the Pioneer League season on Monday here at Dehler Park, jumping out to a 10-1 lead and holding on for a 10-8 win over the host Billings Mustangs in front of 2,895 fans.
The Osprey (1-1, 26-13) jumped out to a 4-0 lead after one inning, thanks to a quick start against Billings starter Ismael Guillon (0-4). Ryan Court doubled home a run, a Jon Griffin groundout plated another, Eric Groff doubled home a run and the fourth tally scored on an error, giving the Osprey a 4-0 lead before Missoula starter Raymond Hernandez.
Roidany Aguila homered in the top of the third inning, his eighth of the season, to push the Osprey edge to 5-0, but the Mustangs (0-2, 20-20) would answer with a run of their own to pull within 5-1, breaking a string of eight straight batters retired by Hernandez to open the game.
Missoula seemingly put the game away in the top of the fourth, as Pena tripled home a run, and Griffin hit a grand slam to push the Osprey lead to 10-1. However, the Mustangs strung together six straight hits and scored five times in the home half of the fourth to draw within 10-6, and then scored single tallies in the sixth and seventh innings to pull within 10-8.
The bullpen picked up Hernandez, who allowed seven runs in five-plus inning, but did pick up the win to raise his record to 5-0 on the season. Keith Hessler pitched 2 2/3 innings of effective relief, while Matt Sample shut down the Mustangs in the ninth to earn his third save of the season.
The Osprey had nine hits, with Pena, Court and Justin Bianco collecting two hits apiece. Groff's first-inning RBI double extended his hit streak to 18 games, which is two game shy of tying the club record.
The Osprey will close out their two-game series at Dehler Park against the Billings Mustangs on Tuesday. Missoula will send right-hander Robby Rowland to the mound, and he will oppose Billings right-hander Kyle McMyne.
The Osprey will return home for a five-game homestand beginning Wednesday, August 3. Tickets for all remaining games this season are now on sale at the MSO Hub Box Office, located at 140 N. Higgins, by phone at (406) 543-3300 or online at MissoulaOsprey.com.
Pioneer League Stories from August 1, 2011
- Osprey Hang on to Beat Mustangs, 10-8 - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Voyagers Walk off with Another Win - Great Falls Voyagers
- Osprey Open 5-Game Homestand on Wednesday - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Goldschmidt Becomes 35th Former Osprey to Make MLB Roster - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Chukars Peacock Named Pitcher of the Week - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Owlz Lose 7-1 in Casper - Northern Colorado Owlz
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