Osprey Score 10 in 6th to Beat Mustangs, 13-5
July 31, 2010 - Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release
MISSOULA, MT - The Missoula Osprey scored 10 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to blow open a tight game and used that inning to take a 13-5 win over the Billings Mustangs on Friday here at Ogren Park Allegiance Field in front of 2,337 fans.
Roberto Rodriguez homered twice, including a two-run shot in the 10-run sixth, which included a 37-minute rain delay. Bobby Stone also hit a two-run four-bagger, his coming after the delay, while Adam Eaton also homered for Missoula, who closed the first half with a 14-24 record.
The Osprey held a 3-2 lead over the Mustangs (21-17) heading into the bottom of the sixth. Following an error and a Eaton single, Stone doubled home Raul Navarro to extend the lead to 4-2. Jae Yun Kim followed with a bases-loaded single, and Chris Jarrett cleared the bases with a three-run triple to extend the Osprey edge to 8-2.
Jarrett would score on an Adonys Canelo double, and Rodriguez hit his second home run of the game to push the Osprey lead to 11-2. The delay happened when a hail storm hit during Eaton's second at-bat of the inning, causing the umpires to pull both teams off the field. Golf ball-sized hail fell on the field, followed by a downpour.
Once the grounds crew and support staff worked the field to a playable condition again, Eaton was hit by a pitch, and scored when Stone hit a shot to right deep into the Missoula night to cap off the inning and give the Osprey a 13-2 lead.
Rodriguez led off the game with a home run in the bottom of the first inning, and Raul Navarro would score the second run after a double, a wild pitch and a RBI groundout by Eaton. The Osprey left-fielder would push the lead back to two, 3-1, after his mammoth home run to right cleared the train tracks that run above the walking trail behind the right-field wall.
It was plenty of offense for Kevin Eichhorn (4-2) and the Osprey bullpen to work with, as the right-handed starter allowed just three hits and one earned run (two total) in six innings of work, while striking out eight batters to pick up the win on the mound. Both Trey Watt and Teo Guiterrez each pitched an inning of scoreless relief.
Eaton had two hits in three trips to the plate, and drove in a pair of runs, while raising his Pioneer League-leading batting average to .388. Rodriguez finished with three hits and three RBIs, while Stone had two hits and three RBIs. Canelo added a single to his double, as the Osprey collected 13 hits on the night.
The Osprey will open the second half of the season on Saturday at home with the Great Falls Voyagers, who come in for a three-game series. In the opener, the Osprey will send right-hander JR Bradley to the mound, while the Voyagers will counter with right-hander Steven Upchurch.
Fans can purchase tickets for any Osprey home game this season by calling the Osprey at (406) 543-3300, stopping by the Osprey Team Store at 412 W. Alder, or ordering online at www.missoulaosprey.com.
Pioneer League Stories from July 31, 2010
- Osprey 2nd half opener rained out vs. Voyagers - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Helton's RBI Ends First Half on a Rockie Note for Owlz - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Ghosts Welcome 500,000 Fan/Set Single Game Record in One Night - Casper Ghosts
- Osprey Score 10 in 6th to Beat Mustangs, 13-5 - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Shutout Win Gives I.F. Two-Game Sweep - Idaho Falls Chukars
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