Sports stats



PL Missoula PaddleHeads

Osprey score 5 in 8th to beat Ghosts, 8-5

July 9, 2009 - Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release


MISSOULA, MT - It's one thing to come from behind on occasion to win games, but the Missoula Osprey are beginning to make that seem like an everyday occurrence.

The Osprey pushed across five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to deal the Casper Ghosts an 8-5 defeat in front of 1,906 fans at Ogren Park Allegiance Field. It's the fifth time in 11 such occasions that the Osprey (9-6) have rallied from behind after trailing through five innings of play.

The win pushes the Osprey back into a first-place tie with Great Falls, who lost to Ogden on Wednesday, 19-2. The Helena Brewers are now one game back, after they lost to Idaho Falls in 10 innings, 9-5.

Casper (2-11) jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but like Tuesday's game, could not hold the lead. Missoula scored one run in the home half of the fifth, and twice more in the sixth, to tie the game at 3-3.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, the momentum turned in favor of the Ghosts. With one out, and the bases loaded, Paul Goldschmidt hit a line drive up the middle. Casper reliever Leirus Gomez stabbed it, and caught Ramon Castillo off of first, to end the inning.

In the top of the eighth, the Ghosts managed to get to the Osprey bullpen, as Nathan Hines homered and Chad Jacobsen singled home a run off of Charles Brewer (2-0) to push the Casper edge to 5-3.

The Osprey would finally break on top in the home half of the inning. David Narodowski drew a walk - one of 11 surrendered on the night by Ghosts pitching - with the bases loaded to plate a run, then Bobby Stone nailed a two-run single to center to give the Osprey their first lead of the game. Narodowski would score on a wild pitch, and after Ramon Castillo collected an infield hit to extend his hitting streak to eight straight games, Goldschmidt singled home Stone to push the lead to 8-5.

Diogenes Rosario then pitched a scoreless ninth to collect his first save.

Eury De La Rosa was effective in his longest outing of the season, pitching five innings and allowing three runs on four hits and three walks. He also struck out six batters, helping the Osprey fan 11 Ghosts on the evening, equaling a season best.

Goldschmidt and RayWily Gomez each collected two hits for the Osprey, while Castillo reached base five times - two walks (one intentional) and twice getting hit by pitches to go along with his 8th-inning single. David Nick also reached base five times - four walks and a single - for Missoula.

The Osprey and Ghosts will play game three of their four-game series on Thursday at Ogren Park Allegiance Field. Right-hander Enrique Burgos will go for the Osprey, while the Ghosts will send out right-hander Ricardo Ferrer.

Tickets for any remaining game this season can be obtained for all Osprey home games 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.

Check out the Missoula PaddleHeads Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Pioneer League message board...

Pioneer League Stories from July 9, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central