Osprey Score in Only One Inning, But It's Enough in Win at Billings
Published on September 6, 2013 under Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release
MISSOULA, MONT. -- The Missoula Osprey were retired in order in six of the first seven innings in their game at Billings on Thursday. It was the only time they didn't go down 1 -2-3 that made all the difference.
The O's sent ten batters to the plate and scored all of their runs in the top of the 4th inning in a 6 -4 victory over the Mustangs in the opener of a four-game series at Dehler Park.
Billings starting pitcher Jose Guzman retired the first nine Missoula hitters he faced, and reliever Layne Somsen would set down the side in order in innings 5-7. But the fateful 4th inning proved decisive.
With the Osprey down 3-0 going into the top of the 4th, Chuck Taylor led off with an infield single.
Guzman walked Antonio Alvarez and Jake Mayers to load the bases, and Jose Queliz drew a walk to get Missoula on the scoreboard.
Anderso Bolivar singled to drive in Alvarez, and Grant Nelson singled up the middle to score Mayers and tie the game. That knocked Guzman out of the box and brought in Somsen; Jake Miller greeted the newcomer with a sacrifice fly that put the Osprey in the lead. Justin Bianco followed with a double off the wall in left field that scored Bolivar and Nelson for a 6-3 lead.
Billings had moved in front on Carlos Sanchez's RBI single in the bottom of the 1st, and an RBI double from Kevin Garcia and a sacrifice fly from Aristides Aquino in the 2nd.
Missoula's Felipe Perez - the O's #1 starter this season - made his first relief appearance of the campaign after starter Brad Keller was lifted after three innings. Perez retired the first ten batters he faced before tiring in the 7th - Aquino doubled with one out, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on a sacrifice by Avain Rachal to pull Billings within 6-4. Perez then gave up consecutive two- out singles to Sanchez and Adam Matthews before striking out Taylor Terrasas to end the inning.
Perez would get the win to end his season with a 7-5 record. Silvino Bracho worked around a two-out single in the 9th, striking out three, to nail down his 10th save of the season. Bianco and Nelson had two hits each to lead the Missoula offense.
The Osprey and Billings continue their series on Friday night with a 7:05 first pitch. The game will be broadcast on ESPN Montana 97.5, and streamed online at missoulaosprey.com, starting at 6:45.
Pioneer League Stories from September 6, 2013
- Friday's Game Rained Out - Missoula PaddleHeads
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- Chukars Continue Clinching Party with Win - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Osprey Score in Only One Inning, But It's Enough in Win at Billings - Missoula PaddleHeads
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