Osprey Seek First Win of the Season Saturday in Billings
June 16, 2018 - Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release
MISSOULA, MONT - Entering the second game of the season, the Missoula Osprey look to enter the win column against the Billings Mustangs Saturday at Dehler Park. First pitch is slated for 6:05 p.m.
The Osprey narrowly lost 6-5 on Opening Day to the Mustangs after a two-run eighth from the Billings offense propelled them to victory.
Missoula struck first on the second at-bat of the season when Brandon Leyton drove a solo shot to left field to put the Osprey on top 1-0. Raul Wallace of Billings led off with a single and then stole second. Carlos Rivero lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to tie the game, and Mariel Bautista ripped a triple to left-center to give the Mustangs a 2-1 lead.
In the fourth, Missoula's Zachery Almond singled in Shannon to tie the game at two. The big offensive outburst for the Osprey was provided in the sixth when they scored three runs. Shannon led off with a walk against relief pitcher Matt Pidich, and Hernandez followed with a double. Almond doubled for his second hit of the night to score Hernandez and give the Osprey a 3-2 lead. Joe Robbins barreled up a triple, scoring Almond while David Sanchez reached on a fielder's choice to score Robbins and give the Osprey a 5-2 lead. Billings went on to add two runs each in the sixth and eighth innings to push ahead for the 6-5 victory.
On the mound for the Osprey Saturday is right-handed pitcher Edgar Martinez. The 20-year-old is in his second season with Missoula, posting a 3-3 record with a 4.76 ERA in 2017. In seven starts and eight appearances, Martinez pitched 39.2 innings and struck out 29 batters. This is his third career appearance against Billings.
Set to counter Martinez on the mound for Billings is Luis Alecis. The 21-year-old is in his fourth season with the Cincinnati Reds organization, and second with the Mustangs. Last season, Alecis pitched to a 6-6 mark with a 5.11 ERA in 16 games, 11 of them starts. He spent seven games with the Dayton Dragons, the Reds Single-A affiliate, before transferring to Billings.
First pitch at Dehler Park is slated for 6:05 p.m. with the Mission Paint Pregame Show beginning at 5:45 p.m. on ESPN 102.9 and the MiLB First Pitch App.
Pioneer League Stories from June 16, 2018
- Rockies Soar to 11-1 Win over Owlz - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Owlz Drop Second Straight - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Osprey Smack 13 Hits to Pick up Their First Win of the Season - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Osprey Offense Too Much for Mustangs, Falling 12-4 - Billings Mustangs
- Home Opener Rained Out - Helena Brewers
- Helena Brewers Postpone Saturday's Opening Night - Helena Brewers
- Promotions Highlight Opening Home Stand - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Osprey Seek First Win of the Season Saturday in Billings - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Voyagers Walk-off Completes Comeback - Great Falls Voyagers
- Opening Night Starts Season off with a Bang - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- First Inning Too Much for Owlz - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Brewers Can't Hold Lead in Loss to Great Falls - Helena Brewers
- Osprey Fall on Opening Day to the Mustangs - Missoula PaddleHeads
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