Osprey take early lead, hold off Brewers, 7-3
September 1, 2009 - Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release
HELENA, MT - Paul Goldschmidt had three hits, while David Nick collected two hits and three RBIs to back the solid pitching of Enrique Burgos as the Missoula Osprey beat the Helena Brewers, 7-3, on Tuesday at Kindrick Legion Field.
The Osprey took the lead in their first at-bat, on Ramon Castillo's three-run home run to left field. Missoula added a run in the top of the third on a Goldschmidt RBI single, then pushed the lead to 6-0 on Nick's two-run home run to left.
Helena dented the scoreboard in the home half of the fourth, but Nick responded with a run-scoring single in the sixth to push the Osprey edge to 7-1. Helena scored a run in both the seventh and eighth innings, but Diogenes Rosario struck out the side in the ninth to finish off the win.
Burgos (4-3) continued his recent trend of giving the Osprey quality efforts in his starts. On Tuesday, he pitched six innings, allowing six hits and two walks, but surrendering just one run and collecting six strikeouts. In his last four starts, Burgos is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA.
With the win, the Osprey (14-14, 35-31) stayed a half-game ahead of Great Falls in the Pioneer League's North Division second-half standings. The Voyagers pounded Billings, 16-5. The Mustangs fall 5 ½ games behind the Osprey, while the Brewers fall six games off the pace, and are seven games back in the overall standings.
Nick was among four players to collect two hits on the night, as the Osprey finished with 14 baseknocks off of two Brewers pitchers. Chris Owings, Jae Yun Kim and Alan Santiago also collected two hits each for Missoula, who won for the fifth time in their last six games.
The Osprey and Brewers will continue their three-game series on Wednesday at Kindrick Legion Field. The Osprey will send out left-hander Mike Belfiore to make the start, while left-hander Chris Capuano, the former All-Star pitcher who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, will make his first rehab start for the Brewers.
The Osprey will play their final six games at home in their final homestand, which will begin on Friday, September 4. Tickets for any remaining Osprey home game this season can be obtained 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 September 1, 2009
- Osprey take early lead, hold off Brewers, 7-3 - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Hester makes MLB Debut - Missoula PaddleHeads
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.
