Osprey Win 7th in Row, Beat Chukars, 5-4
Published on July 27, 2011 under Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release
MISSOULA, MONT - Chris Ellison utilized a trick play of his own to help the Missoula Osprey snap a 4-4 tie, bluffing a steal attempt and forcing a balk to score the winning run in a 5-4 thriller over Idaho Falls on Wednesday at Ogren Park Allegiance Field in front of 2,621 witnesses.
The Osprey (24-12), winners of seven straight games, let a 4-0 lead get away when a pair of unearned runs scored in the top of the seventh inning, allowing the Chukars (15-21) to tie the game. However, the Osprey would take the lead back with a two-out rally against Idaho Falls reliever Jose Sanchez.
Ellison singled, moved to second on Ryan Court's single and to third on a walk to Stephen Cardullo. With Tom Belza at the plate, Ellison jumped out to his lead from third and took a couple of running steps toward home plate, which forced Sanchez (2-2) to move his left leg, drawing the balk call and allowing Ellison to score.
The Osprey scored all of their other runs in the fourth inning, as Cardullo doubled home a run, Belza tripled home another, Fidel Pena singled home Belza and Justin Bianco would chase Pena home with a run-scoring groundout.
Robby Rowland pitched six strong innings, allowing just two runs (both in the sixth inning) on five hits while striking out nine batters. Keith Hessler (3-0) pitched the next two innings, allowing just two hits and striking out a pair of Chukars, while Frank Santana pitched the ninth to claim his fourth save of the season.
Ellison and Pena each had two hits, as the Osprey were held to just seven hits in the game.
The Osprey will enjoy an off-day on Thursday before starting a five-game road swing through Great Falls and Billings, as the first half of the season will come to a close and the second half of the season gets underway with the finale of the three-game series in Great Falls on Sunday.
The Osprey will return home for a five-game homestand on Wednesday, August 3. Tickets for all remaining games this season are now on sale at the MSO Hub Box Office, located at 140 N. Higgins, by phone at (406) 543-3300 or online at MissoulaOsprey.com.
Pioneer League Stories from July 27, 2011
- Owlz Power Past Voyagers in 13-6 Win - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Owlz Bats too Much for Voyagers - Great Falls Voyagers
- Osprey Win 7th in Row, Beat Chukars, 5-4 - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Osprey Balk Past Chukars 5-4 - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Owlz Narrowly Escape Voyagers in 8-7 Win - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Osprey Clinch PL North First-Half Title - Missoula PaddleHeads
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