Owlz drop fifth straight
Published on August 21, 2006 under Pioneer League (PL)
Northern Colorado Owlz News Release
The Owlz lost by a single run for the fourth day in a row, extending their season worst losing streak to five games as Great Falls defeated Orem 6-5 in 10 innings Sunday.
With one out in the bottom of the tenth, Lee Cruz bounced a ball to Tadd Brewer at third. Brewer's throw was high and wide of Abel Nieves at first, allowing Cruz to march into scoring position at second.
John Shelby then hit a swinging bunt out in front of home plate. Catcher Scott Knazek fielded the ball and tried to get the lead runner at third; however, the throw was late as Cruz slid in safely.
Right fielder Santo Garcia then laced a hard grounder towards the mound, which deflected off the leg of Owlz hurler Anthony Sullivan for an infield single. Cruz came in from third, scoring easily to give the home squad a victory in game one of the series.
The game featured eight errors and five unearned runs. The Owlz would rally to tie the game in the top of the ninth by scoring two unearned with the help of poor White Sox defense.
Down 5-3, Orem had a man on first (Brewer) and one out when Abel Nieves laced a single to right. Santo Garcia bent down to pick up the ball, but it rolled right passed him and all the way out to the wall, scoring Brewer from first and putting the tying run at third.
With a drawn-in infield, the very next batter Scott Knazek hit a grounder to White Sox shortstop Scott Madsen. Nieves charged for home as Madsen made a wild throw passed his catcher, allowing Nieves to score easily to get the equalizer. Luis Rivera would then bounce into a double play to send the game to extras.
The Owlz would get just one hit and one run off White Sox starter Tyson Corley over the first five innings.
In the top of the second, Nieves doubled down the right field line to score Tadd Brewer who reached via a force out after Tyler Johnson got on board by a Great Falls fielding error.
A seesaw battle ensued. Great Falls got two in the fifth during Trevor Bell's final inning on the mound to grab their first lead.
The Owlz would then get the two runs back in top of the sixth on RBI singles from Chris Pettit and Tyler Johnson. With the single, Johnson snapped his 0 for 23 skid.
With the help of back-to-back errors by Abel Nieves, Great Falls scored another pair of runs, both unearned, off Owlz reliever Pedro Herrera in the bottom of the frame. It was Herrera's first appearance since arriving with the team two days prior from Rancho Cucamonga. He tossed three innings giving up three runs (one earned) while surrendering just two hits.
The White Sox added an insurance run on an RBI groundout by Mike Grace in the bottom of the eighth to take a 5-3 lead, setting up the dramatic finish.
After losing ten in a row, Great Falls has now won their last two decisions. The Owlz have now dropped five in a row. Orem is now 4-5 in extra inning affairs.
Game two of the series is tomorrow night at 7:05 from Centene Field in Montana.
Pioneer League Stories from August 21, 2006
- Owlz bring losing streak to a halt, win 5-1 - Northern Colorado Owlz
- White Sox game notes - Great Falls Voyagers
- Hynick earns another honor - Casper Ghosts
- Owlz drop fifth straight - Northern Colorado Owlz
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