PL Idaho Falls Chukars

Rockies Beat Chukars; Headed to Playoffs

Published on September 3, 2012 under Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release


A night after the Idaho Falls Chukars were officially eliminated from the playoffs the Grand Junction Rockies officially punched their ticked, as the Greybirds fell to the Rox 9-5 Monday night at Suplizio Field.

The Rockies decisive win actually didn't do anything to their playoff chances. It was the Ogden Raptors 4-2 win over the Orem Owlz that clinched the second playoff birth in the division for Grand Junction. Despite the technicality, the Rockies still celebrated on the field after the game, dumping the Gatorade cooler on manager Tony Diaz and spraying each other with sparkling cider.

The game with the Chukars was never in doubt for the Rockies, as they scored five runs in the first off of Idaho Falls starter Aroni Nina to take an early lead. While the Chukars bats scuffled the Rockies kept scoring, plating two more runs in the third and fifth inning to push their advantage to 9-0.

It wasn't until the top of the seventh that the Greybirds were able to get to Rockies starter Jayson Aquino and snap their 17-inning scoreless streak with a three run rally. Catcher Tyler Smith led off the frame with a single followed one out later by a double from right fielder Elier Hernandez. Left fielder Diego Goris would finally end the drought with an RBI groundout before DH Ysmelin Alcantara tripled home Hernandez. Alcantara would end up scoring on the same play on a throwing error by Rockies right fielder Julian Yan to put the Chukars down 9-3.

Idaho Falls would score single runs in both the eighth and ninth innings on RBIs from Rainier Bello and Alcantara to finish the game with the 9-5 loss.

Only Goris finished the game with multiple hits for the Chukars, going 2-4 with an RBI, while Alcantara ended his night 1-4 with his triple and two RBI.

Nina (0-2) took the loss for the Chukars after allowing seven runs, five earned, on 10 hits over his four innings pitched. Aquino (4-0), meanwhile, was great for Grand Junction going 6.2 innings and allowing just three runs, two earned, on six hits.

With the loss the Rockies (20-15) have taken two of the first three games in the series against the Chukars (16-19). The two clubs will wrap up their four-game series Tuesday night at 7:05 pm.

Check out the Idaho Falls Chukars Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pioneer League Stories from September 3, 2012


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.

OurSports Central