Rockies Top Voyagers in Tight Fit
Published on July 22, 2018 under Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release
Grand Junction, CO - The Voyagers took an early lead with a couple of 1st inning home runs before eventually suffering a 4-3 series-opening loss to Grand Junction Saturday night at Suplizio Field.
Great Falls (21-14) remains in first place, three games up on Missoula with three to play in the first-half. The Voyagers fell to 6-10 on the road. Grand Junction (18-17) improved to 10-7 at home. The Rockies have won four straight, and the season series is now tied at two wins apiece. Great Falls still needs one more win or one more Missoula loss in the final three games of the half to clinch a playoff spot in the Pioneer League North.
The Voyagers opened the scoring with back-to-back solo home runs in the top of the 1st. With two outs, Steele Walker lifted a two-strike pitch over the wall in left-center for an opposite field shot and his first dinger as a professional. It was Walker's first at-bat since being called up to Great Falls from the AZL. The next batter, Logan Sowers, launched a drive up the right field line that cleared the wall for a 2-0 lead. It was Sowers fifth homer of the season.
The Rockies cut the lead in half with a controversial solo home run in the 2nd. Daniel Montano sliced a ball in the air deep up the left field line that cleared the high wall but appeared to be foul. It was ruled a homer for Montano's second of the season.
Trailing 2-1, Grand Junction took the lead for good with one swing of the bat in the bottom of the 5th. Jeff Moberg and Franklin Garcia both reached with one-out singles. Zach Hall put the Rockies in front 4-3 with a three-run home run pulled high and deep to right. It was Hall's fourth round-tripper of the season. Great Falls plated an unearned run in the 8th for the final margin.
Alejandro Mejia posted the win for the Rockies. Mejia (2-3) worked five innings and yielded two earned runs on three hits with two strikeouts and two walks. Matt Portland suffered the loss for the Voyagers. Portland (2-1) lasted six innings and allowed four earned runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts and one walk. Aneudy Duarte notched his first save. Duarte pitched in the 9th and gave up one hit with one strikeout.
Great Falls continues its seven-game road trip with game two of four at Grand Junction Sunday night. First pitch at Suplizio Field is scheduled for 5 p.m. The Voyagers return home July 26th to face Helena in a four-game series at Centene Stadium. For 2018 ticketing and promotional information, call 406-452-5311 or visit www.gfvoyagers.com.
Pioneer League Stories from July 22, 2018
- Bats Fall Silent as Ogden Evens Series - Helena Brewers
- Osprey Drop Offensive Showdown to the Chukars Sunday - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Early Runs Overwhelm Mustangs in 12-7 Loss - Billings Mustangs
- Chacin, Paulson Propel Raptors to Victory - Ogden Raptors
- Grand Junction Continues Winning Ways - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Osprey Seek Third Straight Win Sunday - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Ogden Shut Down by Southpaws - Ogden Raptors
- Rockies Top Voyagers in Tight Fit - Great Falls Voyagers
- Missoula Explodes for Season-High 20 Hits in Saturday Win - Missoula PaddleHeads
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