PL Missoula PaddleHeads

Six-Run Ninth Hands Missoula Victory

Published on August 7, 2015 under Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release


GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. - The Missoula Osprey (26-18) broke a 5-5 tie with a six-run ninth inning, earning an 11-6 victory on the road at Grand Junction's (22-23) Suplizio Field on Thursday night.

The O's scored the six runs on four hits and an error, with all six being charged to reliever Daniel Koger. The right-hander, who dropped to 0-2 with the decision, got just one out in the ninth before allowing singles to Luke Lowery and Austin Byler and walking Jason Morozowski to load the bases. Raymel Flores came up clutch with the go-ahead single, shooting a ball off the glove of the left fielder Bobby Stahel to break the tie. The third error of the night charged to Brendan Rodgers at shortstop allowed the next two runs to score before Isan Diaz eventually capped the inning with a two-RBI single through the right side.

Flores led the offensive charge on Thursday night, finishing 2-for-5 with two runs scored, a homer and a season-high four RBI. The home run, a three-run shot, was his second of the year and came in a four-run fifth inning.

Missoula got on the board first in the second when Matt McPhearson walked and stole second base, setting the table for an RBI-single from Kal Simmons. Simmons finished the game 2-for-5 with the RBI while hitting out of the ninth spot in the order.

The Osprey actually trailed 3-1 headed into the four-run fifth inning as solo homers from Sam Hilliard and Stahel in the second and third, respectively, got the Rockies on the board before Tyler Nevin contributed an RBI-double to make it 3-1 after four.

With the Osprey leading 5-3 headed to the bottom of the sixth, Jonathan Piron drew Grand Junction back even with his seventh homer of the year, the third of the night for the Rockies, over the wall in right centerfield. That home run left the two teams in a deadlock into the ninth.

Gabriel Moya was credited with the victory after recording the final out in the seventh and tossing a perfect 1-2-3 eighth, striking out all four batters he faced, to improve to 2-1 on the year.

The Osprey will continue a four-game series with Grand Junction tomorrow at 6:30 pm MT.

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