Slump Continues for Chukars in 8-2 Loss
Published on August 7, 2011 under Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release
The rough start to the second half of the season continued for the Idaho Falls Chukars Sunday afternoon, as the club surrendered double-digit hits to the Casper Ghosts for the third straight game en route to an 8-2 loss at Mike Lansing Field.
Contrary to their first two losses in Casper, the Chukars starting pitching was not the primary problem. Starter Kellen Moen actually kept the Ghosts off the scoreboard for the first two innings before surrendering two runs in the third and an unearned tally in the fourth to put Casper up 3-0.
The Chukars offense meanwhile continued their trend of leaving men in scoring position, as the unit left potential runs on the base paths in the third, fifth, sixth and seventh innings. The main proponent of the Chukars silent bats was Ghosts starting pitcher Alex Gillingham, who shut out Idaho Falls on just two hits over his six inning pitched.
The Chukars would finally break through for a run in the seventh, thanks to an opposite field solo home run by catcher Ryan Jenkins to make the score 3-1. The Chukars would actually bring the go-ahead run to the plate in the inning as well, but second baseman Michael Liberto flied out with runners at the corners to end the threat.
The Ghosts would take advantage of the window the Chukars left them in the bottom of the seventh, as Casper exploded for five runs on five hits to push their lead to 8-1.
Idaho Falls would add a meaningless run in the top of the ninth on a wind aided triple by Mark Threlkeld and an RBI groundout from Jenkins.
Gillingham (3-3) would earn the win for the Ghosts for his shutout performance, while Moen (2-3) was the hard luck loser for the Chukars.
The Ghosts (7-1) and Chukars (2-6) will wrap up their four game series from Casper Monday night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Pioneer League Stories from August 7, 2011
- Brewer's Walk-Off Single Gives Owlz Extra-Inning Win - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Griffin Homers Twice in Osprey 12-9 Win Over Brewers - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Voyagers Downed by Buckley's Homer - Great Falls Voyagers
- Lindsey Hits for the Cycle in 9-6 Win - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Slump Continues for Chukars in 8-2 Loss - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Ghosts Slam Past Chukars 7-4 - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Voyagers Take Fourth Straight - Great Falls Voyagers
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