Sunday Setback Sends Voyagers to Series Split
August 9, 2015 - Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release
OREM, Utah (August 9, 2015)Â - The Great Falls Voyagers saw their bid to become the first team to send the Orem Owlz to a series loss fall short, dropping the finale 4-2 Sunday evening at Brent Brown Ballpark.
With the game tied 2-2 entering the sixth, the Owlz (6-4, 30-18) grabbed the lead for good. Great Falls starter Tanner Banks (3-2) retired the first two in the frame, but surrendered a two-out double to Jared Foster to keep the inning going. That brought Alex Abbott to the plate, and the outfielder blasted his second homer of the series to put Orem in front.
From there, the story was the Owlz bullpen. The duo of Zach Hartman and Adam Hofacket blanked Great Falls (6-4, 23-23) over the final three frames, allowing just two hits, one of which was erased on a double play.
Pitching dominated on both sides early, as both starters retired the first eight they faced. The Voyagers broke the scoreless deadlock in the fourth. Johan Cruz and Antonio Rodriguez started the frame with back-to-back doubles, putting Great Falls ahead. Rodriguez then scored later in the frame as Owlz starter Joe Gatto (1-3) uncorked a wild pitch.
Banks retired the Owlz in order in three of the first four innings, but was greeted by three straight hits to start the fifth. The last of those hits, a Tanner Lubach single, got Orem on the board for the first time against the lefty. The Owlz added another later in the frame on a ground out, tying the game at two apiece.
Other than the two runs they scored in the fourth, the Voyager offense was quiet for much of the contest, totaling just six hits and eight base runners. Gatto earned a quality start for his contributions, allowing the two runs on four hits across six innings to collect his first win of the campaign.
The Voyagers continue their seven-game road trip Monday night with the opener of a three-game series against the Grand Junction Rockies at Suplizio Field. Great Falls will turn to All-Star righty Evin Einhardt (4-1, 3.40), while Grand Junction will counter with fellow right-hander Mike Nikorak (0-2, 9.82). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., and coverage will begin at 6:50 on 1400 AM KXGF and gfvoyagers.com.
Pioneer League Stories from August 9, 2015
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