Trip to Billings on Tap for Osprey
September 9, 2015 - Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release
HELENA, MONT. - Luke Lowery broke a scoreless game with an RBI-double in the top of the seventh inning, but a three-run bottom of the seventh, including two unearned runs, handed the Helena Brewers (32-42) a 3-1 victory over the Missoula Osprey (42-33) in the final game of the regular season on Tuesday night from Kindrick Legion Field.
The Osprey managed just two hits in the game, but held the late lead headed into the seventh. Starter Bryant Holtmann worked around a pair of jams early in the game, stranding runners at second and third in the second, and the bases loaded in the fourth. The left-hander left with the lead after dealing 6.0 shutout frames, surrendering four hits and three walks with five strikeouts. The five strikeouts matched a season high for Holtmann, who has thrown 12 straight scoreless innings over his last two starts.
While Holtmann had some of his best stuff for Missoula, Nate Griep was busy tossing a gem for Helena on the other side of the diamond. Griep allowed just one hit and one walk with four strikeouts over the first 4.0 innings. The right-hander faced the minimum in his outing, but did not factor in the decision.
The Osprey sent the minimum to the plate through two out in the seventh, but a two-out walk to Austin Byler from reliever Junior Rincon kept the inning alive for Lowery. The power-hitting designated hitter connected on a 2-2 pitch and sent it off the top of the wall in centerfield to drive in the first run of the game.
Trailing 1-0 and facing reliever Andrew Potter, Helena came alive for three runs (one earned) on two hits and two errors in the bottom of the seventh. Jose Cuas got the inning started with a single up the middle before a walk put runners at first and second. A sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third with one out, setting the table for Malik Collymore who dribbled an RBI-single to third. Tyler Humphreys fielded on the run coming in and threw errantly to first, allowing Mitch Ghelfi and Cuas to score and Collymore to take second. George Iskendarian followed on the very next pitch, grounding another ball to Humphreys, and this time the third baseman tossed low and skipped a throw past Byler at first to allow Collymore to turn third and score the third run of the inning.
Right-hander Jon Olczak entered in the ninth inning for Helena, retiring the side in order, including striking out the final two to record his second save of the season.
Potter, who was charged with the three runs in the seventh, took the loss and fell to 0-1, while Junior Rincon was credited with the victory and moved to 6-4. Rincon dealt 4.0 innings, allowing just the one run on one hit and one walk with seven strikeouts.
The Osprey will begin the postseason at Billings tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm MT from Dehler Park. The best-of-three series will then shift to Missoula on Thursday, as the Osprey will host a 7:05 pm MT game.
Pioneer League Stories from September 9, 2015
- Brewers End Season with 3-1 Win - Helena Brewers
- Chukars Drop Finale 4-3 - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Raptors Walked-Off in 2015 Finale - Ogden Raptors
- Ferguson's Walk-Off Caps 2015 Season - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Trip to Billings on Tap for Osprey - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Voyagers Lose Season Finale in Billings - Great Falls Voyagers
- Owlz Close Regular Season with 4-3 Win - Northern Colorado Owlz
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