Voyagers Downed by Mustangs' Power
Published on August 11, 2011 under Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release
BILLINGS Mont.--Back-to-back-to-back home runs by the Mustangs in the fourth powered them to a 10-6 victory over the Voyagers.
Sean Buckley's three-run home run off of Sam Phippen (1-5) gave the Mustangs a 7-4 lead in the fourth inning. On the very next pitch, Phippen hung a curveball to Robert Maddow, who hit a towering shot to right field. After a pitching change brought Jamaal Hollis into the game, Kyle Waldrop completed the trifecta by launching a 1-2 slider out to right field, giving Billings a 9-4 advantage.
Buckley's home run, his 13th of the season, ties him with the injured C.J. Cron of Orem for the league lead. Out of St. Petersburg Junior College, the sixth round pick back in June has now hit six home runs against Great Falls in nine games, including one in three straight.
All nine Mustangs in the starting lineup collected at least one hit as Billings pounded out 16 base knocks as a team.
After giving up two runs in the top of the 1st inning, the Mustangs came back and took the lead with three runs on four hits, a harbinger for the evening. With two on and one out, Maddox's double tied the score, 2-2, and later on the first baseman scored on a wild pitch to give the Mustangs the lead.
The advantage was short-lived. On a flare down the right field field off of the bat of Joe De Pinto, Kyle Waldrop was unable to make a basket catch as it bounced out of his glove. Credited with a double, De Pinto scored two runs on the play, giving Great Falls a 4-3 lead.
Mustangs starting pitcher, Ismael Guillon, would settle down, however. After giving up four runs on four walks through two innings, Guillon followed with two scoreless innings in which he struck out four without allowing a walk or a hit--just one hit batter. In his four total innings, Guillon struck out a career-high eight batters.
After getting the leadoff batter in the bottom of the fourth, Phippen gave up three straight singles, including a bunt and infield hit that deflected off of his glove, to load the bases. Spencer Dickinson's sacrifice fly to left field tied the game, right before the Mustangs began their home run parade, completing the six run inning.
Phippen failed to get out of the fourth, giving up eight runs on ten hits in just 3.2 innings of work.
Working 2.2 innings of relief, Dan Jensen (1-1) picked up the victory in a scorer's decision. After Carlos Contreras was struck in the leg by a Mark Haddow line drive, the righty was unable to contunue which led to Jensen's appearance. He delivered, as he held the Voyagers without a run or a hit in his outing.
The Voyagers were led offensively by De Pinto, who went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, a double, and walk.
As a team, the Voyagers collected seven hits, four of which came in the final two innings, as they were held between the third and seventh innings in the ballgame.
The Voyagers continue their road trip tomorrow in Bllings against the Mustangs. First pitch from Dehler Park is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with the pregame show set to begin at 6:40 p.m. on 560 KMON.
Pioneer League Stories from August 11, 2011
- Hernandez Pitches Osprey Past Brewers, 5-2 - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Voyagers Downed by Mustangs' Power - Great Falls Voyagers
- Chukars Acquire INF Nick Delguidice - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Brewfest, Fireworks & Cargo Bobblehead Highlight Longest Osprey Homestand Of The Season - Missoula PaddleHeads
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