Voyagers Drop Series Opener in Missoula
June 23, 2018 - Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release
Great Falls, MT - The Voyagers allowed three home runs and committed a season-high four errors in an 8-5 series-opening loss to Missoula Friday night at Ogren Park-Allegiance Field.
The Osprey (3-2) jumped ahead early with a single run in the bottom of the 2nd. Zac Almond led off the frame with a single lined into center. Almond later scored on a fielder's choice RBI by Jesus Munoz. Great Falls (3-4) quickly tied it with a run in the top of the 3rd. Amado Nunez banged a double high off the wall in deep left-center. A sacrifice bunt moved Nunez to third, and two batters later Ian Dawkins drove him in with a sacrifice fly to center.
Missoula started its power surge with a three-run home half of the 3rd for a 4-1 lead. Jesus Marriaga was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Eddie Hernandez then went yard high and deep to left-center for his first home run of the season. Two batters later, Zack Shannon lifted a high fly ball up the right field line and over the short porch for a solo home run and his first of the season as well. The Osprey plated a single run in the 5th on a solo home run deep to left by Hernandez for his second dinger of the night and a 5-1 advantage.
Great Falls sent nine men to the plate in a four-run 6th that leveled the game. With one out, Romy Gonzalez reached on an infield error at second. The next batter, Alex Destino, smoked a line drive home run over the wall in right-center for his first of the season. Logan Sowers then reached on a groundball error at short. A wild pitch pushed Sowers to second. Amado Nunez coaxed a walk. Sowers tagged up and reached third on a fly out. A walk of Travis Moniot loaded the bases. Another wild pitch allowed the Voyagers to tie it as Sowers raced home from third and an errant throw to the plate brought Nunez home all the way from second on the same pitch.
The Osprey moved in front to stay with two in the bottom of the 6th. Cesar Garcia reached on an infield single to start the inning. A groundball error at third put Jesus Munoz on base. David Sanchez then delivered the key base knock with a two-run double on the ground up the left field line for a 7-5 lead. Missoula added one more in the 7th.
On the mound, Yeison Santana picked up the win in relief for Missoula. Santana (1-1) pitched one-and-a-third and struck out one. Greg Minier suffered the loss in relief for Great Falls. Minier (0-1) worked two-and-two-thirds and gave up three runs (two earned) on four hits with one strikeout. Justin Garcia notched his second save of the season as he closed it out with a 1-2-3 ninth and two strikeouts.
The Osprey outhit the Voyagers 12-to-6. The two teams combined for seven errors. Zac Almond and Cesar Garcia had three hits each for Missoula. Eddie Hernandez hit two homers and drove in three. For Great Falls, Amado Nunez reached twice and scored two runs with a single and a walk.
Great Falls plays the middle game of its weekend series at Missoula Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05. After the current six-game road trip concludes in Billings, the Voyagers return home Thursday, June 28th. For 2018 ticketing and promotional information, call 406-452-5311 or visit www.gfvoyagers.com.
Pioneer League Stories from June 23, 2018
- Rox on Four-Game Skid with Loss to Ogden - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Mustangs Shut out Brewers, 4-0 to Force Rubber Match - Billings Mustangs
- Osprey and Voyagers Postponed Saturday Due to Rain - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Voyagers Drop Series Opener in Missoula - Great Falls Voyagers
- Offense Shines Again as Helena Downs Billings - Helena Brewers
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