Voyagers Game Notes: August 18 vs. Grand Junction
Published on August 18, 2015 under Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release
After falling in the opener of their four-game set with the Rockies, the Voyagers continue their set with Grand Junction tonight at Centene Stadium.
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Great Falls Voyagers (9-8, 26-27) vs. Grand Junction Rockies (5-12, 25-30)
RHP Brannon Easterling (4-2, 3.16) vs. RHP Mike Nikorak (0-2 ,11.00)
7:00 p.m. - Centene Stadium (Great Falls, Mont.)
ROCKIES TAKE OPENER
Great Falls dropped their fourth in their last five Monday as Grand Junction took the opener of their series 6-3 at Centene Stadium. The Rockies wasted no time in grabbing the lead, scoring three in the first. The Voyagers closed the gap to one, scoring one in the third on an Antonio Rodriguez single and another in the fourth on a wild pitch. The lead quickly ballooned up to five however, as the Rockies added three more in the fifth. Great Falls pulled one back in the sixth as Louis Silverio brought in his first run since his return, but that was as close the Voyagers could get.
OFFENSE STILL STRUGGLING
The Voyager offense was held to three runs in Monday's loss to the Rockies, marking the season-high sixth consecutive game in which Great Falls was held to four runs or less. During this six-game stretch the Voyagers have average a mere 2.3 runs per contest and are just 2-4, including a 1-3 mark on the current homestand. Last night, the Voyagers managed nine hits, but struggled to deliver with runners in scoring position, going just 2-for-15.
BRANNON BRINGIN' IT
Great Falls will look to break out of their recent cold streak tonight with right-hander Brannon Easterling on the mound. The College Station, Tex., native leads the club in quality starts, having delivered six in his first 10 outings of 2015. The righty's 3.16 ERA is the third-lowest among qualified Pioneer League pitchers entering tonight's action, trailing only Billings lefty Ty Boyles (1.70), and teammate Tanner Banks (1.93). Easterling faced in the Rockies in his last start, going six and two-thirds frames and allowing two runs to collect his sixth quality start, despite getting tagged with the loss.
PLAYOFF PICTURE
As we near the halfway mark of the first half, the Voyagers find themselves in second place in the Pioneer League North Division standings entering the night, the first time in the second half that the Voyagers have not at least owned a share of first place. Great Falls trails first half champion Missoula by a game, but leads Billings by a game and a half in the race for the Pioneer League North Division's second playoff spot entering tonight's action.
Pioneer League Stories from August 18, 2015
- Easterling, Voyagers Even Set with Rockies - Great Falls Voyagers
- Voyagers Game Notes: August 18 vs. Grand Junction - Great Falls Voyagers
- Rockies' First-Rounders Shining in Junction - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Rockies Send Three to All-Star Game - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Owlz Late Ninth Rally Comes up Short - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Chukars Rally from Four Down Late, Win 9-8 - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Rockies Win to Open Series in Great Falls - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Raptors Return to Winning Ways against Brewers - Ogden Raptors
- Great Falls Drops Series Opener to Rockies - Great Falls Voyagers
- Abreu, Diaz Homer in Victory - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Raptors Win Series Opener 7-2 - Helena Brewers
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