Voyagers Game Notes: August 19 vs. Grand Junction
August 19, 2015 - Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release
After another dominant start from Brannon Easterling last night to even their series with Grand Junction, the Voyagers and Rockies continue their four-game set tonight at Centene Stadium.
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Great Falls Voyagers (10-8, 27-27) vs. Grand Junction Rockies (5-13, 25-31)
RHP Lucas Shearrow (1-3, 4.45) vs. RHP Parker French (2-3, 3.89)
7:00 p.m. - Centene Stadium (Great Falls, Mont.)
VOYAGERS EVEN SERIES
Great Falls got another good start from Brannon Easterling and rode that to a 6-3 series-evening win over Grand Junction last night. The Voyagers scored first with a run in the second, only to see the Rockies tie it up in the next half inning. The bottom of the third proved to be the difference on the night as Great Falls struck for four. Johan Cruz gave the Voyagers the lead back with an RBI double. Two walks later, Great Falls hit a potential double play ball, but the Rockies made an error allowing two more to score. Dante Flores then capped the inning by scoring on a wild pitch. The four-run lead was plenty, as the Rockies never seriously threatened the Great Falls advantage.
CRUZIN' ALONG
Infielder Johan Cruz returned to the Voyager lineup last night after a few days off and picked up right where he left off, going 2-for-5 to extend his hitting streak to eight. The 19-year old now has 20 multi-hit efforts this season, which leads Great Falls. The Dominican Republic, native is now hitting .330 for the year, seventh-best in the league.
BRANNON BRINGS IT AGAIN
Great Falls right-hander Brannon Easterling continued his strong recent run for the Voyagers last night, surrendering an unearned run on three hits in five innings to earn his fifth win. Over his last three starts, the College Station, Tex., native has now allowed just three earned runs across 18.2 innings, The righty's ERA now sits at 2.90, the third-lowest among qualified Pioneer League pitchers. A 20th round pick in 2014, Easterling now leads the league in innings pitched this year, having thrown 62.0 frames in his 11 starts. Last night's outing also brought the 25-year old's WHIP down to 1.08, the second-lowest in the league, and his batting average against to .253, which is fifth-lowest.
NORTHERN DOMINANCE
All four North Division teams won last night in the Pioneer League, keeping the standings the same as the second half hits the halfway point tonight. Entering Wednesday, Great Falls trails Missoula by a game for the second half division crown, and leads Billings by a game and a half in the race for the division's second playoff spot.
Pioneer League Stories from August 19, 2015
- Great Falls Shuts Down Grand Junction - Great Falls Voyagers
- Voyagers Game Notes: August 19 vs. Grand Junction - Great Falls Voyagers
- Helena Tops Ogden in Pioneer League Slugfest - Ogden Raptors
- Owlz Lose Third Straight in Montana - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Chukars Bats Silenced in Streak-Snapping Loss - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Brewers End Losing Streak - Helena Brewers
- Bats Go Quiet in Great Falls - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Three Runs Enough for Osprey - Missoula PaddleHeads
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