Voyagers Game Notes: July 22 vs. Billings
Published on July 22, 2015 under Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release
After going 3-4 on the their seven-game road trip, the Voyagers return home for a two-game series against the Billings Mustangs which begins tonight at Centene Stadium.
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Great Falls Voyagers (16-13) vs. Billings Mustangs (12-19)
RHP Brandon Magallones (1-1, 7.04) vs. LHP Ty Boyles (2-1, 2.06)
7:00 p.m. - Centene Stadium (Great Falls, Mont.)
VOYAGERS SPLIT WITH IF
The Voyagers got another quality start from Brannon Easterling, and earned a split of their four-game set and a win of the season series against Idaho Falls with a 5-2 victory Tuesday. Great Falls grabbed the lead in the first, as Johan Cruz and Antonio Rodriguez each drove in a run. They then extended the lead to in the third, as Zach Fish picked up an RBI single. The Chukars only run against Easterling came in the fifth on a Kyle Pollock home run. After Idaho Falls got within a run in the seventh, Fish put the game away in the ninth with a two-run homer to center. Danny Dopico finished things from there to earn the save.
DOPICO'S DOMINANCE
Right-hander Danny Dopico threw two scoreless innings last night for the Voyagers, earning his second pro save. The Miami, Fla., native struck out six Chukars, tying his career-high. An 11th round pick this year by the White Sox, Dopico has now recorded 27 strikeouts in 17.1 innings to start his pro career, a strikeout rate of 14.0 K/9. The bullpen as a unit now is averaging 10.1 K/9 in 118.0 innings this year.
EASTERLING SHINES AGAIN
For the fourth time in his last five starts, Brannon Easterling earned a quality start last night, allowing just one run on four hits in six innings, and earning his third win. Great Falls now owns 11 quality starts for the year, and the four from Easterling lead the way. The College Station, Tex., native retired 11 in a row at one point, with the run ending on a lead-off home run by Kyle Pollock in the fifth. The right-hander's outing lowered his ERA to 3.44, the sixth-lowest among qualified Pioneer League pitchers. A 20th round pick in 2014, Easterling has now thrown 34.0 innings, tied for the second-most in the league.
ROSTER MOVE
The Chicago White Sox announced a roster move affecting the Voyagers Wednesday, transferring lefty Alex Katz from the AZL White Sox to Great Falls. A 27th round pick last month by Chicago out of St. John's, Katz has made six appearances in his young minor league career, all out of the AZL Sox bullpen. The southpaw picked up one save, and posted a 4.00 ERA with nine strikeouts in nine innings.
Pioneer League Stories from July 22, 2015
- Voyagers Game Notes: July 22 vs. Billings - Great Falls Voyagers
- LHP Alex Katz Joins Voyagers - Great Falls Voyagers
- First-Half Pennant Race Heats up with Key Homestand Tonight - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Owlz Lose Series in 5-1 Setback at Helena - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Raptors Rebound with 8-4 Win - Ogden Raptors
- Chukars Leave Home with a Loss - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Hilliard, Keck Lift Rockies in Series Finale - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Five-Run Second Sinks O's at Ogden - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Easterling, Voyagers Earn Split with Chukars - Great Falls Voyagers
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