Voyagers Game Notes: NDCS Game 1 at Billings
Published on September 5, 2014 under Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release
The Voyagers begin their playoff run with game one of the North Division Championship Series tonight at Dehler Park in Billings.
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North Division Championship Series Game 1
Great Falls Voyagers at Billings Mustangs (Series Tied 0-0) Â
RHP Luis Martinez (2-1, 1.42) vs. RHP Wyatt Strahan (0-3, 2.76)
7:05 p.m. - Dehler Park, Billings, Mont.
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VOYAGERS BLANKED
The Voyagers wrapped up their regular season Thursday with a 4-0 shutout loss at the hands of Missoula, the fourth time that Great Falls has been shutout this season. The Osprey scored all four of their runs with two outs in the first, then never looked back, allowing just three base runners. Starter Dallas Newton offered up five hitless innings for Missoula before John Ziznewski led off the sixth with an infield hit, the only Voyager knock of the game.
BACK IN BILLINGS
Great Falls started both halves of the 2014 season at Dehler Park, taking a 7-4 Opening Night victory on June 16, and starting the second half with a 6-0 shutout win in Billings on July 26. Those were the only two victories of the season for the Voyagers at Dehler Park, as they dropped the other six road meetings. Overall, the Mustangs took nine of the 16 meetings, including five of the eight contests in the second half.
TALE OF THE TAPE: BILLINGS
The Mustangs offense struggled this season, hitting just .255, the worst in the league. The offense was boosted by a league-leading 78 homers, which helped them average 5.5 runs per game. The Billings staff had a stronger season, finishing second in team ERA (4.31) behind the Voyagers.
A GOOD SIGN?
The Mustangs are in the playoffs for the first time since 2008, when Great Falls swept Billings on the way to the Pioneer League Championship. That season featured the same four playoff teams as this year, with Orem and Ogden battling it out in the South.
MASTERFUL MARTINEZ
To start their playoff run, Great Falls will turn to Luis Martinez. The righty was called up from the AZL White Sox on August 1 and has made five strong starts since. The righty has gone five innings or more in each of his outings, allowing one or no runs each time.
Pioneer League Stories from September 5, 2014
- Great Falls Drops Game One to Mustangs - Great Falls Voyagers
- Voyagers Game Notes: NDCS Game 1 at Billings - Great Falls Voyagers
- Raptors Lose Regular Season Finale - Ogden Raptors
- Rockies Beat Owlz in Season Finale - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Brewers Close Season with Win - Helena Brewers
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