Voyagers Game Notes: September 4 at Missoula
Published on September 4, 2015 under Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release
After getting shutout for the first time this season and losing their wild card lead last night, the Voyagers look to bounce back and earn a split of their four-game set with the Missoula Osprey tonight at Ogren Park Allegiance Field.
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Great Falls Voyagers (15-18, 32-37) at Missoula Osprey (18-14, 41-28)
RHP Lucas Shearrow (2-3, 3.32) vs. LHP Junior Garcia (2-1, 3.86)
6:35 p.m. - Ogren Park Allegiance Field (Missoula, Mont.)
OSPREY BLANK VOYAGERS
Great Falls was shutout for the first time in 2015 Thursday, as Missoula claimed a 6-0 victory. For the second night in a row, it was the second inning that proved to be a big difference maker for the Osprey. The first run scored on an error, Matt McPhearson singled in a run with a bunt, Austin Byler picked up an RBI, and McPhearson stole home to make it 4-0. Missoula then added single runs in the fourth and eighth to put the game away. Starter Bryant Holtmann worked out of trouble in the second and third, but otherwise kept Great Falls in check in his six innings to earn his second win. The Voyager offense then picked up just one hit over the final three innings against the Osprey bullpen.
PLAYOFF PICTURE
Entering Friday, Great Falls is in third in the second half standings, three and a half games behind Missoula, with Billings two and a half out. With the Voyagers loss and the Mustangs win last night, Great Falls lost their lead in the wild card race, and Billings is now a half game ahead of the Voyagers, with the Helena Brewers three games back.
OFFENSIVE DROUGHT
With their shutout loss in Missoula last night, Great Falls was blanked for the first time in 2015. It had been nearly a year to the day since the last time the Voyagers had been shutout, as the Osprey kept them off the board in last year's regular season finale on September 4 at Centene Stadium. The Voyagers have now been kept scoreless over their last 16 innings, having not scored since the second inning on Wednesday night. It has been a major struggle for Great Falls to score runs as of late, as they have been held to two runs or fewer in 12 of their last 19 games. In this 19-game stretch, the Voyagers have averaged just 3.3 runs per contest, and have posted a 6-13 record.
SOLID DEBUTS
A pair of recent additions made their Voyager debuts last night, starting with Corey Zangari, who just arrived Thursday. The designated hitter went 2-for-4 on the night, including a double in his first at-bat. Righty Jordan Stephens also made his first appearance in a Great Falls uniform, striking out a pair in two scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
Pioneer League Stories from September 4, 2015
- Another Close One Goes Brewers' Way - Helena Brewers
- Voyagers Escape with Victory - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Great Falls Hangs on to Earn Split - Great Falls Voyagers
- Banks Named Co-Logan Hurlbert Pitcher of the Year - Great Falls Voyagers
- Diaz Tabbed League MVP, Five Named All-Stars - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Voyagers Game Notes: September 4 at Missoula - Great Falls Voyagers
- Rockies Double up Raptors 16-8 - Ogden Raptors
- Bats Explode in Win over Raptors - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Mustang Edge out 8-7 Win - Helena Brewers
- Owlz Early Lead Not Enough for Victory - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Chukars Topple Orem 8-5 - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Holtmann Deals Six in Shutout - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Voyagers Shutout for First Time in 2015 - Great Falls Voyagers
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