Voyagers' Pitching Lassos Mustangs
Published on July 7, 2012 under Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release
GREAT FALLS - The Great Falls Voyagers (11-9) dominated the bats of the Billings Mustangs (12-8) Saturday night and won 4-2. The Voyagers pulled to one game out of first place with the win. The Mustangs managed just three hits, the fewest of the season allowed by Voyager pitchers.
Zach Toney (1-0) started the game for the Voyagers against Mustang Drew Cisco (0-1) and both team traded single runs in the first. Adam Heisler, pinch hitting for an ejected Kyle Robinson, knocked a hit in the third, stole second, and scored on Brent Tanner's two-out base hit to give the Voyagers a 2-1 lead. The Mustangs rallied to tie the game in the fourth, but two runs for the Voyagers, keyed by a Zach Fisher RBI double, in the bottom half gave them a 4-2 lead.
That was all Toney and the bullpen needed as Toney, Zach Isler, and Brett Merkley proceeded to set down seventeen straight Mustangs. The first Mustang to reach after the fourth inning was Carlos Sanchez with a two-out walk in the ninth. Daniel Pigott singled to put the tying run on base, but Merkley struck out Robert Ramirez with a low fastball to end the game and earn his third save.
Great defensive plays were key for the Voyagers during the streak of seventeen straight retired. Daurys Mercedes, shifting to left field after Heisler entered in center, made a pair of sterling plays and Patrick Palmeiro made a great grab over the railing on a popup. Combined with a zero error performance, the pitchers had all the help they needed to shut down Billings.
The Voyagers play Billings again Sunday afternoon at Centene Stadium. It's Great Falls Tribune Pepsi Family Sunday, and fans can get four tickets, four Pepsi drinks, and four hot dogs with a coupon clipped from the Great Falls Tribune or a Voyager pocket schedule. It is also Integrative Medicine Stress Ball Day, and the first 500 fans will receive free stress balls. The game starts at 1 PM.
Pioneer League Stories from July 7, 2012
- Snyder Extends Hitting Streak in 4-1 Loss - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Voyagers' Pitching Lassos Mustangs - Great Falls Voyagers
- Pitching Carries If (Again) to 4-1 Win - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Big Missoula Counterpunch Takes Game from Voyagers - Great Falls Voyagers
- Owlz Offense Dominates Raptors for 12-3 Win - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Osprey Get Past Voyagers, 9-2 - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Chukars Drop Heartbreaker to Rox 2-1 - Idaho Falls Chukars
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