Voyagers Take Fourth Straight
Published on August 7, 2011 under Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release
GREAT FALLS Mont.--Sam Phippen (1-4) earned his first win of the season as he helped lead the Voyagers to their season-high fourth straight win, topping the Billings Mustangs 6-4.
After picking up a no-decision in his last start in which he went five scoreless innings, Phippen lasted five innings again. While he was not nearly as sharp, giving up three runs on seven hits, the righty received some run support in the early going.
After giving up a first inning run, the Voyagers came back and scored three runs on three hits in the first off of Mustangs starter, Ismael Guillon (0-5). Adding one more in each of the next two innings, Phippen was provided a 5-1 lead through the game's first three innings.
During this early offensive attack, the Voyagers benefitted from their own patience, and Billings sloppy play in the field. While the Mustangs were charged with four errors, they made a handful more sloppy plays which allowed the Voyagers extra opportunities. In the first inning, Guillon appeared to have Millender picked off as the league's stolen base leader broke for second, however Robert Maddox's throw to the base sailed into left field.
Later in the inning, Nick O'Shea appeared to have Qualon Millender caught stealing third when Sean Buckley, the Mustangs third baseman, mishandled his throw. And then, Jimmy Jacquot collected an RBI single when Buckley booted a hard hit grounder, although no error was charged, contributing to the Voyagers three-run effort.
Billings, the league's top home run hitting team used solo home runs to climb back into the game. In the fourth, Robert Maddox hit his ninth home run of the season and then, in the fifth, Cristobal Rodriguez hit his second to make it a 5-3 game.
After trading runs, the score would be 6-4 entering the seventh. In his second inning of relief work, Austin Evans got two quick outs before allowing the next two batters to reach. Ryan Newman called on the lefty Rath to face the lefty Maddox, but Rath walked him after throwing a wild pitch earlier in the at-bat to load the bases. Rath, however, who has been much more effective against righties, got Buckley to ground out into an inning-ending fielder's choice, getting out of the jam.
Joe Dvorsky (S, 4) pitched two perfect innings to close out the game, striking out three.
Guillon walked four in three innings, while striking out just three. The lefty from Venezuela has averaged just below a walk per inning and was consistently falling behind hitters in his outing. His defense did not do him any favors, as two of the five runs he allowed were unearned.
In total, the Voyagers drew eight walks. Michael Earley walked three times in the game, after having walked just five times all season.
With his first inning single, Qualon Millender extended his on-base streak to 20 games. The mark gives him the team's highest such streak of the season, breaking a tie with Joe De Pinto, who reached in 19 straight games earlier in the year.
The Voyagers move to one game over .500 for the first time since earning a 2-1 record after a June 22 win over Billings.
The series continues tomorrow with a couple of high-round selections on the mound. Fifth-rounder, Scott Snodgress (LHP) goes for the Voyagers against Mustangs fourth-rounder, Kyle McMyne (RHP). First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. from Centene Stadium with the pregame show set to begin at 12:35 p.m. on 560 KMON.
Pioneer League Stories from August 7, 2011
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- Voyagers Downed by Buckley's Homer - Great Falls Voyagers
- Lindsey Hits for the Cycle in 9-6 Win - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Slump Continues for Chukars in 8-2 Loss - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Ghosts Slam Past Chukars 7-4 - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Voyagers Take Fourth Straight - Great Falls Voyagers
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