Chukars Wear Comeback Cap in 8-7 Win

IDAHO FALLS, ID -- On beach night at Melaleuca Field, Great Falls made the first splash. The forecast looked stormy with top five league pitcher Chris Freudenberg on the mound for the Voyagers. Idaho Falls rode a comeback wave to take the lead, and added a late run to overtake Great Falls 8-7.

After falling behind 5-0, Idaho Falls began the comeback trail in the second inning. Unlike the prior three games, the Chukars (18-14) did it without a big inning. The Greybirds scored in every inning from the second until the seventh frame. Brandon Thomasson did the damage in the second, with a two run double.

Idaho Falls tallied one run in the third and fourth inning, before taking the lead in the fifth. Kyle Pollock's sacrifice fly tied the game, scoring Wander Franco. Brandon Thomasson struck again, with a single to give the Chukars their first lead. The Greybirds offense ended Chris Freudenberg's quality start streak at three, tagging him for six runs in 5.2 innings.

The Chukars tallied a 7-5 lead, but Patrick Palmeiro's two run home run in the seventh tied the game. Idaho Fall regathered the lead in the bottom half, starting with a Thomasson single. Two batters later, the Royal Palm Beach, Florida native was at third base with two outs. A Corey Toups infield single brought home the go-ahead run.

Eric Skoglund pitched three innings of one run baseball from the second to the fourth. Sam Lewis (1-0) finished the contest strong, retiring the last seven Voyagers in order for his first win of the season.

Idaho Falls continues the seven game homestand and four game series against the Great Falls Voyagers tomorrow. Jake Newberry (3-0) is slated to pitch for the Chukars.