Missoula Falls to Billings 13-11

MISSOULA, Mont. - Offense was aplenty at Ogren Park Allegiance Field, but the Missoula Osprey fell to the Billings Mustangs 13-11 in front of 3,026 fans Friday night.

Billings came out of the gates hot and scored eight runs in the top of the first, including three home runs by Argenis Aldazora, Cory Thompson and Brian O'Grady. Missoula's starter, Touki Toussaint (1-2), lasted just 0.2 innings and was replaced by Tyler Bolton (5-4) on the bump.

The O's did not give up after the long top of the first. Missoula clawed its way back with three runs in the bottom half of the inning. Sergio Alcantara, Fernery Ozuna and Stewart Ijames crossed the plate.

Billings continued to tack on runs. By the end of the third the score was 10-3 favoring Billings.

Soon after, Missoula's offense came to life. Trevor Mitsui highlighted the night. The first baseman went three for five with a home run and five RBI. Stewart Ijames and Gerard Hernandez also added to the scoreboard, each with a pair of RBI. Hernandez put the O's back in the game with an RBI double in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at 10.

Billings quickly responded with two runs in the top of the eighth off Argenis Aldazora's second long ball of the night. Missoula put one more run on the board in the bottom half of the inning, but that was all the O's could muster.

Brennan Bernardino (1-0) notched his eighth save for the Mustangs. Brian Hunter (2-0) collected the win and Derek Cape (0-3) suffered his third loss.

The Osprey host Billings for two more games this homestand before hitting the road for the final stretch of the 2014 regular season. Fans can bring their dog to the ballpark with them on Saturday and Sunday is Fan Appreciation Night.

Tickets for all Osprey games are available at the MSO Hub Box Office, by phone at (406) 543-3300 and online at MissoulaOsprey.com.