Christy Homers Twice in 11-4 Victory
MISSOULA, MONT. - Francis Christy became the third different Osprey hitter to collect a multiple-homer game this season, belting a pair of solo-homers as part of a 3-for-4 night to guide the Missoula Osprey (38-24) to an 11-4 victory over the Helena Brewers (24-37) on Tuesday night from Ogren Park Allegiance Field.
The Osprey came out swinging in the victory, scoring nine runs on 10 hits over the first three innings of play. Three of the 10 hits left the yard, as Christy homered in the second and third, while Isan Diaz added a two-run shot for his 10th of the year. The homers for Christy pushed his total to four on the season, as he joins Diaz and Austin Byler (twice) as the three members of the multi-homer club this year in Missoula.
Diaz finished the game a triple short of the cycle after hitting for the cycle on the 23rd at Billings, registering a 3-for-5 night with two runs scored and two RBI. Leadoff man Jason Morozowski did well in setting the table for the O's, going 4-for-5 with two runs scored, a double and an RBI. The four-hit night set a new high-water mark for Morozowski's career.
Yefrey Ramirez got the start and earned the victory over Helena, improving to 5-4 on the year after tossing 5.1 innings and allowing just four runs on six hits with four strikeouts. Missoula's bullpen of Aaron Sookee (1.2 IP), Dallas Newton (1.0 IP) and Keegan Long (1.0 IP) combined to toss the final 3.2 scoreless innings, surrendering just one hit and striking out eight batters.
Jordan Yamamoto was hit hard in the start for Helena, allowing eight runs on eight hits, including two homers, over 2.1 innings of work before being tagged with the loss and falling to 1-6.
The Osprey as a team stole five bases in the victory, as Matt McPhearson swiped three while going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI hitting out of the eighth spot in the order. The speedster has now registered 25 stolen bases on the season.
Missoula will finish the short two-game home series against Helena tomorrow at 7:05 pm MT.
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