Gordon pitches Chukars to Game 1 win

Derek Gordon had some nerves when he took the mound for the first time in the playoffs. His offense tried to make things easy for him.

The 24-year-old right-hander overcame initial postseason jitters and got an early five-run gift from the Chukars on Wednesday night as he pitched Idaho Falls to a 6-2 victory over Orem in Game 1 of the Pioneer League South Division finals.

"The first pitch, I was definitely thinking about it," said Gordon, who gave up two runs on five hits and a walk over seven inning, striking out five. "I threw an up-and-in fastball to the first hitter when it was supposed to be down and away. I definitely had some nerves, but after the first pitch, I was able to calm myself down and relax."

Before the opener of the best-of-3 series, Chukars pitching coach Jeff Suppan told the Nebraska native simply to do what he'd been doing over his 13 regular-season starts. Gordon went at least five innings in 11 of them and finished third in the league with a 3.47 ERA. 

Once the nerves dissipated, the Park University product retired his first eight batters. The most Owlz he faced in an inning was six, when he allowed a run on a hit and a walk.

"Suppan helped me a lot tonight," Gordon said. "He was telling me before the game to treat it like any other start. 'You've done well this year. Just try to relax, control your breathing and just go out there and do what you can.'

"I really listened to Jeff Suppan tonight because he's had experience in the playoffs and World Series with the Cardinals. He was a big help tonight."

After plating a run in the first, the Chukars added four in the second, highlighted by Amalani Fukofuka's two-out bases-loaded triple. 

"As a starting pitcher, it's always great to have your offense hitting," said Gordon, the younger brother of Royals outfielder Alex Gordon. "When they got five runs in two innings, it just calmed my nerves a little bit and I realized that they were behind me and they were going to hit the ball well tonight."

Idaho Falls can close things out on Thursday night when the series shifts to Orem.

In other Pioneer League playoff action:

Billings 5, Missoula 2

Jose Siri hit a go-ahead triple in the fifth inning as the Mustangs pulled away to win the opener of the North Division finals. Ed Charlton doubled, singled, scored twice and drove in a run for Billings. Luke Lowery and Austin Byler homered for the Osprey, who host Game 2 on Thursday. Box score