MUSTANGS WIN 4-3 IN 10 INNINGS TO MAINTAIN LEAD IN DIVISION
The Billings Mustangs (21-12) overcame a late deficit to top the Grand Junction Rockies (14-19) 4-3 in 10 innings on Friday in front of 4,990 at Suplizio Field.
Grand Junction would take the first lead of the game, striking for a run in the bottom of the first off Adrian Rodriguez. Hunter Melton came up with the bases loaded and one out. He would hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Jose Gomez. Rodriguez pitched five innings in the start and did not receive a decision.
The Mustangs tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth when John Sansone singled to score Taylor Trammell off Rockies starter Mike Nikorak. Nikorak pitched six innings Friday, his longest outing of the season.
The game would contain a 68 minute lightning delay between the top and bottom of the sixth inning. When play resumed, with the Rockies leading 3-1, Joel Kuhnel would relieve Rodriguez. Kuhnel pitched two shutout innings of relief, giving up two hits and striking out two.
Trailing by two runs heading to the top of the eighth, the Mustangs found themselves running out of time. Jose Siri came up with a crucial RBI single to score Miles Gordon. Siri scored two batters later when Cassidy Brown singled up the middle to tie the game, 3-3.
Jensen Park came inches away from a walk-off homerun in the bottom of the ninth for Grand Junction. He would double off the very top of the right field wall, but was stranded at second.
Siri came up big again in the 10th when he doubled to lead off the inning. He got aggressive on the basepath, stealing third, and eventually scored when Cassidy Brown delivered another clutch RBI single to give Billings the 4-3 win.
The Mustangs have now secured at the least a series split in Colorado and remain three games ahead of the Great Falls Voyagers for first place in the Pioneer League North Division. Billings and Grand Junction will face off in game three of their four-game series Saturday at Suplizio Field. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.