Enormous Eighth Gives Billings Series Opener

Idaho Falls, ID - In the four game series in Orem, the Chukars allowed eight homers, and in the series opener tonight against Billings, the home run problems continued. Tied at two going into the top of the eighth inning, Billings scored five runs, hitting two homers in the inning. The Chukars scored three in the bottom of the eighth inning, but couldn't close the gap, falling 7-5. Idaho Falls has now lost five straight and are a season worst three games under .500.
Chukars starter Stephen Ridings punched out the first two batters of the ballgame, but then allowed a solo homer to James Free to put Billings up a run.
But the Chukars tied the game up in the second on a long ball of their own, as Michael Emodi hit a 470 foot leadoff homer, his 12^th of the year.
Billings retook the lead in the fifth inning, as a leadoff single from Jonathan Willems scored on a two out single from Quin Cotton. The Chukars though tied the game up on another solo homer, this time from Juan Carlos Negret with two out in the bottom of the sixth inning, saddling Billings starter Justin McGregor (who left in line for the win) with a no decision.
Free though had the last laugh, as after a leadoff double from T.J. Hopkins in the eighth, Free went the opposite way for his second homer of the game, making it 4-2 Mustangs. Willems added on another run in the inning with a two out RBi triple, and then scored on wild pitch. The batter at the plate on the wild pitch was Quincy McAfee, and he homered to left to make it 7-2 Blliings.
Idaho Falls scored three in the bottom of the eighth inning, as Negret hit his second homer of the game, but went down in order in the ninth inning.
Tomorrow the Chukars look to snap their five game losing streak as they host the Mustangs for a 7:15 PM first pitch. It is tumbler giveaway night presented by Snake River Rapid Wash, with the first 500 fans in attendance receiving the tumblers. Limited tickets are still available by visiting ifchukars.com.