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Greybirds Rally Again for 7-4 Victory

Chukars mirror first half with 3-0 record
July 31, 2012

The Idaho Falls Chukars finally played a regulation length game but once again had to overcome an early deficit, as the Greybirds rallied from down 3-0 to win 7-4 over the Ogden Raptors at Lindquist Field. The Chukars were actually no-hit over the first five innings before exploding for 7 runs in the 6th and 7th.

On the heels of back-to-back extra innings wins at Melaleuca Field, the Chukars looked tired early in Tuesday's game. Starting pitcher Ali Williams allowed three Raptors runs over the first two innings to put the Greybirds down 3-0. The Chukars bats meanwhile put up little resistance, as they were no-hit through the first five innings by Ogden starter Ross Stripling and reliever Kazuki Nishijima.

Finally, in the sixth, the Idaho Falls offense broke though against Nishijima for three runs on five hits to tie the game at 3-3. The big play of the inning was actually a costly error by Raptors shortstop Cory Seager who threw wide of first base on what should have been the third out, allowing Nick Cuckovich to reach safely and Ethan Chapman to score. Parker Morin would take advantage of the miscue one batter later with an RBI single to right to plate Cuckovich and tie the game. Adalberto Mondesi also had an RBI hit in the inning.

The Chukars bats weren't done there however, as the team rallied for four more runs on five more hits in the seventh to take a 7-3 lead. Following a leadoff walk to Nick DelGuidice, Chukars left fielder Diego Goris launched a 2-run home run over the left field wall to give Idaho Falls a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Chapman doubled in a run later in the inning while Cuckovich knocked in Chapman with an RBI hit.

The Chukars bullpen would hold on from there, as the recently hot group combined to toss four innings and allow just one run on three hits. Andrew Durden (1-0) earned the win for his 2.2 innings pitched, allowing just one run on two hits. Lefty Matt Strahm tossed 2/3 of a scoreless innings while Cory Hall (4) entered in the ninth with the tying run at the plate and struck out both batters he faced to earn the save.

At the dish, Chapman finished the game 2-5 with a 2B and an RBI. The Idaho Falls leadoff man now leads the Pioneer League with 54 hits and has 21 multi-hit games in just 37 games played.

With the win the Chukars start the second half of the season exactly how they started the first, 3-0. The Raptors meanwhile continue to experience a little bit of a post-division winning hangover as they drop to 0-3. The two clubs will meet up again Wednesday night for game two of the three-game series at 7:00 pm.

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