Bullpen Implodes As Voyagers Take Series

Idaho Falls, ID - Vibes were good at Melaleuca Field after Steve Ridings went a career high seven innings in his start for the Chukars, striking out a career best 12. With a two run lead going into the eighth, those positive vibes quickly disappeared, as seven walks by the Chukars bullpen in the frame resulted in six Great Falls runs, putting them up four. The Chukars managed just one run the rest of the game, falling 9-6 to the Voyagers and dropping the series two games to one.
The Chukars got the party started in the first inning, as a two out infield single from Rhett Aplin scored on a double from Juan Carlos Negret.
Great Falls tied the game in the top of the third on a Bryan Connell home run, but the Chukars took the lead right back in the bottom of the third. Tyler James started the inning with a walk and then swiped second. Jose Marquez then tripled to left center, scoring James to put Idaho Falls up 2-1. Aplin walked two batters later, and Negret delivered with an infield single, plating Marquez.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Voyagers tied the game at three, as a leadoff double from Harvin Mendoza scored on a Ty Greene ground out, and followed by a solo homer from Sam Abbott. From there though, Ridings locked in, retiring the last ten that he faced with eight of those being strikeouts. Ridings' 12 strikeouts broke a career high of 11 set on July 19^th in Billings.
The Chukars took the lead back with a single run in the fifth inning on a Negret ground out, and extended the lead in the sixth on a Marquez sacrifice fly. However, the Chukars left the bases loaded in the sixth inning and left two on with nobody out in the seventh.
As the bullpen took over in the eighth inning, the bottom fell out. 12 Voyagers came to the plate in the frame, with six of them scoring. The Chukars issued seven walks in the inning split between two pitchers. Great Falls only recorded one hit in the inning.
Tomorrow the Chukars start their final road trip with the first of a two game series in Missoula. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM. Because of conflicts with high school football, the game broadcast can only be heard on ifchukars.com.