Chukars Pound the Rockies 13-4

In their third try, the Chukars picked up their first win in front of the home fans at Melaleuca Field. After a two-game sweep by the Orem Owlz, Idaho Falls defeated Grand Junction in the first of a four-game set by a final of 13-4. The Chukars (4-3) have defeated the Rockies (1-6) for all of their wins this season. They were 3-1 in the season-opening series at Suplizio Field. 
Grand Junction right fielder Casey Golden hit a two-run home run (2, both against the Chukars) to begin the scoring. That would be the only blemish for Idaho Falls starting pitcher, Julio Pinto, who retired the next two batters to end the frame. Idaho Falls got those two runs back in the bottom of the inning, as Offerman Collado scored on a double play ball and Darrell Miller, Jr. hit an RBI-single in the following at-bat. 
In the bottom of the second inning, the Chukars scored three more runs, which included the first home run in the professional career of third baseman Tyler Straub, which was a solo shot to lead off the inning. Offerman Collado drove in a run on his first triple of the season. Idaho Falls added another run on a Straub single. 
The Chukars received solid efforts on the mound from both Julio Pinto (the starter and winning pitcher) and reliever Randy Acevado. The two men combined to retire 11-straight Rockies from the final out of the third inning to the seventh inning, when Joey Bartosic hit a single to shortstop. 
The Chukars added two more runs in the sixth inning on a Darrell Miller, Jr. double. He is 10-13, 1 HR, 8 RBI to begin the season in just three games, all against the Rockies. 
He's not the first Darrell Miller to play for Idaho Falls. His father, Darrell Miller, Sr. played for the Idaho Falls Angels, as they were at the time, in 1979 to begin his professional career. Miller, Jr. is doing the same for the Chukars (Royals-affiliate) in 2017. 
"I don't think about it too much but I love it ," said MIller, Jr., who finished the game 2-4 with 3 RBI. "It's really cool to be able to say that I got to play in the same place first." 
Idaho Falls tacked on another pair in the 8th inning on Logan Gray's first home run. The Rockies scored one in the 8th and one in the 9th, but that was not enough to overcome. Logan Longwith (1-1) took the loss for Grand Junction in a rematch of the starters from game two of the regular season. 
The Chukars and Rockies play game two tomorow night at Melaleuca Field. Jeremy Gwinn (Idaho Falls) and Anderson Amarista (Grand Junction) make their second starts of the season. 
Can't make it to Melaleuca Field tommorow night? You can listen to the broadcast with John Balginy and Logan Ratick on KSPZ, The Sports Zone (ESPN Radio) on 980 AM and 105.1 FM in the Upper Valley, and 94.5 FM in the Pocatello area. All broadcasts stream live on 980thezone.com, as well as on KSPZ via the TuneIn app and at tunein.com. Every home game also streams live on MiLB.tv. Pregame coverage begins at 7:00 PM MT, followed by first pitch between the Rockies and Chukars at 7:15 PM.