Chukars Shutout Osprey 6-0
Idaho Falls has won three of its last four games with a 6-0 shutout of Missoula on Sunday afternoon. It was the second time that the Chukars have blanked an opponent this season, the first time at Melaleuca Field.Both teams were held scoreless after the first inning. In the top
Idaho Falls has won three of its last four games with a 6-0 shutout of Missoula on Sunday afternoon. It was the second time that the Chukars have blanked an opponent this season, the first time at Melaleuca Field.
Both teams were held scoreless after the first inning. In the top of the second, Julio Pinto struck out the side in order. In the bottom of the inning, Jake Wakamatsu came through with a two out, two-run single to drive in Robby Rinn and Darrell Miller, Jr. (who has a hit in each of his first ten professional games).
Pinto struck out the side again in the top of the fourth. In the bottom half,
The Chukars added another run in the bottom of the sixth on a Jonathan McCray solo home run, his fourth round-tripper of the season. After the game, McCray was promoted to Kansas City Royals' Class-A Advanced affiliate, Wilmington Blue Rocks. In the bottom of the seventh, an Amalani Fukofuka RBI triple put Idaho Falls up 5-0.
After his shortest start of the season, Julio Pinto pitched his longest outing. He was dominant, throwing 7 innings, with no runs on six hits, just one walk and he struck out a career-high 11 Missoula batters.
"I feel amazing," said Pinto (2-4) during an on-field interview after the game. "I've got to keep working. I came to play today and I was happy that I was able to help the team win."
Both of Pinto's wins this season have come at Melaleuca Field. The first was back on June 25th against the Grand Junction Rockies.
Tyler Straub hit a solo home run (his third of the season) in the bottom of the 8th inning that put the Chukars up 6-0, the score in which they won by. The ball traveled 415 feet.
For the second game this season, the Chukars did not commit an error in the field. They lead all Pioneer League teams with 63 errors on the season.
Idaho Falls is now 3-2 on this homestand and 3-2 against North Division opponents. The Chukars overall record is now 12-15, with a home clip of 7-8. They are 7.5 games behind the Orem Owlz in the South Division and are tied for third place with Grand Junction.
The Chukars are now 3-2 in day games and 9-6 when the team hits a home run.
Game three against the Osprey is Monday night at the normal 7:15 P.M. start time, with the finale at that same time on Tuesday night. The Chukars have a day off to travel on Wednesday before opening a seven-game, Montana road-trip in Helena on Thursday evening.
Can't make it to Melaleuca Field on Monday 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. All home games are also broadcast live on the web with video at MiLB.tv. Pregame coverage begins at 7:00 PM MT, followed by first pitch between the Brewers and Chukars at 7:15 PM.