Idaho Falls 4, Casper 2

The Idaho Falls Chukars defeated the Casper Ghosts 4-2 Wednesday night at Mike Lansing Field. The Chukars took an early lead, lost it in the sixth inning, and then took it back for good.

The early lead for Idaho Falls was manufactured after a lead-off single by Lane Adams. Justin Trapp used a sacrifice bunt to get Adams to second base, and then Murray Watts hit an RBI single after a groundout to score Adams from third base. Casper scored two runs in the sixth, but the Chukars scored two in the top of the seventh to answer back. With one out, Jake Kuebler reached first after a strikeout where the ball got away from the catcher. Back-to-back singles by Tim Ferguson and Tom Zebroski scored Kueber, and Malcom Culver used a squeeze bunt to plate Ferguson. The final run for the Chukars came in the ninth inning. Murray Watts led off with a walk and was replaced at first base by pinch runner Cameron Monger. Monger stole second base and third base on back-to-back pitches and scored after a Kuebler chop single to the right side.

On the mound, Starling De La Rosa pitched five shutout innings in his first start of the season. De La Rosa allowed four hits and one walk, while recording four strikeouts. The win went to piggyback starter Santiago Garrido, who walked four batters and allowed two runs in three innings of work. Alex Rivers pitched a shutout ninth inning for his first save of the season.

The pitching was aided by the defense in the victory. In addition to some nice plays in the infield, two outfield assists were recorded by left fielder Ferguson. Ferguson threw out Ryan Casteel at second when he tried to stretch a single into a double in the fifth inning, and he cut down Casteel at home plate in the sixth inning.

The win was the first for the Chukars against the Ghosts in four tries. The four-game series in Casper is now tied at 1-1. Game three is scheduled for 7:05 Thursday night at Mike Lansing Field.