Idaho Falls Drops Series Finale in Billings

[Empty Body]

BILLINGS, MT---The Chukars concluded their seven-game roadtrip with a 14-9 loss against the Mustangs. Idaho Falls won the series after two straight wins to start if off, but suffered a tough defeat on Wednesday night. 
The Chukars scored five runs in the top of the first inning off of Jhon De Jesus. After serving up an RBI double to Robby Rinn (his 15th 2B), De Jesus hit three consecutive batters, including two with the bases loaded. His final line was 0.1 innings with 5 runs (all earned) on 3 hits with no walks, no strikeouts and those three hit batters in his worst start of the season. Against the reliever Connor Bennett, Cristhian Vasquez hit a two-run single (runs were charged to De Jesus). Idaho Falls sent ten men to the plate in the inning.
However, Billings got those five runs back in the bottom of the frame when they sent up ten guys as well. They scored those five runs on four hits off of Dillon Drabble, with the help of two Idaho Falls errors. The game was tied at 5-5 at that point and through the first three innings of play. 
In the top of the fourth, Amalani Fukofuka drove in a run on a groundout to put the Chukars up by a run at 6-5. However, the turning point of the game came an inning and a half later. 
In the bottom of the fifth, Drabble retired the first two batters before he issued a walk to Mark Kolozsvary. Then, on a weak grounder to shortstop, Matt Morales committed his second error of the game for Idaho Falls to extend the inning for Billings. The Mustangs went on to score four runs in that inning to take a 9-6 lead. They never looked back and scored three runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh. 
The Chukars trailed 14-6 to begin the top of the eighth, but they got three runs back, which included a Fukofuka RBI double. That was not enough, as they dropped the series finale at Dehler Park. For the fourth time this season, Idaho Falls committed five errors in a ballgame.
Dillon Drabble took the loss and is now 0-2. He pitched 4.2 innings, allowed 7 runs (4 earned) on 7 hits, with 3 walks, 4 strikeouts and a wild pitch. Zac Correll earned the win for Billings. He pitched 3 scorless innings, allowed 2 hits and struck out 2 batters with one walk. 
Idaho Falls is now 21-25 on the season, 13-13 away from home, 12-9 against the North and 4-5 in the second half. 
The Chukars have a day off on Thursday before returning home on Friday night. At Melaleuca Field, the host a seven-game series: three with Great Falls and four with Billings.