Idaho Falls, ID - Early offense again was the story at Melaleuca Field on Tuesday night as the Idaho Falls Chukars raced out to 6-0 thanks to a grand slam in the first and a two run second. Missoula would inch closer but never led, as five Chukars pitchers allowed
Idaho Falls, ID - Early offense again was the story at Melaleuca Field on Tuesday night as the Idaho Falls Chukars raced out to 6-0 thanks to a grand slam in the first and a two run second. Missoula would inch closer but never led, as five Chukars pitchers allowed just three hits. Idaho Falls downed Missoula 6-4, giving the Chukars a perfect 5-0 record to start the season.
The Chukars wasted no time getting the party started, as the first two batters reached in the first on a hit by pitch and single against Osprey starter Denson Hull (L, 0-1). After Chris Hudgins reached on a one error to load the bases, Michael Emodi made Hull pay, launching a grand slam to deep right center field, making it 4-0 Chukars. Emodi leads the club with 9 RBI and has homered twice in his first four games.
Idaho Falls added on in the second inning, as with one out and one on, Clay Dungan doubled to left, scoring Montae Bradshaw. Jose Marquez followed with a single that plated Dungan, making it 6-0 Chukars.
Chukars starter Alec Marsh retired all six batters he faced, and gave way to Stephen Ridings, who was scoreless in his first two innings. Ridings though lost his command in the fifth inning, allowing a leadoff double, followed by three straight walks, with a run scoring. Ridings was pulled in favor of Marlin Willis (W, 1-0), who forced a double play that scored a run, but helped to stop the bleeding. A wild pitch scored a third run in the inning, but that was all as the Chukars led 6-3 going to the bottom of the fifth.
Willis pitched a perfect sixth, and Brady Cox followed with two scoreless frames in his first professional pitching appearance. Jaret Hellinger (SV, 1) came on for the ninth, and allowed a leadoff triple to David Sanchez. A ground out from Cesar Garcia scored Sanchez to make it 6-4, but Hellinger then walked Carson Maxwell, bringing the tying run to the plate. With Luvin Valbuena up, Hellinger picked off Maxwell for the second out, and then struck out Valbuena to end the game.
The Chukars go for the three game sweep tomorrow as Nathan Webb takes the hill. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 PM.
