About Last Night:
The Missoula Osprey have used a team approach all season to get in position to play their way into the Pioneer League playoffs. On Thursday here at Ogren Park Allegiance Field, in front of 2,668 witnesses, the Osprey showed that off in an 8-5 win over the Billings Mustangs. Pedro Ruiz had the key hit on offense, fighting off a Sal Romano (5-6) inside pitch for a two-run single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth inning, pushing the Osprey lead to 4-1. It kick-started a three-run fourth inning for Missoula, who added a pair of runs in the home half of the fifth for a 7-1 lead. It was enough for Ross Gerdeman (5-5) to settle in and take control. Gerdeman allowed three runs on seven hits and pitched into the seventh inning to pick up the win on the mound. Neither Chase Stevens nor Vince Spilker had their best stuff, each surrendering a run, but Justin Thompson managed to battle through a two-on jam and earn his eighth save. Alex Glenn had another big night at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. Glenn drove in five runs in the two-game series for Missoula. Danny Pulfer, Jake Lamb and Rudy Flores each delivered two hits and a RBI for Missoula, who had 13 hits on the night.

History Made on Thursday:
There was a handful of Osprey history set on Thursday night:
– The Osprey set a new single-season attendance record, finishing 188 people shy of the 90,000 mark. The crowd of 2,668 on Thursday pushed the season total to 89, 812 for the season.
– For the first time in 14 seasons, the Osprey are in the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. It’s also the seventh time the Osprey have won 40 or more games in a season, with six of those campaigns ending with a post-season berth (2000 being the only exception).

On the Mound Tonight:
Missoula will send right-hander Chris Pack to the mound as he looks to get the Osprey postseason run off to a good start. Pack (6-2, 5.42) didn’t get much help in his last start on Sunday, which turned into a 6-4 loss at Billings, allowing five runs – one earned – in four innings on six hits and three walks. Pack was coming off of a home start against Great Falls in which he allowed five hits and two walks while surrendering just two runs in six innings of work, while striking out seven batters. Four of Pack’s six wins have come against the Voyagers (4-1, 4.76).

The Voyagers will go with right-hander Chris Beck, who is looking to bounce back into form after having some struggles down the stretch. Beck (4-3, 4.69) has watched his ERA bump up by a run over his last five outings, but is 2-2 in those outings and in his last start, allowed just a hit and a run in five innings of work against Helena on Sunday, striking out four batters in the process. Beck has had his hands full at times with the Osprey, going 0-2 with a 5.06 ERA in four outings, spanning 10 2/3 innings. The Osprey have hit .380 off of Beck, who has allowed a 2.06 WHIP against Missoula. Beck allowed eight hits and five runs (only two earned) in 2 2/3 innings of work in his last start at Ogren Park Allegiance Field on Aug. 28.

Pitching Probables
Playoff Schedule
PBL North Division Playoff
Great Falls vs. Missoula
Game 2 – Saturday at Great Falls, 7 p.m.
RHP Karl Triana (5-5, 5.64) vs. RHP Brandon Brennan (3-2, 4.34)

Game 3 – Sunday at Great Falls, TBA (if necessary)
RHP Yoimer Camacho (3-4, 4.91) vs. RHP JC Casey (4-7, 3.46)

PBL South Division Playoff
Ogden vs. Grand Junction
(Ogden Leads, 1-0)
Game 1 – Ogden 4, Grand Junction 3 (11)
Game 2 – Saturday at Ogden
Game 3 – Sunday at Ogden (if necessary)

PBL Championship Series
North vs. South
Game 1 – Sept. 11 at North winner
Game 2 – Sept. 13 at South winner
Game 3 – Sept. 14 at South winner (if necessary)

W4

6-4

.288

18-20

24-7

3^rd

23-15

11-2

4.68

7-6

6-26

3^rd

13-15

12-10

5 games

17-12

6-6

6 games

4-2

9-1

23

23-10

14-18

683

20-11

5-4

8.97

24-5

17/38

Missoula

Great Falls

21-17

21-17

20-18

19-19

.288

.261

3^rd

8^th

4.68

4.11

3^rd

1^st

51

29

68

30

.361

.351

.428

.374

.789

.725

Missoula

Great Falls

5-3

1-7

7-1

3-5

.305

.223

3.22

4.64

.365

.319

.429

.328

.794

.647

Missoula

Great Falls

Almadova, .440

Robinson, .350

Gutierrez, 2

3 with 2

Lamb, 14

2 with  9

Pack, 4-1

Isler, 2-0

Capper, 0.82

Dvorsky, 1.69