Category: Dailies

Friday Night Lineups with the Mustangs in town

Well here we go … the first of the eight games between the top two teams in the North Division in the second half, the Billings Mustangs and your Missoula Osprey, takes place tonight here at Ogren Park Allegiance Field.

The Osprey are on a run of goose eggs (more on that in the notes) that will be put to the test tonight by the Mustangs, who have a different look than they did when they were last here in early July.

It’ll be a 6:50 air time for the broadcast tonight, with Danny Pulfer the pre-game show guest, and the first pitch is scheduled for around 7:05 on AM 930 KMPT and online at MissoulaOsprey.com.

Here are the lineups and tonight’s game notes, complete with shutout details and the look at past Osprey …

Billings Mustangs
Overall: 10-2, 31-19
Manager: Pat Kelly
No. Player Pos. Avg. HR RBI
41 Beau Amaral CF .280 1 18
4 Zach Vincej SS .453 1 11
23 Jesse Winker LF .354 1 26
13 Seth Mejias-Brean 3B .339 5 32
26 Daniel Pigott RF .348 1 19
35 Carlos Sanchez 1B .283 6 31
24 Matt Lentz DH .259 1 5
34 Wagner Gomez C .212 2 13
40 Robert Ramirez 2B .241 1 22
59 Jon Moscot 0-0 2.70 5-5 RHP
Starting Pitcher Stats W-L ERA G-GS
Missoula Osprey
Overall: 9-3, 27-23
Manager: Andy Green
No. Player Pos. Avg. HR RBI
14 Pedro Ruiz SS .322 2 10
35 Evan Marzilli CF .354 0 10
18 Jake Lamb 3B .310 4 34
7 Michael Perez C .304 7 45
19 Socrates Brito RF .300 2 22
21 Breland Almadova LF .323 1 18
9 Danny Pulfer 2B .331 2 19
26 Yosbel Gutierrez DH .299 1 8
30 Tyler Bream 1B .250 1 13
24 Ross Gerdeman 3-2 4.39 10-9 RHP
Starting Pitcher Stats W-L ERA G-GS
Umpires: Home Plate Sean Allen
First Base Cody Oakes
The Skinny:
The Osprey open up a nine-game homestand with a two-game series with the first-place Billings Mustangs. It is a key series for both teams, who will follow this series up with 14 games against both Ogden and Idaho Falls as the second South swing begins on Monday.

Last Time Out:
Jared Ray and two relievers combined to scatter seven hits and collect the second straight shutout by the Missoula Osprey pitching staff in a 3-0 win over the Helena Brewers in front of 840 fans on Thursday here at Kindrick Legion Field. Ray (3-4) went seven innings, allowing just four hits and struck out five batters to win his second straight start. Chris Thomas allowed just a hit and struck out a batter while pitching a scoreless eighth inning, and Justin Thompson pitched around two ninth-inning hits while striking out a pair of batters and earned his seventh save of the season. The Osprey scored first, breaking the scoreless tie in the top of the sixth inning as Pedro Ruiz singled, moved to second on a wild pitch, to third on a balk and scored on Jake Lamb one-out double down the right field line. Missoula added a pair of runs with single tallies in the eighth inning, on a Evan Marzilli run-scoring single, and in the ninth, on a Danny Pulfer two-out RBI double. Pulfer and Kevin Dultz each had two of Missoula’s 10 hits, while Breland Almadova, Ty Linton and Michael Perez added base hits for the Osprey.

Historic Series in Helena:
The Osprey pulled off a franchise first on Thursday night, logging its second straight shutout against the Helena Brewers. No other Osprey team, not even the 2006 squad, which statistically was the stingiest pitching staff in club history, could pull off that feat. The Osprey staff finished the Helena series on a 19-inning scoreless streak. It’s also the first time in club history that the O’s have been involved in three straight shutout games, the first of which was the Brewers blanking the Osprey. In August 27-28, 2008, the Osprey were shut out twice in a row, and in August 20-21 of 2006, the Osprey blanked Casper one night, only to have the Rockies blank the Osprey one night later. The closest occurrence was in 1999, when the Osprey posted two shutouts in a three-day span – August 6 and 8, which were 4-0 and 9-0 shutouts of Ogden.

On the Mound Tonight:
Missoula will send right-hander Ross Gerdeman to the mound tonight as he looks to get back on the winning track. Gerdeman (3-2, 4.39) has made two starts against Billings this season, and it was a tale of two different pitchers. In his first start of the season, on Opening Night, Gerdeman scattered five hits while allowing two runs (one earned) in 5 2/3 innings pitched in a win at Dehler Park. Gerdeman then pitched against the Mustangs at Ogren Park on July 3, and suffered the loss, allowing six runs on five hits and two walks. He has also committed all three of his balks this season against the Mustangs. In his last start on Sunday, Gerdeman allowed four earned runs (five total) on seven hits and a walk in a no-decision against Helena.

The Mustangs will counter tonight with right-hander Jon Moscot, who is making his sixth start of the season for the Mustangs. Moscot (0-0, 2.70) has been capped off at two innings in each outing, allowing eight hits and four runs (three earned) in 10 innings of work. He will be followed by Jose Amezuca (1-4, 4.91) who has allowed three runs in three prior innings of work against the Osprey this season (0-1, 9.00).

Pitching Probables
Saturday, August 11
MIS RHP Chris Pack (5-1, 4.95) vs. BIL LHP Amir Garrett (0-0, 0.00)

Sunday, August 12
Off-Day

Mon.-Wed., Aug. 13-15
Osprey vs. Ogden
Mon. – RHP Karl Triana vs. OGD LHP Jake Hermesen

Tues. – RHP Yoimer Camacho vs. OGD RHP Lindsey Caughel

Wed. – RHP Jared Ray vs. OGD LHP Matt Laney

Thurs.-Sun., Aug. 16-19
Osprey vs. Idaho Falls
Thurs. – Ross Gerdeman
Fri. – Chris Pack
Sat. – Karl Triana
Sun. – Yoimer Camacho
(IF Starters TBA)

 

Stat of the Day:
Evan Marzilli was 0-for-4 on Thursday, yet jumped up to 4th in the Pioneer League in hitting. He’s tied with two others with a .354 batting average.

By The Numbers:

Current Streak:

W2

 Extra Innings:

4-3

 Team Hitting:

.285
First Half:

18-20

 Lead After 5:

19-4

 PL Rank:

4th
Second Half:

9-3

 Tied After 5:

7-2

 Team Pitching:

4.08
June:

7-6

 Trail After 5:

1-17

 PL Rank:

T-1st
July:

13-15

 One-run games:

7-7

 Longest Winning Streak:

5 games
August:

7-2

 Two-run games:

3-3

 Longest Losing Streak

6 games
September:

0-0

 Three-run games:

6-1

 HR total at home:

14
Score First:

18-8

 +3-run games:

11-12

 Pitching K total:

439
Score Last:

11-5

 Shutout Record:

4-3

 Pitching K/9IP Ratio:

8.70
Reaching 11-hit Mark:

17-1

  

Peanut Inning Success:

12/25

D-backs Minor League Report/Osprey Alumni Update:

AZL D-backs Alumni Briefing: Justin Bianco (2011-12) is now hitting .269 (7-for-26) in seven games, with two doubles, a triple and four RBIs … Rudy Flores (2012) has played in two games, collecting three hits in seven at-bats … John Leonard (2012) is struggling, going 1-for-13 in four games.

 
Record: 18-20
 
DSL D-backs Update: The DSL D-backs are a half-game back of the DSL Rockies for first in the Baseball City Division.

 
Record: 33-24
 
SS-A Yakima Alumni Briefing: Josh Parr (2011) is hitting .242 in 52 games for the Bears, with 12 doubles, six home runs and 26 RBIs, to go along with 11 stolen bases … The five former Osprey who are on the Bears’ pitching staff continue to throw well, including Victor Acosta (2010), who is 2-2 with two saves and a 1.34 ERA in 19 appearances, spanning 33 2/3 innings pitched.
Record: 7-9, 28-26
Next: vs. Eugene
Class A South Bend Alumni Briefing: Tom Belza (2011) and Matt Helm (2009-10) carried the Silver Hawks offense at times earlier this season, now they have plenty of help. Eric Groff (2010-11) and Ryan Court (2011) both are hitting above .260, while Roidany Aguila (2009-11) is in the midst of an 11-game hitting streak, and is hitting .444 in the month of August, with three home runs and eight RBIs … Andrew Barbosa (2012) is 2-2 in six starts since his promotion last month to the Silver Hawks, with a 3.94 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched.
Record: 23-23, 58-58
Next: at Bowling Green
Class A Advanced Visalia Alumni Briefing: Since his promotion in June, Ender Inciarte (2009) has been conquering Cal League pitching, hitting .322 in 44 games with eight doubles, four triples, a home run and 17 RBIs, along with an amazing 26 stolen bases in 29 attempts … Jon Griffin (2011) hit his 20th home run recently, and is currently hitting .280 with 16 doubles, three triples and 78 RBIs … Blake Cooper (2010) is quietly putting together a solid season, posting a 3-5 record with two saves and a 3.33 ERA, with 50 strikeouts in 48 2/3 innings pitched. Cooper is another product of the University of South Carolina baseball program, as is current Osprey outfielder Evan Marzilli.
Record: 26-20, 57-59
Next: vs. Inland Empire
Double-A Mobile Alumni Briefing: Two steady pitchers in the BayBears rotation have been Chase Anderson (2009) and David Holmberg (2010). Anderson has made 17 starts this season and, when healthy, has been solid, posting a 2.62 ERA in 82 1/3 innings pitched. Holmberg has been a constant, going 3-4 on the bump with a 3.68 ERA, with 71 innings pitched.
Record: 18-29, 58-59
Next: at Jacksonville
Triple-A Reno Alumni Briefing: Adam Eaton (2010) has somehow kept his batting lead in the Pacific Coast League at a plentiful stage. Currently at 21 points, and no longer trailed by teammate Jake Elmore (2008), Eaton is showing that his All-Star nod was definitely the right call. Especially since Reno continues to sail away with the Pac North, leading the division at the moment by seven games. Eaton leads the PCL in hits (161), on-base percentage (.457), stolen bases (34), doubles (39), runs scored (110) and total bases (231), and is second in extra-base hits (51), Oh, one more thing – he’s tied for the league lead in times being hit by a pitch (13).
Record: 70-49
Next: vs. Albuquerque, with Charles Brewer (2009) getting the start for the Aces

Former Osprey with the Arizona Diamondbacks:

Paul Goldschmidt (2009) .305 BA, 16 HR, 58 RBI, .908 OPS Gerardo Parra (2006) .278 BA, 6 HR, 30 RBI, .753 OPS
Miguel Montero (2002-03) .282 BA, 13 HR, 66 RBI, .837 OPS    

TEAM: 57-55, 3rd in NL West, 4 GB … 6.5 GB in wildcard

Lineups for Getaway Day in Helena

It’s the series, second-half and season finale for the Osprey against the Helena Brewers. That’s right, the next time these two will meet will be … well … next June. The Osprey hold an 8-7 edge in the regular season series, and they also have a 4-3 edge in the half. They could gain a tie-breaker on another team with a win tonight – they already have clinched the season series against Great Falls, and are 4-0 against the Voyagers in the second half, with two more games at home and two more at Centene Stadium.

The Osprey will also be opening their second-half series with the Billings Mustangs when the two teams collide in a two-game series this weekend, but for now, one thing at a time. The Osprey will try to do something they have yet to do this season – win a series in Helena.

On the pre-game show tonight, we go with Excerpts, as starting pitcher Ross Gerdeman joins us. We’re on the air a little later again tonight, with the pre-game getting underway at 6:45, and the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 on AM 930 KMTP and online at MissoulaOsprey.com.

Missoula (8-3, 26-23)
14 Pedro Ruiz SS
35 Evan Marzilli CF
18 Jake Lamb 3B
7 Michael Perez C
19 Socrates Brito RF
21 Breland Almadova DH
9 Danny Pulfer 2B
17 Ty Linton LF
50 Kevin Dultz 1B
37 Jared Ray RHP

Helena (4-7, 17-32)
22 Ruben Ozuna DH
3 Chris McFarland 2B
8 Alfredo Rodriguez SS
9 Adam Giacalone 1B
2 Emmanuel Quiles C
5 Raul Mondesi, Jr. RF
6 Michael Reed CF
1 Kevin Berard 3B
11 Yonki Hernandez LF
36 Leonard Lorenzo RHP

Lineups from Helena for Wednesday

Right now, the tarp is being taken off the field here at Kindrick Legion Field in Helena. The reason the tarp was on in the first place? Well, to be honest, we’re not sure. It did rain for a bit, which prompted the tarp to go on the field, but there was not much rain and, after the tarp was in place, what rain there was stopped. Now apparently, on someone’s radar, they were saying the chance of rain existed for a while. However, with the dry weather pattern we have had, that did not materialize.

It’s been an odd day anyway – the team opted to stay at the hotel for another hour later than normal, and with batting practice getting the ax on the field, it was cage time. So it has a feel of a Sunday game – or a show-and-go at this level.

We’re on the air a little later tonight – 6:45 with the pre-game, and the first pitch slated for 7:05. We’ll talk to relief pitcher Patrick Smith on our pre-game interview. Listen in on AM 930 KMTP or online at MissoulaOsprey.com.

Here are tonight’s lineups:

Missoula (7-3, 25-23)
14 Pedro Ruiz SS
35 Evan Marzilli CF
18 Jake Lamb 3B
7 Michael Perez C
19 Socrates Brito DH
21 Breland Almadova RF
9 Danny Pulfer 2B
17 Ty Linton LF
30 Tyler Bream 1B
48 Yoimer Camacho RHP

Helena (4-6, 17-31)
22 Ruben Ozuna LF
3 Chris McFarland 2B
8 Alfredo Rodriguez SS
9 Adam Giacalone 1B
2 Emmanuel Quiles DH
6 Michael Reed CF
25 Paul Eshelman C
18 Andres Martinez 3B
11 Yonki Hernandez RF
34 Ryan Gibbard RHP

Lineups for Tuesday in Helena

Here  we go … lineups for tonight’s game. We’re on time … on the air at 6:40 with the Pre-Game show, with O’s manager Andy Green our guest, and the first pitch here from Kindrick Legion Field slated for 7:05. Listen in on AM 930 KMPT and online at MissoulaOsprey.com.

Missoula (7-2, 25-22)
14 Pedro Ruiz SS
21 Breland Almadova CF
7 Michael Perez DH
9 Danny Pulfer 2B
19 Socrates Brito RF
26 Yosbel Gutierrez C
30 Tyler Bream 1B
17 Ty Linton LF
12 Adam McConnell 3B
29 Karl Triana RHP

Helena (3-6, 16-31)
22 Ruben Ozuna LF
3 Chris McFarland 2B
8 Alfredo Rodriguez SS
9 Adam Giacalone 1B
2 Emmanuel Quiles DH
5 Raul Mondesi, Jr. RF
6 Michael Reed CF
15 Michael Turay C
1 Kevin Berard 3B
10 Taylor Wall LHP

Monday’s Lineups and Notes

by Ben Catley

I had a wise old baseball man tell me a great thing about having a winning streak come to an end. Looking at straight-faced as he could, he tells me the best part about having a win streak end … is the ability to start a new one.

So, we’ll take that approach into tonight’s contest as the Osprey take on the Helena Brewers. First pitch is scheduled for around 7:05, with the pre-game at 6:50 on AM 930 KMTP and online at MissoulaOsprey.com.

In the meantime, I want to thank all of those who visited the blog yesterday – we set a one-day record for a non-traditional busy day (i.e. the draft or player placement announcements). I get the feeling it had something to do with something that Evan Marzilli did on Saturday night … catch still coming to video, by the way. Continue reading →

Marzilli catches and Sunday’s Lineup

by Ben Catley

OK, two things to share with you. For one, we’re working on getting video posted of the Evan Marzilli catch in center field last night. There is some video linked here (in the game notes section) for you to view of Marzilli doing his thing.

By the way, South Carolina fans have it going on. There is a thread dedicated to a certain catch made by a certain center fielder. Which has a certain photo on it:

Nice pic …

We’ll post the video (which we are editing to enhance the call of the catch … I have to figure out a way to get slow-mo done in Premier Elements …) as soon as we can.

Meanwhile, we’re on the air at 4:50, with the first pitch scheduled for around 5:05. Today, we’ll take a look around the Pioneer League. Tomorrow, we will have Chris Pack on the Pre-game show once again, talking a few things that did not come up the first time around. Which means we’ll hear from manager Andy Green on Tuesday.

You can listen in on AM 930 KMPT or online at MissoulaOsprey.com Continue reading →

Lineups and notes for August 4

Getting ready for Paul Goldshmidt Bobblehead Night here at Ogren Park Allegiance Field, as the Osprey will take on the Helena Brewers at 7:05. Gates open at 6:30 tonight, with the first 750 fans entering the gates getting a Paul Goldschmidt bobblehead.

Tonight, we’re scheduled to have Osprey VP/GM Jeff Griffin on the pre-game show, talking about the upcoming promotions for the month of August, including Renew Your Wedding Vows Night, the second Float to the Game and College Colors Night. We’re on the air at 6:50, with the first pitch around 7:05, on AM 930 KMPT and online at MissoulaOsprey.com.

Helena Brewers
Overall: 2-4, 15-29
Manager: Jeff Isom
No. Player Pos. Avg. HR RBI
3 Chris McFarland 2B .298 2 26
6 Michael Reed CF .247 1 18
8 Alfredo Rodriguez SS .307 0 19
9 Adam Giacalone 1B .345 1 15
15 Michael Turay C .304 1 6
5 Raul Mondesi, Jr. RF .211 4 20
22 Ruben Ozuna DH .277 0 12
11 Yonki Hernandez LF .262 1 8
18 Andres Martinez 3B .243 1 5
36 Leonard Lorenzo 2-3 3.86 8-7 RHP
Starting Pitcher Stats W-L ERA G-GS
Missoula Osprey
Overall: 5-1, 23-21
Manager: Andy Green
No. Player Pos. Avg. HR RBI
14 Pedro Ruiz SS .331 2 10
35 Evan Marzilli CF .381 0 9
9 Danny Pulfer 2B .343 2 17
7 Michael Perez DH .323 5 38
21 Breland Almadova RF .331 1 17
30 Tyler Bream 1B .244 1 13
17 Ty Linton LF .222 4 17
12 Adam McConnell 3B .000 0 0
50 Kevin Dultz C .077 0 0
37 Jared Ray 1-4 4.20 8-8 RHP
Starting Pitcher Stats W-L ERA G-GS
Umpires: Home Plate Cody Oakes
First Base Sean Allen
The Skinny:
The Osprey  begin a run of six straight games against the Helena Brewers with a three-game series at Ogren Park Allegiance Field. The final three will be at Kindrick Legion Field in Helena.

Last Time Out:
Breland Almadova had two hits and plated a pair of runs, while Pedro Ruiz added a 4-for-4 night at the plate as the Missoula Osprey managed to hold on for a 5-4 win over the Great Falls Voyagers and complete a three-game series sweep in front of 1,076 fans at Centene Stadium on Friday. Ruiz also walked and scored twice for Missoula, who stays in a first-place tie with the Billings Mustangs in the North Division Second-Half standings. The Voyagers would score first, pushing home a pair of runs off of Osprey starter Yoimer Camacho (1-3) in the bottom of the first inning. The Osprey would respond with single tallies in the second, on an Almadova RBI single, and a run in the third on an error, to tie the game. Both teams would be shut down until the sixth, when the Osprey pushed across a run as Jake Lamb would score on a wild pitch. Missoula would add a run in the top of the seventh as Pedro Ruiz drew a two-out walk, and Evan Marzilli doubled him home for a 4-2 Osprey lead. Great Falls would chip away, scoring a run to pull within 4-3 in the bottom of the seventh, but the Osprey would get some much-needed insurance on a two-out triple by Danny Pulfer and Almadova’s second RBI single of the night, which put the Osprey back up by a pair of runs, 5-3. In the ninth, the Voyagers would score a run on a sacrifice fly off of Osprey reliever Vince Spilker, who would settle down and pick up his first save in his first save opportunity of the season. It capped off another solid pitching night for the Osprey, with Camacho shaking off the first inning and allowing just four hits while walking just one and collecting seven strikeouts. Patrick Smith allowed just a hit and a run in two innings of work to set the table for Spilker.

Streakin’:
The Osprey have won four games in a row for the first time this season. The run started in the final home game of the prior series against the Helena Brewers, and was followed by a three-game series sweep at Great Falls. The O’s now have won nine of 12 games against the North Division First-Half Division champs. The last time the Osprey swept a three-game series in Great Falls – August 6-8, 2009, the same season they last played for a Pioneer League championship.

On the Mound Tonight:
Missoula will send right-hander Jared Ray to the mound as he looks for a better first inning outing against the Brewers than he had in his last start. Ray (1-4, 4.20) allowed four first-inning runs to the Brewers on Monday, then settled down and pitched well the remainder of the outing. After a strong start to the season, Ray has allowed five or more runs in three of his last four starts. He will look to improve on his 0-4 record and 4.96 ERA in his six July starts. Despite that, Ray is ranked 10th in the Pioneer League in ERA.

The Brewers will counter tonight with right-hander Leonard Lorenzo, who has mastered Missoula this season. Lorenzo (2-3, 3.86) has won twice against the Osprey this season, and sports a 2-0 record and a 1.80 ERA in 10 innings against the Osprey this season.  Lorenzo is 0-3 with a 4.61 ERA against the rest of the Pioneer League. Lorenzo is ranked seventh in the Pioneer League in ERA.

Pitching Probables
Sunday, August 5
MIS RHP Ross Gerdeman (3-2, 4.11) vs. HEL RHP Tyler Wagner (0-2, 9.17)

Monday, August 6
MIS RHP Chris Pack (4-1, 4.73) vs. HEL RHP Preston Gainey (0-0, 3.38)

Tuesday, August 7
MIS RHP Karl Triana (3-3, 4.14) at HEL Pitcher TBA

Wednesday, August 8
MIS RHP Yoimer Camacho (1-3, 3.77) at HEL Pitcher TBA

Thursday, August 9
MIS RHP Jared Ray (1-4, 4.20) at HEL RHP Leonard Lorenzo (2-3, 3.86)

String ‘em Together:
As of now, the only Osprey players to hold consecutive-game hit streaks longer than 10 games this season are Pedro Ruiz (11) and Evan Marzilli (10).

By The Numbers:

Current Streak:

W4

 Extra Innings:

4-2

 Team Hitting:

.288
First Half:

18-20

 Lead After 5:

16-4

 PL Rank:

3rd
Second Half:

5-1

 Tied After 5:

6-2

 Team Pitching:

4.13
June:

7-6

 Trail After 5:

1-15

 PL Rank:

2nd
July:

13-15

 One-run games:

6-6

 Longest Winning Streak:

4 games
August:

3-0

 Two-run games:

2-3

 Longest Losing Streak

6 games
September:

0-0

 Three-run games:

4-1

 HR total at home:

9
Score First:

15-8

 +3-run games:

11-11

 Pitching K total:

324
Score Last:

11-5

 Shutout Record:

2-2

 Pitching K/9IP Ratio:

8.14
Reaching 11-hit Mark:

16-1

  

Peanut Inning Success:

11/22

D-backs Minor League Report/Osprey Alumni Update:

AZL D-backs Alumni Briefing: Justin Bianco (2011-12) has a hit in seven at-bats, while John Leonard (2012) is hitless in his first six at-bats. Both have played in two games since being transferred to Arizona.

 
Record: 15-17
 
DSL D-backs Update: The DSL D-backs are a game and a half back of the DSL Rockies for first in the Baseball City Division.

 
Record: 30-22
 
SS-A Yakima Alumni Briefing: Josh Parr (2011) is hitting .228 with 10 doubles, six home runs, 25 RBIs and 10 stolen bases for the Bears. Miguel Pena (2009) has allowed two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings, spanning two starts, since his return to the mound from elbow surgery.  Blake Perry (2010) continues to be dominating, with a 4-0 mark and 1.92 ERA in nine outings, including eight starts, and has a 9-inning complete game to his credit this season.
Record: 5-5, 26-22
Next: at Tri-City
Class A South Bend Alumni Briefing: Tom Belza (2011) has run his batting average up to .276, with 28 of his 109 hits this season going for extra bases. Matt Helm (2009-10) isn’t far off of Belza’s average, hitting .274 with a team-high 65 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Chris Ellison (2011) has played in 107 of the Silver Hawks’ 110 games this season, hitting .254 with 48 RBIs. Seth Simmons (2011) continues to pile up impressive numbers, going 3-3 with a 1.93 ERA, and 75 strikeouts in 60 2/3 innings pitched.

 
Record: 20-20, 55-55
Next: at Lake County, with JR Bradley (2010) getting the start for the Silver Hawks
Class A Advanced Visalia Alumni Briefing: Ender Inciarte (2009) continues to impress in his stint with the Rawhide. In 40 games, Inciarte is hitting .321 with eight doubles, four triples, a home run and 16 RBIs, with 25 stolen bases. Jon Griffin (2011) has stayed steady for much of the season, hitting .279 with 18 home runs and 73 RBIs, and currently leads the team in homers and ribbies. Right now, the star of the bullpen is Blake Cooper (2010), who is 3-5 with a pair of saves and a 3.02 ERA in 38 appearances, and has struck out 49 batters in 47 2/3 innings pitched.
Record: 23-18, 54-57
Next: vs. Stockton, with Taylor Siemens (2011) getting the start for the Rawhide
Double-A Mobile Alumni Briefing: The future double-play combination for the D-backs may be in Mobile at the moment. 2009 Osprey teammates David Nick and Chris Owings have been steady at second and short, respectively, for the BayBears. Nick is hitting .260 in 96 games, while Owings, after a slow start following his promotion to Mobile, is hitting .264. Both have four home runs, while Nick has 36 RBIs and Owings adding another 22.
Record: 16-25, 56-55
Next: at Birmingham
Triple-A Reno Alumni Briefing: The lead may not be what it once was, but Adam Eaton (2010) and Jake Elmore (2008) are still 1-2 in the Pacific Coast League in hitting. While the edge between Elmore (.357) and third place Matt McBride of Colorado Springs has shrunk to three points, Eaton continues to dominate. Eaton’s .384 mark leads all of Triple-A in hitting, plus Eaton’s PCL-leading totals in hits (155) and runs (106) still leads all of the minors. Eaton also leads the league in doubles (37), stolen bases (33), total bases (220) and on-base percentage (.459).
Record: 66-48
Next: at Omaha, with Charles Brewer (2009) starting tonight for the Aces

Former Osprey with the Arizona Diamondbacks:

Paul Goldschmidt (2009) .302 BA, 15 HR, 54 RBI, .906 OPS Gerardo Parra (2006) .284 BA, 6 HR, 30 RBI, .770 OPS
Miguel Montero (2002-03) .287 BA, 13 HR, 64 RBI, .851 OPS    

TEAM: 55-51, 3rd in NL West, 2 GB … 5.5 GB in wildcard

 

Getaway from GF lineups and some news

There are fewer phrases that will put a smile on a baseball player’s face than the phrase “getaway day.” Sometimes, even on three-game road trips, it’s nice to hear.

The Osprey are back home tomorrow night for a three-game set with the Helena Brewers. For now, there is business to handle before the Tucker Transportation bus shuttles the Osprey back from Great Falls, namely, attempting to sweep the road trip.

Because of the technical issues we had at the beginning of last night’s broadcast, we still have Justin Thompson as our pre-game interview tonight. On the air at 6:40, first pitch set for 7 p.m. on AM 930 KMPT and online at MissoulaOsprey.com.

Missoula (4-1, 22-21)
14 Pedro Ruiz SS
35 Evan Marzilli CF
18 Jake Lamb 3B
7 Michael Perez C
19 Socrates Brito RF
9 Danny Pulfer 2B
21 Breland Almadova LF
17 Ty Linton DH
30 Tyler Bream 1B
48 Yoimer Camacho RHP

Great Falls (0-5, 24-19)
6 Michael Johnson CF
15 Bradley Salgado SS
3 Micah Johnson DH
12 Brent Tanner C
27 Yoandy Barroso RF
34 Patrick Palmeiro 1B
10 Tyler Williams 3B
11 Zach Voight 2B
2 Dustin Hayes LF
21 JC Casey RHP

Notes:
– The Michael Johnson home run last night snapped the bullpen’s scoreless innings streak at 20 innings, spanning parts of seven games.

– This is the third time that the Osprey have won three games in a row, but on the first two occasions, they were not able to turn it into a four-game win streak.

– Over the past 10 games, the Osprey pitching staff as a whole has been on a roll. They have posted a 7-3 mark and a 2.32 ERA in that span. Over the past five game – since the start of the second half, the O’s are 4-1 with a 2.02 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 49 innings.

 

 

Lineups for Thursday’s contest …

It’s cooler up here today in Great Falls, but that does not mean the Osprey bats won’t stay hot. As of late, the offense has been rolling, and the wins have been rolling in, with Missoula winning six of their past eight games, and now finding themselves in a first-place tie with Billings for the North Division Second-Half lead.

You can also thank the bullpen, currently on an 18-consecutive-inning scoreless streak.

We’re on the air at 6:40, with first pitch set for 7:00 (we hope) on AM 930 KMPT and online at MissoulaOsprey.com (and, yes, the stream is back and working). Pitcher Justin Thompson will be our pre-game show guest.

Missoula (3-1, 21-21)
35 Evan Marzilli CF
9 Danny Pulfer SS
18 Jake Lamb 3B
26 Yosbel Gutierrez C
19 Socrates Brito DH
21 Breland Almadova RF
17 Ty Linton LF
30 Tyler Bream 1B
12 Adam McConnell 2B
29 Karl Triana RHP

Great Falls (0-4, 24-18)
6 Michael Johnson 2B
9 Justin Jirschele SS
3 Micah Johnson DH
27 Yoandy Barroso RF
12 Brent Tanner 1B
22 Angel Rosario C
34 Patrick Palmeiro LF
10 Tyler Williams 3B
1 Daurys Mercedes CF
30 Brandon Brennan RHP

Wednesday lineups in Great Falls

Be on the lookout for some cool news coming down the pike tomorrow. It has to do with both current and former Osprey. If you can’t wait, listen in to the broadcast tonight for Osprey baseball, and the news may get let out of the bag a little early.

Anyway, here are tonight’s lineups in Great Falls. We’re on the air at 6:40, with the first pitch slated for 7 p.m. on AM 930 and online at MissoulaOsprey.com.

Missoula (2-1, 20-21)
14 Pedro Ruiz SS
35 Evan Marzilli CF
18 Jake Lamb 3B
7 Michael Perez C
19 Socrates Brito RF
9 Danny Pulfer 2B
21 Breland Almadova LF
26 Yosbel Gutierrez DH
30 Tyler Bream 1B
44 Chris Pack RHP

Great Falls (0-3, 24-17)
6 Michael Johnson LF
9 Justin Jirschele 2B
27 Yoandy Barroso RF
12 Brent Tanner 1B
16 Thomas McCarthy 3B
15 Bradley Salgado SS
10 Tyler Williams DH
22 Angel Rosario C
1 Daurys Mercedes CF
18 Andrew Virgili RHP