Category: Dailies

Tuesday Lineups and roster moves

The Osprey welcome in a new player, infielder Adam McConnell, when they take the field against the Helena Brewers tonight at Ogren Park Allegiance Field. There’s more info about the moves in the notes section of today’s post (which is after the jump), but here’s a refresher on McConnell, a 29th round draft pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2012 MLB Draft. McConnell was hitting .240 in limited action with Short Season-A Yakima before the move:

Round 29 – Adam McConnell, SS, Richmond/Yorktown, VA – R/R – 6-0, 187

Previously drafted in the 30th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2011 MLB Draft … Hit .283 this past spring with six doubles, two triples, two home runs, 24 walks, 12 stolen bases, and 24 RBIs … Tied for seventh in the Atlantic 10 in runs scored (45) … Ranked fifth in program history with 64 career stolen bases … Redshirted in 2011 after sustaining a hip injury following the 2010 campaign … Hit .288 in 2010 with nine doubles, 21 stolen bases and 29 walks against 23 strikeouts … Led the team in at bats (215) and steals (21), was second in walks (29) and third in on-base percentage (.390) … Also struck out the fewest times among everyday starters (23) … Named to the Ping Baseball Freshman All-America Team and Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team … Enjoyed one of the most prolific seasons by a Richmond freshman by leading the club in hitting (.355) with a school freshman record 31 stolen bases, which was the most by a rookie in the NCAA in 2009 and tied for the third-most by a Spider in a season … Selected as a top prospect at the Perfect Game National Underclass Showcase and picked as one of the state’s top prospects by Virginia Preps … Was a First Team All-District, All-Region and All-State selection on the heels of his senior season … Batted .604 in 2008 with 19 RBIs and 25 stolen bases after batting .340 as a junior … The speedster swiped 42 bases in his final two years… Other senior-year honors included the Daily Press Player of the Year, District Player of the Year and the Tabb HS Male Athlete of the Year … Honorable Mention All-State pick as a junior … Lettered three years in both baseball and indoor track. Continue reading →

Monday lineups and news of the day …

First off, the Osprey get to see the Helena Brewers, who they will see a lot of in the next week-plus – to the tune of eight games in 11 days. That’s right, the Osprey will play the Brewers eight times in 11 days, and not see the Brewers again this regular season.

The two-game series that begins tonight will feature a battle of right-handers in each contest. Tonight’s game will have Jared Ray going for the Osprey against Leonard Lorenzo, while on Tuesday, Ross Gerdeman faces off with Helena’s Tyler Wagner.

Pre-game is set for 6:50 tonight, and we’re not 100 percent sure about the pre-game interview, since that hasn’t happened yet. We’re attempting to get Evan Marzilli on tonight, though. We’re on the air at 6:50 on AM 930 KMPT and online at MissoulaOsprey.com. Don’t forget about the RadioPup app for your phone, you can listen that way, too.

Helena Brewers
Overall: 0-1, 13-29
Manager: Jeff Isom
No. Player Pos. Avg. HR RBI
6 Michael Reed CF .268 1 15
3 Chris McFarland 2B .298 2 25
8 Alfredo Rodriguez SS .302 0 17
9 Adam Giacalone 1B .322 1 13
15 Michael Turay DH .305 1 5
25 Paul Eshelman C .150 0 3
22 Ruben Ozuna LF .250 0 10
11 Yonki Hernandez RF .271 1 6
18 Andres Martinez 3B .250 1 4
36 Leonard Lorenzo 1-3 4.18 7-6 RHP
Starting Pitcher Stats W-L ERA G-GS
Missoula Osprey
Overall: 1-0, 19-20
Manager: Andy Green
No. Player Pos. Avg. HR RBI
14 Pedro Ruiz SS .326 2 10
35 Evan Marzilli RF .365 0 8
18 Jake Lamb 3B .333 4 28
7 Michael Perez C .321 5 30
19 Socrates Brito CF .285 1 18
9 Danny Pulfer 2B .309 1 12
21 Breland Almadova LF .317 1 12
17 Ty Linton DH .229 4 17
30 Tyler Bream 1B .265 0 11
37 Jared Ray 1-3 3.89 7-7 RHP
Starting Pitcher Stats W-L ERA G-GS
Umpires: Home Plate Mitchell Morgan
First Base Clinton Vondraic
The Skinny:
The Osprey  opens a quick two-game series with the Helena Brewers. It’s at the beginning of a string of 17 home games over the next 24 days, accounting for 23 games, giving the Osprey a chance to get a good start to the second half of the season.Last Time Out:
Jake Lamb set a new Missoula Osprey single-game record with seven RBIs, while five pitchers combined on a four-hit shutout as the Osprey beat the Great Falls Voyagers, 12-0, here at Ogren Park Allegiance Field in front of 2,058 fans. Lamb hit a grand slam to cap off a six-run second inning that chased Voyagers starter JC Casey and gave the Osprey all it needed. The six runs were the first runs allowed by Casey (4-3) on the road, and the home run was the first roundtripper surrendered by Casey this season. Yoimer Camacho danced into and out of trouble in his four innings of work, surrendering four hits and five walks, but also struck out four batters and left nine runners stranded on base. The bullpen – Chris Capper (3-1), Michael Rivera, Chase Stevens and Vince Spilker – combined for five no-hit innings, allowing three walks and collecting six strikeouts. The Osprey pounded out 16 hits in the win, led by Lamb and Pedro Ruiz, who had three hits each. Ruiz added an RBI, while Evan Marzilli had two hits and a pair of RBIs. Tyler Bream and Breland Almadova each had two hits and plated a run, while Socrates Brito and Ty Linton added a base hit apiece.

Grand Lamb:
Jake Lamb’s grand slam in the bottom of the second inning kicked off a 7 RBI night for the third baseman out of the University of Washington, setting a new single-game Osprey standard in the process. Lamb would add a RBI single in the fourth, a sacrifice fly in the sixth and a RBI infield hit in the seventh to better the standard, previously at six and done by four players. The list:

– Paul Goldschmidt, 9/8/09 vs. Billings
– Nelson Gomez, 8/24/08 at Billings
– Ricardo Cruz, 8/26/05 vs. Great Falls
– Kerwin Jacobo, 7/5/02 at Great Falls

On the Mound Tonight:
Missoula will send right-hander Jared Ray to the hill as he looks to find some consistency. Ray (1-3, 3.89) has been up-and-down as of late, allowing six, three and five runs respectively in his past three starts. One start after pitching  seven stellar innings in a losing effort at Grand Junction, Ray did not make it out of the fifth, allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks in what turned into a no-decision at Orem, thanks to a comeback by the Osprey offense. Ray has lost his last three decisions, including one to Helena. In two starts against the Brewers, Ray is 1-1 with a 0.93 ERA. In his seven starts, the Osprey are 4-3, including the outing in Orem last Tuesday.

The Brewers will counter tonight with right-hander Leonard Lorenzo, who is also looking to find some consistency. Lorenzo (1-3, 4.18) has also lost his last three decisions, all against South Division teams. His lone win came against Missoula on June 26, when he allowed just a run on five hits and two walks while striking out five batters in six innings of work.  Since then, Lorenzo has struggled at times, posting a 0-3 mark and a 4.84 ERA since the beginning of July.

Pitching Probables
Tuesday, July 31
MIS RHP Ross Gerdeman (2-2, 4.57) vs. HEL RHP Tyler Wagner (0-1, 8.56)

Wednesday, August 1
MIS RHP Chris Pack (3-1, 4.47) vs. GF RHP Andrew Virgili (1-1, 5.67)

Thursday, August 2
MIS RHP Karl Triana (3-3, 4.71) vs. GF Pitcher TBA

Friday, August 3
MIS RHP Yoimer Camacho (0-3, 4.71) vs. GF Pitcher TBA

Saturday, August 4
MIS RHP Jared Ray (1-3, 3.89) vs. HEL RHP Leonard Lorenzo (1-3, 4.18)

Stat of the Day:
The Osprey are 12-1 when they collect 11 or more hits in a game this season. Their only loss came against Orem on July 17, a 12-8 setback at home.

By The Numbers:

Current Streak:

W1

 Extra Innings:

3-2

 Team Hitting:

.284
First Half:

18-20

 Lead After 5:

13-4

 PL Rank:

3rd
Second Half:

1-0

 Tied After 5:

5-2

 Team Pitching:

4.33
June:

7-6

 Trail After 5:

1-14

 PL Rank:

2nd
July:

12-14

 One-run games:

4-5

 Longest Winning Streak:

3 games
August:

0-0

 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:

12-8

 +3-run games:

9-11

 Pitching K total:

315
Score Last:

8-4

 Shutout Record:

1-2

 Pitching K/9IP Ratio:

8.12

D-backs Minor League Report/Osprey Alumni Update:

AZL D-backs Alumni Briefing:The AZL D-backs were rained out again on Sunday. In a roster move, the Arizona Diamondbacks have sent 1B Rudy Flores from Missoula to the AZL D-backs. 
Record: 13-15
DSL D-backs Update:The DSL D-backs are a half-game ahead of the DSL Rockies for first in the Baseball City Division. 
Record: 28-19
SS-A Yakima Alumni Briefing: Victor Capellan (2009) and Enrique Burgos (2009, 11) combined for 2 2/3 shutout innings as the Bears lost at Spokane on Sunday, 3-0. In fact, the Bears were held to just one hit in the game.
Record: 3-3, 24-20
Next: off day
Class A South Bend Alumni Briefing: Chris Ellison (2011) and Eric Groff (2010-11) each had three hits as the Silver Hawks could not hold on to a late lead and lost at Lansing on Sunday, 11-10. South Bend lost two leads in this one, but the second one would cost them dearly, as the Lugnuts won in walk-off fashion. Groff had two runs scored and two RBIs, while Ellison had a run and a RBI. Raul Navarro (2010) and Tom Belza (2011) (RBI) each collected two hits and a run scored. Seth Simmons (2011) pitched two innings of scoreless relief.
Record: 18-17, 53-52
Next: at Lansing
Class A Advanced Visalia Alumni Briefing: Jon Griffin (2011) and Keon Broxton (2009) each hit a two-run homer during a four-run fourth inning, but despite coming back from 7-0 ad 9-2 deficits, the Rawhide would let a run score in the bottom of the eighth for a 10-9 setback at High Desert on Sunday. Ender Inciarte (2009) added a base hit, while Patrick Schuster (2009-10) took the loss on the mound in relief. Diogenes Rosario (2009) pitched an inning of scoreless relief.
Record: 18-18, 49-57
Next: vs. Lancaster
Double-A Mobile Alumni Briefing: Chris Owings (2009) had two hits, including a solo home run, while Kyle Greene (2008) hit a pinch-hit grand slam to ice the game away as the BayBears beat Jacksonville on Sunday, 9-3. David Nick (2009) added two hits and two runs scored, while Rossmel Perez (2008) added two hits, a RBI and a run scored. Eric Smith (2009) pitched an inning of relief to get the win on the mound.
Record: 14-22, 54-52
Next: vs. Jacksonville
Triple-A Reno Alumni Briefing: Adam Eaton (2010) singled home the game-winning run as the Aces picked up a 3-2 win over Sacramento on Sunday. It was Eaton’s lone hit of the game. Jake Elmore (2008) also singled, while Taylor Harbin (2007) added a hit, run scored and RBI. Bryan Shaw (2008) allowed a hit and a walk while surrendering a run, and struck out three batters in an inning of relief.
Record: 64-45
Next: vs. Sacramento, with Charles Brewer (2009) getting the start for the Aces.

Former Osprey with the Arizona Diamondbacks:

Paul Goldschmidt (2009) .290 BA, 13 HR, 48 RBI, .878 OPS Gerardo Parra (2006) .283 BA, 6 HR, 30 RBI, .772 OPS
Miguel Montero (2002-03) .282 BA, 11 HR, 58 RBI, .828 OPS Lyle Overbay (1999) .292 BA, 2 HR, 10 RBI, .815 OPS

TEAM: 51-51, 3rd in NL West, 4.5 GB … 6.5 GB in wildcard

Sunday Lineups for the Second Half Opener

It’s a new half, and the Osprey look to jump into a first-place tie with a win today against the Great Falls Voyagers. The Osprey have won five of the eight meetings between the two teams so far this season, with three more coming in Great Falls later in the week.

Pre-game is set for 4:55 on AM 930, KMPT, and online at MissoulaOsprey.com. We’ll look at the Pioneer League stat leaders during the pre-game today.

We’ll also get more details to you on the trade today of former Osprey third baseman Bobby Borchering, who has been traded to the Houston Astros.

Great Falls Voyagers
Overall: 0-0, 24-14
Manager: Ryan Newman
No. Player Pos. Avg. HR RBI
6 Michael Johnson LF .259 0 3
9 Justin Jirschele 2B .309 0 23
3 Micah Johnson DH .313 1 14
27 Yoandy Barroso RF .295 1 24
31 Abe Ruiz 1B .235 0 10
15 Bradley Salgado SS .260 1 6
10 Tyler Williams 3B .175 2 5
22 Angel Rosario C .000 0 0
1 Daruys Mercedes CF .225 1 9
21 JC Casey 4-2 1.88 7-7 RHP
Starting Pitcher Stats W-L ERA G-GS
Missoula Osprey
Overall: 0-0, 18-20
Manager: Andy Green
No. Player Pos. Avg. HR RBI
14 Pedro Ruiz SS .315 2 9
35 Evan Marzilli CF .363 0 6
18 Jake Lamb 3B .322 3 21
7 Michael Perez C .333 5 30
19 Socrates Brito RF .286 1 18
9 Danny Pulfer 2B .303 1 12
21 Breland Almadova LF .314 1 11
17 Ty Linton DH .230 4 17
30 Tyler Bream 1B .250 0 10
48 Yoimer Camacho 0-3 4.71 5-5 RHP
Starting Pitcher Stats W-L ERA G-GS
Umpires: Home Plate Clinton Vondraic
First Base Mitchell Morgan
The Skinny:
The Osprey  conclude their three-game series with the Great Falls Voyagers tonight as the second half of the 2012 Pioneer Baseball League season begins. The Osprey will have two games left on this current homestand, coming on Monday and Tuesday against the Helena Brewers.

Last Time Out:
The Missoula Osprey battled tooth-and-nail with the Great Falls Voyagers on Saturday at Ogren Park Allegiance Field, but in the end, a fifth-inning tally was what made the difference as the Voyagers edged the Osprey, 3-2, in front of 1,711 fans. Great Falls scored that fifth-inning run on a passed ball, snapping the 2-2 tie that Missoula had just knotted in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Osprey fell behind 2-0 in the first inning, as Yoandy Barroso and Abe Ruiz each had two-out RBI singles to plate runs for the Voyagers. It could have been more, but Pedro Ruiz, realizing that second base was not covered, dived in ahead of Abe Ruiz and tagged him out to end the inning. The Osprey tied the game in the bottom of the fourth. Socrates Brito singled, stole second and moved to third on a Breland Almadova single to start the inning. Tyler Bream then hit a chopper up the first-base line, which was fielded by Voyagers starting pitcher Chris Beck, who threw home trying to get Brito, whose slide to the back of home plate helped him beat the tag and score the run, pulling the Osprey within 2-1. Almadova would score on a double-play ball hit by John Leonard to tie the game. Brito and Almadova each had two hits to lead the Osprey at the plate, while Pedro Ruiz, Jake Lamb, Yosbel Gutierrez and Justin Bianco added base hits for Missoula. The Osprey were limited to eight hits on the night. Karl Triana (3-3) took the loss, scattering seven hits and a pair of walks in six innings of work, allowing three runs (two earned) while striking out three batters. Patrick Smith and Justin Thompson combined to pitch three shutout innings of relief.

A new half dawns:
The second half of the 2012 Pioneer Baseball League season begins tonight, with all four teams back to 0-0 in the win-loss column. Great Falls won the North by a comfortable margin, while the Ogden Raptors needed a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth and a run in the bottom of the 10th for a walk-off win over Orem last night to tie Grand Junction with a 21-17 mark, and win the half on a tie-breaker.

On the Mound Tonight:
Missoula will send right-hander Yoimer Camacho to the hill as he looks to get back to the success he showed in the first half of the season against any team not named Orem. Camacho (0-3, 4.71) was 0-1 with a 2.13 ERA in his first three starts, but in his last two starts, both against Orem, Camacho was 0-2 with an 8.64 ERA. Camacho is also looking to improve on his numbers at home, where he is 0-1 with a 7.88 ERA.

The Voyagers will counter tonight with right-hander JC Casey, who is one of the best starting pitchers in the Pioneer League. Casey (4-2, 1.88) is ranked second in the league in ERA, behind only Sam Selman of Idaho Falls (1.67). Casey has had just one no-decision – and it came against the Osprey on July 5, a game which the Osprey scored five runs in the eighth to pull off a 5-2 win. Casey pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings, surrendering just three hits and three walks while striking out four batters. In two road starts, Casey has yet to allow a run in 11 innings of work.

Pitching Probables
Monday, July 30
MIS RHP Jared Ray (1-3, 3.89) vs. HEL RHP Leonard Lorenzo (1-3, 4.18)

Tuesday, July 31
MIS RHP Ross Gerdeman (2-2, 4.57) vs. HEL RHP Tyler Wagner (0-1, 8.56)

Wednesday, August 1
MIS RHP Chris Pack (3-1, 4.47) vs. GF RHP Andrew Virgili (1-1, 5.67)

Thursday, August 2
MIS RHP Karl Triana (3-3, 4.71) vs. GF Pitcher TBA

Friday, August 3
MIS RHP Yoimer Camacho (0-3, 4.71) vs. GF Pitcher TBA

Stat of the Day:

The Osprey are 11-1 when they collect 11 or more hits in a game this season. Their only loss came against Orem on July 17, a 12-8 setback at home.

By The Numbers:

Current Streak:

L1

 Extra Innings:

3-2

 Team Hitting:

.281
First Half:

18-20

 Lead After 5:

12-4

 PL Rank:

4th
Second Half:

0-0

 Tied After 5:

5-2

 Team Pitching:

4.44
June:

7-6

 Trail After 5:

1-14

 PL Rank:

2nd
July:

11-14

 One-run games:

4-5

 Longest Winning Streak:

3 games
August:

0-0

 Two-run games:

2-3

 Longest Losing Streak

6 games
September:

0-0

 Three-run games:

4-1

 HR total at home:

8
Score First:

11-8

 +3-run games:

8-11

 Pitching K total:

305
Score Last:

8-4

 Shutout Record:

1-2

 Pitching K/9IP Ratio:

8.07

D-backs Minor League Report/Osprey Alumni Update:

AZL D-backs Alumni Briefing: The AZL D-backs were rained out on Saturday.

 
Record: 13-15
 
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: 28-20
 
SS-A Yakima Alumni Briefing: Josh Parr (2011) had two of the Bears’ five hits in a 7-0 loss at Spokane on Saturday.
Record: 3-2. 24-19
Next: at Spokane
Class A South Bend Alumni Briefing: Tom Belza (2011) had three hits and plated a pair of runs, while Ryan Court (2011) also drove in a pair of runs as the Silver Hawks lost at Lansing on Saturday, 9-5. Chris Ellison (2011) added two hits and a run scored for South Bend. Andrew Barbosa (2012) allowed six runs in 5 1/3 innings pitched to suffer the loss (1-2). Kable Hogben (2009) pitched 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.
Record: 18-16, 53-51
Next: at Lansing
Class A Advanced Visalia Alumni Briefing: Ender Inciarte (2009) and Jon Griffin (2011) each collected one of the four Rawhide hits as Visalia lost at High Desert on Saturday, 5-3. Raymond Hernandez (2011) pitched six solid innings, but Andrew Chafin (2011) took the loss in relief.
Record: 18-17, 49-56
Next: at High Desert
Double-A Mobile Alumni Briefing: The BayBears dropped a 7-3 decision at Mississippi on Saturday. Chris Owings (2009) went 3-for-4 at the plate, including a solo home run, while Rossmel Perez (2008) picked up a hit and a run scored. Derek Eitel (2010) allowed just two earned runs (five total) in six innings of work to take the setback on the mound. Yonata Ortega (2007) pitched an inning of relief, allowing just an unearned run. Mobile did not help itself defensively, committing three errors in the setback.
Record: 13-22, 53-52
Next: vs. Jacksonville
Triple-A Reno Alumni Briefing: Jake Elmore (2008) went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, Adam Eaton (2010) added a base hit and scored twice, while Taylor Harbin (2007) doubled in the Aces’ 13-4 loss to Sacramento on Saturday. Bryan Henry (2007) worked 3 2/3 innings in relief to close out the game.
Record: 63-45
Next: vs. Sacramento

Former Osprey with the Arizona Diamondbacks:

Paul Goldschmidt (2009) .287 BA, 13 HR, 47 RBI, .872 OPS Gerardo Parra (2006) .283 BA, 6 HR, 30 RBI, .771 OPS
Miguel Montero (2002-03) .283 BA, 11 HR, 58 RBI, .825 OPS Lyle Overbay (1999) .292 BA, 2 HR, 10 RBI, .815 OPS

TEAM: 51-50, 3rd in NL West, 4.5 GB … 5.5 GB in wildcard

Lineups and notes from July 28

Karl Triana’s Tough Enough to Wear Pink Jersey and the added touch of pink shoelaces for the occasion. Triana gets the start tonight on the mound.

It’s Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night, and the Osprey are excited about showing off the pink uniforms that will be auctioned off to help people fight cancer. The proceeds will benefit Tough Enough to Wear Pink of Montana.

Online bidding is now closed, but fans who attend the game can place bids at the stadium through the 7th inning.

The Osprey will be wearing the jerseys during the game, and fans who are the winning bidders that attend tonight’s game will be able to have the jersey to take home following the game and signed by the player.

In the photo to the right, tonight’s starter, Karl Triana, decided to go matching with the shoelaces on his spikes, going with a pink variety for tonight’s game.

The players embrace the idea more and more each season, especially considering the jerseys are auctioned off for charity. This is the third season that the Osprey have partnered with Tough Enough to Wear Pink of Montana to help those in their fight against cancer with the jersey nights.

The 2012 version is a camouflage version, with two shades of pink in camo form on the jersey, with the traditional Osprey across the chest.

No word by the way if Ollie himself will be wearing pink tonight.

The broadcast starts at 6:50 tonight, with a first pitch slated for 7:05 on AM 930, KMPT, and on MissoulaOsprey.com.

Tonight’s pre-game guest will be reliever Chris Capper, who admits to looking good in pink. He took time away from a chess match with Chris Pack to do the interview.

Anyway, here are tonight’s lineups. And, no, Osprey radio play-by-play man Ben Catley won’t be wearing pink tonight, despite a request made by a fan … and a player.

Great Falls Voyagers
Overall: 23-14
Manager: Ryan Newman
No. Player Pos. Avg. HR RBI
6 Michael Johnson 2B .217 0 3
15 Bradley Salgado SS .267 1 6
3 Micah Johnson DH .299 1 14
12 Brent Tanner C .246 4 26
27 Yoandy Barroso RF .294 1 23
31 Abe Ruiz 1B .234 0 9
16 Thomas McCarthy 3B .302 0 7
7 Patrick Palmeiro LF .206 2 9
1 Daruys Mercedes CF .221 1 9
25 Chris Beck 2-1 4.50 7-1 RHP
Starting Pitcher Stats W-L ERA G-GS
Missoula Osprey
Overall: 18-19
Manager: Andy Green
No. Player Pos. Avg. HR RBI
14 Pedro Ruiz SS .320 2 9
35 Evan Marzilli DH .382 0 6
18 Jake Lamb 3B .326 3 21
26 Yosbel Gutierrez C .328 1 6
19 Socrates Brito RF .277 1 18
21 Breland Almadova CF .307 1 11
30 Tyler Bream 1B .267 0 9
15 Justin Bianco LF .191 3 17
12 John Leonard 2B .170 0 3
29 Karl Triana 3-2 5.04 6-6 RHP
Starting Pitcher Stats W-L ERA G-GS
Umpires: Home Plate Mitchell Morgan
First Base Clinton Vondraic
The Skinny:
The Osprey  continue their three-game series with the Great Falls Voyagers tonight as the first half of the 2012 Pioneer Baseball League season comes to a close. The second half will begin on Sunday.

Last Time Out:
The Missoula Osprey won their third straight game on Friday here at Ogren Park Allegiance Field, as they celebrated playing at home for the first time in 10 days by beating the Great Falls Voyagers, 10-1, in front of 2,208 fans. The Osprey scored two runs in the first inning and then tallied eight more markers in the middle three innings to open up a 10-0 lead. The Voyagers scored their lone run in the top of the eighth inning, following a short rain delay. Michael Perez had three hits and four RBIs to pace the Osprey at the plate, and was one of three Missoula players with a three-hit night. Evan Marzilli collected three hits and scored three times, while Socrates Brito also had three hits as the Osprey pounded out 14 safeties in the victory. Chris Pack (3-1) pitched six shutout innings, allowing just three hits and a walk while striking out four batters to pick up the win on the mound. Chris Thomas pitched a scoreless seventh inning, while Dexter Price settled down after allowing a run to close out the game. Justin Bianco had two hits and two RBIs, while Pedro Ruiz, Jake Lamb and Ty Linton added base hits for Missoula. Ruiz and Perez each scored a pair of runs, with Linton and Kyle Koeneman adding RBIs in the win.

PL League Leaders List:
Here are the Osprey who are among the Pioneer League leaders, heading into the final game of the first half of the PBL season:

Jake Lamb – Tied for the lead in Games Played (35), Third in At-Bats (143), Tied for Second in doubles (13), Second in extra-base hits (19), Fourth in total bases (74).

Michael Perez – 10th in hitting (.333), third in RBIs (30), 1st in Slugging Pct. (.629)

Chris Pack – Leads in innings pitched (46.1)

Ross Gerdeman – Second in inning pitched (43.1)

Jared Ray – Seventh in ERA (3.89)

On the Mound Tonight:
Missoula will send right-hander Karl Triana to the hill as he looks to continue his strong month of July. Triana (3-2, 5.04) is 3-1 with a 3.46 ERA during the month of July, and has even been better at home, posting a 3.38 ERA in 16 home innings. Triana allowed two runs on two hits and two walks in five innings of work in his lone start against Great Falls this season, a win picked up at Centene Stadium on July 6. Triana has been a handful to left-handers, holding them to a .231 opposing batting average, while right-handers have hit him at a .343 clip.

The Voyagers will counter tonight with right-hander Chris Beck, who will be piggybacking with Brandon Brennan. Beck (2-1, 4.50) and Brennan (1-1, 6.30) are both capped at about three innings each. It will be Beck’s turn to start, and the last time he fulfilled that role, he was good, scattering four hits while striking out three batters in a July 16 no-decision at Idaho Falls. Beck took the loss in his lone encounter with Missoula on July 6. Brennan also pitched in that game, but gave up five runs (three earned) on three hits and a pair of walks in just 2/3 of an inning of work.

Pitching Probables
Sunday, July 29
MIS RHP Yoimer Camacho (0-3, 4.71) vs. GF RHP JC Casey (4-2, 1.88)

Monday, July 30
MIS RHP Jared Ray (1-3, 3.89) vs. HEL RHP Leonard Lorenzo (1-3, 4.18)

Tuesday, July 31
MIS RHP Ross Gerdeman (2-2, 4.57) vs. HEL RHP Tyler Wagner (0-1, 8.56)

Stat of the Day:
The Osprey have hit 22 home runs this season as a team – with 14 of those coming on the road. Only the 2005 squad has hit more HR on the road than at home since the team moved into Ogren Park Allegiance Field for the 2004 season. The list (since 2004):

2004 – 32 home, 30 road
2005 – 24 home, 29 road
2006 – 35 home, 22 road
2007 – 32 home, 26 road
2008 – 31 home, 28 road
2009 – 56 home, 24 road
2010 – 33 home, 23 road
2011 – 50 home, 44 road

By The Numbers:

Current Streak:

W3

 Extra Innings:

3-2

 Team Hitting:

.283
First Half:

18-19

 Lead After 5:

12-4

 PL Rank:

3rd
Second Half:

0-0

 Tied After 5:

5-2

 Team Pitching:

4.51
June:

7-6

 Trail After 5:

1-13

 PL Rank:

3rd
July:

11-13

 One-run games:

4-4

 Longest Winning Streak:

3 games
August:

0-0

 Two-run games:

2-3

 Longest Losing Streak

6 games
September:

0-0

 Three-run games:

4-1

 HR total at home:

8
Score First:

11-8

 +3-run games:

8-11

 Pitching K total:

298
Score Last:

8-4

 Shutout Record:

1-2

 Pitching K/9IP Ratio:

8.09

D-backs Minor League Report/Osprey Alumni Update:

AZL D-backs Alumni Briefing: The AZL D-backs lost to the AZL Mariners on Friday, 9-0.

 
Record: 13-15
 
DSL D-backs Update: The DSL D-backs have won seven of their last nine games since the DSL All-Star break, and are a half-game back of the DSL Rockies for first in the Baseball City Division.

 
Record: 27-18
 
SS-A Yakima Alumni Briefing: The Bears beat Spokane in 11 innings on Friday, 8-6. Victor Acosta (2010) pitched two innings of scoreless relief to get the win, while Josh Parr (2011) collected a double and a RBI in five trips to the plate.
Record: 3-1. 24-18
Next: at Spokane
Class A South Bend Alumni Briefing: Jesse Darrah (2011) pitched five solid innings of relief to pick up the win on the mound as the Silver Hawks rallied past Fort Wayne on Friday, 5-4. Tom Belza (2011) had two hits while Matt Helm (2009-10) drove in a pair of runs for the Silver Hawks.
Record: 18-15, 53-50
Next: at Fort Wayne
Class A Advanced Visalia Alumni Briefing: Anthony Meo (2011) pitched into the sixth, while the bullpen of Jeremy Erben (2010) and Blake Cooper (2010) tossed 3 2/3 innings pitched of one-run, two-hit relief to lift the Rawhide past High Desert on Friday, 9-5. Keon Broxton (2009) had three hits, including a double and a home run, while Ender Inciarte (2009) added two hits, including a double, two runs scored and a pair of stolen bases.
Record: 18-16, 49-55
Next: at High Desert
Double-A Mobile Alumni Briefing: The BayBears dropped a 6-1 decision at Mississippi on Friday, making it eight losses in the past 11 games for Mobile. Bobby Borchering (2009) went 1-for-2 with a walk, while David Holmberg (2010) surrendered six runs in five-plus innings to take the loss.
Record: 13-21, 53-51
Next: at Mississippi
Triple-A Reno Alumni Briefing: Bryan Shaw (2008) pitched an inning of scoreless relief, but the Colorado Springs Sky Sox scored five times in the top of the eighth inning and let the Sky Sox take home a 7-4 decision on Friday. Adam Eaton (2010) had two hits and a RBI, Jake Elmore (2008) doubled and Taylor Harbin (2007) singled home a run.
Record: 63-44
Next: vs. Colorado Springs

Former Osprey with the Arizona Diamondbacks:

Paul Goldschmidt (2009) .290 BA, 13 HR, 47 RBI, .883 OPS Gerardo Parra (2006) .275 BA, 6 HR, 28 RBI, .760 OPS
Miguel Montero (2002-03) .283 BA, 10 HR, 56 RBI, .815 OPS Lyle Overbay (1999) .292 BA, 2 HR, 10 RBI, .815 OPS

TEAM: 50-50, 3rd in NL West, 6.5 GB … 5.5 GB in wildcard

Lineups for Friday’s homestand opener

Here are lineups for tonight’s game and some other notes as the Osprey host the Great Falls Voyagers in the first of a five-game homestand at Ogren Park Allegiance Field.

The broadcast of tonight’s game will begin at 6:50 on AM 930 KMPT as well as MissoulaOsprey.com. To be honest, not sure who will be the pre-game show guest, but I can tell you we’re on as scheduled both on the air and at the stadium.

Great Falls Voyagers
Overall: 23-13
Manager: Ryan Newman
No. Player Pos. Avg. HR RBI
6 Michael Johnson 2B .211 0 2
15 Bradley Salgado SS .268 1 6
22 Kyle Robinson RF .380 2 27
12 Brent Tanner 1B .255 4 26
27 Yoandy Barroso LF .302 1 23
19 Zac Fisher C .256 0 4
16 Thomas McCarthy 3B .288 0 7
10 Tyler Williams DH .169 2 5
1 Daruys Mercedes CF .215 1 9
18 Andrew Virgili 1-0 5.32 9-1 RHP
Starting Pitcher Stats W-L ERA G-GS
Missoula Osprey
Overall: 17-19
Manager: Andy Green
No. Player Pos. Avg. HR RBI
14 Pedro Ruiz SS .325 2 9
35 Evan Marzilli CF .361 0 6
18 Jake Lamb 3B .331 3 21
7 Michael Perez C .314 5 26
19 Socrates Brito RF .264 1 18
17 Ty Linton LF .231 4 16
15 Justin Bianco DH .178 3 15
39 Kyle Koeneman 1B .148 1 3
12 John Leonard 2B .178 0 3
44 Chris Pack 2-1 5.13 7-7 RHP
Starting Pitcher Stats W-L ERA G-GS
Umpires: Home Plate Clinton Vondraic
First Base Mitchell Morgan
The Skinny:
The Osprey  open a five-game homestand with a three-game series against the first-half North Division champions, the Great Falls VoyagersLast Time Out:
The Osprey capped off a 3-4 road trip with a series win over Orem on Wednesday. Ross Gerdeman and two relievers scattered eight hits, while the Osprey had big nights at the plate from Michael Perez and Breland Almadova as they beat the Orem Owlz, 5-2. The Osprey jumped on Owlz starting pitcher Baudilio Lopez in the top of the first inning. Evan Marzilli and Danny Pulfer each singled to lead off the game, and after a Jake Lamb groundout moved the runners up to second and third, Michael Perez launched a three-run home run to right field for a 3-0 Missoula lead. Missoula would add a pair of runs on a two-run triple by Breland Almadova with no one out in the top of the third to chase Lopez and give the Osprey a 5-0 lead. That would be enough for Gerdeman (2-2), who scattered six hits, a walk and a hit batsman while allowing just a run in six innings of work to get the win on the mound. Chris Capper allowed just a hit and a walk in two innings of relief, while Chase Stevens pitched around a solo home run allowed in the bottom of the ninth to close out the win. The Osprey had 13 hits in the contest, with the first six in the Missoula batting order – Marzilli, Pulfer, Lamb, Perez, Socrates Brito and Almadova – each had two hits, while John Leonard also singled for the Osprey.

Not afraid of lefties these days:
One thought to be the kryptonite for a team full of left-handed hitters, the success level has grown for the Osprey against southpaw hurlers this season. The Osprey, in fact, are hitting better against lefties (.295) as a team than against righties (.274). And it’s paced by a handful of lefties in that regard – Michael Perez is hitting .438 against lefties (.257 against righties), while Evan Marzilli (.529 vs. left, .309 vs. right) also has a big swing against left-handed pitching – and both hit left-handed. Fellow left-handed swinger Jake Lamb is hitting either type – .324 vs. left-handers, .333 against right-handers. Switch-hitter Pedro Ruiz is also hitting a little better from the right side of the plate (.343) than the left (.317). Conversely, a pair of right-handed batters has handled righties better than lefties – Tyler Bream (.275 vs. right, .263 vs. left) and Danny Pulfer (.333 vs. right, .227 vs. left).

On the Mound Tonight:
Missoula will send right-hander Chris Pack to the hill as makes his eighth start of the season. Pack (2-1, 5.13) has posted a pair of no-decisions in his last two starts – one decent (allowed four runs in six innings against Grand Junction in Saturday’s loss – and one not so much, allowing 10 hits and six runs in five innings against Orem on July 15. Pack’s ERA has jumped to 6.33 for the month of July, in four starts spanning 21 1/3 innings pitched. Two of his decisions have come against Great Falls – he’s 1-1 with a 7.15 ERA against the Voyagers.

The Voyagers will counter tonight with right-hander Andrew Virgili, who is making just his second start of the season. Virgili (1-0, 5.32) has logged 5 1/3 innings pitched in relief against Missoula this season, allowing just a run on three hits and three walks, logging a 1.62 ERA against the Osprey. In his first start against Ogden on Saturday, Virgili allowed four runs on five hits and five walks in just 2 1/3 innings pitched, with two strikeouts. Virgili has 23 Ks in 23.2 innings pitched, but also has 15 walks.

Pitching Probables
Saturday, July 28
MIS RHP Karl Triana (3-2, 5.04) vs. GF RHP Chris Beck (2-1, 4.50)

Sunday, July 29
MIS RHP Yoimer Camacho (0-3, 4.71) vs. GF RHP JC Casey (4-2, 1.88)

Monday, July 30
MIS RHP Jared Ray (1-3, 3.89) vs. HEL RHP Leonard Lorenzo (1-3, 4.18)

Tuesday, July 31
MIS RHP Ross Gerdeman (2-2, 4.57) vs. HEL RHP Tyler Wagner (0-1, 8.56)

Stat of the Day:
The Osprey have hit 22 home runs this season as a team – with 14 of those coming on the road. Only the 2005 squad has hit more HR on the road than at home since the team moved into Ogren Park Allegiance Field for the 2004 season.

By The Numbers:

Current Streak:

W2

 Extra Innings:

3-2

 Team Hitting:

.280
First Half:

17-19

 Lead After 5:

11-4

 PL Rank:

3rd
Second Half:

0-0

 Tied After 5:

5-2

 Team Pitching:

4.61
June:

7-6

 Trail After 5:

1-13

 PL Rank:

4th
July:

10-13

 One-run games:

4-4

 Longest Winning Streak:

3 games
August:

0-0

 Two-run games:

2-3

 Longest Losing Streak

6 games
September:

0-0

 Three-run games:

4-1

 HR total at home:

8
Score First:

10-8

 +3-run games:

7-11

 Pitching K total:

290
Score Last:

8-4

 Shutout Record:

1-2

 Pitching K/9IP Ratio:

8.10

D-backs Minor League Report/Osprey Alumni Update:

AZL D-backs Alumni Briefing:The AZL D-backs are playing much better these days, but share a division with the top two teams in the league (Cubs 20-8, Athletics 19-9). 
Record: 13-14
Next: vs. AZL Mariners
DSL D-backs Update:The DSL D-backs have won seven of their last nine games since the DSL All-Star break, and are a half-game back of the DSL Rockies for first in the Baseball City Division. 
Record: 27-18
SS-A Yakima Alumni Briefing: The Bears won the Northwest League East Division First-Half crown, and have won two of three games to open the second half of the season. Josh Parr (2011) is hitting .226 with six home runs and 23 RBIs. Victor Acosta (2010) has been very good out of the bullpen, posting a 1-2 mark with two saves and a 1.40 ERA. Victor Capellan (2009) has also been solid, with a 4-1 record and two saves with a 1.90 ERA, fanning 30 batters in 23.2 innings pitched.
Record: 2-1. 23-18
Next: at Spokane
Class A South Bend Alumni Briefing: Matt Helm (2009-10) is leading the way offensively for the Silver Hawks, hitting .274 with 28 doubles, a triple, eight home runs and 60 RBIs. The rest of the former Osprey crew is hovering the team batting average of .251, including Eric Groff (2010-11) and Ryan Court (2011), both of whom have recovered from slow starts to hit .262 and .263, respectively. On the bump, Andrew Barbosa (2012) has also recovered from a rough first outing, and is now 1-1 with a 2.87 ERA, and has struck out 16 batters in 15.2 innings pitched. Seth Simmons (2011) has been the steady force in the bullpen, compiling a 3-2 record with a 1.89 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 57 innings pitched.
Record: 17-15, 52-50
Next: at Fort Wayne, with Jesse Darrah (2011) will make the start tonight for the Silver Hawks.
Class A Advanced Visalia Alumni Briefing: The Rawhide have dropped eight of their past 10 games to fall out of first place in the California League’s North Division. Jon Griffin (2011) leads the team in power numbers at the plate – a .277 batting average, with a team-best 16 home runs and 66 RBIs. Ender Inciarte (2009) has been solid in the 30 games since his promotion to the Rawhide, with a .317 average, 14 RBIs and 21-of-23 in the stolen base department. On the bump, only Wily Perales has a better WHIP than Jeremy Erben (2010), who is 1-1 in 27 outings with a 3.24 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 33.1 innings pitched.
Record: 17-16, 48-55
Next: at High Desert
Double-A Mobile Alumni Briefing: The BayBears have lost 7 of 10 games as they get ready for the rest of the second half of the season and the playoffs. Rossmel Perez (2008) has been consistent all season behind the plate, hitting. 269 with 10 doubles and 15 RBIs. David Nick (2009) has been steady with a .264 average, 28 extra-base hits and 32 RBIs, while Chris Owings (2009) is batting .255 in 33 games with 10 extra-base hits and 19 RBIs. On the mound, the latest development on Chase Anderson (2009) is that he will be on an inning restriction the rest of the season, capped off at five innings per outing. Anderson is currently 3-2 with a solid 2.39 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 71.2 innings pitched.
Record: 13-20, 53-50
Next: at Mississippi, with David Holmberg (2010) gets the start tonight for the BayBears
Triple-A Reno Alumni Briefing: The Aces have opened their lead up in the PCL Pacific North Division to 8 ½ games over Colorado Springs, and while they have quieted down a bit, the Aces, and the Pacific Coast League, is still paced in batting by Adam Eaton (2010) and Jake Elmore (2008). Their lead over the rest of the league has shrunk considerably (only 12 points separate Eaton from third place Justin Christian of Fresno), but Eaton (.376) and Elmore (.369) are still 1-2 in the league in hitting, runs scored and stolen bases, with Elmore ahead of Eaton in on-base percentage. Eaton is also tied for the league lead in doubles – with teammate Taylor Harbin (2007) third in two-base hits.
Record: 63-43
Next: vs. Colorado Springs

Lineups for the road finale in Orem

It’s the road finale of this 7-game odyssey the Osprey have been on for the past week. And I can tell you that there is a lot of fishing and rest planned for the off-day tomorrow.

Here’s tonight’s lineups. We will update the league stuff coming up tonight instead of a pre-game interview, and we’ll get started tonight at 6:45 on the air on AM 930 and on MissoulaOsprey.com.

Missoula (16-19)
35 Evan Marzilli CF
9 Danny Pulfer 2B
18 Jake Lamb 3B
7 Michael Perez C
19 Socrates Brito RF
21 Breland Almadova LF
15 Justin Bianco DH
30 Tyler Bream 1B
12 John Leonard SS
24 Ross Gerdeman RHP

Orem (17-18)
17 Joel Capote CF
2 Wendell Soto SS
35 Wade Hinkle 1B
33 Jonathan Walsh DH
29 Michael Snyder 3B
6 Andrew Ray LF
12 Anthony Bemboom C
25 Chevy Clarke RF
4 Sherman Johnson 2B
32 Baudilio Lopez RHP

Starting Lineups for Tuesday at Orem

Here are the starting lineups for tonight’s Osprey game in Orem. One major change in the lineup – Justin Bianco has been moved up to the No. 2 spot in the order by manager Andy Green. The rest of the lineup pretty much stays the same.

We’re on tonight at 6:45 – with a special listen back to an older Andy Green interview. It’s more about Green himself, and originally aired last season, before Green ended up not coming to Missoula as the hitting coach, but instead went to the Arizona League to get his feet wet in the managerial pool.

Oh, it’s also Welcome to the Major Leagues Night here, on what is Pioneer Day in Utah. There will be fireworks after the game. The last time the Osprey played on a fireworks night in Orem – Kevin Eichhorn struck out eight over 5 1/3 innings pitched, Bobby Stone homered and drove in three, and the Hector De La Cruz-led Osprey beat the Owlz, 12-2, back on July 24, 2010.

Missoula (15-19)
14 Pedro Ruiz SS
15 Justin Bianco RF
18 Jake Lamb 3B
26 Yosbel Gutierrez C
19 Socrates Brito CF
21 Breland Almadova DH
33 Rudy Flores 1B
17 Ty Linton LF
12 John Leonard 2B
37 Jared Ray RHP

Orem (17-17)
17 Joel Capote CF
4 Sherman Johnson 2B
35 Wade Hinkle 1B
33 Jonathan Walsh DH
2 Wendell Soto SS
6 Andrew Ray LF
25 Chevy Clarke RF
8 Michael Bolaski 3B
37 Zac Livingston C
61 Aaron Newcomb RHP

Monday’s Lineups from Orem

Here are tonight’s starting lineups from tonight’s Osprey game at Orem. Here’s a nugget that will not surprise anyone – most of the Osprey position players were anxious to get into the indoor batting cage here at Brent Brown Ballpark, mainly because they want to carry over anything they can from Sunday’s big win in Grand Junction.

We’re on the air at 6:40, with first baseman Rudy Flores our pre-game show guest tonight. First pitch is set for 7:05 on AM 930 KMPT and online at MissoulaOsprey.com.

Missoula (15-18)
14 Pedro Ruiz SS
35 Evan Marzilli DH
18 Jake Lamb 3B
7 Michael Perez C
19 Socrates Brito CF
9 Danny Pulfer 2B
33 Rudy Flores 1B
17 Ty Linton LF
15 Justin Bianco RF
48 Yoimer Camacho RHP

Orem (16-17)
17 Joel Capote CF
4 Sherman Johnson 2B
35 Wade Hinkle 1B
29 Michael Snyder 3B
33 Jonathan Walsh DH
2 Wendell Soto SS
3 Kyle Johnson RF
6 Andrew Ray LF
37 Zac Livingston C
45 Gabriel Perez RHP

Sunday Lineups from Grand Junction

Here are today’s starting lineups from the series finale at Grand Junction. The Osprey leave after the game and head to Orem to take on the Owlz in a three-game series beginning Monday.

Missoula (14-18)
14 Pedro Ruiz SS
35 Evan Marzilli CF
9 Danny Pulfer 2B
18 Jake Lamb 3B
7 Michael Perez C
26 Yosbel Gutierrez DH
21 Breland Almadova RF
17 Ty Linton LF
30 Tyler Bream 1B
29 Karl Triana RHP

Grand Junction (17-15)
2 Juan Ciriaco 2B
21 David Dahl LF
5 Ashley Graeter SS
32 Ryan Garvey DH
12 Matt Wessinger 3B
40 Ben Waldrip 1B
10 Julian Yan RF
3 Wilfredo Rodriguez C
18 Max White CF
33 Johendi Jiminian RHP

Saturday lineups from GJ

Here are tonight’s starting lineups from Grand Junction, as the Osprey look to snap a five-game losing streak. Tonight’s pre-game features an except of an interview we did with former Osprey Luis Urueta (2002), who is now the D-backs Short-Season Field Coordinator.

Pre-game will air at 6:40 (yes, we’re back to the old time), first pitch is set for 7:05 on AM 930 KMPT and online at MissoulaOsprey.com.

Missoula (14-17)
35 Evan Marzilli LF
9 Danny Pulfer 2B
18 Jake Lamb 3B
33 Rudy Flores 1B
19 Socrates Brito RF
26 Yosbel Gutierrez C
21 Breland Almadova CF
15 Justin Bianco DH
12 John Leonard SS
44 Chris Pack RHP

Grand Junction (16-15)
2 Juan Ciriaco 2B
21 David Dahl CF
17 Todd Helton 1B
25 Jeff Popick LF
5 Ashley Graeter SS
12 Matt Wessinger 3B
32 Ryan Garvey RF
3 Wilfredo Rodriguez C
39 Correlle Prime DH
30 Alving Mejias RHP