The Skinny:
Game three of the four-game set between the Osprey and Idaho Falls Chukars takes place tonight here at Ogren Park Allegiance Field.
Last Time Out:
The Missoula Osprey dropped their fourth straight game on Friday at Ogren Park Allegiance Field, falling 11-9 to the Idaho Falls Chukars in front of 1,956 fans. However, the Osprey stay two games back of the Billings Mustangs in the Pioneer League’s North Division, as the Mustangs also lost on Friday. Unlike the series opener on Thursday, the Osprey led the game twice, holding 5-3 and 6-5 edges, but were victimized by another six-run inning, this one taking place in the top of the sixth that gave the Chukars the lead for good. The Osprey responded in the home half of the inning with a three-run rally, but could not dent the scoreboard the rest of the evening. Michael Perez had two hits, two runs scored and two RBIs for Missoula, who had 11 hits on the night. It’s the second straight game the Osprey have collected 11 or more hits but lost the game, after winning 18 of the first 19 times it took place this season. Jake Lamb and Socrates Brito added two hits and two runs scored, while Tyler Bream added two hits and a RBI. Danny Pulfer doubled and drove in a pair of runs for the Osprey. The pitching highlight came in the final 3 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball by Missoula relievers Patrick Smith and Justin Thompson, who combined to allow just two hits and a walk while striking out five batters.
Notes from the Nest:
Including tonight’s game, the Osprey have just six home games remaining on the schedule. However, they are still on pace to set a new single-season attendance mark. The old record of 87,345 was set in the 2010 season. If the Osprey draw the average per game for the rest of the season, they would set the new mark on the last game of the season Sept. 6 … The Osprey are trying to make sure they still have control of their own playoff destiny, since six of their final eight games will come against the first-place Billings Mustangs.
On the Mound Tonight:
Missoula will send right-hander Karl Triana to the mound tonight as he looks to build on his best start of the season, which was in his most recent outing. Triana (4-4, 4.70) allowed just four hits and three runs (two earned) in six innings of work, walking two and hitting a batter while striking out seven in a win over Ogden on Monday. Triana has pitched six innings on three different occasions this season. Triana is 0-2 against Helena, but is 4-2 against the rest of the league, with a 2.93 ERA. Triana has also been solid at home this season, going 2-2 with a 3.21 ERA in five prior home starts this season.
The Chukars will go with right-hander Alec Mills, who is hoping to continue the string of strong starts he has made since moving into the Chukars’ rotation from the bullpen. Mills (1-3, 2 saves, 3.06 ERA) is 1-1 as a starter, with a 2.70 ERA in four starts since being moved into the rotation last month. Mills, picked in the 22nd round by the Kansas City Royals in the 2012 MLB Draft out of Tennessee-Martin, started the season in the bullpen, where he was 0-2 with the three saves and a 3.52 ERA. In his last outing, the defense struggled behind him, as he allowed three unearned runs while scattering eight hits in a win over Orem on August 11, and struck out five batters without allowing a walk. Mills has allowed only two walks in 20 innings as a starting pitcher. |
Pitching Probables
Sunday, August 19
MIS RHP Yoimer Camacho (2-4, 3.27) vs. IDF RHP Ali Williams (2-3, 4.20)
Monday, August 20
MIS RHP Jared Ray (3-5, 3.32) at OGD LHP Gregg Downing
Tuesday, August 21
MIS RHP Ross Gerdeman (3-4, 5.02) at OGD Pitcher TBA
Wednesday, August 22
MIS RHP Chris Pack (5-1, 5.28) at OGD Pitcher TBA
Thursday, August 23
MIS RHP Karl Triana (4-4, 4.70) at OGD Pitcher TBA
Aug. 24-26
Osprey at Idaho Falls
Aug. 28-29
Osprey vs. Great Falls
Aug. 30-Sept. 2
Osprey at Billings
Sept. 3-4
Osprey at Great Falls
Sept. 5-6
Osprey vs. Billings
Ogren Park Allegiance Field Info
Date Opened: 2004
Capacity: 3,600 (est.)
Record: 4,316 (7/3/12)
OF Distances:
LF – 309’, wall is 17’ tall
LCF – 360’, wall is 8’ tall
CF – 398’, wall is 16’ tall
RCF – 401’, wall is 8’ tall
RF – 287’, wall is 24’ tall
Home Dugout: 3rd base
Home Bullpen: LF line
Vis. Dugout: 1st base
Vis. Bullpen: RF line |