Late summer rains in Montana's capital city meant that the Billings Mustangs and Helena Brewers managed to play only four innings of their scheduled two game series at Kindrick Legion Field Monday and Tuesday.
The Mustangs were leading 2-0 in the top of fourth when play was suspended in Monday night. An attempt to pick up that game on Tuesday was cut short with the two teams managing to only finish the fourth inning. When play was again halted the Mustangs were about to come to bat in the top of the fifth ahead 3-0.
Through those four inning Billings second baseman Billy Hamilton managed two hits, an RBI and scored a run. Shortstop Devin Lohman and third baseman Oliver Santos scored the other two runs. Lohman and catcher Trey Manz tallied RBI's.
On the mound Daniel Tuttle (innings 1-3 on Monday) and Daniel Wolford (inning four on Tuesday) had yet to allow a Brewer run or hit. Each pitcher walked a batter and Tuttle hit three with pitches accounting for the only Helena base runners of the game so far.
Tuesday's scheduled game was also postponed. No makeup date for either game has been announced.
The Mustangs will now hope for better weather as they travel to Great Falls for a two game series with the first place Voyagers.
Game time at Centene Stadium is set for 7 p.m. both Wednesday and Thursday.
Radio 970 AM or online here
Box score through four innings of game one at Helena here
8/08/2010
Opportunity squandered as Osprey down Mustangs 2-1
After falling behind 2-0 to the Missoula Osprey in the top half of fifth inning of their Pioneer League game at Dehler Park Sunday, the Billings Mustangs appeared in the bottom half of the frame to be ready to get those two runs back and score a whole lot more. The bases were loaded with no one out and already one run in as Devin Lohman stepped to the plate. Missoula starter Patrick Schuster got Lohman to strike out swinging for the inning's first out. That brought Danny Hernandez to the plate. Hernandez proceeded to send a comebacker to Schuster who then threw home setting in motion an inning ending 1-2-3 double play. The threat suddenly ended, Missoula's pitching staff would allow only two more Mustangs to reach base over the final four innings as the Osprey held on for a 2-1 win.
"The fifth inning was an opportunity lost," said Billings manager Delino DeShields. "We have had trouble in bases loaded situations all season and tonight was unfortunately no different." After factoring in Sunday's game the Mustangs, on the year, are batting just .125 with the bases loaded
Jonathan Correa (0-1, 3.60 ERA) took the loss for The Mustangs. In his first start since being called up from the Arizona Rookie League, Correa pitched five innings giving up two earned runs on three hits, two walks and a hit batsman. both runs, both walks and the hit batter came in the fifth inning. Correa struck out four.
After managing his way out of the trouble spot in the fifth, Schuster took the win for Missoula going five innings giving up one earned run on five hits and two walks. Schuster struck out three. Justin Albert picked up his third save of the year for the Osprey pitching the eighth and ninth giving up no hits, one walk and striking out three.
The loss drops the Mustangs second half record to 4-5 and into a three way tie for second place in the Pioneer League North Division with Helena and Missoula. All three teams trail Great Falls by two games.
Sunday's game was also the last game of the first home stand of the second half. Though they managed to break even going 3-3 The Mustangs experienced a bit of an offensive drought scoring only 16 runs, (eight of those coming in Friday night's win over Missoula and five more in Tuesday's win over Helena,) on 36 hits. (Billings only got one hit each in the final two games of the Helena series.)
Billings now heads on the road for four games starting with a two game series in Helena against the Brewers. Though scheduled to start for the Mustangs on Monday, Daniel Tuttle (5-2, 4.80 ERA) is doubtful as he is nursing a sore knee. If Tuttle does not go left hander Luca Panerati will get the start in game one. Panerati who was 3-7 for Billings in 14 starts last season will be making his first start of 2010 season after appearing in relief three times for the ARL Reds. In those three appearance Panerati is 1-0 having pitched five innings and giving up no earned runs.
Helena will counter with another south paw, Evan Fredrickson. Fredrickson is 2-2 in nine appearances (five starts) for the Brewers this year. Fredrickson has faced The Mustangs twice this season, He picked up a win in relief against Billings on June 26 giving up two hits in four innings work and earned a no-decision in a start on August 4 going six no hit innings walking two batters and striking out 12.
Game time at Helena's Kindrick Legion Field is 7:05 p.m.
Radio: AM 970 or online here
Sunday's Attendance: 2967
Sunday's Time of Game: 2:13
Sunday's Complete Box Score Here
"The fifth inning was an opportunity lost," said Billings manager Delino DeShields. "We have had trouble in bases loaded situations all season and tonight was unfortunately no different." After factoring in Sunday's game the Mustangs, on the year, are batting just .125 with the bases loaded
Jonathan Correa (0-1, 3.60 ERA) took the loss for The Mustangs. In his first start since being called up from the Arizona Rookie League, Correa pitched five innings giving up two earned runs on three hits, two walks and a hit batsman. both runs, both walks and the hit batter came in the fifth inning. Correa struck out four.
After managing his way out of the trouble spot in the fifth, Schuster took the win for Missoula going five innings giving up one earned run on five hits and two walks. Schuster struck out three. Justin Albert picked up his third save of the year for the Osprey pitching the eighth and ninth giving up no hits, one walk and striking out three.
The loss drops the Mustangs second half record to 4-5 and into a three way tie for second place in the Pioneer League North Division with Helena and Missoula. All three teams trail Great Falls by two games.
Sunday's game was also the last game of the first home stand of the second half. Though they managed to break even going 3-3 The Mustangs experienced a bit of an offensive drought scoring only 16 runs, (eight of those coming in Friday night's win over Missoula and five more in Tuesday's win over Helena,) on 36 hits. (Billings only got one hit each in the final two games of the Helena series.)
Billings now heads on the road for four games starting with a two game series in Helena against the Brewers. Though scheduled to start for the Mustangs on Monday, Daniel Tuttle (5-2, 4.80 ERA) is doubtful as he is nursing a sore knee. If Tuttle does not go left hander Luca Panerati will get the start in game one. Panerati who was 3-7 for Billings in 14 starts last season will be making his first start of 2010 season after appearing in relief three times for the ARL Reds. In those three appearance Panerati is 1-0 having pitched five innings and giving up no earned runs.
Helena will counter with another south paw, Evan Fredrickson. Fredrickson is 2-2 in nine appearances (five starts) for the Brewers this year. Fredrickson has faced The Mustangs twice this season, He picked up a win in relief against Billings on June 26 giving up two hits in four innings work and earned a no-decision in a start on August 4 going six no hit innings walking two batters and striking out 12.
Game time at Helena's Kindrick Legion Field is 7:05 p.m.
Radio: AM 970 or online here
Sunday's Attendance: 2967
Sunday's Time of Game: 2:13
Sunday's Complete Box Score Here
8/07/2010
Errors prove costly as Mustangs fall 5-1
Five errors by the Billings Mustangs led to four unearned runs by the Missoula Osprey as the Osprey defeated the Mustangs 5-1 in Pioneer League action at Dehler Park Saturday. The loss moves Billings to 4-4 for the second half of the season, one game back of the Great Falls Voyagers for first place in the PL North Divsion.
All was calm until the top of the third. errors by Mustangs shortstop Devin Lohman and starting pitcher Tanner Robles led to Missoula first baseman Bobby Stone coming up with two outs and the bases loaded. Stone, spending part of a third consecutive season with the Osprey, responded with a single to right field. Jae Young Kim and Raul Navarro scored on the hit, while an error on the relay throw by first baseman Dominic D'Anna allowed Chris Jarrett to score giving The Osprey the early 3-0 lead.
The Mustangs cut the lead to 3-1 in fifth. one out singles by Domnic D'Anna, Juan Duran and Jefry Sierra loaded the bases for Theo Bowe who lined a sacrifice fly to center scoring D'Anna. The Osprey were able to limit the damage to just the one run by doubling off Duran on a heads up cutoff play by shortstop Raul Navarro who instead of throwing home got the ball to third baseman Matt Helm as Duran attempted to advance on the Bowe fly out.
Missoula then added two insurance runs in seventh. Kim led off the inning by doubling to left, he would later advance to third on a ground out by Roberto Rodriguez before scoring on a double by Jarrett. Jarrett then scored on a throwing error by Billings second baseman Billy Hamilton.
Osprey starter Robby Rowland (1-4, 6.84 ERA) picked up his first professional victory. Rowland went five innings, giving up one earned runs on four hits and striking out four. Tanner Robles (2-2, 3.82) took the loss for the Mustangs. Robles worked five innings allowing three unearned runs on just one hit and striking out six with no walks and hitting two batters.
Billings and Missoula will conclude their three game series on Sunday. Jonathan Correa gets his first start for the Mustangs. Correa has gone 4-2 with a 2.01 ERA pitching 39.1 innings over eight starts with the Goodyear Reds of the Arizona Rookie League. Correa starts in place of Daniel Tuttle. Tuttle has had his next start pushed back to Monday at Helena in order to rest a sore knee. Lefty Patrick Schuster (2-3, 3.80 ERA) gets the ball for The Osprey. Schuster picked up a win in his only start against Billings this year, giving up no runs and two hits in five innings work on June 26.
Game time at Dehler Park is 4:05 p.m.
Tickets here
Radio: AM 970 or online here
Complete Box Score Here
Notes
Mud-luscious: The start of Saturday's Game was delayed 42 minutes to allow the infield to allow more time for the infield dirt to dry out following a late afternoon thundershower.
Two is not always better: The Mustangs hit into four double plays on Saturday. The Missoula defense got two outs on one play in the fourth, fifth sixth and eighth innings. According to the Pioneer League website, the league record for double plays turned in a game is six. The record was set by Medicine Hat in a game against Helena on September 3, 1998.
Band of Brothers: Saturday's Missoula starter Robby Rowland will not have to look far to find a familiar face to celebrate his first pro win with. Rowland's older Brother Richie is also an Osprey. Richie Rowland was the DH in Saturday Night's game going 0-3 in four plate appearances reaching base on an error in the sixth inning.
The Road from Omaha: It has already been quite the summer for Missoula reliever Blake Cooper. In addition to being selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the MLB draft and pitching for the Osprey (including a 1-2-3 ninth on Saturday), Cooper capped off his college career at the University of South Carolina by helping the Gamecocks to their first ever College World Series Championship. Pitching on three days rest the righthander dominated UCLA in the first game of the championship series going eight innings and striking out 10 Bruins in the 7-1 South Carolina victory.
Attendance: 3179
Time of Game: 1:57
All was calm until the top of the third. errors by Mustangs shortstop Devin Lohman and starting pitcher Tanner Robles led to Missoula first baseman Bobby Stone coming up with two outs and the bases loaded. Stone, spending part of a third consecutive season with the Osprey, responded with a single to right field. Jae Young Kim and Raul Navarro scored on the hit, while an error on the relay throw by first baseman Dominic D'Anna allowed Chris Jarrett to score giving The Osprey the early 3-0 lead.
The Mustangs cut the lead to 3-1 in fifth. one out singles by Domnic D'Anna, Juan Duran and Jefry Sierra loaded the bases for Theo Bowe who lined a sacrifice fly to center scoring D'Anna. The Osprey were able to limit the damage to just the one run by doubling off Duran on a heads up cutoff play by shortstop Raul Navarro who instead of throwing home got the ball to third baseman Matt Helm as Duran attempted to advance on the Bowe fly out.
Missoula then added two insurance runs in seventh. Kim led off the inning by doubling to left, he would later advance to third on a ground out by Roberto Rodriguez before scoring on a double by Jarrett. Jarrett then scored on a throwing error by Billings second baseman Billy Hamilton.
Osprey starter Robby Rowland (1-4, 6.84 ERA) picked up his first professional victory. Rowland went five innings, giving up one earned runs on four hits and striking out four. Tanner Robles (2-2, 3.82) took the loss for the Mustangs. Robles worked five innings allowing three unearned runs on just one hit and striking out six with no walks and hitting two batters.
Billings and Missoula will conclude their three game series on Sunday. Jonathan Correa gets his first start for the Mustangs. Correa has gone 4-2 with a 2.01 ERA pitching 39.1 innings over eight starts with the Goodyear Reds of the Arizona Rookie League. Correa starts in place of Daniel Tuttle. Tuttle has had his next start pushed back to Monday at Helena in order to rest a sore knee. Lefty Patrick Schuster (2-3, 3.80 ERA) gets the ball for The Osprey. Schuster picked up a win in his only start against Billings this year, giving up no runs and two hits in five innings work on June 26.
Game time at Dehler Park is 4:05 p.m.
Tickets here
Radio: AM 970 or online here
Complete Box Score Here
Notes
Mud-luscious: The start of Saturday's Game was delayed 42 minutes to allow the infield to allow more time for the infield dirt to dry out following a late afternoon thundershower.
Two is not always better: The Mustangs hit into four double plays on Saturday. The Missoula defense got two outs on one play in the fourth, fifth sixth and eighth innings. According to the Pioneer League website, the league record for double plays turned in a game is six. The record was set by Medicine Hat in a game against Helena on September 3, 1998.
Band of Brothers: Saturday's Missoula starter Robby Rowland will not have to look far to find a familiar face to celebrate his first pro win with. Rowland's older Brother Richie is also an Osprey. Richie Rowland was the DH in Saturday Night's game going 0-3 in four plate appearances reaching base on an error in the sixth inning.
The Road from Omaha: It has already been quite the summer for Missoula reliever Blake Cooper. In addition to being selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the MLB draft and pitching for the Osprey (including a 1-2-3 ninth on Saturday), Cooper capped off his college career at the University of South Carolina by helping the Gamecocks to their first ever College World Series Championship. Pitching on three days rest the righthander dominated UCLA in the first game of the championship series going eight innings and striking out 10 Bruins in the 7-1 South Carolina victory.
Attendance: 3179
Time of Game: 1:57
Mustangs going for fourth win in last five
The Billings Mustangs will be going for their fourth win in the last five games as they take on the Missoula Osprey at Dehler Park tonight.
Tonight's game is the second of a three game series between the two clubs. In last night's opener the Mustangs broke out of an offensive slump (just two hits in their previous two games) pounding out 10 hits in an 8-2 victory.
Tanner Robles (2-1, 4.45 ERA) will get the start for Billings while Robby Rowland (0-4, 8.10 ERA) gets the call for Missoula.
First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
Tickets here
Radio: AM 970 or online here
Notes:
Roster Moves: The Cincinnati Reds organization has announced several roster moves with regards to the Billings Mustangs.
Daniel Corcino has been promoted from Billings to the Class A Dayton Dragon of the Midwest League. Corcino a right handed starting pitcher started nine games for the Mustangs pitching 39.2 innings giving up 38 hits, 15 earned runs walking 17 and striking out 31 while posting a 1-3 record with a 3.40 ERA.
Pitcher Jonathan Correa has been promoted to Billings from the Goodyear Reds of the Arizona Rookie League. the 19-year old right hander has gone 4-2 with a 2.06 ERA in eight starts in the ARL this year. Correa has pitched 39.1 innings giving up 36 hits and nine earned runs.
Jonathan Kaskow has been demoted to Billings from the Class A Dayton Dragons of the Midwest League. This is the second stint in Billings for the 22 year old first baseman out of Stanford University. Earlier this season Kaskow played in 20 games for the Mustangs hitting .309 with three home runs and 13 RBIs. Kaskow struggled in 10 games at Dayton however getting just three hits (including one home run) in 38 at bats and striking out 14 times.
Luca Panerati has been promoted to Billings from the Goodyear Reds of the Arizona Rookie League. This is the second stop in Billings for the Italian born left handed pitcher. In 2009 Panerati went 3-7 with a 5.96 ERA in 14 starts for the Mustangs. So far in 2010 Panerati is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA over five innings pitched in three relief appearances for Goodyear.
Pioneer League Standings
*= 1st half division winner
Tonight's game is the second of a three game series between the two clubs. In last night's opener the Mustangs broke out of an offensive slump (just two hits in their previous two games) pounding out 10 hits in an 8-2 victory.
Tanner Robles (2-1, 4.45 ERA) will get the start for Billings while Robby Rowland (0-4, 8.10 ERA) gets the call for Missoula.
First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
Tickets here
Radio: AM 970 or online here
Notes:
Roster Moves: The Cincinnati Reds organization has announced several roster moves with regards to the Billings Mustangs.
Daniel Corcino has been promoted from Billings to the Class A Dayton Dragon of the Midwest League. Corcino a right handed starting pitcher started nine games for the Mustangs pitching 39.2 innings giving up 38 hits, 15 earned runs walking 17 and striking out 31 while posting a 1-3 record with a 3.40 ERA.
Pitcher Jonathan Correa has been promoted to Billings from the Goodyear Reds of the Arizona Rookie League. the 19-year old right hander has gone 4-2 with a 2.06 ERA in eight starts in the ARL this year. Correa has pitched 39.1 innings giving up 36 hits and nine earned runs.
Jonathan Kaskow has been demoted to Billings from the Class A Dayton Dragons of the Midwest League. This is the second stint in Billings for the 22 year old first baseman out of Stanford University. Earlier this season Kaskow played in 20 games for the Mustangs hitting .309 with three home runs and 13 RBIs. Kaskow struggled in 10 games at Dayton however getting just three hits (including one home run) in 38 at bats and striking out 14 times.
Luca Panerati has been promoted to Billings from the Goodyear Reds of the Arizona Rookie League. This is the second stop in Billings for the Italian born left handed pitcher. In 2009 Panerati went 3-7 with a 5.96 ERA in 14 starts for the Mustangs. So far in 2010 Panerati is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA over five innings pitched in three relief appearances for Goodyear.
Pioneer League Standings
| North Division | 2nd Half Wins | 2nd Half Losses | GB | Overall Wins | Overall Losses |
| Billings Mustangs | 4 | 3 | - | 25 | 20 |
| Great Falls Voyagers* | 4 | 3 | - | 27 | 18 |
| Helena Brewers | 4 | 3 | - | 23 | 22 |
| Missoula Osprey | 2 | 5 | 2 | 16 | 29 |
| South Division | 2nd Half Wins | 2nd Half Losses | GB | Overall Wins | Overall Losses |
| Ogden Raptors* | 6 | 1 | - | 29 | 16 |
| Casper Ghosts | 3 | 3 | 2.5 | 20 | 24 |
| Orem Owlz | 2 | 4 | 3.5 | 21 | 23 |
| Idaho Falls Chukars | 2 | 5 | 4 | 18 | 27 |
TIE-BREAKING PROCEDURES
First-half ties
If two teams tie for the first half title with exactly the same winning percentage, the following tie breaking rules are used to determine the first half champion:
- 1. Head to head records between the two teams tied;
- 2. Overall won/loss percentage in Division games during the first half;
- 3. Overall record; and
- 4. Coin flip by League President.
Second-half ties
If two teams tie for the second half title with exactly the same winning percentage, the following tie breaking rules are used to determine the second half champion:
- 1. Head to head records between the two teams tied during entire season;
- 2. Won/loss percentage in Division games during entire season;
- 3. Won/loss percentage in overall play during the entire season; and
- 4. Coin flip by League President.
Should one team win the first half outright and tie for the second half championship, the team that tied for the lead in the second half will gain a wild card birth. In the case of one team winning both halves, a wild card team will be the team with the best overall record during the entire season.
8/03/2010
Mustangs overcome blown HR call down Helena 5-3
A four hit, three run top of the first inning by the Helena Brewers complete with a controversial home run call was not enough to deny the Billings Mustangs and starting pitcher Daniel Tuttle (5-2, 4.80 ERA). Billings would score three of their own in the first and one each in third and fourth innings to come away with a 5-3 win at Dehler Park Tuesday night
The "home run" came with one out in the top of the first when with Shea Vucinich on second, Brewer DH Cody Hawn launched a ball deep into the left field corner. Though The distance from home plate to where the ball went out was certainly home run caliber, (at least 350 ft), it appeared to most of the nearly 2900 present that the ball had curved a good five feet left of the foul pole before leaving the field, meaning that the blast was simply a long foul ball. However, the only two people in the park who mattered, Umpires Ramon Hernandez and Gavin Hanson saw thing differently and Hawn was soon rounding the bases to give Helena a 2-0 lead. The Brewers added the third run of inning with two outs on a double by Brent Dean which scored Mike Walker.
The Mustangs answered back in the bottom of the first. Billy Hamilton led off the inning with a single, later stealing second base before scoring on an RBI double by Devin Lohman. Lohman would then advance to third on a single by Donald Lutz and score on a single by Oliver Santos cutting the lead to 3-2. Billings wasn't done however as the tying run would come across the plate as Dominic D'Anna singled bringing Lutz home.
The game now tied at three heading into the second inning, Tuttle took control allowing just two base runners over the next four innings of work, one on a single by Greg Hopkins and another on a walk to John Dishon. The Mustangs bats would back up Tuttle, taking the lead in third as a Sacrifice bunt by D'Anna saw the first baseman again drive home Lutz making it 4-3. Insurance would come in fourth in the form of a sacrifice fly by Lutz that scored Hamilton.
In picking up the win Tuttle worked five innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits, one walk and striking out seven. The bullpen picked up where Tuttle left off as Drew Hays pitched the sixth and seventh allowing just one base runner on a walk and Porfirio Martinez picked up his fifth save of the season pitching a perfect eighth and ninth.
"Tuttle showed us a lot tonight," said Mustangs Manager Delino DeShields. "He kept his composure after a rough inning which allowed us to stay in the ballgame. That composure in the face of adversity hasn't always been there this year. I thought it was one of his better starts."
The win improves the Mustangs to 2-2 in the second half of the pioneer league season and 23-19 overall. With a win over the Brewers tomorrow night Billings will move into a tie with either Great Falls or Missoula for first place in the Pioneer League North. Daniel Corcino (1-3 4.01 ERA) will take the hill for the Mustangs against Helena's Evan Frederickson (2-2, 5.93 ERA).
First pitch at Dehler Park is set for 7:05 p.m.
Tickets here
Radio: AM 970 or online here
Complete Box Score Here
Notes
Roster not stone yet: With just one month left in the minor league season the movement of players within an organization's minor league system is often slowed or even at the lower levels such as Rookie League and Class A curtailed. That said, Billings manager Delino DeShields does not think his roster is set in stone quite yet. "The movement of players in the Reds system is an organizational decision our coaching staff here talk daily with the minor league operations people and the other coaching staffs and together we make personnel decisions that our best for our players and the Reds organization as whole. Guys could still get called up or sent down even at this late date."
DeShields cautiously optimistic about Yorman: The fate of Yorman Rodriguez is still uncertain. The young outfielder, (he turns 18 on August 15), who currently leads the Mustangs in RBI's with 26 has missed the last few games with an injured left wrist (hamate bone). According to Billings manager Delino DeShields an MRI on Monday confirmed X-Rays from Friday that said the bone was not broken but results of a CAT scan on Tuesday have not come back and it will be a few days until it is known if Rodriguez's season is over or not. "I am cautiously optimistic that Yorman will be back on the field this year," said DeShields.
Attendance: 2891
Time of Game: 2:21
The "home run" came with one out in the top of the first when with Shea Vucinich on second, Brewer DH Cody Hawn launched a ball deep into the left field corner. Though The distance from home plate to where the ball went out was certainly home run caliber, (at least 350 ft), it appeared to most of the nearly 2900 present that the ball had curved a good five feet left of the foul pole before leaving the field, meaning that the blast was simply a long foul ball. However, the only two people in the park who mattered, Umpires Ramon Hernandez and Gavin Hanson saw thing differently and Hawn was soon rounding the bases to give Helena a 2-0 lead. The Brewers added the third run of inning with two outs on a double by Brent Dean which scored Mike Walker.
The Mustangs answered back in the bottom of the first. Billy Hamilton led off the inning with a single, later stealing second base before scoring on an RBI double by Devin Lohman. Lohman would then advance to third on a single by Donald Lutz and score on a single by Oliver Santos cutting the lead to 3-2. Billings wasn't done however as the tying run would come across the plate as Dominic D'Anna singled bringing Lutz home.
The game now tied at three heading into the second inning, Tuttle took control allowing just two base runners over the next four innings of work, one on a single by Greg Hopkins and another on a walk to John Dishon. The Mustangs bats would back up Tuttle, taking the lead in third as a Sacrifice bunt by D'Anna saw the first baseman again drive home Lutz making it 4-3. Insurance would come in fourth in the form of a sacrifice fly by Lutz that scored Hamilton.
In picking up the win Tuttle worked five innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits, one walk and striking out seven. The bullpen picked up where Tuttle left off as Drew Hays pitched the sixth and seventh allowing just one base runner on a walk and Porfirio Martinez picked up his fifth save of the season pitching a perfect eighth and ninth.
"Tuttle showed us a lot tonight," said Mustangs Manager Delino DeShields. "He kept his composure after a rough inning which allowed us to stay in the ballgame. That composure in the face of adversity hasn't always been there this year. I thought it was one of his better starts."
The win improves the Mustangs to 2-2 in the second half of the pioneer league season and 23-19 overall. With a win over the Brewers tomorrow night Billings will move into a tie with either Great Falls or Missoula for first place in the Pioneer League North. Daniel Corcino (1-3 4.01 ERA) will take the hill for the Mustangs against Helena's Evan Frederickson (2-2, 5.93 ERA).
First pitch at Dehler Park is set for 7:05 p.m.
Tickets here
Radio: AM 970 or online here
Complete Box Score Here
Notes
Roster not stone yet: With just one month left in the minor league season the movement of players within an organization's minor league system is often slowed or even at the lower levels such as Rookie League and Class A curtailed. That said, Billings manager Delino DeShields does not think his roster is set in stone quite yet. "The movement of players in the Reds system is an organizational decision our coaching staff here talk daily with the minor league operations people and the other coaching staffs and together we make personnel decisions that our best for our players and the Reds organization as whole. Guys could still get called up or sent down even at this late date."
DeShields cautiously optimistic about Yorman: The fate of Yorman Rodriguez is still uncertain. The young outfielder, (he turns 18 on August 15), who currently leads the Mustangs in RBI's with 26 has missed the last few games with an injured left wrist (hamate bone). According to Billings manager Delino DeShields an MRI on Monday confirmed X-Rays from Friday that said the bone was not broken but results of a CAT scan on Tuesday have not come back and it will be a few days until it is known if Rodriguez's season is over or not. "I am cautiously optimistic that Yorman will be back on the field this year," said DeShields.
Attendance: 2891
Time of Game: 2:21
7/24/2010
D'Anna double caps off Mustangs win
A three RBI double off the centerfield wall with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning by Dominic D'Anna capped off a four run final inning rally and gave the Billings Mustangs a 7-6 win over the Idaho Falls Chukars at Dehler Park Friday.
The win by Billings coupled with the Casper Ghosts 3-1 victory over the Great Falls Voyagers puts the Mustangs just one game back of the Voyagers for first place in the Pioneer League North division with just six games remaining in the first half of the season for both teams.
"The Baseball Gods tend to have a way of evening things out," said Billings manager Delino DeShields about his teams one-run victory, making oblique reference to the nine such one run games his ball club has lost this year. " We really battled back when we were down, It was a big win for us tonight."
Idaho Falls was up 6-3 as the Mustangs came up to bat in the ninth and the Chukars had brought a top reliever, Alexander Rivers who coming into Friday had converted four of four save opportunities and had allowed just 10 hits and one earned run in 12 innings over eight appearances.
Dayne Read led off the inning for the Mustangs with a single, he was followed up by a second single by Theo Bowe putting runners on first and second for Billy Hamilton. Hamilton responded with a lined shot to right field for the third consecutive single of the inning, Read would score on an off target throw back into the infield to cut the lead to 6-4. That brought the winning run to the plate in the personage of Devin Lohman. Lohman who up to that point had been 0-4 on the night managed to draw a walk from Rivers in a battle of an eight pitch at-bat to lode the bases. Rivers recovered enough momentarily to strike out Yorman Rodreiguz for the innings first out, setting up D'Anna to play the role of hero.
And hero he was, As soon as Lohman crossed home plate, D'Anna who is in just his fourth game in Billings since being called up from the Arizona Rookie League was mobbed at second base by his new teammates and later as he was signing autographs for what seemed like 200 little leaguers and answering questions from the media D'Anna was "presented" with the ubiquitous shaving cream pie "tribute."
"This is all a first for me," said the 21 year old Southern California native and Cal State-Northridge product taken by Cincinnati in the 31st round (pick #931) of 2010 baseball entry draft. "This is my first walk off hit as a pro, my first shaving cream pie and the first time I have had to sign so many autographs."
As to the hit itself, it may have been his first walk off in the pros but D'Anna spoke about it like a veteran major leaguer saying "I was just trying to stay relaxed in there, I thought the hits and walk had rattled the pitcher and I knew if I hung in there I would get a pitch to hit and I did."
Rivers took the loss for Idaho Falls his second of the year (first blown save). Ryan Smith pitched a solid eighth and ninth innings for Billings, giving up a run on two hits and three walks striking out two, to pick up his second win.
The Mustangs will go for the four game sweep of the Chukars on Saturday. Daniel Corcino (1-2, 3.65 ERA) is scheduled to start for Billings while Idaho Falls is slated to go with Mike Mariot (2-0, 2.48 ERA)
First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
Complete Box Score Here
The win by Billings coupled with the Casper Ghosts 3-1 victory over the Great Falls Voyagers puts the Mustangs just one game back of the Voyagers for first place in the Pioneer League North division with just six games remaining in the first half of the season for both teams.
"The Baseball Gods tend to have a way of evening things out," said Billings manager Delino DeShields about his teams one-run victory, making oblique reference to the nine such one run games his ball club has lost this year. " We really battled back when we were down, It was a big win for us tonight."
Idaho Falls was up 6-3 as the Mustangs came up to bat in the ninth and the Chukars had brought a top reliever, Alexander Rivers who coming into Friday had converted four of four save opportunities and had allowed just 10 hits and one earned run in 12 innings over eight appearances.
Dayne Read led off the inning for the Mustangs with a single, he was followed up by a second single by Theo Bowe putting runners on first and second for Billy Hamilton. Hamilton responded with a lined shot to right field for the third consecutive single of the inning, Read would score on an off target throw back into the infield to cut the lead to 6-4. That brought the winning run to the plate in the personage of Devin Lohman. Lohman who up to that point had been 0-4 on the night managed to draw a walk from Rivers in a battle of an eight pitch at-bat to lode the bases. Rivers recovered enough momentarily to strike out Yorman Rodreiguz for the innings first out, setting up D'Anna to play the role of hero.
And hero he was, As soon as Lohman crossed home plate, D'Anna who is in just his fourth game in Billings since being called up from the Arizona Rookie League was mobbed at second base by his new teammates and later as he was signing autographs for what seemed like 200 little leaguers and answering questions from the media D'Anna was "presented" with the ubiquitous shaving cream pie "tribute."
"This is all a first for me," said the 21 year old Southern California native and Cal State-Northridge product taken by Cincinnati in the 31st round (pick #931) of 2010 baseball entry draft. "This is my first walk off hit as a pro, my first shaving cream pie and the first time I have had to sign so many autographs."
As to the hit itself, it may have been his first walk off in the pros but D'Anna spoke about it like a veteran major leaguer saying "I was just trying to stay relaxed in there, I thought the hits and walk had rattled the pitcher and I knew if I hung in there I would get a pitch to hit and I did."
Rivers took the loss for Idaho Falls his second of the year (first blown save). Ryan Smith pitched a solid eighth and ninth innings for Billings, giving up a run on two hits and three walks striking out two, to pick up his second win.
The Mustangs will go for the four game sweep of the Chukars on Saturday. Daniel Corcino (1-2, 3.65 ERA) is scheduled to start for Billings while Idaho Falls is slated to go with Mike Mariot (2-0, 2.48 ERA)
First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
Complete Box Score Here
7/23/2010
Mustangs looking to make it three in a row
The Billings Mustangs will be looking for their third win in a row over the Idaho Falls Chukars tonight as the two teams square off at Dehler Park
Entering play today the Mustangs (16-15) are just two games back of Great Falls for first place in the Pioneer League North division standings.
Daniel Tuttle (3-2 4.50 ERA) will get the ball for Billings. As of 4:45 p.m. Idaho Falls had not announced a starting pitcher on their website.
Game Time is 7:05 p.m.
Pioneer League Scoreboard
Thursday July 22
Billings Mustangs 3 Idaho Falls Chukars 0
Great Falls Voyagers 8 Casper Ghosts 0
Ogden Raptors 18 Helena Brewers 2
Orem Owlz 14 Missoula Osprey 7
Friday July 23 (All times MDT)
Idaho Falls Chukars @ Billings Mustangs 7:05 p.m.
Casper Ghosts @ Great Falls Voyagers 7 p.m.
Helena Brewers @ Ogden Raptors 7 p.m.
Missoula Osprey @ Orem Owlz 7:05 p.m.
Pioneer League Standings
Entering play today the Mustangs (16-15) are just two games back of Great Falls for first place in the Pioneer League North division standings.
Daniel Tuttle (3-2 4.50 ERA) will get the ball for Billings. As of 4:45 p.m. Idaho Falls had not announced a starting pitcher on their website.
Game Time is 7:05 p.m.
Pioneer League Scoreboard
Thursday July 22
Billings Mustangs 3 Idaho Falls Chukars 0
Great Falls Voyagers 8 Casper Ghosts 0
Ogden Raptors 18 Helena Brewers 2
Orem Owlz 14 Missoula Osprey 7
Friday July 23 (All times MDT)
Idaho Falls Chukars @ Billings Mustangs 7:05 p.m.
Casper Ghosts @ Great Falls Voyagers 7 p.m.
Helena Brewers @ Ogden Raptors 7 p.m.
Missoula Osprey @ Orem Owlz 7:05 p.m.
Pioneer League Standings
| North Division | Wins | Losses | GB |
| Great Falls Voyagers | 18 | 13 | – |
| Billings Mustangs | 16 | 15 | 2 |
| Helena Brewers | 15 | 16 | 3 |
| Missoula Osprey | 12 | 19 | 6 |
| South Division | Wins | Losses | GB |
| Ogden Raptors | 19 | 12 | – |
| Orem Owlz | 16 | 15 | 3 |
| Casper Ghoss | 15 | 16 | 4 |
| aho Falls Chukars | 13 | 18 | 6 |
7/22/2010
Shunick has another good outing as Mustangs down Idaho Falls 7-1
After giving up three hits and a run in the top of the first inning, Billings Mustangs righthander Clayton Shunick retired the last 16 batters in a row he faced as the Mustangs (15-15) climbed back to the .500 mark defeating the Idaho Falls Chukars 7-1 at Dehler Park Wednesday.
The outing is the second win and third straight quality start for the 23 year old Shunick, a 2008, fifth round draft pick of the Cincinnati Reds who is working his way back from Tommy John surgury that caused him to miss all of 2009. "Clay has been impressive in the way he has worked himself back into being able to go out and pitch every fifth day and is now to the point where he is getting back the stuff he had before he got hurt," said Mustangs pitching coach Bob Forsch.
Overall the Mustangs using Shunick along with relivers Josh Smith and Porfirio Martinez retired the last 24 out of 27 batters faced alloing just three base runners after the first inning none reaching second base. Billings flashed the leather as 17 of those outs were recorded in the field. "Our defense has been real solid all season," said manager Delino DeShelids. "It is a great help to our pitchers to know that if a ball is put in play and can be fielded it likely will."
The Mustangs will be looking for their seventh consecutive win at Dehler Park tonight as they take on the Chukars in game two of the four game set. Billings will send Tanner Robles (0-0, 7.71 ERA) to the hill. Opposing Robles will be Gregory Bilo (2-2, 6.16 ERA)
First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
Complete Box Score Here
Notes
Baseball to test for HGH: Major League baseball announced Thursday that effective immediatly all minor leaguers will have their blood tested for the presence of Human Growth Hormone. Read more here
The outing is the second win and third straight quality start for the 23 year old Shunick, a 2008, fifth round draft pick of the Cincinnati Reds who is working his way back from Tommy John surgury that caused him to miss all of 2009. "Clay has been impressive in the way he has worked himself back into being able to go out and pitch every fifth day and is now to the point where he is getting back the stuff he had before he got hurt," said Mustangs pitching coach Bob Forsch.
Overall the Mustangs using Shunick along with relivers Josh Smith and Porfirio Martinez retired the last 24 out of 27 batters faced alloing just three base runners after the first inning none reaching second base. Billings flashed the leather as 17 of those outs were recorded in the field. "Our defense has been real solid all season," said manager Delino DeShelids. "It is a great help to our pitchers to know that if a ball is put in play and can be fielded it likely will."
The Mustangs will be looking for their seventh consecutive win at Dehler Park tonight as they take on the Chukars in game two of the four game set. Billings will send Tanner Robles (0-0, 7.71 ERA) to the hill. Opposing Robles will be Gregory Bilo (2-2, 6.16 ERA)
First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
Complete Box Score Here
Notes
Baseball to test for HGH: Major League baseball announced Thursday that effective immediatly all minor leaguers will have their blood tested for the presence of Human Growth Hormone. Read more here
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