Good pitching, solid defense and timely hitting are generally agreed upon as three factors that are necessary for winning a baseball game. The Billings Mustangs got all three Thursday night as they shut out the Helena Brewers 4-0 at Dehler Park. The win, coming one night after they defeated the Brewers 4-3 in Helena, marks the first time this season that Billings has put together back to back wins.
"Winning these two games in a row after losing so many close games will absolutely help to build our confidence as a ball club," said manager Delino DeSheilds. Prior to Wednesday the Mustangs had just one win in their last five games, the four losses coming by a total of just five runs.
Leading the way for Billings was the pitching staff as starter Daniel Tuttle along with relievers Blaine Howell and James Walzack combined to throw a five hit shut out, striking out 12 batters and allowing only three walks. "Our pitching was outstanding," said DeSheilds. "We (pitching coach Bob Forsch and Deshields) have been stressing to the staff the importance of going out there with a game plan and sticking to it and tonight they did just that."
Tuttle (2-1, 3.00) was particularly effective as he picked up the win going six innings, allowing two hits, striking out nine and issuing two base-on-balls Only one Helena runner even reached second base against Tuttle. As could be expected the 19 year old righthander, in just his second season of professional baseball since being drafted by the Reds right out of Randleman High School in North Carolina in the fifth round of the 2009 entry draft, was not as concerned as his manager about adherence to a specific plan when assessing his performance "I just went out there and tried get ahead of guys," he said. "As it turned out all three of my pitches (fastball, slider and change-up) were working tonight and I got great help from my defense particularly the two double plays."
The double plays Tuttle referred to occurred in third inning when with John Blevins at first Brewer catcher Tony Pechek grounded out 6-4-3 and in the sixth inning with Pechek again at the plate this time having a line drive caught by Mustangs first baseman Jonathan Kaskow who then tagged Blevins as he attempted to return to the first base. In all the Billings defense recorded three double plays for the game, the third coming in the eighth inning on a 5-4-3 ground ball of the bat of Helena's John Dishon.
At the plate for the Mustangs, Jefry Sierra recorded two RBI singles. one in the first inning when he drove home Josh Hamilton follwing Hamilton's one out double and again in the fifth inning when he brought in Theo Bowe who had led off the inning with a triple. Sierra also scored a run himself reaching home in the first on a ground ball out by Oliver Santos. The fourth and final run of the game for Billings came on solo home run off the bat of Kaskow in the sixth inning. The homer, Kaskow's second of the year was a opposite field shot that just cleared the fence in the left field corner.
Starting pitcher Tyler Cravy (1-1, 4.58) took the loss for Helena. Cravy worked six innings gave up four runs three of them earned, walked two and struck out three.
The Mustangs will be looking for their third consecutive win, Friday, as they conclude the brief two game home stand against Helena. Billings will send Daniel Corcino (0-0, 2.08) to the hill against Hiram Burgos (1-0, 6.10) for the Brewers. Game time at Dehler Park is 7:05 p.m.
Complete Boxscore Here
Notes
Duran breaks slump: An infield single with two outs in 8th inning broke an 0-23 slump for Mustangs outfielder Juan Duran. Prior to Thursday night Duran's most recent hit had been on June 25 in a game at Missoula.
Sierra hit streak up to 8 games: With two hits Thursday, Mustangs outfielder Jefry Sierra has gotten at least one hit in eight consecutive games. Sierra is currently batting .394 with 13 H, 1 2B, 1 3B and 8 RBI.
Rodriguez due back: Manager Delino DeShields expects to be able to put Yorman Rodreiguz back into the line up Friday. Rodriguez has not played since being shaken up after an outfield collision with Jefry Sierra during Wednesday's 5-3 loss at Helena.
Former Mustang has good MLB Debut: Former Mustang pitcher Travis Wood was impressive in his major league debut Thursday. Starting for the Cincinnati Reds against the Chicago Cubs, Wood went 7 innings giving up two earned runs on two hits, striking out four and walking two in a no decision. Wood pitched in six games starting four for Billings during the 2005 season posting a 2-0 record with a 1.82 ERA in 24.2 IP.
Attendance: 3013
Time of Game: 1 hr 59 min
Pioneer League Scoreboard
Thursday July, 1
Billings Mustangs 4, Helena Brewers 0
Missoula Osprey 2, Great Falls Voyagers 1
Idaho Falls Chukars 6, Casper Ghosts 2
Ogden Raptors 5, Orem Owlz 4 (15 innings)
Friday July 2nd (all times MDT)
Missoula Osprey @ Great Falls Voyagers 7 p.m.
Helena Brewers @ Billings Mustangs 7:05 p.m.
Idaho Falls Chukars @ Casper Ghosts 7:05 p.m.
Ogden Raptors @ Orem Owlz 7:05 p.m.
Pioneer League Standings
North Division
Helena Brewers, 8-3
Great Falls Voyagers, 6-5, 2.0 GB
Billings Mustangs, 4-7, 4.0 GB
Missoula Osprey, 4-7, 4.0 GB
South Division
Orem Owlz, 6-4
Casper Ghosts, 6-5, 0.5 GB
Idaho Falls Chukars, 5-6, 1.5 GB
Ogden Raptors, 4-6, 2 GB
"Winning these two games in a row after losing so many close games will absolutely help to build our confidence as a ball club," said manager Delino DeSheilds. Prior to Wednesday the Mustangs had just one win in their last five games, the four losses coming by a total of just five runs.
Leading the way for Billings was the pitching staff as starter Daniel Tuttle along with relievers Blaine Howell and James Walzack combined to throw a five hit shut out, striking out 12 batters and allowing only three walks. "Our pitching was outstanding," said DeSheilds. "We (pitching coach Bob Forsch and Deshields) have been stressing to the staff the importance of going out there with a game plan and sticking to it and tonight they did just that."
Tuttle (2-1, 3.00) was particularly effective as he picked up the win going six innings, allowing two hits, striking out nine and issuing two base-on-balls Only one Helena runner even reached second base against Tuttle. As could be expected the 19 year old righthander, in just his second season of professional baseball since being drafted by the Reds right out of Randleman High School in North Carolina in the fifth round of the 2009 entry draft, was not as concerned as his manager about adherence to a specific plan when assessing his performance "I just went out there and tried get ahead of guys," he said. "As it turned out all three of my pitches (fastball, slider and change-up) were working tonight and I got great help from my defense particularly the two double plays."
The double plays Tuttle referred to occurred in third inning when with John Blevins at first Brewer catcher Tony Pechek grounded out 6-4-3 and in the sixth inning with Pechek again at the plate this time having a line drive caught by Mustangs first baseman Jonathan Kaskow who then tagged Blevins as he attempted to return to the first base. In all the Billings defense recorded three double plays for the game, the third coming in the eighth inning on a 5-4-3 ground ball of the bat of Helena's John Dishon.
At the plate for the Mustangs, Jefry Sierra recorded two RBI singles. one in the first inning when he drove home Josh Hamilton follwing Hamilton's one out double and again in the fifth inning when he brought in Theo Bowe who had led off the inning with a triple. Sierra also scored a run himself reaching home in the first on a ground ball out by Oliver Santos. The fourth and final run of the game for Billings came on solo home run off the bat of Kaskow in the sixth inning. The homer, Kaskow's second of the year was a opposite field shot that just cleared the fence in the left field corner.
Starting pitcher Tyler Cravy (1-1, 4.58) took the loss for Helena. Cravy worked six innings gave up four runs three of them earned, walked two and struck out three.
The Mustangs will be looking for their third consecutive win, Friday, as they conclude the brief two game home stand against Helena. Billings will send Daniel Corcino (0-0, 2.08) to the hill against Hiram Burgos (1-0, 6.10) for the Brewers. Game time at Dehler Park is 7:05 p.m.
Complete Boxscore Here
Notes
Duran breaks slump: An infield single with two outs in 8th inning broke an 0-23 slump for Mustangs outfielder Juan Duran. Prior to Thursday night Duran's most recent hit had been on June 25 in a game at Missoula.
Sierra hit streak up to 8 games: With two hits Thursday, Mustangs outfielder Jefry Sierra has gotten at least one hit in eight consecutive games. Sierra is currently batting .394 with 13 H, 1 2B, 1 3B and 8 RBI.
Rodriguez due back: Manager Delino DeShields expects to be able to put Yorman Rodreiguz back into the line up Friday. Rodriguez has not played since being shaken up after an outfield collision with Jefry Sierra during Wednesday's 5-3 loss at Helena.
Former Mustang has good MLB Debut: Former Mustang pitcher Travis Wood was impressive in his major league debut Thursday. Starting for the Cincinnati Reds against the Chicago Cubs, Wood went 7 innings giving up two earned runs on two hits, striking out four and walking two in a no decision. Wood pitched in six games starting four for Billings during the 2005 season posting a 2-0 record with a 1.82 ERA in 24.2 IP.
Attendance: 3013
Time of Game: 1 hr 59 min
Pioneer League Scoreboard
Thursday July, 1
Billings Mustangs 4, Helena Brewers 0
Missoula Osprey 2, Great Falls Voyagers 1
Idaho Falls Chukars 6, Casper Ghosts 2
Ogden Raptors 5, Orem Owlz 4 (15 innings)
Friday July 2nd (all times MDT)
Missoula Osprey @ Great Falls Voyagers 7 p.m.
Helena Brewers @ Billings Mustangs 7:05 p.m.
Idaho Falls Chukars @ Casper Ghosts 7:05 p.m.
Ogden Raptors @ Orem Owlz 7:05 p.m.
Pioneer League Standings
North Division
Helena Brewers, 8-3
Great Falls Voyagers, 6-5, 2.0 GB
Billings Mustangs, 4-7, 4.0 GB
Missoula Osprey, 4-7, 4.0 GB
South Division
Orem Owlz, 6-4
Casper Ghosts, 6-5, 0.5 GB
Idaho Falls Chukars, 5-6, 1.5 GB
Ogden Raptors, 4-6, 2 GB
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