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