IDAHO GOES DOWN The Glacier Range Riders brought a 4-8 record, which is the lowest in the league, to Melaleuca Field on Tuesday. They left on a three-game high following their victory on Thursday, as the Chukars continued to regress in the league leaders’ rearview mirror.
In the series finale, Idaho Falls suffered from more of the same issues: a mistake that resulted in an unearned run, skewed bullpen numbers, and unfulfilled offensive threats.
As was the case with other series, the Chukars (34-28, 7-8) lost 12-10, despite a strong late recovery that fell just one hit short.
Nathan Hemmerling, a starter, fought for the Chukars even though he wasn’t playing at his best.
Hemmerling (L, 4-3) pitched 5-2/3 innings, walking two and striking out three while giving up nine hits and eight runs (seven earned). He served up three Range Rider home runs, hit a batter, and threw one wild pitch.
Glacier (24-39, 7-8) scored four goals in the second and another in the third, taking advantage of early opportunities. Only in the sixth inning, when Julien Hernandez replaced Hemmerling and finished what was already a two-run inning with a Range Rider at third, did they leave a runner in scoring position.
In contrast, in the first, third, fifth, eighth, and ninth innings, the Chukar offense left runners stranded in scoring position.
The final innings of Wednesday’s eighth and ninth innings featured strong rallies, as has been the case lately for the struggling Chuks.
Tyler Wyatt struck out to close the inning, leaving runners on first and third, but more were left on the base paths as Idaho Falls scored two more in the eighth to cut the deficit to 11-8.
Eddie Pelc closed the game staring at strike three, leaving the bags full of birds, but the Chukars responded to an insurance run from Glacier in the top half with two more goals at the bottom of the ninth.
The home team’s star player, Benjamin Rosengard, went 4-for-5 with a run scored and a run drove in. In a two-RBI game, Gabe Vasquez launched his 11th home run of the season, and Garret Ostrander added three RBIs and a homer (8).
Ryan Faulks, a recently acquired right-hander, was hammered for three more earned runs in the seventh inning on Thursday after making his professional debut Tuesday night and giving up two runs (one earned) in one inning of work.
While playing in the comfortable confines of Melaleuca Field, the Chukars are currently 14-15. In road games, they are 20-13. The good news is that they will now play a three-game set against Boise in town. With an 8-4 record against the Hawks this season, Idaho Falls is hoping for a successful series.
The first pitch on Friday is set for 7:05 p.m.
PBL standings for the second halfT1. PaddleHeads in Missoula (10-5)Oakland Ballers (10-5) T1.T1. Feelings of the Rocky Mountains (10-5)T4. Mustangs from Billings (8-7)T4. High Wheelers by Yuba-Sutter (8-7)T6. The 7-8 Colorado Springs Sky SoxT6. Riders of the Glacier Range (7-8)T6. Chukars of Idaho Falls (7-8)Raptors of Ogden (7-8) T610. Hawks of Boise (6-9)T11. Jackalopes of Grand Junction (5–10)T11. Voyagers of the Great Falls (5-10)
