Mont, GREAT FALLS. Not even Ace Despite Idaho Falls’ recent pitching difficulties, Gary Grosjean is unfazed. Grosjean lost Tuesday at Voyager Stadium after beginning 7-0, his second setback in as many starts.
Grosjean gave up a season-high 11 hits and a season-high nine runs in his 5-2/3 innings as the Chukars (26-16) lost their first game to the Voyagers (10-33) in Great Falls, Mont.
After Tuesday’s defeat, Idaho Falls’ ERA, which stands at 9.00, is the fourth-worst in the league, negating one of the most formidable attacks in the Pioneer Baseball League. The league-leading Oakland Ballers have the best team ERA in the PBL, at 4.31, for comparison’s sake.
One devastating inning put an end to the Chukars, as has been the case lately. This time, Grosjean (L, 7-2) and Idaho Falls were defeated by a six-run third inning. He fought to get deeper into the game and consume innings that would have otherwise been placed on the bullpen, though, as aces are supposed to do.
With two down in the sixth, Nicolo Pinazzi came on as a substitute for the ace and instantly put an end to a threat, leaving two Voyagers stranded. However, Great Falls tagged the right-handed reliever for three runs in the eighth after knocking him around a little.
The home club was limited to one unearned run by Steven Ordorica’s effort in the eighth. However, the harm was already done.
Spencer Rich, Gabriel Vasquez, and Tyler Wyatt, who hit his eighth home run of the year, all had three hits to lead the Chukar offense. In a losing attempt, Thomas McCaffrey added his fifth.
First pitch for the six-game series between the Chukars and Voyagers is slated for 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
Present PBL rankings1. The 33-10 Oakland Ballers2. PaddleHeads in Missoula (30-12)3. High Wheelers Yuba-Sutter (28-14)4. Chukars of Idaho Falls (26-16)5. Hawks of Boise (26–17)6. The 23–18 Ogden Raptors7. Vibes of the Rocky Mountains (21–12)8. Jackalopes of Grand Junction (18–24)9. Mustangs from Billings (16–27)10. Riders of the Glacier Range (15–28)11. Voyagers of the Great Falls (10-33)12. Sky Sox of Colorado Springs (8-33)
