Chukars Pull Away as Mustangs Fall 7-3 on Wednesday Night

IDAHO FALLS-The Idaho Falls Chukars scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to break open a tight game and the Billings Mustangs struggled to come up with clutch hits in a 7-3 loss to even the series at Melaleuca Field in Idaho Falls.

Idaho Falls (12-8, 39-29) broke free from their offensive doldrums in the late inning while Billings (9-11, 34-32) struggled to piece together rallies as they stranded ten runners on base and struck out ten times.

In the first two innings, the Mustangs had multiple runners on base in each frame but failed to come through both times. In the third though, a walk and two singles loaded the bases for Andrew Fernandez. Fernandez ripped a line drive to left that was caught, but it was deep enough for Burle Dixon to trot home with the game's first run, giving Billings a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the third, though, the Chukars responded against Billings starter Patrick Maybach. Eric Callahan led off with a fly ball to right that Dixon lost in the sun that fell for a leadoff double. Three singles followed, including an RBI single from Steve Barmakian and an RBI infield single from Jose Reyes, putting Idaho Falls ahead 2-1.

The Mustangs had an answer in the fourth as Jacob Kline led off with a single to center. A ground ball moved him to second for Crews Taylor, who lined a 1-2 pitch into center field for an RBI single, tying the game up at two apiece.

Idaho Falls, though, jumped back in front immediately. Maybach walked the leadoff man, before a fielder's choice and a steal put a runner on second with two down. On a 1-2 pitch, Callahan rolled a ground ball just out of the reach of shortstop Jordan Barth for an RBI single, giving the Chukars the lead back, 3-2.

Things settled down as the game passed to the bullpens in the middle innings. In the seventh, though, the Mustangs launched a rally. Two singles set the stage for Dixon, who laid down a bunt to the mound, but the throw to third was late, loading the bases. With the bases loaded and no outs, though, Keagan McGinnis entered the game and proceeded to strike out the next three Mustangs on a combined ten pitches, squandering the golden opportunity.

In the bottom of the inning, the Chukars made the Mustangs pay. With two outs, Idaho Falls loaded the bases. On an 0-2 pitch, Darrien Ragins uncorked a wild pitch to bring in a run. On the very next pitch, Dusty Stroup ripped the next pitch into the gap in left-center, scoring two more runs. Hunter Hisky then singled home Stroup on the first pitch of his at-bat. In the span of three pitches, Idaho Falls had scored four runs, extending their lead to 7-2.

In the ninth, the Mustangs got a leadoff homer from Taylor, but failed to make any further inroads as Idaho Falls took a 7-3 victory to even the series.

The Mustangs play game three against the Idaho Falls Chukars on Thursday night. Billings will start LHP Elijah Gill (2-0, 2.72) and Idaho Falls will start RHP Tom Walker (2-1, 6.75). Pregame on Thursday on the home of the Mustangs, ESPN 910/105.5 FM with Brennan Mense will begin at 6:45 ahead of a 7:05 p.m. first pitch.