Mustangs Rally Late to Stun Chukars 7-5 on Saturday

IDAHO FALLS-The Billings Mustangs got a tie-breaking two-run home run from Gabe Wurtz in the ninth inning, another three run home run from Brian Parreira, and 7.0 strong innings in his Mustangs debut from Pablo Arevalo to lead the Mustangs to a 7-5 over Idaho Falls on Saturday night at Melaleuca Field.

Billings (11-12, 36-33) secured at least a split of the six-game series with clutch hitting and strong pitching, as Idaho Falls (13-11, 40-31) was held to well below their season average of nine runs per game once again.

The Mustangs got off to a good start with a two-out rally in the first inning. Wurtz lined a double to right-center, then scored when Jackson Raper ripped a single into the same gap to stake the Mustangs to a 1-0 lead.

In the second, Idaho Falls took advantage of a Mustang miscue to tie the game. A line drive to right was dropped by Burle Dixon, allowing Hunter Hisky to reach. After a one-out single moved Hisky to third, Brady West brought him home with a sacrifice fly to right, tying the game at one run apiece.

In the third, though, the Mustangs put together a big inning. The inning began with a familiar formula with one out: Wurtz doubled to center and scored on a single from Raper. After an error put two men on, Parreira took full advantage by blasting a 3-1 pitch over the right field wall for a three-run homer, his seventh of the season. The blast put Billings ahead 5-1.

Idaho Falls did get one back as a leadoff walk and a one-out double put runners at second and third with one out. Dusty Stroup rolled a groundball to second which brought in Brandon Bohning, trimming a run off the Billings lead.

An inning later, Thomas DeBonville ripped a line drive near the right field foul pole that was ruled to be a home run. Despite protests from Mustang players and coaches and a lengthy umpire conference, the call stood and the Chukars had cut the lead to 5-3.

Afterwards, the scoring slowed. Slocum ended his night with two scoreless innings before handing the ball off to the bullpen, which continued to stymie the Mustangs.

Arevalo, meanwhile, settled in immediately after the home run, retiring the final 12 hitters he faced, capping off his outing with a strikeout to end the seventh. Arevalo went 7.0 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits with one walk and five strikeouts.

However, he settled for a no-decision when Idaho Falls rallied to tie things in the eighth. After a leadoff double, Darrien Ragins retired the next two batters before being lifted for Jack Cunningham, who allowed an infield single to Stroup that brought in run. Two singles later, Thomas DeBonville tied the game by lining an 0-2 pitch into left field, making it 5-5.

Billings, though, provided the decisive blow in the ninth. Crews Taylor led off with a double, then moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. On the first pitch, Wurtz crushed a two-run homer to right field off Jon Nunnally Jr., putting the Mustangs back up 7-5.

Idaho Falls did not go quietly, though, as a one-out walk and two-out double put two on with two out. Foster Pace entered the game, though, and struck out Brendan Hueth looking on a 3-2 fastball, securing the victory with his first career save.

The Mustangs look for a series win in the series finale against the Idaho Falls Chukars on Sunday afternoon. Billings will start LHP Ethan McRae (0-1, 7.20) while Idaho Falls will counter with RHP Jake Binder (3-3, 5.48). Pregame on Sunday on the home of the Mustangs, ESPN 910/105.5 FM with Brennan Mense will begin at 3:40 ahead of a 4:00 p.m. first pitch.