Chukars get rocked on opening day
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IDAHO FALLS — To open up the 2015 Pioneer League season, the Idaho Falls Chukars fell to the Grand Junction Rockies by a football-esque score of 16-10 at Melalueca Field on Thursday night.
Despite being down by as much as 14 runs at one point on the evening, the Chukars got the scoring started early in the bottom of the first. After shortstop Marten Gasparini walked and stole a base with one out, back-to-back RBI singles by first basemen Josh Banuelos and designated hitter Alexis Rivera put the Chukars up 2-0.
Unfortunately, the Rockies would then go on to score a total of 16 unanswered runs from the second inning to the top of the seventh inning. Headlining the offensive barrage for Grand Junction, outfielder Ryan Stephens had a professional debut he’ll likely never forget. Starting off with a RBI double in the second inning, hitting homers in two consecutive at-bats and then ripping a RBI single in the seventh inning, the undrafted free agent out of Middle Tennessee State finished the night going 4-for-5 with six total runs batted in.
Along with Stephens, Rockies catcher Chris Rabago and second basemen Anthony Brito each chipped in with three hits apiece. Grand Junction as a team had 18 total hits, 10 of them going for extra bases. Every single hitter in the Rockies lineup had at least one hit.
On the bright side for the Chukars, the offense scored eight unanswered runs of their own from the bottom of the seventh inning on to the conclusion of the game.
Headlining the surge was a five-run seventh inning that saw the Idaho Falls offense bat around. Leading the way was a bases-clearing triple by Banuelos, who ended the game a homer short of the cycle with five runs batted in. Third basemen Ryan Dale drew a bases-loaded walk during the inning while second baseman DJ Burt came through with a sacrifice fly.
The other runs for the Chukars came on a RBI double by catcher Kyle Pollock in the eighth inning while outfielder Amalani Fukofuka delivered an RBI single in the ninth inning following a run-scoring double by Banuelos.
For the Rockies, starting pitcher Gavin Glanz improved to 1-0 on the season after giving up just three hits and two runs in six innings of work. He retired the last 15 batters he faced.
Carlos Hererra (0-1) took the loss for the Chukars, giving up eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits in five innings of work. Alberto Rodriguez pitched an inning of scoreless relief for Idaho Falls.
The Idaho Falls Chukars and Grand Junction Rockies will play game two of a four-game series on Saturday night. Grand Junction will send RHP Chad Zurst (0-0, 0.00 ERA) while Idaho Falls will oppose him with LHP Hunter Haynes (0-0, 0.00 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:15.
If you can’t make the game, make sure to tune in to John Balginy and Alex Cohen on the MiLBTV, the Chukars Tune-In Radio App and live on ESPN 980 AM, 105.1 FM and 94.5 FM.
For tickets or any other information, call (208) 522-8363, follow the Chukars on facebook and twitter at @Ifchukars or visit www.ifchukars.com.
The above press release was written by Chukars Director of Broadcasting Alex Cohen.