Chukars lose to Orem owls

OREM, UT –- To begin a weekend series against the Pioneer League South leaders, the Idaho Falls Chukars lost on a 9th inning walkoff by a score of 3-2 on Thursday night at Brent Brown Stadium.

After the Chukars scored a run on one of four Orem errors in the top of the first and the Owlz countered with two runs in the bottom of the frame on a two-run single by third baseman Michael Pierson, the teams with two of the top offense in the league faced off in a pitchers duel.

For Owlz starter Jose Rodriguez, the run in the first was his only blemish of the night. The 19-year-old righty gave up just that one unearned run on four hits while striking out five through five innings.

Fortunately for the Chukars, starter Derek Gordon was just as good. For the third straight start, Gordon gave up two or less runs, as the two runs in the first inning were all the Owlz offense could muster off the Pace University product. By the end of the night, Gordon retired 14 of the last 16 batters he faced, giving up just four hits while striking out six batters in five innings. The six punchouts for Gordon was the fifth straight start his struck out five or more batters. His 34 strikeouts now rank second in the Pioneer League.

After Gordon kept the Chukars in the game, the bats reciprocated by tying up the game in the sixth inning off of Owlz reliever Arjenis Fernandez. Following a leadoff double by outfielder Roman Collins who advanced to third on another Owlz error, a sacrifice fly from outfielder Brawlun Gomez tied the game up at two.

The score would stay that way until the ninth inning, when Orem would eventually plate the game-winning run when they were down to their final out in regulation. Two batters after second basemen Hutton Moyer reached base on a dropped third strike, a double from outfielder Jared Foster against Chukars lefty Nick Green (L, 0-1) scored Moyer from first to finish the walkoff.

For the Chukars, it was the fourth time in nine games where they have been involved in a game that was ended by a walkoff. They are 2-2 in those games during that stretch and overall are 2-3 in games decided by walkoffs this year.

Continuing a four-game series at Brent Brown Field, the Chukars and Owlz will play game two of the set on Friday. Idaho Falls will send LHP Dylan Sons to the hill while Orem will counter with RHP Grayson Long. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 PM.

Make sure to tune to John Balginy and Alex Cohen all season long on 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.