Chukars hit hard late in rough loss

IDAHO FALLS — The Idaho Falls Chukars got an outstanding start from Ian Lanik, and went into the seventh inning Thursday night at Melaleuca Field with a 15-3 lead. But the bullpen wasn’t able to secure Idaho Falls’ fourth victory in a row.

After giving up 13 runs in the final three frames, the Chukars (7-25) set the stage for a walk-off win. The Great Falls Voyagers (13-20), though, escaped a bases-loaded jam in the ninth to finish a 16-15 win.

Lanik had to work around a fair bit of traffic, stranding runners in each of the first four innings, but he finished his 6 innings of work holding the Voyagers to three runs, all earned, on three hits and four walks.

Idaho Falls used four relievers, each giving up at least one run, to record the final 18 outs. Ryan Inouye (L, 1-1), who has been nearly untouchable all season, walked five in the ninth inning, surrendering four runs on one hit to take the loss.

When Lanik departed the game, after completing the sixth, he did so with the Chukars ahead 15-3.

Ty Dooley and Tyler Wyatt led the way for the home club, with Dooley picking up two hits, including a homer, and knocking in four runs while scoring another three from his lead-off spot. Wyatt went 4-for-5, with a triple and two doubles, scoring one run and driving in four.

When it seemed the Chukars had pulled defeat from the jaws of victory, the bottom of the Idaho Falls order set the table for a potential magical finish. Wyatt and Drew Stengren both singled, and Parker Lester drew a two-out walk to load the bases for Emilio Barrera.

With the tying run at third and the winning run at second, Barrera worked a full count before taking a called third strike to end the game.

The Chukars took the first two games of their three-game set with the Voyagers, but were unable to finish off a sweep. Now they will shift their focus to the Boise Hawks (20-13), who come to town for a three-game series beginning Friday, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m.

Current PBL standings
1. Long Beach Coast (26-7)
2. Billings Mustangs (25-7)
T3. Boise Hawks (20-13)
T3. Modesto Roadsters (20-13)
T5. Glacier Range Riders (19-14)
T5. Ogden Raptors (19-14)
7. Missoula PaddleHeads (16-17)
8. Oakland Ballers (14-19)
9. Great Falls Voyagers (13-20)
10. Yuba-Sutter Freebirds (11-22)
11. Idaho Falls Chukars (7-25)
12. RedPocket Mobiles (7-26)