Chukars’ playoff hopes still breathing following Tuesday win in Boise

IDAHO FALLS — With five games left in the regular season, the Idaho Falls Chukars are still alive in the playoff race.

In the midst of a horrendous slide, the Modesto Roadsters (29-14, 56-35) have lost seven in a row and nine of their last 10, falling to second place — though, they still hold a playoff spot. The Missoula PaddleHeads (30-13, 54-36) have leapfrogged Modesto into first place.

The Billings Mustangs (27-16, 63-27) and Long Beach Coast (27-16, 64-27), owners of the Pioneer Baseball League’s two first-half playoff berths, sit just two games back of the Roadsters.

Following their 16-2 victory over the Boise Hawks (25-18, 48-43) on Tuesday, the Chukars (26-17, 41-50) find themselves one game back of Billings and Long Beach, and one game ahead of Boise.

Idaho Falls put together its most complete performance for its second win in a row Tuesday, getting a solid pitching performance, errorless defense and big offensive games up and down the lineup.

Starter Ray Hernandez (W, 5-1, 7.90 ERA) lasted 7 innings, scattering eight hits and one walk. He allowed just two earned runs while striking out four. Mason Collins and Ryan Inouye each tossed a scoreless frame to close out the Hawks.

Meanwhile, every Chukar batter recorded at least one hit and one run scored.

Sam Canton led the way, though, going 3-for-6 with three runs scored and six RBIs. He now owns the PBL records for hits (163), RBIs (155), and runs scored (140) in a single season.

Canton also added to his franchise-record home run total Tuesday, swatting his 33rd long ball of the year. Justin Trimble, Wes Mitchell and Ryan Lee also homered Tuesday.

Tyler Wyatt went 2-for-5 with two RBIs, extending his PBL-record hitting streak to 45 games.

The Chukars will need to continue winning when they take the field again Wednesday night in Boise. They will also need Modesto, Billings and Long Beach to continue losing.

PBL second-half standings

1. Missoula PaddleHeads 30-13
2. Modesto Roadsters 29-14
T3. Billings Mustangs 27-16
T3. Long Beach Coast 27-16
5. Idaho Falls Chukars 26-17
6. Boise Hawks 25-18
T7. Glacier Range Riders 21-22
T7. Oakland Ballers 21-22
9. Ogden Raptors 19-24
10. Yuba-Sutter Freebirds 17-26
11. Great Falls Voyagers 15-28
12. RedPocket Mobiles 1-42