Idaho Falls Chukars Finally Win Third Home Game of Season, Defeat the Helena Brewers 5-3

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com- The Idaho Falls Chukars won at home for just the third time this season Wednesday. The Chukars dropped the Helena Brewers 5-3 in front of 2,804 fans at Melaleuca Field in the opening game of the series.

The wrap-around part of the order collected almost all the Chukars' hits as the home team outlasted the visiting Brewers. At the top of the order Patrick Norris went 2-4, and he wasn't alone in reaching with multiple hits. Devery Van De Keere and Tito Espinosa both had two hits. The seven through nine hitters and the top two hitters in the order combined to record eight of the team's nine hits.

On the mound Chukars' starter Ivor Hodgson gave up all three of the Helena runs in five innings of work. Colby Beach was first out of the bullpen and got his first win of the season in his second straight dominant appearance. In three innings the right-hander allowed only one hit and struck out five batters. Justin Garcia pitched the final inning and became the sixth Chukars' hurler to collect a save this season.

Your Ad Here

The Chukars fell behind 2-0, but responded with a run in the bottom of the second inning. Sean McCauley started the inning by extending his hit streak to nine straight games with a double. McCauley was brought home by a Van De Keere single.

By the middle of the fifth the Chukars were trailing 3-1, and that's when the Chukars flipped the switch on the offense. In the bottom half of the fifth doubles from Norris and J.D. Alfaro led the Chukars to two runs, and the game was tied. The Chukars took the lead in the bottom of the eighth with two more runs. With one out, Carlo Testa reached on a walk to get things rolling. Van De Keere then hit a single and Tito Espinosa walked to load the bases. Back-to-back singles from Norris and Neder Severino put the Chukars up 5-3, the eventual final score.

The two teams meet again Thursday at Melaleuca Field. It's Merrill Lynch Night and first pitch is set for 7:15.

If you like the daily news of the Raw Feed, SUBSCRIBE TODAY to the nation's only alternative professional sports magazine, SZ, with original features and great action photography in baseball, hockey, basketball, and football. Just $11.99 per year for an e-zine like you’ve never seen!