PaddleHeads Bullpen Shuts Down the Mustangs in 3-2 Victory
Billings Offense Held Scoreless in Last 4 Innings in 3-2 Win Thursday
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
|
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 3 | 7 | 1 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
|
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 3 | 7 | 1 |
Missoula, MT- The Billings Mustangs would see the top of the ninth inning start out going in the right direction trailing by a run in game 2 of a 3 get series opposite the Missoula PaddleHeads at Allegiance Field at Ogren Park. Third baseman Jackson Raper would lead off the ninth with a double into right center putting the tying run on base to start the inning. The Missoula bullpen had been outstanding to that point in three innings of work. Despite the solid start in the inning, Dan Swain made sure it would not be a sign of things to come.
The former member of the Osprey would retire the next three batters he faced in the inning punctuating the outing with a strikeout of Brian Parreira as Missoula would hang on for a 3-2 victory. Swain would pick up the save for his efforts as the PaddleHeads won their third game in a row overall, and fifth straight against the Mustangs.
The bullpen of the PaddleHeads would tell the story down the stretch holding the Mustangs scoreless over the final four innings of action. The Combination of Sam Hellinger, John LaRossa, and Swain would allow only 1 hit in those innings while striking out 5. Billings also would only see one batter reach base in that stretch as the PaddleHeads pen would keep the Mustangs attack at bay.
Right hander Nick Merkel also was solid on the hill in his professional debut as the starter Thursday in 5 innings to earn the win in his first career start. The Spokane native allowed only two runs over those five frames while striking out 3 to earn the win on the hill.
The PaddleHeads offense would quickly jump out the gate with the lead in the first inning thanks to home run power from Kevin Whatley. Whatley would launch one over the wall in right to give Missoula a 1-0 advantage in the first. The Washington native would finish the night 3-for-4 with a home run, and a double.
After the Mustangs tied the game in the top of the second with a sacrifice fly, Missoula would snag the lead back in the fourth thanks to a pair of doubles. After a double from Lamar Sparks to start the frame, Nick Gatewood would immediately drive him home with a double of his own to make the score 2-1. Sparks would also bring home a run in the fifth on a sacrifice fly to round out the scoring for Missoula and would finish the night 1-for-1 with 2 two walks, a double, and a run scored.
Billings would briefly tie the game in the top of the fifth thanks to a solo homer from Crews Taylor which made the score 2-2. That swing for Taylor would represent the last gasp for Billings' offense however down the stretch with Missoula's bullpen controlling things the rest of the way.
The PaddleHeads (8-6) will now look to complete its second sweep of the season over the Mustangs (7-5) in the series finale from the Garden City Friday night. First pitch from Allegiance Field at Ogren Park is slated for 7:05. Catch all the action on ESPN Missoula 102.9, and gopaddleheads.com.
