After an up and down road trip, one that featured dropping three to Missoula (finished last in the first half) but sweeping the Helena Brewers (first half champs), the Mustangs returned to Cobb Field last night and opened our series with the Idaho Falls Chukars with a 8-3 win. Andrew Bowman pitched an excellent game, but got a no-decision. Todd Frazier hit another one of his towering homeruns that cleared the left-center field scoreboard; his fourth of the season. Frazier, who made sure everyone knew he won the Little League World Series as we watched in the clubhouse yesterday, has some serious pop. It is fun to watch him and Waring trade tape measure shots during batting practice everyday.
On get-away day on our previous road trip in Helena, I got my first professional start. Needless to say, I was a little jacked up in the first inning. The ball seemed like it was just jumping off my hand, which is great for velocity, but definitely hurt my control in the first inning, as I walked two guys on four pitches. After allowing a run and with the bases still loaded and no outs, I finally found the curveball I had been searching for all summer. It could not have come at a better time. I was able to strike the next three batters out and retire the side with only a little damage done.
I went three more innings and only allowed two more baserunners. I felt strong after four innings, but the first inning killed my pitch count, and my road roommate, Danny Zeffiro was called from the bullpen to finish the job. He went the next three innings without allowing another hit to pick up his second win of the season. It was a fun night and a great win to enjoy on the bus ride back to Billings. My parents have made the trip out to Billings and will be in town to enjoy our current series with the Chukars. It is just too bad they picked the only four game series of the season in which I will not throw.
We are a game back from the Great Falls White Sox and playing our best baseball of the season. I think it is going to be a great end-of-the-year race to see who will win the second half and secure a place in the playoffs. Go ‘Stangs.