(Billings Mustangs release)
BILLINGS – The Missoula Osprey (1-1) used 13 hits to power their way to a 12-4 win over the Billings Mustangs (1-1) in front of 2,661 at Dehler Park on Saturday night.
The Osprey, for the second straight game, would score in the first inning; this time striking for three runs. Eddie Hernandez hit his third extra-base hit of the season, a two-RBI triple to open the scoring. He was then brought in by a Zach Jones single. Hernandez finished the evening 3-for-5.
Missoula added to their lead with a solo homerun in the fourth from Jesus Munoz, his first hit of the season. He would also triple on the night and collect 3 RBI Saturday.
Billings was never able to get their offense rolling and didn’t collect their first hit until the fifth inning off starter Edgar Martinez (1-0). Drew Mount, making his professional debut, singled to right with two outs in the fifth to reach off Martinez who went five innings, giving up just one hit, no runs or walks while striking out two.
The Osprey put the game away with consecutive four-run innings in the seventh and eighth. Joe Robbins hit the first grand slam of the season in the Pioneer League in the eighth to seal the win.
The Mustangs made a ninth-inning push, but it would not be enough to overcome what was once an 11-run deficit. Pabel Manzanero singled to the right side of the infield followed by two walks to load the bases with just one out. Geraldo Sanchez then balked twice to bring in two runs before Drew Mount’s sacrifice fly to left to end the scoring.
The Mustangs and the Osprey will face off in the third game of their four-game series Sunday at Dehler Park. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m.
