Gabbert Brings No-Hit Bit Into 9th in 6-2 Loss
Missoula Drops Regular Season Finale 6-2 Saturday
Boise, ID- Absolutely nothing would go right for Boise Hawks Hurler Matt Gabbert in his last start against the Missoula PaddleHeads on August 11. The 20-year old would not make it out of a 1st inning on that Sunday afternoon that saw Missoula score 14 runs on 15 hits. The former Boise State Bronco would take the mound in the series, and season finale at Memorial Stadium on Saturday night looking to find some semblance of success against Missoula. To put it lightly, The Spokane Valley native would do just that.
Gabbert would navigate his way through the first 8 frames having not allowed a single hit with Missoula trailing 6-1. The PaddleHeads only run to that point came in to score on an error. Nick Gatewood, and Jayson Newman would both be retired consecutively bringing Gabbert to the doorstep of history. After a 2-out walk to Lamar Sparks, Jared Akins would get a pitch he could handle, lacing a top spinning line drive to center field. Center Fielder Jimmy Smyth did all he could, laying out in an attempt to make the grab. The valiant effort would see Smyth come just short of making the catch however as the ball would go skipping towards the wall for a triple to break up the no hit-bid. Gabbert would then depart to a standing ovation having come within one-out of throwing a no-hitter in Boise's 6-2 win over Missoula.
The loss Saturday does nothing to take away from what was a truly sensational season for the PaddleHeads that saw them finish with an overall record of (69-26). Their winning percentage (.726) currently is the highest in all of professional baseball. This percentage is also better than the 2001 Seattle Mariners that won a Major League Record 116 games finishing with a .716 winning percentage.
When it was all said and done Saturday, Gabbert would earn the win for his 8 ⅔ innings pitched. The second year Hawk would strike out 8 over those innings while allowing just the 1 hit. Gabbert would also retire 11 batters in a row in one stretch from the 6th, to the 9th inning. Despite coming up just short in the no-hit bid, it still would be a night to remember for the young right hander who would walk off the mound tipping his cap to the near capacity crowd in Boise.
Boise's offense would provide all the support they needed for Gabbert in the 3rd, and 4th innings putting runs on the board in consecutive frames. Jason Ajamian would get the Hawks on the board with a 2-run single in the third that gave the Hawks a 2-run advantage. Raymond Gil would homer for the second game in a row in the one inning later bringing Boise's run total to 3. This proved to be more than enough to support the effort of Gabbert as Boise (30-66) would end their season on a high.
Akins' 9th inning triple brought home Missoula's only earned run of the evening. Akins, and Sparks were the only 2 batters in the order that would reach base more than one on the night. Akins would finish 1-for-3 Saturday with an RBI, and a walk while Sparks would draw a pair of walks.
After playing 95 games through the summer, the stage for postseason baseball in the Pioneer League has now been set. Dehler Park will be the venue on Monday night as Missoula Opens the Northern Division Playoffs in game 1 of a best of 3 series against the Billings Mustangs (53-41). Missoula had the upper hand against Billings during the regular season finishing with an 8-3 record in games against the Mustangs. Billings will look to present a challenge however having won 8 of their last 10 games coming down the stretch of the regular season. \
After action on Monday night, the series will then shift to the Garden City in game 2 on Wednesday September 14. Game 3 (if necessary) will also be played at Allegiance Field at Ogren Park. First pitch of game 1 from the Magic City is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Hear all the postseason baseball action on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.
