Parker Turns In Solid Effort in 6 Innings In PaddleHeads Win

MISSOULA, MT- For the 2nd consecutive night, a low scoring battle between the Missoula PaddleHeads, and Glacier Range Riders took center stage at Allegiance Field. Missoula would lead the contest for the bulk of the night but Glacier would not let the lead slip away. Glacier would trail by just 2 runs coming down the stretch of the final innings thanks to offensive production in the 7th, and 8th. For the 2nd night in a row however, it would be the PaddleHeads bullpen taking things home down the stretch. 

Trent Anderson was able to pitch through a strenuous spot in the top of the 8th with a pair of runners aboard recording the final out in a 2 run game. After scoring an insurance run offensively in the bottom of the inning, Andrew Garcia would then make sure there was no drama in the top of the ninth, retiring the side in order. This would bring Missoula to the win column for the 6th time in a row in a 6-3 win over Glacier. The PaddleHeads also lead the Pioneer League by 6 games overall. 

After a quiet start from both offenses, Missoula would jump to the lead in the 3rd inning thanks to Roberto Pena. The rookie 1st baseman would launch his 3rd home run of the series over the wall in center field bringing home 3 runs to make the score 3-0. Pena has also knocked in 8 runs over the course of the week and finished 1-for-2 Thursday. 

Missoula would tack on 2 more runs in the next half inning bringing their advantage to their largest lead of the night. After Adam Fogel scored on a wild pitch, Cameron Thompson would bring the 2nd run of the inning home on a solo home run giving Missoula a 5-0 advantage. Thompson would go on to finish 1-for-4. Fogel would help scratch a run across in the late innings to round out the scoring. 

Nick Parker had yet another solid outing in 6 ⅓ innings of work Thursday allowing 2 runs on 5 hits while striking out 5. Parker has pitched into the 5th inning or later in each of his last 4 starts. Furthermore, the product of Virginia has not allowed more than 3 runs in any of those appearances. The Glacier offense would manage to tighten things up however in the 7th and 8th. 

After a single from Chad Castillo brought home a run in the top of the 7th, Christian Kirtley would launch his 4th home run of the series over the scoreboard in left center field to cut the PaddleHeads lead to 5-3. This would be the last gasp offensively for the Range Riders however as the bullpen would shut things down in the end. Missoula would also get a run of insurance. 

After a single, and stolen base from Fogel, a wild pitch would bounce to toward the Glacier dugout allowing the left fielder to come home all the way from 2nd base. This would make the score 6-3. It was another solid evening at the plate for Missoula's most feared hitter who finished the contest 3-for-4. The former Kentucky Wildcat is 7-for-12 in his at-bats opposite Glacier this week. 

This run of insurance would prove to be more than enough breathing room for Garcia in a scoreless 9th inning. The 3rd year pro would retire the side in order, striking out a pair in his outing. For his efforts, Garcia would earn his 6th save of the season as Missoula also found the win column for the 6th consecutive time. 

The PaddleHeads (26-7) lead in the Pioneer League continued to grow Thursday with its 3rd straight win over Glacier (20-13). The Range Riders, and Boise Hawks are now both tied for 2nd place in the league standings sitting 6 games off the pace. 

Missoula will look to open the weekend with a bang on Friday night in game 4 of the series. A fireworks display will also follow the game at Allegiance Field at Ogren Park to kick off 4th of July festivities. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. If you cannot be at the park in person, be sure to tune in on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M. and 1029espn.com.