(Mustangs media release)
GREAT FALLS – The Billings Mustangs (7-1, 22-24) won their fifth straight game on Thursday with a convincing 10-2 win over the Great Falls Voyagers (1-7, 23-23) in front of 1,131 at Centene Stadium.
Just as he did on Wednesday, Zeek White singled on the first pitch of the game to extend his hitting streak. White is now on a 10-game hitting streak, the longest of the season for a Mustang hitter. He would score later in the inning on a successful double steal, his second steal of the first.
That lead extended to 2-0 in the second off Voyagers starter Jason Bilous who went just three innings on Thursday. Jay Schuyler led off the inning with the first of his three hits on the night, scoring on an error by Amado Nunez. Schuyler finished the game 3-for-4 with three runs scored and a walk, setting himself new season-highs in both hits and runs.
The Voyagers scored their lone two runs in the second to tie the game with three hits off James Marinan. Marinan (1-1) tossed the longest appearance of his career with five and one-third innings to earn the win. He would strike out three and walk two.
The Mustangs offense exploded for four runs in the fourth to take their definitive lead of the night. Carlos Rivero doubled in the first run of the inning before Zeek White homered to score three more. It was White’s second home run with the Mustangs this season and his fourth of the year, the most he has hit in a season of professional baseball. He was removed from the game after the seventh going 2-for-3 with a walk and two steals.
Mariel Bautista would homer in the next inning for his fourth round-tripper of the season. Bautista finished a triple shy of the cycle, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored.
Connor Ryan and Edward Escoboza combined for three and two-thirds innings of shutout relief. The Mustangs bullpen has not given up an earned run in their last three games.
With the victory, the Mustangs have now swept the Voyagers in consecutive series and have taken a two-game lead in the Pioneer League North Division with a second half record of 7-1. The Mustangs have won nine of their last 10 games going back to the first half.
They now head to Helena to take on the Brewers in a three-game series at Kindrick Legion Field. First pitch on Friday is set for 7:05 p.m.
