(Billings Mustangs release)
GREAT FALLS – The Billings Mustangs (21-12, 36-35) were shut out for the fourth time this year, falling 7-0 to the Great Falls Voyagers (11-21, 33-37) in front of 1,105 at Centene Stadium on Saturday.
The Voyagers would get two runs in the bottom of the first on three hits to open the scoring. Lenyn Sosa tripled in a run and he would score on the RBI double of Amado Nunez. Of the eight hits for the Voyagers in the game, all eight would come from the top four hitters in the order.
The Mustangs would not find a hit until the fourth inning. Jay Schuyler led off the inning with a single to right, but was stranded at first. Billings came up with just three base runners in the game on two hits and a walk.
James Marinan (3-2) ran into some trouble in the fifth inning, giving up five more runs in the frame to knock him out of the game. Marinan tossed 4.1 innings, giving up seven runs on six hits. He would match his career-high with six strikeouts. The fifth would cap the Voyagers’ scoring, making it a 7-0 lead.
Billings’ bullpen was once again solid as Connor Curlis and Matt Pidich combined for three shutout innings of relief. Curlis tied his season-high of four strikeouts in two innings of work.
Mariel Bautista collected the second and final hit for the Mustangs, an infield single to the left side in the seventh. Bautista is now on a Pioneer League-best 22-game hitting streak.
The two hits in the game was the lowest game total for the Mustangs this year.
Billings and Great Falls will face off in game two of their three-game series Sunday at Centene Stadium. First pitch is set for 4:00 p.m.
