Mustangs Rally All for Naught in Knockout Loss on Saturday

BILLINGS-The Billings Mustangs scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to a knockout round, but fell in the second round of the home run derby to the Boise Hawks 7-6 on Saturday night at Dehler Park

In front of an over-capacity crowd of 3,112, Billings (21-17) rallied to force a knockout round for the second time in three games, but unlike Thursday's game, Boise (15-25) to came away with their second straight win, evening the series.

After scoring just once on Friday, the Mustangs equaled that total in one batter on Saturday. Leadoff man Crews Taylor deposited an 0-2 fastball over the left-field wall for an opposite-field home run, which staked the Mustangs to a 1-0 lead.

The Mustangs had other early chances to add onto the lead. In the second, Billings put two in scoring position with two outs, but a flyout ended the inning. Taylor reached second on an error to lead off the third, but the next three Mustangs all went down in order with no scoring.

Meanwhile, Sean Kiley set down 12 straight Hawks at one point. However, in the fifth, everything fell apart. Two hit batters and a walk loaded the bases with two outs. Kiley issued a bases-loaded walk to Frankie Jezioro, tying the game. Tyler Jorgensen followed with a bases-clearing double, the first Boise hit of the game.

After allowing an RBI single to Juan Teixiera, Kiley was lifted for Kelvan Pilot, who allowed two more singles, bringing in another run. When the dust settled, six runs had scored and Boise led 6-1.

From there, the Billings bats continued to go down quietly. Spears was lifted after allowing a leadoff walk in the seventh, but allowed just one tally over his 6.0 innings of work.

The Mustangs were held down until rallying against Byron Smith in the ninth. After loading the bases with one, Jordan Hovey lined a two-run single. Two batters later, Jackson Raper singled in two more runs to pull the Mustangs within one. With a 2-2 count, Jacob Kline then rolled a ground ball up the middle to tie the game. Brian Parreira had a chance to win the game, but popped out to send the game into a knockout round.

In the first round, both Myles Harris of Boise and Bryce Jackson failed to homer, with both facing a stiff breeze blowing in. However, Cruce launched four balls out of the yard in the second round and Taylor responded with just one, allowing Boise to escape with the series-evening win.

The Mustangs will finish the series and the homestand with a runner game against the Boise Hawks on Sunday afternoon. The Mustangs starter is still to be determined, while Boise will start RHP Matt Gabbert (3-1, 6.32). Pregame on Saturday on the home of the Mustangs, ESPN 910/105.5 FM with Brennan Mense will begin at 6:15 ahead of a 6:35 p.m. first pitch.