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PLAYOFFS? PLAYOFFS!!! The @gfvoyagers make their 11th Pioneer League playoff appearance in the last 12 seasons with game 1 of the divisional series at Billings tonight. First pitch is set for 7:05. pic.twitter.com/O6qEdLHddH
— Great Falls Voyagers (@gfvoyagers) September 8, 2018
Romy Gonzalez: 0-for-5, 0 BB, 2 K
Lenyn Sosa: 2-for-5, 0 BB, 1 K
Bryce Bush: 2-for-3, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Gunnar Troutwine: 1-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 0 K
Jonathan Stiever: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K **MVP**
Codi Heuer: 3 1⁄3 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Great Falls and Jonathan Stiever got off to a hot start early, as Stiever went three innings and only allowed one hit. The 2018 draft pick is one of the higher-rated prospects in the Chicago White Sox system. Meanwhile, thanks to a Bilings error, the Voyagers scored two in the second inning to take the lead.
Codi Heuer, another 2018 draft pick, took over for Stiever in the fourth inning. He did well in his two innings, but allowed two runs, knotting the game at two. Fortunately, the Great Falls defense was helping Heuer and Stiever not make matters worse.
HOLY DOUBLE PLAYS! The @gfvoyagers turn an inning-ending 6-4-3 in the 5th for their fourth DP tonight. 2-0 GF lead going T6.
— Great Falls Voyagers (@gfvoyagers) September 8, 2018
When the eighth inning came, Gunnar Troutwine (still the best name in the Sox system) singled home Bryan Connell. Troutwine, yes, another 2018 draft pick, had been excellent in the regular season — a 122 wRC+, and impressive 13.8% BB-rate and a 14.5% K-rate — and picked it right back up in the playoffs.
Nick Johnson closed out the game, helping the Voyagers held their second lead, for a 3-2 win. Johnson had a 2.96 FIP with five saves in 2018. Oh, and yes, he was a 2018 draft pick.
Konnor Pilkington will get the start in Game 2 tomorrow. The 2018 third round pick did not get good results to start his career, with a 4.91 FIP in the regular season.