Missoula PaddleHeads suffered their third defeat in four games on Tuesday, losing 15-4 at home to the Great Falls Voyagers.
The professional baseball team in Zootown now holds a record of 54-19 in the Pioneer League. Great Falls, with its league-worst record, improved to 25-48 with its second consecutive win.
Pitching has been a concern for Missoula, giving up 25 runs in the last two games. On Tuesday, the PaddleHeads used six pitchers, but starting pitcher Nick Parker struggled, allowing eight runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings.
Missoula found themselves trailing 9-2 after five innings and could not bounce back. The Voyagers hit four home runs, including two by designated hitter Hylan Hall.
In a surprising turn, the PaddleHeads had more hits than Great Falls, totaling 14 compared to 12 by the visitors. Roberto Pena hit a two-run home run for the hosts, while Mike Rosario contributed with three singles.
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Rosario leads the league with a batting average of .419. Adam Fogel, another teammate, leads the PBL in home runs with 31 and RBIs with 97. Fogel is just one home run away from tying the single-season league record in that category, currently held by his friend Jayson Newman, a former PaddleHeads slugger.
The PaddleHeads will face the Voyagers daily until Sunday.
Bill Speltz is Missoulian Sports Editor. Email Bill at bill.speltz@missoulian.com.
