After splitting a six-game series in Ogden to start the second half of the Pioneer League season, all eyes were on Melaleuca Field as the Chukars returned home this week.
Idaho Falls took two of three from Missoula, advancing to 5-4 in this new campaign. It still has work to do, namely in the bullpen.
However, there is a different energy surrounding this team, something manager Bob Milacki is well aware of after taking over for the resigned Les Lancaster a month ago:
"The dugout's not nearly as intense. They're not weighing on every little mistake they make. Me and Joe (hitting coach Alvarez) try to use those as teaching moments instead of … making them feel like they're making mistakes," Milacki told the Post Register after Thursday night's loss to the PaddleHeads.
That next-man-up mentality runs rampant through the dugout, and while it is easy to chase stats in this league, the players also understand it is about making winning plays first, at least if you ask catcher Drew Stengren.
"Bob's really helped me out a lot," Stengren said of their work scouting opposing batters and collaborating with the pitchers.
A former pitcher and current pitching coach, Milacki has plenty of reasons for frustration with his arms. While the starting rotation has taken shape and the bullpen seems to have figured out its high-leverage relievers (Ryan Inouye as the setup man, Hunter Hargett as the closer), the Chukars still need to find quality innings in the middle of games.
A strong combined 2.1 frames of one-run ball from Quentin Graves and Eddie Thompson on Wednesday helped, yet blowups from Blayne Fritcher and newcomer Ray Hernandez on Thursday deflated some of that positive momentum.
For Stengren, it has been an adventure behind the plate, but he has helped stabilize the infield defense and provides a steady, middle-to-bottom-of-the-order bat.
"The pitchers have really trusted me, which is awesome, and the other catchers," Stengren said. "It's been fun working through it."
Stengren is far from a one-man show; regulars like shortstop Ty Dooley and second baseman Garret Ostrander form a formidable one-two punch up the middle, center fielder Tyler Wyatt commands the outfield and the corner spots are no weaknesses, either.
According to Milacki, he told third baseman Justin Trimble, "Hey, I want you to be aggressive on your ground balls," trying to instill belief in his lefty slugger that an error will not cost him his job, and it is better to go down fierce than timid.
In a sport (and a league) where players are susceptible to gripping their bats tighter or throwing harder than necessary, this more relaxed, upbeat approach is paying dividends.
Unlike earlier in the year, the players do not have to worry about one bad inning or one bad at-bat or one defensive miscue resulting in a cut. But there is still competition: Milacki and Alvarez have a good problem to have with so many quality hitters on the roster.
Take Thursday, for example. Dooley needed an off day and Ostrander is battling an injury. Yet it opened up a spot for middle infielder Emilio Barrera — who has looked much better at the plate recently — and designated hitter/catcher DeMarckus Smiley, a .380 hitter who is not always guaranteed opportunities.
Stengren and the rest of Idaho Falls also recognize that with a lineup this talented, a poor start or bullpen blowup is not always life and death:
"It comes down to confidence," Stengren said. "… Anytime we're in a game, no matter how many runs we're down, how many runs we're up, we know we're in that game."