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 Ogden Raptors

Raptors Return to Winning Ways against Brewers

August 18, 2015 - Pioneer League (PL)
Ogden Raptors News Release


OGDEN - After snapping a six-game win streak on Sunday afternoon, Ogden (10-7, 29-26) began anew, scoring seven unanswered runs to take the series opener 7-2 against the Helena Brewers (3-14, 19-34) on Monday night.

Chris Powell made his Raptors debut on the mound and allowed two runs in three innings while striking out four batters. Jose Cuas hit a solo home run off of the left field scoreboard in the top of the first inning and Steven Karkenny ripped a two-out RBI double down the left field line in the second inning to give Helena an early 2-0 lead.

Matt Jones hit an RBI triple in the bottom of the fourth inning to break the lid off of the plate for Ogden and score Jordan Tarsovich. It was Jones' third home run of the season. The 6'7", 260-pound power hitter is tied with Scott De Jong (6'4", 235 pounds) for the active team lead. De Jong has a team-high nine home runs with Jones right behind with eight.

"We're not the slowest guys out there. We can move a little bit," Jones remarked. "You've just got to give us a little reason to move." (see Matt Jones' entire postgame interview above)

The Raptors secured the lead in the fifth inning on Gage Green's two-run double that scored Jake Henson and Jimy Perez. Ogden then loaded the bases when Brewers starter Joshua Torres walked Tarsovich and De Jong. Jones smacked a ball to centerfield but came a few feet short of a grand slam.

"I got a pitch up in the zone and I took a pretty good swing on it," Jones said. "I thought I got it, but the wind kind of held it up out there."

Alex Santana added another run to the tally in the bottom of the sixth inning on one of the most bizarre plays of the season. Santana popped up a 1-0 pitch just beyond the infield dirt on the third base side. Cuas, the third baseman, tracked the ball the entire time, but shortstop Jake Gatewood came on the scene at the last second. Cuas and Gatewood looked at each other as the ball fell innocently to the grass. Cuas quickly picked up the ball and fired it to second base as Santana arrived. The throw was off to the right of Jonathan Oquendo and rolled all the way into the Helena bullpen, allowing Santana to score. The play was officially ruled a double and an error.

The following inning, Jones had another opportunity with the bases loaded and nobody out. Tarsovich led off with a walk, Jordan Paroubeck singled, and De Jong walked to bring up Jones. This time, Jones took advantage of the opportunity and smacked a two-run double that put the game out of reach.

"I kept my head on it, simple swing. I just drove the ball," Jones said.

Santana then hit a sacrifice fly to make the score 7-2.

In relief, Hector Rodriguez (2-0) won in his second straight outing - both against Helena - with three scoreless innings. After allowing seven runs in his first three appearances (2 2/3 innings), he has not allowed a run in his last three outings (7 1/3 innings).

MJ Villegas also threw two hitless, scoreless innings and Wes Helsabeck slammed the door in the ninth. Helsabeck has not allowed a run in six straight appearances (11 innings).

Torres (2-3) lost his second straight start - both against Ogden - in a season-long six-inning outing. With the victory, Ogden has now won nine of its last eleven games.

"We started playing well in Billings and we've continued to play well," said Raptors manager John Shoemaker. "Guys are confident and excited and we just hope we can continue to play well."

Orem lost at Missoula 5-2 on Monday night, bringing the Raptors into a tie for second place with the Owlz. Idaho Falls rallied for six runs in their final two innings at the plate to beat Billings 9-8 and maintain a three-game lead in the second half of the Pioneer League South Division.

The second game of the four-game series between Ogden and Helena gets underway at 7:00pm MT on Tuesday evening. Ivan Vieitez, riding an 11 1/3 inning scoreless streak, will start for Ogden against Helena's Nate Griep.


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