PL Missoula PaddleHeads

Diaz Homers Twice, Guides Osprey to 10-5 Victory

Published on July 19, 2015 under Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release


OGDEN, UTAH - Shortstop Isan Diaz belted a pair of home runs, including a go-ahead three-run shot in the sixth, to guide the Missoula Osprey (16-12) to a 10-5 victory over the Ogden Raptors (15-15) on Saturday night from Lindquist Field.

The multi-homer game was the first of Diaz' career, as he went 3-for-6 with a career-high five RBI to notch his 11th multi-hit game of the season. The two-homer effort was the second of the year for Missoula, as Austin Byler had a pair against Billings on June 29 at Ogren Park Allegiance Field.

Missoula, which snapped a three-game skid with the victory, trailed 1-0 headed to the third before Diaz belted his first homer of the game to tie the game at 1-1. The Raptors responded with another run in the bottom of the third, reclaiming a 2-1 lead, but the Osprey took their first lead of the game in the fifth as Luke Lowery delivered a two-out two-RBI single into right field to bring home Kal Simmons and Raymel Flores.

Flores, Lowery and Simmons all posted three-hit nights as the Osprey managed a season-high-tying 16 hits. The three-hit night was the first multi-hit game of Simmons' career, as he registered a triple and three runs scored.

Continuing a see-saw battle, Odgen plated three runs of its own in the home-half of the fifth to reclaim a 5-3 lead, benefitting from an RBI-triple from Gage Green and an RBI-single from Garrett Kennedy. Green finished the game 2-for-5 with the triple, a run scored and an RBI out of the leadoff spot.

Trailing by two runs headed to the sixth, Missoula drew a leadoff walk and put the tying run on by way of a single from Simmons. That hit brought Diaz to the plate as the go-ahead run, and the leadoff man crushed the first pitch he saw over the wall in right centerfield to hand Missoula a lead it would not relinquish.

The O's tacked on two more in the seventh and ninth innings to put the game out of reach at 10-5, with Diaz adding his fifth RBI in the final frame to bring home Simmons.

Right-hander Bo Takahashi did not factor in the decision after making the start for Missoula. Takahashi tossed the first 4.2 innings, allowing five runs on six hits and four walks while striking out a season-high-tying six batters. Austin Mason earned the victory after throwing the next 1.1 scoreless innings of relief, improving to 1-0 on the season. Keegan Long finished the game on the hill for Missoula, contributing two scoreless innings and allowing just one run to convert his first professional save.

Bernardo Reyes was charged with the loss and fell to 1-2 after allowing three runs on three hits and two walks with one strikeout.

Missoula will continue the four-game road series at Ogden tomorrow night. First pitch between RHP Scott Schultz (1-1, 6.27 ERA) and RHP Ivan Vieitez (0-1, 5.71 ERA) is scheduled for 4:00 pm MT.

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