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Late Raptor rally costs Osprey win

August 16, 2008 - Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release


MISSOULA, MT - The Missoula Osprey needed their big win on Friday night. The Ogden Raptors needed to take a close game on Saturday night.

The Raptors scored single runs in the seventh and eighth innings to hand the Missoula Osprey a 4-3 setback in front of 1,841 fans at Ogren Park Allegiance Field.

With the win, Ogden (12-7, 31-26) jumped ahead of Casper for the wild-card lead in the South Division. Orem currently is in the midst of a 13-game win streak, and leads the Raptors by three games in the second-half standings. If Orem wins the second half division crown, the wild card would be used since the Owlz also won the first-half crown.

Down 2-0 after the top of the first inning, the Osprey (4-15, 13-44) would score the first of three runs which were aided by Raptor errors. Nelson Gomez hit a chopper to third, which Pedro Baez muffed, allowing Alberto Diaz to score to pull Missoula within 2-1.

The Osprey would tie the game in the home half of the third, as Reynaldo Navarro singled, moved to second on a balk, stole third and, on the throw to third, scored when catch Matt Wallach's throw sailed off of Baez's glove, squaring the game at 2-2.

Missoula took its only lead of the night in the fourth, again aided by the Ogden defense. Isaias Ascencio singled, moved to second on a wild pickoff throw, then scored when Raptor starter Geison Aguasviva fielded Victor Estevez's bunt and threw wildly to third, allowing Ascencio to score to push the Osprey in front, 3-2.

Trevor Harden, the Osprey starter, struggled in the top of the first inning, but settled in nicely, pitching into the sixth inning for the first time in three starts. Harden allowed four hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings pitched, two unearned runs, and struck out eight batters. Harden has now fanned 28 batters in 14 2/3 innings pitched as a starter for Missoula.

Justin Mace came on to get the final out in the sixth, but struggled himself in the seventh and eighth innings. Mace surrendered a leadoff home run to Elian Herrera in the top of the seventh inning which tied the game at 3-3. In the eighth, Matt Wallach led off with a double, and pinch-runner Brian Ruggiano scored on a single by Steve Caseres to give the Raptors the lead.

Ogden's bullpen kept Missoula's offense in check enough, with Matt Smith (3-0) earning the win. The Osprey mounted a rally in the ninth, but Raptor closer Luis Garcia shut the door to earn his seventh save.

The Osprey and Raptors will wrap up the series on Sunday at 5 p.m. Brett Moorhouse (0-2, 11.48) will get the start for the Osprey, while the Raptors will counter with left-hander Michael Watt (5-4, 4.70).

Tickets are available at the Missoula Osprey office, at 412 W. Alder St., or by phone at (406) 543-3300.

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