Late Raptors Rally Stuns Helena
Published on July 15, 2018 under Pioneer League (PL)
Ogden Raptors News Release
Through seven innings Saturday night, the Ogden Raptors were mostly shut down by Helena Brewers pitching.
That changed in the eighth, when the Raptors put up a crooked number for the second-straight night for a comeback, 8-6 victory over the visiting Brewers.
The win, along with Missoula's 12-0 beating of Idaho Falls, gives Ogden a three-game lead with nine to play in the first half over the Chukars. Adding in the tiebreaker advantage, the Raptors' magic number is down to six wins and/or Idaho Falls losses for Ogden to clinch the first half South division title.
With the Raptors trailing, 6-3, entering the eighth, James Outman took a one-out walk. Chris Roller, who had a double and two strikeouts in the game, got ahold of a fastball and sent it out for a two-run homer, his second of the season, to pull Ogden within a run. Niko Hulsizer notched a pinch-single to center, and Daniel Robinson singled to left to put the potential tying and go-ahead runs on base.
Up came Jacob Amaya, who was 0-for-4 on the night. He went ahead in the count, 3-1, before blasting a fly ball over the head of the right fielder, Hulsizer and Robinson scored to put Ogden in the lead, and Amaya ended up on third with a triple. Ronny Brito then bounced a single through the drawn-in infield and Amaya scored to cap off the five-run frame.
Helena had been on top from the second through the top of the eight. They hit two solo home runs in the second inning and plated four runs with two out in the fifth.
The Raptors answered the Brewers every time. Miguel Vargas doubled and advanced on a wild pitch before Drew Avans singled through the open left side with the defense in a shift.
In the fifth, Brito walked and later scored on Vargas' second double. Vargas stole third and Avans again knocked him in.
Hunter Speer pitched two scoreless innings, allowing just a two-out hit in the ninth, to earn his first professional victory.
Ogden and Helena play game two of their three-game series Sunday afternoon at 4:00. It's another Aloha Sunday, with the Raptors wearing Hawaiian-themed jerseys. Come out in your own Hawaiian best!
Pioneer League Stories from July 15, 2018
- Vargas Strokes Five Hits to Help Early Ogden Lead Hold Up - Ogden Raptors
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- Rox Back to Winning Ways with 5-2 Victory - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Grand Junction Shut out 4-0 in Great Falls - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Late Offense Propels Osprey to a Sunday Win in Idaho Falls - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Leon Pitches Well But Owlz Fall 3-2 - Northern Colorado Owlz
- 3-2 Win over Owlz Forces Rubber Match Monday - Billings Mustangs
- Osprey and Chukars Play Game Two of the Series Sunday - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Osprey Shutout Chukars 12-0 and Post a Season-High 18 Hits - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Late Raptors Rally Stuns Helena - Ogden Raptors
- Owlz Hang on for 5-4 Win at Billings - Northern Colorado Owlz
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