Ogden Takes Series at Idaho Falls
July 4, 2015 - Pioneer League (PL)
Ogden Raptors News Release
IDAHO FALLS - The Ogden Raptors (7-9) let a four-run lead slip away in the 7th inning, but scored five runs in the top of the 9th inning to win three of four games with a 14-10 victory over the Idaho Falls Chukars (5-11) on Friday night.
"There's an old baseball adage, 'It's never easy in the ninth,' said Raptors manager John Shoemaker. "It's not really over, it looks like in this league, until the final out is recorded."
After Idaho Falls scored four runs in the bottom of the 7th inning to tie the game at eight, the Raptors retook the lead in the top of the eighth when Deion Ulmer scored from third on a wild pitch. Ogden then added five insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning capped by a two-single by Nick Dean. Those runs proved necessary in the bottom of the ninth as the Chukars scored twice to get to within four.
Only a home run shy of the cycle, Nick Sell walked in the eighth inning, but was granted one final at-bat in the ninth. Sell drove a 2-1 pitch just off the end of the bat for a routine flyout to left field.
"Just missed it by maybe a centimeter," Sell said.
Sell got the Raptors on the board in the top of the first inning with an RBI triple down the right field line to score Dean and scored on the same play when Marten Gasparini's cutoff throw to third base was wide of the third baseman Jeckson Flores. It was officially a triple for Sell, who scored on the error.
"That was interesting," Sell said with a smile. "A lot more running than I've done."
Ulmer hit an RBI double in the second and Yensys Capellan hit a two-run home run in the third to open up a 5-1 lead for Ogden. Sell's RBI double in the fourth inning responded to the Chukars two runs in the third. Capellan added a two-run double in the top of the seventh inning to again extend the lead to four runs, 8-4. Capellan finished the night 3-for-4 with four RBI - the most by an Ogden player in a game this season. The 14 runs and 17 hits for Ogden were also season-highs.
In his first start of the season, Ivan Vieitez gave up singles to the first three batters he faced, but did not allow another hit through three innings. Casey Mulholland (1-0) earned the win in relief, allowing just two hits in a scoreless 1 1/3 innings.
"I'm really happy with the way things are going with the entire team - the effort their giving, the instruction that they're receiving, and the way that they're taking that instruction into the game," Shoemaker said.
Ogden now returns home for a brief three-game series against Grand Junction before embarking on a seven-game road swing through Montana. Dennis Santana will start for the Raptors against James McMahon.
Saturday and Sunday's games are part of "Rally 'Round the Raptors" presented by America First Credit Union. Fans can receive up to four complimentary general admission tickets by showing their AFCU visa or debit card at the Lindquist Field box office. Saturday's game will also feature a postgame Fourth of July fireworks show.
Raptors manager John Shoemaker noted, "Fourth of July is about as American as you can get and what better way to celebrate the Fourth of July than out watching the old American pastime."
Pioneer League Stories from July 4, 2015
- Helena Shut out for First Time this Year - Helena Brewers
- Chukars lose to Orem - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Voyagers Game Notes: July 4 vs. Missoula - Great Falls Voyagers
- Ogden Takes Series at Idaho Falls - Ogden Raptors
- Idaho loses 14-10 - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Owlz See Winning Streak Snapped in Late Rally vs Rockies - Northern Colorado Owlz
- French Deals in Rockies Win over Orem - Grand Junction Jackalopes
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