Owlz Split Doubleheader with Rockies
Published on July 7, 2016 under Pioneer League (PL)
Northern Colorado Owlz News Release
Game 1
OREM, Utah-Jose Rojas drove in five RBIs and scored three runs on three hits as the Orem Owlz (12-6) routed the Grand Junction Rockies (9-9) by a score of 9-1 in Game 1 of a doubleheader.
The Owlz jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning after three singles loaded the bases. Jahmai Jones put the first run on the scoreboard on an aggressive attempt at home as a 1-0 pitch got away from catcher Brian Serven. After Jordan Zimmerman flied out to right, Jose Rojas logged one of his three hits of the game with a two-run single to right. Rojas advanced to second on the throw from Manny Melendez to home. Rojas later came around to score on a double by Sam McDonnell.
The Rockies put their single run on the board in the top of the third inning with a solo home run to left center by Taylor Snyder. Rojas answered with a solo homer to left of his own in the bottom of the inning for a 5-1 Orem lead.
Orem posted another four-run inning in the fifth, which was sparked by a solo home run to left by Troy Montgomery. Thaiss then singled up the middle and Zimmerman doubled to set up a two-run double down the right field line by Rojas. Alex Abbott hit an RBI single to right to plate Rojas, which put the Owlz ahead by the final margin of 9-1.
Game 2
Despite a surge in the late innings, the Orem Owlz (12-7) failed to complete the comeback and fell to the Grand Junction Rockies (10-9) in Game 2 by a final of 5-4. After the Rockies took a commanding 5-0 lead entering the bottom of the sixth, Orem put together a four-run sixth inning, but fell short in the seventh.
With a change from black to gray jerseys between games, the Rockies' bats came alive for Game 2. Grand Junction put together a two-run first inning behind three hits, including a two-out single to center field by Joel Diaz to score Jose Gomez and Jonathan Piron came from second and third.
Gomez reached base in the top of the third for the Rockies with a one-out walk, then made an attempt to steal second. Catcher Ryan Scott's throw skipped into center field and Gomez advanced to third on the error. Hunter Melton ripped a double to the corner in left field and Gomez scored easily for a 3-0 Rockies lead.
Grand Junction tallied another run in the fourth after three singles in a row, which allowed Luis Brito to score from second.
The Rockies scored what turned out to be an important insurance run in the sixth inning on a solo home run to left center by Manny Melendez. Grand Junction later had the bases loaded with two out, but Samil De Los Santos struck out Joel Diaz to escape the jam.
Despite the deficit, the Owlz refused to go down without a fight. Juan Moreno ignited a rally with a one-out flare to right for a single. Jahmai Jones lined out to shortstop, but Moreno was able to advance to second on a throwing error to first base by Gomez. With two outs, Connor Justus sent a fly ball to shallow center field, but Melendez was unable to make the diving catch to end the inning. Moreno came around to score from second to put the Owlz on the board trailing 5-1.
Matt Thaiss continued the rally as he hit a soft pop up to second, but the ball slipped out of the glove of Jose Rodriguez as he was running to his left. Justus ended the play on third. With runners on the corners, Jordan Zimmerman drove an RBI double to the wall in left. Thaiss stopped at third, but Justus scored easily to cut the deficit to 5-2. Jose Rojas continued his hot hitting on the day with a single to center, which brought Thaiss and Zimmerman in to put Orem within 5-4.
After a pair of strikeouts in the bottom of the seventh, pinch hitter Nick Flair ripped a line drive to the wall in left for a double to keep the Owlz alive. Troy Montgomery came on to run for Flair and took third base on a wild pitch. With the tying run 90 feet away, Jones struck out swinging to end the game.
The Owlz and Rockies will play the rubber match of a three-game series at the Home of the Owlz Thursday at 7:05 p.m. MT. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
Pioneer League Stories from July 7, 2016
- Rockies Blown out in Pint's Second Start - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Ogden Holds on for 5-4 Win over Idaho Falls - Ogden Raptors
- Ogden Loses Heartbreaker 12-10 - Ogden Raptors
- Owlz Ride Eight-Run Inning to 15-3 Win - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Osprey Erase Early Deficit, Drop Game Late - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Frabasilio Promoted to Wilmington - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Owlz Split Doubleheader with Rockies - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Rockies Hang on for Doubleheader Split - Grand Junction Jackalopes
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