Raptors Remain Winless in Idaho Falls
August 30, 2016 - Pioneer League (PL)
Ogden Raptors News Release
It was a shootout, but Idaho Falls outhit Ogden, pulling away late, 18-7. It was the 10th straight loss for Ogden at Idaho Falls, dating back to last season. The home team has won all 10 games between the two teams this season. The loss, coupled with Orem's win in Grand Junction, keeps Ogden in first place but puts the division up for grabs for all four South Division teams.
The Chukars jumped on Ogden starter Roberth Fernandez early, scoring three in the first. Angelo Castellano hit a two-run triple. Fernandez threw recovered in the second and third innings, but Castellano started a fourth-inning rally that chased Fernandez.
The Raptor offense woke up in the third inning. They scored all its runs from the third to fifth innings, on 11 hits. They took a brief lead in the fourth and tied it in the fifth, but the Game Birds continued to respond, scoring in five of the first seven innings.
Ogden's bullpen has rescued the team multiple times recently, but not tonight. The coup-de-grace came in the seventh, when the Chukars put up eight runs off Johan Diaz and Chris Matthewson to turn it into a laugher. The Chukars had seven singles and two doubles in that inning. For all the runs scored on the night (25), there were no home runs.
Nearly every Raptor had a hit. Jordan Paroubeck, recently activated from the disabled list, went 3 for 4. Other Raptors with two hits include DJ Peters, Brandon Montgomery, Luis Paz, and Errol Robinson. Peters hit his 22nd double of the year, putting him three off the league lead. Keibert Ruiz got a hit to extend his hit streak to seven games.
Ogden leads the South Division by a half game over Grand Junction. Orem sits only a game back; Idaho Falls three back. If Ogden or Grand Junction wins the second half, the winner will make the playoffs. If they end tied for the lead, the tie breaker would be overall record, but that is highly unlikely: Grand Junction had a rainout that will not be replayed, giving them an odd number of games (the reason why they are half a game back right now). If Orem, winners of the first half and already in the playoffs, wins the second half, the tie breaker goes to the team with the next best overall record, which is currently Idaho Falls. If Orem ends tied for the lead, the other tied team will get the nod. With ten to play, it is anyone's division.
Ogden will play two more in Idaho Falls before both teams come back to Ogden for a four game set, the final home stand for the Raptors this year. Ogden has bounced back well from big losses recently, and they will try again today with Zac Grotz on the mound. Grotz, a recent free agent signing, will make his fourth appearance and first start for the Raptors. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
Pioneer League Stories from August 30, 2016
- Yosmer Solorzano Throws Complete Game, Great Falls Wins 5-1 - Billings Mustangs
- Raptors Remain Winless in Idaho Falls - Ogden Raptors
- Owlz Hang On In Extras - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Owlz Stay Hot In Opener With Rockies - Northern Colorado Owlz
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