When the Ogden Raptors were in Billings and Great Falls, they struggled to hit home runs. The Pioneer League's most prolific home run-hitting team sent only four over the fence in seven games at the circuit's two most difficult parks for hitting bombs.A return home has benefitted the Raptors bats.
When the Ogden Raptors were in Billings and Great Falls, they struggled to hit home runs. The Pioneer League's most prolific home run-hitting team sent only four over the fence in seven games at the circuit's two most difficult parks for hitting bombs.
A return home has benefitted the Raptors bats. They homered three times in a three-game sweep over the Billings Mustangs, and Monday night they bashed three in a 5-2 win over the Great Falls Voyagers.
Rylan Bannon started the scoring with two out and the bases empty in the bottom of the first. Ogden's third baseman sent a one-strike pitch over the right-field fence, a solo shot to put the Raptors on the board first.
The inning continued with a Romer Cuadrado single followed by an error on the shortstop on a grounder from Gersel Pitre to keep the frame going. Brock Carpenter worked a full count before hammering a blast to straightaway center, giving Ogden a 4-0 advantage.
Great Falls scored their first run on a homer as well, as Franklin Reyes launched the first pitch he saw in the fourth inning over the wall in right. Cuadrado got the run back in the home half of the fifth, however, with an opposite-field home run of his own and a 5-1 lead.
Christian Stolo was in control in his best start with Ogden, allowing only the one run on five hits in five and one-third innings. He struck out seven, tying the Raptors' single-game high by a single pitcher this season.
Patrick Duester relieved Stolo with one out in the sixth and promptly induced an inning-ending double play. He nearly recorded a three-inning save, pitching into the ninth and recording two out, but the back end of a potential game-ending double play was thrown wide to allow the Voyagers to score their second run. Austin Hamilton then entered for the final out and his second save.
Ogden and Great Falls continue their four-game series Tuesday night at 7. It's another Taco Tuesday, with tacos only $1 all night long while they last!
