Angels take opener from Rockies

CASPER, Wyo. — The Provo Angels won their 2004 Pioneer League opener Saturday night, beating the Casper Rockies 2-1.

The two teams were to start their five-game, season-opening series Friday night, but rains forced a postponement. Friday night's game will be made up today as part of a 5 p.m. doubleheader — a pair of seven-inning games.

Angels starter Ronnie Ray rebounded from a shaky first inning to pick up the victory, as Provo plated single runs in the first and fifth innings for the victory.

Ray found himself with the bases loaded in the bottom of the first, but picked up one of his six strikeouts on the game to end the Rockies' threat. He retired 19 of the next 21 batters through the seventh inning, allowing only two hits and two walks in his seven innings of work.

Wayne Hedden III pitched the eighth, giving up the sole Casper run. Mitchell Arnold tossed a scoreless ninth to log the save, as the three Angels pitchers allowed just four Rockies hits, all singles.