Whittington twirls gem for Owlz

OREM — It's still early in the Pioneer League season, but the Orem Owlz apparently have found their ace.

Starter Anthony Whittington threw a no-hitter through five innings and the Owlz bullpen closed out a 3-0 shutout against the Idaho Falls Chukars on Monday night at Utah Valley State College Stadium before an announced crowd of 2,233.

Orem improved to 3-4 on the season, while Idaho Falls dropped to 3-4.

Whittington, who's in his second season in the league, yielded just three hits and one run in four innings of work last week against Ogden. On Monday, he was dominant at times, striking out six and walking four.

The Chukars didn't record their first hit until the seventh inning when Andrew Larsen singled off Owlz reliever Daniel Hawkins. For the game, Idaho Falls mustered only three hits.

Things didn't start all that well for Whittington, however. He walked the leadoff batter, Ethian Santana. With one out, he hit Felix Peguero with a pitch and then walked Shawn Hayes. Fortunately for the Owlz, Santana was thrown out by catcher Brett Martinez and Whittington eventually escaped the inning unscathed.

"He's got everything you want — great size and he's left-handed," Orem manager Tom Kotchman said of Whittington, who earned his first victory of the season. "The key with Whittington was getting out of the first (inning). He pitched on the edge in the second and third. He settled down in the fourth and fifth."

Orem's bullpen did the rest as Hawkins and John Sullivan continued the shutout. Then, with two out in the bottom of the ninth, two Idaho Falls runners aboard and the tying run at the plate, Kotchman summoned Kevin Lynch from the bullpen. Lynch, a 2005 draft pick who was a relief pitcher this season at Florida State, faced one batter and struck out Brady Everett to end the game and earn his first save of the season.

"Lynch has been in front of big crowds before," Kotchman said.

Orem's pitchers got some help from third baseman Dallas Morris, who doubled to lead off the fourth inning. He was driven home on a single by Colby Overstreet to break the scoreless tie. In the seventh, second baseman Billy Boyer smacked a two-run home run to cushion Orem's lead.

First baseman Mark Trumbo did not play Monday because he was suffering from flu-like symptoms, Kotchman said.

"He's played in every inning of every game until today," Kotchman said. "He could use a day off."

Kotchman may have some days off in his future, too. During the weekend road trip in Ogden, he slipped on the pitcher's mound and injured his knee. He could know by today if he'll need surgery.

The Owlz and Chukars continue their three-game series tonight at 7.

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E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com