Idaho Falls pitcher again beats Raptors

OGDEN — For the second time in three weeks, Rowdy Hardy shut down the Raptors.

The Idaho Falls starting pitcher went six innings and gave up only one run on two hits to lead the Chukars to a 6-5 victory over Ogden Tuesday at Lindquist Field.

Hardy had a similar outing against the Raptors on July 8 in Idaho Falls, going 6 1/3 innings and giving up no runs on only two hits and striking out 10 batters.

Ogden didn't go quietly, however. Trailing 6-1 after seven innings, the Raptors scored four runs in their final two at-bats.

Rick Taloa hit a long, towering, three-run home run to left-center field in the eighth to cut the Raptors' deficit to 6-4. It was his team-leading seventh homer of the season.

Ogden added one more in the ninth. With one out and runners at first and third, Taloa hit a routine fly ball to right-center field, but the Chukar outfielders miscommunicated and dropped the ball, allowing Ryan Rogowski to score from third and make the score 6-5.

But the next two Raptor batters struck out to end the game.

Bryan Morris was the losing pitcher for the Raptors. He lasted 3 2/3 innings and gave up five runs on five hits. Prior to the controversial play at home plate, he had only given up one run with six strikeouts.

The Chukars rallied for five runs in the fourth with the help of a controversial call at home plate. With Idaho Falls' Kurt Mertins running to the plate, catcher Carlos Medero caught the throw from left field cleanly and appeared to have the base blocked when he tagged the runner. But home-plate umpire Jason Kaminsky ruled he did not and that Mertins was safe.

Medero was thrown out of the game for arguing the call.

Michael Rivera then mis-played a ground ball with two outs that allowed three extra runs to score in the inning.

Idaho Falls added its sixth run in the sixth inning on a two-out, RBI single from Chris McConnell. Eduardo Nunez also tried to score on the play but was called out at home.

Leadoff hitter Rogowski tripled and scored in the first inning to give Ogden a 1-0 lead.

Ogden batters struck out six times in the final three innings.

The Raptors and Chukars will play the series rubber-match tonight at 7.