Owlz keep their bats blazing

OGDEN — One night after scoring seven runs in the top of the ninth en route to a three-run victory over Ogden, the Orem Owlz picked up right where they left off in beating the Raptors 10-7 Tuesday night at Lindquist Field.

The Owlz (5-3) pounded out seven hits in their seven-run ninth Monday night, and after going down in order in the first inning Tuesday, they scored nine runs on eight hits over the next two innings in cruising to their second straight victory over Ogden to take over sole possession of second place in the Pioneer League South Division.

"It's always good to get runs early," Orem manager Tom Kotchman said, also reminding his team that Ogden could come back just like the Owlz did the night before. "(I told them not) to give up any at-bats and play nine innings."

After the Raptors (4-4) took a 3-0 lead thanks in part to a two-run homer by Jeremy Brown in the bottom of the first, the Owlz began the hitting clinic.

The first five hitters reached base — four with hits and other by an error. Greg Dini, who had four RBIs in the game, drove in two with a triple, and two more scored an error by Ogden's Elian Herrera as the Owlz took the 4-3 lead.

The first six Orem hitters reached in the third inning.

Ex-Ute Jay Brossman doubled, Gordie Gronkowski singled and Chris Garcia was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Jeremy Moore walked to score Brossman, Trevor Pippin singled to score Gronkowski and Dini singled in two more. Orem's fifth run scored on Herrera's second error of the game.

For the second time this year, the Owlz roughed up Ogden starter Joe Jones.

Jones (0-2) , whose ERA was at 24.00 after his first outing with the Owlz last week, gave eight runs (seven earned) on six hits in two-plus innings and now his ERA is 27.00.

In two games, the Owlz have tagged Jones, a 18th-round selection in the 2006 draft, for 16 runs (15 earned) on 14 hits. He's walked five and struck out four.

The Owlz managed just five hits and one run — a homer by Moore in the ninth - the rest of the game.

Trailing 9-3, the Raptors began to work their way back into the game with two runs in the sixth in RBI singles by Jaime Pedroza and Austin Gallagher, which was his first hit of his professional career.

Kenley Jansen doubled home a run in the seventh to cut the lead to 9-6, and Jovanny Rosario, who reached on a bunt single in the ninth, scored on a balk.

Reliever David Hurst picked up his first win of the year despite giving up two runs on five hits in 3 1/3 innings.

Garcia finished with three hits for the Owlz and Gronkowski, Pippin and Dini added two each.

Brown had two hits, two RBIs and three runs scored to lead the Raptors, who had three more players who recorded two hits each.

The Owlz will go for the series sweep tonight at 7 p.m. at Lindquist Field.

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E-mail: jhinton@desnews.com