Owlz bats explode in blasting Brewers

OREM — After being shut out the previous night against Helena, Orem turned things around on Saturday in a big way.

The Owlz exploded for four runs in the first inning and never looked back in a dominating 10-2 victory over the Brewers at Brown Ballpark at UVSC.

How to explain zero runs one night and 10 runs the next?

"You have to come to play every day," said Owlz manager Tom Kotchman.

For Orem, runs came in bunches, with key hits coming with runners in scoring position. The Owlz added two runs in the second and three more in the sixth. In spite of that, Helena outhit Orem — 8-7 — as three Brewer errors helped the Owlz's cause. Helena pitchers also walked seven Orem hitters.

Second baseman Hector Estrella got things started for the Owlz in the opening frame with a two-run single, which was later followed by a two-run double by Anel De Los Santos.

Gordie Gronkowski belted a two-out, two-run double in the second that gave the Owlz a 6-1 advantage. The Brewers cut the deficit to 6-2 in the third, and the score stayed that way until the seventh, when Estrella struck again, hammering a three-run double that propelled the Owlz to a commanding 10-2 lead.

"Estrella had a couple of key hits," Kotchman said. "He is the perfect protection for Gordie in the five hole."

Estrella, who racked up five RBIs on Saturday, was a 40th-round pick in the 2007 draft. He is batting .336 this season.

Orem starter Robert Fish earned the win, improving to 2-2. Fish pitched five solid innings while surrendering four hits and one earned run. He stuck out five Brewer batters.

"It was Fish's most efficient outing of the year," Kotchman said.

Vladimir Veras, Brian Chambers and Ryan Brasier came out of the bullpen to shut out Helena over the final four innings.

With the win, Orem halted a two-game losing streak and improved to 6-6 in the Pioneer League South Division second-half standings while Helena dropped to 4-8 — last place in the North Division.

The Owlz conclude their series with Helena today (4:05). Starting Monday, they host Missoula for a three-game set.

The Brewers won the first-half North Division title and Kotchman is hoping these kind of victories will help his team down the stretch.

"It's a big game for us (today)," Kotchman said. "Hopefully we can get a win and get on a roll."

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