Owlz' Perez pitches gem in victory

OREM — Owlz' manager Tom Kotchman knows his league-leading offense is occasionally going to have an off night.

But with performances like the one he got out of starting pitcher Jose Perez on Wednesday night, he won't worry much.

Perez pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs and three hits as the Owlz defeated the Idaho Falls Chukars 4-2 at Brent Brown Ballpark.

Perez walked just one and struck out six.

"That's about as good as it gets," Kotchman said. "You're bats aren't going to be there every night. But your defense can be."

Perez was aided Wednesday night by an aggressive Chukars lineup. Entering the seventh inning, Perez had thrown just 62 pitches.

"I was just pitching smart and letting them get themselves out," Perez said.

The Owlz got on the board early on third baseman Luis Jimenez's third home run of the season, a two-run shot.

"It was a change-up up and I just put a good swing on it," Jimenez said.

Jimenez's home run came just one pitch after first baseman Roberto Lopez slashed an RBI double into center field.

Chukars' starting pitcher Brian Casey settled down after the home run though, allowing just two more hits until being pulled after just five

innings of work.

The Chukars chipped away at the lead with a run in the second and another one in the seventh. But that was it. Andrew Taylor pitched the final 2 1/3 innings for the Owlz, allowing just two hits and striking out four to pick up the save.

"If we get some runs, we have a great pitching staff and can hold them down," Taylor said.

The Owlz tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth when a single by pinch-hitter Alberto Rosario scored designated hitter Gabe Jacobo.

Both of the Chukars' runs were driven in by third baseman Antonio Jimenez, who went 1-for-3.

The win Wednesday night was the second in a row for the Owlz after a three-game losing streak.

"After losing three games in 48 hours, it's good to get back," Kotchman said.