Four-Run Fifth Keys Raptors Win

OGDEN - The Ogden Raptors scored four runs in the fifth inning to win 4-3 over the Orem Owlz Tuesday night at Lindquist Field.

Trailing 3-0, Hunter Redman started the fifth inning with a four-pitch walk by Jeremy Rhodes (1-1). After a flyout, Billy Bereszniewicz singled to right field, moving Redman to third. Jimmy Allen followed with a ground-rule double into the left-field corner, scoring Redman. Cody Bellinger then hit a double into right field to plate Bereszniewicz and Allen and tie the game. Once a wild pitch put Bellinger on third base, Justin Chigbogu hit a ground ball to first base. Fran Whitten mishandled it, and Bellinger scored to take the lead 4-3 on the error.

The Owlz (9-12, 33-26) didn't threaten to score against Raptors (12-10, 27-33) until the ninth. Ogden reliever Abdiel Velasquez cruised through his first three innings, allowing just one hit. But in the ninth, he got into trouble. Wade Wass singled to left to lead off the inning. Quinten Davis attempted to bunt Wass to second, but he fouled off the first two pitches. Davis then smacked a double off the wall in left to put runners on second and third with no outs.

A.J. Vanegas relieved Velasquez in a tough spot. Michael Hermosillo grounded to third, and Mike Ahmed threw out Wass at the plate for the first out. Orem manager Dave Stapleton argued the call at home and was eventually ejected. Vanegas then struck out Wendell Soto and got Tyler Palmer to ground out to end the game and earn Vanegas his fourth save.

Orem built its lead on solo homers by Raul Linares and Wass. Linares also hit an RBI double in the top of the fifth to give Orem a 3-0 lead.

Raptors starter Victor Gonzalez (3-3) earned the win. The lefty allowed three runs on five hits in five innings, striking out four.

The win is the Raptors' third in a row. Ogden has won three in a row three times previously this season, but they have never won their fourth.

The Raptors and Owlz continue their four-game series Wednesday. Dodgers first-round pick Grant Holmes (0-1, 18.90) makes his second Ogden start of the season. He will face Angels fifth-round pick Jake Jewell, who is making his Owlz debut. Game starts at 7:00 and can be heard on 97.5 The Zone.