Thomas cools off Raptors in opener
The undrafted rookie out of Division II Lander University allowed two runs on two hits over 5 2/3 innings and Missoula pounded five extra-base hits Tuesday night in a 4-3 victory over the Raptors.
The Osprey can clinch their first league title since 2006 with a win on Thursday in Ogden.
Thomas (1-0) recorded a career-high seven strikeouts, walking three batters and hitting another in his fifth professional start.
"I felt pretty good out there," the 22-year-old right-hander said. "I did start to get a little tired at the end, but I was fortunate to get the outs when I did and keep them off the bases. I had my fastball, my curveball and my slide going; they were all working for me tonight. I really didn't even try my changeup today."
Thomas allowed a pair of singles -- Devin Shines was thrown trying to stretch one into a double -- but began to show signs of fatigue in the later innings.
The Raptors finally got on the board in the sixth, plating runs on a groundout by Jesus Valdez and a wild pitch by reliever Christopher Capper. Both runs were charged to Thomas.
Ogden totaled four hits, snapping a streak of six games with at least five.
"My strategy was just to stay ahead," said Thomas, a native of Chester, S.C. "If you can stay ahead against these guys, then you can be successful. I think the best advice I got was that you just need to know what pitches to throw in each situation, and I think that really helped me. We had a great scouting report on them."
After working out of the bullpen in 10 of his first 11 appearances this season, Thomas became a full-time starter in late August. He performed well, allowing one run in each of his final outings, and said he relished the opportunity to return to the rotation.
"It's actually a lot easier [being a starter]," said Thomas, who was 8-2 with a 2.43 ERA as a senior at Lander. "Coming out of the 'pen this season, it was actually my first time doing that; I've always pretty much been a starter. I liked getting into a routine and being able to do certain stuff each day, so it was a little easier for me to make that transition.
"When I was a reliever, I was trying to find a routine, but I was kind of in awe at first. I was kind of like, 'What do I do? Should I throw every day?' ... But against these hitters now, trying to throw six or seven innings has helped me focus a lot more. I've learned a lot more being a starter here."
Pedro Ruiz and Daniel Pulfer delivered RBI doubles in the third and Breland Almadova hit a two-run homer in the fourth to give Missoula an early 4-0 advantage.
Raptors starter Miguel Sulbaran (0-1) took the loss after surrendering four runs on five hits over four innings. He struck out five and walked two.
Zack Cox is a contributor to MLB.com.