Error-plagued Owlz drop series to Rockies

By Brad Curnow

September 4, 2016

OREM, Utah-The Orem Owlz were plagued by six errors Sunday, including four in the fifth inning, as the Grand Junction Rockies scored 10 unaswered runs. The Rockies claimed the four-game series with a 10-7 win over the Owlz.

The Owlz (37-35, 15-19) jumped out to a 4-0 lead behind a two-run homer by John Schuknect in the bottom of the first. Then Keith Grieshaber scored on a fielder's choice up the middle by Kienner Pina in the fourth to give Orem a four-run lead.

However, the lead was short-lived as the Rockies (35-36, 19-14) responded with six runs in the top of the fifth with help from four Orem errors. Colton Welker drove a one-out double to right center to score Jose Gomez and Cole Anderson scored to tie the game at four. Vince Fernandez drove a single to left to plate Gomez and gave Grand Junction a 5-4 lead. The Rockies padded their lead with an additional run as Jonathon Piron ripped a double to left. Fernandez slid into as Piron attempted to take third on the throw, but he was tagged out by Rojas to end the inning.

The Rockies strung together four hits in the sixth and plated four runs. The lead extended to 10-6 as Fernandez singled to center and Welker came in to score easily from second.

The Owlz began to chip away at the lead in the sixth as Grieshaber drove a one-out double off the left field wall. After a single by Rojas to advance Grieshaber to third, Pina plated Grieshaber on a single to center. Juan Moreno then singled to left to score Rojas from second and cut the lead to 10-6. The rally ended as L.J. Kalawaia grounded out to second with Pina stranded on third. The Owlz could get no closer.

Orem went down in order in the bottom of the ninth inning as Zach Gibbons hit a hard ground ball back to pitcher J.D. Hammer, but Hammer corralled the ball off the mound and fired to first for the out to end the game.

The Owlz close out the home portion of the regular season with a two-game series against the Idaho Falls Chukars. The series begins Monday at 7:05 p.m. MT at the Home of the Owlz.