Ruiz leads Raptors to Pioneer South title

Keibert Ruiz showed his youthful age has nothing to do with his ability to come through in the clutch Wednesday.

The Dodgers' No. 25 prospect drove in the winning run as Rookie-level Ogden beat Grand Junction, 14-13, in 10 innings. The Raptors won four straight to nab the Pioneer League South Division crown.

Ruiz finished with three singles in five at-bats. The 18-year-old catcher singled home a run in the seventh frame as the Raptors overcame an early deficit. With two outs in the 10th, Ruiz grounded a ball to center to score Moises Perez with the go-ahead run.

"That's how this league is sometimes," Ogden manager Shaun Larkin said, who also celebrated his 37th birthday Wednesday. "The games get crazy and tonight was no different than other games this summer. We played from behind most of the night and to find a way to win on the road and clinch a playoff spot is a testament to our guys.

"Keibert Ruiz, just turned 18 and he's a pure hitter. The moment never gets too big for him and tonight was no different. He has a way of slowing the game down when it gets big, and he's been getting big hits for us for the last two weeks. If there's anyone I want hitting in that situation, it's Ruiz and he came up big for us."

Brandon Montgomery hit a game-tying two-out homer in the ninth to keep the game going for Ogden.

"It sends electricity through the dugout," Larkin said. "He grinds and grinds and grinds and for him to get the big hit for us ... he's been struggling of late. It was exciting, not just for him but the whole group. It sent a charge to the dugout and probably propelled us to this win."

Mitchell Hansen, the Dodgers' No. 27 prospect, had four hits and scored three runs at the top of the lineup.

"Another guy, who under pressure, keeps his composure," Larkin said. "To have his presence at the top of the lineup is huge for our team. He's settled into that leadoff spot as of late. Even if he gets out, it's a six-, seven-, eight-pitch at-bat. Having a guy like Mitchell Hansen is huge and extremely valuable for our team."

Roberto Ramos had five RBIs and Jonathan Piron plated four runs for the Rockies.