Rowland, Griffin pace O's past Ghosts
The win, combined with a loss by Billings, gives Missoula (19-12) a four-game lead in the Pioneer League's North Division over the other three teams - Billings, Great Falls and Helena, who each have a 15-16 mark. Both the Voyagers and Brewers won their games on Friday to jump into a three-way tie for second place. The Osprey now have a magic number of four over all three teams to clinch the first-half division title, which would be their first in the first half since 1999.
Rowland (2-2) won for the second time in his last three starts, allowing three runs and six hits in five innings of work. Keith Hessler tossed two innings of one-hit relief, DJ Johnson pitched a perfect eighth and Matt Sample pitched around a leadoff single in the ninth to pick up his second save of the season.
Griffin hit a 2-0 pitch from Casper reliever Jeremiah Sammy (1-1) well over 400 feet to deep left field to snap a 3-3 tie and give the Osprey a 4-3 lead. It was the second home run for Griffin in as many nights, and he collected his team-leading 25th run batted in on the four-bagger.
Tom Belza added a two-run homer for the Osprey, while both Stephen Cardullo and Eric Groff - who extended his current hit streak to 10 games - each had a pair of hits for Missoula, who collected nine safeties on the night.
The Osprey and Ghosts will continue their four-game series on Saturday at Ogren Park Allegiance Field. Right-hander Enrique Burgos Robby Rowland will get the ball for the Osprey, while the Ghosts will counter with right-hander Raul Fernandez.
Tickets for all remaining games this season are now on sale at the MSO Hub Box Office, located at 140 N. Higgins, by phone at (406) 543-3300 or online at MissoulaOsprey.com.