Giovinazzo's Grand Slam Gives Owlz 4-3 Win

Chris Giovinazzo's grand slam was all the run support the Owlz pitching needed tonight, as Baudilio Lopez threw five innings of two-run ball, and Suammy Baez struck out Kyle Dhanani with runners on 1st and 2nd and two outs in the bottom of the 9th to give the Owlz a 4-3 win.

The Owlz won for the third straight night, but once again, the win did not come easy. Orem (13-7) took a 4-2 lead going into the 9th inning, and looked like it was going to get a 1-2-3 inning from Eric Cendejas in the 9th. However, Giovinazzo dropped a Parker Berberet fly ball with two outs in the inning. Cendejas was relieved by Eddie Sipple, who proceded to give up back-to-back singles to put the Brewers (6-14) within one run. Baez came in and needed just four pitches to strike out Dhanani swinging.

The Owlz trailed 2-0 after three, but went ahead for good in the top of the 4th on a grand slam by Giovinazzo off of Mike Strong (2-5). Taylor Lindsey led off the inning with a single, and Wes Hatton followed with a walk. Jerod Yakubik missed a bunt attempt, which led to Lindsey being caught stealing and Hatton going to second. Yakubik hit a bloop single to put runners on the corners. Kaleb Cowart struck out, and Trevor Hairgrove was hit on a 0-2 pitch. That loaded the bases for the former UCLA Bruin who barely cleared the right field wall for the grand slam.

The Brewers scored first on a solo home run by Ben McMahan in the bottom of the 2nd inning. One more run came across in the 3rd on a RBI double by Yadiel Rivera. Lopez (3-6) set down the next six Brewers in order.

Michael Clevinger was brought in for Lopez and he impressed in his professional debut, striking out five of the six Brewers he faced in his two perfect innings. Cendejas pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

The Owlz have now won three in a row and will go for the series sweep tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 p.m.