Rockies Walk-Off with Win

GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. - In the longest game of the season, the Grand Junction Rockies beat the Ogden Raptors 12-11 in 11 innings Wednesday night at Suplizio Field, completing a four-game sweep.

The Rockies won the game in the bottom of the 11th. Robbie Perkins started the inning with an infield single to shortstop. Two batters later, Zach Osborne singled to right, putting runners on the corners. Raptors reliever Ricky Perez (1-1) intentionally walked Cesar Galvez to load the bases after Osborne took second on defensive indifference. Raimel Tapia then drew a bases-loaded walk to force home Perkins with the winning run.

The matchup was a back-and-forth affair featured eight lead changes and three ties. 

The Raptors had their biggest inning in the fifth, scoring five runs and bringing 10 batters to the plate. With the Raptors trailing 5-2, Adam Law doubled, and Jesmuel Valentin singled to start the inning. Two batters later, Joey Curletta was hit by a pitch on the back of the helmet to load the bases. Jesus Valdez then hit the Raptors' fourth grand slam of the season down the right-field line to take the lead. The home run was Valdez's ninth of the season. The Raptors added another on an RBI single from Zach Babitt to take a 7-5 lead.

Once the Raptors added a run in the sixth, the Rockies took the lead, 9-8, with four runs in the sixth, including one on another bases-loaded walk to Tapia. 

Ogden got it right back in the top of the seventh. Alex Santana and Austin Cowen singled to being the inning. Babitt drove them both in with a double into the right-field corner for a 10-9 lead. 

The Rockies tied it back up again in the bottom of the inning. Jairo Rosario singled and moved to second on a walk to Ryan Garvey. Osborne dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third. Galvez then drove in Rosario with a groundout to shortstop to tie the game, 10-10.

The Raptors got the lead again in the eighth. Pat Stover was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Two batters later, Valdez drove in his sixth run of the game with a double to right and gave the Raptors an 11-10 lead.

Grand Junction tied it again in the bottom of the ninth. Rosario walked, and two batters later, moved to second on a single by Osborne. Terry McClure then replaced Rosario as a pinch runner and scored on a single by Galvez to tie the game 11-11.

After a scoreless 10th, the Rockies scored in the 11th on the walk to Tapia for the win.

Carlos Estevez (5-1) earned the win with two scoreless innings.

The Raptors and Rockies combined for 23 runs, 33 hits, six errors and four blown saves. The Raptors set or tied season-highs for the longest game (three hours, 56 minutes and 11 innings), most players used (15) and most walks issued (nine). Individually, Valentin, Valdez, Santana and Jacob Scavuzzo tied the season-high for most at bats with six, and Valentin with four runs scored.

The Raptors will return home for the final homestand of the season, starting with a two-game series against the second-half champion Idaho Falls Chukars. Lefty Jake Fisher will start for Ogden against Yender Caramo. Game starts at 7:00 and can be heard on 97.5 The Zone.