Idaho Falls 8, Ogden 5

The Idaho Falls Chukars rallied to defeat the Ogden Raptors 8-5 Tuesday night at Melalecua Field. All five runs scored by Ogden came in the first inning, while the Chukars were able to put together several scoring innings on the way to a win in the series opener.

The five runs given up in the first inning came off of Chukars' starter Santiago Garrido. Garrido pitched two scoreless innings after that, left with the Chukars trailing 5-3. The three early runs for I.F. came in the bottom of the first inning, when the Chukars got the inning going with three straight singles, which were followed by a walk and an error. The Chukars tied the game in the fifth inning off of doubles by J.D. Alfaro and Ryan Stovall and singles by Julio Aparicio and Joey Lewis. With two outs and a runner at first base in the seventh Aparicio tripled to leftfield to score what proved to be the game winning run. Aparicio would also score that inning after a wild pitch. The Chukars added a run in the eighth thanks to an RBI single by Tito Espinosa.

The Chukars finished with 14 hits and five players had a multi-hit game for Idaho Falls, including the first four batters in the order. Lead-off man Hilton Richardson led the way with a 3 for 4 game. Angel Franco and Alfaro both went 2 for 5, while Espinosa and Aparicio went 2 for 4. Eight of the nine hitters in the order had at least one hit and the Chukars also stole three bases.

After Garrido left the game Scott Kelley came in and dominated the Raptors. Kelley had six strikeouts during four and a third scoreless innings. While Kelley was on the mound he allowed only three hits and walked no batter. Patrick Keating tossed an inning and two thirds without allowing a run to earn his eighth save.

The Chukars and Raptors play game two of the three-game series at Melaleuca Field Wednesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15.