Owlz drop clincher as Raptors tie series

OREM, Utah-The Orem Owlz failed to close out the Ogden Raptors in Game 2 of the Pioneer League Semifinals Saturday. The Raptors posted a six-run sixth as Luis Paz hit his third homer in two days in a 7-4 win over the Owlz. Kienner Pina led the Owlz with three RBIs.

D.J. Peters sparked the Raptors (1-1) in the fourth as he hit a sharp ground ball at third baseman Jose Rojas. The ball deflected off Rojas' glove directly to shortstop Keith Grieshaber, whose throw to first pulled Nick Flair off the bag and Peters reached safely. Peters stole second on a 1-0 count to Paz, who then flied out to center and advanced Peters to third. Brandon Montgomery then singled to drive in Peters for a 1-0 Ogden lead.

The Owlz (1-1) answered in the bottom of the fourth as they loaded the bases after two errors and a walk. Kienner Pina ripped a double down the third base line to clear the bases for a 3-1 lead for the Owlz. Pina ended the inning stranded on third as L.J. Kalawaia grounded out to shortstop.

The Raptors batted around in the sixth inning, including a three-run homer to center by Paz. Moises Perez capped the inning for Ogden as he crushed a two-run triple to the fence in center for a 7-3 lead.

Despite Pina's three-run double, the Owlz missed chances with runners in scoring position and finished the day 1-for-10 in such opportunities.

Nick Flair put the Owlz within 7-4 in the eighth after a pair of productive outs by John Schuknecht and Brennan Morgan brought him around to score from second. Zach Gibbons stepped up representing the tying run in the ninth with two on and two out, but lined out to left to end the game.

The Owlz and Raptors will play a decisive Game 3 Sunday at 4:05 p.m. MT at the Home of the Owlz.