(Mustangs media release)
BILLINGS – The Billings Mustangs (13-18) clinched the series win over the Orem Owlz (9-22) on Monday with an 8-4 victory in front of 2,629 at Dehler Park.
Billings would take an early lead and never trail in the game, knocking Orem starter Cody Eckerson (0-2) out of the game in the fourth. Dylan Harris led off the second with a single and scored on Urwin Juaquin’s RBI single. The Mustangs would get a leadoff man aboard in six consecutive innings to start the game. Five hitters would have multi-hit games including the first multi-hit games of the year for Juaquin and Michael Spooner.
The Owlz managed to briefly tie the game with an unearned run in the third off Luis Alecis (2-2). After Mario Sanjur’s leadoff single, he would score two batters later on an error. It would be the only run surrendered by Alecis in another outstanding outing. He matched his career-high with seven innings of work, giving up just one run on two hits while striking out a career-best 11 batters. He would retire 13 of the last 14 he saw. He is the only Mustang pitcher to go seven innings this season and he has now done it on two separate occasions.
The Mustangs blew the game open in the fourth in a six-run inning. The first six to the plate would reach including an RBI single from Spooner and doubles from Juan Martinez and Nadir Ljatifi. Spooner finished 2-for-4 with a double, two runs and an RBI.
Orem scored thee of their four runs over the final two innings, but it was too little, too late.
The Mustangs have now won four of their last five games and finished their seven-game homestand 4-3. They now head out on a seven-game road trip which will take them to the Southern Division for the first time this year. The trip begins with a three-game series in Grand Junction against the Rockies. First pitch on Wednesday from Suplizio Field is set for 6:40 p.m.
