(Billings Mustangs release)
OREM, Utah – The Billings Mustangs (13-23) lost their fifth consecutive game on Sunday in a 12-7 loss to the Orem Owlz (12-24) in front of 654 at UCCU Ballpark.
The Owlz ripped out to an early lead scoring 10 runs over the first four innings of the game. Luis Alecis (2-3) would be knocked out early after surrendering 10 runs on nine hits, setting new season-highs in runs allowed and hits.
The first two hitters in the Orem order would not be retired in the first four innings of the game. Livan Soto and Mitch Spires combined to go 6-for-6 with six runs scored in that time. Spires added in his third home run of the season. Both players would go 4-for-5 in the game scoring three runs each.
Trailing 10-1 after the fourth, the Mustangs would make it interesting again with six unanswered runs between the fifth and eighth. Drew Mount hit his fourth home run of the year in the game, tying him for the team lead with Bren Spillane. Mount has now homered in consecutive days, the second Mustang to do that this road trip. Cash Case also added in a two-RBI triple, his first extra-base hit since being promoted to the Mustangs earlier this season.
After closing the gap to 10-7 and putting the tying run at the plate in the eighth, the Mustangs surrendered two late runs to give Orem a decisive 12-7 lead into the ninth. Orem set a new high for an opponent with 17 hits.
The Mustangs have now lost five straight games, their longest losing streak of the season, to drop to 10 games below .500 on the year.
The Mustangs and Owlz will face off in game three of their four-game series Monday at UCCU Ballpark. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
