(Billings Mustangs release)
OGDEN, Utah – The Billings Mustangs (15-5, 30-28) overcame an early 4-0 deficit to beat the Ogden Raptors (11-10, 37-22) 6-4 in front of 4,653 at Lindquist Field.
Ogden came out of the gates with big hits, cranking two home runs in the first two innings. Ronny Brito had a three-run homer in the first and Eric Peterson contributed a solo shot in the second to give Ogden a 4-0 lead after two.
Orlandy Navarro made his first start of the year for the Raptors, going three shutout innings before his night ended. He would strike out two and face the minimum.
After a rough first two innings, Ricky Salinas settled in nicely to throw three shutout frames to close out his start as he retired the final seven batters he faced.
The Mustangs first got on the board in the fourth with a run on just one hit. Cash Case was hit by a pitch and advanced to third after the first of two errors by Marcus Chiu. Case would score on a Pabel Manzanero sacrifice. It was the first of two RBI Saturday for Manzanero.
Drew Mount singled in a run in the sixth to cut the Raptors lead to two at 4-2. Mount again had a big night, going 3-for-4 with a double, run and a run batted in. He has six hits in his last two games.
Trailing 4-3 into the eighth inning, the Mustangs grabbed their first and only lead of the game with three runs on three hits, all of which were doubles. With one out, Mount started the rally with a double to left. He then immediately scored on Manzanero’s double to tie the game. Bren Spillane was intentionally walked to get to Dylan Harris with two on and one out. Harris lined a double over Niko Hulsizer’s head to score Spillane all the way from first and give the Mustangs a 6-4 advantage.
The Raptors threatened late with the tying run in scoring position in both the eighth and ninth innings, but the Billings bullpen again proved too much for the Raptors to handle.
Jake Wyrick (1-1) earned his first professional win in two innings of shutout relief. He would strike out a season-high five batters in that time. He was backed up by scoreless outings from Moises Nova and Ryan Dunne. Dunne earned his team-best third save in a scoreless ninth.
The Mustangs are now 5-1 on the year against the Raptors and can look for the series sweep Sunday at Lindquist Field. First pitch is set for 4:00 p.m.
