GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The Grand Junction Rockies erupted for seven runs in the first two innings and never looked back, as they cruised to an easy 12-1 Pioneer League Baseball win over the Billings Mustangs on Monday night.
Max George opened the scoring with a single to center, but that was only the beginning of a big first inning in Colorado. Before the opening frame was done, Walking Cabrera, Owen Taylor and Reese Berberet each added RBI singles as the Rockies took a 4-0 lead to the second.
That early momentum carried over to the bottom of the second as Colin Simpson blasted a two-RBI triple and George capped the rally with an RBI double for a quick 7-0 lead.
Grand Junction added a run in the fourth, three runs in the fifth and one in the seventh as they put up 12 runs on 13 hits.
George, Simpson and Jack Yalowitz all led the way with two RBI each, while Helcris Olivarez pitched five shutout innings for his second win of the season.
Billings scored its only run of the game with two outs in the ninth inning on a single from James Free.
The Mustangs are now 12-17 on the season, while the Rockies improved to 15-14. Game 3 of the four-game series is scheduled for Tuesday at 6:40 p.m.
