MISSOULA — The Ogden Raptors appear to be playing at a different level than the rest of the Pioneer League. The proof continued Tuesday night at Ogren Park Allegiance Field.
The first-place Raptors took down the Missoula Osprey for a third straight night, 9-6, to extend their commanding lead in the South division, improving their first-half record to 24-6. The Osprey remain in the running for a first-half North title, falling to 15-15.
A two-run home run by Sauryn Lao, his first of the year, landed on the railroad tracks past the wall in right field and gave the Raptors a 3-0 lead quickly in the top of the first inning. Missoula scored one on broken-bat groundout by Spencer Brickhouse in the bottom of the inning.
The game remained 3-1 into the fifth. Then the Raptors scored four more, highlighted by a double down the third-base line by Brandon Lewis that scored two.
Missoula started climbing back on a Carson Maxwell home run in the bottom of the fifth, along with a ground-rule double by Francis Martinez. Two more sac flies in the sixth brought the Osprey back within 7-5.
Ogden scored two more in the top of the seventh to extend the lead. A Martinez home run in the seventh made for the final run of the game.
The Osprey will try to avoid a four-game sweep versus the Raptors at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday in Ogren Park Allegiance Field.
