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Raptors outmuscle Voyagers to take series

By Brett Hein, Standard-Examiner Correspondent - | Jul 18, 2014

OGDEN – As the Ogden Raptors left the field on Friday night, the players, after seeing how many fans were sticking around, asked each other, “Is it a fireworks night tonight?”

But the fireworks show had already occurred as Justin Chigbogu and the Raptors turned Lindquist Field into a launching pad, downing the Great Falls Voyagers 10-8 to win on consecutive nights for the first time since July 1-2.

Chigbogu blasted three home runs and drove in four as the Raptors outslugged the Voyagers. The designated hitter began Ogden’s scoring with a solo shot in the first inning, homered again in the fifth, and then brought the crowd of 3,940 to its feet with a two-run homer in the seventh inning.

“Today was a great day, it felt good today,” Chigbogu told MiLB.com on the phone after the game. “I go up to every at-bat, ‘see fastball, hit fastball,’ and I’m going to keep on doing it.”

Chigbogu accounted for three of Ogden’s six home runs on the night. First baseman Cody Bellinger, back in Ogden after a rehab stint in the Arizona League, lined a home run in the second inning and also doubled twice, scoring three runs.

John Cannon and right fielder Brian Wolfe also had solo home runs for the Raptors.

“It was just a great feeling,” Chigbogu said, who increased his batting average from .269 to .296 with his 4-for-4 performance. “Today was just awesome. Everybody hit the ball today.”

Great Falls got home runs from Chevy Clarke and Zach Fisher in the eighth and ninth innings as the Voyagers attempted to rally back from Ogden’s onslaught.

After Ogden reliever Lenix Osuna gave up the home run to Fisher and put two more runners on in the ninth, left-hander Billy Flamion slammed the door on Great Falls by recording a strikeout and inducing a double play to end the game.

Trevor Oaks pitched 3 1/3 solid innings of relief for Ogden after the Raptors fell behind early, allowing only one hit and striking out three.

The offensive display produced 14 extra-base hits of the 27 total hits between both teams.

Ogden remains home and welcomes the Billings Mustangs at 7 p.m. on Saturday night for the first of a four-game series.

Follow coverage of the Raptors on Twitter at @RaptorsSE

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