The Ogden Raptors led Billings 3-1 going to the seventh inning following a stellar six innings from starting pitcher Polo Portela.

Billings patiently waited until it could take a crack at Ogden’s bullpen, scored three runs across the seventh and eighth innings and sent Ogden to a 4-3 loss.

Logan Williams’ RBI single and Jesus Valdez’s two-run homer had given the Raptors a 3-1 lead and a good cushion for Portela to work with.

Like the NBA’s Golden State Warriors learned in the 2016 NBA Finals, a 3-1 lead is fragile.

Andrew Fernandez scored an unearned run for Billings in the seventh to cut the Ogden lead to 3-2, then Gabe Wurtz hit an RBI single to tie the game.

In the eighth, Abraham Mow single to put the Mustangs up 4-3. Pat Adams finished 3 for 5 at the plate for Ogden and Reese Alexiades hit a double.

Adams hit a two-out single in the bottom of the ninth, but Valdez grounded out to end the game.

Ogden batted 2 for 8 with runners in scoring position while Billings hit 4 for 10 with RISP.

WEDNESDAY SCORES

Billings 4, Ogden 3

Grand Junction 7, Boise 6

Northern Colorado 9, Rocky Mountain 6

Great Falls 9, Idaho Falls 3

Missoula 6, Glacier 5 (via Knockout)

PIONEER LEAGUE STANDINGS

Second Half – 9 games left

NORTH DIVISION

*Missoula 27-12 (62-24 overall)

Billings 21-18 (46-39)

Idaho Falls 18-20 (45-41)

Glacier 18-20 (35-50)

Great Falls 17-20 (44-40)

SOUTH DIVISION

Grand Junction 28-10 (54-32)

Rocky Mountain 19-19 (34-50)

*Ogden 19-20 (48-39)

Northern Colorado 15-24 (32-52)

Boise 10-28 (27-59)

*-indicates 1st-half champion

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