The Ogden Raptors got the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning at Grand Junction but otherwise, the visitors have netted just six runs in the last 23 innings and the Rockies took the third-straight game in the series, winning 7-3 on Friday night and creating a tie at the top of the Pioneer League South Division.

With both teams holding a 14-13 record and Grand Junction now up 6-3 in the head-to-head series, the Rockies are technically now in first place — though there are still 21 games left in the first half.

Outfielder Josh Broughton has found new life at the plate after assuming Ogden’s leadoff spot and, until the ninth inning, had the Raptors’ only two RBIs on Friday night. Broughton homered to center in the first to put Ogden up 1-0, then cut into a deficit by driving in a doubling Andrew Noviello with a single in the fourth to make it 4-2.

With two starting pitchers recently either traded or signed to affiliated ball, and in the midst of an eight-game series over six days, Ogden has needed some creativity on the mound. That meant University of Utah alum Riley Ottesen got his first start Friday and he threw well until the third inning when Grand Junction tagged him for four runs.

In consecutive at-bats, Caleb Farmer doubled in a pair, Casey Petersen hit a triple to score Farmer and Shawn Ross singled to plate Petersen for a 4-1 lead after that frame.

Tom Walker took over for Ottesen and he threw well until his fourth inning of work when he gave up two runs in the seventh.

With two outs in the top of the ninth inning and trailing 7-2, Ogden applied some pressure without recording a hit. Ogden outfielder Pat Adams reached via error against GJ reliever Josh Ibarra, and Ibarra then walked Reese Alexiades, hit Jesus Valdez and then walked a patient Freddy Achecar after going up 1-2 in the count to push across a run.

With Dakota Conners representing the tying run at the plate, the Rockies inserted Trevin Reynolds to clean up the mess and he induced a harmless grounder to shortstop to end the game.

Broughton, Adams and Noviello each totaled two hits for Ogden.

The two teams play a doubleheader of seven-inning games at 4 p.m. Saturday and then close the series at 3:35 p.m. Sunday.

FRIDAY SCORES

Grand Junction 7, Ogden 3

Rocky Mountain 15, Northern Colorado 2

Missoula 6, Great Falls 4

Idaho Falls 6, Glacier 3

PIONEER LEAGUE STANDINGS

Through June 24

NORTH DIVISION

Missoula 18-9

Idaho Falls 17-10

Great Falls 17-11

Billings 13-11

Glacier 11-16

SOUTH DIVISON

Grand Junction 14-13

Ogden 14-13

Northern Colorado 11-14

Boise 10-16

Rocky Mountain 7-19

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