Center fielder Reese Alexiades drove in five runs to help lead the Ogden Raptors to a 19-8 win over the Billings Mustangs on Thursday night at Lindquist Field.

First baseman Freddy Achecar hit 3 for 6 and drove in four, including a two-run homer that followed Alexiades’ three-run double to put Ogden ahead 6-0 in the first inning.

Jesus Valdez hit a three-run homer in the third inning to make it 13-1, his 20th homer of the season. Alejandro Rivero, an infielder in his second game with the Raptors after his recent release from the Cubs organization, followed with a solo homer to make it 14-1 after three innings.

An Alexiades RBI triple in the eighth capped the scoring at 19-8.

The Raptors used just two pitchers: Christian Day gave up five runs on eight hits in six innings, striking out five and walking five. Riley Ottesen closed the final three innings, allowing three runs on three hits, striking out three and walking one.

Jacob Kline homered twice, once off each pitcher, to drive in five for Billings.

The two teams play again at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

SOUTH PLAYOFFS SET

Grand Junction defeated Boise 2-0 to officially clinch the South Division second-half championship.

The South Division playoffs begin Monday, Sept. 12, as Ogden visits Grand Junction. The two teams then move the best-of-three series to Ogden. Game 2 is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, at Lindquist Field, with a repeat the next day if Game 3 is necessary.

TRANSACTIONS

The Raptors added two more players to the squad just before the transaction deadline Thursday: right-handed pitcher Homer Cruz, younger brother of Pirates phenom Oneil Cruz, has joined the staff. The 22-year-old was released by the White Sox organization last month after three seasons pitching at the Dominican, rookie and single-A levels.

Ogden also added Juan Sanchez, who, though there are many players by that name, appears to be a 21-year-old, left-handed pitcher — though the league does not list positions of players involved in transactions.

The Raptors released right-handed pitcher and Ogden native Evan Parker for the second time this season. He missed more than a month’s action to work on mechanics and, since his return, allowed seven runs in 3 1/3 innings. He’s been with the team since last season as an assistant coach and should remain in that role.

THURSDAY SCORES

Ogden 19, Billings 8

Grand Junction 2, Boise 0

Rocky Mountain 7, Northern Colorado 5

Idaho Falls 11, Great Falls 10 (via Knockout)

Missoula 8, Glacier 3

PIONEER LEAGUE STANDINGS

Second Half – 8 games left

NORTH DIVISION

*Missoula 28-12 (63-24 overall)

Billings 21-19 (46-40)

Idaho Falls 19-20 (46-41)

Glacier 18-21 (35-51)

Great Falls 17-21 (44-41)

SOUTH DIVISION

^Grand Junction 29-10 (55-32)

Rocky Mountain 20-19 (35-50)

*Ogden 20-20 (49-39)

Northern Colorado 15-25 (32-53)

Boise 10-29 (27-60)

*–1st-half champion

^–2nd-half champion

Newsletter