OGDEN — The Billings Mustangs took an early lead Saturday and had small answers for every time the Ogden Raptors crept back into the game.

That is, until one big answer: a 10-run, top-half of the eighth inning that seemed to last for an eternity (it was at least 50 minutes) that propelled Billings to its second straight blowout win, a 16-4 victory at Lindquist Field to earn a 3-3 series split in Ogden’s regular-season home finale.

Jordan Barth homered twice for Billings, including a three-run shot during the big eighth. The Mustangs totaled 17 hits and drew 12 walks.

Ogden used eight pitchers and hit batters with the bases-loaded twice, and issued a bases-loaded walk once.

After his recent release from the White Sox organization, Homer Cruz got the start in his Ogden debut and avoided big innings but, after giving up two runs in the third, was pulled with Ogden down 4-0. Alberto Gonzalez (2 innings) and Jake Mulholland (1 1/3) turned in scoreless work to help the Raptors stay in the game.

Josh Broughton hit a solo homer down the left-field line in the fifth to make it 4-2.

Sonny Ulliana hit a solo home run in the seventh, then Freddy Achecar and Broughton singled, the latter driving in the former, to make it a 6-4 game.

That’s when Billings sent 16 batters to the plate in the eighth, scoring four runs against Adam Scoggins and six against Miguel Cirino. Six of the runs came with two outs as a dwindling crowd became restless. Jackson Lancaster put an end to the suffering, recording the inning’s final out only after walking two batters.

Outfielder Pat Adams pitched the ninth for Ogden, pitching around one hit and one walk for a scoreless frame.

Ogden uses a travel day Sunday as it goes east for a six-game series against the Northern Colorado Owlz to end the regular season. That begins at 1:05 p.m. Monday.

The Raptors open the South Division playoffs Monday, Sept. 12, in Grand Junction. Game 2 is Wednesday, Sept. 14, in Ogden. Game 3, if necessary, is Sept. 15 in Ogden.

SATURDAY SCORES

Billings 16, Ogden 4

Rocky Mountain 4, Northern Colorado 3

Grand Junction 8, Boise 7

Idaho Falls 18, Great Falls 9

Missoula 12, Glacier 7

PIONEER LEAGUE STANDINGS

Second Half – 6 games left

NORTH DIVISION

*^Missoula 30-12 (65-24 overall)

Billings 23-19 (48-40)

Idaho Falls 21-20 (48-41)

Glacier 18-23 (35-53)

Great Falls 17-23 (44-43)

SOUTH DIVISION

^Grand Junction 31-10 (57-32)

Rocky Mountain 21-20 (36-51)

*Ogden 20-22 (49-41)

Northern Colorado 16-26 (33-54)

Boise 10-31 (27-62)

*-1st-half champion

^-2nd-half champion

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