The Billings Mustangs have opened a six-game series by scoring 51 runs after walloping the Ogden Raptors 28-11 on Wednesday night at Lindquist Field.

The Raptors (45-41, 14-24), reeling with a string of injuries and other issues on their pitching staff, got out to a 4-0 lead in the first with the help of RBI singles from Jonathan Soto and Dakota Conners.

But things fell apart for Ogden after starter Foster Pace handed the ball to Chase Stratton with a 4-1 lead. Stratton allowed 10 runs in 2/3 of an inning. Gabe Wurtz hit a three-run homer to left field to cap the onslaught and make the game 11-4.

A two-run single from Rafael Narea helped make the score 11-7 in the bottom of the third but Billings (43-43, 24-14) — winners of nine straight and 1 1/2 games out of first place in the North Division while trying to rally to a playoff spot — would not stop.

Connor Denning launched a three-run homer as part of a seven-run fourth to make the score 18-7.

Soto helped get some back for Ogden in the bottom of the fourth, blasting a three-run homer to right field to get it to 18-10.

It didn’t matter. Wurtz homered for the second time of the night in the fifth by crushing a moonshot over the scoreboard in left field that disappeared into the dark night, putting the Mustangs up 21-10.

Wurtz had six RBIs, Denning five and Billings shortstop Blake Evans hit 5 for 7 with five RBIs.

Soto and Josh Broughton each had three hits for Ogden. The Raptors threw position players Chuck Steele (two innings) and Rafael Narea (one inning) to close the game on the mound.

The series continues Thursday through Sunday at Lindquist Field.

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