Sargent’s big swing lifts Ogden Raptors to another big 8th, comeback win over Vibes

Kevin Johnson, Ogden Raptors
Ogden Raptors catcher Chris Sargent swings at a pitch Monday, July 15, 2024, at Lindquist Field in Ogden.OGDEN — Lightning seems to strike often for the Ogden Raptors in final at-bats.
One night after turning a two-run deficit into victory with three runs in the eighth, the home team upped the ante.
Chris Sargent’s soaring triple off the wall in center field scored three runs, capped a seven-run eighth inning and lifted Ogden to a 12-11 victory over the Rocky Mountain Vibes on Tuesday at Lindquist Field.
It’s the third time in the last five games Ogden has won in its final at-bat (six runs Friday at Missoula, three runs Monday against Rocky Mountain, and seven runs Tuesday).
Brayden Bonner got the save for the second straight night, allowing a two-out single but facing four batters and ending the game with a flyout.
Ogden (24-26, 2-0 second half) and Rocky Mountain (21-27, 0-2) finish the three-game set at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, then travel to Colorado Springs for three more games Friday though Sunday.
Tuesday’s game began just like Monday’s, too, with the Vibes taking an early 4-0 lead. Dane Tofteland put down an RBI safety squeeze bunt, and Brett Carson lifted a three-run homer to left field in the first inning.
Rafael Vazquez settled in on the mound for Ogden, cruising through the next four innings. But Ogden still trailed, 4-1, after adding a solo homer from infielder Raymond Gil.
It fell apart for Vazquez in the sixth. Rocky Mountain began the inning with three straight hits, a Vazquez throwing error compounded his problems and the Vibes went up 8-1.
Ogden got a gift back in the bottom half of the sixth when shortstop Josh Day airmailed a throw to first on an attempted double-play turn, allowing two Raptors to score. That set up Gil for his second homer of the night — a two-run, 408-foot homer to right to make the score 8-5.
Gil is now fifth in the Pioneer League with 14 home runs.
With Gabriel Pacheco on the mound, Vibes outfielder Steven Rivas smoked a 444-foot solo shot to right in the seventh, and another throwing error from the pitcher’s spot pushed across one more run to put the visitors ahead 10-5.
Rivas has 18 home runs, good for second in the league. Missoula’s Adam Fogel hit his 24th homer Tuesday.
When Josh Day doubled to bring home his pinch-running brother Christian Day in the top of the eighth, it felt like insult to injury by creating an 11-5 Vibes advantage.
Somehow, Ogden rallied for seven in the bottom half of the eighth, all with two outs.
The Raptors got two runners on and Rocky Mountain went to Jaxon O’Neal, the same lefty who gave up Monday’s lead in the eighth. O’Neal recorded two quick outs, then walked Kenny Oyama to load the bases.
O’Neal gave the ball to Bryson Spagnuolo and Raptors veteran Landen Barns welcomed him with a two-run single to make it 11-7.
On a full count, Ogden’s Elliott Good took ball four to again load the bases; Trackman’s automated balls and strikes system showed the pitch was a strike at the top of the zone, which would have ended the inning, but the Vibes did not call for a review despite having challenges left.
Center fielder Jack Cone promptly roped a double to the right-field corner, scoring two more for an 11-9 margin.
Cole Jordan patiently drew a walk to load the bases for Sargent, who delivered with his triple to center, hitting midway up the fence over a leaping Carson’s glove.