The Ogden Raptors jumped to an early lead Friday against the Missoula Paddleheads but, despite some of the best pitching of the season, lost 6-2 in a relative pitchers’ duel at Lindquist Field.

The Raptors (1-9) scored on a fielder’s choice from Chris Sargent and an RBI groundout by Pearce Howard in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead.

Big righty Matthew Hess allowed just three hits in his start for Ogden, but all three were solo home runs: to Roberto Peña in the second inning, and Kamron Willman and Adam Fogel in the third inning.

Hess took the loss, striking out three and walking three, in his four innings.

Alfredo Villa settled in for Missoula (8-2) after the first-inning runs and polished off his gem of a win with a 1-2-3 seventh inning. Villa allowed six hits while striking out nine and walking zero.

Ogden’s top bullpen trio cruised to finish the game. Christian Griffin (1 1/3 innings), Bruce Yamamoto (one inning) and Quinn Waterhouse (one inning) each struck out one, walked one and allowed zero hits to close for the Raptors. Missoula had just one more hit after the trio of homers.

But after Villa’s strong seven, Arman Sabouri and Andrew Garcia allowed just one baserunner, on an error, while striking out two.

Ogden spread its six singles across six different players. Though Missoula totaled just four hits, its pitchers walked or hit zero batters, while Raptors pitchers totaled eight walks and two hit-by-pitch batters.

The series concludes with a game at 6:30 p.m. Saturday and the finale at 2 p.m. Sunday.