By Steven Barrus
The Provo Angels got back on the winning track July 22 in a 7-5 win over the Missoula Osprey at Miller Field.
After falling behind 4-1 in the second inning, the Angels scored runs in the next three innings to earn the comeback win.
Although Angels starting pitcher Leonardo D”Amico started strong early on, he ran into trouble in the second inning, allowing two doubles and three singles to put Provo in an early hole.
“Starting pitching is our Achilles heel,” said manager Tom Kotchman. “We can”t give up four, five, six runs early.”
The Angels got a much-needed pitching boost in the fifth inning from reliever Justin Fuller.
Fuller”s one-hit, four-strikeout effort in three innings pitched was “the one positive thing” for Angels pitching, Kotchman said.
“I got the job done,” Fuller said. “That”s all you can ask from a coaching standpoint.”
His third win of the season puts him among the league leaders.
Provo jumped out to an early lead in the first inning when third baseman Jake Mathis hit a double that scored catcher Alex Dvorsky from second base.
Mathis missed six weeks with a broken wrist before coming back on July 3.
In nine games since his return Mathis is batting .296 with seven RBIs.
He brought the total to nine in the Missoula game.
“The ball looks big right now to me,” he said.
Provo scored two runs in the bottom of the third to spark the comeback.
With one out, Dvorsky walked on five pitches and advanced to second on a wild pitch to Mathis.
Mathis then hit a grounder that pushed Osprey first baseman Jeff Stanek deep behind the base.
Mathis plowed through pitcher John Allender, who was covering first, and allowed Dvorksy to score.
Provo left fielder Jason Sugden doubled to left and scored Mathis.
The offensive surge continued in the fourth as Provo picked up three more runs and went ahead for good.
With centerfielder Quan Cosby on first base in the bottom of the inning, shortstop Eric Aybar walked.
Dvorsky”s two-out liner to center field dropped in for a single to score Aybar after a close play at home.
Mathis came to the plate after Ryan Kenning drew the walk that finished the night for Allender.
He delivered a single to left field, his second RBI of the night, and gave Provo the lead.
“I”m finding my swing finally,” Mathis said of his 2-for-5 night at the plate.
The Angels continue the three-game series with Missoula July 23 and 24 at Miller Park. Both games start at 7:05 p.m.
