By THE SPORTS DESK
Following a four-game winning streak, the Orem Owlz came back to earth on Monday in a 6-4 loss to the Missoula Osprey in Missoula, Mont.
The loss dropped the Owlz to 9-11 and into a tie for last place in the Pioneer League Southern Division, while Missoula improved to 5-14.
Orem had a chance to score first when Bradley Coon reached third base with two outs in the top of the first inning. But Dallas Morris struck out swinging, ending the threat.
The Osprey then took advantage and grabbed the early lead, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first on a two-run homer by Osvaldo Diaz.
Trailing 3-2 going into the fifth inning, the Owlz used the double steal strategy to tie the game up. With Brett Martinez at third and Colby Overstreet at first, both stole their respective bases safely.
Missoula wouldn?t be fazed, however, and added two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh to create some distance. The Owlz scored another run in the eighth, but it wasn?t enough to catch the Osprey.
Lennyn Morillo (0-2) took the loss for Orem, giving up three hits and two runs ? one earned ? during one inning of work in middle relief.
On the opposite side, Missoula benefited from strong efforts from its three pitchers. Starter Ramon Sanchez went five innings, striking out nine while giving up seven hits and three runs. Reliever Vince Davis earned his first win of the season, going 2 1/3 innings and giving up just one earned run and four hits. Eduardo Baeza came in for the final 1 2/3 innings and held Orem hitless down the stretch to earn the victory.
Missoula and Orem play the third in a four-game series in Missoula, Mont., tonight at 7 p.m.