Owlz Offense Shut Out for First Time

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. -- Rain couldn't ruin the Rockies rhythm on the rubber, and they dealt devastating enough stuff to deal the Owlz their first shutout of the season.

The 3-0 loss is NoCo's (12-17) sixth loss in its last seven games.

Meanwhile, Grand Junction (17-15) has quietly won seven of its last 10 contests. On Thursday, its pitching quartet carved up NoCo to the tune of 10 strikeouts. It's the seventh time in eight games the Rockies racked up double-digit punch outs against these Owlz.

But Thursday turned into Grand Junction's grandest job yet. Of five hits given up, only one went for extra-bases. Only two Owlz advanced beyond second base the entire game. Izzy Fuentes (W, 2-3) fired off five strikeouts. The Rockies relievers combines to throw the same number, at the same time issuing only one walk.

On the other side, NoCo starter Tanner Schoeninger (L, 1-2) succumbed to some small ball in the second, surrendering his only run.

Josh Elvir singled to start that inning off, earning the Rockies' only hit off Schoeninger. Elvir stole second base, and then he moved to third on Shawn Ross' right-side groundout. After a 3-for-4 performance on Wednesday, Austin Elder delivered his first RBI of the series the next at-bat. The catcher cast a lead-grabbing groundout to put the Rockies up 1-0.

They took that lead into the top of the fourth. That's when a swift summer shower induced a half-hour hiatus.

When the rain had gone, the Owlz seemed to see clearly, and a clear opportunity cropped up quick. Brandon Crosby bopped a broken-bat stand up double down the third base line. But the next three Owlz went down in succession, stranding Crosby.  

So the Owlz left him hanging. And then the Rockies rocked a hanging curveball for a two-run round-tripper. It came courtesy of Casey Petersen, and it became the only blemish on an otherwise solid showing for Austin Schneider. The righty relieved Schoeninger and lasted five innings on Thursday, striking out five while walking three.

No doubt NoCo's best chance to crack the scoreboard occurred in the fifth. Back-to-back-to-back base runners brought a real threat. Robbie Kellerman walked to lead it off. Zach West whipped a quick single into right field. Alex Jackson offered to sacrifice himself with a bunt, but he out-hustled some hesitation and earned himself an infield hit.

Bases loaded, no outs, and no runs came of it. A strikeout and a double play immediately ousted any Owlz optimism.

Over the following four innings, just three Owlz reached base. Only one of them, Tim Bouchard, reached by recording a hit.

Other than that? Three fly outs, four ground outs, and five strikeouts for NoCo. Offensively, the club's collected just 10 total runs over their final five games in June.

Here's to a little more juice as July rolls around. The month's first matchup, a Friday night faceoff, is scheduled to see NoCo southpaw Will Buraconak versus Grand Junction's Jimmy Dobrash. First pitch from Suplizio Field is set for 6:35 p.m.