Vibes Left 90 Feet Short in 4-3 Loss

By Tyler Petersen

Colorado Springs, Colo. –  The Vibes had the tying run on third base with two outs in the bottom of the ninth but were unable to bring him home in their second straight loss to the Billings Mustangs.

It was a close, competitive game from the word go. A pitcher's duel early, Jorge Leo and Darrien Ragins both put in effective starts on Thursday evening. Leo only allowed two earned runs on four hits in the five innings he pitched tonight. He has now allowed three earned runs or fewer in all four starts he's made this season.

Ulysses Cantu opened the scoring in the first inning, doubling in Gio Diaz who reached on a leadoff walk. Rocky Mountain scored two more in the bottom of the fourth thanks to an RBI double by Josh Glenn and an RBI single by Brandon Perez.

The Mustangs would tie the game at three in the fifth, with one of the runs scoring on an errant throw by Joseph Encarnacion. Except for that throw, Encarnacion had another great game defensively. On one play he dove at full extension behind second base to stop a groundball then flipped the back backhanded to Ethan Lopez who caught the ball with his bare hand for the out at second.

Billings would take the lead in the seventh inning on an RBI single by Crews Taylor off Vibes reliever Armando Valle. Valle struck out four batters in the two innings he was in.

The score would remain 4-3 into the bottom of the ninth. Like the start of the game, Gio Diaz worked a leadoff walk. Billings manager Jim Riggleman then went to the bullpen for reliever Al Pesto. Pesto faced Andrew Hanson first. Hanson would strikeout but Diaz stole second on the play.

Man at second, one out.

Pesto then faced Ulysses Cantu. Cantu grounded out to the right side which pushed Diaz over to third.

Man at third, two outs.

Then Pesto faced Domonique Hernandez. Pesto got the call on a fastball at the knees for strike three and the game was over.

The Vibes are back at it tomorrow with Southern Division Pitcher of the Week Yohandry Perez on the mound in game three of the series.

We've got a full slate of promotions for the rest of the series! Friday it's Rodeo Night with postgame fireworks! Saturday it's Marvel Superheroes night! Monday it's our Fourth of July fireworks spectacular, the biggest fireworks show all year!

So whether you are coming for the fireworks, want to dress up as your favorite super hero, or just want to try to canoodle on the kiss cam, we'd love to see out at UCHealth Park for the rest of the series!