Perez Dazzles, Davis Saves the Show in Dramatic Win

By Tyler Petersen

Colorado Springs, Colo. –  An outstanding performance by Yohandry Perez led the way for the Vibes in a 4-3 victory over the Billings Mustangs on Friday night.

Perez held the Mustangs to just two hits through seven shutout innings while striking out a season-high nine batters. It's the third straight start where he has gone at least 6.2 innings and allowing one or fewer earned runs to the opposition. He now leads the Pioneer League in strikeouts with 41 Ks.

He was matched pitch-for-pitch early on by Mustangs starter Yasnier Laureano who kept the Vibes without a hit until a Mike Annone single in the bottom of the fourth. Then, with men on first and third, Domonique Hernandez ripped a triple to right-center and drove home the first two runs of the ballgame. Joseph Encarnacion followed with an RBI single in the next at-bat and it was 3-0 Vibes after four innings.

It would remain that way until the bottom of the seventh, when the Vibes would score another run on three Billings errors in the inning.

The tranquility of the 4-0 lead was shattered in the top of the eighth though as the Mustangs scored three runs off reliever Jesus Valenzuela. Seth Davis came on and got the final two outs of the inning. The game went to the final frame with the lead intact.

In the ninth, Davis first faced Jacob Kline who drew a leadoff walk. When Aidan Nagle squared around to bunt for Billings, Davis used a very deceptive move to pick off Kline at first for the first out. Nagle flied out to left, then Mason Dinesen singled to left.

With a runner on first and two outs, Davis struck out Crews Taylor looking to end the ballgame. Davis picks up his first save of the season, a save which kept Perez's win intact, by getting the final five outs of the game.

"It felt good to lock it down," Davis said after the game. "We needed that win man."

The Vibes ended a small two-game losing streak.

Perez is likely on his way to a second consecutive honor as Southern Division Pitcher of the Week after tonight's performance.

Rocky Mountain looks to ties up the series with a win tomorrow, Brock Knoten will make his second start for the Vibes and will be opposed by a familiar face, former Vibe Jean Correa. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 pm.