(Mustangs media release)
OREM, Utah – The Billings Mustangs (14-23) snapped their five-game losing streak with a 10-8 victory over the Orem Owlz (12-25) in front of 1,738 at UCCU Ballpark in Orem.
The Mustangs opened the scoring in the second with two runs on four hits off Orem starter Cole Duensing (0-6). Bren Spillane and Dylan Harris hit consecutive singles to start the inning and both would score. Harris has now hit in seven consecutive games. Spillane scored three of the 10 Mustangs runs on Monday, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two walks.
Billings added on three more runs in the third after back-to-back home runs from Pabel Manzanero and Spillane. Manzanero hit two homers in the game, becoming the first Mustang to accomplish that feat this season. He finished 3-for-5 with two homers and a double, scoring two runs and hitting in three more. He is 12-for-19 in his last four games and has had at least 3 hits in all four of those games.
Ricky Salinas (2-2) struck out a season-high seven batters in the start, going five innings and walking just one.
The Owlz climbed to within one run after the fourth before the Mustangs blew it open. The visitors would plate five runs in the fifth, including the second Manzanero homer of the night and Carlos Rivero’s third hit of the game. It was the first time Rivero had three hits in a game this season.
Orem tried to climb back over the back half of the game, scoring the final four runs on the night to draw within two at 10-8. Andrew McDonald denied them the comeback by retiring the last six batters of the night to earn his first professional save.
The Mustangs will finish off their seven-game road trip Tuesday at UCCU Ballpark against the Owlz. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
