Ghosts fall short in series finale at Ogden

The Ghosts dropped their first series of the 2010 season on Monday night with a 7-4 loss to the Ogden Raptors in front of 2,842 fans at Linquist Field

The Raptors took the lead in the third against Albert Campos. With two outs, Chance Gillmore singled, then Jake Lemmerman reached on an error. After that Mike Pericht worked a walk, and then Jonathan Garcia made the Ghosts pay by hitting a grand slam over the wall in left field to give them a 4-0 lead.

However, before you knew it, the Ghosts had tied the game after batting around in the top of the fourth. Christhian Adames led off the inning with a walk, and would get to third on a double by Corey Dickerson. Adames would score on a wild pitch, and with one out, Dickerson would score on a single by Blake McDade. That made it 4-2 Raptors. With 2-outs, Juan Crousset would single to get McDade to second, then the Ghosts would load the bases, and the Ghost would tie the game when David Hernadez would reach on an error by the second baseman Casio Grider, but as quick as they tied, the Raptors regained the lead even quicker.

Steve Domecus would homer to left field on the first pitch of the bottom of the fourth to give the Raptors a 5-4 lead, and they would add two more in the 6th to make it 7-4.

The Ghosts would have chances in both the 7th and 8th, but could not push across another run.

The loss drops them to 5-3 on the season, and they finish the first road trip of the season at 3-2.

The Ghosts return home on Tuesday night for the first game of a seven game homestand against the Idaho Falls Chukars. Tyler Gagnon gets the start for the Ghosts opposite lefty Scott Alexander.

Ghosts break out the big bats in win over Ogden

The Casper Ghosts pounded out a season high 15 on a season high 21 hits to hammer the Ogden Raptors 15-9 to gain a split of the first two games of a three game series in front of 2,525 at Lindquist Field. The win assures the Ghosts of a winning road trip.

After the Raptors took a 1-0 lead in the first, the Ghosts bats got to work in a big way. With one out, Robert De La Cruz worked a walk, that would start a string of nine straight Ghost hitters reaching base. By the time the inning was over, the Ghosts had knocked out starter Carlos Frias, and scored six runs on seven hits, to grab a 6-1 lead. In the inning, Corey Dickerson would hit his third homer in as many games, and Brett Tanos followed him with his first. Dickerson would finish the game 3-for-6 with a homer and four RBI. He has now driven in 11 runs in the first four games of the road trip. Tanos went 3-for-4, and was a triple shy of the cycle.

The Ghosts would add two more in runs the in third, a run in the fourth to grab a 9-1 lead. Ogden would answer in the bottom of the fourth with three runs to climb within 9-4.

Both teams would trade runs in the fifth to make the score 10-5, but then the Ghosts put up four more runs in the sixth to grab control again at 14-5.

Ogden would make things a little tighter in the 8th by scoring four runs, three of them after a Ghosts error. They got homers from Jonathan Garcia and Chance Gilmore, to make the score 14-9, but the Ghosts would tack on another run in the 9th on a homer by Juan Crousset to make it 15-9, and the Raptors would not score in the bottom of the 9th.

All nine Ghosts starters had base hits, and eight of the nine had multiple hit games. Alvin Mejias picked up his first win of the season, going five innings, allowing four earned runs.

The Ghosts will wrap up the road trip Monday night against the Raptors. First pitch is set for 7:05. Albert Campos will get the start for the Ghosts against Garrett Gould.

The Ogden sunset

During last night's game I promised that I would post some pictures of the sunset here in Ogden, so here they are. Those are the Wasatch Mountains.

Ghosts win streak snapped in Ogden

For the fourth straight game the Casper Ghosts fell behind early, and for the fourth straight game they would comeback to take a lead, but it wasn’t enough as they would go down to the Ogden Raptors 4-3 after an error in the bottom of the ninth in front of 3,742 fans at Linquist Field to snap their three game win streak

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The game would stay scoreless until the bottom of the fourth. Mike Pericht would lead off the inning with a double, but he was erased on a fielder’s choice. With Blake Dean at first and one down Jonathan Garcia would double to give the Raptors runners and 2^nd and 3^rd, and they would come home on a two run double by Jesse Bosnik to give Ogden a 2-0 lead.

The Ghosts would answer with a run of their own in the fifth. David Kandilas started the inning with a single, and would then steal second. He would move up to third on a ground out with two down. He would score when Jose Rivera reached base on an error by the shortstop Casio Grider. That made the score 2-1 Ogden.

Starter Greg Wilborn would be lifted after five innings, and the Ghosts jumped on reliever Raul Burgos quickly. Cristhian Adames led off the inning with a double to centerfield, then Corey Dickerson crushed a all to centerfield, but his went over the wall for a 2-run homer, his second in as many games to give the Ghosts a 3-2 lead.

That lead would be short-lived as the Raptors would tie the game in the bottom part of the inning. Nelson Gonzalez would relieve Alejandro Barraza, who allowed 2 runs in 5 innings, and allow a leadoff single to Mike Pericht. He would get to third on single by Blake Dean. They would tie the game when Jonathan Garcia bounced into a double play, so after six, the game was tied at 3.

In the ninth, the Raptors would push across the winning run against Clinton McKinney, who struck out Jonathan Garcia to lead things off. Then Jesse Bosnik would walk. He would get to third on a double by Steve Domecus. Joe Lincoln would be walked intentionally to load the bases with one down. Pedro Guerrero hit a comebacker right to McKinney, but McKinney’s throw home was overthrown, and Bosnik scored to give the Raptors a 4-3 win.

The Raptors and Ghosts will play the middle game of the three game series tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is set for 4:05, Alvin Mejias will get the start for the Ghosts against Carlos Frias.

Welcome to Ogden

It really doesn't get any better than the view at Lindquist Field

Ghosts come from behind to sweep Idaho Falls

The Chukars put up a 4-spot in the bottom of the first to grab the lead. With one out, Yowill Espinal singled, Jake Kuebler followed with a walk. Espinal would come home on an infield single by Lane Adams. Kuebler would score on a single by Julio Aparicio, and they would add two more runs when Travis Jones would single after an error by Juan Crousset in left field. The inning would end with the Chukars leading 4-0.

The score would stay that way until the 6^th. Chukars starter Santiago Garrido was lifted after throwing 5 scoreless innings. He was replaced by Starling De La Rosa. Jose Rivera led off by reaching on an error by the first baseman Kuebler. He got to second base on a single by Rafael Ortega. After a fielder’s choice, Corey Dickerson would step up to the plate and crush a home run over the right field wall, the first of the season, to make the score 4-3.

The Ghosts had an opportunity to score the tying run in the 8^th, but Rafael Ortega was thrown out trying to tag up from third for the final out of the inning, but they came through in the ninth.

Brett Tanos started things off with a double, and he would score the tying run on a double by Blake McDade. Then Ryan Casteel would single to give the Ghosts runners at the corners with nobody out. Juan Crousset would give the Ghosts the lead with a sacrifice fly, but they weren’t done. David Kandilas would single to give the Ghosts runners at the corners with one out. Jose Rivera would give the Ghosts an insurance run with a bunt single.

The Ghosts bullpen was outstanding all night, and it continued in the ninth with Coty Woods throwing a scoreless ninth to pick up his second save. Christian Bergman and Kenneth Roberts each made their season debut’s out of the bullpen and combined to throw five scoreless innings, with each allowing just one hit and zero walks.

With the 6-4 win, the Ghosts sweep the series with the Chukars, and are now 4-1 on the season. They move on to Ogden for a 3-game series with the Raptors. First pitch for game one Saturday is set for 7:05.

Ghosts pitching leads the way in win over Idaho Falls

The Casper Ghosts used clutch hitting and outstanding pitching to beat the Idaho Falls Chukars 5-2 in front of 2,400 fans at Melaleuca Field in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

The Chukars lit up the scoreboard first. In the bottom of the first, Tim Ferguson led off with a walk. He moved to second on a wild pitch, and got to third on a sacrifice bunt. He would score on a ground out by Jake Kuebler to give the Chukars a 1-0 lead.

Casper would tie the game in the third. Jeff Squier led off with a single, he then stole second, and got to third on a passed ball. He would score on a bloop single by Blake McDade with one out.

The Ghosts would grab the lead in the fourth. With one out Robert De La Cruz and David Dinatale walked, then Michael Ramirez reached on an error to load the bases with one out. After a strikeout, Corey Dickerson singled to center to drive in De La Cruz and Dinatale to give the Ghosts a 3-1 lead.

Idaho Falls would get a run back in the bottom part of the inning. It would start with a leadoff walk to Julio Aparicio, Anthony Howard would follow with a single. A sacrifice bunt by Tom Zebroski would give the Chukars runners at 2^nd and 3^rd with one out. COrrey Figueroa would drive in Aparicio on a ground out to make the score 3-2, but Kevin David would strike out with Howard at third to end the inning.

In the fifth, the Ghosts would extend the lead with more timely hitting. Jordan Ballard would reach on an error to start the inning. He would get to second on a single by Blake McDade. After a sacrifice bunt moved them up a base, De La Cruz would strike out for the second out of the inning. David Dinatale doubled off the top of the wall in left field to drive in both runners and that would give the Ghosts a 5-2 lead.

Tyler Gagnon started the game for the Ghosts and allowed just 1 earned run in four innings. He was relieved by Ricardo Ferrer who pitched 3 scoreless innings, retiring the first 6 batters he faced. Ferrer got out of a key bases loaded jam in the 7^th to preserve the Ghosts 5-2 lead. Ferrer would get the win, and Juan Perez would get his first professional save after pitching scoreless 8^th and 9^th innings. The Ghosts held the Chukars to just three hits.

The Ghosts will look to sweep this short 2-game series tomorrow night. Bruce Kern will start opposite Santiago Garrido. First pitch is set for 7:15.

Starting Lineups for Thursday's game

Ghosts (2-1)

1. Corey Dickerson LF

2. Brett Tanos 2B

3. Jordan Ballard 3B

4. Blake McDade 1B

5. David Kandilas CF

6. Robert De La Cruz DH

7. David Dinatale RF

8. Michael Ramirez C

9. Jeff Squier SS

Pitcher: Tyler Gagnon

Chukars (2-1)

1. Tim Ferguson CF

2. Justin Trapp SS

3. Jake Kuebler 1B

4. Murray Watts DH

5. Julio Aparicio LF

6. Anthony Howard RF

7. Tom Zebroski 2B

8. Correy Figueroa 3B

9. Kevin David C

Pitcher: Scott Alexander

Welcome to Melaleuca Field

Welcome to Melaleuca Field in Idaho Falls, ID for the Casper Ghosts first road game of 2010. Here are some pictures that I took while the Ghosts were taking batting practice from the broadcast booth. Notice the new video board down the left field line. You can listen to the game by going to ghostsbaseball.com. We'll be on the air at 7:00 mountain with the Wendy's pregame show.

Pictures from the road

We left Casper at 6 am for our first road trip of the season, which makes stops in Idaho Falls for two and Ogden for three. The drive to Idaho Falls is as scenic as it gets as we drive past the Teton Mountains in the western part of the state of Wyoming. Here are some pictures taken from the road:


This is a ski slope in Jackson, WY where we stopped for lunch

Ghosts take series opening series against Ogden

The top of the Ghosts order did its job going a combined 9-for-17 in its 9-7 win on Thursday night over the Ogden Raptors, in a rubber game of a 3-game series in front of 1,034 fans at Mike Lansing Field.

Ogden struck first in the top first as Jake Lemmerman doubled with 2 down. He would score on a Mike Pericht RBI single up the middle to give the Raptors a 1-0 lead, but it would be short lived because the Ghosts came right back and put two runs on the board in the bottom half of the inning.

Cristhian Adames got it started with a 1-out single, and Ryan Casteel reached on an error to give the Ghosts runners at first and second. Adames would score on an RBI by Jordan Ballard, and Casteel would score on a fielder’s choice to give the Ghosts a 2-1 lead.

The Raptors would stage another 2-out rally against Ghosts starter Albert Campos in the fourth. Jonathan Garcia doubled, and was brought home by Jesse Bosnik to tie the game at 2, but once again, the Ghosts would strike back with another big inning in the bottom of the fourth.

Ballard started the inning with a double, he was moved over to third on ground out. He would score when Robert De La Cruz reached on an error. De La Cruz would move up to second after a Jeff Squier walk, then Anthony Aguilera walked to load the bases. David Hernandez would pop out for out number two, but Rafael Ortega would get the job done and single in two runs to give the Ghosts a 5-2 lead.

Campos pitch five innings and allowed just 2 runs on six hits, but the bullpen faltered in the sixth.

Lemmerman led off the inning with a double. He would score on a 1-out double by Blake Dean, who would score on double by Garcia to cut the Ghosts lead to 5-4. Bosnik would walk, and then Steve Domecus would give the Raptors their third double, which scored Garcia and moved Bosnik up to third. Ogden would take the lead on a sacrifice fly by Casio Grider.

Once again, the Ghosts would answer with a four spot of their own, and grab the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth. Aguilera led off with a single, and would move to second on a passed ball, and get to third on a wild pitch. He would score on a triple by Hernandez to tie the game at 6, and the Ghosts would gain the lead when Hernandez scored on an RBI single by Rafael Ortega, who would move to third when Adames followed with a single. Ortega scored on an error, and Adames would score on a sacrifice fly to give the Ghosts a 9-6 lead.

The Raptors would add a run in the 7^th, but then Clinton McKinney came in and retired all five batters he faced, striking out the side in the 8^th. Coty Woods would pick up the save by throwing a scoreless ninth inning to give the Ghosts a 9-7 win.

Adames and Ballard each had three hits, Ortega drove in three runs. Lemmerman had three hits for the Raptors, as did Dean and Garcia.

The Ghosts hit the road for the first time in 2010 with a 5-game road trip starting tomorrow night in Idaho Falls. First pitch is set for 7:15. The Ghosts will play two in Idaho Falls, and then three in Ogden before returning home for a 7-game homestand.

Opening Day Pictures

I know its a little late, but here are some pictures from Opening Day:

Tony Diaz being honored by Tim Ray (center) and Casper Mayor Bill Brauer

Ogden Raptors

Both teams lined up

Susan Scheck sings the National Anthem

Alejandro Barraza's first pitch

Eliezer Mesa named MVP of the South Atlantic League All-Star Game

2 member of the 2009 Ghosts played in the All-Star game, and one was named the game's MVP. Angelys Nina went 0-for-2 for the South, but the story was Eliezer Mesa who went 3-for-5 with a double, 2 RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base.

Mesa is following up his great season with the Ghosts in 2009, with a better season in Asheville this season. He is second in the South Atlantic league in hitting with a .337 average. He is fourth in the league in total hits with 84, and his 47 runs scored are fifth best.

Last night's All-Star game ended in a 5-5 tie.

Raptors use the long ball in win over Ghosts

The Ogden Raptors used four home runs in their 9-7 win over the Casper Ghosts, to even their season opening series at a game apiece, in front of 1,247 fans at Mike Lansing Field.

The Ghosts took an early lead in the bottom of the first. Rafael Ortega tripled to lead off the inning, and he was driven home by Christhian Adames to give the Ghosts a 1-0 lead. Then Corey Dickerson singled. He stole second, moved up to third on a wild pitch, and scored on an error by the catcher Mike Pericht. However, the lead was short lived.

In the top of the 2^nd, Jesse Bosnik singled with two down to give the Raptors runners and first and second. Chris Henderson walked to load the bases. They were cleared on a grand slam by Austin King to straightaway centerfield on a full count. That gave Ogden a 4-2 lead.

They would tack on two more runs in the 3^rd when Michael Pericht hit a 2-run homer. Pericht would strike again in the 5^th by doubling in Jake Lemmerman to give Ogden a 7-2 lead, but the Ghosts struck back.

With one out in the bottom of the fifth Christhian Adames singled, which was followed by a Corey Dickerson walk. Adames scored on a base hit by Brett Tanos. Then Blake McDade brought home Dickerson and Tanos with a 2-run double to make the score 7-5. The Ghosts would get within a run when Juan Crousset would single in McDade.

Ogden added to that lead in both the 6^th and 7^th innings taking advantage of the long ball in each frame. Bosnik would homer in the in the 6^th, and Pericht would do the same in the 7^th, his second of the night, and third of the season, to make the score 9-6.

The Ghosts would score one more run in the 7^th, but it wouldn’t be enough as they fell 9-7.

Dickerson had a big night going 3-for-3 with 2 walks and 3 runs scored. Crousset also had 3 hits, McDade had two.

Pericht had another big night for Ogden going 4-for-5 with 2 homers and 4 RBI. He is 7-for-9 in the series with three homers and 7 RBI. Lemmerman had 3 hits, and Bosnik had 2.

The rubber of the opening series between the Raptors and Ghosts will be Wednesday night. First pitch is set for 7:05. RHP Albert Campos starts for the Ghosts opposite RHP Garret Gould.

Big seventh inning fuels Ghosts to Opening Day win

The Casper Ghosts opened the 2010 season in style with a 6-4 win over the Ogden Raptors in front of 2,018 fans at Mike Lansing Field.

In the first inning, Ogden struck first when Michael Pericht doubled off of Ghosts starter Alejandro Barraza to drive in Jake Lemmerman with 2-outs to give them a 1-0 lead. It would be the only run Barraza would allow, as he threw 5 innings allowing just the one run on 3 hits. He struck out four.

Casper would tie the game in the fifth inning. With one out, Jose Rivera walked. He would move to second on a single by Rafael Ortega. He would score from second on a fielder’s choice, as Christhian Adames was able to beat out a double play. Instead of stopping at second, Rivera took the extra base and was able to slide in under the tag of the catcher Pericht.

The Raptors would regain the lead in the seventh thanks to the bat of Pericht. He homered to straight away centerfield off of Clinton McKinney to give them a 2-1 lead.

David Dinatale started the big Ghosts seventh inning with a double. He would score on a single by Anthony Aguilera, who would move to third on a one out single by Ortega. He would then score on an error by Pericht. With 2 down and the Ghosts up 4-2 Blake McDade would double in two runs. The Ghosts would score 5 runs in the inning.

Ogden would tack on two runs in the ninth, but that was all they could muster as the Ghosts would go onto win 6-4.

Ortega led the Ghosts by going 3-for-4. Six different Ghosts scored runs.

Pericht also went 3-for-4 with 3 RBI. He also scored two runs.

Game two of the three game series will be Tuesday night at Mike Lansing Field. First pitch is set for 7:05. Right Alvin Mejias will get the start for the Ghosts against lefty Carlos Frias.

Reading the coverage- Opening Day edition

Here are some must read articles about the Casper Ghosts:

Tony Moss from the Denver Post writes about the Ghosts 10 year anniversary.

Jennifer Killmer from the Casper Star Tribune has a feature on Ghosts outfielder Corey Dickerson, who signed after being drafted by the Rockies two straight years.

Killmer also has a preview of the Ghosts season.

Welcome to the official blog of the Casper Ghosts

Welcome to the official blog of the Casper Ghosts. Over the course of the season, this blog will be the best place to get up-to-the-date information on the team. Along with giving you the latest Ghosts information, both on and off the field, we will provide links to articles written about the team, post interviews done with players, and provide photos from games and other team functions. We would like for the fans to be involved with the blog as much as possible, so please send us suggestions on what you would like to see. You can comment on this post, or you can email us at casperghostsbaseball@gmail.com. Thanks for taking the time to view this blog, and please visit often.