5/19/2013-Its third baseman versus third baseman as Logan Morello tags the sliding Mike Goldy. (Photo by Marty Mayfield)

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

RATON -- It was another oh-so-close loss for Raton Saturday after another late game comeback by Trinidad, as the Triggers scored four runs in the top of the ninth to take the 6-4 victory.

"Just a great team effort," said Trinidad manager J.D. Droddy. "Theres just no quit in this team. No quit. We were down two runs going into the ninth and nobody thought we were going to lose. We were just so positive."

And despite dropping to 0-4 on the young season, Osos manager Ray Hancock is seeing improvement on a daily basis.

"The team itself is coming together," he said. "I just need a little bit more work, but I think were actually a team. The boys will fight to the end. Its just one of those things, were just in a little rut right now but were right there on the edge. Just one step more and well make it."

After a scoreless first three innings -- Oso Will Casey and Trigger Zach Leitten were in a pitchers duel, giving up a hit here and there but no runs -- Raton went up 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth.

Michael Lange opened the stanza with a double, then, one out later, Zach Kreegar was hit and Nicholas Hinojo singled to load the bases. Right fielder Wayne Lewis then singled, scoring Lange and Kreegar, and, with two outs on the board, a passed ball and error brought Hinojo and Lewis home.

Trinidad finally got a run in the fifth on a solo home run by Bryce Miller of Cameron Powers, and added a second run in the seventh when Mike Mullen and Matt Hunt both singled. Mike Goldy flew out to center for the first out, and Mullen was thrown out at third on a strong throw from center fielder Louie Saenz.

But Hunt went to third on an error by catcher Kreegar and scored on a wild pitch.

Then, after a scoreless eighth, the Triggers put it all together in the ninth.

With one out, Miller tripled, Wink Nolan walked and Hunt was hit, loading the bases. A Goldy single scored Miller and Nolan and Hunt came in on wild pitches that put Frank Florio on first with a walk and after a fielders choice and an error, Goldy scored for the final Trinad run.

Lee Hall came in for the Triggers, shutting down the Osos to get the save, and Trinidad and reliever Chris Shaklee had the victory. It was the first series sweep for Trinidad in the teams one-year-plus history, and Droddy was excited for the future.

"I feel fantastic," he said. "We have a ball team thats not only talented, but just really good guys. Great character and a great team chemistry. They love each other. Its just a great situation and lots of fun."

Hancock was disappointed, but still optimistic.

"It was a good game," he said. "Weve just got to get over our few little mental errors. They had a couple of mental errors but they were able to overcome them and we werent."

He said his pitching was okay, noting Casey, "did real well. All my relievers did their jobs. Cant complain. Cameron Powers came in, he gave up a single home run."

Each team had eight hits, with only Trigger Miller and Oso Stedman Smith getting more than one.

Trinidad now gets its only two days off in the season, with their home opener set for Tuesday at 6:05 p.m. vs. winless Las Vegas. Despite the Train Robbers 0-5 record, Drobby said his team will be ready.

"We wont take them lightly, I assure you," he said. "Theyve got a great manager and I would never take any team that Casey Dill manages lightly. So well be ready to play, thats all we can do."

The Osos have two more home games before heading on the road, and Hancock is hoping theyll pick up win No. 1 vs. Santa Fe.

"It would be pretty nice," he said. "The fans are behind us 100 percent. I cant say enough about the fans. They come early and they stay late. They were still there when we were packing up and leaving. Great people. They believe in us and they know were giving everything weve got. Were just not across the bridge just yet. Were almost there, but havent quite made it."

So what will it take to top the Fuego?

"Our big bats really need to come into play," he said. "Ive got some big bats and weve actually had some really hard hits. Weve had some right at the wall where the other fielders are able to jump and get them."