Fuego pitching protects lead, holds off late Pupfish rally in win

So far, good for the Santa Fe Fuego pitching staff. A night after holding the White Sands Pupfish to just one run in the Pecos League season opener, the Fuego kept their opponents off the scoreboard for five innings. It was long enough for Santa Fe to build a 6-0 lead and go on to a 16-7 win a Fort Marcy Ballpark on Thursday.

Louis Ortega followed opening day starting pitcher Zach Carter’s lead by firing five shutout innings, allowing six hits while striking out seven. By that point, the Fuego (2-0) build a 6-0 lead that held up despite White Sands scoring seven runs over the final four innings.

The Pupfish (0-2) cut the lead to 8-6 after a four-run seventh on the strength of five hits and three Fuego errors, but the hosts matched that total in the bottom of the inning. Erick Magee’s two-run single made it 11-8.

Magee was one of three Santa Fe hitters to drive in two runs on the day, and David Stone was 3-for-4 with four RBIs.

The two teams play the third of a five-game series at 6 p.m. Friday.