Morin’s HR a birthday present

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Parker Morin’s 8th inning home run against the Ogden Raptors Monday night was more than just a home run. It was a birthday present to himself.

Morin, 21, celebrated his birthday in style, going 2-for-3 as the designated hitter with the solo shot to right field and two RBI. But there’s more to the story than just a birthday home run. Pitcher Zeb Sneed put Morin up to the task.

“Zeb came up to me in the dugout, and he was looking over there at the video screen,” said Morin. “There was a giant black panel out of it, and he said ‘I bet you can’t hit the other one.’ He was just kind of messing around. I just looked at him and said, ‘I can’t go oppo (opposite direction). I’m trying to hit the house over here (beyond right field).’ That was right as I was walking up to go on deck.”

Morin has a four-game hit streak going for the Chukars. He’s 5-for-7 with a double, a home run and three RBI in the series against Ogden.

Idaho Falls hosts the Raptors tonight at 7:15. Sports Line will have the highlights at 10 p.m. on Local News 8.