The Missoula PaddleHeads are pulling away in the 12-team Pioneer Baseball League.

On Thursday night, Roberto Pena and Cam Thompson smacked home runs to put the PaddleHeads in front early and they held on for a 6-3 win over the Glacier Range Riders at Ogren-Allegiance Park.  

Zootown's pro team stretched its win streak to six games and improved its league-best record to 26-7. The Range Riders and Boise Hawks are tied for second with identical records of 20-13.

Pena's three-run blast in the third frame marked the first runs in Thursday's game. Thompson's tater in the fourth gave Missoula a 5-0 advantage.

Then it was a matter of holding on. Glacier cut its deficit to 5-3 and Missoula reliever Trent Anderson found himself in a sticky situation in the eighth after allowing a single and walk with two outs. Fortunately for the hosts, Anderson was able to hold down the fort, coaxing Chad Castillo into a pop fly for the third out.

PaddleHeads closer Andrew Garcia, the league leader in saves (6), came on in the ninth and stalled the Range Riders, striking out two. Starter Nick Parker was credited with the win, allowing two runs on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.

Missoula finished with nine hits to eight for Glacier. Adam Fogel led the hosts with three hits, including a double, and two runs scored. Catcher Taylor Smith collected two singles.

The PaddleHeads will host the Range Riders again on Friday and Saturday night and then on Sunday afternoon.