Brewers Blow Lead in Ninth against Billings
July 8, 2018 - Pioneer League (PL)
Helena Brewers News Release
HELENA, MT - The Brewers have been dynamite in the late innings at home, entering Saturday night's game against Billings 5-0 when leading after eight innings. However, a different tune rang, as the Mustangs rallied for three in the ninth, highlighted by a bases loaded triple from Dylan Harris, to give Billings a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Helena sits at 12-11 and one game back of division leader Great Falls.
After a scoreless first, Billings strung together a small ball rally to strike for the first run. With one out, Drew Mount bunted with the infield back for a single, and got to second on a groundout from Jake Turnbull. Juan Martinez then delivered a double, plating Mount to give Billings the 1-0 lead.
The Brewers came back in the third inning and took advantage of control problems from Mustangs starter Mac Sceroler. Pablo Abreu and Jean Carmona both drew walks, setting up Chad McClanahan, who with two out and a 2-1 count, pounded an inside fastball into the right center field gap for a double, scoring both runners and giving Helena a 2-1 lead.
Billings immediately tied the game in the top of the fourth, as Reshard Munroe reached on a dropped third strike and got to second on a passed ball. He eventually scored on a Drew Mount ground out, tying the game.
A one out double from Jesus Lujano scored on a throwing error from Juan Martinez in the fourth, but Billings tied the game at three in the fifth on a Vladimir Martinez solo home run.
McClanahan then broke the tie in the bottom of the fifth with a solo homer, his fourth, to give Helena a 4-3 lead.
Aaron Ashby went the first five for Helena, and gave up three runs on four hits, walking one and striking out three. Scott Sunitsch entered and pitched three scoreless innings, and came back for the ninth with a one run lead. He got a ground out from Jake Turnbull, but was then pulled for Chad Whitmer. Whitmer walked the first two to load the bases, and Bren Spillane then hit a ground ball to second that Yeison Coca booted, loading the bases. The Brewers then went to the bullpen again for Peter Strzelecki, who got Zeek White to pop out for the second out. Dylan Harris then hit a sinking liner to left that Je'Von Ward dove for in order to make a game winning catch. Ward couldn't make the play and the ball rolled to the wall, scoring all three runners to give Billings their first lead at 6-4.
Helena went down in order in the ninth, losing to the Mustangs for the third time in four games.
Pioneer League Stories from July 8, 2018
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- Owlz End Two Game Skid, Take Down Idaho Falls 7-5 - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Brewers Score Big Late, Split Series with 6-3 Win over Mustangs - Billings Mustangs
- Osprey and Voyagers Complete First Half Series Sunday - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Brewers Blow Lead in Ninth against Billings - Helena Brewers
- Late Runs Propel Voyagers in Missoula - Great Falls Voyagers
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