Mustangs Edge Brewers to Even Series
August 26, 2018 - Pioneer League (PL)
Helena Brewers News Release
Billings, MT - In games decided by one run, a single play can change the course of a ballgame, and that was the case tonight in Billings. With the Brewers down by two with two runners in scoring position in the fifth, Jesus Lujano singled to right on a ball that right fielder Drew Mount dove for and missed. However, Pablo Abreu, the runner at second, did not leave the second base bag, and only the runner from third scored. The one run that scored made it 3-2 Mustangs, and that ended up being the final score, evening the series at a game apiece. Helena now trails Billings by three games again in the Northern division.
Like last night, both teams were scoreless through the first three innings, but Billings drew first blood in the bottom of the fourth. Mariel Bautista reached on an infield single with one out, and got to third immediately on a single to right from Pabel Manzanero. That brought up Drew Mount, who singled on the infield, scoring Bautista to make it 1-0 Mustangs. That brought up Dylan Harris, who doubled down the left field line, scoring two to extend the lead to 3-0. Those were the only runs that Helena starter Justin Bullock allowed, as he got through 5.2 innings with three runs on his line, striking out seven which matched a career high.
In the fifth, the Brewers got a one out double from LG Castillo and Connor McVey followed with a single that moved Castillo to third. Mike Alescio then hit a sacrifice fly to left center, plating Castillo to make it 3-1 Billings. Abreu then doubled down the left field line, getting McVey to third. That brought up Lujano, who's singled to right only scored McVey because Abreu never left the second base bag. A wild pitch with Brice Turang up moved both runners up a base, but Turang flew out to left to end the inning.
Helena had chances to tie the game in the eighth and ninth innings, getting the tying run into scoring position in both frames. However, Eddy Demurias ended each of the frames with a strikeout, sealing the win for Billings.
The Brewers look to take the rubber game of the series tomorrow, with Joel Pinto getting the start. First pitch is at 1:05 PM, with the pregame show hitting the airwaves of helenabrewers.net at 12:50 PM.
Pioneer League Stories from August 26, 2018
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