Pena Slugs Two Homers in Victory
Published on September 4, 2013 under Pioneer League (PL)
Helena Brewers News Release
Jose Pena was locked in at the plate on Sunday afternoon. The slugging outfielder smashed a pair of homers and drove in four runs as the Brewers beat the Mustangs 10-7.
Pena's first bomb came in the first inning with the Brewers up 2-0. On a 1-1 pitch from Luke Moran, Pena (above) hit a fly ball to deep center field. The ball bounced off the top of the fence and left the ballpark as Pena had his eighth homer of the year.
With Helena trailing 5-4, Pena would belt his second homer, a solo shot, to lead off the fourth inning. It was his sixth home run against Billings this season.
Pena's sac fly in the seventh inning would start a three-run rally, which ended up being the difference in the game.
"You could see it from the first at bat on he was really locked in and didn't get fooled by much. He was looking for his pitch and got it a couple times," said Helena manager Tony Diggs.
Pena wasn't the only one who was seeing the ball well on Sunday. After a day off on Saturday, Pioneer League MVP Michael Ratterree got right back to business in the first inning pulling a bullet down the left field line for a double to give the Brewers a 2-0 lead.
After Pena had tied the game in the fourth, Ratterree would put the Brewers ahead 6-5 with a RBI single in the fifth. The Brewers would not trail again in the contest.
Ratterree would finish the afternoon 2 for 4 with three RBI and two runs scored.
"He's a solid player and that's what you expect, get a little bit of a breather to catch his breath a little bit and be ready to play every day and that's what we emphasize to all our players, just be ready to go every day," said Diggs.
Helena starter Danny Keller earned his first win of the season. Keller stumbled in the second inning, allowing five runs on six hits but he would settle down allowing just one hit in the next three frames.
"Keller did a great job after having the second inning that he did. He came back in and threw strikes, made them swing the bats. The big thing about today even though he gave up those five runs he made them swing the bats that inning. We have been a little bit prone to walks but he did a good job of not allowing that to happen," said Diggs.
Tristan Archer was given the save after pitching the final four innings. He allowed two unearned runs and got out of a jam in the ninth when the Mustangs brought the tying run to the plate.
The Brewers and Mustangs will finish the series on Monday. It will be the second straight afternoon contest as there will be a special 1:05 p.m. start at Kindrick Legion Field on Labor Day.
Pioneer League Stories from September 4, 2013
- D-Backs Tab Taylor, Bracho for August Honors - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Chukars Playoff Tickets on Sale Now - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Pena Slugs Two Homers in Victory - Helena Brewers
- Late Rally Boosts Mustangs - Helena Brewers
- Hernandez Catch Puts Chukars on Playoff Doorstep - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Hurlburt Winner Helps Handcuff Osprey - Missoula PaddleHeads
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