Idaho Falls, ID - Down 5-1 after four innings, the Helena Brewers rallied for three runs with one out in the seventh, getting the tying run to third. However, Idaho Falls reliever Tyler Gray (W, 1-1) struck out Jean Carmona and Chad McClanahan, leaving that run stranded 90 feet away.
Idaho Falls, ID - Down 5-1 after four innings, the Helena Brewers rallied for three runs with one out in the seventh, getting the tying run to third. However, Idaho Falls reliever Tyler Gray (W, 1-1) struck out Jean Carmona and Chad McClanahan, leaving that run stranded 90 feet away. The Brewers did not get a runner on in the last two innings, and gave up a key insurance run in the eighth, falling 6-4 to the Chukars at Melaleuca Field. With Great Falls beating Orem, the Brewers are now two games back of the Voyagers in the Northern division, the furthest back they've been all year.
For the second straight night, the Brewers scored in the first, as Yeison Coca's leadoff single against Kris Bubic scored on a two out wild pitch. Idaho Falls though like they did last night tied the game in the second as a leadoff walk to Nick Hutchins scored on a one out triple from Jose Caraballo. Julio Gonzalez then gave Idaho Falls the lead with a sac fly, making it 2-1 Chukars after two complete.
Bubic locked in from there, not allowing a hit in his final two innings. Idaho Falls extended the lead against Brewers starter Blake Lillis (L, 2-2) in the third with a solo homer from Nate Eaton, and then tacked on two more in the fourth with a two out rally, extending their lead to 5-1
Helena's bullpen kept the Chukars in check in the fifth and sixth, as did Gray, who entered to start the fifth. The Brewers then put the first four on against Gray in the seventh, with Helena's second run of the game scoring on a Jesus Lujano single that kept the based loaded, putting the tying run at first. Coca then grounded a ball back to Gray who flipped home for the first out, but catcher Brady Cox's throw to first sailed wide and down into the right field bullpen, scoring two and moving Coca, the tying run, to third.
Gray then squared up with Jean Carmona, who had struck out in each of his first three at bats leading into the battle. The 7th round selection out of Central Arkansas made quick work of Carmona, punching him out on three pitches. Chad McClanahan struck out as well, ending the inning with the tying run at third. Gray exited with two out in the ninth, and Daniel Duarte got the final out to pick up the save.
The Brewers look for the series split tomorrow in the finale, as Victor Castaneda takes the hill looking for his first win. Idaho Falls counters with right hander Connor Mayes. First pitch is at 7:15, with the pregame show hitting the airwaves of helenabrewers.net at 7:00. Your Helena Brewers return home on Wednesday, July 18th for a three game series against the Chukars. You can get your tickets now by visiting the ticketing page of helenabrewers.net.
