HELENA, MT - The Helena Brewers offense struggled all night long against Billings Mustangs starter Jared Solomon, mustering just two hits against him over six innings. Down 2-0 in the eighth, Helena loaded the bases with nobody out, but failed to score, as Billings blanked Helena 4-0. The loss was
HELENA, MT - The Helena Brewers offense struggled all night long against Billings Mustangs starter Jared Solomon, mustering just two hits against him over six innings. Down 2-0 in the eighth, Helena loaded the bases with nobody out, but failed to score, as Billings blanked Helena 4-0. The loss was the first in four games for Helena this season at home.
Justin Bullock was phenomenal for the Brewers in his second start, allowing just one run over five innings, issuing just one walk while striking out a career high seven. That run came courtesy of a Bren Spillane solo home run in the fifth, breaking a scoreless tie.
Solomon faced just one over the minimum through three innings, but the Brewers started the fourth with consecutive singles from Jean Carmona and Chad McClanahan. Nick Egnatuk then hit a ground ball straight up the middle, but Francis Azcona was in perfect position to turn a 4-3 double play. LG Castillo grounded out, and the threat was averted.
Billings scored an insurance run in the sixth to extend the lead to two, but the Brewers had one last gasp in them in the eighth inning. Reliever Dauri Moreta walked David Fry and Pablo Abreu to start the frame, putting the tying run at first. Je'Von Ward then put down a perfect bunt and ended up at first after the first baseman Spillane slipped fielding the ball. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Moreta locked in, punching out Jesus Lujano, getting a force at home on a Yeison Coca ground ball, and a force at second on a Carmona grounder. Billings added two in the ninth, and Helena went down in order in the bottom half.
The Brewers and Mustangs play the rubber game of their three game series at 1:05 PM tomorrow. Wilfred makes his second start for Helena, while Billings counters with righty Luis Alecis. It is the 10th Inning Stretch presented by Yoga Loft Studios, with yoga instruction following the game. Tickets are still available on the ticketing page of helenabrewers.net.
