With all of the hype surrounding the debut of Hunter Greene, another Mustangs pitcher shutdown the Helena Brewers (22-40, 8-17) in a 4-2 loss to the Billings Mustangs (28-34, 10-15) on Sunday afternoon at Dehler Park. Greene, the second overall pick in the 2017 draft, made his first professional start
With all of the hype surrounding the debut of Hunter Greene, another Mustangs pitcher shutdown the Helena Brewers (22-40, 8-17) in a 4-2 loss to the Billings Mustangs (28-34, 10-15) on Sunday afternoon at Dehler Park.
Greene, the second overall pick in the 2017 draft, made his first professional start on the mound in the first inning. Brewers lead off batter Kenny Corey singled but was cancelled out on a fielder's choice by Tristen Lutz. While taking his lead from first, Lutz was picked off, and KJ Harrison struck out looking to end the top of the first.
The standout performance on the mound, though, came from Tyler Mondile (3-4), who retired the first 12 Brewers he faced from the second to the fifth inning. Helena managed two hits against the right-hander to start the sixth, but Antonio Pinero grounded into a double play and Corey flew out, ending the Brewers threat.
Helena starter Harold Chirino (1-5) tossed a solid outing but took the loss. The lone run he allowed came in the bottom of the second when Andy Sugilio singled to start the inning. The Mustangs left fielder stole second and third base before coming in to score on a wild pitch, giving Billings a 1-0 lead. Chirino threw 3.0 innings and allowed just the one run on three hits while walking one and striking out two in his first start since August 5.
Billings added to their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Reliever Roberto Delgado hit Hendrik Clementina and walked Suglio, setting the stage for Leandro Santana, who hit his tenth home run of the year to push the Mustangs lead to 4-0.
The Brewers mustered their only offense in the final three frames. Lutz and Harrison walked to start the seventh inning, brining up Chad McClanahan with one out. The first baseman doubled to left field, scoring Lutz to give the Brewers their first run. The next two batters grounded out, ending Helena's chance to score again in the seventh.
In the top of the ninth, Harrison sparked a rally with a double to left field. Jay Feliciano singled to left, scoring Harrison to cut the deficit to 4-2. The next three batters, however, went in order, including a strikeout of Nick Roscetti to end the game. With his single in the ninth, Feliciano extended his hitting streak to nine games.
The Brewers close out a two-game series in Billings on Monday night at 7:05 PM. Helena sends RHP Alec Bettinger (3-2, 5.80) to the mound against Mustangs LHP Packy Naughton (2-3, 4.20). The game can be heard on Newstalk KCAP 95.9 FM/ AM 950, the MiLB First Pitch App and helenabrewers.net.
