Brewers Take Opening Game From Chukars

IDAHO FALLS, ID - The Helena Brewers (12-11) jumped out to another early lead and never looked back, defeating the Idaho Falls Chukars (9-13) 7-4 on Wednesday night to open a three-game set at Melaleuca Field. 
Coming off a six-run first inning on Monday night, the Brewers were at it again, scoring three times on one big swing in the first on Wednesday. Following an Idaho Falls error and a KJ Harrison double, Payton Henry came to bat and launched his fourth home run of the season to put the Brewers up 3-0.
Nelson Hernandez (3-0) cruised out of the gate, not allowing a hit until he surrendered a two out single to Offerman Collado in the third. He then gave up a leadoff single to Amalani Fukofuka in the fourth and the Chukars would pull within a run on Vance Vizcaino's second home run of the season two batters later.  
Helena responded immediately.
The top of the fifth began with back-to-back triples from Nick Roscetti and Dallas Carroll, and the Brewers were up 4-2. The Brewers had just one triple as a team coming into the inning, but had tripled that figure before an out had been recorded. After a pair of strikeouts, the Brewers came up with three straight two-out singles to grab a commanding 7-2 lead.
Idaho Falls made some noise in the seventh, scoring twice and sending eight men to the plate, but Parker Bean got Vizcaino to ground out with the bases loaded to end the threat. Bean would stay on and work two scoreless innings to record his third save of the season.
Hernadez turned in his most impressive outing of the year, scattering a season low five hits over his six innings of work. The 20 year-old Venezuelan lowered his ERA to 3.67, and became the first member of the staff to record a third victory. 
Henry, Harrison, Zach Clark and Jay Feliciano paced the offense, going 10-for-20 as group in the middle of the lineup. Henry led all Brewers with 4 RBIs.
Helena will look to make it three straight victories and win the series when they get back to work on Thursday night in Idaho Falls against Chukars starter Holden Capps (0-0, 0.00). The Brewers will counter with righty Michael Petersen (0-0, 7.43). First pitch is scheduled for 7:15, and coverage will begin at 7:00 on KCAP 95.9 FM/950 AM, TuneIn radio and on the MiLB First Pitch App.