Helena, MT - A night after one of the most heartbreaking losses of the season, the Helena Brewers responded with a complete performance against the Grand Junction Rockies. The Brewers scored two in the first and never trailed, exploding for six runs in the fourth en route to an 8-1
Helena, MT - A night after one of the most heartbreaking losses of the season, the Helena Brewers responded with a complete performance against the Grand Junction Rockies. The Brewers scored two in the first and never trailed, exploding for six runs in the fourth en route to an 8-1 win. LG Castillo and Bryan Torres each drove home three, while Max Lazar earned the win with five solid innings of one run baseball.
For the first time in four games, the Brewers got on the board first, thanks to a two run first inning. Je'Von Ward and Brice Turang started the frame with back to back singles, and Yeison Coca sacrificed them both into scoring position. LG Castillo singled home the first run, and a Bryan Torres fielder's choice brought home the second run.
Grand Junction cut the Brewers lead to one with a run in the fourth, but Helena busted the game open in the bottom of the inning. Connor McVey got plunked to start the inning. Jesus Lujano then reached on an error from Reese Berberet. The runners then converted a successful double steal with Bryan Connell at the plate, and his ground out to second scored McVey to extend the advantage back to two. Ward and Turang then walked to load the bases, setting up Coca, who singled in the infield, scoring a run and keep the bases loaded. Castillo then drilled a single to right center, scoring two and ending the night for Rockies starter Alejandro Mejia. Torres then came to the plate against new pitcher Jesse Stinnett, and hit a high pop up to right that got lost in haze, dropping in for a hit and scoring two, making it 8-1 Brewers.
Helena starter Max Lazar earned the win with five innings of one run baseball, allowing just five hits, walking two and striking out four. He faced the minimum in the first three innings, as the only two base runners that reached against him were thrown out trying to steal second by Mike Alescio. Lazar's pitch count approached 90 with one out in the fifth, but got the next two outs quickly to end the inning.
The Brewers bullpen allowed just one hit over the final four innings, as Tate Budnick, Jenri Montas and Peter Strzelecki held Grand Junction scoreless once Lazar exited the game.
Helena and Grand Junction play the rubber game of this series tomorrow at 1:05 PM, as Justin Bullock takes the hill. It is a Bark in the Park Sunday presented by Sky High Kennel, with all dogs being allowed in the ballpark. For more information and tickets visit the promotions page of helenabrewers.net
