HELENA, MT - The Brewers offense has come up clutch in some of the most critical moments early in 2018, and Sunday afternoon's game against the Billings Mustangs was no exception. Tied at two with a Jesus Lujano on and two out in the bottom of the ninth, Helena second
HELENA, MT - The Brewers offense has come up clutch in some of the most critical moments early in 2018, and Sunday afternoon's game against the Billings Mustangs was no exception. Tied at two with a Jesus Lujano on and two out in the bottom of the ninth, Helena second baseman Yeison Coca took a first pitch fastball from Matt Pidich and sent it off the wall, scoring Lujano from first to win the game 3-2. The victory gave the Brewers (5-3) the series victory over the Mustangs (3-5), and their second walk off victory of 2018.
Coca helped get the Brewers on the board in the bottom of the first, reaching base on a dropped third strike. He stole both second and third, and scored on a ground out from Chad McClanahan.
Helena starter Wilfred Salaman had two Mustangs get into scoring position against him in the second with nobody out, but kept Billings off the scoreboard as he punched out Urwin Juaquin to strand the bases loaded and end the inning.
Billings did tie the game in the third on a two out double from Pabel Manzanero, but Salaman limited the damage to just that one run. Salaman allowed just the one run over five innings, surrendering just two hits.
The game remained tied at one until the top of the sixth, when Robert Boselli singled against Roberto Delgado with two out and nobody on. He advanced to second on a wild pitch to Juaquin, and Juaquin then singled him home.
The Brewers had trouble against Mustangs' starter Luis Alecis, mustering just three hits over five innings, but got to work against the bullpen in the sixth inning. Helena loaded up the bases with one out against Connor Curliss and Andrew McDonald, and Pablo Abreus ground out to third scored the tying run. However, the Brewers would leave the bases loaded, keeping the game knotted at two.
In the top of the seventh, the Mustangs threatened to score against Delgado, getting the tying run to second with two out. With Jake Turnbull up and a 1-2 count, a check swing appeal was denied by field umpire Rene Gallegos, resulting in an argument and eventual ejection of Brewers manager Nestor Corredor. Delgado got the strikeout two pitches later to end the threat.
Peter Strzelecki (W,1-0) in his first appearance with Helena pitched two scoreless frames, setting the table for the Brew Crew in the bottom of the ninth. Matt Pidich (L, 0-2) walked Je'Von Ward with one out, and Lujano grounded into a fielder's choice, replacing Ward at first. That brought up Coca, who roped the first pitch he saw to dead center field, ringing off the wall and scoring Lujano, giving the Brewers the win. In addition to the walk off double, Coca also stole three bases in the game.
The Brewers now welcome in the Missoula Osprey for the a modified four game series beginning with a double header tomorrow at 5:30 PM. Victor Castaneda will start game one for the Brewers, while Blake Lillis will take the ball in game two. Wilfry Cruz and Erin Baldwin will be the starters in those games respectively. Monday is Jersey Night, as fans that wear a jersey to the game will receive two dollars off General Admission seating. Tickets are available by visiting helenabrewers.net
