GRAND JUNCTION, CO - After a rain delay of more than an hour, the Helena Brewers (17-24, 2-1) saw the Grand Junction Rockies (19-23, 1-3) score four runs in the eighth inning as part of a 6-3 defeat at Suplizio on Friday night. Tied 2-2 in the bottom of the
GRAND JUNCTION, CO - After a rain delay of more than an hour, the Helena Brewers (17-24, 2-1) saw the Grand Junction Rockies (19-23, 1-3) score four runs in the eighth inning as part of a 6-3 defeat at Suplizio on Friday night.
Tied 2-2 in the bottom of the eighth, Brewers reliever Cameron Hanes (0-1) allowed a one-out walk followed by a single. Hanes was lifted for Cody Beckman, who surrendered a single that scored the go-ahead run, giving the Rockies a 3-2 lead. Beckman uncorked a wild pitch in the ensuing at-bat, advancing the runners into scoring position. Casey Golden smacked a single into right and advanced to second on a throw to the plate, bringing in another run to push the deficit to 4-2. The next batter struck out, but took first on a passed ball, allowing a runner to score from third to make it 5-2. Todd Czinege capped the rally for the Grand Junction with a single, pushing their lead to 6-2.
The Brewers tried to rally in the top of the ninth when Gabriel Garcia tripled to left field, driving in a run. The rally fell short as Chad McClanahan grounded out to first, ending the game.
Helena overcame a 2-0 hole in the top of the seventh with a three hit rally. Tristen Lutz tripled with one-out in the inning and KJ Harrison drove him in with a single. Payton Henry walked, and two batters later, Garcia shot a ball to right, tying the game 2-2.
Starter Jayson Rose hurled an excellent outing, giving up just one run on three hits while walking one and striking out six in 5.0 innings of work. His lone mistake came in the third, when Nic Motley hit a solo home run, his second of the season, to give Grand Junction a 1-0 lead.
The Brewers had their opportunities throughout the game, leaving a season-high 14 men on base and going 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position.
Helena returns to action for game three of a four game set with Grand Junction on Saturday night at 6:40 PM. The Brewers are scheduled to send RHP Harold Chirinio (1-3, 7.76) to the mound against Rockies RHP Anderson Amarista (2-1, 8.29). The game can be heard on KCAP 95.9 FM/AM 950, MiLB First Pitch App and on helenabrewers.net.
