(Billings Mustangs release)
BILLINGS – The Billings Mustangs (7-13) won consecutive games for the first time this season with a 3-1 victory over the Helena Brewers (11-9) in front of 3,948 at Dehler Park on Independence Day.
The game would be a pitching rematch between Luis Alecis (1-1) and Wilfred Salaman (1-1) who, last time they faced off, traded seven shutout innings each side in their starts.
This contest would start in similar fashion with two scoreless innings before a defensive mistake by Brewers shortstop Jean Carmona allowed in a run in the third. Mariel Bautista would sacrifice in Carlos Rivero after a potential inning-ending double play was botched.
Alecis threw five and two-thirds innings of shutout baseball in the start. He allowed just two hits and struck out seven. Alecis has now thrown 12 and two-thirds innings of shutout ball with 16 strikeouts over his last two appearances.
The Mustangs added to their lead in the sixth on Drew Mount’s two-run homerun; his second of the season. They would need just four hits in the game to plate their three runs for the victory.
Helena’s lone run crossed the plate in the ninth on an RBI single from Eddie Silva to break up the shutout. Dauri Moreta earned the save, the first of the season for a Billings pitcher.
The Mustangs and Brewers will face off in game two of their three-game series at Dehler Park Thursday. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
