Editor’s Note: Helena Brewers Press Release
Helena has been locked in in close games in 2018, and got another big win in a close battle on Tuesday night against Missoula. The Brewers got three runs in the third inning and never trailed, holding off a consistent Missoula attack to win 4-3. Helena is now 8-2 in one run games.
Helena broke the scoreless tie in the third, as Bryan Connell started the inning with a single to right. Missoula starter Andy Toelken got the next two, but Yeison Coca delivered with a double just right of the batters eye, scoring Connell to make it 1-0 Brewers. David Fry then doubled home Coca, and Chad McClanahan followed with an RBI single of his own, making it 3-0 Brewers.
Brewers starter Wilfred Salaman was back to his dominant ways, starting his outing with four shutout innings, not allowing a hit. The only base runners that reached in that span were two walks to Buddy Kennedy.
However, Missoula’s offense woke in the fifth, as Salaman issued a leadoff walk to Nick Dalesandro, and Jesus Munoz singled with one out. David Sanchez singled home Dalesandro to make it 3-1 Brewers, but Salaman got the next two to end the inning.
The Osprey pushed a run closer in the sixth, as Kennedy started with a double, and scored with one out on a single from Dalesandro. Zack Shannon stood at second with one out, and Salaman got Brandon Leyton to fly out to left, keeping Shannon at second. Manager Nestor Corredor then went to the pen for Michael Mediavilla, who got Jesus Munoz to fly out to end the frame.
Mediavilla held the line out of the Brewers bullpen, striking out four over 2.1 scoreless innings. The Brewers got a key insurance run from Chad McClanahan in the bottom of the eighth, as he left the yard with a solo blast. Helena needed it, as Leyton started the ninth inning with a solo homer to cut the Helena lead to one. Peter Strzelecki then bore down and got the next three in order, securing the victory.
Helena heads to Missoula tomorrow for a two game series at Allegiance Field, with first pitch tomorrow scheduled for 7:05 PM. Blake Lillis takes the hill for Helena, opposed by Erin Baldwin for Missoula.
