(Editor’s note: Helena Brewers release)
MISSOULA – On Thursday night in Missoula the Brewers got swooped in on early by the Osprey, as they scored 13 runs combined in the first three innings. Helena never recovered, falling 14-2 and splitting the two game set with the Osprey.
Missoula’s offense broke the ice in the first for the second straight night, as the Osprey put runners at the corners against Victor Castaneda with one out. Zac Almond brought home the first run with a sacrifice fly, and the inning stayed alive on an error. Brandon Leyton made the Brewers pay for their defensive mistake, pounding a ball into the left center field gap, going for a triple and scoring two runs.
The Osprey kept the pedal to the floor in the second, as a leadoff walk to Cesar Garcia scored on a two out double from Blaze Alexander. Buddy Kennedy then singled home Alexander, and Zac Almond cleared the bases with his league leading ninth homer, giving Missoula the 7-0 lead after two. It ended the night for Castaneda, marking the second time in his last three starts going two innings or less.
In the third Jenri Montas entered, and exited before the inning was over, as Missoula sent 11 men to the plate in frame, scoring six runs to take a 13-0 lead.
Osprey starter Deyni Olivero allowed the first two Brewers to reach in the first, but then retired the next 14 Brewers he faced, with that streak being broken on a two out error in the fifth. Helena finally broke through against Olivero in the sixth, as they loaded the bases with one out on three consecutive singles. LG Castillo then popped a single into center field, scoring two.
Helena’s bullpen after Montas exited allowed just one unearned run over the next 5.1 innings.
