Editor’s Note: Helena Brewers Press Release
Helena — Needing a win to keep their playoff hopes realistic, the Helena Brewers got a solid all around performance in the second game of their series against the Great Falls Voyagers. Starter Caden Lemons earned the win with five innings of one run baseball, while the Brewers offense put up four runs in the third inning to break a 1-1 tie. The Brewers cruised to a 6-2 victory, snapping their three game losing streak and evening their four game series with the Voyagers at a game apiece.
For the first time in five games, the Brewers got on the board before the fourth inning. With two out and nobody on in the first, Yeison Coca blooped a single into shallow right, and David Fry followed with a ringing triple off the batters eye, easily scoring Coca to make it 1-0 Brewers.
Lemons worked in and out of trouble in the first two innings, stranding three runners on against him, but the Voyagers tied the game with two outs in the third. Lemons plunked Lenyn Sosa with one out and he scored on a two out single from Amado Nunez.
Helena responded in a big way in the bottom of the third, as Je’Von Ward and Pablo Abreu started the frame with singles. Coca then squared to bunt and got the bunt down. The pitcher Davis Martin picked up the ball and his throw to first was late, loading the bases with nobody out. Fry then popped a single into center field, scoring Ward, giving Helena the lead and moving everyone up a base. Bryan Torres then hit into a double play, but it scored Abreu and moved Coca to third. LG Castillo then singled home Coca, making it 4-1 Brewers. Castillo with Connor McVey up stole second, and got to third on a throwing error from Jhoandro Alfaro on the steal. McVey then reached on an error that scored Castillo, making it 5-1.
Lemons after the third retired the side in order in the fourth and fifth innings, ending his night after a career long five innings. He allowed just five hits, walked just one while striking out three. The win was the first in his professional career.
Great Falls scored a run in the sixth against Lun Zhao but Helena got the run back with an RBI double from Luis Avila in the sixth. Victor Castaneda pitched two scoreless innings while Logan Gillaspie finished the game with a scoreless inning. The Brewers bullpen retired the last 10 Voyagers in the game.
Tomorrow the Brewers look for their second win of the series as Michele Vassalotti takes the hill. First pitch is at 7:05 PM, and it is Jefferson County Night at the ballpark. For details and tickets visit helenabrewers.net.
