Editor’s Note: Helena Brewer’s Press Release
Helena — In front of a packed house on a gorgeous day, the Helena Brewers had a chance to sweep Missoula and send the fans home happy on the final regular season home game in franchise history. However, it was not to be as the Brewers offense squandered early opportunities, allowing the Osprey to take the first lead and extend it to four runs. The Brewers got shut out 4-0 in the series finale, snapping their five game winning streak. Helena now has to hope that Great Falls beats Billings, which would keep the Brewers alive in the playoff race.
Helena had a chance to score in the third, fourth, and fifth, but failed to do so in each frame. In the third, Connor McVey reached on an error, Mike Alescio walked, and Jesus Lujano sacrificed both into scoring position with one out. Osprey starter Erin Baldwin punched out Je’Von Ward, walked Brice Turang, but then struck out Yeison Coca to end the inning. A one out double from Bryan Torres was left at second in the fourth, and back to back singles from Alescio & Lujano with nobody out were left on in the fifth.
Brewers starter Blake Lillis held Missoula scoreless through the first 3.2 innings, but a two out walk to Kristian Robinson in the fourth got to second on a steal, and Eddie Hernandez singled into center, plating Robinson for the first run of the inning. Missoula scored a run in the sixth and two in the seventh, extending the lead to 4-0. Helena’s offense failed to score against the Missoula bullpen, as the only highlight the rest of the game came at the end of the eighth, when the umpires reversed a safe at first call with two out. It prompted Brewers manager Nestor Corredor to argue his case and get tossed, leaving the field to a rousing applause.
For the moment, the Brewers playoff hopes are still alive, but they need to win out and have Billings lose out. Tomorrow the Brewers head west for their final regular season series in franchise history against Missoula. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.
