Attempting a comeback for a second straight night, the Helena Brewers (22-39, 7-16) forced extra innings, but fell to the Missoula Osprey (29-32, 10-13) 6-4 in 10 innings on Friday night in front of 1,970 fans at Kindrick Legion Field. Trailing 4-3 going to the bottom of the ninth, Jose
Attempting a comeback for a second straight night, the Helena Brewers (22-39, 7-16) forced extra innings, but fell to the Missoula Osprey (29-32, 10-13) 6-4 in 10 innings on Friday night in front of 1,970 fans at Kindrick Legion Field.
Trailing 4-3 going to the bottom of the ninth, Jose Gomez bounced a ball over the head of the Osprey third baseman, doubling into left field. Nicolas Pierre sacrificed Gomez to third, and the speedy center fielder tagged up to score on a fly out in foul territory near first base, sending the game to extra innings.
Missoula opened the extra frame in explosive fashion with a solo home run by Andy Yerzy, his ninth of the year, to give the Osprey a 5-4 lead. Will Gorman singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a double by Gavin Stupienski, adding an insurance run for Missoula.
In the bottom of the tenth, KJ Harrison drew a one-out walk and Feliciano singled with two outs. Chad McClanahan, however, struck out to end the game.
Helena drew first blood in the bottom of the first inning. Kenny Corey led off with a double but was cancelled out when a Tristen Lutz grounder hit him in the ankles. Lutz stole second and came in to score on a single by Gabriel Garcia, giving the Brewers an early 1-0 lead.
Facing starter Karsen Lindell, the Osprey tied the game in the top of the second. Will Gorman and Joel Novas both singled before Brandon Leyton stroked a single to center, plating a run to even the game 1-1. Lindell tied a career-high by tossing 5.0 innings, allowing just one run on six hits, walking three and striking out two.
The big inning for the Osprey came in the sixth with the just two hits. Reliever Cody Martin plunked the first batter he faced and uncorked a wild pitch that let the runner move to second. Martin struck out Joel Novas, but he advanced to first on a passed ball. Stupienski singled to right field, driving in Gorman to put the Osprey in front 2-1. Novas raced in to score on another wild pitch from Martin, pushing Missoula's lead to 3-1. A single and a sacrifice fly finished off the Osprey's rally, putting them ahead 4-1.
Helena closes out their series against the Osprey on Saturday night at 7:35 PM. The Brewers will send RHP Gabe Friese (1-1, 6.14) to the mound against Osprey RHP Cesilio Pimentel (1-1, 3.75). It's Country Night, where all fans attired in western gear receive $2 off the price of admission at the gate. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online at helenabrewers.net.
