Hernandez Quality Start Spoiled In Pitchers Duel

GRAND JUNCTION, CO - A matchup of two of the best aces in the Pioneer League lived up to the billing on Sunday night at Suplizio Field as undefeated Nelson Hernandez squared off against undefeated Jeffri Ocando. Unfortunately for the Helena Brewers (17-26, 2-3), Hernandez's quality start didn't get enough offensive support, as the Brewers dropped their series finale against the Grand Junction Rockies 6-2.
The Rockies (21-23, 3-3) managed to get a run on Hernandez in the first. After Shael Mendoza singled and Pedro Gonzalez doubled, Chad Spanberger sacrificed to center, scoring Mendoza. Gonzalez was thrown out attempting to tag up, and Hernandez got his first strikeout of the night to escape the inning down 1-0.
Helena tied the game with a sacrifice fly of their own in the second inning. KJ Harrison singled to start the inning and went first to third on a single by Payton Henry. Chad McClanahan skied a ball to centerfield, and Harrison tagged up from third to score, knotting the game at 1-1.
The Brewers went ahead in the third thanks to one of their newest players. Jose Gomez singled to start the frame and was replaced at first on a fielder's choice by Antonio Pinero. The shortstop advanced to second on a groundout by Nicolas Pierre and scored on an opposite field single by Kenny Corey, his first RBI with Helena, giving the Brewers a 2-1 lead.
Hernandez (5-1) settled into a groove in the middle innings, retiring 13 out of 14 batters. He ran into trouble in the sixth when Grand Junction strung together two doubles and a single to score two runs, taking a 3-2 lead. The 20-year-old Venezuelan took his first loss of the season after hurling 6.0 innings, allowing three runs on six hits while walking one and striking out three.
Ocando (5-0) found his rhythm in the middle innings too, retiring the final 10 batters he faced. Reliever Derrik Watson also retired the three batters he faced in order, part of 13 consecutive Helena hitters retired from the end of the fourth through the seventh.
The Brewers managed two base runners in the eighth after Franly Mallen was hit by a pitch and Pinero singled. Helena's rally came up short when Pierre grounded into an inning ending 5-4-3 double play.
Helena continues their seven-game road trip on Monday night as they start a three-game series with the Orem Owlz at 7:05 PM. Helena sends RHP Michael Petersen (0-2, 8.63) to the bump opposite Orem RHP Simon Mathews (1-0, 4.05). The game can be heard on KCAP 95.9 FM/AM 950, the MiLB First Pitch App and on helenabrewers.net.