Errors Hurt Brewers In Loss

Four errors came back to haunt the Helena Brewers (23-41, 8-18) in a 6-1 loss to the Billings Mustangs (29-43, 11-15) on Monday night at Dehler Park.
With a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, Brewers starter Alec Bettinger (3-3) walked the first two batters he faced. Leandro Santana then put the ball into play with a swinging bunt, but Brewers first baseman Chad McClanahan couldn't hold onto a throw from Bettinger as Santana ran through his arm at first base, allowing one run to come in and score, tying the game 1-1. Two batters later, Montrell Marshall hit a pop fly to center field that Tristen Lutz had bounce off his glove, allowing the go-ahead run to score, making it 2-1 Billings.
In the bottom of the fifth, two more missteps hurt Helena. Pabel Manzanero started the inning with a fly ball to right field. Franly Mallen and Jose Gomez both lost sight of the ball as it dropped into the outfield grass, sending Manzanero to second with a double. Urwin Juaquin dropped down a bunt single before Stuart Fairchild singled to center, plating Manzanero. Lutz misplayed the ball as he tried to collect it in the outfield, allowing Juaquin to race around third and score, extending the Mustangs lead to 4-1. Andy Sugilio singled to drive in Fairchild, pushing Billings lead to 5-1.
Helena had their chances to score runs throughout the game. The Brewers put the lead off man on base in the third, fourth, fifth and eighth inning, but was unable to advance him further than second on any one of those occasions. All told, the Brewers left eight men on base and went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
The lone run for the Brewers came in the second inning. McClanahan singled with one out and stole second base. With two outs, Gomez rolled a ball to the right side of the infield that slipped under the glove of Mustangs second baseman Alejo Lopez, scoring McClanahan to give the Brewers a 1-0 lead.
Helena continues their road trip as they take on the Great Falls Voyagers on Tuesday night at 7:00 PM at Centene Stadium. The Brewers send RHP Michael Petersen (0-2, 7.08) to the mound against Voyagers RHP Kyle Von Ruden (3-2, 3.56). The game can be heard on Newstalk KCAP 95.9 FM/ AM 950, the MiLB First Pitch App and helenabrewers.net.