Osprey beaten by Brewers, 8-1

HELENA, MONT - The Missoula Osprey were unable to get the offense going on their latest stop in their six-game road swing, falling here at Kindrick Legion Field to the Helena Brewers, 8-1, in front of 1,266 fans.

The Osprey were held to five hits until the top of the ninth inning, when they scored their lone run of the night. Rudy Flores hit a ball to center field which was lost in the lights, allowing Pedro Ruiz to score from third. Flores was credited with a RBI single, his second hit of the night.

Yosbel Gutierrez had three of Missoula's nine hits, while Justin Bianco added a double. Ruiz, Socrates Brito and John Leonard added base hits for the Osprey.

Neither team could dent the scoreboard until the Brewers finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth, scoring a run off of starter Jared Ray for a 1-0 edge. Osprey reliever Patrick Smith came on and managed to get out of the inning without any further damage. Ray ended up allowing just the one run on five hits and four walks, while striking out six batters.

The Brewers would then get to Smith in the home half of the seventh, scoring three times to grow their lead to 4-0. Helena added four more in the bottom of the eighth off of Missoula reliever Bobby O'Neill to push the edge to 8-0.

The Osprey and Brewers will continue their three-game series with a Sunday afternoon tilt beginning at 1:05 p.m. at Kindrick Legion Field. The Osprey will send right-hander Ross Gerdeman to the mound, while the Brewers will counter with left-hander Will West.

The Osprey will return home to start a seven-game homestand against Grand Junction and Orem on Wednesday, July 11. Tickets are available now at the MSO Hub Box Office, located at 140 North Higgins in Downtown Missoula, online at MissoulaOsprey.com and by phone (406) 543-3300.