Ninth-inning rally falls short as Ogden misses sweep
(August 19, Ogden, UT) - The Helena Brewers scored twice in the top of the ninth inning to break a tie and then breathed a sigh of relief when the Ogden Raptors left the bases loaded in the bottom half as Helena hung on for a 7-5 win at Lindquist Field Wednesday night. The Brewers salvaged one game in a three-game set with the win.
After trailing the entire night, the Raptors rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game at five. Pedro Guerrero's three-run bloop double capped a two-out uprising, and 3,674 fans had sweep on their minds.
But the Brewers countered with two in the ninth off of righty Luis Ferreras (2-1). Mike Marseco, who had three hits and three RBIs on the night, belted a one-out, run-scoring double to put Helena in front. Scott Krieger followed with a double into the right-field corner to give the Brewers an insurance run.
In the bottom of the ninth, Ogden was down to its final out with the bases empty when Austin Yount singled to keep the game alive. Then Chris Jacobs and Lenell McGee drew consecutive walks to fill the bases. Raptors manager Damon Berryhill called back David Iden and turned to a new but familiar face as a pinch-hitter. Second-year Raptor Clay Calfee was sent down from Great Lakes (A) before the game, and the lefty slugger came to bat with a chance to be a hero.
Before he stepped in, Helena skipper Rene Gonzales brought in lefty Kristian Bueno to face Calfee. It proved to be a good decision, as Bueno fanned the twenty-three year old on three pitches to end the ball game.
In total, Ogden left thirteen men on base in the loss.
Edwin Contreras suffered through a rocky start for the Raptors, lasting just 4.0 innings while surrendering four runs. He did not factor in the decision, nor did Brewers hurler Damon Krestalude, who worked 6.0 innings giving up two runs, one earned.
The Raptors, who took four of seven in the season series with the Brewers, will continue their home-stand Thursday night, beginning a four-game series with the Missoula Osprey. Luis Vasquez and Eric Smith are the scheduled starters, with first pitch set for 7:00 pm.
After trailing the entire night, the Raptors rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game at five. Pedro Guerrero's three-run bloop double capped a two-out uprising, and 3,674 fans had sweep on their minds.
But the Brewers countered with two in the ninth off of righty Luis Ferreras (2-1). Mike Marseco, who had three hits and three RBIs on the night, belted a one-out, run-scoring double to put Helena in front. Scott Krieger followed with a double into the right-field corner to give the Brewers an insurance run.
In the bottom of the ninth, Ogden was down to its final out with the bases empty when Austin Yount singled to keep the game alive. Then Chris Jacobs and Lenell McGee drew consecutive walks to fill the bases. Raptors manager Damon Berryhill called back David Iden and turned to a new but familiar face as a pinch-hitter. Second-year Raptor Clay Calfee was sent down from Great Lakes (A) before the game, and the lefty slugger came to bat with a chance to be a hero.
Before he stepped in, Helena skipper Rene Gonzales brought in lefty Kristian Bueno to face Calfee. It proved to be a good decision, as Bueno fanned the twenty-three year old on three pitches to end the ball game.
In total, Ogden left thirteen men on base in the loss.
Edwin Contreras suffered through a rocky start for the Raptors, lasting just 4.0 innings while surrendering four runs. He did not factor in the decision, nor did Brewers hurler Damon Krestalude, who worked 6.0 innings giving up two runs, one earned.
The Raptors, who took four of seven in the season series with the Brewers, will continue their home-stand Thursday night, beginning a four-game series with the Missoula Osprey. Luis Vasquez and Eric Smith are the scheduled starters, with first pitch set for 7:00 pm.