Helena Drops High Scoring Affair

GRAND JUNCTION, CO - On a stormy night in Colorado, the Helena Brewers (17-25, 2-2) couldn't withstand a hitting barrage from the Grand Junction Rockies in a 12-6 defeat at Suplizio Field on Saturday night.
The Brewers opened the scoring in the first. Kenny Corey doubled and two batter later, Tristen Lutz smashed his first home run of the season, giving Helena a 2-0 lead.
Helena's lead was short lived as Grand Junction responded with three runs in the bottom of the frame. Chad Spanberger hit a two-run blast, his seventh of the season, to knot the game 2-2. In the next at-bat, Casey Golden launched his eighth home run, giving the Rockies the lead 3-2.
Grand Junction tagged started Harold Chirino for another pair of runs in the second, extending the lead to 5-2 on a two-run triple by Pedro Gonzalez.
With two-outs in the top of the third, the Brewers pieced together a rally to tie the game. Lutz walked and KJ Harrison singled, putting two men on base for Jay Feliciano, who launched his team leading eighth home run, evening the score at 5-5.
Yet again, the Rockies responded in the home half of the frame. Braulio Ortiz (0-2) walked the lead off batter, who stole second during the ensuing at-bat and advanced to third on a fly out to center field. Ortiz uncorked a wild pitch, allowing the runner to race in and score from third. As rain started to fall and the wind began to swirl, Todd Czinage doubled and Kennard McDowell popped a ball down the right field line that dropped for a double, scoring another run. After Ortiz's second wild pitch sent McDowell to third and Mendoza walked, the Rockies executed a double steal, pushing their lead to 8-5.
Lutz singled in another run in the fourth but Grand Junction managed another pair of runs in the bottom of the inning, increasing the lead to three runs. Lutz finished the night 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBI, two walks and two runs scored, his third straight two-hit performance.
Over the final five innings, Helena managed just one hit. They loaded the bases on three straight walks in the ninth inning, but couldn't bring in a run when Feliciano flew out to end the game. In total the Brewers struck out 14 times, pushing their season strikeout number to 407.
Helena concludes their four-game series with Grand Junction on Sunday afternoon at 5:00 PM. In a matchup of the last two undefeated starters in the Pioneer League, Helena sends RHP Nelson Hernandez (5-0, 5.40) to the mound against Rockies RHP Jeffri Ocando (4-0, 4.14). The game can be heard on KCAP 95.9 FM/AM 950, MiLB First Pitch App and on helenabrewers.net.