OREM, UT - The Helena Brewers (17-27, 2-4) held the Pioneer League's best offense in check all night, but lost 2-1 on a walk off single by the Orem Owlz (32-12, 6-1) at the Home of the Owlz on Monday night.With the game tied 1-1 in the bottom of the
OREM, UT - The Helena Brewers (17-27, 2-4) held the Pioneer League's best offense in check all night, but lost 2-1 on a walk off single by the Orem Owlz (32-12, 6-1) at the Home of the Owlz on Monday night.
With the game tied 1-1 in the bottom of the ninth, reliever Rodrigo Benoit (1-4) issued just his third walk of the season to start the inning. The runner advanced to second on a wild pitch and was moved to third on a sacrifice, the first out of the inning. In just his fifth game with the Owlz, second baseman Stephen Kerr roped a 1-1 pitch into left, bringing in the winning run.
Orem got their only other run off starter Michael Petersen in the second on a Manuel Guzman lead off home run, his second of the season, giving Orem a 1-0 lead.
Petersen settled down after the home run, retiring 10 of the next 12 batters he faced, including eight in a row. The 22-year-old right-hander tossed 4.1 innings, allowing just one run on three hits while walking two and striking out four.
On the other side, Owlz starter Simon Mathews kept the Brewers off balance all night, working at a quick clip. He sat down the first eight Brewers he faced and allowed just one hit through his first 4.0 innings of work. Helena threatened in the fifth when Chad McClanahan drew a two-out walk and went first to third on a Jose Gomez single. However, Antonio Pinero lined out to left, ending the Brewers threat.
Helena broke through in the seventh against reliever James Ziemba. Batting with one out, third baseman Gabriel Garcia launched a 2-2 pitch over the left field wall, his fifth home run of the year, tying the game 1-1. Gomez doubled and advanced to third on a wild pitch, but was stranded after Pinero struck out. Gomez finished the night 3-for-3 with a double.
Helena continues their series with Orem on Tuesday night at 7:05 PM. Helena sends RHP Karsen Lindell (2-1, 5.55) to the bump opposite Orem RHP Mayky Perez (2-1, 4.45). The game can be heard on KCAP 95.9 FM/AM 950, the MiLB First Pitch App and helenabrewers.net.
