Eye Black

Final: Helena 5, Great Falls 3 Brewers sweep Voyagers with 5-3 win By Dustin Daniel / Helena Brewers The Helena Brewers (11-20) swept the Great Falls Voyagers (13-18) on Friday with a 5-3 win at Centene Stadium. Tucker Neuhaus led off the third inning with a single and came in to score on a fielder's choice grounder off the bat of Gregory Munoz. Neuhaus is now on a 15-game hitting streak, tied for the longest streak of the year with Sthervin Matos. The Voyagers tied it in the fifth when Louie Lechich hit a solo home run off Devin Williams. Williams would go six innings, giving up just one run and striking out five, but would go home with no decision. The win belonged to Brandon Woodruff (1-1) who pitched the final three innings in relief. It was his first professional win. The Brewers broke open a 5-1 lead in the eighth when four runs scored on five hits. Eric Williams ripped an RBI single up the middle to knock Grant Monroe (1-2) out of the game and Edgardo Rivera finished off the scoring with a 2-RBI double off Matt Cooper. It was the first time this season that the Brewers have swept a series and it was their first series win against an opponent outside of the Missoula Osprey. The Brewers now head back to Helena to host the Voyagers for three games, starting with a double-header on Saturday. First pitch from Kindrick is set for 5:05 p.m. Helena Box Score Brandon Diaz struck out swinging in the first inning and was removed from the game when the Brewers took the field defensively. Helena managed 10 hits, but also struck out 12 times on the night. Tucker Neuhaus is batting .306 over the past month, hopefully he can carry his late season offensive momentum into next season. In 63.1 innings pitched this season, Devin Williams now has 60 strike outs while allowing 20 walks. Helena Game Log

Final: Great Falls 11, Helena 4 (Completion of Aug. 20 Game) Final: Helena 2, Great Falls 0 (Regularly Scheduled Game) Brewers Halt Skid at Nine By Troy Shockley / Helena Independent Record The skid is over. Thanks to a stellar pitching performance from Zach Hirsch, the Helena Brewers snapped a nine-game skid with their second shutout of the season, beating Great Falls 2-0 on Thursday night. The seven-inning contest followed the continuation of a game started more than a week ago that was halted by rain. In that one, the Voyagers ran away with an 11-4 win to push the Brewers' losing streak to nine games. In the nightcap, Hirsch went six innings, surrendering just three hits and walking one while striking out an impressive 11. He had some defensive help behind him, too, as the sixth and seventh innings were both ended on a Helena double play. The game was scoreless until the fifth, when Dionis Hinojosa's RBI groundout and Luis Aviles' RBI single put the visitors up 2-0. And those were all the runs the club would need, as Wesley Cox closed it out in the seventh -- with the help of that double play. In the earlier contest, action picked up in the fourth inning with Helena trailing 4-2. Dillon Haupt connected for a triple that made it a 5-2 game in the fifth. An error and another triple made it a five-run game, and things didn't get any better from there. Helena will be back in action on Friday, again at Great Falls. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Helena Completion of Suspended Game Box Score Helena Completion of Suspended Game Log Helena Regularly Scheduled Game Box Score Helena Regularly Scheduled Game Log With a 2-for-2 effort in the second game, Tucker Neuhaus extended his hitting streak to 14 games.

Final: Missoula 11, Helena 4 Osprey sweep Brewers, win 11-4 By Dustin Daniel / Helena Brewers The Missoula Osprey (15-14) swept the Helena Brewers (9-19) in a two-game series with an 11-4 win on Wednesday from Ogren Park Allegiance Field. It was Helena's eighth straight loss, setting a season-high for losing streak. A majority of the scoring for the O's came in the third when six runs scored on three hits. Stewart Ijames hit a grand slam off of J.B. Kole (2-3) to lead the way for Missoula. It was the second grand slam that the Brewers have given up this season and they have both been to the Osprey. Ijames homered again in the fourth, this time a two-run homer off Donnie Hissa. Ijames was 2-for-5 in the game with six RBI in all. Tucker Neuhaus hit a three-run home run in the eighth for Helena to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. Neuhaus was 0-for-2 in the game up to that point and on the verge of ending his streak before lining one over the right field fence in his final at-bat. Josh Uhen pitched three shutout innings of relief for the Brewers, giving up just one hit and striking out one. The Brewers now head to Great Falls to take on the Voyagers at Centene Stadium. First pitch from the first game of a double-header on Thursday is set for 6:00 p.m. Helena Box Score Three of the six hits for the Brewers came off the bat of 24 year old outfielder Dionis Hinojosa who went 3-for-3. The eighth inning home run for Tucker Neuhaus was his 3rd long ball of the year. Helena Game Log

Final: Missoula 5, Helena 3 Brewers lose 7th straight at hands of Osprey By Dustin Daniel / Helena Brewers The Helena Brewers (9-18) dropped their seventh straight on Tuesday, falling to the Missoula Osprey (14-14) in their series opener 5-3. Helena took the first lead of the game with a run in the top of the second on a Tucker Neuhaus single. Alan Sharkey came in to score on the play after a fielding error in right field by Stewart Ijames. Neuhaus is now on a team-high 11-game hitting streak. The Osprey then responded with all five of their runs over the next two innings, including a four-run bottom of the third. Those four runs were powered by four doubles in the inning. It was Luis Ortega's (3-7) team-high seventh loss of the year, pitching four innings and giving up five runs on nine hits. The Brewers would then pull it to 5-3 with a solo home run from Alan Sharkey and an RBI single from Natanael Mejia, but multiple late opportunities did not pan out for the visitors. They would leave the bases loaded in the eighth with the tying run at second. The Brewers and the Osprey will face off in their series finale Wednesday at Ogren Park Allegiance Field. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Helena Box Score Brandon Diaz was responsible for three of the eight hits Helena recorded. Diaz went 3-for-4 with a double. Alan Sharkey was 2-for-3 with a walk and recorded his second home run of the season (and of his professional career). Helena Game Log

Billings edges Brewers in 12 innings Helena Independent Record The Billings Mustangs let the Helena Brewers back into the game Monday night, but still prevailed in the end, 7-6 in 12 innings. The Mustangs' Cory Thompson reached base on a throwing error in the top of the 12th inning. He then advanced to third base before Ty Washington's sacrifice fly to to left field was deep enough for Thompson to score what would be the game-winning run. Helena forced extra innings when they rallied from a run behind in the ninth inning to knot the score at 6-all. After Edgardo Rivera led off with a double, he then proceeded to race home when the next batter, Gregory Munoz, stroked an RBI single. Billings trailed 5-2 going into the seventh inning, but exploded for four runs in the top of the frame to pull ahead 6-5. The big blow was Argenis Aldazoro's 2-out, 2-run single, scoring Cory Thompson and Ty Washington, helped by a throwing error by Helena shortstop Luis Aviles. Ryan Deeter pitched the final three innings for Helena (22-41 overall, 9-16 second half) and took the loss while Ty Sterner's scoreless 11th inning was enough to get the win for Billings (33-31 overall, 16-10 second half). The Brewers were led by Mitch Meyer at the plate as the right fielder went 3 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs. Helena outhit Billings 15 to seven for the game, but had four errors to just one for the Mustangs.

Final (12 innings): Billings 7, Helena 6 Mustangs sweep with win in extras By Dustin Daniel / Helena Brewers The Helena Brewers (9-17) lost their sixth straight on Monday, falling 7-6 to the Billings Mustangs (17-10) in 12 innings. Helena would take the first lead of the game with four runs over the first three innings. Eric Williams led off the second with a triple and then came in to score on a sacrifice bunt from Luis Aviles. Williams was 2-for-5 with a double, triple and a run. After taking a 4-0 lead to the fourth, the Brewers would give up six straight runs to fall behind for the first time in the game in the seventh. It was a four-run, two-hit inning for the Mustangs. Taylor sparks hit his sixth double of the season to lead off the inning and later scored on an error. Errors would prove costly in the game for Helena. They would more than double the Mustangs in hits, but four errors in the game allowed Billings to take away the win. Trailing 6-5 going to the bottom of the ninth, Helena's Edgardo Rivera led off with a double and scored on an RBI single from Gregory Munoz forcing the game to extras. Cory Thompson led off the top of the twelfth with a routine grounder to third. Tucker Neuhaus made an errant throw past first baseman Dustin DeMuth which allowed Thompson to take second. He was then bunted over to third and scored on a sacrifice fly from Ty Washington. The Brewers would get the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning with just one out, but then lined in to a double play to end the game. The Brewers are now 0-6 in 2014 in extra-inning games. The Brewers now head to Missoula to take on the Osprey in a two-game series. First pitch on Tuesday from Ogren Park Allegiance Field is set for 7:05 p.m. Helena Box Score Helena bats managed 15 hits, and five players had multi-hit games. Three hit performances turned in by Mitch Meyer (3-for-5 with a home run) and Edgardo Rivera (3-for-5 with a double). Gregory Munoz and Dustin Demuth each went 2-for-4 to raise their Pioneer League season batting averages. Munoz is now batting .322 and DeMuth is hitting .430. Brandon Diaz continued his late season scuffle. While Diaz did managed a line drive single early in the game, he also struck out 4 times. Jorge Ortega had one of his more impressive starts of the season striking out eight batters over six innings pitched. Ortega also only allowed three hits and one earned run over that span. Pitching all three extra innings, Ryan Deeter allowed just one hit, and the lone run against him was unearned as chronicled above. Defensively Luis Aviles had two errors to bring his season total to 19 and Tucker Neuhaus' throwing error in the 12th inning was his 15th error of the season. Helena Game Log

Brewers drop 5th straight By Curt Synness / Helena Independent Record The Helena Brewers dropped their fifth straight game Sunday at Kindrick Legion Field, losing to the Billings Mustangs 6-2. Billings improves to 33-31 overall, and a Northern Division-leading 16-10 in the second half. Helena occupies the division cellar this half at 24-41, 9-16. Billings was held hitless over the first three innings by starter Brandon Woodruff before the Mustangs exploded for four runs in the top of the fifth. All the scoring came with two outs, as the Magic City club used four hits, a walk, a hit batsmen and a throwing error for their 4-spot. The visitors’ third and deciding run was registered by Cory Thompson, who came home on Jimmy Pickens’ RBI single back up the middle. After Pickens went to second on a Ty Washington base hit, Argenis Aldazoro followed up with a line drive that plated an insurance run, although Aldazoro was thrown out at second by right fielder Eric Williams for the third out to end the frame. Helena scored a run in its half of the inning to get on the board and another in the sixth to get to 4-2. But that was as close as the home team would get, as Billings pitching and defensive play shut out the Brewers over the final three stanzas. The Mustangs used five pitchers in holding the hosts to eight hits, with starter Luke Moran getting the win. He went 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs (one unearned) on seven hits, while striking out five and walking no one. The visitors' defense helped out its pitching staff with a pair of rally-killing double plays. Billings’ 11-hit attack was led by Aldazoro, who went 4 for 5, with a double and two RBIs. Pickens was 2 for 4 and scored twice. Woodruff was saddled with the loss. He was relieved by Donnie Hissa and Devin Williams. Williams went the last four frames, allowing two runs on six hits while whiffing four and walking two. Offensively for the Brewers, Gregory Munoz, Dustin DeMuth (RBI) and Eric Williams (RBI) had two base hits apiece. Mitch Meyer’s double was the locals' only extra base hit. The two teams square off for the second game of the two-game set at 7:05 p.m. Monday at Kindrick Legion Field.

Final: Billings 6, Helena 2 Mustangs take opener 6-2 By Dustin Daniel / Helena Brewers The Helena Brewers (9-16) dropped their series opener against the Billings Mustangs (16-10) on Sunday, 6-2 at Kindrick Field. It was the fifth straight game that Helena has lost, tying a season-high in consecutive losses. Brandon Woodruff (0-1) was solid in his start before the fifth, facing the minimum in his first 12 batters. He would not make it out of the fifth frame however, loading the bases with no outs and giving up four runs before his exit. Argenis Aldazoro led the way offensively for the Mustangs, going 4-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. The Brewers scored their two runs in the fifth and sixth. Mitch Meyer lined an RBI double to right to score Tucker Neuhaus in the fifth and Dustin DeMuth singled in Gregory Munoz in the sixth. DeMuth now has 12 multi-hit games in his 18 appearances in the Pioneer League. Despite having just eight hits in the game, three Brewers batters would record multi-hit efforts; Dustin DeMuth, Gregory Munoz and Eric Williams. The Brewers and the Mustangs will face off Monday in the finale of their two-game series at Kindrick Field. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Helena Box Score In 48 games this season, twenty year old Dominican born middle infielder Gregory Munoz is now batting .318 with a .371 on-base percentage. Munoz also recorded his 17th stolen base of the season in 21 attempts. Devin Williams came on in relief tonight, pitching 4 innings and allowing 6 hits, 2 runs, and 2 walks while striking out 4 to bring his season total to 55 K's in 57.1 IP. Helena Game Log

Interesting, so if all current reports are accurate it appears two teams are going to be searching for homes (Brewers and Astros) with Fresno and Albuquerque the two open landing spots. I would still guess Fresno is the more likely of the two for the Brewers, but it will be intriguing to see how it shakes out.

Brewers drop rainy game to Voyagers, 12-11 By Amber Kuehn / Helena Independent Record You couldn't blame them for continuing to play, despite the heavy rain at Kindrick Legion Field. The Helena Brewers entered the bottom of the ninth trailing Great Falls 12-11, itching for their first walk-off win of the season. But as has happened so many times this season, the Brewers saw their comeback attempt come up short. Helena shortstop Luis Aviles ripped one down the third-base line with two outs and the tying run at second. But home plate umpire Craig Struble ruled it a foul ball, much to manager Tony Diggs' dismay. Voyagers reliever Jon Bengard got Aviles to strike out swinging, giving the right-hander back-to-back strikeouts to end the game and give Great Falls the 12-11 win. For Helena, it was the fourth straight defeat and dropped the team into fourth place in the Pioneer League's North Division. It was a back-and-forth contest that featured a roller-coaster fourth inning. Helena entered the frame clinging to a 3-1 lead, but the Voyagers batted around and scored six runs in the top half. Helena answered in the home half, with a Gregory Munoz RBI single and a game-tying, three-run homer by Dionis Hinojosa. The Brewers had two game-tying home runs Friday evening, as Dustin DeMuth -- in his return to Kindrick Legion Field -- crushed a two-run shot in the sixth to make it 9-all. DeMuth finished with four hits in just his second game back with the Brewers after being demoted from the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in place of Sthervin Matos' call up. DeMuth finished a triple shy of the cycle and made a couple of nice defensive plays at third base. Great Falls designated hitter Zach Fisher hit his second home run of the game in the eighth inning to give the Voyagers the lead. This one the visitors wouldn't relinquish. Helena scored a couple of runs in the eighth against Bengard, but Edgardo Rivera -- the potential tying run for the Brewers -- was gunned down at the plate by left fielder Mason Robbins. Robbins had a solid game offensively for the Voyagers, too. He finished with four hits, three RBIs and a solo shot. David Carver took the loss for Helena, while Matt Cooper earned the win for Great Falls. Brewers starter Zach Hirsch gave up five runs on six hits through 3 1/3 innings, and lefty Tyler Linehan struggled mightily in relief. The southpaw walked five batters and allowed four runs in 1 1/3 innings. The two teams meet again at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at Kindrick Legion Field.

Final: Great Falls 12, Helena 11 Brewers lost 4th straight By Dustin Daniel / Helena Brewers The Helena Brewers (9-15) lost their fourth straight on Friday, falling to the Great Falls Voyagers (10-14) 12-11 at Kindrick Field. It was back and forth the whole way, with the two teams combining for 30 hits. There were seven lead changes or ties in the game, which included five home runs. The Voyagers struck in the first with an RBI single from Mason Robbins to score Hunter Jones. Alan Sharkey then lifted the Brewers into the lead in the bottom of the first with a two-RBI triple. It was Sharkey's second triple of the season. He would go 1-for-3 in the game with two walks. The two teams combined for ten runs in the fourth, six of which belonged to Great Falls. Their scoring started with back-to-back home runs, solo shots from Mason Robbins and Zach Fisher. Fisher had two homers in the game, going 2-for-4. Helena had two homers of their own, a three-run homer for Dionis Hinojosa and a two-run blast for Dustin DeMuth. DeMuth went 4-for-5 in just his third game back in the Pioneer League. Trailing 12-11 going to the ninth, the Brewers would come up just short. Alan Sharkey led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a bunt from Natanael Mejia. With one out and the tying run in scoring position, Helena would be unable to convert. Jon Bengard struck out the next two batters to end the game. The Brewers and the Voyagers will face off in the finale of their two-game series Saturday at Kindrick Field. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Helena Box Score Both teams finished with 15 hits in the contest. With his 4-for-5 effort (including a double and home run), Dustin DeMuth is now hitting .423 in 17 Pioneer League games. Four other Helena players also registered multi-hit nights including leadoff batter Edgardo Rivera (2-for-4), Mitch Meyer (2-for-5 with a double), Luis Aviles (2-for 5), Gregory Munoz (3-for-4 with a double). Rivera also stole his 12th base of the season while Munoz increased his stolen base total to 16. Helena Game Log

Final: Great Falls 2, Helena 0 Brewers shut out for 5th time this year By Dustin Daniel / Helena Brewers The Helena Brewers (9-14) were shut out for the fifth time this year on Thursday, falling to the Great Falls Voyagers (9-14) on Thursday 2-0. Josh Uhen (1-4) was solid in the start, but could not get any offensive support to pick up a win. Uhen pitched six innings, giving up two runs on five hits. J.B. Kole would then pitch two perfect innings of relief. The two right-handers would combine to not allow a hit after the fourth inning. Hunter Jones led off the game with a single, stole second and came in on a two-out single from Dillon Haupt. Haupt was 1-for-1 with two walks. The Voyagers' second run came in the fourth on an RBI grounder from Louie Lechich to score Mason Robbins. Alex Powers picked up his second save of the year, tossing two perfect innings to close the game. Helena batters struck out 15 times in the game, tying a season high. The Brewers and the Voyagers will now play a two-game series back at Kindrick Field. First pitch on Friday from Helena is set for 7:05 p.m. Helena Box Score Dustin DeMuth and Tucker Neuhaus each went 1-for-4 on the night, Neuhaus also had a stolen base. The only multi-hit game and extra base hit both came from Alan Sharkey who went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk. Helena Game Log

Helena game suspended in Great Falls By Troy Shockley / Helena Independent Record The Helena Brewers got a day off Tuesday, and then wound up only playing a handful of innings Wednesday. Opening a home-and-home series with Great Falls on Wednesday, the Brewers found themselves trailing 4-0 in the bottom of the third inning. That's when the skies above Centene Stadium opened and soaked the field, forcing the contest to be suspended. The two teams will play on Thursday as scheduled -- and then will play two games at Helena's Kindrick Legion Field on Friday and Saturday -- but will work the rest of Wednesday's game into a doubleheader Aug. 28. Hunter Jones did most of the damage in the partial game, using a two-out, three-run homer to put the Voyagers up 3-0 at the end of two. Dillon Haupt tacked on another run with an RBI single in the third. Helena Box Score Helena Game Log

In honor of some old stomping grounds...

The Helena Independent Record Photo Gallery provides eight photos from Monday's game. Here is just a sampling... http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/05/5053ba62-2755-11e4-a758-001a4bcf887a/53f2cbca9505d.preview-620.jpg Eliza Wiley Independent Record - Brewers first baseman Alan Sharkey keeps his eye on the ball as an Ogden player scrambles safely back to first. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/aa/3aa56396-2755-11e4-aa9d-001a4bcf887a/53f2cba6418d4.preview-620.jpg Eliza Wiley Independent Record - Brandon Diaz gets a piece of the ball Monday night at Kindrick Legion Field.

Raptors’ Chigbogu goes yard twice to beat Brewers By Curt Synness / Helena Independent Record http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/7f/47f22a70-2755-11e4-bbb7-001a4bcf887a/53f2cbbc9c304.preview-620.jpg Eliza Wiley Independent Record - Alan Sharkey makes a quick turn back to first while Gregory Munoz assists for final out of the fourth inning against Ogden. Big Justin Chigbogu blasted a pair of home runs, powering the Ogden Raptors to a 7-1 win over the Helena Brewers in the final contest of their four-game series at Kindrick Legion Field on Monday. The two teams split the series, with Helena winning the first two games, and Ogden taking the next two. Chigbogu, a 20-year old, left-handed batter from Raytown, Missouri, belted solo shots in the first and fourth innings, extending his Pioneer League homer lead to 16 home runs. The 6-foot-1, 240-pound designated hitter’s second bomb came on an 0-1 pitch, when he powdered the ball to the deepest part of the ballpark, well over the 20-foot fence in center field at the 400-foot mark. At that point, the Raptors had three hits, all of which were home runs, as Julian Leon also went yard in the opening frame. Helena’s lone marker came in the bottom of the sixth inning, when the hosts banged a couple of doubles by Alan Sharkey and Tucker Neuhaus. Sharkey also singled for the Brewer’s third hit, which was their lowest output of the season. Ogden scored three runs in the seventh stanza, and one more in the eighth to attain the final 7-1 margin. The Raptors rapped out 12 base hits, led by Chgbogu, Jimmy Allen (3 for 4, triple, two RBIs) and Jacob Scavuzzo (2 for 4, double, two runs). J.D. Underwood started on the bump for the visitors, and went six innings for the victory. He allowed three hits and struck out three batsmen. Reliever Joe Broussard pitched the final three innings of hitless ball, fanning six Brewers and walking just one. Brewer starter Jorge Ortega was hung with the defeat, giving up five hits and three runs in six frames. Ogden improves to 26-33 overall, and 11-10 in the second half. Helena slips to 22-38, 9-13. NOTE: Ogden is managed by former major league pitcher Jack McDowell. McDowell’s 13-year big league career included stints with the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Anaheim Angels. He was a three-time All-Star, and the 1993 Cy Young Award recipient.

Final: Ogden 7, Helena 1 Raptors battle back to split series By Dustin Daniel / Helena Brewers The Ogden Raptors (11-10) pitched their way to a 7-1 victory on Monday to split their four-game series with the Helena Brewers (9-13). The Brewers would set a season-low with just three hits in the game, two of which belonged to Alan Sharkey. Sharkey went 2-for-2 with two walks, reaching in all four of his plate appearances. He has now reached safely in eight straight at-bats. The Raptors hit two home runs in the first inning off Jorge Ortega (3-4), both of which were solo shots. They came back-to-back from Julian Leon and Justin Chigbogu, the third and fourth hitters in the lineup. Chigbogu hit two in the game, putting him two homers ahead of Aristedes Aquino for the Pioneer League lead. The lone Helena run came in the sixth. Sharkey hit a one-out double and scored two batters later on an RBI double from Tucker Neuhaus. Neuhaus is responsible for hitting in every run in the last two Brewers games. The Brewers will now head to Great Falls for a two-game series with the Voyagers. First pitch on Wednesday from Centene Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m. Helena Box Score With only three Helena hits, not much on the offensive side to discuss. The only batters to record hits for Helena, Alan Sharkey and Tucker Neuhaus, each had doubles. Starting pitcher Luis Ortega went 6 innings allowing 5 hits and 3 runs all on solo home runs. Ortega also walked none and struck out 2. Helena Game Log

Not exactly your typical AZL #3 and #4 hitters, having to face Chris Owings and Mitch Haniger in those spots!

Brewers’ ninth-inning rally not enough to catch Raptors By Curt Synness / Helena Independent Record The Helena Brewers’ ninth-inning rally came up one run short on Sunday, as the Ogden Raptors edged the Brewers 3-2 in the third contest of a four-game series. The Brewers trailed Ogden 3-1 going into their half of the ninth at Kindrick Legion Field. After Dionis Hinojosa led off the bottom of the frame with a double, Eric Williams’ walk put Brewers on first and second with none out. But the next two men were retired on a popped-up bunt and a strikeout before a single by Tucker Neuhaus scored Hinojosa. That left Helena with the tying run on second. But it wasn’t to be, as Ogden reliever Brock Stewart fanned Mitch Meyer to end the game. The Brewers actually outhit the Utah club 7-5, and Helena pitching shut out the Raptors for eight of the nine innings. But Ogden used a three-run third frame that eventually made the difference. The visitors scored all three runs after two outs were recorded — on an RBI-triple by Billy Bereszniewicz, Cody Bellinger’s single and stolen base, and the game-winning RBI single by Colin Herrig. Helena got on the board in the third with its first run when Tucker Neuhaus’ ground ball fielder’s choice brought home Williams. But the local club had another runner gunned down at the plate on the play trying to score, when Franscisco Castillo was tagged out by Ogden catcher Hunter Redman on a throw from shortstop Ivan Vela. Neuhaus finished with a pair of RBIs. Teammate Alan Sharkey chipped in with a double. Ogden used five pitchers on the day, with middle reliever Frances Martinez collecting the win. Helena starter Devin Williams went five innings in the loss, giving up three runs and four hits while striking out seven. Brew-crew relievers Brandon Woodruff and Donnie Hissa shut out the visitors over the final four stanzas. The Brewers won the first two games of the series, and will host the Raptors again tonight in the finale. NOTE: Helena manager Tony Diggs returned to the team Sunday after a four-game absence because of to a death in the family, but chose to coach from the first base coaching box while hitting coach Jason Dubois again manned the third-base side.

1) Orlando Arcia 2) Tyrone Taylor 3) Clint Coulter 4) Devin Williams 5) Jake Gatewood 6) Monte Harrison 7) Gilbert Lara 8) Taylor Jungmann 9) Tyler Wagner 10) Kodi Medeiros 11) Taylor Williams 12) Jorge Lopez 13) Jason Rogers 14) David Denson 15) Victor Roache 16) Yadiel Rivera 17) Michael Reed 18) Ariel Pena 19) David Goforth 20) Hunter Morris 21) Chris McFarland 22) Hobbs Johnson 23) Wei-Chung Wang 24) Brandon Diaz 25) Tucker Neuhaus Just missed: Joantgel Segovia, Tyler Cravy, Jed Bradley, Michael Ratterree A few observations from the process of trying to rank the top 25 organization prospects... First, IMO Orlando Arcia, Tyrone Taylor, and Clint Coulter pretty clearly comprise the first tier of prospects in the system. I really couldn't argue putting them in any order as they are almost interchangeable within those top three spots. Earlier in the season I would have been more adamant about Arcia and Taylor being 1-2, but I considered putting Coulter at 1 (or 2) because this season he is flashing moments of "what they look like" as a hitter. I am also in agreement with many that a position change could help unleash the offensive beast that Coulter appears to be capable of becoming. Second, I have to admit I have developed a somewhat irrational bias toward dreaming on what a player could become. I typically over-rate a high ceiling while likely underrating guys with high floors. After the top tier there appears to be a lot less polish and certainty. The second wave for me is a group of guys with a ton of talent, but most are just too far away in their development to be anything more than cautiously optimistic about right now. Also, the overall number of talented high upside players under 21 is quite impressive as compared to the past couple of years. I moved Jason Rogers up from my initial list because it is becoming fairly apparent that at some point he is going to be a major league player, and there is certainly a lot of value in that even if it isn't in an every day role. Same story for Jungmann, I believe he will be an MLB pitcher in the not to distant future even if it is as a #5 starter. Lastly, I was really struck by how difficult the second half of these rankings were. I counted 30 guys that I could make an argument for placing in slots 16-25. The system appears to have a great deal more depth than it did at this time last season. Admittedly if I did this list five times over the next month, I would probably have different rankings in the 16-25 range every single time.

Final: Ogden 3, Helena 2 Raptors squeak out 3-2 win By Dustin Daniel / Helena Brewers The Ogden Raptors (10-10) squeaked out a 3-2 win on Sunday over the Helena Brewers (9-12) at Kindrick Field. Devin Williams (4-7) got the start for Helena, getting the short stick in another pitcher's duel. Williams would give up three runs in five innings, tying a season-high for the righty with seven strikeouts. All three Raptors runs came in the third on four hits. Billy Bereszniewicz ripped an RBI triple to lead the way for Ogden in the frame. He would go 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. After the third, it was pitching that took over. The Brewers would allow just one hit the rest of the way, an infield single for Bereszniewicz on a hard bunt to second. Helena would mount a rally in the bottom of the ninth, but came up just short. Dionis Hinijosa led off the inning with a double and would later score on an RBI single from Tucker Neuhaus. With Eric Williams at second representing the tying run, Brock Stewart would record a strikeout to end the game and pick up his third save of the season. The Brewers and the Raptors will face off in the finale of their four-game series Monday at Kindrick Field. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Helena Box Score Following a seven strike out effort tonight, Devin Williams now with 51 strike outs on the season in 53.1 innings pitched. With his RBI single in the 9th, Tucker Neuhaus continues his improvement at the plate. Neuhaus is now hitting .315 BA in his last 15 games (17-for-54). Helena Game Log

Some additional Helena photos courtesy of the Helena Independent Record. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/e1/0e173598-25b6-11e4-bf58-0019bb2963f4/53f0131a72d5c.preview-620.jpg Thom Bridge/ Independent Record- Alan Sharkey reaches for the ball just as Ogden's Andrew Godbold gets to first base. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/c1/0c12baf6-25b6-11e4-9c17-0019bb2963f4/53f0131719708.preview-620.jpg Thom Bridge/ Independent Record- Left-hander David Carver tosses the ball from the mound as the Helena Brewers took the Oagedn Raptors at Kindrick Legion Field Saturday. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/ab/0ab752c0-25b6-11e4-8aef-0019bb2963f4/53f013148f472.preview-620.jpg Thom Bridge/ Independent Record- Francisco Castillo tags out an Ogden runner at second base.

Castillo, Brewers tame Raptors once again By Curt Synness / Helena Independent Record http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/99/099154c2-25b6-11e4-9ffa-0019bb2963f4/53f01312b2e6f.preview-620.jpg Thom Bridge/ Independent Record- Edgardo Rivera high fives a fellow teammate after running in the Brewers' first run of the night against the Ogden Raptors. For the second night in a row, the Helena Brewers offense powered the home team to a Pioneer League win over the visiting Ogden Raptors. The Brewers beat the Raptors 7-3 on Saturday at Kindrick Legion Field after winning the first contest of the four-game series on Friday, 7-1. Helena improves to 22-36 overall and 9-11 in the second half while holding on to third place in the Northern Division. Ogden slides to 24-33, 9-10 in the Southern Division. The Brewers out-hit their counterparts 14-10 in the win, led by Francisco Castillo and Gregory Munoz with three base knocks apiece. Castillo, a 5-10, 165-pound shortstop from Bonao, Dominican Republic, produced a double and drove in three runs on the night. Munoz, the Brewers second baseman, hit three singles and scored a run. Also with two hits each were Eric Williams (double, two runs), who walked twice to reach base a total of four times, and Brandon Diaz. The locals have now piled up 27 hits in the first two games versus Ogden. Helena scored three runs in the second inning, one in the fourth, two in the fifth and one in the seventh frame. A critical stanza for the home team was the fifth, sparked by the legs of Munoz and Diaz. The Brewers entered the inning holding onto a slim, 4-2 lead until Munoz beat out an infield hit on a ground ball to second base, and then promptly stole second. Diaz then singled to center, with Munoz advancing to third. After Sthervin Matos’ RBI single, Diaz swiped third and then scored on the front end of a double steal, giving the Brewers a four-run cushion, 6-2. Helena used four pitchers on the night, with starter David Carver earning the win. Carver, a 22-year old left-hander from Northridge, California, went five innings, giving up six hits and two runs while striking out two with no walks. Wesley Cox closed the deal in the top of the ninth for Helena. Cox entered the contest with the bases loaded and one out, but struck out the final two Raptor hitters to end the game. Ogden starter Trevor Oaks allowed seven hits and four runs in four frames and was saddled with the loss. One of the game’s more unusual plays occurred in the third, when Raptors DH Julian Leon lined a hard shot to right field. Helena’s Eric Williams fielded the ball on one bounce and fired a strike to first baseman Alan Sharkey to get his man by a step for the inning’s third out. The two teams square off for the third tilt today at Kindrick Legion, with first pitch set for 1 p.m. NOTE: Right-handed pitcher Brandon Moore was promoted Saturday to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers of the Midwest League. Moore won Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week honors in the last week of July and continued his solid play in the second half of the season. He is the only Brewer this year to pick up a weekly League award. No official word has been given yet if there will be a call-up from the AZL to replace him.

Final: Helena 7, Ogden 3 Hitting continues to surge, Brewers win 7-3 By Dustin Daniel / Helena Brewers The Helena Brewers (9-11) won their second straight against the Ogden Raptors (9-10) with a 7-3 victory on Saturday at Kindrick Field. David Carver (1-0) got his first decision in the Pioneer League after five quality innings in the start. The left-hander gave up two runs on six hits and struck out two. Helena jumped on the board in the bottom of the second with three runs on four hits off Trevor Oaks (4-1). Eric Williams led the way in the inning with an RBI double and a run scored. Williams was 2-for-2 on the game with two runs, an RBI and a stolen base. He would reach in all four of his plate appearances. Trailing 7-2 going to the ninth, the Raptors would try to make a late rally. Colin Hering led off the inning with a home run to make it a 4-run deficit, taking advantage of Ryan Deeter. Deeter was only able to record one out before being pulled from the game. With the bases loaded and the tying runner at the plate, Wesley Cox would strike out two straight to end the game, clinching at the minimum a series split for the Brewers. It is the first time this season they have won back-to-back games against a Southern Division opponent. The Brewers and Raptors will face off in the third game of their four-game series Sunday at Kindrick Field. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. Helena Box Score A total of 14 hits for the Brewers spread across eight starters, including some notable hitting performances from Gregory Munoz (3-for-5), Brandon Diaz (2-for-5), Eric Williams (2-for-2, 2B), and Francisco Castillo (3-for-4, 2B). Zach Hirsch had a nice outing in relief, pitching 3 innings and only allowing 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 3. Helena Game Log

Brewers’ bats heat up in rain-delayed win over Raptors By Amber Kuehn / Helena Independent Record Raptors pitchers were no match for Helena’s hot hitting Friday night. In the series opener against Ogden at Kindrick Legion Field, the Brewers recorded 13 hits and won 7-1 over their Pioneer League South Division opponent. Gregory Munoz, Brandon Diaz, Sthervin Matos, Natanael Mejia and Tucker Neuhaus all had mulit-hit games for Helena (8-11). Mejia also added a pair of RBIs. Rain delayed the contest for 53 minutes between the sixth and seventh innings, but Tyler Linehan was solid in relief for the Brewers when play resumed. The southpaw pitched two perfect innings before allowing a walk, hit and throwing a pair of wild pitches in the ninth, but Linehan struck out the final two batters to get the save. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ top prospect from this year’s draft, starting pitcher Grant Holmes, made his Pioneer League debut for Ogden. The right-hander retired the first five batters he faced before giving up a single to Neuhaus. That started an offensive onslaught for Helena, which went on a hit parade after that. The Brewers took a 2-0 lead in the third inning with back-to-back RBI singles by Mitch Meyer and Mejia and never trailed in the game. Raptors designated hitter Justin Chigbogu responded in the fourth when he crushed a no-doubter to left field. The solo shot to opposite field was Chigbogu’s Pioneer League-leading 14th home run of the season and moved him into fifth all-time on the Raptors’ list of home run leaders. That was all the visitors could muster, though, against effective Brewers pitching. Starter J.B. Kole allowed just five hits on the evening to earn the win, and Josh Uhen threw a 1-2-3 frame in relief before the rain hit. The Brewers broke the game open in a four-run fourth inning, when Helena sent nine men to the plate. Holmes finished the night with seven runs on nine hits and took the loss in his first appearance for the Raptors (9-9). The two teams will meet again tonight at Kindrick Legion Field at 7:05 p.m. NOTES: The Brewers’ 13 hits were just five shy of tying a season high ... Gregory Munoz extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a single in the third. ... The Brewers improved to 9-3 when the bullpen doesn’t allow a run ... Manager Tony Diggs was absent for the second straight game due to a death in the family. He’ll miss the next two games as well. Hitting coach Jason Dubois has taken over the third-base coaching duties the past two nights.