Jim Goulart

Final: Chattanooga (Reds) 6, Huntsville 5 Huntsville Site Game Summary: Link, text follows -- www.huntsvillestars.com/n...newsId=947 Late Rally Leads Lookouts to Victory Chris Dickerson doubled home the game-winning run in the eighth inning to carry Chattanooga past Huntsville 6-5 Monday night in the middle game of a five-game series at Joe Davis Stadium. The Lookouts improved to 22-16 in the second half and moved into a first place tie with Tennessee in the North Division, while the Stars dropped to 17-20 in the second half and remained four and a half games behind the Smokies. Noochie Varner led off the eighth inning against former Lookouts? pitcher Travis Phelps and doubled to right field. Dickerson then drove an 0-1 offering over the head of center fielder Steve Moss for a two-base hit that chased in Varner with the decisive run. Dickerson has knocked in five runs in the series and at least one in all three games. David Shafer tossed scoreless relief in the seventh and eighth innings to grab his first win of the season, while Brock Till retired all three hitters he faced in the ninth to earn his fourth save of the season and second against the Stars. Stars? starter Yovani Gallardo gave up a Drew Anderson double and walked Joey Votto and Dickerson in the first to load the bases with two outs. He uncorked a wild pitch that scored Anderson with the game?s first run before walking Rick Asadoorian to reload the bases. Luis Bolivar then blasted a 2-0 offering over the wall in left-center field for a grand slam that staked the visitors to a 5-0 lead. Gallardo had allowed only two extra base hits and three earned runs in his first six double-A starts. He lasted six innings, giving up five runs on five hits and four walks and has gone at least six innings in six of his seven starts with the Stars. The Stars bounced right back to tally three times in the first inning on a run-scoring single by Ron Acuna and a two-run double by Ryan Braun. The Huntsville third baseman then blasted a two-run home run in the fifth inning to tie the game. Braun would finish with two doubles and a walk and reached base four times in four tries for a second time in the series. The series continues Tuesday night with right-hander Tim Dillard starting for Huntsville against Lookouts? right-hander Homer Bailey, the top rated prospect in the Cincinnati Reds organization. Coverage of the game begins at 6:50 p.m. central time and can be heard locally on ESPN Radio 1450 AM and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com. Huntsvile Box Score and Game Log Link: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hunaax_1

Final: Arizona Athletics 10, Arizona Brewers 3 Arizona Brewer Box Score and Game Log Link: Brewers draw ten walks, that's a positive -- they strand 11 overall, that's not; first baseman John Alonso stays hot, reaching three times; 2006 8th round high schooler Shane Hill makes his 4th appearance -- the Brewers have been particularly cautious with him, not sure if he's been nicked up at all; Canadian RHP Alexandre Periard hurt by two Alonso errors, but still not that effective; first rough outing for 4th round high school RHP Evan Anundsen.... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_athrok_1

Final: Savannah (Nationals) 7, West Virginia 6 Tough walk-off loss.. West Virginia Site Game Summary: SAND GNATS TOP POWER IN FINAL AT BAT For the second time in the four game series between the Power and Sand Gnats at Grayson Stadium, the Savannah Sand Gnats beat the West Virginia Power in their final at-bat, as Edgardo Baez knocked in Ofilio Castro on an RBI single to top the Power 7-6 on Monday night. West Virginia scored first in the top of the first inning after Darren Ford crossed the plate on Angel Salome?s RBI groundout. Savannah scored twice in the fourth inning to take their first lead of the game on RBI base hits from Tim Pahuta and Scott Schade. West Virginia answered with two in the top of the fifth inning to take the lead back on Lorenzo Cain?s RBI groundout and Salome?s RBI single. The lead changed hands again in the sixth inning after Savannah scored two more times. Dee Brown plated the first run on a wild pitch and Schade ripped his second RBI single of the game to put the Gnats ahead 4-3. The Power tied the game in the top of the seventh inning on Mat Gamel?s RBI single, and they took their third lead of the game by scoring twice in the eighth inning. Kenny Holmberg scored the first run on Castro?s error at second base and Cain knocked in the next run on a single. The Sand Gnats tied the game in the eighth inning after John Poppert walked with the bases loaded and Brian Peacock scored on a wild pitch. Dane Renkert struck out Francisco Plasencia to lead off the ninth inning, but then surrendered three straight singles, the final base hit from Baez scored Castro to win the game. Gus Hlebovy (1-0) earned the victory while Renkert (5-6) obtained the loss. The Power are 56-50 overall and 17-20 in the second half after the loss while the Sand Gnats improved to 46-62 overall and 18-20 in the second half after the win. The Power are off on Tuesday, but will begin a four game series against the Columbus Catfish at Appalachian Power Park on Wednesday night. Left hander Marlon Arias (7-5, 5.05) will make the start for Columbus and the Power will counter with right hander Will Inman (7-1, 1.23). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). West Virginia Box Score and Game Log Link: Too bad Dane Renkert had to clean up for Ryan Marion Sunday, that may have contributed to his ineffectiveness, but there's no doubt that the overused Renkert misses co-closer Joe Thatcher, since promoted to Brevard County... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_savafx_1

You can check out the archived Helena broadcast here, make sure you're viewing the links from July 31st -- the 11th inning rally begins at the 3 hour, 12 minute mark: www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp

Final: Helena 4, Billings (Reds) 3, 11 innings Link while active, text follows: www.helenair.com/articles...106_02.txt Brewers run past Mustangs in 11 innings By CURT SYNNESS - Independent Record Sports Writer The Helena Brewers edged the Billings Mustangs 4-3 in 11 innings Monday, as Andy Bouchie spearheaded the thrilling victory at Kindrick Legion Field. The Helena backstop had a standout game defensively, in addition to delivering a dramatic game-winning single late into the night. The contest ended in a 2-2 tie after regulation play and then the Mustangs pulled ahead by one run in the top of the 11th. Tony Esquer and Angel Colon hit back-to-back singles, with Esquer scoring the go-ahead run for Billings on an RBI fielder's choice by Drew Stubbs. Chuckie Caufield led off the home team's last at bat by being hit by a pitch from Billings relief pitcher Luis Moya. The next two batters were retired, and things looked a little tense for coach Ed Sedar's nine, until Cole Gillespie laced a screaming two-out double, sending Caufield home for the tying run. After an intentional walk to Chris Errecart, Boutchie ripped a drive past the diving third baseman into left field, and Gillespie sprinted plateward with the winning tally. Jose Beltre started on the mound for Helena, hurling five innings and surrendering two runs. He was relieved by Stuart Sutherland, Jose Romero and Chris Toneguzzi. Toneguzzi turned in a gritty 3 1/3 innings, striking out three and picking up the win. The Brewers scored their first two runs in the third frame behind the offense of Fredy De La Cruz, David Parker, Caufield and Taylor Green. Billings starting hurler was Jordan Smith, who was lifted for Misael DeJesus in the fourth stanza. DeJesus pitched six shutout innings, fanning five, with no bases-on-balls. Luis Moya then took over in the ninth, and was stuck with the loss. The game was another well-played affair, with the two clubs again, as the night before, performing errorless ball in the field. Helena and Billings have now played 20 straight innings against each other without making an error. Bouchie began his stellar evening behind the plate by throwing out Billy Rojo attempting to steal in the first inning. The 21-year-old Bouchie, who stands 6-feet-1 and weighs 205-pounds, hales form Riverside, Calif., and played collegiately for Oral Roberts University. In the 10th frame, with Mustang Danny Dorn on third, a long fly ball was lifted to right fielder Caufield. Dorn tagged up and sped home as Caufield's picture-perfect throw barely beat him home. Bouchie, who was blocking the plate, was bowled over by the charging Billings player, but held onto the ball for the out. It was the second straight night that Caufield threw Dorn out trying to score. The Mustangs actually outhit the Brewers, 13-8, but were hindered by too many left on base. Dorn led the visitors offense, rapping three doubles. Collecting two hits apiece for the locals were Errecart, Bouchie and Parker. It was the Brewer's sixth consecutive victory. Helena is now 3-0 for the second half, and 18-23 overall, while Billings fell to 24-17. The two teams meet again tonight at Kindrick Legion Field at 7:05 PM (8:05 Central). Helena Box Score and Game Log Link: Catcher Andy Bouchie reached base three times -- he had a .431 OBP coming into the game... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_helrok_1

Monday's Helena KCAP Pre-Game Audio Chat with Canadian RHP Brock Kjeldgaard (Select date for July 31st, skip to the 17:00 minute mark) -- www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp

The Brevard County game was suspended by lightning with the Manatees losing, 1-0, in the bottom of the 2nd. Josh Wahpepah walked four in his two innings. With Jupiter's stay in Brevard just beginning, the game will likely be continued Tuesday, but official word will be out later.

Nashville Site: Monday night's game between the Nashville Sounds and Salt Lake Bees, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., has been postponed due to heavy rainfall resulting in unplayable field conditions at Greer Stadium. The game will be made up as part of a 5 p.m. CT doubleheader on Tuesday evening. Both contests will be seven-inning affairs. Left-hander Dana Eveland (3-3, 1.83) will make the start for Nashville in Tuesday's opener and face Salt Lake right-hander Kasey Olenberger (5-2, 4.67). Right-hander Carlos Villanueva (3-0, 0.43) will man the bump for the Sounds in the nightcap and be opposed by Bees right-hander Steven Shell (3-6, 6.20).

Carlos Villanueva and Mat Gamel proud members of Baseball America's Prospect Hot Sheet this week -- see where they landed: www.baseballamerica.com/t...62093.html

Congratulations to the Florida State League Player of the Week: Brendan Katin, Brevard County .522 (12-23), 6 R, 4 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 2 BB, 2 SO, 0 SB, .957 SLG Katin went hitless in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against Dunedin, marking the only time this week in which he did not hit safely. The right fielder more than made up for it in the nightcap, as he went 4-for-4 with two homers and five RBIs to lead the Manatees to a 9-6 victory. Katin is now hitting .333 in the month of July and has raised his average to .297 on the season.

Standings through Sunday's action: Pacific Coast League (AAA) - American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Nashville 58 51 .532 - 34-24 24-27 L4[/b] Iowa 55 53 .509 2.5 30-24 25-29 W1 Memphis 44 64 .407 13.5 26-31 18-33 W4 Omaha 43 65 .398 14.5 26-26 17-39 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tennessee 22 15 .595 - 13-7 9-8 W1 Chattanooga 21 16 .568 1.0 13-7 8-9 W1 West Tenn 19 18 .514 3.0 12-5 7-13 L1 [b]Huntsville 17 19 .472 4.5 10-11 7-8 L1[/b] Carolina 13 24 .351 9.0 8-7 5-17 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Daytona 22 13 .629 - 15-9 7-4 L1 St. Lucie 19 16 .543 3.0 10-9 9-7 L1 Palm Beach 16 21 .432 7.0 8-8 8-13 W1 [b]Brevard County 15 20 .429 7.0 6-5 9-15 W2[/b] Vero Beach 15 21 .417 7.5 9-12 6-9 L1 Jupiter 13 22 .371 9.0 8-12 5-10 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lakewood 25 12 .676 - 13-5 12-7 W3 Lake County 20 15 .571 4.0 12-8 8-7 W1 Hickory 19 18 .514 6.0 8-12 11-6 L1 Hagerstown 17 19 .472 7.5 10-14 7-5 W2 [b]West Virginia 17 19 .472 7.5 7-6 10-13 W2[/b] Greensboro 16 18 .471 7.5 8-9 8-9 L1 Delmarva 13 22 .371 11.0 8-11 5-11 W1 Lexington 13 24 .351 12.0 7-9 6-15 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Helena 2 0 1.000 - 2-0 0-0 W2[/b] Billings 1 1 .500 1.0 0-0 1-1 L1 Missoula 1 1 .500 1.0 1-1 0-0 W1 Great Falls 0 2 .000 2.0 0-0 0-2 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arizona League (R) - Arizona League Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AZL Padres 2 0 1.000 - 1-0 1-0 W2 AZL Giants 3 1 .750 - 1-1 2-0 W2 AZL Royals 3 1 .750 - 2-1 1-0 L1 AZL Angels 2 1 .667 0.5 1-0 1-1 W2 AZL Rangers 1 1 .500 1.0 1-0 0-1 W1 AZL Athletics 1 2 .333 1.5 1-0 0-2 W1 AZL Cubs 1 2 .333 1.5 0-0 1-2 L1 AZL Mariners 1 3 .250 2.0 1-2 0-1 L3 [b]AZL Brewers 0 3 .000 2.5 0-2 0-1 L3[/b]

This link will be included in each daily report when the Nashville Sounds and/or Huntsville Stars are scheduled to play. Normally it is updated an hour or two prior to gametime: Nashville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format): www.nashvillesounds.com/pdf/notes.pdf Following Nashville's lead, Huntsville now makes its media notes available as well, nice: www.huntsvillestars.com/i...eNotes.pdf

Follow Monday's action as it happens: Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Window". Open the Nashville Gameday. For the others, choose "Log". While you're listening to your minor league game of choice (or watching/listening to the big league Crew when they are playing), simply refresh your game log browsers every so often. Nashville: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1 Huntsville: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hunaax_1 Brevard County: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_breafa_1 West Virginia: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_savafx_1 Helena: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_helrok_1 Arizona Rookie: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_athrok_1

Monday's Daily Menu: All times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Dana Eveland at home vs. Salt Lake (Angels), 6:40 PM pre-game, 7:00 gametime Audio link: www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/ Huntsville: RHP Yo Gallardo at home vs. Chattanooga (Reds), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Audio link: www.espn1450radio.com/ Brevard County: RHP Josh Wahpepah at home vs. Jupiter (Marlins), 6:00 gametime Audio link (opponent's): www.jupiterhammerheads.com/ West Virginia: LHP Dave Welch at Savannah (Nationals), 5:55 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime; Welch pitched two innings on Saturday; we've also seen LHP Rafael Lluberes listed as a possible starter for tonight -- he would be on normal rest... Audio link: www.sportsjuice.com/provi...e=wvpower. Helena: RHP Jose Beltre at home vs. Billings (Reds), 7:50 PM pre-game; 8:05 gametime Audio (click on "Listen Live"): www.helenabrewers.net/html2/index.php Arizona: TBD at the A's complex to face the Oakland kids, 8:00 PM Central time, never any web audio for the Arizona League

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/store/dailylinkreport.jpg

Not so fast on that 11-man Huntsville staff... Huntsville Press Release: Link, text follows -- www.huntsvillestars.com/n...newsId=946 The Milwaukee Brewers have promoted pitcher Manny Parra from high class-A Brevard County of the Florida State League to Huntsville and placed pitcher Khalid Ballouli on the disabled list, retroactive to July 28. Parra is scheduled to start for the Stars Wednesday night in the final game of their five-game set with Chattanooga. Parra, returning from off-season shoulder surgery, made 14 starts and one appearance in relief for the Manatees, going 1-3 with a 2.96 earned run average. The southpaw worked 54 2/3 innings, allowing 47 hits, walking 32 and striking out 61. Parra went 5-6 with a 3.96 ERA in 16 starts for Huntsville last season before being shut down for the year on July 1. Ballouli has been sidelined by a shoulder strain for a second time this season after suffering the injury in his last outing on July 27 against Birmingham. The right-hander was out of action from May 17 through June 5 and was moved to the bullpen on his return to the roster. Ballouli is 2-4 with a 4.15 ERA in seven starts and 16 appearances in relief.

Not so fast on that 11-man Huntsville staff... Huntsville Press Release: Link, text follows -- www.huntsvillestars.com/n...newsId=946 The Milwaukee Brewers have promoted pitcher Manny Parra from high class-A Brevard County of the Florida State League to Huntsville and placed pitcher Khalid Ballouli on the disabled list, retroactive to July 28. Parra is scheduled to start for the Stars Wednesday night in the final game of their five-game set with Chattanooga. Parra, returning from off-season shoulder surgery, made 14 starts and one appearance in relief for the Manatees, going 1-3 with a 2.96 earned run average. The southpaw worked 54 2/3 innings, allowing 47 hits, walking 32 and striking out 61. Parra went 5-6 with a 3.96 ERA in 16 starts for Huntsville last season before being shut down for the year on July 1. Ballouli has been sidelined by a shoulder strain for a second time this season after suffering the injury in his last outing on July 27 against Birmingham. The right-hander was out of action from May 17 through June 5 and was moved to the bullpen on his return to the roster. Ballouli is 2-4 with a 4.15 ERA in seven starts and 16 appearances in relief.

Parra has been on the Brewerfan Player Index's 40-man page since he was initially added.

Parra has been on the Brewerfan Player Index's 40-man page since he was initially added.

In order to add that needed 11th pitcher to Huntsville, LHP Manny Parra gets his promotion back up to the Stars (from Brevard County). In other Manatee news, outfielder Hasan Rasheed has been placed on the disabled list with an undisclosed injury.

In order to add that needed 11th pitcher to Huntsville, LHP Manny Parra gets his promotion back up to the Stars (from Brevard County). In other Manatee news, outfielder Hasan Rasheed has been placed on the disabled list with an undisclosed injury.

Link while active, text follows: www.al.com/stars/huntsvil...amp;coll=1 Valdez sinks Stars' win streak Huntsville offense missing in 4-0 loss to Chattanooga By BRAD SHEPARD For the Huntsville Times Arguably the two most promising pitching prospects in the Southern League are slated to take the mound during the next two nights at Joe Davis Stadium. But before the Stars' Yovani Gallardo pitches tonight and Cincinnati top prospect Homer Bailey goes to the hill for Chattanooga on Tuesday, Lookouts right-hander Eddy Valdez took his turn Sunday afternoon. Gallardo and Bailey have plenty of work to do to live up to Valdez's performance. In stifling heat, Chattanooga's 26-year-old starter crushed Huntsville's six-game winning streak with seven shutout innings in a 4-0 victory in front of an announced crowd of 7,879. "We just didn't put much together today," Stars manager Don Money said. "We didn't come through with any big hits. Their guy pitched well today." On "Safe at Home" Family Fun Day, no Stars crossed home, and it was hardly fun for anybody except the Lookouts and church-going fans who stayed afterward for a postgame concert. The closest any Huntsville player came was Callix Crabbe in the bottom of the first. He laced a ball into left-center field that a diving Chris Dickerson could not corral. Crabbe raced around the bases with visions of an inside-the-park home run likely dancing in his head, but he was thrown out at the plate after a perfect relay throw from Gary Patchett. "I was tired," Crabbe said with a smile. "My 5-foot-6 legs can only go so far. It would have been a good way to jumpstart the game." A night after closing the gap in the league's North Division to 3 1/2 games, Huntsville failed to even its record at 18-18. Instead, the Stars fell to 17-19. The solid fundamental baseball that they have displayed during the second half wasn't present Sunday. They rarely took Valdez deep in the count, making it an easy day for a Chattanooga pitcher in command. Making things worse, with the Stars already trailing 3-0 in the eighth with one out and the bases loaded, Huntsville reliever Matt Yeatman momentarily lapsed mentally. Rather than converting a surefire double play on a quick comebacker, he inexplicably tossed to first base for a single out, allowing a run to score. "I've played six years," Yeatman said afterward, "and that's the first time I've done anything like that." It didn't have any outcome on the game, but it defined a tough day. The most players Huntsville sent to the plate in one inning was five, and it didn't do that until the eighth and ninth innings. Steve Hammond, who shut out Chattanooga in his Double-A debut, wasn't sharp Sunday. Hammond (3-3) pitched five innings, walked four and gave up two runs in the loss. Calvin Medlock and Jon Coutlangus combined with Valdez (7-5) for the shutout. "My change, my two-seamer, my slider," Valdez said, "everything was working."

Link while active, text follows: www.helenair.com/articles...730231.txt Helena Brewers fan chronicles season By JOHN HARRINGTON, Independent Record Staff Writer Combing the box seats and bleachers at Kindrick Legion Field during a Helena Brewers game, you?d be hard pressed to find a more faithful fan ? or a more dedicated photographer ? than Mary Gunstone. Gunstone, 63, has missed just one game since the Brewers returned to Helena in 2003, and has missed only a handful since she began attending the old Helena Gold Sox games in 1985. Employed at Buttrey supermarket at the time, she went to a game sponsored by the store and got hooked. Not only does Gunstone go to the games, but she takes pictures. Lots and lots of pictures. How many? How about 540 rolls of film by her count last season ? or nearly 13,000 images. ?I carry 20 rolls of film with me all the time,? she said. ?Some nights I may use only 10, some nights I shoot all 20.? Many of the pictures end up in the hands of the players. Several times over the course of a season, Gunstone will prepare packages of action shots for everyone on the club. At the end of the year, everyone, including the coaching staff and trainers, gets an album with photos of the entire team. ?I used to just give certain players one, but then I decided I?d better not do that, someone might be hurt. I?d better make them all one,? she said. The team appreciates her dedication. At the end of last season, the players presented her with a bouquet of yellow roses and several gift cards (to be used to buy film, she said). ?For some of these guys, it?s going to be their only season in pro ball, and it?s definitely nice to have people like Mary around,? said general manager Paul Fetz. ?That?s the kind of thing that keeps a small-town team like ours going. Her effort and her daily support of the club are what keep us going strong.? Gunstone said it?s tough to follow Helena?s players once they move up through the minor league system: ?It?s hard enough to keep track of the ones we have here,? she said. Occasionally, though, she?ll get a tap on the shoulder or a letter in the mail from someone who played here several years ago and never forgot her dedication. ?I had a player at the ballpark just the other night who played here in 1999, he came up to visit me,? she said. ?It?s nice when they write to you and keep in touch a little.? Taking all those photos has made Gunstone something of a Helena baseball historian. ?If we need a picture of someone from the past, the first person we think of is Mary,? Fetz said. ?She has things back to the Gold Sox days. She recently found for us a picture of (current New York Yankee) Gary Sheffield signing autographs.? Gunstone has no plans to change her routine. She bought a digital camera this year, but didn?t like the way it worked, so she went back to film. There?s a month left in the season, and suffice to say she?ll be clicking away the entire time. ?By the time October comes around, I?ve got to clean off my dining room table,? she said. ?Then it?s time to start thinking about next year.? http://www.helenair.com/content/articles/2006/07/30/front//photohel.jpg

Final: Arizona Padres 11, Arizona Brewers 6 Arizona Brewer Box Score and Game Log Link: Catcher Matt Whiteside's bat in the lineup (error in left field); a reminder that starting RHP Rolando Pascual isn't even 17 1/2 years old yet; Pascual only walks one (three wild pitches), but three others walk nine more... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_brrrok_1

Sunday's Helena KCAP Pre-Game Audio Chat with Manager Ed Sedar (Select date for July 30th, skip to the 8:30 minute mark) -- www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp Link while active, text follows: www.helenair.com/articles...730221.txt Brewers down Mustangs, move to first in standings By CURT SYNNESS, Independent Record Sports Writer In a low-scoring game highlighted by tight pitching, timely hitting and great defense, the Helena Brewers downed the Billings Mustangs 3-1 at Kindrick Legion Field Sunday. The victory was the Brewers? fifth in a row, improving them to 17-23 overall and 2-0 for the second half of the season. The Brewers lead the northern division standings in the second half. Helena was led by the pitching of Chris Jean and Mike McClendon, the offense of center fielder Stephen Chapman and first baseman Chris Errecart, and a fine team defensive effort. In fact, both Helena and Billings played great defense, on a rare occasion where neither club committed an error in a fast-moving game that took only 2 hours, 10 minutes. Jean and Mustangs? starter Travis Webb hooked up in a pitching duel for three scoreless innings before the Brewers drew first blood in the bottom of the fourth. Chapman was hit by a pitch, stole second and then raced home when designated hitter Andy Bouchie ripped a single past the diving first baseman. In the sixth stanza, Chapman legged out a triple on a long drive to the fence in the gap in right-center field. Webb was then lifted for Jeremy Burchett. Burchett retired one batter before giving up a two-run homer to Errecart, who drove the ball high over the left field wall for the deciding tally. Jean, whose record moved to 3-2 with the win, worked six shutout innings, allowing three hits while striking out five and walking only one. The key to his success was a good curveball and changeup, working the corners, and keeping the ball low, according to a team official. McClendon pitched two innings in relief, permitting three hits and fanning two. With two on and two out in the eighth, McClendon sent Drew Stubbs down swinging to end the threat. Steve Palazzolo picked up the save in the ninth. When Danny Dorn?s RBI single drove in Justin Turner for the Mustangs? lone run, it ended a Brewers? streak of 20 2/3 scoreless innings, dating back to the win over Great Falls two nights ago. Chapman, the team?s leading hitter, went 2-for-3, raising his batting average to .337. He is no. 1 in the Pioneer League with 52 base hits, and also pilfered two bases, upping his season total to 13 steals. Errecart, who leads the club with seven homers and 31 RBIs, went 2-for-3, as his first-inning single extended a stretch of 25 successive games where he has reached base safely. The Brewers? defense was sparked by two double plays from the combination of shortstop Brad Miller, second baseman David Parker and Errecart. A thrilling play took place in the eighth frame, when with a man on third, right-fielder Chuckie Caufield gloved a fly ball and rifled a seed to the plate. Dorn had tagged up and looked like he might score, but catcher Jordan Swaydan made an acrobatic sweep tag for the out. Webb went 5 1/3 innings, giving up four hits and whiffing three, while being tabbed with the loss. Billings, which is managed by former Boston Red Sox and California Angels shortstop Rick ?Rooster? Burleson, fell to 24-16. The two teams meet again tonight at Kindrick Field at 7:00 PM (8:00 Central).