battlekow

I just moved and still have no Internet. If someone could do Helena I'd be much obliged.

Final: @Helena 3, Orem 2 Helena box score Despite outhitting the Owlz 14-5, Helena squeaked out a walk-off win with a run in the 10th. Adam Giacalone was the star, reaching base in four out of five trips, including three hits. Dionis Hinojosa also had three hits. Omar Garcia was also on three times and stole his 22nd base. Tristan Archer tossed four shutout innings, allowing just two hits. David Otterman struck out more batters than he walked for the first time in five outings (4/3). Helena play-by-play The winning run: Helena Bottom of the 10th Jalen Harris grounds out, shortstop Jose Rondon to first baseman Raul Linares. Angel Ortega grounds out, shortstop Jose Rondon to first baseman Raul Linares. Renaldo Jenkins singles on a line drive to left fielder Michael Fish. With Ruben Ozuna batting, Renaldo Jenkins steals (8) 2nd base. Ruben Ozuna singles on a ground ball to third baseman Alex Allbritton. Renaldo Jenkins to 3rd. With Omar Garcia batting, wild pitch by Michael Smith, Renaldo Jenkins scores.

Final: @Helena 8, Orem 4 Helena box score The Brewers were catapulted to victory by a six-run 4th inning. Despite the run total, they only had six hits, two by Jalen Harris and another a Michael Ratterree home run. Nice strike-zone control though: five walks against just six strikeouts. Omar Garcia was on base twice and swiped his 21st bag. Anthony Banda posted his second straight quality outing, this time allowing one run in six innings while fanning eight, though he did walk four. Trevor Seidenberger seidenberged it up, allowing three runs in two innings. Helena play-by-play Helena Bottom of the 4th Charlie Markson walks. Michael Ratterree walks. Charlie Markson to 2nd. Adam Giacalone walks. Charlie Markson to 3rd. Michael Ratterree to 2nd. Dustin Houle grounds out, shortstop Jose Rondon to first baseman Raul Linares. Charlie Markson scores. Michael Ratterree to 3rd. Adam Giacalone to 2nd. Jose Pena pops out to shortstop Jose Rondon. Jalen Harris singles on a line drive to left fielder Michael Fish. Michael Ratterree scores. Adam Giacalone scores. Jalen Harris to 2nd on the throw. Angel Ortega reaches on a fielding error by third baseman Alex Allbritton. Jalen Harris scores. Pitching Change: Garrett Bush replaces Victor Alcantara. Renaldo Jenkins singles on a ground ball to right fielder Ranyelmy Mendoza. Angel Ortega to 2nd. With Omar Garcia batting, throwing error by Zac Livingston on the pickoff attempt, Angel Ortega scores. Renaldo Jenkins to 3rd. Omar Garcia walks. With Charlie Markson batting, Omar Garcia steals (21) 2nd base. With Charlie Markson batting, wild pitch by Garrett Bush, Renaldo Jenkins scores. Omar Garcia to 3rd. Charlie Markson strikes out swinging.

Helena is delayed by lightning at Orem down 11-1 in the 8th. I'll post the write-ups in the morning if no one else has. Spoiler alert: it did not go well for Zach Quintana. On the bright side, Adam Giacalone did homer. Helena box score Helena play-by-play

Final: @Billings 4, Helena 2 Helena box score Another seemingly contradictory outing for sinkerballer Barrett Astin, who again recorded plenty of groundouts while also allowing a homer. Astin was charged with three runs in five innings, striking out four and walking one. Helena managed just five hits, though one was a homer by Michael Ratterree, who entered the day third in the league in OPS. Ratterree also threw out a runner at home for kicks. Taylor Brennan tripled and walked but also committed two errors. Helena play-by-play Renaldo Jenkins may have been shaken up here; he was lifted in next half-inning: Helena Top of the 6th Omar Garcia doubles (3) on a ground ball to left fielder Jon Matthews. Renaldo Jenkins singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jon Matthews. Omar Garcia scores. Renaldo Jenkins to 2nd on the throw. With Michael Ratterree batting, Layne Somsen picks off Renaldo Jenkins at 2nd on throw to Ronald Bueno. Michael Ratterree strikes out swinging. Dustin Houle grounds out, pitcher Layne Somsen to first baseman Carlos Sanchez.

Final: Helena 3, @Billings 1 Helena box score Single runs in the 1st and 2nd innings were enough to carry Helena to victory. Jose Pena went deep for the 5th time this year, and Angel Ortega had three hits. Omar Garcia was on twice with a hit and a HBP and stole two bases, to give him an even 20 for the season. Eduard Reyes turned in a decent quasi-start, pitching the 2nd through 6th innings and allowing just the one run. Tyler Alexander picked up his first save. Helena play-by-play Garcia mounted a Rickey Rally in the 1st: Helena Top of the 1st Omar Garcia hit by pitch. With Nathan Orf batting, Omar Garcia steals (19) 2nd base. With Nathan Orf batting, throwing error by Zack Weiss on the pickoff attempt, Omar Garcia to 3rd. Nathan Orf pops out to third baseman Taylor Terrasas. Dustin Houle grounds out, shortstop Ronald Bueno to first baseman Carlos Sanchez. Omar Garcia scores. Taylor Brennan strikes out swinging. Alexander played with fire in the 9th before locking down the save: Billings Bottom of the 9th Jose Ortiz singles on a line drive to right fielder Charlie Markson. Taylor Terrasas flies out to right fielder Charlie Markson. Ronald Bueno singles on a line drive to right fielder Charlie Markson. Jose Ortiz to 2nd. Jon Matthews singles on a ground ball to shortstop Angel Ortega. Jose Ortiz to 3rd. Ronald Bueno to 2nd. Jonathan Reynoso called out on strikes. Billings Mustangs center fielder Jonathan Reynoso ejected by HP umpire Cody Waterhouse. Ty Washington grounds into a force out, shortstop Angel Ortega to second baseman Renaldo Jenkins. Jon Matthews out at 2nd.

Final: @Billings 3, Helena 2 Moran pitches Mustangs past Helena Greg Rachac/Billings Gazette Luke Moran’s baseball life has been about work, whether it’s fighting through a bases-loaded, one-out jam or trudging through arduous rehabilitation of elbow surgery. True to form, Moran overcame a number of obstacles Saturday night to pitch the Mustangs to just their fifth home victory of the season, a 3-2 triumph over Helena at Dehler Park. It was Moran’s first victory since he beat Missoula on July 2, and stretched his record to 3-2. The right-hander from Cypress, Texas, was forced to wiggle out of trouble in the opening two innings — a two-out, no-on jam in the first and the aforementioned bases-loaded situation in the second. But he came through unscathed. In all, Moran stranded six Helena runners on base to finish with five shutout innings. He allowed six hits while striking out six and walking one. “I threw my slider a little bit earlier (in the count) than I wanted to today, just because I had baserunners on and I didn’t want them to score,” he explained. “But I located the fastball down-and-away and high-and-in, and I mixed it up well.” Moran paid his dues to get to where he is now. A pitcher who underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow after his junior year of high school, Moran was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010, but decided to attend the University of Houston. He eventually landed at Grayson County College in Dennison, Texas, from where Cincinnati drafted him in the 14th round in 2012. Moran spent last season in the Arizona League, which was a prelude to this, his first full professional season. “The beginning of the season was a little rough. My arm was a little sore, just because we’ve been going since March (at spring training),” Moran said. “It’s been a long year. But now I’m starting to get over the hump and I’m feeling a lot better.” After Saturday’s outing, Moran now leads the Mustangs’ pitching staff in innings (51), and he lowered his ERA to 3.88 in 10 starts. “The thing I like about him is that he’s very calm out there. Nothing seems to bother him,” manager Pat Kelly said of Moran. “He’s not afraid to pitch to contact. He’s going to give up some hits, but he’s also going to get a lot of outs by doing that. His composure is outstanding, especially for this level.” Game rewind It was a strange night all the way around for Mustangs infielder Avain Rachal. In the second inning, Rachal thought he had homered over the right-field wall, but the ball had instead caromed off a white Applebee’s advertisement, which caused Rachal to lose sight of it. Thinking the ball had left the yard, Rachal rounded second base in a full home run trot, but quickly had to slide back to avoid being tagged out once he realized his mistake. “I was yelling at him, and we finally got his attention before he got too far off second base,” Kelly laughed. Rachal made a couple strong plays at third base, but was also charged with his team-high 10th fielding error. Rachal later left the game as a precaution after he tweaked his knee sliding into third base. The Mustangs took their first lead of the homestand on a sacrifice fly by Ronald Bueno in the fifth. They eventually stretched the lead to 3-0 when both Adam Matthews and Jon Matthews scored on separate wild pitches. Helena got on the board in the eighth when Nathan Orf hit an RBI single, and closed the gap further when Omar Garcia scored on a two-out error by Ty Washington in the ninth. But Mustangs reliever Austin Muehring closed it out by getting Adam Giacolone to pop out and end the team's four-game losing streak. Notes The save was Muehring’s third of the season, which puts him one behind Joe Mantoni for the team lead. Mantoni is currently out with a shoulder injury. … Nick Benedetto made a stellar catch against the wall in deep left field to rob Helena’s Renaldo Jenkins of extra bases in the seventh. … The Mustangs, in search of back-to-back wins for the first time since early July, send RHP Austin Salter (1-0, 2.67) to the mound Sunday to face Helena’s Eduard Reyes (2-3, 5.84). Helena box score Garcia had a great game, three hits and a walk. Giacalone, Orf, and Ruben Ozuna had two hits apiece. The Brewers were 2-16 with RISP. Starter David Otterman continued his untenable K/BB, walking four and striking out just one in four innings, but he managed to keep the Mustangs off the board. Billings' first two runs came off Danny Keller, who also continues to post upside-down K/BBs (1/2 today in two innings). Helena play-by-play The first two innings set the tone offensively: Helena Top of the 1st Omar Garcia singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Avain Rachal. Dionis Hinojosa singles on a line drive to right fielder Adam Matthews. Omar Garcia to 3rd. Michael Ratterree pops out to catcher Daniel Paula in foul territory. Dionis Hinojosa to 2nd. Adam Giacalone strikes out swinging. Dustin Houle grounds out, third baseman Avain Rachal to first baseman Jhimmy Lopez. Helena Top of the 2nd Taylor Brennan walks. Nathan Orf singles on a line drive to right fielder Adam Matthews. Taylor Brennan to 2nd. Renaldo Jenkins flies out to left fielder Nick Benedetto. Ruben Ozuna singles on a ground ball to shortstop Ronald Bueno. Taylor Brennan to 3rd. Nathan Orf to 2nd. Omar Garcia strikes out swinging. Dionis Hinojosa grounds out, third baseman Avain Rachal to first baseman Jhimmy Lopez.

And That and TheCrew07 talked about Reed in CF the other day.

Helena and Missoula are delayed in the 6th with Helena ahead 4-2. I'll post in the morning (ish) if no one else has.

Final: @Helena 6, Missoula 3 Helena box score Zach Quintana turned in his best start of the season, tossing five innings of two-run, no-walk ball (though he did hit a batter). Tyler Linehan complemented Quintana with four strong innings in relief. Charlie Markson, whose bat had begun to cool, got the day off yesterday and responded with three hits today. Michael Ratterree continues to kill the Pioneer League; after two more hits and a HBP today his line sits at .346/.418/.610. Get the man a Timber Rattlers uniform. Jalen Harris, who's always easy to root for, contributed two hits and a walk. Dustin Houle picked a runner off third from behind the plate but also committed a throwing error. Helena play-by-play

Final: @Helena 11, Missoula 5 Helena box score Lots of attractive batting lines as you might expect on a night when the Brewers banged out 19 hits. Michael Ratterree, Renaldo Jenkins, and Ruben Ozuna each had three, and several other players had two. 18 of the hits were singles, Dionis Hinojosa's double being the exception. Taylor Williams pitched well in his three shutout innings, striking out three while allowing just a hit and a walk. Despite picking up the win, Barrett Astin continues to have mixed results. He didn't allow an excessive amount of baserunners, but when you're only going a few innings at a time, homers are going to hurt you, and Astin allowed another one today. In 25.2 innings he's now allowed five homers despite having what seems to be a very effective sinker (7/0 GO/FO today). Maybe he likes to hang his slider. Besides Williams, Tanner Poppe and Tyler Alexander also made appearances. I continue to dream of a night in which Helena's pitching section of the box score features an appearance by Taylor Williams, Tanner Poppe, Tyler Alexander, Tyler Linehan, Tristan Archer, and Trevor Seidenberger. Maybe after Seidenberger gives up 17 runs they can bring in Taylor Brennan to finish the game. Helena play-by-play Things you learn reading Pioneer League PBPs: Robby Hammock now manages the Missoula Osprey.

Final: @Great Falls 8, Helena 4 Voyagers finish off series sweep of Brewers Helena Independent Record The Voyagers are now 6-1 to start the second half of the Pioneer League season and have won nine of their last 11. The Brewers were outhit 13-8, but did have some offensive fireworks in the series finale. Taylor Brennan’s three-run homer in the fourth inning gave Helena a 4-3 lead, and Renaldo Jenkins and Jesse Weiss each went 2 for 4 with triples in the contest. The top third of the Brewers lineup struggled, however, as Nathan Orf, Charlie Markson and Michael Ratterree combined to go 0 for 13. Great Falls left fielder Justin Jirschele led the Voyagers at the plate with a 3-for-4 performance, a double and a run batted in. Dillon Haupt and Corey Thompson also had multi-hit games for Great Falls. Brewers starter Eduard Reyes (2-3) was tagged with the loss after giving up eight earned runs on 11 hits through 4 1/3 innings. Helena relievers Sean Albury and Estevenson Encarnacion posted 3 2/3 shutout frames and gave up just two hits while striking out five. Matt Abramson (1-1) got the win out of the bullpen for the Voyagers, hurling a one-hitter through 3 1/3 innings of relief. The first-half North Division champion Brewers, who have dropped three in a row, return home for a three-game set against Missoula beginning tonight. Helena box score It's not like the Voyagers' offense erupted in the 5th off Reyes--after a scoreless 1st, he allowed runs in each inning. Dustin Houle led the offense by reaching base in three out four plate appearances, including a double and a walk; the walk is notable because it's just his 4th of the year. Helena play-by-play The Brewers had to try really hard to not score a run here: Helena Top of the 2nd Adam Giacalone singles on a fly ball to center fielder Adam Engel. Adam Giacalone out at 2nd, center fielder Adam Engel to second baseman Christian Stringer. Dustin Houle doubles (7) on a fly ball to center fielder Adam Engel. With Jose Pena batting, wild pitch by Jose Brito, Dustin Houle to 3rd. Jose Pena strikes out swinging. Taylor Brennan walks. With Jesse Weiss batting, Taylor Brennan steals (4) 2nd base. Jesse Weiss strikes out swinging. Anyone know what happened here? Helena Top of the 6th Jose Pena grounds out, shortstop Tyler Shryock to first baseman Danny Hayes. Taylor Brennan grounds out, shortstop Tyler Shryock to first baseman Danny Hayes. Jesse Weiss triples (1) on a line drive to left fielder Justin Jirschele. Helena Brewers Manager Tony Diggs ejected by HP umpire Derek Gonzales. Renaldo Jenkins pops out to second baseman Christian Stringer.

Final: @Great Falls 8, Helena 7 Helena box score The Brewers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and later led 7-4 but couldn't hang on. Danny Keller allowed two unearned runs in three innings but continues to post unencouraging peripherals; since he reappeared in July after missing three weeks, he's tossed nine innings and walked ten while striking out just four. David Otterman has the same issue--he surrended four runs today and has an ugly 15/22 K/BB in 27.2 innings this year. Dionis Hinojosa tripled and doubled and scored three runs; he was the only Brewer with multiple hits, through Omar Garcia was on base three times with a single and the only two walks the team drew. Pretty blase lines in general given that they scored seven runs. Helena play-by-play The Voyagers scored three in the 8th via a back-breaking two-out, bases-loaded double off the usually reliable Andy Hillis. Great Falls Bottom of the 8th Tyler Shryock walks. Danny Hayes pops out to shortstop Angel Ortega. Zach Voight singles on a line drive to left fielder Dionis Hinojosa. Tyler Shryock to 2nd. Zach Fisher singles on a line drive to left fielder Dionis Hinojosa. Tyler Shryock to 3rd. Zach Voight to 2nd. Pitching Change: Andy Hillis replaces David Otterman. Jacob Morris called out on strikes. Trey Wimmer doubles (7) on a fly ball to left fielder Dionis Hinojosa. Tyler Shryock scores. Zach Voight scores. Zach Fisher scores. Trey Wimmer advances to 3rd, on a throwing error by shortstop Angel Ortega. Justin Jirschele grounds out, second baseman Nathan Orf to first baseman Adam Giacalone.

Final: @Great Falls 13, Helena 2 Helena box score Well, what's to say that the score doesn't? Starter Anthony Banda allowed twice as many runs (four) as batters he retired (two). Trevor Seidenberger allowed three runs in three innings, which lowered his ERA to 14.04. The Brewers managed just five hits while striking out 11 times. At least Nathan Orf continues to get on base--he had a .478 OBP coming in so reaching in two out of four plate appearances is all in a day's work. Helena play-by-play

Final: Helena 9, @Great Falls 5 All-around strong game nets victory for Brewers Helena Independent Record Michael Ratterree smashed his third home run in two days, six different Brewers recorded multi-hit games and starter Zach Quintana picked up his third win of the season in Helena’s 9-5 road victory over Great Falls on Saturday. The Voyagers led 2-0 after two innings, but then Helena got going. Angel Ortega’s RBI groundout in the third plated Jose Pena for the Brewers’ first run, and the visitors took the lead in the next inning with a four-run fourth. Great Falls starter Andrew Mitchell gave up six straight hits to start the frame before being replaced by Anthony Santiago, who didn’t give up a hit until Ratterree destroyed a 2-0 fastball over the left-field fence at Centene Stadium in the fifth. Great Falls tried to make a game of it in the ninth against a wild Brewers reliever Tyler Linehan, but managed to score just three runs — all too little, too late. Pena led the Brewers at the plate, going 2 for 4 with three RBIs. Also finishing with two hits were Ratterree, Adam Giacalone, Dustin Houle, Taylor Brennan and Jalen Harris, who hit two doubles. Ortega finished with a pair of RBIs in the contest. The Voyagers finished without an extra-base hit in the matchup. Quintana (3-2) allowed two runs on six hits through six innings of work, striking out three and walking four. Linehan earned his first save of the season despite the bumpy ninth frame. Mitchell (0-2) was tagged with five runs — all earned — on eight hits through 3.1 innings. The two teams are back at it this afternoon, with southpaw Anthony Banda (1-3, 5.19 ERA) scheduled to take the mound for Helena against Nick Blount (0-3, 4.00). Helena box score Helena play-by-play

Final: @Missoula 5, Helena 1 (game one) Final: Helena 12, @Missoula 1 (game two) Helena box score (game one) Helena box score (game two) A tale of two games offensively. The Brewers' offense was anemic in the first game, managing just four hits, but they exploded for 12 runs and 13 hits in game two. Overall Michael Ratterree was 4-8 with two homers, both in the second game. Taylor Brennan also homered in the nightcap, as well as tripling and driving in six runs; he was 1-3 in game one. Charlie Markson got the first game off but had a great night in the leadoff spot, singling three times and also drawing a walk. Adam Giacalone had just one hit between the two games but walked four times. Taylor Williams started the early game and pitched pretty well, allowing two runs in five innings with a 4/0 K/BB (though he hit a batter). I believe this is the first time he's appeared in a game that Barrett Astin hasn't; Astin started the second game and also turned in a nice performance, probably his best as a pro: four innings of shutout ball with a 3/0 K/BB. Helena play-by-play (game one) Helena play-by-play (game two) Brennan came up with the bases loaded in two straight innings and delivered big time: Helena Top of the 3rd Dionis Hinojosa grounds out, second baseman Jake Miller to first baseman Jake Mayers. Michael Ratterree singles on a line drive to center fielder Colin Bray. Adam Giacalone walks. Michael Ratterree to 2nd. Taylor Brennan homers (8) on a fly ball to left field. Michael Ratterree scores. Adam Giacalone scores. Michael Turay walks. Angel Ortega grounds out, third baseman Anderso Bolivar to first baseman Jake Mayers. Michael Turay to 2nd. With Nathan Orf batting, wild pitch by Bobby Hillier, Michael Turay to 3rd. Nathan Orf grounds out, shortstop Joe Munoz to first baseman Jake Mayers. Helena Top of the 4th Ruben Ozuna singles on a ground ball to center fielder Colin Bray. Ruben Ozuna out at 2nd, center fielder Colin Bray to shortstop Joe Munoz. Charlie Markson singles on a fly ball to right fielder Matt Vinson. Dionis Hinojosa singles on a ground ball to left fielder Chuck Taylor. Charlie Markson to 2nd. Michael Ratterree strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Bobby Hillier. Charlie Markson to 3rd. Dionis Hinojosa to 2nd. Adam Giacalone walks. Pitching Change: Eric Meyerchick replaces Bobby Hillier. Taylor Brennan triples (1) on a line drive to right fielder Matt Vinson. Charlie Markson scores. Dionis Hinojosa scores. Adam Giacalone scores. Michael Turay singles on a line drive to left fielder Chuck Taylor. Taylor Brennan scores. Angel Ortega grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Joe Munoz. Michael Turay out at 2nd. Hope Giacalone's okay: Helena Top of the 7th Charlie Markson walks. With Dionis Hinojosa batting, wild pitch by Michael Blake, Charlie Markson to 2nd. Dionis Hinojosa flies out to right fielder Matt Vinson. Charlie Markson to 3rd. Michael Ratterree strikes out swinging. Adam Giacalone hit by pitch. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Jalen Harris replaces Adam Giacalone. Taylor Brennan strikes out swinging.

Final: @Missoula 7, Helena 3 Helena box score Eduard Reyes was hit hard again, allowing five runs in four innings. The Brewers managed only five hits, two by Adam Giacalone, who also walked. Omar Garcia walked twice and swiped his 16th bag. Osprey DH Jose Queliz hit for the cycle. Steve noted that the last four cycles to occur in the Pioneer League have all come at the expense of Helena. Helena play-by-play

It's 11-4 Missoula midway through the 7th in Helena, and I've gotta get to bed. I'll post in the morning if MH hasn't put up the recaps by then.

Final: @Helena 10, Missoula 4 Helena box score The Brewers scored eight runs in the first two innings and coasted to victory. Starter Anthony Banda allowed three runs in five innings, and Trevor Seidenberger got some sweet redemption after his first two completely disastrous pro appeances by tossing three scoreless, almost-perfect frames (which lowers his ERA to 16.88--not a misprint). Jose Pena had quite a day, knocking three doubles and driving in four runs. It's his second three-hit effort in the last three games, so maybe he's getting hot again. Omar Garcia also had three hits and is turning in an interesting debut campaign. Garcia, who will be 20 in a couple days, is now hitting .324, is not allergic to ball four, and has had some good success stealing bases (14/18); however, Pena had more extra-base hits today than Garcia has all year (two doubles). Adam Giacalone failed to reach base safely but did notch two sac flies. Helena play-by-play After Pena's double in the 2nd inning the Brewers were hitting .900 (9-10): Helena Bottom of the 1st Omar Garcia singles on a line drive to center fielder Colin Bray. Nathan Orf singles on a ground ball to right fielder Chuck Taylor. Omar Garcia to 3rd. Adam Giacalone out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Tyler Linton. Omar Garcia scores. Jose Pena doubles (9) on a ground ball to left fielder Tyler Linton. Nathan Orf scores. Jose Pena advances to 3rd, on a throwing error by shortstop Joe Munoz. Dustin Houle singles on a line drive to center fielder Colin Bray. Jose Pena scores. Dionis Hinojosa grounds into a double play, shortstop Joe Munoz to first baseman Daniel Palka. Dustin Houle out at 2nd. Helena Bottom of the 2nd Angel Ortega singles on a line drive to center fielder Colin Bray. Taylor Brennan singles on a line drive to left fielder Tyler Linton. Angel Ortega to 2nd. Ruben Ozuna singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Jake Miller. Angel Ortega to 3rd. Taylor Brennan to 2nd. Omar Garcia singles on a fly ball to left fielder Tyler Linton. Angel Ortega scores. Taylor Brennan scores. Ruben Ozuna to 3rd. Nathan Orf hit by pitch. Omar Garcia to 2nd. Adam Giacalone out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Colin Bray. Ruben Ozuna scores. Omar Garcia to 3rd. Nathan Orf to 2nd. Jose Pena doubles (10) on a ground ball to left fielder Tyler Linton. Omar Garcia scores. Nathan Orf scores. Dustin Houle flies out to center fielder Colin Bray. Dionis Hinojosa grounds out, shortstop Joe Munoz to first baseman Daniel Palka.

Final: @Helena 3, Missoula 2 Helena box score A rare Pioneer League pitchers' duel. The Brewers fell behind 2-0 but score two in the 5th and one in the 7th to squeak out a win. Zach Quintana was decently effective, allowing two runs in four innings. Over his last couple starts he's finally begun posting quality (at least >1!) K/BB numbers. Tyler Linehan and Hobbs Johnson locked it down with five shutout innings of relief. Linehan had to work around not just four hits and a walk in his three frames but also two of his own throwing errors. The Helena staff kept the infield on its toes, posting a cumulative 12/1 GO/FO. The Brewers had only five hits, and two belonged to Adam Giacalone and his .478 batting average; Giacalone was also hit by a pitch. Charlie Markson was back in the lineup after a couple days off and doubled; he may be nursing something given the time off and the fact that he DHed today. Omar Garcia was on twice and stole his 14th base. Helena play-by-play Linehan had better luck throwing to home plate than to other bases but he helped himself out here in what was at that point a tie game: Missoula Top of the 6th Jose Queliz singles on a line drive to right fielder Michael Ratterree. With Stryker Trahan batting, wild pitch by Tyler Linehan, Jose Queliz to 2nd. Stryker Trahan reaches on a fielder's choice out, pitcher Tyler Linehan to third baseman Taylor Brennan. Jose Queliz out at 3rd. Joe Munoz singles on a ground ball to center fielder Omar Garcia. Stryker Trahan to 2nd. Jake Mayers grounds into a double play, second baseman Renaldo Jenkins to shortstop Angel Ortega to first baseman Adam Giacalone. Joe Munoz out at 2nd.

Final: @Helena 9, Billings 7 Helena box score Renaldo Jenkins entered the day with zero career homers. He now has two. Michael Turay, Adam Giacalone, and Taylor Brennan also went deep for the Brewers, and Michael Ratterree stayed hot with two more hits. Barrett Astin and Taylor Williams continue to struggle, combining to allow six runs in 5.2 innings. Helena play-by-play This is awesome. Jenkins homered in the 3rd and 4th and then did this in his next at-bat: Helena Bottom of the 6th Taylor Brennan called out on strikes. Renaldo Jenkins singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Nolan Becker. With Omar Garcia batting, Renaldo Jenkins steals (5) 2nd base. Omar Garcia reaches on a throwing error by shortstop Ronald Bueno. Renaldo Jenkins scores. Omar Garcia to 2nd. Michael Turay flies out to right fielder Gabriel Rosa in foul territory. Omar Garcia to 3rd. Michael Ratterree flies out to left fielder Nick Benedetto.

Final: Billings 12, @Helena 11 Helena box score Pretty crazy game. The Brewers were down 12-5 in the 6th but scored four in the 7th and two more in the 8th to pull to within one but couldn't quite close the gap. Still, they racked up 17 hits, so at least half the box score is fun. Nathan Orf, Adam Giacalone, and Jose Pena each collected three knocks; it feels like Pena didn't even have three hits so far this entire month, so that must be a relief for him to break out a little. On the mound things were less fun, particularly for starter Eduard Reyes, who was touched up for eight runs on 11 hits, including three homers, in five innings. Brandon Moore followed and continued his recent trend of getting hammered, letting in four runs (two earned) in his one inning of work. On the bright side, Great Falls lost, so that makes Helena division champs of the first half of the season. Congrats to them. Helena play-by-play The H-Crew stranded a runner at third in each of the last three innings, including failing to plate what would have been the tying run with one out in the 8th: Helena Bottom of the 7th Pitching Change: Fabian Roman replaces Scott Brattvet. Dustin Houle pops out to second baseman Ty Washington. Jose Pena grounds out, third baseman Avain Rachal to first baseman Robert Ramirez. Jesse Weiss hit by pitch. Taylor Brennan singles on a ground ball to center fielder Jonathan Reynoso. Jesse Weiss to 3rd. Renaldo Jenkins doubles (3) on a ground ball to left fielder Gabriel Rosa. Jesse Weiss scores. Taylor Brennan to 3rd. Omar Garcia singles on a ground ball to shortstop Ronald Bueno. Taylor Brennan scores. Renaldo Jenkins to 3rd. With Nathan Orf batting, missed catch error by Robert Ramirez on the pickoff attempt, Renaldo Jenkins scores. Omar Garcia to 2nd. Nathan Orf triples (2) on a fly ball to right fielder Phil Ervin. Omar Garcia scores. Pitching Change: Austin Muehring replaces Fabian Roman. Michael Ratterree strikes out swinging. Helena Bottom of the 8th Adam Giacalone singles on a line drive to center fielder Jonathan Reynoso. Dustin Houle singles on a ground ball to left fielder Gabriel Rosa. Adam Giacalone to 2nd. With Jose Pena batting, wild pitch by Austin Muehring, Adam Giacalone to 3rd. Dustin Houle to 2nd. Jose Pena singles on a ground ball to left fielder Gabriel Rosa. Adam Giacalone scores. Dustin Houle to 3rd. Jose Pena to 2nd on the throw. Jesse Weiss strikes out swinging. With Taylor Brennan batting, wild pitch by Austin Muehring, Dustin Houle scores. Jose Pena to 3rd. Taylor Brennan strikes out swinging. Pitching Change: Joe Mantoni replaces Austin Muehring. Renaldo Jenkins lines out to center fielder Jonathan Reynoso. Helena Bottom of the 9th Omar Garcia strikes out swinging. Nathan Orf called out on strikes. Michael Ratterree reaches on a fielding error by third baseman Avain Rachal. Michael Ratterree to 2nd. With Adam Giacalone batting, Michael Ratterree steals (4) 3rd base. Adam Giacalone strikes out swinging.

Final: @Helena 11, Billings 6 Helena box score The Brewers scored seven runs in the 6th and hung on as the Mustangs bucked their way back into the game late. The first four hitters in the lineup each had two hits, and everyone except 9th-place Nathan Orf scored a run. Adam Giacalone responded to having his 41-game on-base streak ended his last time out by reaching four times. Michael Ratterree, after a double and a triple tonight, is hitting .429 and slugging .881 in his last ten games. Nice quiet start for Tristan Archer--four shutout innings, no walks, and a 7/2 GO/FO. Most of Billings' damage came off Danny Keller, unfortunately; he pitched only two innings and allowed four runs. Helena play-by-play Helena Bottom of the 6th Adam Giacalone walks. Taylor Brennan doubles (5) on a fly ball to left fielder Jon Matthews. Adam Giacalone to 3rd. Dustin Houle singles on a soft fly ball to right fielder Jonathan Reynoso. Adam Giacalone scores. Taylor Brennan scores. Pitching Change: Zack Weiss replaces Lucas Moran. Jose Pena strikes out swinging. Angel Ortega reaches on a fielding error by pitcher Zack Weiss. Dustin Houle to 2nd. Nathan Orf grounds out, first baseman Jhimmy Lopez to pitcher Zack Weiss. Dustin Houle to 3rd. Angel Ortega to 2nd. Omar Garcia singles on a fly ball to left fielder Jon Matthews. Dustin Houle scores. Angel Ortega scores. Charlie Markson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jonathan Reynoso. Omar Garcia to 2nd. Michael Ratterree doubles (13) on a fly ball to center fielder Phil Ervin. Omar Garcia scores. Charlie Markson scores. Adam Giacalone singles on a line drive to left fielder Jon Matthews. Michael Ratterree to 3rd. With Taylor Brennan batting, wild pitch by Zack Weiss, Michael Ratterree scores. Taylor Brennan strikes out swinging.

Final: @Ogden 8, Helena 6 Helena box score The Brewers entered the 7th down 4-0, but a four-running inning temporarily tied things up before they immediately allowed a four-running bottom half to the Raptors. Two in the 9th were enough to make it close, but that's it; the loss snapped a four-game win streak for the H-Crew. Anthony Banda started and struggled, posting a K/HR ratio of 0/3 (I just made that stat up; here's an alternative I like: "Banda posted a K - HR of -3"). I told Trevor Seidenberger that it couldn't get worse after allowing seven runs in 1.1 innings in his pro debut, but he's clearly the competitive type and tried to prove me wrong, this time surrendering four runs in one inning; it's entirely possible that if he was allowed to come back out for the 8th he could have topped (bottomed?) his previous effort. Backup catcher Michael Turay had a nice game, on base three times including a three-run homer. Ruben Ozuna had two hits, including a triple. Helena play-by-play

Final: Helena 8, @Odgen 3 Helena box score Starter Zach Quintana allowed a three-spot in the 1st inning, but both he and the team rallied from that point on to a decent start and a win, respectively. Quintana went five innings, and Tyler Linehan and Hobbs Johnson slammed the door with four shutout innings and a cumulative 6/0 K/BB to finish the game. Dionis Hinojosa led the offense with three hits, and Dustin Houle cracked his first homer of the year. Omar Garcia had another nice game with two hits and two steals. Garcia in 9 June games: .188/.333/.219, 2/2 SB/CS; Garcia in 13 July games: .404/.456/.423, 11/2 SB/CS. Nathan Orf was on base three more times. Even Jose Pena got a hit! Helena play-by-play