Brewers Earn Split With Win Over Mustangs

A night after being shut out the Helena Brewers wasted no time making sure they got on the board scoring once in the first inning and twice in the second inning en route to a 4-1 victory over the Billings Mustangs at Dehler Park Friday night.

Brewers starting pitcher Hiram Burgos was dominant in the winning effort. Burgos held the Mustangs bats to just one run on four hits, striking out nine and not allowing a walk in seven innings. "Some nights you just have to tip your hat to the other team's pitcher, and this was one of those nights" said Billings manager Delino DeShields. "Burgos was changing speeds and throwing quality pitches. He didn't let us get anything started."

Starter Daniel Corcino took his first loss of the season for the Mustangs giving up three earned runs on four hits, with no strike outs, a walk and a hit batsmen in four innings. Helena reliever Robert Currie pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth innings to pick up his second save of the year.

The highlight of the game from the Mustangs point of view was the defense of second baseman Billy Hamilton. A night after turning an unassisted double play, The 19-year old Hamilton a 2nd round pick of the Reds in 2009, made yet another play worthy of a Baseball Tonight web gem designation.

In the top of the fifth with nobody out and and the Brewers CF Franklin Romero on third, Hamilton caught a lined shot off the bat of Helena SS Shea Vucinich and from his back about 10 feet onto the outfield grass in right-center field fired a perfect throw to Mustangs third baseman Oliver Santos to double off Romero.

"It was a play I had to make, to help out my pitcher and try and keep us in the game," said Hamilton. "I got a good jump on the ball and managed to be in the right position to come up with a great throw. I take a lot of pride in my defense and work very hard not to let my team down when we are out in the field."

The Mustangs now head to Great Falls for a four game series against the Voyagers. The two teams opened the season with a four game series in Billings with Great Falls winning three out of four. Stalin Gerson ( 2 starts, 0-0, 2.70 ERA) will go for the Mustangs while Thomas Royse (2 starts, 0-1, 3.68 ERA) gets the call for the Voyagers. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.

Complete Box Score Here

Notes

Sierra hit streak stopped at eight: Mustangs Outfielder Jefry Sierra went 0-4 Friday stopping his consecutive game hit streak at eight games.

Attendance: 3783 (largest crowd at Dehler Park so far in 2010)

Time of Game: 2:17

Pioneer League Sc0reb0ard

Friday July 2
Helena Brewers 4, Billings Mustangs 1
Great Falls Voyagers 10, Missoula Osprey 6
Idaho Falls Chukars 10, Casper Ghosts 6
Orem Owlz 4, Ogden Raptors 1

Saturday July 3 (all times MDT)
Billings Mustangs @ Great Falls Voyagers 7 p.m.
Ogden Raptors @ Idaho Falls Chukars 6 p.m.
Helena Brewers @ Missoula Osprey 7:05 p.m.
Orem Owlz @ Casper Ghosts 7:05 p.m.

Pioneer League Standings
North Division
Helena Brewers, 9-3
Great Falls Voyagers, 7-5, 2 GB
Billings Mustangs, 4-8, 5 GB
Missoula Osprey, 4-8 5 GB

South Division
Orem Owlz, 7-5
Casper Ghosts, 6-6, 1 GB
Idaho Falls Chukars, 6-6, 1 GB
Ogden Raptors, 5-7, 2 GB