The Helena Brewers have been struggling lately, winners of just three of their last 11 entering Tuesday night’s competition against the Ogden Raptors. They got off on the right foot when they took the lead with two-runs in the fourth, but four Helena errors helped the Raptors to plate three-runs in the fifth, sixth, and eighth inning, as the visitors went onto the 9-3 victory. Ronny Brito paced the Helena offense, scoring two and driving in three and Jeff Paschke earned his second win of the season.

Gregorio Sequera had cruised through the first three-innings, but the Brewers would strike for two runs in the fourth. With one down, Zach Clark drilled a shot over the 400-foot mark in center field for his fourth homer of the year. Two batters later it would be Chad McClanahan’s turn. He turned on the first offering he saw for his third home run and Helena led 2-0.

Karsen Lindell was dominating Ogden through the first four innings, but an error opened the door for three-runs to score in the fifth. Donovan Casey led off the inning with his first home run of the season, a deep shot over the center field wall. Two batters later Connor Heady walked before Ronny Brito grounded to short. Antonio Pinero couldn’t make the play, allowing Brito to reach on the error and sending Heady to third. Brito then stole second. Lindell struck out Starling Heredia, but Luis Paz put his team on top with a lined single into right that scored both runners to make it 3-2.

The Brewers responded right away in the bottom of the fifth. Jose Gomez walked to start the inning. Two batters later, Dallas Carroll grounded to third. The throw to second was in time to get Gomez, but Brito’s relay was wild and Carroll ran toward second. Ogden catcher Gersel Pitre was backing up the play at first, retrieving the ball and throwing to second to try to nail Carroll. However, his throw was wild, allowing the Brewers runner to move to third. A wild pitch scored Carroll to tie the game.

In the sixth, the Raptors retook the lead against Brewers reliever Dylan File. Jared Walker led off with a single. Donovan Casey grounded to the shortstop whose throw to second was in time to nail Walker, but Franly Mallen dropped the ball as both runners were safe. Kevin Lachance then grounded back to File, whose throw to first sailed, allowing Walker and Casey to come around to score. Two batters later, Brito doubled into right field, scoring Lachance to make it 6-3.

In the eighth, Ogden doubled their lead. Casey singled with one down and moved to third when Connor Heady doubled two batters later. With two runners in scoring position and two down, Brito singled into left, scoring both runners. Nic Pierre tried to nail Heady at the plate, but his throw was wild, allowing Brito to move to third. A single by Heredia plated Brito to make it 9-3, which was the final.

Jeff Paschke (2-0) earned the victory with 1.1-innings of scoreless relief. Ronny Brito was 2-5 with 2-runs scored and 3-RBI. Donovan Casey was 2-4 with 3-runs scored and an RBI.

The Ogden Raptors go for the sweep Wednesday night. Carlos Felix (2-1, 3.14) goes for Ogden. He will be opposed by Jayson Rose (1-3, 6.62). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05.

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By Robert Pannier