The Helena Brewers (6-6) continued to roll Friday night, downing the Great Falls Voyagers 10-3 behind five outstanding innings by Harold Chirino, who earned his first victory of the season. The offense put up 14-hits for Helena, led by Dallas Carroll, who had 3-hits and Zach Clark, who homered for the third time in four games to give the Brewers their fifth straight win, helping them to reach .500 for the first time the season.

Helena got themselves off to a great start by scoring five runs in the top of the first inning against Great Falls starter Fernando Gallegos.  The Voyagers starter retired the first two batters of the inning, but the third out proved to be elusive. Dallas Carroll doubled before both Payton Henry and Gabriel Garcia walked to load the bases. A base hit by Jay Feliciano brought home both Carroll and Henry, bringing Zach Clark to the plate. He then drilled his third home run of the season, a shot over the wall in left-center that extended the lead to five.

In the top of the second, the long ball would help the Brewers extend their lead to six. Once again, the Voyagers starter was able to retire the first two batters of the inning, but Chad McClanahan kept him from a clean inning, hitting his first home run of the season over the right-center field wall to make it 6-0.

After a scoreless third, the Helena Brewers would plate three more in the fourth. Josue Gerardo came on to pitch for Great Falls, and was greeted by a base hit by Nick Roscetti. Two batters later Carroll walked, and Henry followed with a single that scored Roscetti. The throw to the plate allowed both Carroll and Henry to get into scoring position, which paid off when Garcia grounded a single into left field scoring both runners. That made it 9-0.

Chirino was rolling through the first three innings of the ballgame, allowing a lone walk as the only baserunner to reach against him. In the fourth, Great Falls would finally get a run against him. As had been the trouble with Gallegos, the Helena starter was able to retire the first two batters of the inning, but hit Anthony Villa to keep the frame alive. A wild pitch moved Villa the second and he scored on a double by Franklin Reyes. That made the score 9-1.

The sixth inning would see each team score their final runs of the game. Roscetti started the inning by reaching on an error, and moved to second on a wild pitch. McClanahan moved him to third with a single and he scored on the second wild pitch of the inning by Blake Battenfield to make it a nine-run lead.

Cody Martin took over for Helena in the bottom half of the inning, and Great Falls would take advantage right away. Tate Blackman led off with a single and moved to second on a stolen base. He would move to third on a ground out before Villa walked to put runners at the corners with one down. A balk sent Blackman home and moved Villa to second and he scored on a single by Reyes. That reduced the Brewers lead to seven, but the Voyagers would get no closer.

Harold Chirino (1-1) earned his first victory of the season, allowing just 1-hit and a run in 5-innings of work. He struck out three. Jayson Rose tossed three scoreless innings, striking out 4 for his second save of the season.

Every player but one had at least one hit for the Helena Brewers. They were led by Dallas Carroll, who was 3-4 with 2-runs scored. Zach Clark continues his hot streak, clubbing his third homer of the year and driving in 3. That gives the outfielder 12-RBI over the last 4-games. Gabriel Garcia and Jay Feliciano each had 2-hits, a run scored and 2-RBI. The Great Falls Voyagers were led by Anthony Villa, who was 1-2 with 2-runs scored.

The Helena Brewers now move on to Missoula, where they will take on the Ospreys for the first time this season. Helena has not named their starter for tomorrow night’s contest. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05.

Boxscore

By Robert Pannier