After a day off, the Helena Brewers travelled to Idaho Falls for the first time this season to take on the Chukars. The Brewers proved to be extremely inhospitable guests, scoring three-runs in the top of the first on their way to a 7-4 victory. Payton Henry hit a three-run home run in the first and added 4-RBI, and Nelson Hernandez remained undefeated earning his third win of the season.

Robert Garcia started for Idaho Falls and the Brewers jumped on him right away. After Dallas Carroll reached on an error, Gabriel Garcia struck out. Next up was KJ Harrison, who lined a double into right field that moved Carroll to third. That brought Payton Henry to the plate, who drilled his fourth home run of the season over the wall in left-center to give Helena the 3-0 lead.

For the first three frames of the game, Helena starter Nelson Hernandez kept the Chukars off the scoreboard. Finally, in the four, they were able to get on the board. Almani Fukofuka laid down a bunt that he beat out for a single to start the inning. Two batters later, Vance Vizcaino drilled a shot over the right field fence for a two-run homer that cut the Helena lead to one.

The Brewers responded right away in the top of the fifth, as Nick Roscetti and Carroll led off the inning with back-to-back line drive triples to the wall in center. A two-out base hit by Henry brought home Carroll in and the lead was back to three. Zach Clark followed the single with a base hit of his own, and Jay Feliciano brought Henry home with a ground ball single up the middle. That gave the Helena Brewers a 6-2 lead.

In the top of the sixth, the visitors extended their lead to five. Roscetti delivered a one-out double and moved to third on a base hit by Carroll. Two batters later, Harrison lined a single into right field that scored Roscetti to make it 7-2. That gave the Brewers their third run of the game scored with two outs.

Nelson Hernandez (3-0) went 6-innings before his evening was over. He allowed 5-hits, a walk and 2-runs, while striking out one.

In the seventh, Robbie Hitt came on and Idaho Falls was able to mount a little rally. Tyler Straub singled with one out and Jake Wakamatsu reached on an error to put two on which just one down. Offerman Collado walked to load the bases and Julio Gonzalez followed with a hit that scored both Straub and Wakamatsu. Two batters later, Robby Rinn drew a walk to load the bases and that would be it for Hitt.

Parker Bean came on, and got Vizcaino to ground out to end the threat. That started to run of five straight batters retired by Bean. He issued a one-out walk in the ninth, but recorded the final two outs of the game for his third save the season.

Payton Henry was 3-5 with 2-runs and 4-RBI for the Brewers. Henry also threw out a runner trying to steal. Nick Roscetti and Dallas Carroll each had 2-hits and 2-runs scored. Jay Feliciano had 3-hits. Vance Vizcaino was 2-4 with a run and 2-RBI for the Chukars. Julio Gonzalez also drove in 2 for Idaho Falls.

The Brewers will go for their third straight victory on Thursday evening as they send Michael Petersen (0-0, 7.43) to the hill. The Chukars will send Holden Capps (0-0, 0.00) to the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15.

Boxscore

By Robert Pannier