Link Report for Games of Sat. 6/25 -- Walkoff homer goes for Sounds, against Stars

[Mass Haas]

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[Mass Haas]

Saturday's Daily Menu:
Times Central; pitchers subject to change --

Nashville: LHP Sam Narron at home vs. New Orleans (Marlins), 6:20 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime
Live Audio Link
iPad/iPhone: Listen
MiLB.TV -- for subscribers

Huntsville: LHP Dan Merklinger at Carolina (Reds), 5:15 PM gametime
Live Audio Link -- Select the Carolina feed from the MiLB main audio page

Brevard County: RHP's R.J. Seidel and Tyler Thornburg in a doubleheader at home vs. Lakeland (Tigers), 4:05 PM gametime; each contest slated for seven innings
Sorry, no audio available for these games...

Wisconsin: RHP Jimmy Nelson at home vs. Quad Cities (Cardinals), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime
Live Audio Link

Helena: RHP Eric Arnett at home vs. Billings (Reds), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime
Live Audio Link -- Select the Helena feed from the MiLB main audio page

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): Idle

DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Cardinals, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until late afternoon at the earliest

[Mass Haas]

Follow Saturday's action as it happens:

 

Nashville (Gameday also available)

 

Huntsville (Gameday also available)

Brevard County Game One

Brevard County Game Two

Wisconsin

 

Helena

DSL Brewers

[Mass Haas]

PCL American North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Omaha	41	35	.539	-	-	21-15	20-20	5-5	L1
	Memphis	39	36	.520	1.5	68	23-16	16-20	6-4	L3
	Iowa	34	42	.447	7.0	62	17-19	17-23	4-6	W3
	Nashville	33	42	.440	7.5	62	21-18	12-24	4-6	W1

SOU North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Carolina	1	1	.500	-	-	1-1	0-0	1-1	L1
	Chattanooga	1	1	.500	-	-	1-1	0-0	1-1	W1
	Huntsville	1	1	.500	-	-	0-0	1-1	1-1	W1
	Jackson	1	1	.500	-	-	0-0	1-1	1-1	W1
*	Tennessee	1	1	.500	-	-	0-0	1-1	1-1	W1

FSL North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Brevard County	1	0	1.000	-	-	1-0	0-0	1-0	W1
	Clearwater	1	1	.500	0.5	69	1-1	0-0	1-1	L1
*	Daytona	1	1	.500	0.5	69	0-0	1-1	1-1	W1
	Dunedin	1	1	.500	0.5	69	0-0	1-1	1-1	W1
	Tampa	1	1	.500	0.5	69	1-1	0-0	1-1	L1
	Lakeland	0	1	.000	1.0	69	0-0	0-1	0-1	L2

MID Western
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Beloit	1	0	1.000	-	-	1-0	0-0	1-0	W3
	Clinton	1	0	1.000	-	-	1-0	0-0	1-0	W3
	Kane County	1	0	1.000	-	-	0-0	1-0	1-0	W1
	Wisconsin	1	0	1.000	-	-	1-0	0-0	1-0	W2
*	Burlington	0	1	.000	1.0	69	0-0	0-1	0-1	L3
	Cedar Rapids	0	1	.000	1.0	69	0-0	0-1	0-1	L2
	Peoria	0	1	.000	1.0	69	0-1	0-0	0-1	L8
	Quad Cities	0	1	.000	1.0	69	0-0	0-1	0-1	L1

PIO North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Helena	4	1	.800	-	-	3-0	1-1	4-1	W2
	Billings	2	3	.400	2.0	32	2-2	0-1	2-3	L1
	Great Falls	2	3	.400	2.0	32	0-1	2-2	2-3	L2
	Missoula	2	3	.400	2.0	32	1-1	1-2	2-3	W1

AZL Central
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	AZL Dodgers	3	1	.750	-	-	2-0	1-1	3-1	L1
	AZL Brewers	2	2	.500	1.0	52	0-2	2-0	2-2	L1
	AZL Indians	2	2	.500	1.0	52	2-1	0-1	2-2	W1
	AZL Reds	2	2	.500	1.0	52	2-0	0-2	2-2	W1

DSL S.D. North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	DSL Mariners	17	5	.773	-	-	8-3	9-2	10-0	W13
	DSL Brewers	16	7	.696	1.5	49	6-4	10-3	7-3	W1
	DSL Athletics	7	16	.304	10.5	40	3-7	4-9	3-7	L5
	DSL Cardinals	6	17	.261	11.5	39	5-9	1-8	3-7	L2

[TheCrew07]

Thornburg, Nelson, and Arnett... I was going to be hateful but I'll just say it's interesting that lowest draft pick of the 3 is having most success.

[battlekow]

Manatees postponed again, so Thornburg will have to wait to make his High-A debut. There will be doubleheaders on 8/7 and 8/8.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville and Wisconsin Media Notes

[battlekow]

He got out of it, but not exactly a promising start for Jimmy Nelson:

Quad Cities Top of the 1st

• Michael Swinson grounds out, shortstop Nick Shaw to first baseman Cody Hawn.
• Ronny Gil flies out to left fielder T. J. Mittelstaedt.
• Nicholas Longmire walks.
• Chris Edmondson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Chad Stang. Nicholas Longmire to 2nd.
• Jonathan Rodriguez walks. Nicholas Longmire to 3rd. Chris Edmondson to 2nd.
• Cody Stanley grounds out, second baseman Gregory Hopkins to first baseman Cody Hawn.

[battlekow]

Final: @Carolina 6, Huntsville 4 (10 innings)

Huntsville box score

After a solid start by Dan Merklinger (6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 87 pitches, 56 strikes), the teams traded two-run innings in the 7th, eventually needing extra innings to decide things. In his third inning of work, Robert Hinton gave up a walk-off homer to Reds prospect Neftali Soto in the 10th. Sergio Miranda led the way on offense with two hits, including a double, and a walk. Sean Halton also had two hits, also including a double, Erik Komatsu singled and walked, and Lee Haydel was 0-3 with a walk and a sac bunt; all three players stole a bag. The Stars had five doubles altogether.

Hunstville play-by-play

The catchers were busy tonight:

Carolina Bottom of the 3rd

• Tim Gustafson pops out to second baseman Sergio Miranda in foul territory.
• Denis Phipps singles on a ground ball to shortstop Angel Gonzalez.
• Henry Rodriguez doubles (3) on a sharp fly ball to center fielder Erik Komatsu. Denis Phipps scores.
• Mike Costanzo singles on a line drive to center fielder Erik Komatsu. Henry Rodriguez out at home on the throw, center fielder Erik Komatsu to catcher Martin Maldonado.
• Neftali Soto walks. Mike Costanzo to 2nd.
• Mike Costanzo out at 3rd, catcher Martin Maldonado to third baseman Steffan Wilson.

Huntsville Top of the 7th

• Sergio Miranda doubles (6) on a sharp fly ball to right fielder Felix Perez.
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Hainley Statia replaces Dan Merklinger.
• Hainley Statia doubles (8) on a line drive to right fielder Felix Perez. Sergio Miranda scores.
• Lee Haydel out on a sacrifice bunt, first baseman Neftali Soto to second baseman Henry Rodriguez. Hainley Statia to 3rd.
• Erik Komatsu singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Felix Perez. Hainley Statia scores.
• Sean Halton singles on a ground ball to center fielder Denis Phipps. Erik Komatsu to 2nd.
• With Steffan Wilson batting, Erik Komatsu steals (8) 3rd base. Sean Halton steals (4) 2nd base.
• Steffan Wilson reaches on a fielder's choice out, shortstop Miguel Rojas to catcher Yasmani Grandal. Erik Komatsu out at home. Sean Halton to 3rd.
• Brandon Jones strikes out swinging.

Carolina Bottom of the 7th

• Pitcher Change: Roque Mercedes replaces Dan Merklinger, batting 9th.
• Felix Perez doubles (10) on a sharp fly ball to center fielder Erik Komatsu.
• David Cook grounds out, shortstop Angel Gonzalez to first baseman Sean Halton. Felix Perez to 3rd.
• Miguel Rojas singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Lee Haydel. Felix Perez scores.
• Jose Castro singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Lee Haydel. Miguel Rojas to 2nd.
• Denis Phipps doubles (16) on a sharp fly ball to right fielder Brandon Jones. Miguel Rojas scores. Jose Castro out at home on the throw, right fielder Brandon Jones to second baseman Sergio Miranda to catcher Martin Maldonado. Denis Phipps to 3rd on the throw.
• Pitcher Change: Lucas Luetge replaces Roque Mercedes, batting 9th.
• Henry Rodriguez walks.
• Mike Costanzo flies out to center fielder Erik Komatsu.

[battlekow]

Final: @Nashville 4, New Orleans 3

Gamel's Walkoff Blast Caps Sounds' Comeback Win

Nashville Sounds

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds plated four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, capped by Mat Gamel's walkoff two-run homer, to record an exciting 4-3 victory over the visiting New Orleans Zephyrs in front of 8,211 fans on Saturday evening at Greer Stadium in the opener of a four-game series.

Trailing 3-0 entering the game's final half-inning, all four Sounds batters who came to the plate in the ninth against New Orleans reliever Frank Mata scored as Nashville (34-42) picked up its seventh last at-bat win of the year and its fourth victory in a game it trailed in the eighth inning or later.

Edwin Maysonet led off with a soft single to right and moved to third when Brandon Boggs doubled to right. Brett Carroll followed by plating both runners with a two-run single to center that made it a 4-3 contest.

The red-hot Gamel followed by hammering an 0-1 Mata fastball over the home run deck in right-center field for the game-winner, his team-leading 17th home run of the season [audio].

With a 2-for-4 evening, Gamel extended his hitting streak to seven games. He is hitting .423 (11-for-26) over that stretch, the longest active streak by any Sounds player.

The late Sounds heroics wiped out a tremendous start by New Orleans right-hander Elih Villanueva, who turned in his best outing of the season but was left with a no-decision for his efforts. He held the Sounds to four hits, didn't walk a batter, and struck out eight in eight scoreless innings of work.

Mata (1-5) failed to retire a batter and took the loss after suffering his third blown save of the year for New Orleans.

Sounds reliever Zack Segovia (3-3) was the beneficiary of the late rally, earning the win after tossing a scoreless inning.

Villanueva opened the scoring and helped his own cause by drilling a one-out solo homer to left off Sounds starter Sam Narron in the top of the third inning.

The roundtripper - the first of Villanueva's pro career - was the first by an opposing pitcher against Nashville since Chris Narveson, then with Memphis, took Justin Lehr deep on July 4, 2006.

The visitors extended their lead to 3-0 in the fourth when Z's center fielder Josh Kroeger smashed a hanging Narron curveball deep beyond the wall in right for a two-run homer. The blast, his 11th of the year, also plated Matt Dominguez, who preceded Kroeger with a single.

Narron, who departed on the short end of a 3-0 deficit but ultimately took a no-decision, worked his fifth quality start of the year for the Sounds, allowing three runs on five hits over seven innings.

The teams continue the series with another 6:35 p.m. meeting on Sunday. Right-hander Amaury Rivas (5-7, 4.27) will make the start for the Sounds to face New Orleans right-hander Tom Koehler (5-5, 5.47).

Nashville box score

Gamel Gamel Hey! Plus, an unexpected Narv Dog sighting! That homer remains the only one of Narveson's pro career. Taylor Green started a new extra-base hit streak with a double. Caleb Gindl hitless again. Talking about Ryan Braun's and Danny Valencia's 2005 Miami Hurricanes team made me miss Brendan Katin. Justin James worked a perfect 8th with a strikeout. Eric Farris was 1-4.

Nashville play-by-play

[BrewCrewForever]

Mat Gamel is just on fire. Really hope he gets a chance to come up and play next for the Crew. He has earned it in Nashville this season at the plate and in the field.

[battlekow]

Final: Quad Cities 3, @Wisconsin 2

Rattlers can’t rally back on Saturday

Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

GRAND CHUTE, WI – On Friday night, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers scored twice in the bottom of the ninth inning to erase a 3-2 Quad Cities River Bandits lead for a 4-3 victory. The Rattlers couldn’t summon ninth inning heroics two nights in a row as they fell to the Bandits 3-2 on Saturday night at Time Warner Cable Field. Quad Cities starting pitcher Seth Blair picked up the win with an interesting five inning performance.

Quad Cities (41-30 overall, 1-1 second half) scored a pair of runs in the top of the third inning. Ronny Gil drew a leadoff walk, stole second, and went to third on a wild pitch. An RBI grounder by Chris Edmondson sent Gil home with the first run. Jonathan Rodriguez homered later in the inning for a 2-0 lead.

The Bandits extended their lead in the fourth. Geoff Klein doubled and a Victor Sanchez single sent him to third base. Michael Swinson grounded into a force play at second that allowed Klein to score for a 3-0 lead.

Wisconsin (39-33, 1-1) got on the board against Blair in the bottom of the fourth inning without a hit. Mike Walker and Chris Dennis walked to start the inning. A sacrifice bunt from Chad Stang moved both runners up a base. Tony Pechek’s RBI grounder sent Walker home.

Fans observed a fascinating outing by Blair. The Bandits starting pitcher didn’t allow a hit in five innings. He struck out eight, walked seven, and was over 90 pitches when he turned the game over to the Quad Cities bullpen for the bottom of the sixth.

Walker broke up the no-hit bid immediately in the sixth. He singled to left off Bandits reliever Angel De Jesus. However, Walker was caught trying to steal second with Dennis at the plate. On the very next pitch, Dennis unloaded on the offering from De Jesus and sent his eighth home run of the season over the Miller High Life Home Run Porch in right.

The Rattlers got the tying run to second later in the sixth and also in the seventh inning against De Jesus. But, Wisconsin could not push the tying run across the plate.

Dean Kiekhefer retired the Rattlers in order in the eighth and ninth innings to record his first save of the season.

The final game of the series is Sunday afternoon at Time Warner Cable Field. Del Howell (1-3, 3.82) is the scheduled starter for the Timber Rattlers. The River Bandits have Trevor Rosenthal (3-7, 3.63) as their scheduled starting pitcher. Game time is 1:05pm.

On Sunday, the first 1,000 children aged 12 and under will receive a Webkinz from the Fox Valley Humane Association. Before the game, fans may play catch on the field presented by momslikeme.com. During the game, the Timber Rattlers players will be wearing jerseys and caps based on those of the 1975 Milwaukee Brewers. After the game, players will be available for a post-game autograph session.

Also on Sunday, Time Warner Cable subscribers may bring in their bill and receive up to four half priced reserve seat tickets on Sunday.

If you can’t make it out to the game, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 12:45pm.

Wisconsin box score

Chris was being diplomatic when described Blair's outing as "fascinating" above. Starter Jimmy Nelson's line: 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 9/5 GO/FO, 101 pitches, 60 strikes. While he didn't pitch particularly well, he has to take some consolation in the fact that he's not at Brevard County. Walker was on three times with his hit and two walks, and Nick Shaw drew three free passes. TJ Mittelstaedt took a tough 0-5 with four strikeouts atop the order. Eric Marzec struck out two and walked one in a scoreless inning of relief.

Wisconsin play-by-play
Mittelstaedt didn't do anything at the plate, but he did use his arm to help keep the Rattlers within one run:

Quad Cities Top of the 8th

• Jonathan Rodriguez singles on a line drive to right fielder Franklin Romero.
• Cody Stanley pops out to first baseman Cody Hawn.
• Starlin Rodriguez doubles (7) on a line drive to left fielder T. J. Mittelstaedt. Jonathan Rodriguez out at home on the throw, left fielder T. Mittelstaedt to shortstop Nick Shaw to catcher Tony Pechek.
• Geoffrey Klein strikes out swinging.

[battlekow]

Final: @DSL Brewers 7, DSL Cardinals 3

DSL Brewers box score

#CardenalitosEatBebés. 19-year-old righty Leonard Lorenzo, suspended 50 games last July for steroid use, served his penance and made his first appearance of the year today and turned in a nice start: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 7/1 GO/FO. The Cerveceritos were down 2-0 early but scored two runs each in the 4th, 5th, and 7th to take command of the game. Joan Abreu was on four times with two hits, including a double, and two walks, and Jose Pena collected two hits, including his second homer. Can't keep Orlando Arcia down--he was on twice in five trips with a single and a HBP. Not hit by any pitches was Elvis Rubio, who returned to the lineup and went 0-4. In stark contrast to Arcia, Rubio's pro career has gotten off to a rough start.

DSL Brewers play-by-play

[TooLiveBrew]

Final: @Helena 8, Billings 5

 

Brewers, Arnett beat Billings

Nicholas Allen

 

Brewers fans could breathe a bit easier in the ninth inning Saturday as

Helena beat the Billings Mustangs 8-5 at Kindrick Legion Field. The

score marked the first time in 2011 that a Helena game was not decided

by a single run. Eric Arnett (1-0) picked up his first victory of the

season, pitching 5.2 innings and giving up three runs on six hits. The

2009 first round pick struck out four Mustangs and currently sports a

3.09 ERA.

 

With the Mustangs leading 2-0 in the third, Kyle Dhanani pounded a

ground-rule double that scored Brent Dean and Adrian Williams to tie the

score. Dhanani did not start the game, but entered when Jason Rogers

was ejected after a second inning strikeout. Dean would give Helena the

lead in the fourth with a two run shot that carried over the left field

fence. Kenny Allison would score when Robbie Garvey grounded into a

force out.

 

After a Mustang run in the sixth, Dhanani doubled again, plating Yadiel

Rivera. The third baseman would score on Parker Berberet's infield chop

single. The Brewers added an insurance run in the eighth when Williams

singled for the third time, stole second base and came around on

Garvey's double. Thomas Keeling shut the Mustangs down for 2.1 hitless

innings before giving way to Seth Harvey in the ninth.

 

The Brewers will go for the sweep in the series finale Sunday.

 

 

Brewers Box Score

Arnett's line was 5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R/ER, 3 BB, 4 K. He gave up one home run (a solo shot), allowed three doubles and one triple.

 

Max Walla went 1-4. Rivera was 1-5 with a double. Dhanani finished 2-3 with the two doubles, and added three RBI. Catcher Brent Dean went 3-4, with a double & two-run homer. Second baseman Adrian Williams was 3-4 with a stolen base & two runs scored.

 

 

Brewers Play-by-Play

Not a good night for Jason Rogers:

 

Helena Bottom of the 1st

• Robert Garvey grounds out, shortstop Devin Lohman to first baseman Robert Maddox.
• Yadiel Rivera strikes out swinging, catcher Danny Vicioso to first baseman Robert Maddox.
• Jason Rogers called out on strikes.

Billings Top of the 2nd

• Defensive Substitution: Kyle Dhanani replaces first baseman Jason Rogers, batting 3rd, playing third base.
• Defensive switch from third base to first base for Michael Nemeth.
• Helena Brewers Jason Rogers ejected by HP umpire T. Cunningham.

Helena's best inning was the 4th, which saw three runs:

 

Helena Bottom of the 4th

• Parker Berberet grounds out, third baseman Sean Buckley to first baseman Robert Maddox.
• Max
  Walla singles on a line drive to left fielder Juan Silva. Max Walla
  advances to 2nd, on fielding error by left fielder Juan Silva.
• Brent Dean homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Max Walla scores.
• Kenneth Allison walks.
• Adrian Williams singles on a line drive to left fielder Juan Silva. Kenneth Allison to 3rd.
• Robert
  Garvey grounds into a force out, shortstop Devin Lohman to second
  baseman Adam Muenster. Kenneth Allison scores. Adrian Williams out
  at 2nd. Robert Garvey to 1st.
• Yadiel Rivera
  reaches on fielding error by second baseman Adam Muenster. Robert
  Garvey to 3rd. Yadiel Rivera advances to 2nd, on throwing error by
  second baseman Adam Muenster.
• Kyle Dhanani strikes out swinging.

[Mass Haas]

It's rare when we call out players for true non-performance, but we've indicated that those who have been 40-man roster players (past or present) can come under tougher scrutiny.

 

The majority of Huntsville reliever Roque Mercedes' 25 appearances (stats) have been brief yet disastrous. Can't recall a 1-2 inning reliever constantly surrendering runs time and time again as he has, and it's definitely cost the Stars in the standings.

 

(Note: it's about player development, not wins. Yes, we're aware...)

Is the arm still as live as it once was? Perhaps, he's still just 24.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Quad Cities 3, @Wisconsin 2

T.J. Mittelstaedt took a tough 0-5 with four strikeouts atop the order.

Frustration boiled over a bit --

 

Wisconsin Bottom of the 9th

• T. J. Mittelstaedt called out on strikes.
  
• Wisconsin Timber Rattlers left fielder T. J. Mittelstaedt ejected by HP umpire Mike Terry.
  
• Nick Shaw grounds out, first baseman Geoffrey Klein to pitcher Dean Kiekhefer.
  
• Cody Hawn called out on strikes.

[Mass Haas]

For a better appreciation of the video highlights tonight, be sure to read Chris' post-game Rattler thoughts before you click "play".

[Mass Haas]

The Power 50's # 42, soon-to-be 18-year-old Venezuelan RHP Osmel Perez, has not pitched since June 10th after posting un-Osmel-like numbers in his his first three DSL starts of the season.

 

DSL catcher Julio Sotelo left a game after a plate collision on June 8th and has not played since.

[Mass Haas]

Brewers defeat Billings to continue hot start

by Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record

 

What began as a night off turned into anything but an off night for Kyle Dhanani.

The Helena Brewers third baseman was not in the starting lineup when first pitch was thrown at 7:06 PM Saturday. But after infielder Jason Rogers was ejected for arguing a called third strike in the first frame, Dhanani came in cold in the top of the second and made the most of every at-bat. The Blaine, Wash., native was 2 for 3 and stroked two crucial run-scoring doubles to help Helena beat Billings 8-5 and remain perfect at Kindrick Legion Field.

“I was ready for it. I had a good pregame, didn’t tune out mentally,” Dhanani said. “I just figured I didn’t have no pressure since I came in cold, and they gave me a couple fastballs and I hit them.”

Dhanani wasn’t the only one connecting on Saturday. Brewers catcher Brent Dean finished just a triple shy of the cycle, slamming the go-ahead home run, and second baseman Adrian Williams was 3 for 4 with two runs scored. After the defense had impressed all season, the offense showed fireworks of its own, rapping out 13 hits.

“It was a good, solid win,” said Dean, part of a battery that helped Helena starter Eric Arnett earn his first win in the Capital City. “A bunch of guys were swinging the bat well. Dhanani, coming off the bench, he had a great game. It was a great job by a bunch of guys.”

Again the Brewers (5-1) had to muster a comeback, only this time they wouldn’t blow a lead. The Mustangs (2-4) took a two-run lead in the third inning when Nick O’Shea’s first professional hit went into the streets beyond the left-field fence for a solo shot, and Juan Silva tacked on another run with an RBI single.

But Dean responded with a leadoff double in the Brewers’ half, followed by an infield hit by Williams and a catcher’s interference call in Robbie Garvey’s at-bat to load the bags.

Then, with two outs, Dhanani came to the plate and came through clutch, with a ground-rule double to tie the game.

“We put a lot of balls into play and didn’t strike out, and the last few games we’ve struck out a lot,” Dhanani noted. “We worked on a two-out approach in BP today and I think it really helped.”

Indeed, Brewers batters had been fanned 29 times in the previous two games. They struck out just eight times Saturday.

Arnett went 5.2 innings for Helena, allowing just six hits, three runs — all earned — fanning four and walking three. It was enough for the right-hander to earn his first victory in a Helena uniform, after the former first-round draft pick went 0-4 in 2009 for the team.

“Arnett did an amazing job,” Dean said. “There’s two pitches I would want to change, that I probably would have taken a different approach, but that’s on me. He pitched his butt off, he did a great job.”

The product out of Indiana University got into a bit of a jam in the sixth, when he issued a leadoff walk to Devin Lohman and Sean Buckley’s double put two men in scoring position. Drew Poulk’s RBI fielder’s choice brought Billings within two runs, and then Arnett gave up another base on balls.

But reliever Thomas Keeling came out of the bullpen and delivered, working out of a bases-loaded jam after hitting O’Shea. The southpaw with the funky sidearm delivery struck out two, allowed just one base runner and did not allow a single hit in 2.1 frames. Seth Harvey closed out the ninth, giving up two runs but retiring the final three batters to strand another Mustang 90 feet from home. It was the first time the Brewers won a game by more than one run this season.

“It was a little relieving to finish that game in the top of the ninth and not have to worry about coming back in,” Dean said.

Wes Mugarian took his second loss of the season for the Mustangs, after giving up four earned runs in five innings on six hits.

Billings will try to avoid the sweep tonight, when the Mustangs send right-handed pitcher Stalin Gerson (1-0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound. He will face Brewers right-hander Brandon Williamson (1-0, 5.14) who won his pro debut on Tuesday.

Helena hopes it can continue the success its had in the friendly confines of Kindrick. For the Brewers, who have won three in a row, there’s been no place like home.

“Knock on wood,” Dhanani joked. “We have a good crowd and we like playing here. We know the field well, and I got that double early because the outfielder just misplayed the wall. Things like that play to your advantage when you’re home.”

NOTES: Billings Mustangs shortstop Devin Lohman had his five-game hitting streak snapped. He went 0-4 for the first time this season...The Mustangs are winless this year (0-4) when registering at least one error. Billings had three against Helena on Saturday.