Osprey Keep Brewers Hitless

A trio of Missoula Osprey pitchers combined to throw a no-hitter against the Helena Brewers Monday night at Kindrick Field. Miles Reagan, Jesse Orosco, and Bryan Shaw came together to strike out six Brewer hitters while only allowing three walks. Orosco picks up his first professional win and Bryan Shaw earned his first professional save in the contest. Brandon Ritchie suffers the loss for the Brewers, allowing the only run of the game on six hits, two walks and four strikeouts. The Brewers committed two errors in the ballgame. Ollie Linton led the way for Missoula, going 2-4 and scored the lone run. Ryne White also had two hits for the Osprey. Nestor Corredor relieved Ritchie and threw 2.1 innings and allowed only one hit with two strikeouts. The Brewers had runners in scoring position in the fourth, seventh and eighth innings but could not push a run across as they drop their second game in a row to Missoula. The Brewers are now 6-8 on the season and Missoula improves to 4-10. The two teams will play again Tuesday night in Missoula.

Osprey Stop Brewers

The Missoula Osprey used a five-run ninth inning to defeat the Helena Brewers 10-8 Sunday evening. The Brewers led 5-2 into the eighth inning before Missoula tied the game when Nelson Gomez homered and Ollie Linton singled up the middle, scoring two Osprey runners. In the top of the ninth, Gomez would homer for the second time in the ballgame, this time a three-run shot. The Osprey would go on to plate two more runs to take the lead 10-5. Helena would rally back in the bottom of the ninth, scoring three runs on a homerun by Erik Komatsu, his second of the game but Bayron Zepeda would get Jose Duran to ground out with two runners on to end the game. Garrett Sherrill suffers the loss for Helena, allowing five runs in 1.2 innings with three walks and five hits. Keny Sosa picks up his second win of the season, going 5.1 innings, allowing one hit and no runs. Sosa shut down the Brewers offense that seemed to be clicking on all cylinders earlier in the game. Brock Kjeldgaard and Josh Romanski also had two hits along with Komatsu and Chris Dennis and Jose Duran each homered in the contest. The loss snaps the Brewers season-high three game winning streak and drops the Brewers to 6-7. Missoula improves to 3-10 on the year. The two teams will play the rubber match of the three-game series Monday night at Kindrick Field.

Brewers Outlast Osprey

The Helena Brewers defeated the Missoula Osprey Saturday night in a back-and-forth contest, 8-7. Brock Kjeldgaard hit his second homerun of the season in the first inning to put the Brewers on top 3-1. Missoula would answer back with two runs of their own in the top of the second inning, thanks in part to an RBI double by Ollie Linton. Helena would then re-gain the lead in the bottom half of the inning when Chris Dennis’ fly ball was dropped after Missoula’s center fielder and right fielder collided, allowing two runs to score. Missoula put up two more runs on four hits in the top of the third inning to tie the score before Helena jumped back into the lead when Cory Kemp drilled his second homerun of the season. The Brewers would tack on two more runs in the sixth when Josh Romanski and Michael Marseco both doubled, putting the Brewers in the lead for good. Mark Willinsky earned his first win of the year going 3.0 innings with three hits, one run and five strikeouts. Adam Arnold picked up his second save of the year, working 2.0 innings, allowing one run and struck out two. Pedro Rodriguez takes the loss for the Osprey as he allowed two runs in 4.0 innings of work. Romanski led the Brewers, going 3-4 with two runs scored and John Delaney went 2-5 with an RBI and a run scored. Helena improves to 6-6 on the season and Missoula drops to 2-10. The two teams will play again Sunday at Kindrick Field.

Brewers Sweep Mustangs

The Helena Brewers won their second straight game for the first time this season. The Brewers defeated the Billings Mustangs 8-2 Friday night at Kindrick Field. The game was close until the bottom of the fifth inning when the Brewers erupted for six runs on two big hits: a two-run double by Erik Komatsu and a three-run homerun by Michael Vass. Komatsu finished with three hits in five chances and John Delaney, Michael Marseco, and Vass had two hits apiece. Delaney got things going by sending the first pitch he saw over the left-field fence in the bottom of the first inning. Efrain Nieves had a solid outing for the Brewers, going six innings with seven hits and two earned runs. The left-hander struck out three Mustang hitters and walked one en route to his second win of the season. Santo Manzanillo earned the save for the Brewers, closing out the final three innings. Manzanillo didn’t give up a run as he struck out four. Justin Freeman picks up the loss for Billings as he allowed four runs and seven hits in 4.1 innings of work. Freeman struck out five Brewer hitters and allowed one walk. The Brewers look to continue their winning streak Saturday night as they take on the Missoula Osprey.

Brewers Down Road-Weary Mustangs

The Helena Brewers defeated the Billings Mustangs Thursday night, 5-4. The Mustangs, who have been on the road for nine straight games, were unable to overcome the Brewers in a close, hard-fought battle. Helena jumped out to an early 4-0 lead thanks in part to RBI triples by both Logan Schafer and Michael Vass in the bottom of the third inning. Billings answered with two runs of their own in the fourth and sixth innings, but were unable to keep the game tied as Helena took the lead for good on the RBI groundout by Derrick Alfonso in the bottom of the sixth scoring Christopher Dennis. Garrett Sherrill earned his first professional save by striking out all three hitters in the top of the ninth, two of them looking. Cody Adams picks up his first win of the season, throwing three innings and allowing two earned runs on four hits. Trey Watten had a solid start for the Brewers, going five innings and giving up just two runs. Watten scattered five hits while striking out two and walking two. Brandon Rice suffered the loss for the Mustangs, allowing one run on three hits in two innings of work. The win improves the Brewers record to 4-6 on the season and Billings drops to 6-4. The two teams will play again Friday night at Kindrick Field.

Brewers Win In Dramatic Fashion

The Helena Brewers pulled out their second win of the season in the bottom of the ninth, defeating the Missoula Osprey 3-2. Eric Komatsu’s single scored pinch runner Derrick Alfonso and Chris Dennis to end the game. Osprey right fielder Isaias Ascencio fired a bullet to home plate attempting to throw out Dennis, who was trying to score from second base. The play was extremely close as Dennis’ foot barely grazed the plate while colliding with Osprey catcher Bill Musselman. Osprey manager Audo Vicente argued the call to no avail. Leading the way offensively for the Brewers was Komatsu who had two hits, two RBI’s and also scored a run. Brock Kjeldgaard also had two hits in the contest for the Brewers. Efrain Nieves earned his first win by allowing one run on six hits in four innings. Nieves had one strikeout and no walks on the afternoon. Josh Blake suffered the loss for the Osprey as the left-hander allowed two runs on one hit in two innings of work. The Osprey played well defensively turning three double plays and one triple play. The win puts the Brewers up to 2-4 on the season and the loss drops the Osprey to 1-5. The Brewers travel to Great Falls Monday night to take on the Voyagers.

Brewers Avoid Shutout with

Late-Inning Homerun

What a difference a day makes. The Missoula Osprey defeated the Helena Brewers 13-1 in a reversal of roles from the previous night. Rafael Quezada earned the win for the Osprey as the right-hander threw five scoreless innings while only surrendering one infield hit. Quezada walked just two Brewer hitters while striking out four. Reynaldo Navarro led the Osprey hit attack with four, Ryne White had three, and Alberto Diaz and Adonys Canelo had two hits apiece. Cody Adams suffered the loss for the Brewers, giving up six runs, only one earned, in 3.2 innings. Adams gave up six hits, walked none and struck out one. The lone bright spot for the Brewers offense came in the bottom of the ninth inning when Cory Kemp drove a Bryan Shaw fastball high off of the net in left field. The loss drops the Brewers to 1-4 on the season. They take on Missoula Osprey again Sunday in the series finale at Kindrick Field. Brett Reynolds is slated to start for Missoula and Santo Manzanillo will be on the hill for the Brewers.

Brewers Thump Osprey,

Earn First Win of Season

The Helena Brewers picked up their first win of the 2008 season by defeating the Missoula Osprey 10-0 Friday night at Kindrick Field. The Brewers jumped out to a three run lead in the second inning and never looked back from there. Chris Dennis homered twice and had three RBI’s for the Brewers and Trey Watten threw six scoreless innings in the rout. Watten surrendered only three hits while striking out four and didn’t give up a walk in his professional debut. Brandon Ritchie earned his first save of his professional career as he closed out the final three innings striking out two Osprey and walking none. John Delaney and Corey Kemp each had two hits along with Dennis. Kemp also drove in a pair of runs. The Brewers look to put together a winning streak tomorrow night as they take on the Osprey again at Kindrick Field.

Brewers’ rally falls short,
swept by Voyagers

The Helena Brewers’ three runs and four hits in the bottom of the ninth inning was not enough to overcome the Great Falls Voyagers Thursday night at Kindrick Field as they lost 6-to-5. The Brewers had the lead into the eighth inning until Nick Mahin hit a two-run homerun to put Great Falls in the lead. Lyndon Estill would come around to score later in the inning when Brent Morel singled past the shortstop. Mark Willinksy takes the loss for the Brewers, their third in three nights. Joshua Billeaud picked up the win for the Voyagers and Daniel Albritton earned his first save of the season. Cutter Dykstra led the Brewers with two hits in five at-bats. Michael Bowman started for Helena, allowing one run on three hits in four innings. The Brewers will take on the Missoula Osprey tomorrow night at Kindrick Field.

Brewers lose extra-inning affair

The Helena Brewers dropped their second straight game to begin the 2008 season. The Brewers led until the seventh inning when the Great Falls Voyagers plated two runners to take the lead 5-to-4. Helena would respond with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning to tie the score at five all. Great Falls’ Ronnie Morales got out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh and went on to pitch 3.1 scoreless innings to earn his first win of the year. Johny Celis doubled in Eduardo Escobar and later his pinch runner Lyndon Estil came around to score in the top of the eleventh to put Great Falls on top 7-to-5. The Brewers were unable to get a runner on base in the final three innings of the hard-fought loss. Brewers’ starter Evan Frederickson had a solid professional debut as the left-hander allowed one run on two hits and struck out seven in four innings of work. Edgar Trejo and Chris Dennis each homered for the Brewers in the contest. Garrett Sherrill took the loss for the Brewers, giving up two runs on four hits in 3.2 innings. The Brewers look to avoid the sweep Thursday night as they take on the Great Falls Voyagers again at Kindrick Field.

Brewers drop 2008 Season Opener

The 2008 season got off to a rocky start for the Helena Brewers as they dropped their home opener to the Great Falls Voyagers 9-0. Efrain Nieves suffered the loss for the Brewers, giving up four earned runs in 4.2 innings of work. Kevin Skogley earned the win for the Voyagers, scattering four hits over seven scoreless innings and striking out eight Brewer hitters. Jordan Cheatham led the way offensively for the Voyagers, going 3-for-5 and driving in three runs. Doug Thennis and Eduardo Escobar each homered in the win. Michael Marseco began his professional career by going 2-for-3 at the plate for the Brewers. The Brewers look to avenge the loss Wednesday night as they take on the Voyagers in the second of the three game series. RHP Frank Rosario is slated on the mound for Great Falls and LHP Evan Frederickson will make his highly anticipated debut for the Helena Brewers.

Become a Host Family

The Helena Minor League Baseball Booster Club is looking for host families, individuals or housing for the Helena Brewers players when they arrive in Helena for the 2008 campaign. Players will arrive around June 14th and will be ready to move in with their host family a few days later. The booster club will need housing for approximately 30 players ranging in age from 18-23 years. This is a great way to show Helena hospitality and help a young player taking his first steps to the Major Leagues. If you would like information on being a host family or simply joining the booster club, contact: Marlene or Dave Hughes at 442-8529 or dhughes8529@msn.com.

Retro Jerseys Raise Money

for Caring Foundation

Helena Brewers General Manager Paul Fetz, Assistant G.M. Nick Bowsher, and Nick Joyner present a jersey to The Caring Foundation’s Acting Director Trinda Smith.

On Tuesday January 15th, the Helena Brewers Baseball Club presented a check to the Caring Foundation. The Caring Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides medical service for underinsured children of Montana. The Brewers wore these Milwaukee Brewers retro jerseys on every Tuesday home game played during the 2007 season. The Brewers were able to raise the money in conjunction with Ken Olsen at Quick Drop of Helena through an auction held on eBay. The auction raised $1,000 for the foundation.

LaPorta learning new skills

Jack of all trades will try out in right field in Spring Training

By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com

Matt LaPorta is ready to tackle the challenges of playing right field this spring. (Scott Paulus/Brewers)

MILWAUKEE -- Add top prospect Matt LaPorta to the list of Brewers who will be tinkering with a new position this spring.

LaPorta, a collegiate first baseman and catcher who moved to left field after the Brewers made him their top pick in last June's First-Year Player Draft, will try right field beginning next month. With this week's news that another former first-round pick, Ryan Braun, will man left field for the big league Brewers next season, the team intends to use LaPorta at both corner outfield spots during the 2008 Minor League season.

"He needs to make sure that both sides are covered, that he feels like he's able to play both sides, and we'll make that decision later," Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash said on Monday, when the team showcased prospects LaPorta and Mat Gamel to kick off its annual Winter Warm-Up.

The team announced Monday that it had invited LaPorta to Major League Spring Training, an honor for a player so young in his pro career.
For more on the move click here.

2008 Schedule Announced

We are excited to bring another year of Pioneer League baseball to Helena and the surrounding communities. The Brewers will open our 2008 season on June 17th against the 2007 North Division Champions, Great Falls.

Also, we are running Early Bird Specials on all Bonus Books. You will receive two free tickets with every Bonus Book purchased before January18th. Bonus Books are 10 undated tickets for only $45 or $55 for a reserved seat Bonus Book. These make great gifts for fans of all ages. Please call the office at 495.0500 for more information.

For printable schedule click here.

All home games are in Bold.

First Half				Second Half
Day	Date	Time	Opponent	Day	Date	Time	Opponent
Tue	17-Jun	7:05 PM	Great Falls	Mon	28-Jul	7:05 PM	Missoula
Wed	18-Jun	7:05 PM	Great Falls	Tue	29-Jul	7:05 PM	Great Falls
Thu	19-Jun	7:05 PM	Great Falls	Wed	30-Jul	7:05 PM	Great Falls
Fri	20-Jun	7:05 PM	Missoula	Thu	31-Jul	7:05 PM	Great Falls
Sat	21-Jun	7:05 PM	Missoula	Fri	1-Aug	7:05 PM	Great Falls
Sun	22-Jun	4:05 PM	Missoula	Sat	2-Aug	7:05 PM	Billings
Mon	23-Jun	7:05 PM	Great Falls	Sun	3-Aug	4:05 PM	Billings
Tue	24-Jun	7:05 PM	Great Falls	Mon	4-Aug	7:05 PM	Billings
Wed	25-Jun	7:05 PM	Great Falls	Tue	5-Aug	7:05 PM	Billings
Thu	26-Jun	7:05 PM	Billings	Wed	6-Aug		OFF
Fri	27-Jun	7:05 PM	Billings	Thu	7-Aug	7:05 PM	Orem
Sat	28-Jun	7:05 PM	Missoula	Fri	8-Aug	7:05 PM	Orem
Sun	29-Jun	4:05 PM	Missoula	Sat	9-Aug	7:05 PM	Orem
Mon	30-Jun	7:05 PM	Missoula	Sun	10-Aug	4:05 PM	Ogden
Tue	1-Jul	7:05 PM	Missoula	Mon	11-Aug	7:05 PM	Ogden
Wed	2-Jul	7:05 PM	Missoula	Tue	12-Aug	7:05 PM	Ogden
Thu	3-Jul	7:05 PM	Missoula	Wed	13-Aug	7:05 PM	Ogden
Fri	4-Jul	4:05 PM	Billings	Thu	14-Aug	7:05 PM	Orem
Sat	5-Jul	7:05 PM	Billings	Fri	15-Aug	7:05 PM	Orem
Sun	6-Jul	4:05 PM	Billings	Sat	16-Aug	7:05 PM	Orem
Mon	7-Jul		OFF	Sun	17-Aug	4:05 PM	Orem
Tue	8-Jul	7:05 PM	Idaho Falls	Mon	18-Aug	7:05 PM	Ogden
Wed	9-Jul	7:05 PM	Idaho Falls	Tue	19-Aug	7:05 PM	Ogden
Thu	10-Jul	7:05 PM	Idaho Falls	Wed	20-Aug	7:05 PM	Ogden
Fri	11-Jul	7:05 PM	Idaho Falls	Thu	21-Aug		OFF
Sat	12-Jul	7:05 PM	Casper	Fri	22-Aug	7:05 PM	Billings
Sun	13-Jul	4:05 PM	Casper	Sat	23-Aug	7:05 PM	Billings
Mon	14-Jul	7:05 PM	Casper	Sun	24-Aug	4:05 PM	Great Falls
Tue	15-Jul	MLB	All- Star Game	Mon	25-Aug	7:05 PM	Great Falls
Wed	16-Jul	7:15 PM	Idaho Falls	Tue	26-Aug	7:05 PM	Great Falls
Thu	17-Jul	7:15 PM	Idaho Falls	Wed	27-Aug	7:05 PM	Great Falls
Fri	18-Jul	7:15 PM	Idaho Falls	Thu	28-Aug	7:05 PM	Missoula
Sat	19-Jul	7:05 PM	Casper	Fri	29-Aug	7:05 PM	Missoula
Sun	20-Jul	5:05 PM	Casper	Sat	30-Aug	7:05 PM	Great Falls
Mon	21-Jul	7:05 PM	Casper	Sun	31-Aug	4:05 PM	Great Falls
Tue	22-Jul	7:05 PM	Casper	Mon	1-Sep	7:05 PM	Missoula
Wed	23-Jul		OFF	Tue	2-Sep	7:05 PM	Missoula
Thu	24-Jul	7:05 PM	Billings	Wed	3-Sep	7:05 PM	Billings
Fri	25-Jul	7:05 PM	Billings	Thu	4-Sep	7:05 PM	Billings
Sat	26-Jul	7:05 PM	Missoula	Fri	5-Sep	7:05 PM	Billings
Sun	27-Jul	5:00 PM	Missoula

New Skipper for Helena

December 11, 2007 - The Helena Brewers announced today, Rene Gonzales as the new 2008 Skipper. Gonzales fills the vacancy left by Jeff Isom who was promoted as the Field Manager for West Virginia Power (Milwaukee’s Single A Affiliate in the South Atlantic League).

Gonzales a spent last year with Milwaukee’s Rookie ball team in the Arizona League which was also his first year coaching in the Brewers organization. In the second half of the season, Gonzales was able to improve the team’s record from .250 to .429.

“Gonzo brings a wealth of Major League experience to the Brewer organization,” said Reid Nichols, Milwaukee’s Director of Player Development. “He has played multiple positions and played for many well respected managers. The Helena team will benefit greatly from his professionalism and enthusiasm.”

Gonzales played at Cal State- Los Angeles before being selected in the fifth round of the 1982 June Draft by Montreal. Two years later he broke into the Major Leagues with the Expos and enjoyed a career that spanned 13 years with Montreal (2), Baltimore (4), Toronto (1), California (3), Cleveland (1), Texas(1), and Colorado (1). His career batting average was .239 with 19 HR and 136 RBI. His best years, statistically, were when he played for the Angeles organization.

“Rene seams to possess extensive knowledge of the game of baseball that will benefit our young players,” said Paul Fetz, General Manager of the Helena Brewers.

Gonzales is a native of Austin, Texas and currently resides in Covina, California.

Joining Gonzales, will be 2007 returnees Paco Martin (hitting coach), Aris Terado (pitching coach), Aaron Hoback (trainer), and newcomer Jake Marx (strength coach)

Norberto “Paco” Martin comes back to Helena for his third season (2004, 2007, and 2008). Martin spent four years playing with the White Sox (1993-1997), one year with the Angels (1998) and one with the Blue Jays (1999). Primarily a second baseman, Martin earned a career fielding percentage of .970, and a career batting average of .278.

Aris Tirado joined Helena in the middle of the 2007 season. This will be Tirado’s second season with Milwaukee’s farm system but will be his 12th as a pitching coach having spent the previous ten with the Texas Rangers minor-league system. Originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Mets, Tirado also played for the Yankees and the Expos from 1981-1991. He also pitched at Caserta in the Italian Summer League from 1992-94 and was named Puerto Rican Winter League Pitcher of the Year in 1988 and 1989.

Aaron Hoback will spend his second year with Helena and fourth year in Professional Baseball, having completed internships with the 2004 St. Louis Cardinals and the 2005 Springfield Cardinals.

Jake Marx joined Milwaukee’s farm system in 2007 with the Brevard County Manatees (Milwaukee’s A+ Affiliate in the Florida State League). Along with his duties in Helena, he will also handle the daily strength and conditioning duties for all programs conducted in Arizona.

Ryan Braun NL Rookie of theYear

11/12/07- The Baseball Writers Associations of America named Ryan Braun as the 2007 National League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award. Braun edged out Rockies rookie Troy Tulowitzki by two points.

Braun made his proffesional debut with Helena in 2005 batting .324 in nine games. For a complete story click here.

Brewers Sweep Mustangs

Brewers Down Road-Weary Mustangs

Brewers’ rally falls short, swept by Voyagers

Brewers’ rally falls short,
swept by Voyagers