The rainclouds never really lifted for the Helena Brewers Friday night.

In a game delayed a few minutes for field preparations, the Brewers were unable to hit their stride, falling to the Great Falls Voyagers 12-1 at a wet Kindrick Legion Field.

First baseman Jose Vargas homered twice to lead the Voyagers, who pulled to within a game of the Brewers and became tied with the Missoula Osprey at 15-14. Missoula lost to the Billings Mustangs to remain a game back.

Things were rocky from the start for Helena (16-13). The first four Voyagers batters scored, thanks to sloppy fielding by the Brewers, who committed four errors in the game. Cyle Colligan and Johny Celis had back-to-back sacrifice flies before Jordan Cheatham drove home a run on a single. Before the Brewers had the chance to bat, they were faced with a 4-0 deficit.

";You're going to have those kind of games," said Brewers manager Rene Gonzales. ";It may happen again. We're going to do it to some clubs, some clubs are going to do it to us."

Helena showed signs of life in the bottom of the second, when Josh Prince reached on a walk, then stole his 25th base of the year. He later came home one pitch later, when Mike Brownstein laced a double to the gap in right field.

";I was just looking for a fastball," Brownstein said. ";It was early in the game. With (Prince) on, you like to let him steal. He's safe more often than not. I'd rather hit with him in scoring position."

The game might have been more one-sided, but Chad Stang was a one-man highlight reel in center field. He made several tough running catches, ending would-be Great Falls rallies and delighting the 964 Brewers fans in attendance.

The Voyagers added runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings, then blew up for three more in the ninth on a Celis homer.

";I don't feel bad about it," Gonzales said. ";We just need to move on from here. That was our first real ugly game where we lost real bad."

Helena's starting pitcher Adrian Rosario was touched up, losing his second game of the year. He allowed five runs n three of them earned n while scattering three hits over three innings.

Great Falls starter Justin Collop was effective enough to win his second game. With a nice cushion, he settled in for five innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out six and walking just one.

The Brewers will now travel to Great Falls to finish their four-game set with the Voyagers, starting tonight at 7 p.m. After Great Falls, Helena will head for Missoula for two games before coming back to Kindrick for two more against the Voyagers.

";We've just got to let this game go. Tomorrow's a new day," Brownstein said. ";We do have a great pitching staff. They're going to keep us in games, but our offense has to come ready."

Jason Scott: 447-4070 or jason.scott@helenair.com