The Billings Mustangs (24-7) suffered their first road loss of the season on Wednesday night, dropping a back-and-forth contest 12-11 to the Missoula PaddleHeads (16-16) at Allegiance Field.

The loss snapped Billings' perfect 10-0 start in away games and evened the six-game series at one game apiece.

The Mustangs scored first in the opening inning, but Missoula answered with two runs in the bottom half. Billings reclaimed the lead at 3-2 in the second before the PaddleHeads erupted for five runs in the bottom of the inning to move in front 7-3.

Billings chipped away throughout the night. John McHenry connected on a two-run homer, his eighth of the season, and Michael Soper added a solo shot, his sixth long ball of the year.

The Mustangs pulled even at 8-8 in the fifth when Patrick Mills lined a two-run single as part of a four-hit performance. Billings later took a 9-8 lead on an RBI fielder's choice by A.J. Shaver before Charlie Muniz extended the advantage to 10-8 with an RBI single in the sixth.

Missoula responded again, scoring twice in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game 10-10 before lightning forced a 94-minute delay.

When play resumed, Sergio Gutierrez delivered the decisive blow with a two-run home run, giving the PaddleHeads a 12-10 lead.

Billings answered with a run in the seventh and threatened again in the ninth. Jacob Gutierrez came off the bench and doubled with one out, but Missoula reliever Matthew Taubensee stranded the tying run in scoring position to secure the save.

The Mustangs and PaddleHeads continue their series on Thursday night in Missoula. Right-hander Jaden Harris is expected to start for Billings with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 pm.