Link Report for Saturday, April 5th -- Let's Play Six!

[Mass Haas]

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/store/dailylinkreport.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Saturday's Daily Menu: Let's play six!

 

All times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: LHP Chris Narveson at New Orleans (Mets), 5:40 PM pre-game; 6:00 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/

 

Huntsville: LHP Derek Miller and LHP David Welch in a double-dip at home vs. Mississippi (Braves), 1:50 PM pre-game; 2:05 gametime -- each contest seven innings

 

Audio link via WUMP (game will also archive at this link):

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/multimedia/audio.jsp?sid=t559

 

Brevard County: TBD at home vs. Palm Beach (Cardinals), 6:00 PM gametime

 

Sorry -- no audio for this series...

West Virginia: RHP Roque Mercedes and RHP Amaury Rivas in a twinbill at Hickory (Pirates), 4:50 PM pre-game, 5:00 gametime -- each contest seven innings

 

Audio link via WSWW, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link):

www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp

[Mass Haas]

Follow Saturday's action as it happens:

Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Window". Open the Nashville Gameday. For the others, choose "Log" or "Recap". While you're listening to your minor league game of choice (or watching/listening to the big league Crew when they are playing), simply refresh your game log browsers every so often.

 

Nashville:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_05_nasaaa_nozaaa_1

 

Huntsville Game One:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_05_msbaax_hunaax_1

 

Huntsville Game Two:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_05_msbaax_hunaax_2

 

Brevard County:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_05_pbcafa_breafa_1

 

West Virginia Game One:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_05_wvaafx_hicafx_1

 

West Virginia Game Two:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_05_wvaafx_hicafx_2

[Mass Haas]

This link will be included in each daily report when the Nashville Sounds are scheduled to play. Normally it is updated several hours prior to gametime.

 

Nashville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format):

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/pdf/notes.pdf

[Mass Haas]

 Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memphis 1 1 .500 - 0-0 1-1 W1 Iowa 0 1 .000 0.5 0-1 0-0 L1 Omaha 0 1 .000 0.5 0-1 0-0 L1 Nashville 0 2 .000 1.0 0-0 0-2 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carolina 2 0 1.000 - 0-0 2-0 W2 Chattanooga 1 0 1.000 0.5 0-0 1-0 W1 Huntsville 1 0 1.000 0.5 1-0 0-0 W1 West Tenn 1 1 .500 1.0 0-0 1-1 W1 Tennessee 0 1 .000 1.5 0-0 0-1 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Palm Beach 2 0 1.000 - 2-0 0-0 W2 Vero Beach 2 0 1.000 - 1-0 1-0 W2 Brevard County 1 1 .500 1.0 0-0 1-1 L1 Daytona 1 1 .500 1.0 1-1 0-0 W1 Jupiter 0 2 .000 2.0 0-0 0-2 L2 St. Lucie 0 2 .000 2.0 0-1 0-1 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Greensboro 2 0 1.000 - 0-0 2-0 W2 Hagerstown 2 0 1.000 - 0-0 2-0 W2 Lake County 2 0 1.000 - 0-0 2-0 W2 Hickory 0 0 - 1.0 0-0 0-0 - West Virginia 0 0 - 1.0 0-0 0-0 - Lexington 0 1 .000 1.5 0-0 0-1 L1 Delmarva 0 2 .000 2.0 0-2 0-0 L2 Lakewood 0 2 .000 2.0 0-2 0-0 L2 

[wibadgers23]

Lol what are the chances all of these games actually get played? These early season rainouts can be frusturating!

[wvpowerblkwel]

Last discussion we had with a couple players in Hickory says its still raining there! ARRGGHH!

[colbyjack]

Final: Nashville 0, New Orleans 2

 

Nashville Site Game Summary:

 

http://www.nashvillesounds.com/news/news.asp?newsId=2625

 

Sounds Blanked By Zephyrs, 2-0 METAIRIE, La. - Three New Orleans hurlers combined on a five-hit shutout in the Zephyrs' 2-0 victory over the Nashville Sounds on Saturday evening at Zephyr Field.

 

New Orleans starter Ruddy Lugo held the Sounds hitless over the first 3 2/3 frames and struck out nine batters over his six scoreless innings to earn the victory. Tim McNab worked two scoreless frames before Nate Field finished things off to earn his first save.

 

The Zephyrs scored the contest's only runs in the bottom of the sixth inning when a pair of walks came back to haunt Sounds starter Chris Narveson. Argenis Reyes and Michel Abreu drew consecutive free passes from the left-hander to open the frame and later scored on a Caleb Stewart RBI double and Gustavo Molina sacrifice fly.

 

The Sounds never got a runner past second all evening and each of the club's five hits were singles. Russell Branyan and Hernan Iribarren had two of those knocks and became the lone Nashville players to hit safely in each of the first three games this season.

 

Narveson (0-1) took the loss after giving up two runs on four hits over five innings. He walked three batters and struck out four. Nashville relievers Ben Howard, Erasmo Ramirez, and Luis Pena each worked a scoreless frame to finish off the contest in each hurler's first action of the season.

 

Nashville will look to avoid the sweep when the Sounds and Zephyrs wrap up the series with a 2 p.m. finale on Sunday afternoon. Right-hander Nic Ungs will make his Nashville debut when he takes the hill to face New Orleans right-hander Jose Diaz.

 

Nashville Box Score:

Former Brewers farmhand Ruddy Lugo shuts down the Sounds over six innings. Chris Narveson pitches well, and the bullpen adds three scoreless innings, but otherwise there's not much to report from this contest.

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_05_nasaaa_nozaaa_1

 

Nashville Game Log:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2008_04_05_nasaaa_nozaaa_1

[colbyjack]

Final, Game One, Mississippi 1, Huntsville 6

 

Final, Game Two, Mississippi 3, Huntsville 4

 

Huntsville site game(s) summary:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080405&content_id=381011&vkey=news_t559&fext=.jsp&sid=t559

 

Stars Double Up Braves

The Stars have taken the first three games of the season-opening five-game set by outscoring the Braves 18-6.

 

Nelson Payano took over on the hill for the Braves in the fifth inning and walked Matt LaPorta and Chris Errecart to load the bases with one out. Gillespie then lined the first pitch he saw deep enough into center field to plate Guilder Rodriguez with the go-ahead run. Gillespie has two sacrifice flies in the first three games after collecting only three all of last season. Todd Redmond went four innings in his first start since being acquired by the Braves from the Pirates during the last week of spring training and yielded three runs, though only one was earned. A Diory Hernandez fielding error allowed the first Stars run to score and a Van Pope throwing error allowed the next two runs by the home team to cross the plate in the third inning.

 

Patrick Ryan opened the sixth inning on the hill for the Stars and worked a scoreless frame and gave way to Joe Bateman, who retired the side in order to record his first save of the season. David Welch earned the win in his first double-A start, going five frames and allowing three runs, two earned, on six hits. He also collected his first professional hit with a bunt single in the fourth inning.

 

Alcides Escobar delivered a two-out, run-scoring single in the third inning of game one to give the Stars a 1-0 lead against James Parr. Huntsville starter Derek Miller spun five shutout frames, allowing two hits, walking one and fanning six before David Johnson took over in the sixth to protect the one-run lead. Carl Loadenthal led off with a single, advanced on two wild pitches and scored to tie the game on a two-out single by Kala Ka'aihue, who drove in his first run of the season.

 

Mat Gamel walked to start the sixth inning against Michael Nix, advanced to second base on a passed ball and scored the go-ahead run on a single by Chris Errecart, who then moved to second on the throw back to the infield. Gillespie followed with a single to right to plate Errecart to make it 3-1 before two fielders' choice grounders and another run-scoring hit by Escobar capped a five-run rally that pushed the lead to 6-1. Bateman recorded three ground ball outs in the seventh to end the game.

 

The series continues Sunday afternoon with left-hander Brae Wright taking the hill for Huntsville against Braves right-hander Jairo Cuevas. Coverage of the game begins at 1:50 pm central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score, Game One:

Huntsville explodes in the 7th to win this one. Derek Miller with 5 shutout innings, while reliever David Johnson blows the save, but goes on to record the win. Only one extra base hit in this contest, a double by Corporan, while Alcides Escobar has a pair of hits and RBI. Brantley continues to be an on-base machine.

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_05_msbaax_hunaax_1

 

Huntsville Game Log, Game One:

Three of the five innings Miller tossed were 1-2-3 innings. The Stars bats around in the bottom of the six, picking their way for those five runs to cross the plate.

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2008_04_05_msbaax_hunaax_1

 

Huntsville Box Score, Game Two:

LaPorta hitless, but draws two walks. The Stars bullpen comes through again to preserve a win for David Welch, who pitched well enough to earn the victory. Another game lacking in extra-base hits.

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_05_msbaax_hunaax_2

 

Huntsville Game Log, Game Two:

How did Mat Gamel score on a single in the 3rd, even with a throwing error? This loaded team had even more opportunities to score, and likely will as the season warms up.

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2008_04_05_msbaax_hunaax_2

[colbyjack]

Final, Palm Beach 10, Brevard County 1

 

Brevard County Box Score:

Taylor Green with a pair of walks, an RBI and a stolen base on a hitless day with only one official AB. Overall a mediocre day for the 'Tees.

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_05_pbcafa_breafa_1

 

Brevard County Game Log

Back-to-back doubles in the third by the Cardinals affiliate are the biggest back-breaker for Donovan Hand and the Manatees on this day, as the offense once again is pretty quiet. Shawn Ferguson's ninth inning is one he will want to forget quickly.

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2008_04_05_pbcafa_breafa_1

[colbyjack]

Final, Game One, West Virginia 5, Hickory 3

 

West Virginia Box Score, Game One:

Two hits by Lee Haydel, two stolen bases by Brent Brewer and a solo shot by John Alonso are the highlights in this contest offensively for the Power. In a recurring theme of this evening, the Power bullpen shines in relief of Roque Mercedes who was good (6 K in 3.1 IP) but not great (3 ER).

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_05_wvaafx_hicafx_1

 

West Virginia Game Log, Game One:

An unconventional four-run fifth inning propels the Power to this victory.

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2008_04_05_wvaafx_hicafx_1

 

Final, Game Two, West Virginia 2, Hickory 3

 

West Virginia Box Score, Game Two:

Lee Haydel is off to a very good start this year, with another two hits in the second game, and adds a couple of stolen bases. Top pitching prospect Rob Bryson posts two scoreless innings in relief, striking out a pair of batters.

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_05_wvaafx_hicafx_2

 

West Virginia Game Log, Game Two:

The Power do a nice job scratching across a run in the top of the seventh to send this game to extra innings, but Hickory comes out on top in the bottom of the eighth.

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2008_04_05_wvaafx_hicafx_2

[Mass Haas]

West Virginia Press Release:

 

POWER SPLIT DOUBLE DIP WITH HICKORY

 

Hickory, NC - The West Virginia Power and Hickory Crawdads waited two extra days to begin the 2008 season, and got more than they bargained for on Saturday night, as they played 15 innings of baseball and split their double header at L.P. Frans Stadium with the Power winning the first game 5-3 and the Crawdads taking game two 3-2.

 

The Power struck first in game one on John Alonso's solo home run to right field in the top of the second. The Crawdads answered quickly in the bottom of the second when Ronald Pena's sacrifice fly scored Erik Huber to tie the game. Pena struck again in the fourth inning when he hit a two-run homer to give the Crawdads their only lead of the game.

 

The Power did most of their damage in the fifth inning where they scored four times with two outs to take the lead. Brent Brewer dropped a single into center field to plate Kurt Crowell. Brewer scored later in the inning on a wild pitch to tie the game. Hickory reliever Matt Foust then walked Steffan Wilson with the bases loaded to put the Power on top and hit Zelous Wheeler with the very next pitch to plate the final run of the game.

 

Hickory scored first in the second contest on Miles Durham's RBI single in the first inning. West Virginia tied the game in the third on Brent Brewer's run-scoring base hit. Miles Davis gave Hickory the lead in the sixth inning on a solo home run to left field. The Power was down to their final out in the seventh when Ulrich Snijders doubled into left center field to score Zelous Wheeler and tie the game at 2-2. The Crawdads finished off the Power in the eighth when Erik Huber scored on Chris Jones's game winning RBI single.

 

In game one Jared Sutton (1-0) was perfect in two and two thirds innings of relief to get the win and Wes Etheridge (1) tossed a flawless seventh inning to get the save while Matt Foust (0-1) was tagged with the loss. Carlos Amaro (1-0) earned the victory in game two and Corey Frerichs (0-1) was tagged with the loss.

 

The Power will finish their series against the Hickory Crawdads with a double header at L.P. Frans Stadium on Sunday afternoon. In game one Hickory will start right hander Dustin Molleken (0-0, 0.00) and the Power will counter with right hander Evan Anundsen (0-0, 0.00). The second game will feature a pair of right handed starters as well. Rafael De Los Santos (0-0, 0.00) will get the ball for Hickory and R.J. Seidel (0-0, 0.00) will take the mound for the Power. The first pitch for the first contest will be delivered at 3:00 PM (2:00 Central).

 

Hickory Newspaper Report for a few more details:

Nice Zelous Wheeler Photo at this blog link

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Pre-Game Audio April 5 - Chat with Pitcher Yovani Gallardo

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows --

 

Chilly day no problem for Stars

Huntsville sweeps doubleheader against Braves

By BRAD SHEPARD

For The Huntsville Times

Between innings of Saturday's doubleheader, Huntsville Stars opening-game starter pitcher Derek Miller paced the dugout to keep his blood flowing.

First baseman Chris Errecart admitted it was "pretty darn cold."

Even Ernie Banks probably wouldn't have been thrilled about playing two in this weather.

Game time temperature at Joe Davis Stadium was 53 degrees, but 1,291 fans braved spitting rain and swirling wind to watch the Stars sweep two seven-inning games against Mississippi.

Huntsville broke out for five runs in the sixth inning of the first game to win 6-1. In the nightcap, Cole Gillespie's bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the fifth gave the Stars a 4-3 win.

"After we got the first game, we were thinking two all along," said Gillespie, an Oregon State product. "We didn't want a split.

"It was a little cold out there, but I'm from the Northwest. This is nothing new to me. Been playing in this stuff all my life."

The weather wasn't ideal for hitting, but the Stars (3-0) didn't need a lot of runs thanks to strong work from Miller and second-game starter David Welch.

Miller threw five scoreless innings, surrendering two hits and striking out six. He left with the lead, but David Johnson allowed the tying run before the Stars' breakout inning.

"It wasn't as pretty as I wanted," Miller said. "The ball was up in the zone a lot, but it's the first start of the year, so I'll take it and build off it. You can't pitch like that. It'll catch up with you."

With the ball not carrying in the heavy, breezy air, it was good enough against a thinner-than-expected Mississippi lineup. The Braves' top prospect, Jordan Schafer, was absent until a pinch-hit appearance in the final inning of the second game. Mississippi manager Phillip Wellman said Schafer was taking care of some "personal business." Schafer would not elaborate.

The Braves could have used him considering it was Huntsville that spent all day getting the big hits, moving runners over and taking advantage of errors.

"The other night, the wind was blowing out, and we got some balls up in the air," Stars manager Don Money said. "Today, the wind was blowing in, so some of the balls hit well by both teams didn't go out.

"We did some right things, moving guys over and getting guys in."

In the opening-game rally, the Stars scored five runs off four singles. After getting a pair of runners on, they had three consecutive opposite-field hits off former Auburn pitcher Michael Nix (0-1). Errecart's and Gillespie's plated a run, and Michael Bell later scored after punching one to right.

In the nightcap, Mississippi tied the game at 3-all in the fifth off Mat Gamel's error on what could have been an inning-ending double play. But Gillespie came up with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom half and rocketed a sacrifice fly to center for the go-ahead run. Joe Bateman, who Money anointed the closer, finished both games and got his first save of the year in the second game.

"Even though we didn't hit the crap out of the ball, we were able to score some runs," Errecart said. "It was enough to pull out the victory."