Link Report for Sun. 4/27 -- Latest: Post-Game Analysis by Zach Braddock

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Sunday's Daily Menu:

All times Central; pitchers subject to change --

Nashville: LHP Chris Narveson at Omaha (Royals), 1:15 PM pre-game; 1:35 gametime

Audio link:
www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/

Huntsville: LHP Brae Wright at home vs. Jacksonville (Dodgers), 1:50 PM pre-game; 2:05 gametime

Audio link via WUMP (game will also archive at this link):
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/multimedia/audio.jsp?sid=t559

Brevard County: RHP Mike Jones at home vs. Vero Beach (Rays), 12:00 PM gametime

Sorry, no audio for this series...

West Virginia: LHP Zach Braddock at home vs. Delmarva (Orioles), 12:50 PM pre-game, 1:05 gametime

Audio link via WSWW, be sure to select the proper date (games will also archive at this link):
www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp

[Mass Haas]

Follow Sunday'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_27_nasaaa_omaaaa_1

 

Huntsville:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_27_jaxaax_hunaax_1

 

Brevard County:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_27_vbdafa_breafa_1

 

West Virginia:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_27_delafx_wvaafx_1

[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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Omaha 12 8 .600 - 8-5 4-3 L1 Iowa 11 10 .524 1.5 6-7 5-3 W4 Memphis 9 14 .391 4.5 2-6 7-8 L3 Nashville 5 16 .238 7.5 2-5 3-11 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carolina 16 7 .696 - 8-2 8-5 L1 Huntsville 15 8 .652 1.0 11-2 4-6 W4 West Tenn 15 8 .652 1.0 8-2 7-6 W5 Chattanooga 13 10 .565 3.0 8-5 5-5 W1 Tennessee 9 14 .391 7.0 5-8 4-6 L5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Palm Beach 16 7 .696 - 11-3 5-4 L1 Brevard County 14 9 .609 2.0 8-4 6-5 W3 Daytona 14 9 .609 2.0 6-5 8-4 W4 Jupiter 12 11 .522 4.0 7-2 5-9 L3 Vero Beach 10 13 .435 6.0 7-4 3-9 L4 St. Lucie 3 20 .130 13.0 3-9 0-11 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lake County 15 7 .682 - 5-3 10-4 W2 Delmarva 12 11 .522 3.5 6-6 6-5 W1 Greensboro 12 11 .522 3.5 5-8 7-3 L5 Hickory 12 11 .522 3.5 6-5 6-6 W2 Hagerstown 11 12 .478 4.5 3-5 8-7 W3 Lakewood 11 12 .478 4.5 5-7 6-5 L1 West Virginia 8 15 .348 7.5 4-9 4-6 L1 Lexington 7 16 .304 8.5 2-11 5-5 W1 

[Mass Haas]

Notes from the Journal-Sentinel today:

Weaver getting closer

Veteran right-hander Jeff Weaver, signed to a minor-league deal recently, will report Monday to Class AAA Nashville, according to assistant general manager Gord Ash. Weaver has been working out in extended spring training in Phoenix.

"He'll go there and throw a bullpen session, then move into the rotation either the 1st or 2nd (Thursday or Friday)," said Ash. "Our report was that he threw the ball well the other day.

"We have to bear in mind that he basically had a two-week spring training. So, he's got some work to do."

Ash said left-hander Chris Capuano is currently on an interval throwing program, during which he throws for a few minutes from 50 feet, then a few minutes from 75 feet. Capuano suffered an elbow injury in spring training and is trying to avoid reconstructive surgery with physical therapy and the throwing program.

"The proof will be in the longer durations and distances," said Ash. "If he passes all those intervals, he'll move on to the mound. He reports that he's feeling very good so far.

"My experience is that (injured pitchers) don't feel pain until they get to the mound, if there's going to be any. That's the real test."

Left-handed reliever Randy Choate, who broke the ring finger on his pitching hand in camp, still has not resumed throwing. Ash said Choate is back in Phoenix continuing physical therapy and is expected to start throwing again soon.

LaPorta surging

Class AA Huntsville outfielder Matt LaPorta, the Brewers' first-round draft pick last year, is ranked No. 1 this week on Baseball America's "Prospect Hot Sheet."

Thanks to recent surge, LaPorta leads the Southern league in both home runs (six) and RBI (22). He had a .971 OPS (on-base plus slugging) entering play Saturday.

After a slow start, shortstop Alcides Escobar also has begun to hit at Huntsville. Escobar collected three hits Saturday to boost his average to .280.

Right-hander Josh Butler, the minor-league pitcher the Brewers received from Tampa Bay in exchange for outfielder Gabe Gross, made his debut Friday night with Class A Brevard County. Butler pitched four scoreless innings, allowing two hits and no walks while striking out four.

[aintbize]

Zach Braddock after 2 IP 1 H, 5 K's, 0 BB, 0 R

Power puts 2 on the board in the first, RBI single by Zealous Wheeler (My Favorite name in baseball)

[hsvstarsfan]

Huntsville: LHP Brae Wright at home vs. Jacksonville (Dodgers), 1:50 PM pre-game; 2:05 gametime

 

It's raining here in Huntsville. Game time has been pushed for the moment to 2:35.

[battlekow]

8 K through 3 IP for Braddock.

[gregmag]

Wow -- that Braddock line looks like a misprint. 10/1 K/BB in 4 shutout innings? Way to announce your return!

 

Nice effort for Mike Jones, too. Hope springs eternal.

 

Greg.

[homer]

He finished with 10K's in 4IP. I think Zach is back.

 

EDIT: Greg beat me by a minute! What an impressive start.

[wvpowerblkwel]

Looked just like he picked up where he left off last season. Much more in control and confident today! Great outing!http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/04e35c5b9f767b69e91dcf75ee3a7e2b2808f7a.jpg

[NastyTwig]

I really don't see how Mat Gamel and Zach Braddock aren't going to be top 20 prospects by the end of the year. If Brantley can start hitting for even a little bit of power, he's gonna be up there too (assuming he plays a decent CF). This farm system will be back to where it was for the past few years after this draft.

 

Braddock has a 1.24 ERA with 81 K's and a WHIP of .94 after 51 innings in A ball.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Outfielder Mike Cameron (Part 2 of 2)

[twobrewers]

Home Run and two triples - that'll get my boys slugging % a nice boost!

[Mass Haas]

Final: Omaha (Royals) 3, Nashville 2

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link for Russell Branyan photo, text follows --

 

Sounds Close Out Road Trip With 3-2 Loss

 

OMAHA - The Nashville Sounds closed out their road trip with a 3-2 loss to the division-rival Omaha Royals on Sunday afternoon at Rosenblatt Stadium.

 

Nashville (5-17) finished the trip with a 2-5 record, but dropped to 0-9 in games decided by one or two runs with Sunday's defeat.

 

The Sounds took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning when J.R. Hopf, Ozzie Chavez, and Hernan Iribarren opened the frame with three consecutive singles off Omaha starter Jorge De La Rosa, the last of which brought in Hopf with the game's first run.

 

AUDIO: Hernan Iribarren RBI Single

 

Omaha rallied to grab a 2-1 lead against Sounds starter Chris Narveson in the bottom of the fourth. Mitch Maier led off with a single then scored the tying run when Mike Aviles followed with an RBI double to right. Royals right fielder Shane Costa put the home team in front when he plated Aviles with a run-scoring single to left.

 

Royals shortstop Angel Berroa stretched the lead to 3-1 in the fifth with a one-out solo homer to center on a 3-2 offering from Narveson, the infielder's third longball of the year.

 

Nashville pulled back within a run in the top of the sixth when Joe Dillon drew an inning-opening walk, stole second, and scored on Russell Branyan's two-out RBI single.

 

Both teams left the bases loaded in the seventh. Omaha reliever Neal Musser struck out Brad Nelson on three swings to escape a jam unscathed in the top of the frame. In the home half, Narveson caught David Matranga looking at strike three on a 3-2 pitch to keep the Sounds within a run.

 

Musser worked the final 2 2/3 innings in hitless fashion to notch his fifth save.

 

De La Rosa (3-0) earned the win for Omaha after he held the Sounds to two runs on seven hits while striking out eight batters over 6 1/3 innings of work.

 

Narveson (0-4) turned in his second straight quality start, allowing three runs on five hits over seven frames, but took the loss and remains winless through five starts.

 

Sounds catcher Vinny Rottino led off the fourth inning with a single to extend his hitting streak to nine games, the longest by a Nashville player this season.

 

The Sounds return to Greer Stadium on Monday to begin an eight-game homestand with the 6 p.m. opener of a four-game series against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (AAA-Rockies). Right-hander Richie Gardner (0-0, 5.40) will man the bump for Nashville and face Colorado Springs southpaw John Koronka (0-2, 6.33).

 

Nashville Box Score

Mike Cameron a single and a walk; Brendan Katin with his 4th error of the season in right field; 105 pitches in Chris Narveson's solid but not spectacular seven innings...

 

Nashville Game Log

[Mass Haas]

A game for the ages in Huntsville is suspended in the 9th inning tied at 9-9. They'll complete things as part of their Monday matinee. The Suns are batting having just tied the game on a wild pitch -- men on 2nd and 3rd, two out.

 

Mat Gamel with two triples, a home run, and a base on balls; Angel Salome 3-for-4, a triple shy of the cycle; Michael Brantley on base three more times...

 

We'll have an update from Huntsville soon and will provide a complete post, if not a complete game, at that time.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Vero Beach (Rays) 2, Brevard County 1, 13 innings

Brevard County Box Score

Shawn Ferguson had control issues with two outs in the 13th, ultimately led to the losing rally; Mike Jones extended to three innings for the first time this season -- his tandem buddy, John Axford, allowed a solo home run, but otherwise pitched scoreless ball as well; lefty Bobby Bramhall was lights-out through four himself; Manatees batters struck out 18 times while walking twice; backup catcher Anderson de la Rosa always seems to do well in his limited opportunities; tough day for Stephen Chapman, 0-for-5 with four K's; seven combined errors in the game, yet no unearned runs -- more credit to fine pitching...

 

Brevard County Game Log

Mike Jones shut the door after a leadoff double in the 3rd; Chuckie Caufield thrown out at home to end the 4th; Bobby Bramhall was huge in the 9th with men on base; Yohannis Perez could have won it in the 12th -- he grounded to third base with the winning run on 3rd and only one out; why did Jimmy Mojica pinch-hit for Taylor Green in the 13th against a right-handed pitcher? Mojica's been fantastic in part-time action, but otherwise the move seems odd...

[Mass Haas]

Final: West Virginia 7, Delmarva (Orioles) 4

 

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

 

POWER SPLIT SERIES WITH DELMARVA

 

The West Virginia Power used a two-run first inning to take an early lead on Sunday afternoon and they plated three runs in the sixth inning to pull away from Delmarva, as they defeated the Shorebirds 7-4 to split the four game series.

 

Zelous Wheeler singled in Lee Haydel in the bottom of the first and Wheeler scored later in the inning on Jonathan Lucroy's groundout.

 

Matt Tucker cut the lead in half when he scored on a passed ball in the top of the fourth.

Curt Rindal began the fifth inning with a solo homer, his third of the season to give the Power a 3-1 lead. In the sixth, the Power scored three runs on four hits to pull away. Caleb Gindl doubled in the first run before Steffan Wilson and Uly Snijders smacked run-scoring singles to complete the frame.

 

Delmarva plated three runs in the seventh to make it a two-run game. Brendan Monaghan reached on a fielder's choice and brought in Joe Nowicki. Matt Angle and Kieron Pope both knocked in runs on groundouts. The Power added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh on Gindl's two-out RBI single.

 

Jose Garcia (1-1) allowed three runs on three hits over two innings of relief and got the win. Zach Britton (1-2) was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs on eight his over five frames. Wes Etheridge (4) tossed a pair of scoreless innings and got the save. Zach Braddock started the game for the Power and allowed just a run on two hits with 10 strikeouts over four innings.

 

The Power improved to 9-15 with the win and the Shorebirds fell to 12-12 with the loss. Wheeler, Lucroy, Gindl and Scott Houin paced the Power with two hits apiece. Wheeler went 6-for-15 in the series with six runs and three RBI.

 

The Power are off on Monday but will begin a four-game series with the Hagerstown Suns at Municipal Stadium on Tuesday night. Right-Hander R.J. Seidel (1-0, 3.86) will get the start for the Power. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM (5:35 Central).

 

West Virginia Box Score

Now Brewer fans lay us down to sleep, Zach Braddock's arm healthy please do keep...

 

West Virginia Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville Site:

Rain Suspends Suns and Stars in Ninth

By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars

The Stars and Suns were suspended in the ninth inning Sunday evening in a 9-9 game with runners at second and third and two outs and a two ball, two strike count to Rene Rivera. The game will be completed Monday morning at 11 AM and the regularly scheduled game will begin 30 minutes after the completion of the first game and played to a full nine innings.

 

Angel Salome's home run in the eighth inning gave the Stars a 9-8 lead and Huntsville called on Joe Bateman to start the ninth in a save situation. He retired the first two hitters as the rain started to fall before he hit Juan Gonzalez on a 2-2 pitch. Shane Justis came in to run and advanced to second base when pinch-hitter James Tomlin reached on an infield single. Lucas May was then hit with the next pitch to load the bases before Bateman uncorked a wild pitch with Rivera at the plate that allowed Justis to score to tie the game. The increasingly heavy rain forced the teams off the field and the decision was made 37 minutes later to suspend the game.

 

Huntsville left-hander Sam Narron will take the mound in the final game of the series against Suns' right-hander Mario Alvarez. Coverage of the game begins at 10:55 am central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com and www.730ump.com.

 

Huntsville Partial Box Score

Ugly outing for Robert Hinton -- his prospect progress has been frustrating at times...

 

Huntsville Partial Game Log

[battlekow]

Gamel's now outslugging LaPorta, .606 to .602.

[pogokat]

well. Mat Gamel is officially an a prospect in my book now, even if he has to play left field...

 

craziness...

[jjfanec]

I am sure this has been asked before but how is Gamel's defense this year? His bat is obviously doing well in AA. I was surprised that he wasn't on top 100 lists before the year, but I think he will be soon.

[battlekow]

I think Gamel has five errors now. Beyond that I know nothing about his defense such as range, etc.

[And That]

Gamel is on pace for roughly half of the errors he committed last year, FWIW.