Link report for Thurs. 5/1 -- Wall-to-Wall Baseball Today

[brewswinga2]

Th announcer just said that LaPorta has 21 HRs in 66 minor league games

Its actually an even more impressive 56 games. This line is unbelievable:

 

56 G 206 AB 44R 17 2B 21HR 61RBI .311 AVG .389 OBP .701SLG 1.090 OPS

 

And it should be noted that over the last two days he has dominated the 7th and 8th ranked pitching prospects in the minors.

[battlekow]

And while he didn't get a hit off Clayton Kershaw, he didn't strike out either, which is a moral victory of sorts.

[Mass Haas]

MiLB.com link:

 

LaPorta proving to be a powerful Star

By Benjamin Hill / Special to MLB.com

On Wednesday night, six different players in Huntsville's lineup collected an RBI. The following afternoon, Matt LaPorta provided all of the offense by himself.

LaPorta homered twice and drove in four runs as the Huntsville Stars coasted to their eighth straight victory, a 4-2 win over the Montgomery Biscuits on Thursday afternoon.

The Stars' matinee victory over the Biscuits occurred less than 24 hours after Wednesday night's blowout win, which saw Huntsville's formidable offense tie a 37-year-old Southern League record by pounding out 13 extra-base hits.

"It's definitely true that hitting is contagious," LaPorta said. "We've been battling every at-bat, getting the job done when it needs to be done."

Thursday was a different story. The club managed just four extra-base hits on Thursday, three of which came courtesy of LaPorta. The 23-year-old's solo dinger in the fourth inning snapped a scoreless tie, while his three-run blast in the sixth gave the Stars (19-8) the lead for good. Both of his long balls were hit against Montgomery starter Wade Davis on a 3-0 count.

"Usually I hardly ever swing at 3-0 pitches, because if the pitcher's already thrown three balls you may as well see if he throws a fourth," LaPorta said. "But today, for some reason, I just swung at those pitches. It was just the way I reacted. With the first one, I think I caught [Davis] off guard a little bit."

LaPorta has now driven in four runs in a game on four different occasions this season -- including yesterday's 14-6 blowout against the Biscuits -- and each of his last eight hits have gone for extra bases. The 2007 first-round Draft pick leads the Southern League in home runs (9), RBIs (30), extra-base hits (18), and slugging percentage (.747).

Derek Miller (2-1) was the beneficiary of LaPorta's offensive largess, and picked up the victory. The 26-year-old southpaw yielded a run on four hits over six innings en-route to reducing his team-leading ERA to 2.05. Juan Sandoval pitched around a leadoff walk in the ninth and picked up his first save of the season.

Matt Spring's RBI double in the fifth inning put the Biscuits (9-18) on the board, while John Jaso drew a bases-loaded walk in the seventh.

Davis (3-2) took the loss, allowing four runs on six hits over six innings while striking out a season-high eight batters.

 

[PlayerHader]

Weaver seems to be dealing tonight. Only one start, but this is what you'd want to see (couple innings, 2H, 5K)

[PlayerHader]

I spoke too soon.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Starting Pitcher Dave Bush

[Mass Haas]

Final: Colorado Spring (Rockies) 3, Nashville 1

 

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link for Jeff Weaver photo, text follows --

 

Sounds Drop Series Finale To Sky Sox, 5-1

 

NASHVILLE -- The Nashville Sounds could only muster one run on four hits in a 5-1 defeat against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox at Greer Stadium on Thursday night.

 

Three Sky Sox relievers combined to pitch five innings of two-hit scoreless ball after starter Sean Smith (0-0) gave up the only run in the second inning. Smith could not earn the win because he only pitched four innings of work, so that honor went to Cedric Bowers (1-0).

 

The loss spoiled the Sounds' first chance at a winning series this season after consecutive wins against the Sky Sox on Tuesday and Wednesday.

 

Jeff Weaver, who signed a minor league contract with Milwaukee on April 16, made his first start of the season and shook off whatever rust he had quickly by striking out four of the first five batters he faced.

 

Ozzie Chavez scored the lone Sounds run in the bottom of the second inning with an RBI double that brought Russell Branyan around to score. Branyan reached on an infield single and moved to second on a walk from Eric Munson, who then went to third on Chavez's double. Weaver had a chance to help himself with runners on second and third, but he struck out to end the inning.

 

AUDIO: Ozzie Chavez RBI Double

 

Colorado Springs starter Smith did just the opposite by knocking a one-out double in the top of the third inning. Jayson Nix walked in the next at-bat, and Cory Sullivan followed with a three-run homer to right field to give the Sky Sox the lead. Weaver finally ended the 29-pitch inning by striking out third baseman Ian Stewart.

 

Sullivan's home run was his second on the year, and his 3-for-5 night helped improve his average for the series to .533 with five RBIs.

 

Weaver's struggles with the top of the Sky Sox order continued in the top of the fifth inning when he gave up consecutive singles to Nix and Sullivan to start the inning. Nix then scored on an RBI fielder's choice by Seth Smith, with Sullivan out at second on the play. Weaver minimized the damage though, inducing a ground ball double play from Stewart in the next at bat.

 

The Sky Sox padded their lead in the top of the sixth inning when Humberto Cota knocked Sean Barker home with a single off of Zach Jackson, who made only the third relief appearance of his career and his first of the season. Jackson then loaded the bases with two back-to-back walks to make things interesting, but he did what Weaver could not by getting Sullivan out to end the inning.

 

The Sounds threatened in the ninth against Sky Sox reliever Steven Register with two singles from Joe Dillon and Brad Nelson, but Branyan struck out to end the game.

 

Weaver got the loss (0-1) after giving up four runs in five innings on six hits. He struck out seven batters on 80 pitches with 53 going for strikes. Steve Bray pitched one and a third innings of scoreless relief without allowing a single baserunner.

 

The Sounds will continue their homestand with a four-game series against the Salt Lake Bees (Angels) and their amazing 24-2 record beginning with Saturday's 7 p.m. opener at Greer Stadium. Southpaw Chris Narveson (0-4, 4.18) will take the mound for Nashville and right-hander David Austen (NR) will start for Salt Lake.

 

Fans can enjoy the Sounds' first fireworks show of the year following the on-field action.

 

Nashville Box Score

In a reverse positive kind of way, Abraham Nunez isn't tempting Brewer brass to call him up to Milwaukee...

 

Nashville Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Sounds lose, see win streak halted at two

By MAURICE PATTON

Tennessean Staff Writer

 

Looking to extend their first winning streak of the season, the Sounds came up empty Thursday night.

 

Despite a pair of ninth-inning hits, five Colorado Springs pitchers combined to hold the Sounds to just four total hits, and the Sky Sox roughed up veteran major leaguer Jeff Weaver in his first start of the season en route to a 5-1 victory at Greer Stadium.

 

"They obviously made some pitches," the Sounds' Joe Dillon said. "We hit the ball, but it was right at somebody. It was one of those games."

 

The four hits matched a season low set in Monday's 9-0 loss to the Sky Sox and sent the Sounds to a series split - their first of the year. The loss was the 19th of season of the Sounds; last year, en route to an 89-55 record, they didn't lose No. 19 until May 13.

 

Weaver started out well, allowing only a first-inning double to Cory Sullivan and one in the third to pitcher Sean Smith. The latter was followed with a walk to Jayson Nix and a Sullivan three-run homer.

 

That offset Nashville's second-inning run on an RBI double by Ozzie Chavez.

 

"I'm still getting my feet under me," said Weaver, who struck out seven. "I was trying to do a little too much with runners on base. I got in the stretch and I was rushing a little bit and fell behind."

 

Colorado Springs added a run in the fifth off Weaver and one in the sixth off reliever Zach Jackson. The latter run ended a stretch of 10 scoreless innings by the Sounds bullpen.

 

Nashville got just one runner over the next six innings. In the ninth, Dillon and Brad Nelson had back-to-back one-out singles. Vinny Rottino grounded out and Russell Branyan struck out to end it.

 

Nashville tonight hosts visiting Salt Lake, off to a 24-2 start.

 

Tennessean Photo by Larry MacCormack

Nashville's Ozzie Chavez, right, avoids a collision with Colorado Springs' Seth Smith to turn a double play during the Sounds' 5-1 loss to the Sky Sox on Thursday.

 

http://cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20080502&Category=SPORTS0401&ArtNo=805020440&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Dillon will rejoin Brewers

By MAURICE PATTON

Tennessean Staff Writer

 

Joe Dillon's stay with the Sounds was a short one.

 

The veteran infielder, who was on the Milwaukee Brewers' opening-day roster before being optioned April 20, is set to rejoin the Brewers in Houston in time for tonight's game.

 

"We knew he wasn't going to be here that long," Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas said. "It was good for him to come get some at-bats, get back in the swing of things. Even though he didn't hit like he wanted to, I'm sure he feels much better."

 

In nine games with the Sounds, Dillon hit .219 (7-for-32) with a home run and three RBIs. In nine previous games with the Brewers, he hit .200 (2-for-10) with a double and two runs scored.

 

"You always want to swing the bat well. I'm getting there," said Dillon, who split the 2007 season between Nashville and Milwaukee. "It's a different mind-set, playing every day versus pinch-hitting. I got to see some pitches, got some at-bats, got to play. There were some positives from (coming down)."

 

The Brewers will have to make a roster move in order to activate Dillon. Speculation is that former Franklin (TN) High pitcher Derrick Turnbow will be designated for assignment.

 

In eight relief appearances, Turnbow is 0-1 with a 15.63 ERA; opposing batters are hitting .414 against him. In the eighth inning of an eventual 19-5 loss Wednesday to Chicago, he allowed six runs on four hits and four walks over two-thirds of an inning.

 

Oh, brother: Sounds outfielder Laynce Nix has a tough time getting to his brother - Colorado Springs second baseman Jayson Nix.

 

Jayson joined the Sky Sox for Thursday's game, having been designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies last week and later clearing waivers.

 

"I don't think either of us was thrilled, but it's good to see him," Laynce said Thursday, the sixth time the two have squared off.

 

They played four times in 2006 when Laynce was with Oklahoma. Last season, Laynce joined the Sounds on a rehab assignment as they were closing a four-game series at Colorado Springs while Jayson was with the team.

 

In their face-to-face meetings, Laynce has gotten the better of his younger brother, going 9-for-24 with seven extra-base hits and 12 RBIs while Jayson has been 6-for-19 with a pair of stolen bases.

 

Still, Laynce hasn't been able to take Jayson out in a double-play situation.

 

"I've tried to get him, but that's one of his strong suits," Laynce said. "His footwork around the bag is pretty good.

 

"It's good to see him. It's fun to watch his skills."

 

Weaver returns: Thursday's start marked the first minor league appearance for Sounds right-hander Jeff Weaver since April 10, 2000, when he was with the Tigers' Triple-A affiliate at Toledo. Weaver signed a minor league free-agent contract with the Brewers on April 16. He did not pitch in spring training but went to extended spring training at Milwaukee's headquarters in Phoenix after signing.

 

On Thursday, he gave up four runs - all earned - on six hits in five innings. He struck out seven and walked two.

 

"I'm sure he made some pitches he didn't like," Kremblas said of Weaver. "The key one was the three-run homer to (Cory) Sullivan; I'm sure that wasn't what he was trying to do."

 

To make room on the active roster for Weaver, reliever Melqui Torres (0-0, 5.00 ERA) was reassigned to Double-A Huntsville.

 

Rare reliever: Zach Jackson made just his second career minor league relief appearance Thursday when he came on in the sixth inning.

Jackson's only other appearance out of the bullpen was Aug. 24, when he pitched five innings in relief of Carlos Villanueva, who had started after previously pitching in relief in Milwaukee.

 

Awful April: Despite winning its last two games of April, Nashville finished the first month of the season at 7-18. It marks the Sounds' first losing April in the last six years.

 

Nashville was 11th in the 16-team Pacific Coast League in batting average (.267) and 13th in ERA (5.59).

[Mass Haas]

Final: West Virginia 6, Hagerstown (Nationals) 2

 

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

 

POWER SHUT DOWN SUNS

 

The West Virginia Power used a pair of big two-out hits from Caleb Gindl and a clutch pitching performance from Corey Frerichs in Thursday's game to defeat the Hagerstown Suns 6-2 at Municipal Stadium.

 

The Power benefited from two Hagerstown errors in the second inning to take the lead. With the bases loaded and one out in the inning, Scott Houin hit a groundball to Hagerstown third baseman Steven Souza who threw the ball past first baseman Bill Rhinehart, allowing Gindl and Curt Rindal to score. The Power added to their lead one inning later. Brent Brewer was on third base when Zelous Wheeler was caught up in a rundown between first and second base. Wheeler was tagged out, but he bought enough time to allow Brewer to steal home. Gindl's first two-out RBI single plated Jonathan Lucroy in the fifth inning to give the Power a 4-0 lead. Gindl struck again with a two-out RBI single in the seventh to bring in Brewer.

 

Tim Pahuta hit a solo shot in the seventh inning to put the Suns on the board. In the eighth, Rhinehart ripped an RBI single to put runners at the corners with nobody out. The tying run was at the plate with nobody out when Corey Frerichs was called upon to extinguish the fire. Frerichs delivered with three consecutive strikeouts to end the threat. The Power added one final run in the ninth inning when Lucroy's sacrifice fly plated Lee Haydel.

 

Roque Mercedes (1-1) earned his first victory as a member of the Power with a solid performance. He tossed five scoreless innings and allowed just a pair of hits while striking out three. Hassan Pena (1-2) was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs on three hits over three innings. Frerichs secured his first save of the season after striking out five batters in two scoreless innings of relief.

 

The Power improved to 11-16 with the win and the Suns fell to 12-14 with the loss. Four Power players had multi-hit games including Gindl who turned in his second consecutive three-hit performance. Brent Brewer swiped three bases, giving him nine on the season in 11 attempts.

 

The Power will finish their four game series with Hagerstown Friday night. Right-Hander Evan Anundsen (2-2, 3.62) will get the start for the Power and the Suns will counter with right hander Jeff Mandel (1-1, 5.68). The first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM (5:35 Central).

 

West Virginia Box Score

Zelous Wheeler the pivot man at second base on the two DP's the Power turned; Wheeler (.425 OBP, .885 OPS) drew two walks to nicely offset an 0-for-3 night; here comes Caleb, here comes Caleb; worth saying again, fantastic save, Corey Frerichs...

 

West Virginia Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Photo Gallery of the Stars' game from the Montgomery Advertiser -- several Stars included

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

STARS 4, BISCUITS 2: Huntsville's LaPorta continues hot hitting

By A. Stacy Long

Montgomery Advertiser

Matt LaPorta was gathering a plate of food in Huntsville's clubhouse when one of his teammates delivered a monotone, deadpan line more suited to a comedy club.

 

"Matt LaPorta? What did he do today?"

 

The Stars laughed, but Riverwalk Stadium didn't Thursday.

 

LaPorta hit two home runs, barely missed a third and collected all four RBIs in the Stars' 4-2 win over the Biscuits.

 

He hit a mammoth solo shot in the fourth and cracked a wind-aided, three-run effort in the sixth, both on 3-0 pitches from Biscuits starter Wade Davis, and Huntsville handed Montgomery its fifth straight loss.

 

"It's one of those things that happens," LaPorta said. "Sometimes, the ball finds holes. Sometimes, they go over the fence.

 

"I've felt like I was swinging the bat well before and not had anything to show for it."

 

LaPorta has three homers and eight RBIs in two games against the Biscuits and leads the Southern League with nine homers and 30 RBIs this season.

 

LaPorta, a first-round draft pick last year and a former University of Florida All-American, is the No. 1 prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers' organization. He has 21 homers and 61 RBIs in 56 professional games.

 

"When he steps in, he looks like a hitter and he's ready to hit," Biscuits manager Billy Gardner said. "He just attacks the ball."

 

LaPorta first thought his second-inning screamer was going out. Instead, it hit high off the wall in left-center field for a double.

 

The 23-year-old hit a no-doubter with two outs in the fourth. His twisting blast in the sixth accounted for three runs and gave Huntsville a 4-1 lead.

 

The ball appeared headed for the bleachers in foul ground in left, but a gusting wind pushed it back toward fair territory. It landed about five feet inside the pole and over the wall.

 

"He's pretty zoned in right now and I just made a couple of mistakes to him," Davis (3-2) said. "I made two bad pitches, 1 1/2 actually. That second one started out foul and the wind pushed it fair."

 

Davis, with one out in the sixth, gave up two straight singles to bring up LaPorta. After the homer, Davis struck out the next two hitters. His six-inning stint included six hits, no walks and eight strikeouts.

 

"That pitcher did a pretty good job against us," Stars manager Don Money said. "(LaPorta) just hit it when we needed it."

 

Huntsville's Matt LaPorta hit one of his two home runs of the day against Montgomery on Thursday at Riverwalk Stadium. The Stars beat the Biscuits 4-2. The Biscuits have lost five consecutive games. (Montgomery Advertiser Photo by David Bundy)

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[Mass Haas]

Brevard County Game Summary from the Hammerheads' Site:

Hammerheads Get Back on Track With Win

JUPITER, FL- The Jupiter Hammerheads got back on their winning ways this afternoon, beating the Brevard County Manatees 2-1 in front of 3,807 screaming school kids on Education Day. It was another pitchers' duel, with Jupiter starter Derell McCall getting the better of the Manatees' hitters today. McCall pitched a terrific game, going five strong innings and only allowing one earned run along with two strikeouts. The performance earned McCall his 2nd victory of the season. The bullpen was also outstanding, with three relievers combining to pitch four scoreless innings to seal the deal. Reliever Jarrett Santos, who was just sent down from Carolina (AA), pitched a perfect inning and opened the door for closer Adalberto Mendez. The Hammerheads called on Mendez to get a six-out save, which he did with no problem. Mendez struck out four of the six batters he faced, and got Manatees designated hitter Charlie Fermaint to ground out to end the game. It was the 8th save of the season for Mendez.

Hammerheads designated hitter Kevin Randel continues to stay on fire, going 2 for 4 with an RBI. Randel is 2nd behind Jupiter 3rd baseman Jacob Blackwood in leading off the inning, compiling a .571 batting average. In his last 10 games, Randel is batting .346 with 2 RBI's. Right-fielder Daron Roberts was 1 for 2 along with a walk and a stolen base. It was Roberts's 5th stolen bag of the season. Gregory Burns continues to get on base and steal bags for the Hammerheads, swiping his 10th bag of the season. Burns is currently 3rd in the Florida State League in stolen bases.

Brevard County starter Josh Butler struggled today with his command. In the 1st inning, Butler hit Dante Brinkley and Daron Roberts with pitches. He also walked Logan Morrison to load the bases. Jupiter scored two runs that inning on RBI's by Roberts and Purdom, and it was all that Jupiter would need to win the game. The Manatees' offense was held in check all game, getting only four hits. Center fielder Darren Ford stole his 14th base of the season, putting him in the league lead in this category.

The two teams wrap up their three-game series tomorrow evening at Roger Dean Stadium. Red hot starter Kyle Winters will make the start for Jupiter, and he will be opposed by right-hander Donovan Hand. The game is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

[lexi881]

Wow, two more extra base hits for LaPorta and we're still in the 4th. Here's kind of a lame question, but I've always wondered how you pronounce Gamel. Is it like GamLE or GamELL?

 

Gamel is like Camel but with a G.