Link Report for Thurs. 6/5 -- Draft, what draft? There's Games to Play!

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Thursday's Daily Menu: The Stars' series against West Tenn is HUGE!

All times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: RHP Derrick Turnbow at home vs. Albuquerque (Marlins), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/

 

Huntsville: LHP Steve Hammond at home vs. West Tenn (Mariners), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime

 

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

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

 

Brevard County: LHP Zach Braddock at home vs. Fort Myers (Twins), 6:00 PM gametime

 

Audio link via the Miracle's SportsJuice site:

http://www.sportsjuice.com/broadcaster2.aspx?bid=MTQ5-g%2fzH4cwYBjA%3d

 

West Virginia: LHP Dan Merklinger at Kannapolis (White Sox), 5:50 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime

 

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]

LHP Lindsay Gulin is following Derrick Turnbow tonight. RHP Ben Gordon is lated to make his first start on Saturday, in Chris Narveson's absence (DL).

[Mass Haas]

Follow Thursday'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_06_05_albaaa_nasaaa_1

 

Huntsville:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_06_05_wtdaax_hunaax_1

 

Brevard County:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_06_05_ftmafa_breafa_1

 

West Virginia:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_06_05_wvaafx_kanafx_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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iowa 31 27 .534 - 19-11 12-16 W1 Omaha 29 28 .509 1.5 15-15 14-13 W1 Memphis 30 30 .500 2.0 11-13 19-17 W1 Nashville 24 34 .414 7.0 12-15 12-19 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Huntsville 36 24 .600 - 19-11 17-13 L1 West Tenn 36 24 .600 - 21-9 15-15 W2 Carolina 32 28 .533 4.0 14-11 18-17 L3 Chattanooga 31 29 .517 5.0 20-15 11-14 W1 Tennessee 25 35 .417 11.0 12-18 13-17 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Palm Beach 38 21 .644 - 24-9 14-12 W5 Brevard County 30 29 .508 8.0 19-12 11-17 L2 Vero Beach 29 30 .492 9.0 17-11 12-19 L2 Jupiter 28 31 .475 10.0 15-11 13-20 W2 Daytona 27 32 .458 11.0 12-16 15-16 L3 St. Lucie 14 45 .237 24.0 7-24 7-21 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lake County 34 24 .586 - 15-15 19-9 L5 Delmarva 33 24 .579 0.5 20-11 13-13 W6 Lakewood 32 26 .552 2.0 16-14 16-12 L1 Greensboro 31 28 .525 3.5 13-17 18-11 W3 Hagerstown 28 29 .491 5.5 12-16 16-13 W1 Hickory 28 32 .467 7.0 12-17 16-15 L1 West Virginia 25 33 .431 9.0 8-18 17-15 W1 Lexington 19 39 .328 15.0 9-21 10-18 L1 

[Trowekamp]

How many games are left in the first half for each team?

[jimmyjeromehardy7]

RHP Ben Gordon is lated to make his first start on Saturday, in Chris Narveson's absence (DL).

Didn't realize Ben Gordon was a 2 sport star http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif Hopefully is still Ben Howard making the start since Gordon has a better layup than fastball.

[JoeHova]

I believe there are 70 games in each half in AA, though I could be mistaken. That would mean 10 games left.

[TheCrew07]

Braddock seems to be dealing every other outing this year, he's struggling a bit today.

 

Farris has been uninspiring to this point as well, he's nearing 100 ABs and there isn't a "good" stat in his line thus far. He did alright at Helena last year, not as well as I would have hoped for a 4th round pick.

[battlekow]

Lucroy hit a triple? At least Braddock's K's are up.

[jjfanec]

Braddock's problem really seems to be control. Did he have an issue with that last year?

[DHonks]

jjfanec, Braddock's only problem last year was his arm staying healthy

[uwisfan]

Escobar's average continues to climb..Salome catches Gamel at .381

[uwisfan]

Turnbow has a good outing!

[TheCrew07]

Huntsville not exactly flashing the leather early... Gamel, Escobar, and Errecart with errors in 2 innings.

Turbow's 2 scoreless includes 3BB and 4SO but no hits.

Merecdes continues to struggle out of the pen this time, allowing all inherited runners to score in a distasterous bottom of the 3rd for WV, a 6 run frame.

BC is having a difficult game on defense on top of Braddock's big inning. 3 unearned runs and 4 errors thus far. Cain and Green continue to carry that offense, the only 2 players on the team batting over .250. Brewer hasn't had a hit since June 1...

Huntsville still tied 1-1, 7 hits but only 1 run scattering 7 hits over 5 innings. They had something going with bases loaded in the 4th but came up empty. An ussassited line drive double play and a strike em out throw em out have ended 2 of Huntsville's innings as well.

[gregmag]

Brantley reinforced his stereotype today with three walks, but over his past ten games he has three doubles and two homers -- statistical noise or the beginning of the power growth he needs to be an elite prospect?

 

Greg.

[Mass Haas]

Goodies from Nashville:

 

Pre-Game Audio Chat with Catcher J.R. Hopf

 

Getting To Know Your Sounds: Richie Gardner

 

Hardball Mysteries: Golden Sombrero

 

http://bp2.blogger.com/_ycizRyh8NHE/SERES3fZuAI/AAAAAAAAAEM/gsykw9pPQKM/s400/Golden+Sombrero+Chorizo.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Final: Nashville 2, Albuquerque (Marlins) 0

 

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link for Brad Nelson photo, text follows --

 

Sounds Pitchers Combine On Four-Hit Shutout

NASHVILLE - Four Sounds pitchers combined to throw a four-hit shutout and lead Nashville to a 2-0 win against the Albuquerque Isotopes at Greer Stadium on Thursday night.

 

Nashville pitchers Derrick Turnbow, Lindsay Gulin, Jason Shiell, and Luis Pena all threw scoreless outings to give the Sounds their second shutout of the season. The team's only other shutout came on April 6, which was just the fourth game of the season for the Sounds.

 

Gulin relieved Turnbow, who made his third start of the year for the Sounds and had his second consecutive successful outing. He pitched two scoreless innings and gave up no hits while striking out four batters, but he still surrendered three walks.

 

Nashville needed the strong pitching because it had a tough time coming up with runs of its own. The Sounds manufactured their first run in the bottom of the fifth inning when Tony Gwynn led off the inning with an infield single off Albuquerque starter Frankie De La Cruz. He moved to second base on a wild pitch and then to third on a groundout from Callix Crabbe. Brad Nelson (2-for-4) then continued his hot streak and brought Gwynn around to score on another infield single. Nelson is batting .376 (29-for-77) over his last 22 games.

 

Albuquerque loaded the bases in the sixth and seventh innings, but Gulin managed to get out of the jams with a pop-up from former Sound Andrew Beattie and a strikeout from John Gall. Gulin (2-4) pitched 4 2/3 innings of scoreless ball to earn the win and gave up three hits while walking five batters. He lowered his ERA to 3.10 on the season.

 

The Sounds scored their second run of the game in a similar fashion to their first. Pinch-hitter Mel Stocker led off the eighth inning with a walk and eventually made his way to third base after a Hernan Iribarren sacrifice bunt and a Gwynn groundout. He scored when Crabbe knocked a grounder to third base that Isotopes third baseman Tagg Bozied could not handle. The unearned run was charged to reliever Ross Wolf.

 

De La Cruz (6-3) pitched five innings and gave up one run on four hits in a losing effort for Albuquerque. Randy Williams and Brandon Villafuerte both pitched scoreless innings of relief for the Isotopes, with Wolf giving up the only other run during his inning of work.

 

Shiell contributed 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief for Nashville before handing the ball over to Pena, who earned his eighth save of the season after striking out two of the three batters he faced in the ninth inning.

 

AUDIO: Luis Pena Nails Down The Save

 

Vinny Rottino singled to left field in the bottom of the sixth inning to extend his hit streak to 15 games, the longest for any Sound this season and the longest active streak in the PCL. His single was one of only two hits that made it out of the infield for Nashville, the other belonging to Nelson.

 

The teams continue their series on Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. at Greer Stadium. Right-hander Jeff Weaver (1-3, 6.00) will start for the Sounds against righty Gaby Hernandez (2-4, 5.35) for the Isotopes. It will be Rocketown Night as part of another Faith Night at the ballpark and a fireworks show will follow the game.

 

Nashville Box Score

The fact that Brad Nelson is maintaining this pace with only Laynce Nix as any real power protection in a small-ball lineup (Callix Crabbe your # 3 hitter) is impresive; Luis Pena's on a fantastic roll; in addition to five walks during his scoreless stint, Lindsay Gulin hit two batters, which I guarantee did not cause pain to the victims; Chris Barnwell having a nice season for the 'Topes...

 

Nashville Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville Pre-Game Audio Interview with Manager Don Money

Go to the WUMP archive of June 5th, chat is right off the top...

[Mass Haas]

Final: Huntsville 3, West Tenn (Mariners) 1

 

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

 

Stars Back on Top in North Division

Bell and Bullpen Deliver in Big Win Over Jaxx

By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars

 

Mike Bell belted the game-winning home run and Steve Hammond worked 6 2/3 strong innings to carry Huntsville past West Tenn 3-1 Thursday in the opener of a crucial five-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars improved to 37-24 and took a one game lead over the Diamond Jaxx in the North Division with nine to go in the first half.

 

Hammond worked out of a jam with runners at first and second nobody out in the first inning before Angel Salome doubled in Mat Gamel with two outs in the bottom of the frame against Ryan Ketchner to give the Stars a 1-0 lead to mark the ninth time in the last 11 games that Huntsville has scored first. West Tenn tied the game in the second on a Luis Valbuena sacrifice fly.

 

Huntsville left the bases loaded with two outs in the fourth and could not cash in with runners at first and second and nobody out in the fifth. Bell then drove a 3-2 pitch over the wall in left field with one out in the sixth for his fifth long ball of the season and his first since May 7. Ketchner was taken out after a two-out walk to Michael Brantley later in the inning and suffered his second loss of the season after allowing two runs on eight hits, while walking four and fanning five. The Bell home run was just the third he has given up this year in 63 2/3 innings.

 

Hammond was taken out with Matt Mangini at third base and two outs in the seventh and replaced by Joe Bateman, who got Brent Johnson to fly out to end the inning. Bateman left a runner at second with one out in the eighth and has given up just two earned runs in his last 19 2/3 innings. Hammond earned his sixth win of the year, and first since May 10, after allowing an unearned run on four hits, walking two and striking out four.

Alcides Escobar knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth to push the home team's lead to 3-1. Omar Aguilar took over for Bateman and gave up a one-out single to Mangini before Jeffrey Dominguez grounded into a game-ending double play. Aguilar earned his second save since joining the team last week.

 

The series continues Friday night with southpaw Derek Miller getting the starting nod for Huntsville against Diamond Jaxx right-hander Doug Fister. Coverage of the game begins at 6:50 pm central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com and www.730ump.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score

A rare designated hitter series allows the "big eight" plus Carlos Corporan, who had a nice night; kudos to Diamond Jaxx southpaw starter Ryan Ketchner, who is deaf -- huge respect from my household...

 

Huntsville Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Final: Fort Myers (Twins) 6, Brevard County 4

Brevard County Site Game Summary:

Miracle Outlast Manatees, 6-4

By Tyler Stover / Brevard County Manatees

(Viera, FL) The Fort Myers Miracle capitalized on a sloppy defensive game by the Brevard County Manatees, and were able to grind out a 6-4 victory. Despite being outhit by the Manatees 10-7, the Miracle were able to win the game by taking advantage of the four errors committed by the Brevard County defense. Three of the six runs allowed by the Manatees staff were unearned, and Zach Braddock (2-3) took the loss. Wilson Ramos led the Miracle attack with three hits and three runs batted in. All seven of the Miracle hits in the game were singles.

Taylor Green and Lorenzo Cain each had two hits and Stephen Chapman hit his team-leading eighth home run of the season, but it was not enough to overcome the mistakes made by the Manatees in the field. Darren Ford added three stolen bases, giving him 30 on the season, enough to lead the FSL. Alex Burnett (5-2) clawed his way through six tough innings, limiting the Manatees to four runs. The effort was just enough to earn Burnett his fifth win of the season. Rob Delaney got the final four outs to earn his 13th save of the season.

With the win, Fort Myers is the first FSL team to reach 40 wins, with a very impressive 40-20 record. Brevard County drops back to an even 30-30. Palm Beach has virtually locked up the first half FSL East title, leading the Manatees by nine games with only ten games remaining in the half. Top prospect Jeremy Jeffress (2-2, 6.98) takes the hill for Brevard County tomorrow, facing Fort Myers' Tyler Robertson (4-2, 2.76). First pitch is at 7:00 PM (6:00 Central).

 

Additional Game Details from the Miracle's Site

Brevard County Box Score

Brent Brewer's K's are way down (three in his first 24 Brevard AB's, but other numbers in the small batting and fielding sample look familiar)...

 

Brevard County Game Log

 

[Mass Haas]

Final: Kannapolis (White Sox) 9, West Virginia 6

 

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

Ugly third inning haunts Power in loss to Kannapolis

 

The Kannapolis Intimidators used a six-run third inning on Thursday night to snap their six game losing skid as they came from behind to defeat the West Virginia Power 9-6 to break up West Virginia's seven game road winning streak.

 

The Power took an early lead by scoring twice in the first. Matt Cline scored on Jonathan Lucroy's triple and Lucroy touched home plate on Zelous Wheeler's groundout. Kannapolis cut the lead in half when Christian Marrero's groundout plated Dale Mollenhauer. Wheeler extended his hitting streak to five games in the third with an RBI single to make it a 3-1 Power lead.

 

Kannapolis sent 11 batters to the plate in the third and scored six times on four hits to take the lead for good. Dan Merklinger issued bases loaded walks to Jim Gallagher and Lyndon Estill to tie the game. Mollenhauer's RBI single gave the Intimidators the lead. Sergio Miranda singled in two more runs and Mollenhauer scored the final run of the inning on Cline's errant throw. Logan Johnson added to the lead with a solo homer in the sixth inning and Mark Fleisher's RBI single plated Kannapolis's final run in the eighth.

 

West Virginia rallied for three in the ninth but it was not enough. Wheeler walked with the bases loaded to bring in Eric Farris before Cline scored on a wild pitch. Eric Fryer's sacrifice fly scored Lucroy to plate the final run of the game.

 

Gregory Infante (1-2) turned in four and a third scoreless innings of relief and fanned four to get the victory. Merklinger (0-5) was tagged with the loss after allowing six runs on five hits while issuing four walks over two and two-thirds. Both starting pitchers failed to make it through three innings.

 

The Power fell to 25-34 with the loss and the Intimidators improved to 26-34 with the win. It was West Virginia's first loss on the road since May 21st against Lake County. Seven Power players hit safely at least once. Cline, Wheeler and Fryer all turned in two hits apiece. Fryer extended his hitting streak to six games and has knocked in a run in four straight games.

 

The Power will finish the three game series against Kannapolis at FieldCrest Cannon Stadium on Friday night. Right hander Evan Anundsen (3-4, 4.20) will get the start for the Power and the Intimidators will counter with right hander Nathan Jones (1-7, 8.20). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

 

West Virginia Box Score

Dan Merklinger, the Seton Hall product, really struggling...

 

West Virginia Game Log

[LouisEly]

Dallas McPherson playing for the Isotopes... wasn't this dude once a top prospect? But he has 19 dingers on the year so far and an OPS over 1.000. Not sure what the dude has to do to get a shot in the bigs; his OBP hasn't been great, but his SLG has been good and his OPS+ has been about league average for the limited AB's he's gotten. Whether or not his back holds up has yet to be seen, but even prior to that he never go much of a chance in Anaheim. Should Hall be moved and/or Branyan not back I wouldn't be opposed to seeing if Florida would take a Gillespie or Errecart for him and hand him the reigns next year and see what he can do with regular playing time.

 

Nice to see Hammond get back on track again.

 

He did alright at Helena last year, not as well as I would have hoped for a 4th round pick.

 

I've always felt that if you're going to spend a high pick on a 2B, it better be one with big upside (a la Weeks, Utley). You can find productive 2B later in the draft or move them over from SS or 3B (especially when you already have Weeks, Iribarren, and Bell in your system).

[JoeHova]

I believe the word is that McPherson is a butcher at 3rd, but his bat won't play at 1st. Also, there is the standard anti-strikeout prejudice against him, but I think the main thing is that he has a glove for first, but a bat for 3rd.