Link Report for Mon. 6/23 -- Details on the Maryvale Opener

[Mass Haas]

Full Link Report a bit later, but if you're in need of an office fix this AM --

 

West Virginia: RHP R.J. Seidel at Kannapolis (White Sox), 9:50 AM pre-game, 10:05 gametime

 

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

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t525

 

West Virginia Box Score / Game Log:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_06_23_wvaafx_kanafx_1

[Mass Haas]

Zelous Wheeler back in the Power lineup after three games off -- has been receiving treatment for an abscess on his knee. Thanks to Andy Barch for the update on his broadcast this AM...

[Mass Haas]

The remainder of Monday's Daily Menu:

 

All times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: RHP Derrick Turnbow to be followed by LHP Chris Narveson at home vs. Memphis (Cardinals), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 PM gametime

 

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

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t556

 

Huntsville: Idle

Brevard County: TBD (it's RHP Jeremy Jeffress' turn) at home vs. Dunedin (Blue Jays), 6:00 gametime

 

Sorry, no audio for this series...

 

Helena: LHP Evan Frederickson at Great Falls (White Sox), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:00 gametime

 

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

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t433

 

Arizona: TBD at home vs. the Athletics' kids, 10:30 AM local Mountain Standard Time

 

Keep in mind that none of the Maryvale games are available via audio at all; the youngsters usually play before crowds numbering less than 20 -- they all played before many more in their high school or legion ball games; it's a very unglorified and unforgiving atmosphere, especially until games are moved to the evening at the season's mid-way point, although it's brutally hot either time of day; game logs sometimes will update live, but often won't post until later in the day; starting pitcher information is rarely posted in advance, all the pitchers piggy-back on short stints regardless; be prepared for lots of the following -- errors, wild pitches, passed balls, balks, walks, etc., but hopefully some potential future Brewers emerge as well; in recent seasons, the prospect who clearly made his mark most vividly in Maryvale before moving up in the chain was Hernan Iribarren; most eventual Brewers don't see Maryvale at all, but begin in Helena...

[Mass Haas]

Follow Monday'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_23_mrbaaa_nasaaa_1

 

Brevard County:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_06_23_dunafa_breafa_1

 

Helena:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_06_23_helrok_grfrok_1

 

Arizona:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_06_23_athrok_brrrok_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):

 

[Mass Haas]

 Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iowa 44 33 .571 - 25-14 19-19 W1 Memphis 39 38 .506 5.0 17-18 22-20 W1 Omaha 37 38 .493 6.0 15-19 22-19 W4 Nashville 30 47 .390 14.0 17-20 13-27 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tennessee 4 2 .667 - 4-2 0-0 W2 Carolina 3 3 .500 1.0 0-0 3-3 L3 Chattanooga 3 3 .500 1.0 3-3 0-0 W3 Huntsville 3 3 .500 1.0 3-3 0-0 W2 West Tenn 3 3 .500 1.0 0-0 3-3 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Daytona 2 1 .667 - 1-1 1-0 W2 Jupiter 2 1 .667 - 1-0 1-1 L1 St. Lucie 2 1 .667 - 0-0 2-1 L1 Vero Beach 2 2 .500 0.5 1-2 1-0 W2 Palm Beach 1 2 .333 1.0 1-1 0-1 W1 Brevard County 1 3 .250 1.5 0-2 1-1 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Greensboro 3 1 .750 - 0-0 3-1 L1 Hagerstown 3 1 .750 - 0-0 3-1 W1 Lake County 2 2 .500 1.0 0-0 2-2 W2 Lakewood 2 2 .500 1.0 2-2 0-0 L2 West Virginia 2 2 .500 1.0 0-0 2-2 W1 Delmarva 1 3 .250 2.0 1-3 0-0 L1 Hickory 1 3 .250 2.0 0-0 1-3 L1 Lexington 1 3 .250 2.0 1-3 0-0 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Falls 5 1 .833 - 2-1 3-0 W2 Billings 4 2 .667 1.0 0-0 4-2 L2 Helena 2 4 .333 3.0 2-4 0-0 W1 Missoula 1 5 .167 4.0 0-3 1-2 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Arizona League (R) - Arizona League Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AZL Angels 1 0 1.000 - 0-0 1-0 W1 AZL Giants 1 0 1.000 - 0-0 1-0 W1 AZL Padres 1 0 1.000 - 0-0 1-0 W1 AZL Rangers 1 0 1.000 - 1-0 0-0 W1 AZL Brewers 0 0 - 0.5 0-0 0-0 - AZL Athletics 0 1 .000 1.0 0-1 0-0 L1 AZL Cubs 0 1 .000 1.0 0-1 0-0 L1 AZL Mariners 0 1 .000 1.0 0-1 0-0 L1 AZL Royals 0 1 .000 1.0 0-0 0-1 L1 

[Mass Haas]

Not a bad "Power" showing in the 5th for West Virginia, now up 8-1 heading to the bottom of the inning:

 

West Virginia Top 5th

• - Caleb Gindl called out on strikes.
• - Steffan Wilson homers (13) on a fly ball to left field.
• - Eric Fryer doubles (8) on a line drive to left fielder Jim Gallagher.
• - Curt Rindal flies out to right fielder Christian Marrero.
• - Anderson De La Rosa doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Sergio Morales. Eric Fryer scores.
• - Ulrich Snijders doubles (3) on a ground ball to left fielder Jim Gallagher. Anderson De La Rosa scores.
• - Matt Cline doubles (2) on a line drive to right fielder Christian Marrero. Ulrich Snijders scores.
• - Eric Farris grounds out, shortstop Sergio Miranda to first baseman Mark Fleisher.

[Mass Haas]

By the way, Cutter Dykstra left Sunday's Helena game in the third inning with what was described as bit of a strained groin, meaning hopefully it's not all that serious (hopefully just day-to-day).

 

One of the things about the much larger roster limits in the Pioneer and Arizona Leagues (the Brewers are well below the 35-man limit at Helena, for instance) is that when players are injured, they may not be officially placed on the seven-day DL because a roster spot may not need to be freed up. This can be frustrating when a player is out for an extended stint, but is just something to keep in mind.

[Mass Haas]

Final: West Virginia 8, Kannapolis (White Sox) 2

Nice win...

 

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

 

POWER TAKE RUBBER MATCH IN KANNAPOLIS

 

The West Virginia Power used a pair of four-run frames and six strong innings from R.J. Seidel to take the rubber match in the five game series against the Kannapolis Intimidators with an 8-2 victory at FieldCrest Cannon Stadium on Monday afternoon.

 

Kannapolis took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning on Mark Fleisher's two-out RBI double. West Virginia sent nine batters to the plate and scored four times in the third inning to take the lead. Zelous Wheeler doubled in the first two runs before Caleb Gindl and Steffan Wilson drove in the final two on groundouts.

 

Wilson extended his hitting streak to eight games in the fourth inning by hitting his 13th homer of the season. Later in the inning, Anderson Delarosa, Uly Snijders and Matt Cline ripped back-to-back-to-back two out RBI doubles. Sergio Morales singled in Sergio Miranda in the bottom of the fifth to plate Kannapolis's final run of the contest.

 

Seidel (4-4) allowed just a pair of runs on six hits in six innings of work to get the victory. Pedro Lambertus (1) allowed just a hit over three scoreless innings of relief to earn the save. Lucas Harrell (0-1) was tagged with the loss after allowing four runs on four hits over two and two-thirds.

 

The Power improved to 35-39 on the year and 3-2 in the second half with the win, while the Intimidators fell to 33-42 on the year and 2-3 in the second half with the loss. Eight Power players hit safely, and four Power players recorded multi-hit games. Eric Fryer paced the Power with a 3-for-4 performance. Steffan Wilson has hit safely in nine straight road games.

 

The Power will begin a brief two game series against the Greensboro Grasshoppers at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro, North Carolina on Tuesday night. Right hander Evan Anundsen (6-4, 3.75) will get the start for the Power and the Grasshoppers will counter with right hander Alex Sanabia (2-1, 4.02). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM (6:00 Central).

 

West Virginia Box Score

R.J. Seidel allowed six hits and three walks in his six innings, but only two runs; Pedro Lambertus has been excellent since his return from extended spring, the kind of progress you like to see; Curt Rindal is hitting .323 in June; clean defense -- heck, this has to be one of the Power's best-played games of the season when you consider all three phases combined...

 

West Virginia Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Final: Arizona Athletics 4, Arizona Brewers 3

 

Arizona Box Score

It looks to be a well-played opener on both sides on a sunny 98 degree day; just-turned 18-year-old (last Friday) RHP Luis Guerrero of the Dominican received Opening Day honors and threw a pretty five innings, allowing just one run, automatically becoming one to watch going forward -- he walked 39 in 42 innings last season, just two today; Seton Hall's Greg Miller, the 10th round RHP, was asked to get 22nd round RHP Ben Jeffers out of trouble with the bases loaded and two outs in the 7th, but allowed all three inherited runners to score, handing Jeffers the loss; 20th round RHP Liam Ohlmann retired all six men he faced in the final two innings in his pro debut...

 

Offensively, all seven Brewer hits were singles, with 18-year-old Luis Sanchez, a 2007 Dominican signing who posted some nice numbers last season, collecting two of the base knocks; the following players made their pro debuts: C's Shawn Zarraga and Orton Rodriguez, OF's Hitaniel Arias, Jose Garcia, and Brandon Drespling (pinch-runner); Zarraga had a single and an HBP, joining Sanchez as the only Brewer to reach twice...

 

Arizona Game Log

Nice fundamental baseball in a two-run Brewer first inning; Athletics had a man on second base and none out in Guerrero's final inning, and he got out of trouble; all the difficulties came after the first two A's were out in the 7th; Brewers got a man on first in both the 8th and 9th, but were not able to advance either...

[Mass Haas]

Tyler Stover of the Manatees staff with the update:

Tonight's Dunedin-Brevard County game has been postponed due to heavy rain. The game will be played tomorrow as part of a doubleheader beginning at 5:00 PM (4:00 Central). Each game will be seven innings.

[Bambis Bombers]

A nice start (so far) by Evan Frederickson for the H Crew tonight...3 IP, 3H, 3 SO and 0 BB.

[jjfanec]

Frederickson did give up a home run and through 5 has given up just two run. He also has 6 K's and most importantly he hasn't walked a guy.

[And That]

Evan Frederickson has been very impressive in his first two starts. For a hard throwing guy with control problems, he hasn't had many control problems.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Memphis (Cardinals) 8, Nashville 1

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link for Brad Nelson photo, text follows --

 

NASHVILLE - The Nashville Sounds dropped their second straight game to the cross-state rival Memphis Redbirds on Monday evening, falling 8-1 at Greer Stadium.

 

Memphis starter Clayton Mortensen (2-1) picked up the win following a solid performance from the hill. He allowed one unearned run on seven hits over 7 2/3 innings.

 

The Sounds did not produce an extra-base hit in the contest and finished 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Brad Nelson and Laynce Nix each turned in 2-for-4 evenings to pace the Nashville offense.

 

Derrick Turnbow started for Nashville and struck out the side while walking a batter in his scoreless inning of work. Rehabbing right-hander Randy Choate followed with two innings of hitless work. He has worked four scoreless frames in two appearances for the Sounds.

 

Left-hander Chris Narveson took over in the fourth and was greeted by a Colby Rasmus solo homer to center, the Memphis outfielder's 11th roundtripper of the year and the first hit by either team all evening.

 

The Sounds made it a 1-1 game in the bottom of the frame when Tony Gwynn singled with one out, advanced to second on a Mortensen wild pitch, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on a passed ball charged to Redbirds catcher Bryan Anderson.

 

Memphis left fielder Shane Robinson kept it a tie game later in the inning when he robbed Nelson of a home run with a leaping catch at the wall.

 

The Redbirds grabbed a 6-1 lead with a five-run sixth against Narveson. Mortensen and Brian Barden opened the frame with back-to-back walks before Joe Mather loaded the bases with a one-out single. Josh Phelps gave the visitors a 2-1 lead when he delivered an RBI single to left. David Freese followed with an RBI infield single to double the lead. Two batters later, Jarrett Hoffpauir lifted a three-run double to the wall in right-center to make it a five-run game.

 

Memphis tacked on an unearned run against Zach Jackson in the eighth on Anderson's two-out RBI single before finishing up the night's scoring in the top of the ninth when Phelps ripped a two-out RBI double to right-center, bringing the score to its final 8-1.

 

Narveson (2-9) took the loss for Nashville after giving up six runs on six hits while striking out seven batters in his four innings of relief work.

 

A pair of Sounds hitting streaks came to a close in the contest as Hernan Iribarren went 0-for-4 to snap the club's longest active streak at eight games and Chris Woodward saw his seven-gamer come to a close following an 0-for-3 evening.

 

The teams wrap up the series with a 7 p.m. finale on Tuesday evening. Milwaukee Brewers reliever Eric Gagne will start for the Sounds in his first rehab appearance with the club while recovering from rotator cuff tendinitis in his right shoulder. He will be followed by right-hander Richie Gardner (6-2, 3.80). Memphis will counter with a yet to be determined pitcher.

 

Nashville Box Score

Do you really want to? OK, go ahead and click on the link. I suppose Randy Choate could take Mitch Stetter's spot in a couple of weeks if Mitch struggles with the big club; who goes when Eric Gagne gets activated? Take your time, le canadien...

 

Nashville Game Log

[Mass Haas]

10:35 Central, Helena trying to force extra innings in a 5-5 tie, bottom of the 9th in Great Falls. Listen in via KCAP!

[Mass Haas]

Final: Great Falls (White Sox) 9, Helena 6, ten innings

Helena takes a one-run lead in the 10th, then lose on a Voyager walkoff grand slam -- ugh...

 

Helena Box Score

Complete recap in the AM...

 

Helena Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Sounds bats remain stuck in neutral to lose again

By MIKE ORGAN

Tennessean Staff Writer

 

Memphis used a five-run sixth inning to break a tie and beat the Nashville Sounds 8-1 on Monday night at Greer Stadium.

 

It was the Redbirds' second consecutive win over the Sounds in the series that wraps up tonight. Memphis also held Nashville to just one run in a 4-1 victory Sunday.

 

Five of the Redbirds first six batters reached base in the sixth inning. Josh Phelps then hit a bases-loaded single to give Memphis a 2-1 lead.

David Freese followed with an RBI single to give the Redbirds a 3-1 advantage.

 

One out later, Jarrett Hoffpauir clubbed a three-run double to right center field that gave Memphis a 6-1 cushion.

 

Nashville's struggles offensively prevented any hope of a rally.

 

"This is how we've been offensively all year, up or down and right now we're continuing that trend,'' Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas said.

 

The Sounds have scored fewer than five runs in nine of their last 10 losses. Nashville collected seven hits Monday but none were for extra bases.

 

"Their guy (Clayton Mortensen) did a good job, I give him some credit,'' Kremblas said. "He keeps the ball down and he had some good late sink on his fastball."

 

A Greer Stadium crowd of 3,929 saw Nashville lose for the seventh time in the last nine games.

 

The sixth inning Monday overshadowed an otherwise strong performance by Nashville's pitchers. Four pitchers combined for 15 strikeouts to tie the team's season-high, set April 22 in a 13-3 win over Albuquerque.

 

It started early for the Sounds on Monday night with starter Derrick Turnbow recording three strikeouts in the first inning. Turnbow was relieved in the second by Randy Choate.

 

Memphis took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning on Colby Rasmus' leadoff home run off reliever Chris Narveson.

 

Nashville tied it 1-1 in the bottom of the inning with just one hit. Tony Gwynn Jr. singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch, went to third on a groundball out, and scored on a passed ball.

 

"You just try to be as alert as possible and I was getting down the line pretty far,'' Gwynn said. "The third baseman was pretty far off so when that ball bounced back kind of quickly I had a good enough jump to get in there."

 

The Sounds missed out on several opportunities to stage a rally after the sixth. Nashville got runners on first and third with just one out in the seventh but Memphis turned a double play on a line drive by Hernan Iribarren.

 

Memphis stretched its lead to 7-1 in the eighth on an RBI single by Bryan Anderson.

 

The Sounds answered by getting runners on first and second with two outs in the eighth, but Brendan Katin hit a fly ball to short left field.

 

What they said: "You have to look for opportunities (to advance bases) all of the time and especially when Tony (Gwynn) did tonight as long as it is within reason. At that time, it was 0-0 and we couldn't come up with the big two-out hit." - Kremblas.

[Mass Haas]

The latest Tennessean photo gallery includes a very cool Brendan Katin shot

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Gagne is expected to start Tuesday

By MIKE ORGAN

Tennessean Staff Writer

 

Brewers reliever Eric Gagne is scheduled to join the Sounds today for a rehabilitation stint because of tendinitis in his right shoulder.

 

Gagne will start and work one inning in the series finale against Memphis and do the same Thursday when the Sounds visit Round Rock.

 

He will rejoin the Brewers after that.

 

Gagne was placed on Milwaukee's 15-day disabled list May 23 retroactive to May 21 because of the shoulder injury.

 

At the time of his injury, Gagne was 1-2 with a 6.98 ERA in 20 appearances for Milwaukee with 10 saves in 15 chances. In 19 1/3 innings, he allowed 23 hits and 16 walks; opponents were hitting. 295 against him.

 

Missing Mulder: There were several reports Monday that St. Louis pitcher Mark Mulder would either start or at least spend time on the mound in relief for Memphis in the game Tuesday against Nashville.

 

The Redbirds did not list a starting pitcher in their pregame notes. Right-hander Clayton Mortensen started for Memphis.

 

Mulder is spending time with Memphis rehabilitating his shoulder.

 

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Mulder would start for St. Louis this weekend against the Royals if all went well against the Sounds. But Mulder did not pitch at all in Monday's game.

 

Streaks snapped: Nashville's Chris Woodward and Hernan Iribarren saw their hitting streaks come to an end Monday. Woodward went 0-for-3 after hitting safely in the previous seven games. Iribarren went 0-for-4 after bringing an eight-game hit streak into the game.

 

Limited action: Sounds starting pitcher Derrick Turnbow pitched just one inning Monday before being relieved by left-hander Randy Choate. Turnbow struck out three and allowed no hits and no runs.

 

No. 11: Colby Rasmus' leadoff home run in the fourth inning was his 11th of the season. The shot over the center-field wall came off Sounds pitcher Chris Narveson and gave Memphis a 1-0 lead.

 

Plaster bobbleheads: 104.5-FM's Sports Zone will broadcast live today from Greer Stadium, and bobblehead dolls of host George Plaster will be distributed to the first 2,000 fans.

[Mass Haas]

Helena Pre-Game Audio with Pitching Coach Aris Tirado

Discussion ranges from Evan Frederickson to Santo Manzanillo and other topics...

 

Select the KCAP audio archive from June 23rd, then go to the 10:00 minute mark

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Estill's slam sinks Brewers

By MIKE TOWNE

Great Falls Tribune Sports Writer

 

The early season magic for the Great Falls Voyagers continues.

 

Lyndon Estill smacked a grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning, lifting Great Falls to a 9-6 Pioneer League victory over the Helena Brewers on Monday night at Centene Stadium.

 

The blast, which cleared the right field wall, was the team's third walk off hit in as many games and boosted the Voyagers to 6-1, good for a two-game lead over the Billings Mustangs in the Northern Division of the Pioneer League.

 

Kent Gerst had a game-winning double in a 4-3 victory over Billings on Saturday night. His two-run home run in the ninth inning boosted Great Falls to a 6-5 triumph over the Mustangs on Sunday.

 

"I was talking with the guys in the dugout and they said I was due," said Estill, who 0-for-4 entering his decisive at-bat in the 10th. "I was just looking to put the ball in play, hit it hard somewhere."

 

The home run came on an 0-2 pitch, a second straight slider by reliever Garrett Sherrill. "I was looking for it. I stayed on it," said Estill, who was hitting .200 (3-for-15) and had just one RBI entering the game.

 

"We're coming together good," said Estill of the Voyagers, who defeated Helena for the fourth time in as many starts. "We haven't quit yet."

 

Brent Morel grounded out to open Great Falls' half of the 10th. Mike Grace then collected his third hit off the game, doubling down the left field line to spell the end for Mark Willinsky, the third of four Brewer pitchers.

 

Jordan Cheatham, in his first at-bat for Helena, then drew a walk.

 

Doug Thennis followed with a deep fly ball to center field. Logan Schafer pedaled back to make the catch, but dropped the ball and the resulting error loaded the bases for Estill.

 

Helena pushed across a run in the top of the ninth to take a 6-5 lead. Leadoff hitter Schafer singled to right off Wilber Rojas, stole second and scored on a double to right center by Brock Kjeldgaard. It was the sixth extra base hit of the night for the Brewers.

 

Helena proceeded to load the bases, but reliever Drew O'Neill prevented further damage by throwing out Michael Marseco after he laid down a nice bunt.

 

Eric Komatsu hit a solo home run in the sixth inning to give Helena a 5-2 lead. But Great Falls rallied, scoring a single run in its half of the sixth and two in the seventh to tie the game.

 

Morel singled with one out in the sixth, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on Grace's single to right.

 

In the seventh, Jesus Avila hit a two-run homer over the right field wall. Scoring ahead of him was Tyler Kuhn, who had led off the inning with a walk.

 

Grace had three of Great Falls' 12 hits. He drove in three runs.

 

Morel and Johny Celis each added two hits.

 

Kenny Williams, the No. 2 batter in the lineup, was the only Voyager who failed to collect a hit.

 

Schafer, Kjellgard, Komatsu and Chris Dennis each had a pair of hits for Helena, which finished with the game with 11. Schafer hit a solo home run in the fifth, giving the Brewers a 4-2 lead.

 

O'Neill earned the victory for the Voyagers, his first against no losses.

 

Sherrill fell to 0-2.

 

VOYAGER NOTES:Entering Monday night's game, Great Falls ranked second in Pioneer League pitching with a 3.16 earned run average. Billings was first (2.50).

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Helena falls short in extra innings

By the Helena Independent Record

 

The Helena Brewers (2-5) took the Great Falls Voyagers (6-1) to 10 innings on Monday night. But, like every other time the two teams faced off, Helena lost. The Voyagers took the contest 9-6 at Centene Stadium.

 

Great Falls' Lyndon Estill hit a walk-off grand slam to finally settle the game.

 

The Brewers have yet to find a way to beat the Voyagers after dropping three straight to start the season.

 

Logan Schafer went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI to lead the Brewers, who jumped to a 3-0 lead by the bottom of the third inning, scoring a run in each of the innings prior. Eric Komatsu also went 2-for-5 and added a solo home run.

 

Schafer's homer came in the fifth and Komatsu's in the sixth as the Brewers took a 5-2 lead.

 

The Voyagers evened it up with a run in the sixth then a two-run homer by Jesus Avila in the seventh, putting it at 5-5.

 

That lasted until the 10th when Schafer scored on a double by Brock Kjeldgaard.

 

It didn't last and after the Brewers replaced Mark Willinsky on the mound with Garrett Sherrill, the new pitcher walked Jordan Cheatham and gave up a single to Doug Thennis to load the bases. Then, Estill put the game away.

 

First-round draft pick Evan Frederickson started for the Brewers, giving up nine hits and three earned runs over 5 2/3 innings. He also struck out seven while not walking a batter. Sherrill was given the loss.

 

Great Falls' Andrew O'Neil picked up the win, not allowing a hit in the inning he pitched. The Brewers will play in Great Falls again tonight at 7:05 PM (8:05 Central).