Link Report for Games of Friday, July 18th

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF!

All times Central except Arizona League; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: RHP Richie Gardner at Iowa (Cubs), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 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: LHP David Welch at home vs. Tennessee (Cubs), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime

 

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

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

 

Brevard County: RHP Alex Periard and LHP Bobby Bramhall (we believe, in some order) in a doubleheader at home vs. Clearwater (Phillies), 4:00 gametime; each contest seven innings

 

Sorry, no audio for this series...

West Virginia: RHP R.J. Seidel at home vs. Columbus (Rays), 5:55 PM pre-game, 6:05 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

 

Helena: RHP Trey Watten at Idaho Falls (Royals), 8:00 PM pre-game, 8:15 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: RHP Luis Guerrero in Maryvale against the mini-Mariners, 10:30 AM local Mountain Standard Time

 

Never any audio for the Maryvale Crew

[Mass Haas]

Follow Friday'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 "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_07_18_nasaaa_iowaaa_1

Huntsville:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_18_tenaax_hunaax_1

Brevard County Game One:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_18_clrafa_breafa_1

Brevard County Game Two:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_18_clrafa_breafa_2

West Virginia:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_18_clmafx_wvaafx_1

Helena:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_18_helrok_idarok_1

Arizona:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_18_mrnrok_brrrok_1

[Mass Haas]

The Nashville series in Iowa this weekend is available for subscription viewing at MiLB.TV.

[Mass Haas]

 Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iowa 60 40 .600 - 36-17 24-23 L2 Memphis 54 44 .551 5.0 26-21 28-23 W1 Omaha 45 52 .464 13.5 20-26 25-26 L1 Nashville 39 60 .394 20.5 19-27 20-33 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tennessee 17 10 .630 - 9-6 8-4 L1 Huntsville 15 12 .556 2.0 6-6 9-6 W1 Carolina 13 14 .481 4.0 5-5 8-9 L1 Chattanooga 12 15 .444 5.0 6-9 6-6 W1 West Tenn 9 18 .333 8.0 2-10 7-8 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Daytona 15 10 .600 - 7-3 8-7 W2 St. Lucie 14 10 .583 0.5 8-5 6-5 L1 Jupiter 13 10 .565 1.0 6-2 7-8 W3 Palm Beach 14 11 .560 1.0 10-6 4-5 L2 Vero Beach 10 16 .385 5.5 4-9 6-7 L6 Brevard County 8 17 .320 7.0 3-10 5-7 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Virginia 20 7 .741 - 10-2 10-5 W2 Lakewood 17 10 .630 3.0 9-5 8-5 W2 Delmarva 14 13 .519 6.0 6-8 8-5 W1 Hagerstown 11 16 .407 9.0 5-10 6-6 L2 Hickory 11 16 .407 9.0 3-8 8-8 L3 Lake County 11 16 .407 9.0 5-10 6-6 L5 Greensboro 9 18 .333 11.0 3-9 6-9 L1 Lexington 5 21 .192 14.5 2-11 3-10 L7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billings 18 11 .621 - 7-1 11-10 W3 Great Falls 16 13 .552 2.0 9-5 7-8 L1 Helena 15 14 .517 3.0 9-9 6-5 W1 Missoula 6 23 .207 12.0 3-15 3-8 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Arizona League (R) - Arizona League Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AZL Angels 15 5 .750 - 7-3 8-2 W4 AZL Royals 12 9 .571 3.5 8-2 4-7 W2 AZL Cubs 11 9 .550 4.0 8-2 3-7 W1 AZL Padres 11 9 .550 4.0 7-2 4-7 L3 AZL Rangers 11 9 .550 4.0 6-5 5-4 W1 AZL Giants 10 11 .476 5.5 5-5 5-6 L2 AZL Athletics 9 11 .450 6.0 4-6 5-5 L1 AZL Mariners 8 13 .381 7.5 5-6 3-7 L1 AZL Brewers 4 15 .211 10.5 4-6 0-9 W1 

[Mass Haas]

Arizona Brewers trailing 10-4 in the 6th, reliever Ben Jeffers threw four wild pitches in his 1.2 innings (six runs, two other runners stranded by Edwin Linares).

 

IF/CF Miguel Vasquez hit a three-run HR (his second professional HR, one last year).

[battlekow]

Wow, BRRROK actually came back and won, 11-10. Great games from Miguel Vasquez and Jonathan Requena.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Arizona Brewers 11, Arizona Mariners 10

 

Arizona Box Score

Walkoff single by Allixon Cequea with the bases loaded and no outs to win it; the real hero of this one was 18-year-old 6'2", 200 lb. Dominican RHP Edwin Linares, with 3.1 shutout innings; switch-hitter Miguel Vasquez on base four times, drives in four..

 

Arizona Game Log

No obvious reason why SS Carlos George left the game to start the 5th...

[Minigoon]

Alex Periard with another strong outing going all 7 in the 1st game of the doubleheader tonight. Allowed a 2 run homer in the 2nd and that was it. BC Manatees win 3-2 defeating Brett Myers. 2 out walk off single by Jimmy Mojica in the bottom of the 7th. Tayor Green with 2 hits including a double.

[And That]

Periard with another very good outing... he's now above his inning total from last year and might be moved out of the rotation soon.

 

Roque Mercedes with yet more dominant work out of the bullpen. Has he finally turned the corner? Steffan Wilson with two more extra base hits as well.

[Minigoon]

Anyone else getting music with the Helena broadcast tonight? It's like someone forgot to turn off a switch somewhere and the music is playing at the same time as Steve Wendt doing the play by play call.

[wibadgers23]

Anybody else letting Steffan Wilson fly under their radar? He's currently batting .288 with 25 doubles, 15 homeruns, and 70 rbi's. He's probably a little old for low A ball, but he's being blocked by some pretty good third basemen in BC and Huntsville. I wonder how his defense is.

[battlekow]

Roque Mercedes with yet more dominant work out of the bullpen. Has he finally turned the corner?

Mercedes since June began: 33.3 IP, 23 H, 10 R, 9 ER, 4 BB, 34 K.

[homer]

Question: Why is it that the BC Game #2 box score link opens in this window, but all others open in a new window?

[Mass Haas]

Final: Iowa (Cubs) 8, Nashville 1

Is anything less inspiring than Nashville game reports these days?

 

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link for Tony Gwynn Jr. photo, text follows --

 

Sounds Offense Shut Down in Iowa, 8-1

 

DES MOINES-- The Nashville Sounds offense could only muster one run on three hits against the Iowa Cubs in an 8-1 loss on Friday night in Des Moines in their first game back since the All-Star break.

 

It was a tale of two pitchers in Iowa as Cubs starter Mitch Atkins (2-0) pitched a stellar outing to pick up his second win with Iowa in as many starts after being promoted on July 11 from Double-A Tennessee. Atkins pitched seven innings and gave up only one earned run on two hits to earn his 10th win on the year, which leads the Cubs organization.

 

While Atkins allowed only three baserunners in his seven innings of work, Sounds starter Richie Gardner was never able to settle into a similar groove. Gardner (6-3) allowed six earned runs off nine hits and four walks in just five innings of work to pick up his first loss since June 8.

 

Tony Gwynn (2-for-4) was the only Sound who managed to figure out Atkins, posting a double and a triple and scoring the lone Sounds run. Gwynn recorded his first triple of the year in the first inning and scored on a groundout from Laynce Nix.

 

Atkins helped his own cause in the bottom of the second when he singled in Josh Kroeger from third base to even the score for the Cubs. Kroeger started the inning with a walk off Gardner, and Bobby Scales followed with a single to right field. Both runners then moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Koyie Hill before Atkins knocked his first career Triple-A RBI.

 

Three consecutive two-out doubles led to a two-run rally for the Cubs in the bottom of the third inning to give them the lead. Kroeger, Scales and Hill all notched line-drive two-baggers off Gardner, with Scales and Hill collecting RBIs.

 

Another double for Iowa sparked a three-run rally in the bottom of the fifth inning to add to their lead. Jason Dubois started the inning with a single, followed by another walk from Kroeger and a single from Scales to load the bases. After a strikeout from Hill, Luis Figueroa stepped to the plate and cleared the bases with a three-run double to center field to conclude the scoring off Gardner.

 

Erasmo Ramirez and Randy Choate both contributed scoreless innings of relief for the Sounds, but Joe Bateman gave up two more runs in the ninth inning off a home run from Felix Pie to center field. The longball was Pie's seventh of the year and scored Andres Blanco from first base after his leadoff walk.

 

After a walk to Brendan Katin to lead off the second inning, Atkins retired 14 consecutive Sounds batters before giving up his second hit to Gwynn, who doubled to right but was stranded at second base in the seventh inning. Iowa reliever Jesse Estrada pitched a scoreless eighth inning before handing the ball over to Michael Wuertz, who gave up the only other Sounds hit on a two-out single from Nix before closing out the game.

 

The teams continue the series tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. in Iowa. Southpaw Sam Narron (5-3, 4.43) will man the bump for the Sounds and face off against right-hander Justin Berg (4-5, 5.79) for the Cubs.

 

Nashville Box Score

Yawn...

 

Nashville Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Final: Huntsville 6, Tennessee (Cubs) 4

 

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

 

Big Inning Carries Stars to Victory

Huntsville Moves Closer to Top Spot With Win

By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars

Michael Garciaparra collected three hits and knocked in three runs and the bullpen threw four scoreless innings to preserve Huntsville's 6-4 win Friday night in the middle of a five-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars improved to 16-12 in the second half and pulled to within a game of the North Division leading Smokies, who dropped to 17-11. The Stars have won nine of the 12 games between the teams this season.

 

Tennessee scored first for a third straight night, posting a run in the first inning against David Welch on a base hit by Tyler Colvin that delivered Matt Camp, who opened the game with a single and moved to second base on a walk to Nate Spears. The Stars avoided further damage in the inning when Spears was doubled off at second base on a Jake Fox liner to center field.

 

Fox legged out an infield hit with two outs in the third and scored on a double by Doug Deeds to give the Smokies a 2-0 edge for a third consecutive game. Huntsville responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning to take the lead for good. Lorenzo Cain singled with one out, stole second and remained there when Mat Gamel walked with two outs before Angel Salome doubled off the wall in center field to chase home both runners to tie the score. Cole Gillespie legged out an infield hit, stole second base and scored with Salome on a base hit by Garciaparra, who knocked in the game-winning runs for a second consecutive night and knocked starter James Russell out of the game. Garciaparra stole second and scored on a base hit by Freddy Parejo off of Matt Avery to complete the five-run frame. Russell was charged with five runs on seven hits in his shortest outing with the Smokies and dropped to 4-5 on the season.

 

Deeds' two-out, two-run home run in the fifth pulled the Smokies to within 5-4 and moved him a triple shy of hitting for the cycle. Welch allowed his 13th long ball of the year and his ninth to a left-hand hitter. He was removed after five innings, giving up nine hits, walking one and striking out two to win for a ninth time on the season and for the first time in six starts dating to June 7. Steve Bray tossed three shutout innings behind Welch, allowing three hits and striking out two, before Juan Sandoval worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 12th save of the year and fourth against the Smokies.

 

The Stars tacked on an insurance run in the sixth on a two-out, run-scoring triple by Garciaparra, who had his fourth multi-RBI game in the last two series. Huntsville stranded a runner at third base in the sixth and seventh innings and could not score with runners at second and third and one out in the eighth.

 

The series continues Saturday with right-hander Nic Ungs making the start for the Stars against Smokies' southpaw Donnie Veal. 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

4-5-6-7 spots carry the load; David Welch's numbers in just about 100 AB's vs lefty's this year are odd, but that 9-1 record sure is gaudy...

 

Huntsville Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Final: West Virginia 9, Columbus (Rays) 4

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

WILSON AND FARRIS DRIVE IN THREE, POWER WIN

 

Eric Farris and Steffan Wilson both drove in three runs on Friday night at Appalachian Power Park as West Virginia used a four-run seventh inning to defeat the Columbus Catfish 9-4, giving them an opportunity to sweep the defending champs on Saturday night.

 

Maiko Loyola began the game with a double and scored the first run of the game on a wild pitch. The Power tied the game in the bottom of the first when Matt Cline scored on Eric Fryer's groundout.

 

Omar Luna kicked off the third inning with a double and scored on Loyola's groundout to give the Catfish their final lead of the game. Curt Rindal began the bottom of the third with his seventh homer of the season and the Power took the lead when Farris's sacrifice fly allowed Lee Haydel to score.

 

The Power added to their lead in the bottom of the fourth when Caleb Gindl tripled in Wilson. The Catfish didn't go away easily, and tied the game in the fifth inning on a two-run single from Greg Sexton. The Power regained the lead just a half-inning later when Farris's groundout plated Haydel. Farris struck again in the seventh with a two-out RBI single and Wilson provided the crushing blow to the Catfish with a bases clearing three-run double later in the inning.

 

R.J. Seidel (7-4) allowed four runs on seven hits over five innings and fanned five to get the victory. Roque Mercedes (2) delivered another masterful performance in relief, tossing four scoreless innings of one-hit ball and fanned seven to get the save. Jesse Darcy (4-2) allowed five runs on six hits over five innings and was tagged with the loss.

 

The Power improved to 53-44 on the year and 21-7 in the second half with the win. The Catfish fell to 43-53 on the year and 16-10 in the second half with the loss. Every Power player reached at least once and eight out of the starting nine hit safely at least once. Haydel and Wilson paced the Power with two hits apiece. Wilson extended his hitting streak to 12 games and he has reached safely in his last 17. He has also driven in 19 runs over his last 11 games.

 

The Power will finish the four-game series against Columbus Saturday night. Left hander Dan Merklinger (3-6, 6.54) will make the start for the Power and the Catfish will counter with right hander Jason Ragan (6-7, 3.65). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

 

West Virginia Box Score

Kudos to the Brewers for sticking with Roque Mercedes, and of course, to the kid himself -- you wonder what would happen if he was returned to the starting rotation at some point; Eric Farris 18-for-24 in SB attempts, but a .630 OPS reflects a horrid start despite better work as of late; Lee Haydel on base three times; Power 17-3 in their last 20 games...

 

West Virginia Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Final: Helena 3, Idaho Falls 1

Nice road win...

 

Helena Box Score

Four pitchers combined to allow zero earned runs, three relievers behind Trey Watten's start walked none and struck out five; teams combined to strand 20, Brewers 12; Chukars (think of Seinfeld's Keith Hernandez episode every time, but it's a bird) stole six bases in seven attempts; RHP Cody Adams first appearance in 12 days; no save situation is going to phase Rob Wooten given his UNC background; Erik Komatsu's HR in the 7th, his fourth of the season, was the game-winner; catcher Casey Kemp three singles and an RBI; Michael Marseco 10-for-24 in his last six games, with an extra-base hit in each of the last three contests...

 

Helena Game Log

A few 1-2-3 frames, but not many...

[Mass Haas]

Final, Game One: Brevard County 3, Clearwater (Phillies) 2

Final, Game Two: Brevard County 5, Clearwater 2

Only Nashville's loss soils 7-1 day for the organization...

 

Brevard County Site Doubleheader Summary:

 

Strong Pitching Fuels Manatees' Doubleheader Sweep of Clearwater

By Tyler Stover / Brevard County Manatees

(Viera, FL) Two solid outings from Alexandre Periard and Bobby Bramhall led to two wins for Brevard County Friday, as they defeated Clearwater in both games of their doubleheader, 3-2 and 5-2. The Manatees overcame the strong pitching of Brett Myers, who has spent most of the year in the major leagues pitching for the Phillies, to win a thrilling opener. The Manatees struck quickly in the first inning, when Darren Ford grinded out a 12-pitch at bat ending with a hard-earned single. He later scored on Jonathan Lucroy's sacrifice fly for an early 1-0 lead. The Threshers answered with a two-run blast off the bat of Michael Taylor to take a 2-1 lead. Jimmy Mojica scored a run in the third inning with some aggressive baserunning that led to a throwing error by Clearwater first baseman John Urick, tying the game at 2-2.

Both pitchers put zeroes on the scoreboard until the bottom of the seventh inning. Charlie Fermaint led off the final inning with a double to left, and moved to third on an error, immediately putting the pressure on the Clearwater defense. Myers and the Threshers buckled down, forcing the Manatees into two outs sandwiched around an intentional walk. With two outs and two men on base, Mojica smashed a line drive to deep left field, bringing home Stephen Chapman for the win. Periard (9-6) earned the complete game win, while Myers (0-1) also went the distance in taking the loss.

 

Brevard County Game One Box Score

No walks for Alex Periard -- what a sweet outing; you wonder if Joe Fan in Brevard realizes what a wife-beating scum Brett Myers has been...

 

Brevard County Game One Game Log

The short break between games did nothing to cool off the Brevard County bats. In the first inning of the second game, Jimmy Mojica walked and Jonathan Lucroy doubled to bring up cleanup hitter Taylor Green with two men on base. Green hit an opposite-field rocket to left field for a three-run homer, his 11th of the year. Threshers pitcher Carlos Monasterios settled down and held the Manatee offense in check long enough for Clearwater to cut the lead to 3-2. Green struck again in fifth inning, however, blasting a double off the fence in right field, scoring Lucroy when the cutoff throw was dropped. Brevard County added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when Chuck Caufield hit a towering solo home run to left field, his fourth of the season.

Bobby Bramhall (3-3) pitched five quality innings to get the win for the Manatees, and Mike McClendon finished the last two innings to earn his eighth save. Monasterios (2-6) took the loss despite pitching a complete game. The doubleheader sweep brings Brevard County's record to 10-17, 5.5 games behind St. Lucie. Clearwater's struggles continue, as they are now 8-17 in the second half, worst in the Florida State League.

 

Chris Cody (1-3, 2.70) looks to continue his recent hot streak, as he has held the opposition scoreless in his last two starts, but did not earn a decision. Head out to Space Coast Stadium at 4:00 PM tomorrow to see the Miami Dolphins vs. Space Coast Firefighters softball game, and then stick around to see if the Manatees can earn the series win over Clearwater.

Brevard County Game Two Box ScoreGreat to see LHP Bobby Bramhall stretched out, only 58 hits and 30 walks allowed in 76.1 innings; Taylor Green with a monster doubleheader, 4-for-6 with three extra-base hits -- we will miss you, Taylor, but this CC guy looks like he'll be OK down the stretch...

 

Brevard County Game Two Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Manatees top Myers, Threshers

BY JIM CAWLEY • FLORIDA TODAY

 

Jimmy Mojica couldn't hide the smile.

 

Moments after giving the Brevard County Manatees a walkoff win against the Clearwater Threshers in Game 1 of Friday night's doubleheader at Space Coast Stadium, the second baseman was feeling "real good."

 

"Yeah," Mojica said through a grin. "Especially against a big-leaguer."

 

Mojica went 2-for-3, including a line shot over left fielder Michael Taylor's head with two outs in the seventh, giving the Manatees a 3-2 win against the Threshers and major-league starter Brett Myers. The hit, which went in the books as a single, plated Stephen Chapman and ended Myers' minor-league stint with a loss.

 

"I was looking fastball middle-in, something I could drive somewhere -- and I got it," Mojica said. "I feel real good right now."

 

Myers, a Philadelphia Phillies starter who was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on July 1 to work on his mechanics, pitched all seven innings for Clearwater. Myers allowed two earned runs -- striking out six and walking one -- in the 3-2 loss.

 

"I felt great. I threw a lot of fastballs, which is what I set out to do," Myers said. "Minor Leagues usually are very good fastball hitting leagues -- all the way up from A-ball to Triple-A, and that's why I wanted to come down -- to prove that I could throw my fastball and get people out and not rely on my off-speed stuff."

 

Friday's start was Myers' fourth since being optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on July 1. Following the game, he traveled to Miami to rejoin the Phillies, who played the first of a three-game series against the Marlins.

 

Myers is expected to start Wednesday's game in New York against the Mets.

 

"I feel ready -- especially today," Myers said. "I was locating my fastball more than I have been in the past. We'll see what happens. Hopefully, I can do it on Wednesday."

 

Manatees center fielder Darren Ford tested Myers right out of the gate. The leadoff hitter pushed Myers to a 12-pitch at-bat, then hit a liner to center field.

 

Ford, the Florida State League leader in steals with 48, stole second, went to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored the game's first run on a sacrifice fly by Jonathan Lucroy.

 

Brevard County added an unearned run off of Myers in the bottom of the third.

 

Myers retired the side in order in the second, third, fifth and sixth innings. He threw just four pitches in the fifth.

 

"I think I'm back on track," Myers said. "I'm ready to go and finish the second half and get 10 wins for the team, hopefully -- that's my goal."

 

Myers was 3-9 with a 5.84 ERA with the Phillies this season before being optioned to Lehigh Valley. He made two starts there, going 1-1 with a 3.65 ERA. Myers took the loss in his lone start with the Reading Phillies, allowing two earned runs in eight innings. He struck out 10 and walked two.

 

Brevard County starter Alexandre Periard earned the win on Friday, improving to 9-6 on the season. Both runs came off the bat of Taylor, who hit a two-run homer to left in the second inning. Periard struck out three and did not walk a batter.

 

Taylor Green went 2-for-3 with a double, and Charlie Fermaint doubled for the Manatees.

 

The Manatees took Game 2 of the doubleheader, 5-2, on the strength of a three-run first inning. Green and Chuck Caufield each went 2-for-3 with a home run in the win.

[DHonks]

Alex Periard may have thrown innings in Fall Intructional League last year, so he may have a higher threshold, too

[LouisEly]

Yawn...

 

Hey, TGJ with gap power and Katin with a walk - you don't see that everyday.

 

Gillespie with another 1-2 with 2BB (and two SB) performance - OPS is still just a tad under .900 in the Southern League with OBP in upwards of .385. Think about that for a while.

 

Anybody else letting Steffan Wilson fly under their radar?

 

Where you been? I've been pimping this guy for a year. Maybe they're listening to me and will play him more at 3B as it is questionable if Gamel can stick there and whether/not Green is the PTBNL; even with those two his best shot is probably at 3B. Wilson's L/R & H/A splits are pretty close too.

 

Fryer's been spending more time behind the plate lately (increasing chance Lucroy is PTBNL?); hitting has cooled off the last five games but is drawing a good number of walks.

 

You'd think it's not too long before Wooten sees West Virginia.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Leads now safe again

Sandoval picks up another save for Stars in 6-4 win

By BRAD SHEPARD

For The Huntsville Times

 

There was a time not so long ago when leads like Friday night's would have induced indigestion for Huntsville Stars manager Don Money.

 

Not so much anymore.

 

Clinging to a two-run lead going into the ninth, Money summoned closer Juan Sandoval, who made it through the final frame to preserve a 6-4 win over Tennessee in front of 5,018 fans at Joe Davis Stadium. The win pulled the Stars (16-12) to within a game of the North Division-leading Smokies.

 

During the season's first half, the Stars squandered a large lead over West Tenn in the standings chiefly because of their inability to hold leads.

 

Since then, however, Sandoval has turned into the human coffin nail.

 

In his last 18 appearances, he has an earned run average of 1.69, regained his closer's role and has converted seven saves in eight chances.

 

With the game on the line, Money now has a money pitcher.

 

"I'll give him the ball," Money said. "That's all I can do and hope he's got his stuff. He's our closer, and we'll do or die with him the rest of the year."

 

Sandoval was late arriving in the country at the first of the season, missing essentially all of spring training because of visa issues. He could only work out and wait in his native Dominican Republic while missing impression time during his first year in the Milwaukee organization.

 

After going through extended spring-training exercises, he joined the Stars and was thrust into the closer's role shortly after. He didn't last long.

 

In his first 13 appearances through May 28, Sandoval was 1-2 with a 6.75 earned run average. He was walking leadoff hitters, giving in too early, getting behind in counts and generally limping along.

 

"I was beating myself," Sandoval said. "When we were all struggling, I said I trusted my bullpen and I trusted myself. I knew our stuff, and so did our coaching staff.

 

"Then, my stuff wasn't where it is right now."

 

Money took him from the closer's role, and from there, Sandoval began to regain the form that caused Money to give him the closer reins in the first place. Pitching coach Chris Hook sat down with him, and they noticed that Sandoval's already-quick delivery was even faster than usual.

 

"He was a little too violent," Hook said. "Now, he's slowed it down, and he's able to repeat things more often. He's doing a nice job."

 

Though Huntsville starter David Welch (9-1) didn't have his best stuff Friday, he left in the fifth inning with a lead thanks to a five-run third for the Stars.

 

Tennessee jumped ahead 2-0 with single runs in the first and third, but Angel Salome tied it up with a two-run double off the top of the center-field wall. Then, Michael Garciaparra followed with a two-run single of his own to give Huntsville a 4-2 lead. Freddy Parejo's single made it a three-run lead.

 

After Doug Deeds launched a two-run homer to center in the fifth, Garciaparra struck again with an RBI triple to center in the bottom half. He finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs.

 

"Obviously, I'm getting a couple more at-bats, seeing more pitches, and I'm getting more comfortable," Garciaparra said. "I'm also swinging at better pitches, and that's been a big difference, too."

 

Stellar relief pitching by Steve Bray (three scoreless innings) brought the game to Sandoval, who did what he has been doing since late May. Though he gave up a hit and two sharp lineouts, he got the job done.

 

"I have a lot of confidence right now," he said. "I'm ready to go every night, ready to have the ball in my hands. I just feel like I can do it. I trust myself, and that's the biggest thing."

[Mass Haas]

Audio Alley:

 

Huntsville Pre-Game Audio Interview with LHP Troy Cate

Click on the WUMP archive of July 18th, interview is right off the top...

 

Helena Pre-Game Audio Interview with slick switch-hitting SS Michael Marseco

Click on the KCAP archive of July 18th, then browse to the 07:00 minute mark -- good baseball talk, then scooter, mustache topics...

[wvpowerblkwel]

Just a couple pics from the stadium last nite. First is the Curt Rindal HR swing, next is Eric Fryer behind the dish.

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/cd61519779e9c3e2e558b0b8ba4f6c209f7c448.jpg

 

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/7d115f9b70ebceeca9ad6769e08f553a0f6d39b.jpg