Link Report for Wed. 7/23 -- Three Matinees, Three Victories

[Mass Haas]

Final: Tampa (Yankees) 6, Brevard County 4

Walk-off HR loss...

Brevard County Box Score

E.J. Shanks the losing pitcher; Jeremy Jeffress OK -- 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 6 K; lefty Casey Baron, who has been very solid, struggled in the 7th, losing the lead; Jonathan Lucroy threw out two of four baserunners, still doing well in that regard; Yohannis Perez replaced Brent Brewer at short in the 8th, apparently for defense, and immeditely committed an error, which did not lead to a score; if Cleveland is indeed watching closely, they'll see that Taylor Green has a nine-game hit streak going, hitting .419 (13-for-31, two walks, only four K's) in that stretch...

 

Brevard County Game Log

[Mass Haas]

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Nelson's late HR gives Sounds win

Two-run blast in 8th lets team claim rare comeback victory

By STEVE SILVER

Tennessean Staff Writer

 

Nashville Sounds first baseman Brad Nelson batted cleanup Wednesday - and he did just that.

 

After scoring the Sounds' first run of the game in the seventh inning, Nelson smashed a two-run home run to right-center field in the eighth to give the Sounds a 3-2 lead and a victory over Tacoma.

 

The game-winning hit was Nelson's 13th home run of the season and first in 22 games.

 

"I've been waiting a long time for that," said Nelson who had just one hit in his last 13 at-bats entering Wednesday's game.

 

"I finally got that homer and, well, I'm just trying to get something going."

 

Nelson's blast marked only the second time all season that the Sounds have come back from a deficit in the final three innings. The Sounds are 2-57 when trailing after seven innings.

 

Nelson, however, did not win the game alone.

 

After leading off the seventh inning with a double, Nelson scored the Sounds' first run on Adam Heether's deep fly ball to center field. In the eighth, designated hitter Joe Dillon drew a two-out walk after falling behind 0-2 to set-up Nelson's game-winning shot.

 

"Offensively, we have been kind of struggling, but that was a big two-out walk by (Dillon) up there," Manager Frank Kremblas said.

 

"He worked it to a walk and that took out some of that mound energy out of (Jared Wells). Then Wells gave a fastball to Nelson and it got up in that wind and carried out."

 

Wells, who dropped to 0-3 with the Rainiers, entered the game in the eighth inning to relieve starter Andy Baldwin.

 

Baldwin pitched seven innings, retiring 11 consecutive batters beginning in the second inning.

 

"Baldwin mixed his pitches up well," Kremblas said. "We had pitches to hit, but he is sneaky. He has a deceptive fastball."

 

Once Nelson's blast put the Sounds on top, closer Luis Pena struck out two batters and picked up his 15th save . Pena is tied for second in the Pacific Coast League in saves.

 

The Sounds (41-63) are 2-3 since the All-Star break and trail the American North-leading Iowa Cubs by 21 games. Nashville is back in action Thursday at 7 p.m. for the third game of their series with Tacoma.

 

What they said: "With the wind blowing today, if you get it up in the air and you have some power like Nelson does, then it's going to go out," - Kremblas.

 

Sounds first baseman Brad Nelson hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning of the Sounds' 3-2 win Wednesday.

(JOHN PARTIPILO / THE TENNESSEAN)

 

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[Mass Haas]

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Sounds will get pitcher back from Milwaukee

By STEVE SILVER

Tennessean Staff Writer

 

Left-handed reliever Mitch Stetter will rejoin the Sounds' roster prior to tonight's game.

 

Stetter was optioned back to Nashville for the third time this season after the Milwaukee Brewers activated pitcher Jeff Suppan from the disabled list on Tuesday afternoon.

 

A 72-hour grace period is applied to this type of transaction because the Sounds will have to open a spot for Stetter with a roster move.

 

Stetter posted a 2.78 ERA while holding opponents to a .160 batting average in 23 appearances with the Brewers this year. In his previous two stints with the Sounds, Stetter is 0-3 with a 3.52 ERA in 16 appearances.

 

Escape artist: Sounds starting pitcher Lindsay Gulin gave up a two-out double to Rainiers outfielder Wladimir Balentien, then walked the bases loaded in the first inning. Despite the rough start, Gulin struck out Michael Saunders to escape the jam.

 

"At first, he was a little uncomfortable and he couldn't really find his rhythm," said Manager Frank Kremblas. "But I call him Gu-dini because he always finds a way to get out of that stuff early."

 

Gulin threw 61 pitches in the first two innings before settling down.

 

Welcome back: Former Sounds infielder Craig Wilson made his first appearance of the series at Greer Stadium. After not dressing Tuesday, Wilson went 0-for-3 with one walk and three strikeouts for the Rainiers. Wilson was also hit by a pitch in the fifth inning.

 

Crafty running: Tony Gwynn stole second base in the top of the first inning, giving the Sounds a Pacific Coast League-high 114 stolen bases on 152 attempts.

 

Tough sell: Wednesday's noon starting time kept many fans away, aside from youth campers. The official attendance of the game was 2,786.

 

Beerfest: Tonight's game will mark the first time the Sounds have played at home on a Thursday night since June 19, which means $1 dollar draft beers until the fifth inning. There will also be an hour-long concert prior to the game as part of the Miller Lite Concert Series.

 

Famous family: Tacoma third baseman Matt Tuiasosopo, who went 0-for-3 Tuesday, is the son of former NFL player Manu and the brother of current Oakland Raiders' quarterback Marques.

[Mass Haas]

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Power rallies, belts Braves 12-10

By Mike Whiteford

Charleston Gazette Staff writer

 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Any lingering memories of the Power's abysmal April should be fading into obscurity.

 

Back then, a .200 team batting average would have been an ambitious goal, and any thoughts of a division title would have been laughable.

 

"We were down there next to the Mendoza line, I know that,'' recalled Power hitting coach Jim Lett.

 

Nowadays, even a five-run deficit is not a problem for a team that leads the South Atlantic League in batting average and runs and enters the season's final six weeks as a good bet to win a second-half division championship and earn a spot in the postseason.

 

After surrendering five runs in an interminable first inning Wednesday afternoon, the Power bounced back with five runs of its own in the second and finished with a 12-10 victory over the Rome Braves at Appalachian Power Park.

 

"Early in the year,'' said Power outfielder Lee Haydel, "if we'd fall behind 5-0, we'd pack it up. But in the second half, we're in the game no matter what the score is.''

 

A three-run homer by catcher Anderson De La Rosa helped cut the deficit to 5-4 in the second and, later in the inning, the Power scored two more runs on hits by Uly Snijders, Matt Cline and Eric Farris to take a 6-5 lead. The Power never trailed again and totaled 15 hits, including six for extra bases.

 

The victory improved the team's second-half record to 24-9 and was its 14th victory in the last 18 home games. In addition, the offensive onslaught boosted the team's batting average to .272 and its season run total to 533, both of which rank first in the 16-team league.

 

Three months ago, by contrast, the Power stood last in team hitting at .194 and owned a 3-12 record.

 

"It's a long summer. We all know that,'' said Lett. "You'll see guys go up and down, up and down. With 140 games, you're going to have those little spurts where you say, 'Whew, we're scuffling.' ''

 

The Braves, meanwhile, stayed in contention and trailed only 8-7 through four innings, prompting Power manager Jeff Isom to summon right-hander Michael Bowman from the bullpen. Bowman, a recent acquisition, entered in the fifth and did not allow a hit and walked just one in two innings to pick up the victory, his first with the Power.

 

Bowman, a Richmond, Va., native and former Virginia Military Institute pitcher, was taken by the Brewers in the ninth round of last month's draft and, after a few appearances at Helena of the Pioneer League, earned a promotion to West Virginia.

 

"I just got ahead and tried to keep it down in the zone and let my defense work behind me,'' said Bowman. "Things went well.''

 

Said pitching coach John Curtis, "He did a beautiful job the other night in four innings, and we were a little worried about bringing him back on two days' rest. But he held his own. He left a few balls up, but when he had to, he pounded the ball in there pretty good.''

 

Power right fielder Logan Schafer, another recent acquisition, contributed three hits and three RBIs and raised his batting average to .333 in 39 at-bats. In addition to his three-run homer, De La Rosa had an RBI double in the third inning. Farris also had three hits.

 

POWER POINTS: After an off-day today, the Power will open a four-game series at Lake County on Friday and, beginning on Tuesday, will visit Lakewood for what looks like a critical four-game series. The Power lead Lakewood by three games in the Northern Division. ...The Power finished 6-2 on the homestand. ...Wednesday's game was the first weekday afternoon game at APP since 2005, other than the traditional Grand Slam School Days. Paid attendance was 1,654, but on a day in which dark clouds accompanied the game's 12:05 p.m. start, actual attendance was about 500. Power general manager Ryan Gates said the team may try another weekday afternoon game next season. ...Wheeler Bob has sold all but a few of his 12-dozen shipment of Wheeler Bob T-shirts. He also sold 12 dozen last year. All proceeds go to charity. Charleston Wheeler owner Dennis Bastien introduced the Wheeler Bob T-shirts in 1988, although the design was noticeably different. ...WCHS-TV sportscaster Josh Lewis documented his recent tryout with the Power (Brewers' scouts held an area open tryout) and produced a segment that will air as part of Eyewitness News on Sunday night.

[Mass Haas]

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No matter the position, De La Rosa gets it done for Power

by Jacob Messer

Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter

 

For the record, West Virginia Power utility player Anderson De La Rosa can't pitch.

 

That, however, is the only thing he can't do on a baseball field.

 

"I can play any position," De La Rosa said a few minutes after he helped West Virginia battle back and hold on for a 12-10 South Atlantic League win over Rome (Ga.) on Wednesday at Appalachian Power Park. "I told the manager (Jeff Isom), 'Wherever you put me, I'll play hard.'"

 

De La Rosa was 2-for-5 with two runs and four RBI, including three on a second-inning home run and one on a third-inning double.

 

The 6-foot, 190-pound De La Rosa has played all but four of the nine positions (catcher, first baseman, left fielder, center fielder and right fielder) in his four minor league baseball seasons. He also has been used as a pinch hitter, pinch runner and designated hitter.

 

He also takes ground balls at second base, shortstop and third base before every game, and he can play any of those positions if necessary.

 

"That's why he's so valuable," Isom said. "You can put him anywhere in the outfield or behind the plate and he does a great job. Even at first base, he does a good job. He's a guy who can play multiple positions, and there's value to that."

 

It is a matter of necessity, De La Rosa said.

 

"If you want to stay here in the United States," the Venezuela native said, "you need to be able to play everything."

 

De La Rosa was demoted from high Class A Brevard County (Fla.) to low Class A West Virginia on June 19.

 

"I'm fine with this," said De La Rosa, who will turn 24 next week (Aug. 1). "It's good for me. It's good for the team. I get to play every day. This is way better. I like when I get to play. This is good. I'm fine because I want to play."

 

"The value is getting in there and playing the game," Isom added. "That's how you learn. That's how you get your experience. Whether it's Arizona or Helena or West Virginia, it doesn't matter.

 

"You have to be out there playing to get yourself better. Sitting on the bench doesn't help you out. You can sit and watch and learn, but the actual playing experience ... that's what you have to get."

 

De La Rosa is hitting .280 with three home runs, five doubles, 12 runs and 15 RBI in 21 games with the Power this season.

 

"The way he has been swinging the bat lately, close to .300, we're going to find a way to get him in the lineup," Isom said.

 

The teams combined for 22 runs and 28 hits Wednesday.

 

"I don't know if it was the afternoon game and the pitchers were still waking up or what," said Isom, whose team rallied from a 5-0 first-inning deficit. "But, boy, those bats came alive. Both sides swung it very well. It was a dogfight."

 

The Northern Division-leading Power (56-46 overall and 24-9 in the second half) got on the board in the home half of the first when Caleb Gindl had an RBI single.

 

West Virginia rallied for five runs in the second. De La Rosa did most of the damage, smacking a three-run home run over the left-field wall.

 

Matt Cline provided an RBI double and scored on an RBI single by Eric Farris later that inning to cap the comeback, which gave West Virginia a 6-5 lead after two.

 

The Power extended its advantage to 8-5 in the third on an RBI double by De La Rosa and an RBI fielder's choice by Cline.

 

Logan Schafer hit a two-run double in the sixth for a 10-7 lead.

 

Clinging to a 10-9 lead, the Power added two more runs in the eighth on a pair of two-out hits -- an RBI double by Eric Fryer and an RBI single by Schafer -- to clinch the win.

 

In addition to De La Rosa, Farris (3-for-5 with one RBI and two runs), Schafer (3-for-5 with one run and three RBI), Cline (2-5 with two runs and two RBI) and Fryer (2-for-4 with one RBI and three runs) each had multiple hits for the Power.

 

Fryer, by the way, played first base for the first time this season. He normally plays in left field or behind the plate.

 

First baseman/third baseman Steffan Wilson suffered a wrist injury, prompting Isom to put Fryer at first.

 

"We feel comfortable wherever we put him," Isom said. "We just need his bat in the lineup."

 

Rome dropped to 37-65, 15-18.

 

South Atlantic League teams are off Thursday.

 

West Virginia will start an eight-game road swing with a four-game series against Northern Division first-half winner Lake County (Ohio) Friday night.

[jjfanec]

Oh I wasn't chiding you, sorry if it came off that way. I really just have heard almost nothing said about him this year. As far as my personal favorite, I love Cody Scarpetta. I'm excited to see what he can do at Helena. Hopefully he and Odorizzi can form a tag-team of Italian-surnamed aces as they move up the ladder. Maybe we can call them the Luparas?

I did not think you were chiding me at all. I was really just looking for what you had to say on the topic, because you seem to have a great understanding of the minors. I really just look at stats and read what people say on here. I am excited about Scapetta as well. I think with him, Ordorizzi (the nickname lupara might take too much explaining to catch on, but it would fit), Lintz and some of those other guys we will have to get some guys that will become top prospects. I like the drafting this year as well, because I think the Brewers got some guys who are intriguing not just as starters but also as relievers. It does not seem like we have developed a lot of relievers so these guys could really help out with the rising cost of relief pitching.

 

[battlekow]

BA takes note of Lucroy's continued success throwing out runners.