Link Report for Games of Thursday, August 14th

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Thursday's Daily Menu:

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

 

Nashville: LHP Sam Narron at home vs. Oklahoma (Rangers), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 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 Brae Wright at home vs. Chattanooga (Reds), 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 Amaury Rivas at Palm Beach (Cardinals), 6:05 PM gametime

 

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

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/multimedia/audio.jsp?cid=503&sid=t503

 

West Virginia: RHP Michael Bowman at Augusta (Giants), 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 home vs. Orem (Angels), 7:55 PM pre-game, 8:05 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 vs. the Royals' runts at home in Maryvale, 7:00 PM local Mountain Standard Time

 

Never any audio for the Maryvale Crew

[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 "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_08_14_orhaaa_nasaaa_1

Huntsville:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_14_cngaax_hunaax_1

Brevard County:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_14_breafa_pbcafa_1

West Virginia:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_14_wvaafx_augafx_1

Helena:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_14_orerok_helrok_1

Arizona:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_14_royrok_brrrok_1

[Mass Haas]

 Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iowa 72 52 .581 - 44-22 28-30 W2 Memphis 66 58 .532 6.0 32-29 34-29 W2 Omaha 53 72 .424 19.5 24-37 29-35 L3 Nashville 51 74 .408 21.5 24-37 27-37 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carolina 33 19 .635 - 18-7 15-12 L1 Tennessee 26 26 .500 7.0 12-15 14-11 W1 Huntsville 25 27 .481 8.0 13-14 12-13 W3 West Tenn 22 29 .431 10.5 10-16 12-13 W1 Chattanooga 21 31 .404 12.0 11-14 10-17 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jupiter 29 21 .580 - 15-11 14-10 W3 Daytona 27 20 .574 0.5 16-7 11-13 L3 St. Lucie 25 21 .543 2.0 12-11 13-10 L2 Palm Beach 27 24 .529 2.5 15-10 12-14 W4 Brevard County 23 27 .460 6.0 11-13 12-14 L1 Vero Beach 15 37 .288 15.0 6-20 9-17 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lakewood 34 18 .654 - 16-9 18-9 W2 West Virginia 34 18 .654 - 20-6 14-12 L3 Delmarva 27 24 .529 6.5 11-14 16-10 L2 Lake County 24 27 .471 9.5 12-14 12-13 W3 Greensboro 21 31 .404 13.0 10-16 11-15 W4 Hagerstown 21 31 .404 13.0 9-18 12-13 L1 Lexington 18 33 .353 15.5 9-18 9-15 L7 Hickory 15 37 .288 19.0 4-20 11-17 L8 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billings 12 4 .750 - 9-3 3-1 L1 Great Falls 9 7 .563 3.0 6-4 3-3 W1 Helena 6 10 .375 6.0 1-4 5-6 W3 Missoula 3 13 .188 9.0 3-2 0-11 L8 

[Mass Haas]

Arizona League Standings

[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]

Various updates from Helena:

 

RHP Liam Ohlmann left Wednesday's game when a line drive hit his right biceps. No word on his short- or long-term status at this time.

 

RHP Nestor Corredor left the game with an undisclosed injury, partly explaining the struggles with control Wednesday for the converted catcher.

 

This MiLB.com linked article on Erik Komatsu's huge night Wednesday (two three-run home run bombs) includes an audio link to announcer Steve Wendt's two home run calls.

 

Helena Pre-Game Audio Interview with RHP Brandon Rapoza

Click on the KCAP archive of August 13th, then browse to the 17:00 minute mark; a full six and a half minutes with the Brewers' 2008 31st round pick out of Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida

[And That]

Adrian Rosario looks to get the start for the Baby Brewers. Nick Bucci and Damon Krestalude figure to get work as well.

[Mass Haas]

Link Report Bonus:

 

Scott Houin, now with Brevard, crashes into the catcher on a play at the plate while with West Virginia back in May. Amazingly, the catcher, who had appeared to be down for the count, pops up and nearly nails the baserunner advancing to third base. To be honest, I'm not sure if Houin was out or safe on the play...

 

[yoda knows all]

I know he thinks he's a "baller" for nailing the catcher, but I don't think that kind of play should be encouraged. He didn't even try to slide.

[And That]

Brent Brewer with another good game and holy crap, free Rob Wooten!

[homer]

Wooten still without an earned run this year. He's really dealing thus far.

 

 

EDIT: Crap! I jinxed him - he gave up a run. Still dealing though.

[twobrewers]

OMG!!!! WOOOOOT!!!! EN!!!! OFF!!!!!!!

 

(In honor of the Woot off thread in the "Off-Topic)

 

30 K in 20 innings. Wooten is a little old - but he is still flat out dealing.

[wvpowerblkwel]

I agree whole-heartedly with the Wooten praise! He has been fun to watch! But two of my other favorites this season having another nice "unsung nite" in Angel Salome and Brae Wright! Brae hanging 8 k's on the board thru 6 with his ERA staying below 3.50 thru close to 150 innings....not bad for a guy who struggled in low A last year. Salome, who many of you wrote off after the suspension still with a BA over .350 at this point in the season....keep it up Angel and Brae!

[SZBrewerFan]

For those of you who have seen him pitch or know of his pitching style, is Brae Wright a hard thrower. He is having a really nice year for Huntsville and seems to be able to strike people out. What kind of pitches does he throw and how does he project. Is he a guy who will be a starter down the road or is he destined to become a LOOGY? Just curious.

[wibadgers23]

It'll be interesting to see if Wright is given the opportunity next spring training to see if he could be our #4/5 starter or pitch out of the bullpen. And I think it's time to promote Wooten yet again. Like somebody else said, he's a little old to be playing in low A ball. Let's get him up to BC to close out the year.

[Mass Haas]

Helena Pre-Game Audio Interview with LHP Brandon Ritchie

Click on the KCAP archive of August 14th, then browse to the 06:30 minute mark; Ritchie threw six shutout innings Wednesday...

[Mass Haas]

Final: Orem (Angels) 7, Helena 3

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

Owlz rip Brewers

By JEFF WINDMUELLER - Helena Independent Record

 

The Helena Brewers might as well have strung themselves a rope ladder, otherwise they weren't going to pull themselves out of an early hole Thursday.

 

Helena once again fell victim to the Orem Owlz, who picked up their 11th straight win 7-3 at a packed Kindrick Legion Field. The Brewers have made up four of the losses in Orem's streak.

 

With attendance at 1,904, the highest its been since 2004, the Owlz leapt ahead with three-run innings in the first and third to take a 6-2 lead.

 

"The first inning we're down 3-0, that's disheartening to say the least," said Brewers manager Rene Gonzales.

 

After walking two to start the game, Brewers' starter Trey Watten (2-2) gave up an RBI double to Roberto Lopez, who scored the team's third run on a blooper by Ryan Groth to centerfield.

 

Lopez, who leads the Pioneer League with a .410 batting average and 84 hits, would prove to be a hazard as the game went on. He finished with identical solo home runs over the left field wall in the third and fourth innings and finished 4-for-5 on the game, a triple short of the cycle.

 

The Brewers weren't without their own big hitters as Erik Komatsu and John Delaney each hit solo home runs.

 

Lopez's first homer led off the third before Luis Jimenez walked and Angel Castillo brought him home on a double to the centerfield wall. Castillo scored the final run on a single by Groth to right.

 

Lopez's second home run in the top of the fourth capped the runs scored for the night and Watten's time on the mound.

 

"Lopez is a good hitter, a good cripple hitter, he hit a 2-0 home run today," Gonzales said.

 

Watten, who has struggled in the first and third innings - he had an ERA of 5.00 in the first and 9.00 in the third coming into the game - finished with seven runs allowed on six hits and one strike out, but what proved to be his downfall were the five walks he gave up.

 

Reliever Garrett Sherrill would come in to start the fifth and immediately strike out the side. Two of them were looking, and all of them at the bottom of the Orem lineup. Sherrill was able to survive the dangerous middle four hitters (3-7) who accounted for eight hits and all seven RBI.

 

Sherrill finished with three hits and four strikeouts over the three innings, while Wily Peralta closed to shut out the Owlz over the last five innings in total. He gave up one hit, one walk and struck out two.

 

While the Brewers defense started to cool down Orem's hitting, they picked up a few runs of their own.

 

Delaney led off the bottom of the first with a single to left field and advanced to second on a bad throw by Groth. Erik Miller followed it up with a double, which he can thank the south-facing stadium for. Miller's rocket to the left field warning track went high and came down right in the glare of a setting sun, prompting Groth to hold out a glove that was at least a foot away from where the ball fell.

 

Komatsu, who leads the team with a .350 batting average, hit his 10th homer of the season in the third while Delaney picked up his sixth over-the-wall blast - which also cruised over the safety netting and out of the park, striking a truck in the neighboring parking lot - in the fifth, before Orem's tough bullpen cut a Brewers' rally short.

 

Komatsu and Delaney both went 2-for-4 while David Fonseca went 3-for-4, but the shortstop who batted in the No. 6 spot couldn't get support from the bottom of the lineup, which went 0-for-11.

 

Orem starter Will Smith (6-2) gave up seven hits and all three runs over the first five innings while striking out five for the win. Christian Scholl went another three innings with two strike outs while Jeremy Thorne closed out the game with a hit a walk and a strike out.

 

The Brewers, who swept the Ogden Raptors on the road for a three-game win streak heading into Thursday, play Orem three more times, beginning with a game Friday night at 7:05 PM (8:05 Central).

 

Efrain Nieves is expected to start on the mound for the Brewers.

 

Helena will be searching hard for a way to beat their foe.

 

"We dominated Ogden and played a lot better than we do against these guys, we're just going to have to change that," Gonzales said. "How do we beat a team like that? We (shouldn't have) to play catch-up all the time."

 

Photos by Lisa Kunkel IR staff photographer - Brewers' Erik Komatsu, left, gets a fist bump from teammate Brock Kjeldgaard after hitting a home run during their game against the Orem Owlz Thursday night at Kindrick Legion Field.

http://www.helenair.com/content/articles/2008/08/15/sports/local/100spl_080815_brewers.jpg

 

Brewers' Miguel Vasquez fields an infield hit during their game against the Orem Owlz Thursday night at Kindrick Legion Field.

 

http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2008/08/15/sports/local/100spl_080815_brewers-2.jpg

 

Helena Box Score

Only four Brewers combined on the team's eight hits; Trey Watten just didn't give his mates a chance on this night, and the five combined innings of Garrett Sherrill and the extra-promising Wily Peralta go wasted...

 

Helena Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Final: Chattanooga (Reds) 5, Huntsville 4

 

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

 

Late Rally Leads Looks to Win

Stars Rally in Ninth Falls Short

By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars

 

Tonys Gutierrez knocked in the winning runs in the ninth inning to lead Chattanooga to a 5-4 win over Huntsville in a see-saw affair Thursday night in the middle of a five-game series at Joe Davis Stadium. The Lookouts improved to 22-31 in the second half, while the Stars fell to 25-28. Huntsville leads the season series 11-7.

 

Juan Sandoval opened the ninth inning on the hill for Huntsville and was greeted by a leadoff single by Danny Dorn. Pinch-hitter Michael DeJesus dropped down a sacrifice bunt attempt that was fielded by third baseman Mat Gamel, who threw wildly into center field allowing Dorn to reach third and DeJesus to advance to second base. After a ground out, Gutierrez chopped a single over a drawn-in infield to score both runners to give the Lookouts a 5-3 lead.

 

Former Stars' closer Joe Valentine was called on to protect the lead in the bottom of the inning and gave up a two-out, run-scoring line-drive single to Angel Salome that trimmed the lead to 5-4. Gamel followed with an infield hit before Cole Gillespie lined out to end the game. The Stars dropped to 16-27 in games decided by one run.

 

Gamel reached on a fielder's choice in the eighth, moved to second on a Gillespie base hit and scored to tie the game at three on a two-out single by Chris Errecart. Mike Bell was hit by a pitch to load the bases but pinch-hitter Guilder Rodriguez fanned to end the inning. Robert Manuel was charged with the run on three hits over three innings in relief of starter Sam LeCure.

 

B.J. Szymanski's home run and a Chris Valaika sacrifice fly gave the visitors a 2-0 lead in the third before Alcides Escobar doubled in a run and Salome singled home a run to get the game tied in the bottom half of the inning. Salome had his first four-hit game of the season and has driven in 19 of his 76 runs this season against Chattanooga.

 

Chris Heisey's run-scoring double in the fifth put the Looks back on top 3-2. Stars' starter Brae Wright went seven innings, giving up seven hits, walking one and striking out a season-high ten. He remains winless since June 26 and has not won at home since May 24. LeCure allowed eight hits and fanned five over his five frames.

 

The Stars series continues Friday evening with left-hander David Welch taking the mound against Lookouts' southpaw Pedro Viola. Coverage 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.

 

***

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

Stars let one slip away to Lookouts

Chattanooga scores two runs in ninth for 5-4 win

By BRAD SHEPARD

For The Huntsville Times

 

One night after Mat Gamel appeared to break out of his month-and-a-half slump, the Huntsville Stars third baseman fought back frustration again Thursday.

 

He went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts, one with a runner on third and one out. With the game tied and no outs in the ninth, Gamel fielded a sacrifice bunt attempt from Michael DeJesus and threw wide of second base trying to get the lead runner.

 

Everybody was safe, and two batters later, Lookouts first baseman Tonys Gutierrez bounced a two-run single over a drawn-in infield to give Chattanooga a two-run lead and eventual 5-4 win in front of 1,686 fans at Joe Davis Stadium.

 

"I think he's making good progress defensively," Stars manager Don Money said of Gamel. "It's just a work in progress. You just have to continue improving. Even when the ball is wet, you've still got to make that play.

 

"The play in the ninth is not the reason we lost that game. We lost that game because we failed to get runners home from third base twice again tonight."

 

Despite Gamel's plummeting batting average since the beginning of July, which is down some 50 points, his glove work has drastically improved. Entering the game, he had just two errors since July 18, but the error on Thursday, his 28th of the year, stung.

 

Huntsville rallied for a run off Angel Salome's RBI single in the bottom of the ninth, but after Gamel's infield single, Cole Gillespie popped out to the third baseman to end the game. Gamel was visibly frustrated afterward.

 

"I threw the ball into center field," he said. "You've got to get an out on a bunt, and I tried to get the lead runner because he was slower, but the ball was a little wet. That's not an excuse, though."

 

Though Gamel may be scuffling at the plate, he has still had an MVP-caliber season. His error total is still high with 17 games left, but he can take solace in the fact that it's much better than the 53 he committed last year.

 

When asked how much better he is in the field at this stage, even a frustrated Gamel replied, "a lot."

 

The loss spoiled another stellar performance by starting pitcher Brae Wright, who tossed six innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out 10.

 

Though Wright's record stands at 6-9, he owns a solid 3.41 earned run average. And though his last win came on June 26, of his eight starts during that stretch, seven have been quality outings.

 

"He's been very solid," Money said. "He's probably the most improved starter from the beginning of the season until the end."

 

Huntsville Box Score

Opposing baserunners stole three bases in as many attempts on Huntsville pitchers and Angel Salome; a bit surprising this is Angel's first four-hit game -- just shows how consistent he's been, I mean .356 average, .950 OPS, those are pinball numbers for anyone, never mind a catcher; Michael Brantley and Cole Gillespie three hits apiece, Gillespie doubled; great quote just above from Don Money on Brae Wright, the kid can surely feel good about his 2008 season...

 

Huntsville Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Final: Oklahoma (Rangers) 2, Nashville 0

 

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link for new Sam Narron photo, text follows --

 

RedHawks Blank Sounds With Five-Hitter

 

NASHVILLE - Three Oklahoma hurlers combined on a five-hit shutout in the RedHawks' 2-0 victory over the Nashville Sounds in front of 5,207 fans on Thursday evening at Greer Stadium.

 

RedHawks starter Brian Gordon (4-4) allowed three hits over seven scoreless innings to record his first victory in his last five starts. Kei Komentani followed with a scoreless frame before turning things over to Bill White, who notched his fifth save by working the ninth.

 

The loss was the league-leading ninth shutout suffered this season and second this series by Nashville, which played its seventh consecutive game decided by one or two runs (3-4).

 

Oklahoma second baseman Joaquin Arias got things started with a bang, leading off the contest by driving a 1-0 Sam Narron offering over the left field wall for his seventh home run of the year and a 1-0 RedHawks lead.

 

Sounds catcher Carlos Corporan kept it a one-run contest in the top of the second inning with a super block of the plate to prohibit Ben Harrison from scoring as left fielder Hernan Iribarren threw a frozen rope to the plate after fielding Kevin Richardson's single bare-handed on a hop.

 

AUDIO: Runner Thrown Out At Plate

 

Chris Shelton doubled the Oklahoma lead to 2-0 in the sixth when he led off the frame with his eighth home run of the year, a solo shot off Narron that struck the neck of the guitar-shaped scoreboard.

 

The Sounds squandered a golden opportunity to get back into the game in the bottom of the sixth when they failed to score in a one-out, bases-loaded situation against Gordon. After walks to Iribarren and Callix Crabbe followed by a Tony Gwynn single filled the bags, Gordon escaped the jam by inducing a popout from Joe Dillon and an inning-ending flyout to right from Brad Nelson.

 

Narron (7-4) took a hard-luck loss for the Sounds after working his fifth quality start of the year. He allowed two runs (both on solo homers) on five hits while striking out five batters over seven innings. The two runs allowed were Narron's fewest given up in an outing in his last eight starts, dating back to early July.

 

The teams will wrap up the series with a 7 p.m. finale on Friday evening at Greer. Left-hander Chris Narveson (4-12, 5.23) will man the bump for the Sounds to face right-hander Steve Rowe (4-5, 4.87).

 

***

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

Oklahoma shuts down Sounds

By GREG SULLIVAN

Tennessean Staff Writer

 

Joaquin Arias hit the second pitch of the game over the left-field wall to give the Oklahoma RedHawks the only run they would need in a 2-0 win over Nashville on Thursday.

 

It was Oklahoma's first leadoff home run in more than three years.

 

Chris Shelton tacked on another homer, helping the RedHawks to a win in the third of a four-game series. Nashville will look to avoid a sweep today at Greer Stadium, after scoring only two runs in the first three games.

 

"(Starting pitcher) Sammy (Narron) did fine," Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas said. "He had two mistakes. He had two pitches that stayed high and (Oklahoma) hit two out."

 

The Sounds had been 8-0 in Narron's last nine appearances, and he added another quality start, going seven innings and giving up two runs on seven hits.

 

Narron did get some help from his defense. Outfielder Hernan Iribarren threw out Ben Harrison at home to end the top of the second.

 

However, Nashville left the bases loaded in the sixth inning.

 

On the move: Sounds catcher J.R. Hopf was transferred to Single-A Brevard County on Thursday. Hopf batted .340, going 16-for-47 with two home runs and six RBI for Nashville this season.

 

Filling holes: Reliever Troy Cate is slated to fill the spot left in the Sounds' starting rotation by Mark DiFelice, who sustained a back injury in Tuesday night's game. DiFelice was placed on the disabled list Wednesday. Cate joined the Sounds from Huntsville on July 22. He hasn't allowed a run in his last five relief appearances, totaling 9 2/3 innings.

 

Shutouts: Thursday's loss was the second shutout loss in three games for the Sounds. It was also the ninth shutout loss of the season for the team, which is the most in the Pacific Coast League.

 

Nashville Box Score

Joe Bateman a perfect 8th, Luis Pena allowed two baserunners (one more walk) in a scoreless 9th; the team's nightmarish season can't end soon enough...

 

Nashville Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Final: West Virginia 3, Augusta (Giants) 1

 

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

 

POWER AVOID SWEEP IN AUGUSTA

 

The West Virginia Power scored early and often at Lake Olmstead Stadium on Thursday night and avoided a four game sweep with a 3-1 victory over the Augusta GreenJackets in the series finale.

 

West Virginia took their first lead of the series in the top of the first inning. Eric Farris and Logan Schafer began the inning on back-to-back base hits. Farris scored on Steffan Wilson's groundout. Lee Haydel ripped a two-out single in the second, stole second base and scored on Matt Cline's first base hit since August 5th to give the Power a 2-0 lead.

 

Eric Fryer ripped a two-out single in the third inning and stole second before Wilson brought him home a few pitches later with a base hit. It was Wilson's fourth RBI of the series, giving him 90 on the season. The GreenJackets were down to their final out in the ninth inning when Elio Sarmiento delivered an RBI single to score their first run and put the tying runs on base. Rob Wooten fanned the next batter with runners at the corners to end the game.

 

Michael Bowman (3-1) delivered a masterful performance, tossing five and two-thirds scoreless innings of three-hit ball in a winning effort, but Bowman left the game in the bottom of the sixth inning with a forearm cramp. Wooten (3) allowed just a run on two hits and fanned six over three and a third in relief to get the save. Oliver Odle (9-6) allowed three runs on nine hits over seven innings and was tagged with the loss.

 

The Power improved to 67-55 on the year and 35-18 in the second half with the win. The GreenJackets fell to 75-46 on the year and 34-18 in the second half with the loss. Farris and Fryer paced the Power with two hits apiece for the second night in a row. Curt Rindal singled in the fourth inning, bringing his hitting streak to ten games and his on-base streak to 18 games. The victory snapped West Virginia's longest losing streak of the second half.

 

The Power will begin a four-game series against the Greenville Drive at Fluor Field on Friday night. The Power will pitch left hander Dan Merklinger (6-8, 5.87) and the Drive will counter with right hander Brock Huntzinger (1-1, 10.13). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM (6:00 Central).

 

***

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

West Virginia attack powers past Augusta

By Billy Byler | Augusta Chronicle Staff Writer

 

Thursday night's Augusta GreenJackets game saw the West Virginia Power do in three innings what it took them three previous games to accomplish: They scored three runs.

 

The Power, statistically the top offensive team in the South Atlantic League, bowed down to Augusta for the first three games of the series, but West Virginia avoided a sweep with a 3-1 win.

 

"We're definitely happy to be leaving town," West Virginia manager Jeff Isom said. "Our park plays completely different than theirs, and it took us too long to figure that out."

 

The Power ditched the long ball for the small ball and scored one run in each of the first three innings. Steffan Wilson, who went 2-for-11 with four strikeouts over the first three games of the series, drove in a run in the first and third innings. Matt Cline came through with the other RBI single in the second inning.

 

The GreenJackets failed to match the West Virginia offense for the first time this series.

 

"We decided not to show up on offense," GreenJackets manager Andy Skeels said. "The pitching was there. We threw well enough to have a chance, and I was a little disappointed that we didn't compete better than we did."

 

West Virginia starter Michael Bowman, who shut out the GreenJackets through 5 2/3 innings, left in the sixth with what Isom said was a cramp in his forearm. Reliever Rob Wooten picked up where Bowman left off with a two-hit performance over the final 3 1/3 innings.

 

The GreenJackets' bats, which totaled 12 runs on 24 hits on West Virginia pitching in the first three games of the series, were shut out until the final inning.

 

Elio Sarmiento, a late addition to the starting lineup to give catcher Dayton Buller a rest, drove in the Jackets' lone run with a two-out single in the ninth inning.

 

GreenJackets starter Oliver Odle (9-6) gave up three runs over seven innings and didn't walk a batter, but he still picked up the loss.

 

Bowman (3-1) got the win, while Wooten earned his third save of the season.

 

Photo by Michael Holahan / Augusta Chronicle Staff

After getting caught in a rundown, West Virginia's Matt Cline (right) ducks down as he tries to avoid the tag by Augusta shortstop Juan Ciriaco on Thursday at Lake Olmstead Stadium.

 

http://i.spotted.augusta.com/user/1/gallery/558874.jpg

 

West Virginia Box Score

Lakewood was victorious, there's still a tie atop the division, but at least this tough road series is over...

 

West Virginia Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Final: Brevard County 6, Palm Beach (Cardinals) 4, 12 innings

Brevard County Box Score

Jonathan Lucroy's two-run home run in the top of the 12th the deciding blow -- that's 18 home runs between West Virginia (10 there) and Brevard; Brent Brewer a triple shy of the cycle -- the dude's been legitimately very good for a month and a half now, ever since I compared him to infamous failed Brewer 2nd round pick Josh Murray, so I take full credit for the kid's improved play; Yohannis Perez three singles in the 9-hole; all five Manatee pitchers contributed with solid peformances...

 

Brevard County Game Log

Leadoff walk in the 9th hurt Mike McClendon for the save, but he did bounce back in extras...

[Mass Haas]

Link Report Bonus:

LHP Chris Cody's Manhattan College Blog Entry from the 9th --

 

Hello Jasper Fans,

 

First off, I want to say congratulations to Ryan Darcy on his promotion. I'm looking forward to following another successful year for the Jaspers.

 

August is going by quickly, along with the remainder of the season. Only 22 days left. It looks like its going to be a battle down the stretch for a playoff spot in the Florida State League's East Division. With all the East teams playing each other, things could get interesting.

 

My team is in the middle of a week long road trip, sort of. We've been playing Daytona and Vero Beach, which are commuter trips. We ride the bus an hour and 15 minutes there, play the game, then we drive right back and sleep at home. Commuter trips are ok every once in a while, but a week straight can get a little monotonous. We're playing pretty well lately, so who knows what will happen.

 

Talk to you all soon.

 

Chris

[Mass Haas]

Final: Arizona Royals 5, Arizona Brewers 2

Arizona Box Score

Brewer pitchers struck out 16 and walked zero -- read that again, amazing, despite the loss; RHP Adrain Rosario had three wild pitches, but was rather effective otherwise...

 

Arizona Game Log

Why do the Maryvale kids have a miserable record year in and year out? Part of the reason is that all the Brewer Latin kids are getting their first taste of pro ball here in the States -- nearly all other organizations have their Latin kids begin in Dominican and Venezuelan Summer Leagues, so they're a bit older and more advanced; but still, 9-34, yikes...

[battlekow]

BA has taken note of Lucroy's recent struggles.

 

After the games of two days ago, they said "Brevard County (Brewers) catcher Jonathan Lucroy has cooled off tremendously. After going 1-for-5 last night he is now hitting .167 in his last ten games with just two extra base hits," and then after yesterday's games, they revealed "Brevard County (Brewers) catcher Jonathan Lucroy was well on his way to making the Not So Hot list, but went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs last night, leaving the dishonor for someone else to claim."