Link Report for Games of Monday, September 1st

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Tuesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: Season complete

 

Huntsville: RHP Alex Periard at Chattanooga (Reds), 1:00 PM pre-game; 1:15 gametime; season finale

 

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: Season complete

 

West Virginia: LHP Dan Merklinger at home vs. Kannapolis (White Sox), 11:55 AM pre-game, 12:05 PM gametime; regular season finale

 

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 Rico Salmon at home vs. Missoula (Diamondbacks), 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: Season complete

[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". 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.

 

Huntsville:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2008_09_01_hunaax_cngaax_1

 

West Virginia:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_09_01_kanafx_wvaafx_1

 

Helena:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_09_01_misrok_helrok_1

[Mass Haas]

Standings through Sunday's action (Arizona League standings represent entire season):

 

 Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iowa 83 58 .589 - 48-23 35-35 L1 Memphis 74 67 .525 9.0 36-33 38-34 L2 Omaha 62 81 .434 22.0 30-42 32-39 W1 Nashville 59 81 .421 23.5 29-42 30-39 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carolina 41 28 .594 - 22-12 19-16 W1 Tennessee 35 33 .515 5.5 15-19 20-14 L1 Huntsville 32 37 .464 9.0 17-18 15-19 W1 Chattanooga 29 39 .426 11.5 15-19 14-20 L1 West Tenn 29 39 .426 11.5 14-20 15-19 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Daytona 38 24 .613 - 24-9 14-15 L1 Jupiter 41 28 .594 0.5 21-16 20-12 W1 St. Lucie 34 31 .523 5.5 15-16 19-15 W2 Palm Beach 33 34 .493 7.5 18-15 15-19 W1 Brevard County 31 38 .449 10.5 14-19 17-19 L2 Vero Beach 20 46 .303 20.0 8-23 12-23 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Virginia 44 25 .638 - 22-12 22-13 L3 Lakewood 42 27 .609 2.0 20-15 22-12 W2 Delmarva 39 30 .565 5.0 18-16 21-14 L2 Lake County 33 36 .478 11.0 18-17 15-19 L4 Greensboro 27 40 .403 16.0 14-20 13-20 W1 Hagerstown 27 42 .391 17.0 14-20 13-22 W3 Lexington 24 44 .353 19.5 12-23 12-21 L1 Hickory 21 47 .309 22.5 8-25 13-22 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billings 17 14 .548 - 13-5 4-9 L1 Great Falls 17 16 .515 1.0 9-7 8-9 W1 Helena 12 21 .364 6.0 4-12 8-9 L1 Missoula 10 22 .313 7.5 8-7 2-15 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Arizona League (R) - Arizona League Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AZL Angels 39 17 .696 - 21-7 18-10 W7 AZL Giants 36 20 .643 3.0 19-9 17-11 W2 AZL Rangers 34 22 .607 5.0 18-10 16-12 W4 AZL Padres 33 23 .589 6.0 18-10 15-13 L2 AZL Cubs 31 24 .564 7.5 20-8 11-16 L5 AZL Royals 23 33 .411 16.0 13-15 10-18 W1 AZL Athletics 21 35 .375 18.0 11-17 10-18 W1 AZL Mariners 21 35 .375 18.0 11-17 10-18 L2 AZL Brewers 13 42 .236 25.5 9-18 4-24 L2 

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Power losing skid doesn't concern Isom

West Virginia manager says team ready for playoffs starting Wednesday

by Christopher Wade

For the Charleston Daily Mail

 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- After seeing his team go through the grind of playing 135 games in the season, Power manager Jeff Isom understands why the mindset might not be the same for the last four games.

 

After all, the hard work put in throughout the season has paid off for the Power, which clinched a playoff berth for the second straight season Friday night.

 

That's why despite obviously wanting to win every game, Isom isn't too upset with the fact that the Power took a three-game losing streak into today's holiday regular-season finale.

 

The Power have lost the last three games to the Kannapolis Intimidators, including Sunday's 9-8 defeat at Appalachian Power Park in front of a crowd of 3,028.

 

"Your mental mindset is different after grinding it out all season long and where every game means something," said Isom, whose team opens the South Atlantic League Northern Division best-of-three playoff series at home Wednesday night against Lake County. "After clinching Friday, it's understandable.

 

"We've did a few things differently with our pitching staff than we normally wouldn't have done."

 

Despite Isom understanding his players' minds may not be in the regular season's final four games as much after clinching the playoff berth, the players insist they are still playing the game the same way.

 

"We want to get something going into the playoffs," Power outfielder Caleb Gindl said. "We are still coming out here every day to try and win. We are doing everything we do like it would be any other day."

 

Power catcher Eric Fryer said there's no panic.

 

"We have been loose, and haven't been pressing," Fryer said. "That can be good or bad but obviously we want to win some games. You don't want to be stumbling going into the playoffs."

 

Despite the rough stretch the last few games both Isom and the players also know that the main thing is that the team is in the playoffs with an opportunity for an SAL title.

 

"From where we started at the beginning of the year, we knew what we had to do," Gindl said. "It hasn't been an easy road at all. We have done a great job battling through that and coming out and making the playoffs."

 

"It's been a long grind," Fryer said. "We have come a long way from where we were at the beginning of the year. It's a credit to our team playing hard day in and day out. It's a huge tribute for us to make the playoffs."

 

Added Isom, "It's a nice reward as things started clicking in the second half and I'm real pleased the way the guys played. They improved over the course of the season and they got the job done and now we are in the playoffs."

 

Over the last few games, Isom has been able to give some guys some much needed rest to try and get his players in the best possible position for a deep playoff run.

 

With today being the last day of the regular season, Fryer, who should easily clinch the SAL batting title, sat out Saturday's game and Gindl, the league's ninth best hitter, didn't play Sunday.

 

"We want to make sure everyone is healthy," Fryer said. " We want people to get some work in still but its nice to be able to give some guys a day off and get some guys in that don't get to play a lot."

 

Isom is glad he has been able to get some of his key guys some rest, but in today's afternoon Labor Day game, he will play his postseason lineup in an effort to get them prepared for Wednesday's playoff opener.

 

"Some guys needed some rest as that was Caleb's first game that he didn't have action in all season long," Isom said. "And with what Fryer has done, behind the plate, he has wore down a bit.

 

"It is nice to clinch early and have the luxury of a few extra days to work with to align your pitching and get some guys some much needed rest."

[battlekow]

Nice start so far for Merkingler. He could continue Cody's & Bramhall's legacy at BC next year.

[battlekow]

Helena's canceled.

[Mass Haas]

Press Release:

 

Brewers' Labor Day Game Postponed

Double-header scheduled for Tuesday at 5:05 PM (6:05 Central)

 

Helena, MT: The Helena Brewers have announced that Monday's game versus the Missoula Osprey has been postponed due to rain and field conditions. The contest will be made up on Tuesday, September 2nd as part of a double-header starting at 5:05 PM (6:05 Central).

 

"We really regret not being able to play tonight's holiday game," Brewers' General Manager / President Paul Fetz said. "Our regular season home-schedule will finish off with a double-header that will also serve as our fan appreciation day."

 

Game one of the twin-bill will feature Brewers' right-hander Rico Salmon starting on the mound versus Missoula's righty Brett Reynolds. Game two is scheduled to have Helena right-hander Cody Scarpetta versus Missoula righty Trevor Harden.

[Mass Haas]

Final: West Virginia 4, Kannapolis (White Sox) 3

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

POWER FINISH REGULAR SEASON WITH A WALK OFF VICTORY

 

The West Virginia Power snapped a three-game losing streak on Monday afternoon at Appalachian Power Park as Matt Cline scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth on a ground ball hit by Lee Haydel in a 4-3 victory over the Kannapolis Intimidators.

 

West Virginia took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth. Steffan Wilson knocked in his 100th run of the season on an RBI single and he scored later in the inning when Zelous Wheeler grounded into a 4-6-3 double play. The Intimidators cut the deficit in half in the sixth inning on an RBI single from Brent Morel.

 

Morel struck again in the eighth inning on a two-run homer to give the Intimidators their first lead of the game. Curt Rindal delivered a two-out RBI single to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth inning.

 

Cline started the ninth inning with a base hit, and moved to second on Eric Farris's infield single. With runners on second and first, Jeff Isom called for a double steal. On the first pitch of Lee Haydel's at bat, he hit a ground ball to second baseman Eduardo Escobar. Escobar flipped to second base to record the out, but Gordon Beckham's relay throw was late to first base and Cline scored from second base to end the game.

 

Jose Garcia (3-2) tossed a scoreless ninth inning to get the victory. Tyson Corley (0-5) allowed the winning run to score in the ninth inning and was tagged with the loss. Dan Merklinger pitched well enough to get the win but didn't factor into the decision. He allowed just a run on four hits over six innings of work and struck out seven batters.

 

The Power improved to 77-62 on the year and 45-25 in the second half with the win. The Intimidators fell to 67-68 on the year and 36-29 in the second half with the loss. Four Power players turned in multi-hit games, including Farris who extended his hitting streak to nine games. Eric Fryer went 1-for-4, finishing the year at .335, good enough to capture the 2008 South Atlantic League Batting Title. A Power player has captured that crown two years in a row now (Andrew Lefave).

 

The Power will begin their best of three game series in the first round of the playoffs against the Lake County Captains at Appalachian Power Park on Wednesday night. The Power will start right hander R.J. Seidel (9-5, 4.51) and the Captains will counter with right hander Joey Mahalic (7-6, 4.19. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

 

West Virginia Box Score

Caleb Gindl (.307) on base three times, finishes with a .388 OBP and .862 OPS -- nice for a kid who turned 20 on Sunday...

 

West Virginia Game Log

Bring on the playoffs against the Indians' kids...

[Mass Haas]

Final: Chattanooga (Reds ) 2, Huntsville 1

 

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

 

Chattanooga Closes Season With Win

Stars Miss Post-Season for First Time in Three Years

By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars

 

Pedro Viola worked 6 1/3 strong innings to pitch Chattanooga to a 2-1 win Monday afternoon in the last regular season game of the 2008 campaign at AT&T Field. The Stars finished the second half at 32-38 and with an overall mark of 73-67, while the Lookouts ended with a 30-39 record in the second half and 67-72 overall. The Stars took the season series 14-11, winning eight of 15 in Chattanooga.

 

Chattanooga loaded the bases in the fourth inning on a single by Chris Heisey and two walks. Drew Anderson legged out an infield hit to first base to knock in Heisey with the game's first run and an Eric Eymann sacrifice fly chased home Tonys Gutierrez to make it a two-run rally. Stars' starter Alex Periard was taken out after five frames, giving up five hits, walking a pair and fanning three. He suffered the loss to finish at 2-4 and 0-2 against the Looks. Steve Bray tossed two scoreless innings and Omar Aguilar one to finish off the season.

 

Viola had blanked the Stars on three hits through six innings before Michael Garciaparra doubled to lead off the seventh, and push his hitting streak to 12 games, and came in to score when Cole Gillespie followed with a two-base hit to knock in his 79th run. Viola struck out Mike Bell for the first out and was lifted in favor of Michael Hrynio, who got two ground outs to end the frame and keep the Looks in the lead. Viola gave up five hits, walked one and struck out a season-best 11 to earn his fourth win. Hyrnio and Lee Tabor retired the Stars in order in the eighth and Joe Valentine had a perfect ninth inning to record the save and bring the season to a close.

 

Angel Salome, who was promoted to Milwaukee after Saturday's game, wound up leading the Southern League in hitting with a .360 average, while Alcides Escobar, who was also promoted to big leagues, and Michael Brantley each finished in the top ten in hitting. Check the Stars web site for further information about where players ranked in the final offensive and pitching categories.

 

Huntsville Box Score

Mike Jones a pinch-hitter in the 6th with the short bench...

 

Huntsville Game Log

[Mass Haas]

As we did with Nashville's Chuck Valenches, a big thanks to Huntsville's Brett Pollock, for his contributions, both heard, and behind the scenes, again this season. Enjoy your offseason, Brett, too bad it comes too soon this season.

[Mass Haas]

MiLB.com:

Helena Brewers (Milwaukee Brewers)

WEEK IN REVIEW: Helena didn't score more than five runs once in seven games on the week, but the team still managed a 4-3 record. Credit the pitching staff for a series win over Great Falls to start the week. When the staff did struggle in a pair of games against Missoula, the offense didn't back them out and the team lost both games. A win Saturday salvaged the week, but Helena still stands six games out of first place in the North.

STREAKING: On July 27, RHP Brandon Rapoza made his debut with Helena, allowing two runs in two innings. Since then, Rapoza has pitched in 10 consecutive games without allowing a run, a streak spanning 20 1/3 innings. He was his best this week, with seven scoreless innings in three appearances. On Monday, Rapoza had his first save of the season with two no-hit innings against Great Falls. On Aug. 28, Rapoza pitched four shutout innings, giving up one hit and lowering his ERA to 0.81.

SLUMPING: There is not a single member of the Brewers offense hitting right now. In their last five games, Helena is batting .137 as a team. No one on the team has hit above .250 during that span. In their last 10 games, it's just as bad, with a .205 batting average. 1B Brock Kjeldgaard hit .275 over the 10 games, which ended up as the team high. The pitchers had a 3.79 ERA during that span, holding the team up on their shoulders.

IN COMMAND: LHP Efrain Nieves had the start of the week on Tuesday against Great Falls, giving up one hit in eight scoreless innings. Nieves faced one batter over the minimum as he didn't give up a walk and struck out nine. Nieves earned his second win of the week Saturday, allowing three runs in six innings and not giving up a walk for a third straight appearance. He now has a 15-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 70 1/3 innings this season.

[LouisEly]

Kudos to Wilson for getting to the century mark and leading the organization with 100 RBI! Farris finishing strong at .293 after his awful start. Gindl is really starting to turn some heads at only 20, and the comparisons to Brian Giles are starting to become legit.

 

Also going unnoticed is how much Omar Aguilar settled down - in his last 10 games he has a 0.60 ERA with 4 H, 4 BB, and 21 K in 15 innings. Not sure if he is eligible for Rule 5 draft, but if he is he needs to be protected.