Link Report for Sat. 6/13 -- Hail the Sea Cows! Late Update -- DSL Game

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Starting Pitcher Chris Cody

Change-up is key for the soft-spoken lefty...

[Mass Haas]

Final: Jacksonville (Marlins) 14, Huntsville 1

 

Huntsville Site Game Summary

 

Loss Not Damaging in Standings

Mitchell Leads Suns to Lopsided Win

By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars

 

Lee Mitchell collected four hits and knocked in five runs and Graham Taylor spun 5 2/3 shutout innings in Jacksonville's 14-1 decision over Huntsville Saturday in the middle of a five-game series at Joe Davis Stadium. The Suns improved to 30-33, while the Stars fell to 36-25 but held on to their two and a half game lead in the North Division after Carolina lost at home to West Tenn. The Stars fell to 13-15 at home in suffering their most lopsided loss of the season.

 

The Suns took advantage of a Kevin Melillo fielding error in the first inning to score their first run before Mitchell singled in Mike Stanton with the second run of the frame. The Suns would add another run in the second and two more in the third, including a two-out, run-scoring double by Bryan Peterson that made it 5-0 and knocked starter Mike Jones out of the game. Jones suffered the loss to fall to 1-2 after allowing five runs, three earned, on seven hits, while walking one, hitting two batters and recording one strike out.

 

Mitchell singled in another run in the fourth to extend the lead to 6-0 against Josh Wahpepah, who gave up a run on two hits over 2 1/3 innings. John Axford struck out the side in order in the sixth in his double-A debut but then allowed a solo home run to Chris Hatcher and a two-run double to Logan Morrison in the seventh. Omar Aguilar took over in the eighth and gave up a two-run double to pinch-hitter Andy Jenkins and then a three-run home run by Mitchell in the ninth that made it 14-0.

 

Every Suns position player had at least one hit and scored at least one run, while five crossed the plate at least twice. Hatcher had two hits, scored three times and drove in three, while Petersen had three hits and Scott Cousins and Morrison chipped in with two apiece to pace an 18-hit attack.

 

Taylor allowed only one hit, a second inning double by Freddy Parejo, and was lifted after his second walk in the sixth inning. Chris Leroux took over and tossed a scoreless inning and a third before Carlos Vasquez worked a perfect eighth inning. The left-hander then gave up two hits and issued a walk in the ninth to load the bases before Shane Justis pushed across the home team's only run with a ground out. Taylor improved to 3-2 after walking four and fanning four.

 

The series continues Sunday afternoon with left-hander Bobby Bramhall taking the hill for the Stars against Jacksonville right-hander Kyle Winters. Coverage of the game begins at 12:45 PM central time and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score

You'd be hard-pressed to find a bigger organizational disappointment (vs. expectations) than reliever Omar Aguilar; Mike Jones getting hit hard and only 11 K's in 25 AA innings -- looks like the feel-good story is bursting back into reality, sorry to say; we'll give 24-year-old 4th outfielder Freddy Parejo credit for his three-hit game amongst all the rubbish of this box score...

 

Huntsville Game Log

Stars two games under .500 at home, 13 games over on the road; thank you's to that awful West Tenn team for coming up big in Carolina this weekend...

[LouisEly]

The thing with Kemp is that this year and last year it seems like most of his games played are not at catcher. Is there a reason for that? Is he not good defensively, or has he had injury reasons for not playing there or is it wanting to give younger guys (Kemp was drafted out of college) more work. If someone with more knowledge could chime in it would be appreciated.

 

I know the FSL is supposed to be more of a pitcher's league (as is BC's stadium), but I don't know if I've ever seen a bullpen with numbers like that.

 

Gillespie with triple #5 on the season - the dude has wheels. Katin with another bomb (and three K's).

[Mass Haas]

No available box score on the DSL kids as of the overnight hours. Not sure how you'll all sleep without it, but we'll see you in the AM...

[Mass Haas]

David Weiser's starsboxscore.com

It's only a scratch

Stars keep three-game lead despite Sunburn

 

Far out of the reach of first place Birmingham, the Jacksonville Suns have been playing this series as if there was something more at stake than just pride. The 14-1 pounding the Stars took is the most lopsided loss of the season and the biggest since a 15-0 loss at Mobile, June 21, 2006....... Mike Jones, who took the loss, is 1-2 lifetime against the Suns. He threw only 60 pitches. Of his 10 first-pitch strikes to 19 batters, five came as the result of foul balls and one other was Graham Taylor's sacrifice bunt in the 2nd on the first pitch he saw. After an auspicious 1-0, 1.38 start in two May starts, he's 0-2 in June and has given up 14 runs in 12 innings in three starts.

 

At least the rain stayed away, even though dark clouds loomed overhead, but the sky was dominated by patches of blue sky here and there, keeping the threat of rain less and less a chance as the game wore on....... The Stars welcomed a large military contingent from the Arsenal to the ballpark. They sat on the first base side in the upper level and it was hard to tell whether they were entertained by the game, or they were entertaining themselves as Jacksonville poured on to their lead.......

 

After hitting just .167 with runners in scoring position for most of June, the Suns have gone 12-for-26 (.462) with RISP in the last two games against Stars pitching....... John Axford made his Stars debut. His line belies his performance. In the 6th inning, his first as a Huntsville Star, he struck out the side on 13 pitches, getting up to 94 on the gun a few rows in front of me......... The Stars avoided the ignominy of being shutout in the 9th inning, rallying for a run on a slow bases-loaded roller by Shane Justis on the third base side, scoring Taylor Green, after Adam Stern had struck out with the bases loaded....... Justis, a .365 hitter in May, and hitting .326 so far this month, has taken, imho, the MVP role in the lineup away from Stern, who in April, always seemed to be getting the key hit with runners on base. Stern is still hitting over .300, but he's hit just .256 this month and has been inconsitent, while Justis, who hits .346 with runners on base, has been lately Mr. Clutch. I think he was better served in his #2 hole today, rather than the top spot. Kevin Melillo, who filled the #2 hole in tonight's game, is hitting .314 with the bases empty, but only .247 with runners on and .220 with runners in scoring position..... 63 balls were put into play in this game, more than I've seen in some time.

 

Official scorer Don Rizzardi made a scoring change in Friday night's ballgame and it came in that wild and crazy 5th inning. In the 5th with the bases full, Drew Anderson hit a grounder to third. Lee Mitchell came in on the ball on the edge of the grass near the line, a tough play, and threw the ball home in an attempt to get a force out, but Anderson threw the ball high and away from catcher Brad Davis. Originally called a hit, the hit has been taken away and Anderson reaches first now on a fielders choice and takes 2nd on the play on the throwing error. Only one of the four runs that inning, rather than three, are now ruled earned against starter Willie Glen.

 

Bobby Bramhall, who is slowly getting that ERA down, gets the call Sunday afternoon at 1:00 PM against Kyle Winters.

 

The Stars came home with a new pitcher on the roster...... Axford, a 42nd round draft pick of the Cincinnati Reds in 2005, was promoted from Brevard County where he was 4-1 with a 1.63 ERA. That's from a talent-laden staff that's leading the Florida State League with a 2.57 team ERA. Among pitchers with over 20 innings, Axford was 4th in ERA. He was allowing just 14 hits in 27 2/3 innings....... Juan Sandoval was placed on the disabled list to make room....... The Manatees, from where the Stars' well springs, have not just the best record in their league, but the best record in minor league baseball with a 36-18 record. Relief pitcher and future Huntsville Star Rob Wooten set Brevard County's all-time record for saves when he picked up his 15th in a 4-3 win over Dunedin. This season, he's allowed just one earned run in 19 innings for a ridiculous 0.47 ERA!

 

The Brewers selected a pitcher for their first pick in this year's amateur draft for the first time since Jeremy Jeffress was chosen #1 in 2006. He's 6'5" right-hander Eric Arnett from Indiana University. Arnett was the first pitcher from Indiana to be named Big 10 Pitcher-of-the-Year and win All-American honors. He was 12-2 with a 2.50 ERA for the Hoosiers. Milwaukee expects to sign him quickly, which is funny cause his agent is Joe Speed. He could get a signing bonus of $1.2-$1.3 million. He's expected to start out at Helena (Pioneer)........ Almost half of the Brewers' first 27 selections have been pitchers, and more than 2/3 have been college players....... To see the list, go to the "standings" link and scroll down some.

 

When life gives you lemons, grab the tequila and salt. That's GM Buck Rogers' philosophy....... We all know how the bad weather has impacted this season. There were six rainouts the first nine days in May and eight so far this season, not to mention the number of games that went on in spite of the rain, or were rain-delayed...... So for the remainder of the season, anytime the tarp is on the field, the following menu items will be 50% off at the ballpark while you're waiting: Hot Dogs, Hamburgers/ Cheeseburgers, French Fries, Popcorn, Nachos, Candy, Pepsi products, Pretzels and Peanuts...... That's 50% off!

[Mass Haas]

Brett Christopherson at the Post-Crescent:

Chris Dennis legged out a leadoff triple in the seventh and then scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly as the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers staved off Kane County 3-1 on Saturday in a Midwest League series finale at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute.

 

The Rattlers took three out of four against the Western Division leading Cougars.

 

Dennis lined a shot to left center that bounded off the wall and away from Kane County center fielder Chris Berroa. That allowed the Wisconsin left fielder to scoot to third and then score one batter later on Brock Kjeldgaard's flyout to deep center.

 

The Rattlers evened the game at one apiece in the fifth thanks to a pair of throwing errors that allowed Jose Duran to score from first.

 

They tacked on an insurance run in the eighth on Corey Kemp's two-out, two-strike double down the left field line.

 

Wisconsin starter Trey Watten matched a career high with eight strikeouts and scattered five hits in a six-inning no-decision.

 

The right-hander, selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh round of the 2008 June draft, has fanned 19, has allowed just 10 hits and surrendered only one earned run over his last 17 innings.

 

"I guess when you're going good, just try to extend it as long as possible," Watten said. "But I feel good out there. I've been working with (Rattlers pitching coach) Chris Hook on a number of things and it's starting to show out there, with the location and what-not."

 

Added Rattlers manager Jeff Isom on Watten: "He's been with Chris, doing a lot of bullpen sessions, working on his sinker, off-speed stuff, locating his fastball. The catchers and starting pitchers, they go to Chris daily on formulating a game plan. And when they go with that game plan and execute, it makes things a lot easier."

 

Turning point

 

The Cougars had a chance for a big fourth inning when Watten hit a batter and then yielded an infield single to load the bases with two outs. But a popout to second followed to end the threat as the game remained scoreless.

 

Stat pack

 

6: Games Wisconsin won during its now-completed, season-long 12-game homestand.

 

11: Victories by the Rattlers this season when scoring four runs or less. They have 25 losses in such contests.

 

102,999: The Rattlers' final first half home attendance total, a club record. The previous high of 92,563 was established in 1998.

 

Lawrie update

 

Isom said he expects second baseman Brett Lawrie to be pulled off the disabled list on Monday. The 19-year-old was shelved after undergoing minor surgery to repair the broken nose he suffered on May 21 at Kane County. He's hitting .264 with eight homers and 39 RBI in 54 games.

 

2009 record: 30-32.

 

2008 record through 62 games (as a Seattle Mariners affiliate): 28-34.

 

Saturday's attendance: 4,363.

 

Overall attendance through 33 dates: 107,362 (3,253 average).

 

On deck

 

Game time: Wisconsin vs. Burlington on Sunday at 4:00 PM at Burlington, Iowa.

 

Season series: Burlington leads 2-1.

 

Up and throwing: Wisconsin - Wily Peralta (0-1, 3.88 ERA); Burlington - Bryan Casey (4-5, 3.53 ERA).

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Timber Rattlers' bullpen a saving grace

Relievers again maintain lead against Cougars

By Brett Christopherson

Post-Crescent staff writer

 

GRAND CHUTE - How do you spell relief in these parts?

 

R-A-T-T-L-E-R-S B-U-L-L-P-E-N.

 

"I don't know, in particular," Wisconsin Timber Rattlers hurler Brandon Ritchie said when asked if he could spit out the statistics he and his fellow relievers have strung together in recent outings. "But I know we're doing pretty well."

 

Try fantastic.

 

Ritchie's two scoreless innings of relief was backed by a scoreless ninth out of closer Jim Henderson for his 15th save in 15 tries as the Timber Rattlers nipped Western Division-leading Kane County 3-1 on Saturday to cap a four-game Midwest League series at Fox Cities Stadium.

 

The showings were just the latest in an impressive stretch of relief performances by Wisconsin pitchers, who extended their scoreless streak to 20 1/3 innings over the last five games.

 

"That's our job, to come in the game and shut it down," said Ritchie, a 22-year-old left-hander who earned the win to improve to 4-0 on the season. "Basically, try to not let them score. It just comes down to the situation in the game and try to go out and do what we can."

 

The situation on Saturday was maintaining the momentum set forth by starter Trey Watten, who turned yet another stellar outing by allowing one earned run and matching his career high with eight strikeouts in a six-inning no-decision.

 

"It takes a lot of the pressure off my shoulders," the right-hander said of the bullpen. "You know when you come out of the game, for the most part, the game is going to be taken care of. I can just go out there and do what I do and just give my team a chance."

 

Wisconsin manager Jeff Isom said it's no coincidence his club has won four of its past five games, which includes taking three out of four against the Cougars, with the relievers pitching so well at the same time.

 

"The bullpen has been a big contribution to our success," he said. "I wasn't aware (the scoreless streak) was at 20-plus innings, but that doesn't surprise me. We've got some quality arms down there. … The guys go out and get right after you. They give you a chance to win the ballgame. That way, we can scratch a run or two across the board and pick up W's."

[juancastillo3]

Hey guys, been reading the site for a long time, but just signed up to post recently. You guys do an awesome job; especially with the Minor League coverage. I was at the Timber Rattlers game last night and got a few pictures if anyone is interested in seeing them. I posted up a slideshow here:

 

http://www.slide.com/r/iDMTD4X5yD9dfco1uoEXXNIY_WB-dnXV?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original

 

If you go to the lower left of the page it has more pics from the previous games I've been to this year. Keep up the great work!

[Never Outhustled]

I'm surprised that we consistently see posts in the link report criticizing the the Brewers for handling Rogers and Braddock with kid gloves. Its contradictory that a couple of these posters are very vocal in criticizing the Brewers for not doing everything they can to keep pitchers healthy. It seems like an extremely sensible plan to have them pitch against competition they can dominate, so they're not tempted to over-pitch, and working on strict pitchers counts overseen by team doctors is only logical. Braddock has already had 2 elbow surgeries by age 21, and was also shut down for 2 months in 2007 with a shoulder strain. Rogers has already had 2 shoulder surgeries.

 

Suggesting anything but a conservative approach with these 2 prized arms to me is a bit shortsighted.

[TheCrew07]

I fine with them staying in A+, I'd just like them to get stretched out to 100 innings this year if they plan on using them both as starters, otherwise we'll run into service time issues before they hit the majors. I realize they aren't all that far away being in A+, but I'm more concerned with building them to up 150-160 innings prior to having them on the big club so we can get 180-185 innings out of them that first year. While both have had 2 surgeries, the most recent for both was relatively minor by comparison to the original. Rogers is almost out of time, he was drafted and pitched in 2004, next season will be his last prior to FA won't it? Braddock was a 2005 draftee and he pitched that season so we have 2 years of him remaining as well. Mark just needs to pitch and get those walks down, Zach has been as dominant as a pitcher can be, his K:BB ratio is nearly 10:1, he could probably use a better challenge regardless of how many innings he's pitching.

"That's one arm that can come out and strike out the side," Guerrero said of Braddock. "He's got Major League stuff and it's just a matter of time for him to get there.

The only problem being time is the one luxury the organization doesn't have in either case. If Braddock doesn't get 100 innings this season he's going to have to be pushed pretty hard to get enough work the following 2 years to get there anyway. I'm not sure about Rogers, he needs to quit giving up BBs, he needs time on the mound, and I doubt he'll be ready for 2011 regardless. The AFL is probably a reasonable guess for both players assuming a healthy, so they'll pick up some innings there as well.

 

Rogers will have around 22-23 innings at the break, Braddock is pitching a bit more regularly as a reliever and will be around 25-26 by the break. I'd like to see the pace increased, even if it's just another IP per outing because the weather has been a major issue all season and I don't faith they'll get all their games in.

 

Everything above is moot though if they want to use both kids as relievers... if they are RP I cease to be concerned about the innings threshold.

[Never Outhustled]

While both have had 2 surgeries, the most recent for both was relatively minor by comparison to the original.

Very true, minor surgeries that had major results for both pitchers.

 

Rogers is almost out of time, he was drafted and pitched in 2004, next season will be his last prior to FA won't it? Braddock was a 2005 draftee and he pitched that season so we have 2 years of him remaining as well.

Rogers was added to the 40 man roster this past offseason, so he has now used the 1st of 3 options. I'm not sure if he qualifies for a 4th option based on the new rules. Braddock will be added to the 40 next offseason, and then will have 3 option years.

 

Based on that, theres no reason to rush either. Its a bigger issue, like you mentioned, to get there innings built up so they can handle a major league season. However, I think its more important to keep them healthy now than to have them fit the confines of the 20 inning increase per season ratio.

[TheCrew07]

Aren't service years independent of options though my friend?

 

Edit. I guess what I mean is if we have 3 years with Rogers and 4 with Braddock then I really don't care at all, I was working off the idea that Rogers was a minor league FA in 2011 and Braddock 2012.

[Never Outhustled]

Aren't service years independent of options though my friend?

I'm not even sure what your referring to. If your talking minor league free agency, that only applies to players not on the 40 man roster.

[TheCrew07]

I probably just have my rules crossed up, I was under the impression that a draftee is only under Brewer control for 6 years total regardless of the 3 options.

[And That]

A player is team property for six full seasons, if they are not added to the 40-man roster. Once they are added to the 40-man, they are team property until they have six full years of major league service time. So theoretically, a team could have control over a guy for 12-13+ years without ever extending his contract.

[Mass Haas]

A player is team property for six full seasons, if they are not added to the 40-man roster.

I imagine when you say six "full" seasons, you're not counting the first proessional season, normally spent in rookie ball, the year the player is drafted.

 

An organization can renew a contract six times, making it technically seven professional seasons that a player is under control.

 

Take Adam Heether as an example -- this is his 7th professional season, and the final one that the Brewers control him without placing him on the 40-man roster.

[Mass Haas]

Hey guys, been reading the site for a long time, but just signed up to post recently. You guys do an awesome job; especially with the Minor League coverage. I was at the Timber Rattlers game last night and got a few pictures if anyone is interested in seeing them. I posted up a slideshow here:

 

http://www.slide.com/r/iDMTD4X5yD9dfco1uoEXXNIY_WB-dnXV?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original

 

If you go to the lower left of the page it has more pics from the previous games I've been to this year. Keep up the great work!

Welcome aboard, nice job and thanks!

[Mass Haas]

Catching up, box score now available:

 

Final: DSL Marlins 3, DSL Brewers / Orioles 2

 

DSL Brewers / Orioles Box Score

19-year-old RH reliever Edwin Linares with another scoreless inning (0.00 ERA in 12 innings); LH reliever Jose Ramos tossed two scoreless innings of his own; catcher Jhonatan Javier was the DH, doubled and sacrificed; LF Ronny Puello (.963 OPS, 21 AB's) was 2-for-3 (triple, single, picked off first base); Andres Martinez and Luis Chirinos each 0-for-1 in late action, Juan Barrini a pinch-runner...

 

DSL Brewers / Orioles Game Log