Link Report for Tue. 6/23 -- Helena Gets Underway; Manny Faces Manny

[BoKnowsBall]

Nice for Manny Parra- an 8 pitch AB that only had 2 balls and ended with a K. It seemed all those ABs would always end in walks for him earlier in the year

[battlekow]

Great to see Edgar Trejo get off to a strong start, 2-2 but especially good is the walk, of which he had only three in 110 PAs at Wisconsin.

 

Derrick McPhearson has an identical line to Trejo's. He's got to be the most interesting NDFA in the system (international signings excluded).

[battlekow]

The bats are sure alive in Helena tonight. Garfield is now 4-4 with a double, and Chris Ellington is 3-4 with a triple and a homer.

 

Fantastic start for Nick Bucci, too: 4/0/3 K/BB/H in five innings with just a solo homer allowed.

[TheCrew07]

My internet was down when I got home, boo TWC... then I napped. Glad I missed most of the Brewer game, plus the news about Bush... but what a good pitching day for the organization, and you couldn't ask for a better start in Helena.

 

I was wondering how Fatse, Dhanani, and Dykstra were all going to be playing 2B in Helena getting enough ABs, guess I got my answer with Fatse in LF (see the draft forum articles talking about Fatse/Dhanani playing 2B for the H-Crew). I really like McPhearson as an athlete, though I guess that's obvious given he was a D1 WR, I'm thrilled he got off to fast start. I know I've commented on Trejo's athleticism and power when he actually makes contact a couple of times, and as one of my sleepers coming into the season I'm thrilled with 2 hits and a BB from him as well, I doubt he'll solve his pull happy ways over night, but R+ should be a good experience for him.

 

Huntsville wins big but no Taylor Green, he must have a minor ailment, DHing and then not playing for 2 days. Hand is quietly putting up a very nice season his second time through AA.

 

BC... ouch, tough loss. Much better peripherals from Rogers, HRs against Power Pitchers don't bother me at all at this level.

 

Parra gives up a run in the 7th, the BBs are down today but so are the Ks, I'd like to see him gradually progress back to the point where he's King 8ish per 9 and walking less then 3 per 9. All the prospects but Heether with a hit, Iribarren with 2, but none for extra bases so far.

[Boy Jeenius]

5 for 5 anyone? I wondered why they might start out a HS catcher in Helena, but it just goes to show - hey what do I know?

[TheCrew07]

The Brewers sure do a good job identifying hitters, and some of the more polished hitters from the draft haven't even signed yet. What an unreal start for Garfield. Wow that Missoula 7th was a difficult read...

Missoula Top 7th

 

* Keon Broxton singles on a line drive to left fielder Peter Fatse.

* Pitcher Change: Ivan Herrera-Rusova replaces Chad Robinson.

* Raywilly Gomez walks. Keon Broxton to 2nd.

* Jae Yun Kim strikes out swinging.

* Ender Inciarte walks. Keon Broxton to 3rd. Raywilly Gomez to 2nd.

* David Nick walks. Keon Broxton scores. Raywilly Gomez to 3rd. Ender Inciarte to 2nd.

* David Narodowski walks. Raywilly Gomez scores. Ender Inciarte to 3rd. David Nick to 2nd.

* Pitcher Change: Robert Currie replaces Ivan Herrera-Rusova.

* Bobby Stone out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Scott Krieger. Ender Inciarte scores. David Nick to 3rd.

* Ramon Castillo singles on a line drive to right fielder Scott Krieger. David Nick scores. David Narodowski to 3rd.

* Paul Goldschmidt grounds into a force out, third baseman Edgar Trejo to second baseman Kyle Dhanani. Ramon Castillo out at 2nd.

[BrewCrewWS2008]

I've been real excited for Garfield since the draft. First it was a shock and a nice surprise we went straight to Helena, then even better noticing he impressed them enough to hit 5th, finally a 5-5 night with a shot maybe to go 6-6... Wow lol I may need to start or hop on the cameron garfield bandwagon! Helena's whole lineup has looked pretty good tonight.

 

Really surprised they sent so many older college guy to arizona, Halton and the two other 2nd baseman Brownstein and Sizemore. Man we have a ton of them now, hope they can all move around, I now Sizemore can play third and Fatse played of in college

[battlekow]

I was wondering how Fatse, Dhanani, and Dykstra were all going to be playing 2B in Helena getting enough ABs, guess I got my answer with Fatse in LF (see the draft forum articles talking about Fatse/Dhanani playing 2B for the H-Crew).

Me too. That's why I asked Josh Prince who his double play partner was; I thought maybe I'd get some insight into the situation, but he just said "Cutter Dykstra." And yet today: no Cutter Dykstra.

[Mass Haas]

Brevard County Site Game Summary

Ask and we receive -- nice...

 

Blue Jays Silence Manatees

By Tyler Stover / Brevard County Manatees

 

(Viera, FL) Andrew Liebel shut the Manatees down Tuesday night, limiting them to just one hit in Dunedin's 2-1 victory. Liebel (3-8) took a big step toward turning around what has been a rough season so far. His only hit allowed was to Lee Haydel in the fourth inning, who later came around to score the Manatees' lone run. Liebel did not allow a walk, and the only other baserunner he allowed was Caleb Gindl, who reached on an error in the eighth inning.

 

Liebel's strong performance ruined one of the most dominant pitching performances of the year from the Brevard County pitching staff. Mark Rogers, Roque Mercedes, Lucas Luetge, and Rob Wooten combined to strike out 17 Blue Jays in the game. Luetge (4-4) was exceptionally impressive, striking out eight in three innings, but took the loss.

 

John Tolisano put Dunedin on the board first, launching a home run (7) down the right field line in the third inning. After the Manatees equaled the score in the fourth, the game remained tied until the eighth inning. Tolisano broke the tie, slapping a single to left field to score Sean Shoffit from second base to give Dunedin a 2-1 lead.

 

With tonight's win, Dunedin has already won the three-game series. The two teams meet again Wednesday at 7:05 PM (6:05 Central) for the final game of the first half. Michael Bowman (2-1, 2.84) gets the nod for Brevard County, facing Kenny Rodriguez (5-2, 1.99) of Dunedin.

 

Lucas Luetge's eight strikeouts weren't enough to avoid the loss Tuesday night. (Photo by Dennis Greenblatt)

 

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2009/06/23/MX73Si4H.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Final: Huntsville 6, Chattanooga (Dodgers) 1

 

Huntsville Site Game Summary

 

Hometown Hurler Hand Leads Huntsville to Win Over Looks

Battery Mate Lucroy Leads the Way Offensively

By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars

 

Donovan Hand worked seven solid innings and Jonathan Lucroy drove in four runs to carry Huntsville past Chattanooga 6-1 Tuesday night in the second game of a six-game set to open the second half at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars improved to 40-31 overall, while the Lookouts dropped to 30-41 overall. Huntsville won for a fifth time in 11 games against the Lookouts and evened their home record at 16-16.

Adam Stern led off the home first with a triple and scored one out later on a single by Lucroy off of starter Josh Lindblom. Stern singled with two outs in the bottom of the third, stole second base, stayed put when Shane Justis walked and scored, with Justis, when Lucroy belted his fourth home run of the season to make it 4-0. It was Lucroy's first long ball at home since Opening Day on April 9.

 

Hand blanked the visitors on one hit through four innings before allowing a run in the fifth. Gabriel Gutierrez doubled with one out, moved to third base on a ground out, stayed when Lindblom walked and then scored on a wild pitch. Hand then walked James Tomlin but got out of further trouble when Freddy Parejo made a running, sliding catch on a ball hit to deep center field by Justin Sellers.

 

The Hatton, Alabama native put together his longest outing of the season, allowing only three hits, while walking two and fanning two to improve to 6-1. Omar Aguilar worked two scoreless frames in relief, as the Stars have held the Lookouts to two runs in the first two games of the series. The Stars improved to 17-5 when their starting pitcher goes six innings or longer.

 

Justis singled in a run with two outs in the fifth to make it 5-1 and Lindblom was lifted after five frames, allowing five runs on six hits. He took the loss to drop to 3-5 after walking two and striking out four. The Stars scored an unearned run in the seventh inning and wound up scoring in all four odd numbered innings and getting set down in order in all four of the even numbered innings.

 

The series continues Wednesday night with southpaw David Welch taking the hill against Lookouts' right-hander Jesus Castillo. Coverage of the game begins at 6:45 PM central time and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score

Donovan Hand reached AA so quickly in 2008, it's a pleasure to see him make the adjustments to be successful in '09 -- only 89 pitches through seven stellar innings here; Omar Aguilar needed this outing, but he's teased us before during this season -- need to string some of these appearances together; Adam Stern on base all four trips, even with that, 5-for-his-last-30...

 

Huntsville Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Final: Albuquerque (Dodgers) 1, Nashville 0

 

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link for Manny Parra photo, text follows --

 

Sounds Drop Pitchers' Duel To Isotopes, 1-0

 

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Nashville Sounds came up on the short end of a 1-0 decision in a rare pitchers' duel at Isotopes Park on Tuesday evening, falling to the Albuquerque Isotopes in the opener of a four-game series.

 

Three Albuquerque hurlers combined on the six-hit shutout, led by starter Carlos Alvarado's seven scoreless frames. Travis Schlichting and Scott Strickland each worked a scoreless inning, with Strickland notching his 12th save of the year by keeping Nashville off the board in the ninth.

 

Left-hander Manny Parra (0-1) turned in his second straight solid outing for Nashville but was dealt the loss after allowing one run on five hits over seven innings of action.

 

In two starts for the Sounds, Parra has posted a 1.38 ERA, allowing two earned runs on nine hits in 13.0 innings of work.

 

Albuquerque scored the evening's lone run in the bottom of the seventh inning when Dee Brown's two-out single to right off Parra plated Luis Maza.

 

Suspended Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez went 0-for-2 against Parra in his first minor league appearance, striking out in his first at-bat and grounding out to short in his second before departing in the top of the fifth.

 

AUDIO: Manny Strikes Out Manny

 

MLB.com Video: Parra Retires Ramirez Twice

 

The teams continue the series with another 8:05 PM CT meeting on Wednesday evening. Right-hander Tim Dillard (7-3, 4.31) takes the hill for Nashville to face PCL wins leader Charlie Haeger (8-4, 3.90).

 

Nashville Box Score

You are a Brewer minor league fanatic if you read that game story and thought to yourself -- Carlo Alvarado, wasn't he a Brewer at one time? Yes, as a 24-year-old in High Desert, 2002, kudos if you knew that. Manny Parra threw 59 of 93 pitches for strikes in his seven innings; Sounds 0-for-7 with RISP; off on a major tangent here, but why is third catcher Patrick Arlis cluttering up a Nashville roster spot? Since rejoining the Sounds on May 25th, Arlis has one at-bat. He had shown an interest getting into coaching, have him work with the young catchers in Maryvale. Just saying, another bullpen arm is always helpful and would free up promotions elsewhere in the chain......

 

Nashville Game Log

Jason Bourgeois thrown out at home on an infield grounder in the 6th; rally-killing GIDP by usually clutch pinch-hitter Erick Almonte in the 8th...

[Mass Haas]

Final: DSL Giants 15, DSL Brewers / Orioles 1

DSL Brewers / Orioles Box Score

Giants scored 15 runs on just five hits; the only Brewer to pitch was RHP Rolando Pascual, and actually, he had an OK line -- stranded one of two inherited runners, worked 3.1 innings without surrendering a single base hit and struck out seven, but did walk four, hit one, uncork two wild pitches, and did surrender two runs of his own; Pascual walked or hit five of the first six men he faced, but none after that, and would later strike out five in a row; left fielder Juan Barrini with the lone Brewer base hit, although Jhonatan Javier did walk twice...

 

DSL Brewers / Orioles Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Final: Helena 10, Missoula (Diamondbacks) 5

 

Helena Game Summary (Press Release):

Brewers Win Season Opener

 

Just one month removed from his 18th birthday, Cameron Garfield, a 2nd round pick in this year's draft, went 5-5 with three RBI's in his professional debut to lead the Helena Brewers to a season opening win 10-5 over the Missoula Osprey. The Brewers hitters racked up 17 hits against the Osprey pitching staff. Although Garfield was the story of the game, fellow 2009 draft pick Chris Ellington and undrafted free agent signee Derrick McPhearson each picked up three hits in the game. Ellington and Scott Krieger went deep to give Nick Bucci the win. Bucci, an 18th round pick in the 2008 draft, pitched five innings giving up only one run on five hits. The 6' 2" righty was able to pitch with the lead most of his start after the Brewers racked up six runs in the first two innings.

 

The Osprey did make a small comeback scoring four runs in the 7th inning, before the Brewers pen led by 2009 6th round pick Rob Currie and '08 draft pick Rico Salmon pitched scoreless eighth and ninth innings.

 

Missoula starter Enrique Burgos was given the loss after giving up four earned runs in two innings.

 

Helena Box Score

Welcome back, Chad Robinson, who missed all of 2008...

 

Helena Game Log

Brewers never retired 1-2-3...

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Starting off right

By JASON SCOTT - Helena Independent Record

 

The Helena Brewers wasted no time getting on the winning track early Tuesday night, defeating the Missoula Osprey 10-5 behind solid hitting and a strong performance by starting pitcher Nick Bucci.

 

Bucci scattered three hits over five innings to get the win.

 

He was backed up by the Helena offense, which managed 17 hits, seven of them for extra bases. Designated hitter Chris Ellington pounded the ball, going 3-for-4 with a triple, a home run and two RBIs. Cameron Garfield also had luck at the plate, going 5-for-5 with a pair of runs batted in.

 

"I liked that we were really aggressive," said Helena coach Rene Gonzales. "I think we scored seven runs with two outs, which is huge. Also, we put the ball in play with two strikes, and we got up early."

 

Early was the name of the game for the Brewers. Missoula's leadoff man, David Nick, grounded out on the first pitch Bucci threw. The hard-throwing righty struck out the next two batters to retire the side. Bucci, who works fast on the mound, only had one real mistake, a fourth-inning homer to left from first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.

 

"He was really strong, he pounded the strike zone and he kept the game moving," said Gonzales. "It's fun to play behind guys like that."

 

The Brewer offense took care of the Missoula pitchers from the get-go. Helena shortstop Josh Prince led off the game by reaching on an error. He promptly stole second and scored when Ellington brought him home with a single. Ellington later scored to give the home team a 2-0 lead.

 

Helena struck again in a big way in the second, eventually batting around. Right fielder Scott Krieger whacked a three-run homer with two outs, bringing home remaining outfielders Pete Fatse and Derrick McPhearson. Ellington followed with a triple and came home two pitches later on a Garfield single.

 

McPhearson, batting in the nine spot of the Helena order, had three hits and two stolen bases.

 

"I was just so anxious," McPhearson said. "I was trying to maintain my composure. It's something you fight with every day. We're all professionals now so I'm just going out there to execute."

 

In the fourth inning, Garfield and third baseman Edgar Trejo had back-to-back doubles with one out. Both men scored as the Helena hit train kept rolling.

 

In the fifth, Ellington pulled a solo shot over the left field fence, once again igniting the Helena crowd.

 

"I was trying to work the count and wait for a pitch up (in the strike zone)," Ellington said. "On the one I hit out, the pitcher just made a bad pitch and I put a good swing on it."

 

In the seventh, Krieger kept the hits coming, lacing a double to the gap and later scoring on yet another Garfield single. The inning might have continued, but Nick made a slick diving snag at second base, catching Garfield off first for an inning-ending double play.

 

The Brewer bullpen got into a couple jams late in the game, walking eight batters between four pitchers. Chad Robinson came in to start the top of the sixth. He got through the inning and pitched to just one batter in the seventh before giving way to Ivan Herrera-Rusova, who had trouble finding the strike zone. He walked four batters before Gonzales pulled him in favor of Robert Currie, who got the last two outs of the inning. Currie pitched a scoreless eighth before making his departure.

 

"They're better than that," Gonzales said of his bullpen. "We're just fine. They haven't been throwing like that and I'm not worried about it."

 

Rico Salmon came in to shut the door in the ninth. After getting the first batter, he was forced to work out of a jam, ending the game by stranding two Osprey runners thanks to a nice play on a ground ball by Trejo.

 

"It was good opening day," Ellington said. "The fans had a lot of good energy. We fed off their energy really well. Give it all to the fans."

 

After the game, Gonzales had some things to say to his players, but kept it mostly positive.

 

"I told them not to get ahead of themselves," he said. "It's just one game. It doesn't make or break us. It's just part of our whole approach."

 

The Brewers are in action again tonight at Kindrick. Jake Odorizzi is slated to get the start on the mound. Game time is scheduled for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central).

 

Helena Brewers' Kyle Dhanani dives back to first base as Missoula's Paul Goldschmidt gloves the ball during Tuesday night's game at Kindrick Legion Field. The Brewers defeated the Osprey 10-5. (All photos by Lisa Kunkel Independent Record)

http://www.helenair.com/content/articles/2009/06/24/sports/top/50spl_090624_brewers.jpg

 

Brewers third baseman Edgar Trejo catches a low-flying pop up.

http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2009/06/24/sports/top/50spl_090624_brewers-2.jpg

 

Missoula Osprey's David Narodowski jumps over Helena Brewers' Kyle Dhanani during a play at second base.

http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2009/06/24/sports/top/50spl_090624_brewers-3.jpg

 

Helena Brewers shortstop Josh Prince makes a play.

http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2009/06/24/sports/top/50spl_090624_brewers-5.jpg

 

Helena Brewers shortstop Josh Prince throws to first base as Missoula Osprey's Keon Broxton waits safely at second.

http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2009/06/24/sports/top/50spl_090624_brewers-6.jpg

 

Helena Brewers' Nick Bucci fires in a pitch.

http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2009/06/24/sports/top/50spl_090624_brewers-7.jpg

 

Missoula Osprey's Ramon Castillo watches the ball bounce of Helena Brewers catcher Cameron Garfield's chest.

http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2009/06/24/sports/top/50spl_090624_brewers-8.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Look for the Chris Ellington photo below at the linked article. Click on it at the linked site for a larger view.

 

http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2009/06/24/sports/top/50spl_090624_brewers-4_thumb.jpg

[brewmann04]

Hopefully Chad Robinson can remain Healthy and join Rogers and Jones on having a full season of Baseball.

We need some Healthy arms finally in the System

[chemist]

Just thought that I would let people know about the velocity that Rogers showed last night. He was sitting 97 to 99 mph. That my friends is GAS!!!!! It is great to see where he is at right now. Hopefully the brass of the organization let him go a little more than the new "50 pitch count" here in the near future. He has been telling me his arm feels great, I say let him go a little deeper into some of these games. Especially if he is telling you he feels good.

[MLS1965]

He has been telling me his arm feels great, I say let him go a little deeper into some of these games. Especially if he is telling you he feels good.

They still need to look long term. Yea Mark may be saying he feels good... and very well might..... but all it takes is one 'twang' and you're back to square one all over again. I think you see them put 3 or 4 good outings under his belt before they push him to go longer. Trust me... I'd love to see Mark up here in Nashville. We both grew up in the same small town in Maine, he grew up just down the road from me and both went to the same High School.

[Never Outhustled]

Just thought that I would let people know about the velocity that Rogers showed last night. He was sitting 97 to 99 mph. That my friends is GAS!!!!!

Wow! Every time we get an update, his velocity is better. That shoulder is now as strong as ever, and he's now he's learned to pitch too. Thanks for the awesome update chemist, keep em coming.

[twobrewers]

Just an interesting side note:

 

Yesterday, on the D-List Melvin was talking about drafting young pitchers. He basically said that it rarely works out because you can't gauge how a pitcher will respond to surgery, adding "and everyone has one". He also added that by the time a pitcher recovers, they are often onto the second organization.

 

I thought that was a pretty interesting take on drafting pitchers.