Link Report for Games of Wednesday, June 24th

[battlekow]

Didnt Carl Crawford get six this season in one game in the ML to set the record? If so look out for Prince, he is coming for it.

Yeah, he did. Prince's six steals ties a Pioneer League record, set by Brewers farmhand Mario Mendez for Ogden in 2002, Steve Wendt just reported.

[battlekow]

I must say, even if the H-Crew lose, this game has been extremely entertaining even with the tough pitching lines for the Helena young men.

It really has. I need to buy a Helena cap, but I don't like the way the barley blends in with the Montana silhouette:

 

http://store.helenabrewers.net/catalog/images/New%20BP.jpg

[TheCrew07]

It's pretty clear that Wendt that doesn't think much of the umpire behind home plate. 3 different times tonight he says, "and that was the exact same pitch, but this time it was a strike". The last ball call in the 9th, you could actually hear the entire crowd groan as Wendt says "*excited*... and the pitch! *long pause* missed somewhere..."

[battlekow]

Brewers lose, but man, what a game.

[Mass Haas]

Final: DSL Blue Jays 3, DSL Brewers / Orioles 2

Another walk-off loss...

 

DSL Brewers / Orioles Box Score

No Brewers on the mound; catcher Jhonatan Javier reached base twice to lift his OBP to .432 and stole his 4th base -- passed ball # 7, however; 16-year-old Luis Chirinos was the DH and also reached twice -- he and Javier drove in the team's runs; LF Ronny Puella (.921 OPS in a linited 35 AB's) 2-for-3 with a double; OF Juan Barrini also doubled; Barrini threw out a man at the plate to end the 1st inning and nearly did the same to end the 7th -- however, his throwing error did result in the same baserunner eventually being out at home on the play -- see the log, it'll be clearer; SS Andres Martinez a late sub only...

 

DSL Brewers / Orioles Game Log

[TheCrew07]

I didn't even notice but Houston gives up a run in the 9th and Nashville is now tied 3 to 3 going to the bottom of the 10th.

[BrewPackBuck]

Quick question, would it be better to have the prospects in the DSL be in Arizona playing higher competition? Also its pretty cool having a team in the DSL even if we have to share it witht eh orioles. Im just excited to have a presence in Latin America.

[TheCrew07]

Johnson just got hurt in pitching in the bottom of the 10th, he made a play on a ball hit right back to him and threw to first. I wonder if he got hit by it or just pulled something trying to make the play.

 

Well the DSL kids haven't been having much success in AZ the last 3-4 years, so I'm alright with them all spending a season in the DSL.

[Mass Haas]

Just a note that soon-to-be 19-year-old infielder Joan Abreu of the DSL squad hasn't appeared in a game since June 8th. Everyone else has been active regularly. And if you've somehow benefited by knowing this, then I worry about your sanity. Now question mine...

[battlekow]

Just a note that soon-to-be 19-year-old infielder Joan Abreu of the DSL squad hasn't appeared in a game since June 8th. Everyone else has been active regularly. And if you've somehow benefited by knowing this, then I worry about your sanity. Now question mine...

On the DL with a sex change?

[TheCrew07]

Escobar almost cost Nashville the game as Swindle picks off Hoffman at 1B with 2 outs, but Escobar whiffs the throw from Koshansky... luckily Swindle struck out the hitter. I'm unable to get the Nashville feed for some reason, but the Alburquerque announcer insists that Swindle's leg kick is a borderline Balk move.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Dunedin (Blue Jays) 12, Brevard County 1

 

Brevard County Game Summary (Press Release):

 

Dunedin Completes Sweep with Blowout Win

 

(Viera, FL) Anytime your backup catcher is your best pitcher, things are probably not going your way. This was the case for Brevard County Wednesday night, as they were routed by Dunedin, 12-1. The Blue Jays hammered Manatees' pitchers all night, pounding them for 13 hits. They took advantage of the general inability of the Brevard County staff to find the strike zone, drawing 13 walks.

 

Raul Barron led the Dunedin attack with a 3-5 performance, including a triple and six runs batted in. He was helped by Manny Rodriguez, who added two hits and three RBI, and Kevin Ahrens, who had two hits and two RBI. Eight Blue Jays had a hit, and eight scored a run as well.

 

Kenny Rodriguez (6-2) continued his strong season, allowing just one run on six hits over five innings, lowering his ERA to 1.97. Michael Bowman (2-2) lasted just three innings, absorbing the loss for the Manatees. He was rocked for five runs (four earned) on four hits and five walks. Brandon Rapoza was unable to put out the fire, as he was tattooed for six runs on six hits and three walks in just 1.2 innings.

 

Backup catcher Brett Whiteside was the lone bright spot on the mound for Brevard County, allowing just one hit and one walk in two scoreless innings, while striking out three. Whiteside has been excellent as the emergency pitcher, with a scoreless streak of six innings this season.

 

Lee Haydel, Eric Farris and Zelous Wheeler each contributed two hits on the offensive side.

 

Dunedin's win gives them a sweep of the three-game series. They finish the first half at 33-34, good for third place in the FSL North. The Manatees ended the first half on a sour note, as their losing streak has reached a season-high six games. They still won the FSL North first half title easily, with a record of 40-24, a comfortable 7.5 games ahead of second place Daytona. The Manatees continue their homestand Thursday, opening a four-game series with Palm Beach, who they swept at Roger Dean Stadium two weeks ago. Amaury Rivas (4-5, 3.82 ERA) is expected to pitch the opener.

 

Brevard County Box Score

Caleb Gindl ejected after grounding out to end the 5th -- doubtful he agreed with the call; Gindl's first start in a bit, so he's fine -- feisty, too; just one of those nights on the mound, what can you say, so out of the ordinary; CF Logan Schafer threw out a man at third base on what was a "sacrifice double play" in the 4th -- don't see that often; backup catcher Michael Roberts an interesting choice to sub for Gindl, this roster isn't swimming in outfielders...

 

Brevard County Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Hey fans, don't worry about this on the rookie levels for now, but every so often a player at the non-rookie levels will be out for an extended time, and it simply flies under the radar because there wasn't an official transaction.

 

But keep us posted on such instances when you notice them, usually they involve lower-end prospects, and we guess Chris Errecart falls in that category now. Hasn't played since June 11th despite being on the active Brevard roster.

[Mass Haas]

Chuck Valenches has a good grab on the current vibe and who he needs to interview. This is a must-listen if only for the exchange Manny Ramirez and Angel Salome shared at the plate Tuesday night (they played at the same high school, as many of you know).

 

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Catcher Angel Salome

 

Also --

 

6/24 Cory Provus Pregame Interview w/ Pitcher Chris Narveson

 

Cory also interviewed Mike Burns and Chris Smith a while back, but SportsBubblers' archive page is having issues. If someone stumbles upon those, link away.

[battlekow]

I knew when the box score took an hour to update that Luis Guerrero's outing wasn't going to be a good one. On the plus side, Mike Brownstein is rapidly proving that he's a little too advanced for the AZL.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Chattanooga (Dodgers) 8, Huntsville 5

Perhaps some technical issues, no game summary available from Brett this evening, on we go...

Huntsville Box Score

David Welch much too hittable tonight (perhaps he could have borrowed a smidge of wildness from the Manatees hurlers on this evening); only a four-run Stars' 9th (Kevin Melillo bases-loaded triple) made the final score respectable; Josh Wahpepah cleaned up late, three runs in three innings -- not singling out Josh here, but it has to be tough for the likes of Wahpepah, Robert Hinton, or other long-tenured Stars to see a very "hot" John Axford blow by them after a quick AA pitstop -- teammates yes, but emotions must still run strong, an overlooked aspect of we fans following these kids...

 

Huntsville Game Log

[clancyphile]

What's up with Taylor Green? He's not been playing of late...

[Mass Haas]

What's up with Taylor Green? He's not been playing of late...

LINK

[LouisEly]

No offense to Louis, but I wouldn't mind Welch and Holliman being pushed out of the rotation in favor of Braddock and Anundsen. No Green again today...

Only one of the runs was earned!! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[Mass Haas]

Final: Arizona Cubs 12, Arizona Brewers 6

C'mon guys, it's the Cubbies! Learn now....

 

Arizona Box Score

100 degrees at game time -- 85 in Helena, a bit warm there, too, but Mesa actually had a stronger breeze; pro debut for 17th round pick junior college RHP Tyler Cravy; 35th round lefty Matt Costello already with two, two-inning stints after three team games; LaCrosse's R.J. Seidel quickly overcoming winter knee problems, as noted above; just-turned 19-year-old Dominican RHP Luis Guerrero posted decent Maryvale numbers as a workhorse in '08, but he's back in Arizona, no harm there; twice Cub outfielders threw Mike Brownstein out at third (one seemed justified as a run scored), and he also was eliminated at home on a fielder's choice -- long night, but he finally got to score in the 9th; by the way, Brownstein reached all five plate appearances and has a 1.650 OPS after three games; moreso than in years past, a "starting lineup" seems to have been established early on -- we're only three games in and outside the three catchers, only nine position players have seen action...

 

Arizona Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Formal updates on Helena's 8-7 loss and Nashville's marathon (now 3-3 in the 15th) in the "real" AM, not the overnight AM.

[wibadgers23]

Nashville wins 8-3 in 15 innings. Maldonaldo, Escobar, Salome, and Iribarren with RBI hits in the top of the 15th. Salome and Escobar went a combined 7 for 14 with 2 doubles, a homerun, and 3 RBI's. When does the first half for AAA come to an end? Nashville has to be close to clinching.

[Mass Haas]

When does the first half for AAA come to an end? Nashville has to be close to clinching.

AAA plays a full season, just like the bigs.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Missoula (Diamondbacks) 8, Helena 7

 

Helena Site Game Summary

 

Brewers Fall to Osprey

By Dan Douts / Helena Brewers

 

HELENA, MT-- Helena's Josh Prince tied a Pioneer League record stealing six bases on Wednesday night against Missoula. However, Prince's effort was not enough to boost the Brewers past the Osprey, as Missoula took game two of the series 8-7.

 

Prince, a 2009 3rd round pick out of Tulane University, led Conference USA last season with 48 stolen bases and continued swiping bases in professional ball. Prince began his record-setting night by stealing second and third after he reached leading off the first. He came around to score to tie the game up 1-1.

 

The Osprey quickly responded by scoring two runs in the second and third innings giving Missoula a lead the Brewers could not overcome

After dropping the season opener on Tuesday 10-5, Missoula responded by putting up eight runs on ten hits against the Brewers staff that featured two first-round picks in the game.

 

2008 first-round pick Jake Odorizzi started the game and was given the loss after he gave up five earned runs in four innings. Fellow first-rounder Eric Arnett made his professional debut coming out of the bullpen tonight. Arnett, the 26th overall pick in this year's draft, struggled through one inning pitched allowing two earned runs on one hit and two walks.

 

Missoula starter Anthony Smith gave up two earned runs on two hits in 4.1 innings pitched. Although he left the game with the lead, he did not record enough outs to qualify for the win. Keith Cantwell relieved Smith in the fifth and pitched 1.2 innings giving up one run to record the win.

 

The two teams will play the rubber match game tomorrow night at Kindrick Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM with Helena sending Damon Krestalude (0-0) to the mound to face Missoula's Miguel Pena (0-0).

 

Helena Box Score

Impressive professional debut for 24-year-old RHP Michael Fiers, who will need to make a quick impression, but we won't harp on his age every outing this summer; 18-year-old Dominican Hitaniel Arias, all 6'6" of him, makes his season debut playing first base, as opposed to the outfield while in Maryvale in 2008; seven walks among the top six in the order...

 

Helena Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Helena's Prince ties record for stolen bases; Osprey drop Brewers

By JASON SCOTT - Helena Independent Record

 

Josh Prince turned a tough Brewers loss into something special Wednesday.

 

Prince stole six bases to tie a Pioneer League record, though the Brewers fell to the Missoula Osprey 8-7. He reached base five times and stole third twice plus he got Helena's first hit of the game.

 

"I felt like I just got good jumps," Prince said. "I happened to be running on good pitches. If you steal six, you've got to be doing something right."

 

The Brewer fans that somehow found parking at Kindrick Legion Field got to take in a strange but great game.

 

The Osprey had the Brewers down early - though Helena battled back to within one - and had the tying run in Prince on third before the rally died in the eighth inning.

 

Missoula's starting pitcher Anthony Smith kept the Helena bats at bay into the fifth inning, only allowing two earned runs.

 

While Smith was at work, the Osprey bats were toiling as well. Missoula scored a run in the first, then scored twice in the second and third. A key two-run single by Antonio Sepulveda in the second and a big double by Bobby Stone one inning later were the key for Missoula's early offense.

 

"We didn't play a very clean game," said Helena manager Rene Gonzales. "There were some balls that got through that I felt we could've knocked down."

 

Down 5-1 in the fourth inning, Helena started to climb back into the game. Chris Ellington and Cameron Garfield both reached to lead off the inning before coming home on a wild pitch and a sacrifice, respectively.

 

The Brewers struck again when Garfield led off the sixth with a long double to straightaway center. He came home on a Derrick Alfonso single to cut the Osprey lead to 7-4.

 

The seventh inning was a big one for the Brewers. Prince reached on a walk, then stole second, his fourth steal of the game. Kyle Dhanani made it to first thanks to a Sepulveda error before Scott Krieger laced a double to the right-field corner. Prince scored on the hit and Dhanani came home when Missoula first baseman Paul Goldsmith dropped the relay throw. Garfield sacrificed Krieger home with a ground ball to second base and when the inning ended, Helena had cut the deficit to 8-7.

 

"At no point did anyone get down," Prince said. "We battled. If a couple balls get through, we win that game."

 

In the eighth, designated hitter Derrick Alfonso led off swinging, driving the first pitch he saw in the inning just left of the left-field pole for a loud strike. He later struck out for the first out of the inning. Prince rapped a two-out single, then stole second and third to tie the single-game record, shared with Ogden's Mario Mendez, who set the mark in 2002.

 

"It's a great feeling, a great accomplishment," Prince said. "Maybe someday I'll break it, steal seven."

 

Gonzales said that while he called for some of Prince's steals, the speedster was able to be cut loose and use his own instincts to get the rest.

 

"He's a madman out there," Gonzales said of Prince. "I was wondering in the latter part of the game what the record was. When he gets on he makes things happen."

 

Later in the inning, Krieger got a pitch that he hit hard to right field, but it was right at Ender Inciarte and the rally fell short.

 

"It was a strange game," said Gonzales. "I was proud of the fact that we came back, especially in a game like that. When we do it early in the season, we have that to work with later."

 

The Brewers are back home tonight at 7:05 (8:05 Central) against the Osprey. It is the last game of the homestand, after which Helena will head to Missoula for the Osprey home opener. Cutter Dykstra will start his first game at second as a Brewer today, while Damon Krestalude is slated to start on the mound. Krestalude, a right-hander from Port St. Lucie, Fla., will face Missoula's Miguel Pena.

 

Cameron Garfield, catcher for the Helena Brewers, just misses tagging Missoula's Ramon Castillo as he makes his way home, pulling his team ahead four with a score of 5-1 in the top of the third Wednesday night. (All photos by Eliza Wiley, Helena Independent Record)

http://www.helenair.com/content/articles/2009/06/25/sports/top/50spl_090625_brewers.jpg

 

Josh Prince, Helena Brewers, safely steals second from Antiono Sepulveda, Missoula Osprey.

 

http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2009/06/25/sports/top/50spl_090625_brewers-2.jpg

 

Brewer's Josh Prince makes it safely to first after the ball is overthrown to Missoula's first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.

 

http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2009/06/25/sports/top/50spl_090625_brewers-3.jpg