Link Report for Wed. 7/1 -- Latest: More Helena Photos

[battlekow]

Heether with 2 hits tonight an Katlin 4-4 with Another HR . I am not Sure if there a Spot For Heether, But Katlin could take Gerut spot w/o a problem

Not really. Katin can't play CF.

[YoungGeezy]

Heether with 2 hits tonight an Katlin 4-4 with Another HR . I am not Sure if there a Spot For Heether, But Katlin could take Gerut spot w/o a problem

 

With it kinda seeming like they will send Gamel down I think there is room for Heether. I'd be really disappointed if he isn't the one called up, he has earned it. Hurricane maybe would get the call but Escobar doesn't have a chance unless Hardy was to get hurt.

 

Does anyone else think that Braddock may get bumbed to triple A by the end of the season? I think that'd be great. He gets his shoes wet up there this season then next comes out as a starter and is in Milwaukee by the break. He has the talent, plus we could use another Gallardo type bat in the rotation. 1st minor league at-bat a grand slam? Man, im starting to get as excited over him as I did when Yovani was coming up.

[mkm13]

Is Heether poor defensively or what?

[battlekow]

Holliman and Bullpen Hold Off Smokies

Brett Pollock

 

Mark Holliman worked 5 2/3 innings and the bullpen survived some late scoring threats, as Huntsville held off Tennessee 3-1 Wednesday night in the fourth of a six-game set at Smokies Park. The Stars improved to 6-4 in the second half and regained sole possession of first place in the North Division, while the Smokies dropped to 5-5 in the second half and a game behind in the standings.

 

Russ Canzler delivered a single as a pinch-hitter with one out in the fifth and advanced to third base on a Jonathan Mota double but was thrown out after rounding the bag too far. Jim Adduci followed with a base hit to knock in Mota with the game's first run.

 

Smokies' starter Jeremy Papelbon was lifted after five scoreless frames, giving up three hits, walking three and fanning three. Jake Muyco took over in the sixth and allowed a leadoff hit to Michael Garciaparra and then walked the next two batters to load the bases. Vinny Rottino followed with a single to plate Garciaparra to get the game tied before Chuck Caufield flied out to bring in Jonathan Lucory with the go-ahead run and move Kevin Melillo to third base. However, the rally was squashed when Freddy Parejo grounded into a double play. Tennessee turned five ground ball double plays in the game, including three with a Stars' runner in scoring position.

 

Stars' starter Mark Holliman lasted 5 2/3 innings, giving up a run on seven hits, while walking one and striking out four. The right-hander improved to 7-2 and has won each of his last six decisions. Zach Braddock took over and threw two scoreless innings, stranding the potential tying run at second base in the seventh and leaving with the bases loaded in the eighth after a single and two walks. Rob Wooten came on to strike out pinch-hitter Tony Thomas to end the rally and keep the Stars in the lead.

 

Pinch-hitter Johnny Raburn singled with one out in the ninth and scored on a two-out single by Adam Stern that pushed the visitors lead to 3-1. Robert Hinton took the hill in the ninth for the Stars and walked Mota to begin the inning and then committed a fielding error on a Marquez Smith ground ball that put two runners on with one out. The runners advanced on a Doug Deeds ground out before the Stars elected to walk Tyler Colvin to load the bases and go after Wellington Castillo, who took a called third strike to end the game. Hinton recorded his tenth save of the season, as Tennessee stranded 14 runners in the game.

 

The series continues Thursday evening with right-hander Josh Butler starting for the Stars against Tennessee right-hander Jay Jackson. Coverage of the game begins at 6:00 pm central time and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

 

Huntsville box score

Four walks for Jonathan Lucroy and no mention in the recap--poor guy. He's now got a 43/38 BB/K on the year, which is outstanding. Baseball America reported Taylor Green coming off the DL, but he didn't play today. Zach Braddock has spoiled us so much that even though he didn't allow a run, the three hits and two walks in two innings seem like a disappointment; he did strike out three.

 

Huntsville play-by-play

Rob Wooten bailing out Braddock:

 

Tennessee Bottom 8th

• Doug Deeds singles on a ground ball to third baseman Michael Garciaparra.
• Tyler Colvin out on a sacrifice bunt, second baseman Shane Justis to first baseman Kevin Melillo. Doug Deeds to 2nd.
• Welington Castillo strikes out swinging.
• Blake Lalli walks.
• Nate Samson walks. Doug Deeds to 3rd. Blake Lalli to 2nd.
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Tony Thomas replaces Jayson Ruhlman.
• Coaching visit to mound.
• Pitcher Change: Robert Wooten replaces Zach Braddock, batting 7th.
• Tony Thomas called out on strikes.

[brewmann04]

But Hart can when Mike Needs a day off and Katlin can Play RF

[jvrocksaz]

Is Heether poor defensively or what?

It is my understanding that he is solid at 3B, average at 2B, and serviceable at SS...

[battlekow]

Katin Powers Sounds Past Express, 6-3

NashvilleSounds.com

 

ROUND ROCK, Texas - The first place Nashville Sounds dropped the Round Rock Express 6-2 at the Dell Diamond on Wednesday night. Round Rock struggled to get out the bottom of Nashville's lineup, as hitters 6-8 went a combined 8-for-12 with two home runs, three RBIs, and five runs scored.

 

Sounds All-Star outfielder Brendan Katin lead the charge, going 4-for-4 with a home run and a double.

 

Round Rock took a quick 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a Tommy Manzella solo home run to left field off Sounds starter Lindsay Gulin, his third of the year.

 

Heether and Katin began the top of the fifth with singles off Round Rock starter Bud Norris. Outfielder Drew Anderson then drove home Heether with a single to center to tie the game at 1. Jason Bourgeois put the Sounds ahead at 2-1 with an RBI-groundout to second base that scored Katin, followed by Hernan Iribarren and Martin Maldonado RBI-base hits later in the inning that extended the Sounds' lead to 4-1.

 

Heether then belted a solo home run to left field in the next inning that made the score 5-1 . Heether's long ball was his eighth of the season and third hit in his last five games.

 

Katin's 18th homer off Tyler Lumsden gave the Sounds a 6-1 lead in the top of the eighth inning, moving him into third place in the PCL for home runs.

 

Mark Saccomanno hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth to score Reggie Abercrombie to trim the Sounds lead to 6-2. Round Rock added a final run in the ninth on another sacrifice fly by Lou Santangelo, but failed to do further damage on the evening.

 

Gulin (4-4) earned the win, surrendering only one run on five hits with five strikeouts in seven innings of work. Gulin has recorded quality starts in four of his last five outings.

 

Norris (3-6) took the loss, allowing five runs on 10 hits over six innings.

 

The Sounds and Express continue with the second game of a three-game series at 7:05 pm CT on Thursday night at the Dell Diamond. Left-hander Chase Wright (5-5, 3.70) takes the mound for Nashville against righty Yorman Bazardo (7-2, 2.79).

 

Nashville box score

Brendan Katin continues to mash at AAA, but it's that BB column that's the important one, though at least going 4-4 meant he didn't strike out. Similarly, any time Alcides Escobar and Angel Salome take a walk, as they both did today, it's a good sign. Salome was thrown out at the plate in the 2nd inning, grounded out in the 4th, and then was removed for a pinch hitter in the 5th; I hope he's okay. Escobar was picked off after singling in the 3rd. Great night for Adam Heether as well, who I hope to see called up if Mat Gamel does indeed get demoted. Cole Gillespie was a late defensive replacement and flew out in his only at-bat.

 

Nashville play-by-play

The Sounds' four-run 5th:

 

Nashville Top 5th

• Adam Heether singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Chris Johnson.
• Brendan Katin singles on a soft fly ball to right fielder Reggie Abercrombie. Adam Heether to 2nd.
• Drew T. Anderson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Yordany Ramirez. Adam Heether scores. Brendan Katin to 3rd on the throw.
• Lindsay Gulin out on a sacrifice bunt, third baseman Chris Johnson to second baseman Edwin Maysonet. Drew T. Anderson to 2nd.
• Jason Bourgeois grounds out, second baseman Edwin Maysonet to first baseman Mark Saccomanno. Brendan Katin scores. Drew T. Anderson to 3rd.
• Alcides Escobar walks.
• Hernan Iribarren singles on a line drive to right fielder Reggie Abercrombie. Drew T. Anderson scores. Alcides Escobar to 3rd.
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Martin Maldonado replaces Angel Salome.
• Martin Maldonado singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Yordany Ramirez. Alcides Escobar scores. Hernan Iribarren to 2nd.
• Coaching visit to mound.
• Joe Koshansky grounds out, second baseman Edwin Maysonet to first baseman Mark Saccomanno.

[imblotto]

Its nice to see Rolando Pascual put together solid back to back appearances. 4.0 IP, 0 H, 2 BB, 5 K.

[battlekow]

Its nice to see Rolando Pascual put together solid back to back appearances. 4.0 IP, 0 H, 2 BB, 5 K.

Indeed, though he did allow two unearned runs.

 

DSL Dodgers 5, DSL Orioles/Brewers 0

 

DSL Orioles/Brewers box score

Not a great night for the hitters: shortstop Andres Martinez was 0-4, catcher/DH Jhonatan Javier 0-2 with a walk, center fielder Juan Barrini 0-3, and second baseman Joan Abreu 0-3 with two strikeouts. Towering lefty Eliezer Montano threw one inning, walking one and striking out two.

[battlekow]

Helena Brewers 10, Billings Mustangs 0

Helena box score

How about Mike Brownstein? 3-3 with two walks; he's walked in five of 11 plate appearances for Helena after doing so in nine of 32 at Arizona, and he's struck out just once as a pro so far. This is a very patient club: Josh Prince, Mike Roberts (in CF again), and Joey Paciorek all also walked twice. As TheCrew07 mentioned above, Prince also nabbed two more bases, making him 13/16 already. Scott Krieger, he of the three-homer game the other day, went deep again, and Hitaniel Arias was 2-5 with a double. Good to see Cameron Garfield back in the lineup and behind the plate after two days off, but still no Khris Davis, who rolled his ankle three days ago in his only pro plate appearance so far. Garfield committed his first passed ball of the year. Brewers pitchers allowed only five hits and a walk.

 

Helena play-by-play

[battlekow]

Stars leave Smokies stranded, 3-1

Adam Greene

SEVIERVILLE - The Tennessee Smokies may have taken the last two games over Huntsville, but the Stars still have a way of bringing out the worst in their Southern League rivals.

The Smokies went 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position and handed Huntsville control of the North Division with a 3-1 win at Smokies Park on Wednesday night.

Tennessee finished the game with two deja vu innings that left manager Ryne Sandberg shaking his head.

"We had good defense out there and had good pitching," Sandberg said. "We just couldn't come up with the hits with men in scoring position."

In the bottom of the eighth and ninth innings, the Smokies (5-5) loaded the bases with two outs.

With the tying run at third, pinch hitter Tony Thomas struck out looking in the eighth. In the ninth, catcher Wellington Castillo struck out looking after being ahead 3-0 in the count.

"Just one hit and we'd still be out there playing," Sandberg said. "They (Huntsville) pitched well in those situations. We came up a little bit short."

Tennessee took the early lead in the fifth.

James Adduci singled to left, scoring Jonathon Mota.

Tennessee left 14 men on base, unable to find the hits when they were needed.

The Smokies led for just one inning as Huntsville (6-4) took over in the top of the sixth. After pinch hitting for starting pitcher Jeremy Papelbon the previous inning, Sandberg called on reliever Jake Muyco to protect the lead. Muyco put the first three batters he faced on base, giving up a single to Michael Garciaparra and walking Jonathan Lucroy and KevinMelillo.

An RBI single from Vinny Rottino tied the game for Huntsville. A sacrifice fly from Chuck Caulfield to right field gave the Stars a 2-1 lead, scoring Lucroy.

Adam Stern's RBI gave Huntsville a two-run lead going into the bottom of the ninth.

Muyco (2-3) was saddled with the loss and blown save for Tennessee. He pitched two innings, gave up four hits, two runs and two walks.

The Smokies recorded five double plays in the game, including three to end the sixth, seventh and eighth innings.

Former Tennessee Smokies pitcher Mark Holliman (7-2) took the win. Holliman pitched 52<0x2044>3 innings giving up seven hits, one run and a walk with four strikeouts.

[battlekow]

AZL Mariners 8, AZL Brewers 4

AZL Brewers box score

After leaving his first rehab game early and then not playing yesterday, nice to Lorenzo Cain back atop the Brewers' lineup, where he went 3-4. He should be movin' on up soon. Also rehabbing, Erik Komatsu was removed for a pinch runner after going from second to third on a single, which is a little ominous. Folk hero Max Walla continues to struggle, going 0-5 with two strikeouts and dropping his average to .216, but he's only played nine games, so don't freak out. After making four errors yesterday, shortstop Carlos George handled both of his chances cleanly today.

 

AZL Brewers play-by-play

Starter Blake Billings was perfect through three innings, striking out five and recording the other four outs via ground ball, but the 4th inning was not kind to him:

 

AZL Mariners Top 4th

• Julio Morban singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Blakeney Billings.
• Mario Yepez out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Jonathan Requena to first baseman Sean Halton. Julio Morban to 2nd.
• Jetsy Extrano singles on a line drive to left fielder Erik Komatsu. Julio Morban to 3rd.
• Evan Sharpley doubles (3) on a fly ball to center fielder Lorenzo Cain. Julio Morban scores. Jetsy Extrano scores.
• Kevin Mailloux flies out to left fielder Erik Komatsu.
• Hassiel Jimenez singles on a line drive to center fielder Lorenzo Cain. Evan Sharpley scores. Hassiel Jimenez to 2nd on the throw.
• Mark Angelo singles on a line drive to right fielder Franklin Romero. Hassiel Jimenez to 3rd. Mark Angelo to 2nd on the throw.
• With Rudy van Heydoorn batting, wild pitch by Blakeney Billings, Hassiel Jimenez scores. Mark Angelo to 3rd.
• Rudy van Heydoorn grounds out, third baseman Wayne Dedrick to first baseman Sean Halton.

[battlekow]

Oddly, the Helena Independent Record website managed to post the Billings Gazette's recap before the Gazette's own website:

 

Brewers pound Billings behind hot bats, pitching

Mike Scherting

 

The Billings Mustangs returned home to Dehler Park eager to put their disappointing road trip and recently ended losing streak behind them.

 

Instead, the Helena Brewers sent the Mustangs back to their losing ways. As bad as the 10-0 final score seems, it doesn't really do justice to how dismal Wednesday night was for the Mustangs.

 

They collected just five hits, had just two runners reach second base and made four errors. Four Billings pitchers combined to walk 10 batters, giving the team the unwanted top billing in the Pioneer League for most bases on balls allowed, with 45 in nine games.

 

Simply put, if not for three outstanding defensive plays (one by third baseman Yen-Wen Kuo, one by shortstop Shane Carlson and a rare 9-6-3 flyout double play), there was little for the announced crowd of 3,143 to cheer.

 

"It's a shame, because it was a nice night to play, seemed like there was a lot of fans out there," Mustangs manager Julio Garcia said. "It's just disappointing, to be honest with you. We weren't able to do anything."

 

The Mustangs went 1-4 on their trip to Great Falls and Helena, and Tuesday's victory over the Brewers halted a six-game skid. But the winning was short-lived.

 

Helena dominated from the start Wednesday when Josh Prince, the league's stolen-base leader, opened the game with a walk from Mustangs starter Tim Crabbe (0-1), who was making his pro debut.

 

Prince promptly stole second and third - his 12th and and 13th thefts of the season - and scored on a sacrifice fly from Mike Brownstein, the next hitter.

 

Crabbe, a 14th-round pick from Westmont College, settled in from there. He went three innings and gave up just that one run, but as it turned out, that would have been enough for the Brewers.

 

"We play every day, and obviously you're not going to have your best stuff every day," said Crabbe, who joined the team while it was on the road. "We'll turn the page and come back out here tomorrow."

 

The Mustangs couldn't touch any of the three Helena pitchers. Andre Lamontagne started and threw four innings, while Adrian Rosario (1-1) and Robert Currie combined on five shutout relief innings. Helena pitchers walked just one and retired the Mustangs in order five times.

 

Helena had 11 hits, including Scott Krieger's three-run homer in the top of the ninth, his league-leading fifth.

 

The Brewers are in action again in Billings today.

 

"I wish I had an answer for you, but I don't," Garcia said of the blowout loss. After the 9-6 victory in Helena on Tuesday, "I thought they would get a little pressure off themselves. But, boy, as soon as something went wrong today, it seemed like everybody followed suit.

 

"That's unfortunate, but it's part of the game, too. We've got to turn it around somehow."

[Mass Haas]

Yes, grasshopper, you've been trained well.

 

Thanks so much, battlekow.

 

Everyone please be as appreciative for his efforts as you've expressed for mine in the past. I promise you it is time-consuming (but fun) to pore over the minutia of each game, and pointing out tidbits of importance or interest within each that may have been overlooked in the general game summary, or to review games in detail where no summary exists.

 

I actually slept last night! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

 

[Brily0204]

I realize he's a college guy playing in short-season ball, but Mike Brownstein's 14/1 BB/K ratio is fun to see, and his .614 OBP is downright Bondsian.

[Mass Haas]

All photos by CASEY RIFFE/Billings Gazette Staff

The Mustangs' Shane Carlson, top, doesn't get the catch in time as the Brewers' Joey Paciorek steals second base in the sixth inning of their game at Dehler Park Wednesday, July 1, 2009.

 

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/billingsgazette.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/5/30/7d1/5307d1e4-66d0-11de-97e5-001cc4c002e0.image.jpg?_dc=1246515581

 

The Brewers' Mike Brownstein, left, throws out the Mustangs' Humberto Sosa at second as he turns a double play in the second inning.

 

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/billingsgazette.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/e/c7/89e/ec789e6c-66d0-11de-a849-001cc4c002e0.image.jpg?_dc=1246515838

 

The Mustangs' Chris Richburg, right, goes to tag the Brewers' Mike Roberts after he is caught between first and second base in the fourth inning.

 

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/billingsgazette.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/2/a6/eec/2a6eec3a-66d1-11de-b073-001cc4c002e0.image.jpg?_dc=1246515942

 

Mustangs catcher Humberto Sosa tags the Brewers' Mike Brownstein out at home plate in the fifth inning.

 

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/billingsgazette.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/9/26/72f/92672f8c-66d1-11de-8373-001cc4c002e0.image.jpg?_dc=1246516117

 

Mustangs second baseman Mauricio Pimentel, left, doesn't get the tag on the Brewers' Mike Brownstein, who steals the base in the fifth inning.

 

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/billingsgazette.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/d/b6/71c/db671ce2-66d1-11de-ad63-001cc4c002e0.image.jpg?_dc=1246516239

 

The Brewers' Josh Prince, left, slides in safe for a steal on second base as Mustangs shortstop Shane Carlson leaps for the throw in the first inning.

 

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/billingsgazette.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/2/f1/703/2f1703b6-66d2-11de-977d-001cc4c002e0.image.jpg?_dc=1246516380

[TheCrew07]

Wendt described Paciorek as a line backer last night... I'm not sure I agree with that assessment from the picture above. He's got a nice frame though.

[Schlitz001]

Great photos. I was at that game yesterday and was most impressed by Brownstein's defense and Prince's patience and baserunning. That kid has some wheels.