Link Report for Games of Friday, August 7th

[TheCrew07]

I just wanted to comment on some games.

 

Nasvhille with a walk off loss, Gamel 1 for 2 with a BB and a K.

 

Jones gives up 4 in 4+ for Huntsville, Green 0-2 his average is all the way down to .258. Cain with a hit so BA climbs to .190, and Lucroy with another 2 bagger, Huntsville down late 6-3

 

Rivas was fantastic for BC, gets his ERA down under 3.00 on the season. 0R, 1BB, 7K and only 3H in 7IP... he has an even 100 Ks on the season against 36 BBs. Bandwagon time people! BC stole a ton of bases of in this game, Farris getting 2 hits and a SB. Schafer with another hit, he just keeps rolling.

 

Helena and Billings the only PL game postponed tonight... boo!

 

edit. Sounds down early in game 2

 

edit. WI is also losing late, Frederickson with another not so good line. This team is not anywhere near as bad as it's been playing, it's almost they've given up on the season and are tanking. There's just no way this team this bad talent wise.

[trwi7]

Bandwagon time people! BC stole a ton of bases of in this game, Farris getting 2 hits and a SB. Schafer with another hit, he just keeps rolling.

I'm on. Promote him to Huntsville and see how he does!

[wibadgers23]

I agree. Promote Rivas and Anundsen to Huntsville and Peralta and Scarpetta to BC. Get their feet wet a little bit.

[TheCrew07]

Final Game 1 (Completion of August 5th): Colorado 4, Nashville 3

 

Nashville Site Summary

 

Sky Sox Rally Past Sounds

COLORADO SPRINGS - The Colorado Springs Sky Sox rallied late to post a 4-3 victory over the Nashville Sounds on Friday evening at Security Service Field in the completion of Wednesday's series opener that had been suspended due to rain.

 

Nashville grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning with an unearned run off Sky Sox starter Damian Moss. Johnny Raburn reached on a throwing error by shortstop Mike McCoy and later scored on Jason Bourgeois' two-out RBI single.

 

The game was delayed due to lightning in the bottom of the second inning. on Wednesday and was suspended following a one hour and twenty-seven minute delay.

 

The contest resumed on Friday evening. Down 1-0 in the third, the Sox tied it up after Eric Young Jr. led off the inning with a double and later scored on a sac fly by Matt Murton.

 

Nashville scored twice in the fifth on a two-run single by Johnny Raburn to take a 3-1 lead but Colorado Springs answered with single tallies in the fifth, sac fly by Miller, and seventh, RBI single by Murton, to knot the game at three all and set up the ninth inning dramatics.

 

In the bottom of the ninth, Miller led off with a single and one out later moved to third on a single by Dan Ortmeier. Kenny Perez came to the plate next and promptly knocked a solid single up the middle to score Miller and send the Sox home winners.

 

Joel Peralta (5-0) worked a scoreless ninth to earn the victory and Sam Narron (1-5) took the loss after working 6.2 innings in relief and giving up four runs on 12 hits.

Nashville Game 1 Box Score

Raburn and Bourgeois with 2 hits a piece. Salome with his 9 error, this time for Catcher Interference. Narron just couldn't hold on for the win.

Nashville Game 1 Game Log

Exactly what you would expect, the Sounds didn't do much after the 5th.

[Mass Haas]

Sorry folks, some rare connectivity issues for me, hope to be back on track by this evening.

[TheCrew07]

Final Game 2: Nashville 5, Colorado Springs (Rockies) 2

 

Nashville Site Summary

 

Gulin, Sounds down Sox in 7-Inning Contest

 

COLORADO SPRINGS -- Left-hander Lindsay Gulin worked a complete game to lead the Nashville Sounds to a 5-2, seven-inning victory over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox on Friday evening at Security Service Field.

 

The contest was shortened to seven frames because the teams completed Wednesday's suspended game earlier in the evening.

 

Gulin (6-7) allowed two runs on six hits over seven innings of work, tossing 105 pitches in the outing.

 

The Sky Sox jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning against Gulin on a Mike McCoy sacrifice fly and a Christian Colonel two-out RBI single.

 

Nashville rallied to take a 3-2 lead with a three-run third against Sky Sox starter Kurt Birkins. Catcher Carlos Corporan opened the frame by reaching on a throwing error by Colonel at third base. Jason Bourgeois followed with an RBI triple to center before scoring the tying run on Alcides Escobar's double. Erick Almonte pushed the Sounds in front when he knocked a run-scoring single to right.

 

The Sounds finished off the contest's scoring in the fifth when Almonte plated his second run of the evening with another RBI single before Brendan Katin plated Escobar with a groundout to bring the score to its final 5-2 standing.

 

Birkins (2-2) took the loss for Colorado Springs after allowing all five runs (four earned) in his 4 1/3 innings of work.

 

The teams wrap up the four-game set with an 8:05 p.m. CT meeting on Saturday night. Left-hander Chris Narveson (4-4, 3.82) will man the bump for Nashville to face Colorado Springs right-hander Brandon Hynick (9-7, 3.57).

 

Nashville Box Score

Bourgeois and Almonte with 2 hits a piece, Escobar doubles, as Gamel gets the night cap off. Heether makes his 7th error of the season on a throw. Escobar has now tied last season's doubles total, surpassed the triples total, but it still 5 HR short... I think it's safe to say he will have more total XBH than last season, he just keeps making incremental improvements. Gulin pitches well and even gets a pick off at 1B in the game.

 

Nashville Game Log

Very quiet box score for most of the game

[TheCrew07]

Final: Mississippi (Braves) 8, Huntsville 4

 

Huntsville Site Summary

 

Hunstville's Struggles at Home Continue

By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars

 

Willie Cabrera doubled twice and drove in three runs to power Mississippi to an 8-4 win over Huntsville Friday night at Joe Davis Stadium in the opener of a five-game set. The Braves improved to 20-21 in the second half and 51-60 overall, while the Stars dropped a fourth straight to fall to 15-26 in the second half and 53-57 overall. The Stars have fallen in nine of their last 11 games, while losing a lead in each of the last four defeats.

 

Huntsville struck for three runs in the first inning on a run-scoring single by Drew Anderson, who drove in his first run in nine games, a run-scoring double by Jonathan Lucroy, who extended his hitting streak to nine games, and a Kevin Melillo sacrifice fly. The Braves loaded the bases with two outs in the third but Stars' starter Mike Jones got Freddie Freeman to ground out to end the threat.

 

The right-hander wasn't as fortunate in the fifth inning, as Freeman came to the plate with the sacks full and one out and chased home the visitors' first run of the night with a sacrifice fly. Cabrera followed with a two-run double to tie the game, advanced to third base on an errant throw to the plate and scored the go-ahead run on a sinking line drive single by Eric Campbell that chased Jones from the game. Jones dropped to 3-4 on the season, and 0-3 at home, after allowing six hits, walking three and fanning five.

 

Brandon Hicks and Jason Heyward, on a 3-0 Brandon Kintzler offering, launched back-to-back home runs with two outs in the sixth to expand the Braves' lead to 6-3. Braves' starter Scott Diamond was lifted after laboring through five innings, giving up one earned run on seven hits, while walking three and striking out six. He improved to 5-10 and beat the Stars for a first time in three starts against them.

 

Jeff Lyman threw a scoreless sixth inning and was followed to the hill by Steve Marek, who allowed a Taylor Green scoring fly ball that cut the Braves' advantage to 6-4. Brett Butts took over with two runners on and two out in the seventh and saw Melillo reach on a fielding error to load the bases before Michael Garciaparra lined out to end the inning.

 

Cabrera doubled in a run and scored in the eighth off of Wes Littleton to push the visitors' lead to 8-4. Butts worked a scoreless ninth and Huntsville native Craig Kimbrel tossed a scoreless ninth to close out the win. The Stars are now 20-26 at home.

 

The series continues Saturday evening with right-hander Nick Green taking the hill for the Stars against Braves' right-hander Kyle Cofield. Coverage of the game begins at 5:45 pm central time and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com

 

Huntsville Box Score

Justis with 4 hits including a double, Lucroy and Cain both add doubles. Not much offense out of the Stars after the 2nd. Jones was just okay, Kintzler and Littleton both give up 2 runs a piece in relief. This pitching staff has struggled most of the season. As it is raining I'll probably profile the Southern League's leader boards later this morning. Mass was correct guessing that Green was coming back into the rotation... I say boo! Braddock hasn't appeared in over month, every time I get excited about him he ends up back on the DL...

Huntsville Game Log

A missed opportunity in the 2nd to pile on. They had another opportunity in the 7th with bases loaded and 2 outs to climb back into the game but didn't get it done.

 

Huntsville Bottom 2nd

• Mike Jones strikes out swinging.
• Adam Stern singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jason Heyward.
• Shane Justis singles on a ground ball to left fielder Willie Cabrera. Adam Stern to 2nd.
• Drew T. Anderson walks. Adam Stern to 3rd. Shane Justis to 2nd.
• Jonathan Lucroy grounds into double play, shortstop Brandon Hicks to second baseman Travis Jones to first baseman Freddie Freeman. Drew T. Anderson out at 2nd.

Huntsville Bottom 7th

• Pitcher Change: Stephen Marek replaces Jeff Lyman, batting 9th.
• Shane Justis doubles (23) on a fly ball to center fielder Matt Young.
• Drew T. Anderson grounds out to first baseman Freddie Freeman. Shane Justis to 3rd.
• Jonathan Lucroy walks.
• Taylor Green out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Jason Heyward. Shane Justis scores.
• Lorenzo Cain walks. Jonathan Lucroy to 2nd.
• Pitcher Change: Brett Butts replaces Stephen Marek, batting 9th.
• Kevin Melillo reaches on fielding error by second baseman Travis Jones. Jonathan Lucroy to 3rd. Lorenzo Cain to 2nd.
• Michael Garciaparra flies out to right fielder Jason Heyward.

[TheCrew07]

Final: Brevard County 3, Daytona (Cubs) 0

 

Daytona Site Summary

 

Matantees Shutout Cubs To Earn A Split

 

The Daytona Cubs (18-21) could not find a way to slow down All-Star Eric Farris and the Brevard County Manatees(24-14) as the Manatees blanked the Cubs 3-0.

The Manatees got on the board first in the bottom of the fourth inning. Eric Farris led off the inning with a single to right field off of Cubs starter Rafael Dolis (2-7). Farris then stole second base and advanced to third on a groundout off the bat of Lee Haydel. With two away Zealous Wheeler singled to left to bring home Farris and give the Manatees an early lead.

Rafael Dolis lasted four innings and the Mantees bats were ready and waiting for Cubs reliever Dan McDaniel in the fifth. With a runner at third, Logan Schafer grounded into a fielders choice, as Jose Made gunned down Juan Sanchez at home plate. With two away, Eric Farris hit his sixth home run of the year over the left center field wall and gave the Manatees a 3-0 lead.

Eric Farris not only helped give his team the lead but also kept the Cubs off the board with his play in the field. In the top of the sixth inning with two runners on and two away, Nathan Samson hit a line drive off of Manatees starter Amaury Rivas (10-6), but Farris made a diving catch to rob Samson of a hit.

Rivas looked strong against Daytona once again as he pitched seven innings of three hit baseball and struck out seven Cubs.

Omar Aguilar came in and shut the door on the Cubs as he earned his sixth save of the year.

The Cubs will begin a three game series in Dunedin beginning Friday, August 8th at 7:00 p.m. You can catch all the action on AM 1340 WROD or on daytonacubs.com

 

Brevard County Box Score

Hurray for beating the Cubs at any level! Farris with 2 hits, a HR, and a stolen base. Schafer and Wilson with doubles. The Manatees steal 5 bases in the game. Rivas is blossoming, what else is there to say about him? Aguilar seems to be back on track, he's given up 2 runs in his 10 outings, half of which have been multi inning appearances.

Brevard Country Game Log

A potential WP or PB in the 1st?

 

Brevard County Bottom 1st

• Logan Schafer doubles (27) on a line drive to left fielder Tony Campana.
• Eric Farris out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Rafael Dolis to first baseman Jake Opitz. Logan Schafer to 3rd.
• Logan Schafer out at home, catcher Mark Reed.
• Steffan Wilson walks.
• Sergio Miranda grounds out, second baseman Jose Made to first baseman Jake Opitz

[Never Outhustled]

In his 8 starts since the FSL All-Star Game, Amaury Rivas has a 1.70 ERA with 48 Ks in 47 2/3 innings. Thats seriously dominant. Rivas ran out of gas at the end of last season, but has a full head of steam this year. His fastball has both good velocity and movement, he's some to get excited about.

 

Jones pitched well through 4, but the wheels came off in the 5th after a long, long AB by monster prospect Jason Heyward.

[TheCrew07]

Final: Peoria (Cubs) 6, Wisconsin 5

 

Wisconsin Site Summary

 

Tough Loss Spoils Nice Comeback

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

PEORIA, IL -- The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers rallied from a 5-1 deficit to tie the Western Division leading Peoria Chiefs on Friday night at O'Brien Field. But, a wild pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning let the winning run score. The Rattlers have lost six straight.

The teams traded solo homers early in the game.

Peoria leadoff hitter Brett Jackson started the bottom of the first inning with a home run to right-center for a 1-0 lead. Brock Kjeldgaard tied the game with a solo homer to left in the top of the second. Kjeldgaard's homer was his seventeenth of the season.

The Chiefs (61-48 overall, 23-17 second half) took advantage of several Timber Rattlers miscues to build a lead. In the third inning, Kyler Burke singled with two outs and moved up to second on a misplay in the outfield. DJ LeMahieu was next and he sent a grounder to first that went through the legs of Corey Kemp. Burke scored without a play and the Chiefs were up 2-1.

Peoria tacked on three more runs on just one hit in the bottom of the fourth. Rattlers starting pitcher Evan Frederickson retired the first batter of the inning. But, a hit batsman, a walk, and another hit batsmen loaded the bases. Ryan Flaherty doubled off the right field wall to drive in two runs. Frederickson issued one more walk to reload the bases before being taken out of the game.

Liam Ohlmann relieved Frederickson and got the second out, but hit LeMahieu with a pitch to force in another Peoria run to make the score 5-1.

The Rattlers (48-62, 14-26) rallied with two outs an nobody on in the top of the fifth inning. Josh Prince and Pete Fatse drew walks against Peoria starter Jeff Antigua to knock him out of the game. Brett Lawrie and Corey Kemp followed with back-to-back-RBI singles off Peoria reliever Jeff Beliveau.

Erik Miller tied the game with a two-run homer to left-center in the top of the sixth. But, that was it for the Rattlers offense.

Ohlmann and Brandon Ritchie both worked out of jams in the sixth and eighth innings to keep the game tied. However, a leadoff walk haunted Nick Tyson in the bottom of the ninth.

Tyson walked Mario Mercedes to start the bottom of the ninth. A sacrifice bunt moved Mercedes to second and an infield single by Junior Lake pushed the winning run to third. The Rattlers infield moved in and Lake took second on defensive indifference. So, Wisconsin walked Jackson intentionally to load the bases to get to Flaherty to set up the double play.

But, Tyson missed low with a pitch that got by catcher Sean McCraw and Mercedes scored the winning run.

The Timber Rattlers continue their series at O'Brien Field on Saturday night. RJ Seidel (0-1, 4.05) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Peoria will send Alberto Cabrera (2-5, 5.25) to the mound. Game time is 6:30pm.

Wisconsin Box Score

BK has some serious power, hitting his 17th HR on the season, but his .229 BA and 136 strike outs bring his entire line down. Fatse walked 3 times, Kemp with 2 hits, and the Miller HR noted above round out the noteworthy happenings at the plate. I don't really understand why McPhearson is in WI? Wouldn't Ellington or Kreiger be a better choice? He's struck out in a 3rd of his PAs thus far in his first professional season. I think he's been done a major disservice being stuck in WI. Duran with another CS, his 7th of the season, and Prince steals another base, only his 2nd in WI. T-Rat pitchers give up 8 free passes in the game, and have I mentioned that I haven't been impressed with McCraw and Kemp behind the plate when I've seen them in person? Chris Dennis please make it back before the end of the season.

Wisconsin Game Log

[TheCrew07]

Final: DSL Mets 5, DSL O's/Brewers 4

DSL O's/Brewers Box Score

A big 1st for the combined squad, not much else after. Abrue 1-4, Javier 1-4, Chirinos 1-3, and Martinez 1-2. Linares continues to dominate the DSL as he should.

DSL O's/Brewers Game Log

Did something happen to Martinez it was a tie game when he was pulled?

 

DSL Mets Bottom 5th

• Defensive Substitution: Cristian Araujo replaces third baseman Andres Martinez, batting 7th, playing third base.
• Alexander Sanchez singles on a fly ball to left fielder Edwin Wilson.
• Edwin Barrera singles on a ground ball to right fielder Luis Chirinos. Alexander Sanchez to 3rd.
• Eudy Pina walks. Edwin Barrera to 2nd.
• Luis Cessa grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Cristian Araujo. Alexander Sanchez scores. Edwin Barrera out at 3rd. Eudy Pina to 2nd. Luis Cessa to 1st.
• With Humberto Mejia batting, wild pitch by Julio Perez, Eudy Pina to 3rd. Luis Cessa to 2nd.
• Humberto Mejia walks. Passed ball by catcher Eliecer Avila. Eudy Pina scores.
• Pitcher Change: Mike Rodriguez replaces Julio Perez.
• Daniel De Leon pops out to pitcher Mike Rodriguez in foul territory.
• Yucarybert De La Cruz grounds out, third baseman Cristian Araujo to first baseman Moises Arias.

[TheCrew07]

Link while active, text follows:

Brewers hope for brighter days after rain

By AMBER KUEHN - Independent Record - 08/08/09

Mother Nature may have just given the Helena Brewers the break they need.

 

After rain washed out Friday night's game against the Billings Mustangs at Dehler Park, Helena manager Rene Gonzales said the postponement wasn't a wrench in the Brewers' game plan. Rather, it gave a struggling pitching staff some much-needed rest.

 

"Obviously you can't (control the weather) but I like two shorter games," Gonzales said of the pair of seven-inning contests the Brewers are now slated to play today.

 

Helena will face Billings in a doubleheader beginning at 5:05 p.m. It's the first time the Brewers have played back-to-back games in a day this season. Gonzales said his roster is full of plenty of legs and isn't concerned about having enough guys to get through two contests. His main concern is his club's arms.

 

After blowing through the bullpen and using the majority of their rotation in Missoula to kick off the second half of the season (at one point utilizing four different pitchers in an inning), the Brewers hurlers were given a break.

 

"We had to stretch out our pitching staff in Missoula," Gonzales said. "Hopefully our starters will be able to go longer."

 

Tonight fans will see something a little different as each of the starters are expected to throw just one inning before giving way to the bullpen.

 

Andre Lamontagne will start the first game, then Gonzales plans to put in righthander Damon Krestalude. The Brewers skipper hopes Krestalude, who is 2-2 on the year with a 4.09 ERA, can then hurl the majority of the innings. In the nightcap, Jake Odorizzi is scheduled to take the mound for the first time since July 16. Odorizzi had been sitting out with a sore arm. Adrian Rosario will likely relieve.

 

It was a welcome day off Friday for the Mustangs as well. Billings struggled mightily in the season's first half, but sits at .500 following four games in the second. The Brewers find themselves in the Pioneer League North cellar with a 1-3 record. Helena has been hampered lately by the inability to hold a lead.

 

Thursday night in the series opener against the Mustangs, the Brewers blew a 3-1 lead in the late innings. It was similar to the lead they relinquished a week ago against Billings, in a contest marred by miscues with seven total errors.

 

"It's the same thing," Gonzales said. "We keep shooting ourselves in the foot, kind of beating ourselves.

 

"At this point we're jelling a little bit better, we just can't seem to find the consistency."

 

That ability to string together wins is what the Brewers are hoping starts to happen. This season, Helena's longest winning streak is three games.

 

"Our bullpen has to be better," Gonzales said of what needs to be done. "Offensively we do enough, athough we left some runners out there yesterday. But the bullpen just hasn't responded."

 

The Brewers lost a crucial member of their bullpen when their most consistent closer, Michael Fiers, was promoted to Single-A Wisconsin. Helena also lost some production at the plate with Josh Prince getting the call up.

 

Still, Gonzales has faith in the arms he's got, and hope that this unplanned day off might get his crew started off on the right foot.

 

"Krestalude and Rosario will be key tomorrow," Gonzales said. "I hope Rosario bounces back. He's got quality stuff, he just needs to put it together. Hopefully he'll do it."

 

Amber Kuehn: 447-4079 or amber.kuehn@helenair.com

[TheCrew07]

Wow the Southern League leader boards are depressing to look at, not many prospects on the board.

 

Hitting (Qualified)

 

AVE - Chris Heisey a 24 year old CF prospect in the Reds organization is still your league leader even though he was promoted a long time ago. Justis and Anderson are the Stars in the top 10, at 6 and 7 respectively, with a .307 and .306 average.

 

OBP - Tyler Flowers a 23 year old C prospect of the Whit Sox is your league leader with a .445! He has also been promoted to AAA. The only Star in the top 10 is Anderson with a .389

 

SLG - Chris Heisey and Tyler Flowers are 1 and 2 on this list, with a .572 and .548 respectively. Anderson is 10th with a .462.

 

OPS - Given what's happened above there is no surprise here as Heisey and Flowers are again 1 and 2 with a .998 and .993. Drew Anderson makes the top 10 in 8th with an .851.

 

BB - Finally a Brewer and a prospect in the top 5, Jonathan Lucroy is 3rd with 63 walks on the season. The league leader is a 26 year old LF in the Braves system named Matt Young, he has 72 on the season.

 

SO - No Stars in the top 20, or bottom 20 as it were, the league leader in a bad way is Greg Halman of the Mariners. He's a 21 year old top prospect rated #1 in the Mariner system by BA for whatever that is worth.

 

Pitching (Qualified)

 

ERA - The league leader is Travis Wood a 22 year old LHP pitcher for the Reds with a 1.21, he has since been promoted to AAA. Unfortunately he's a name we're going to get familiar with. Donovan Hand is the only Star in the top 10 placing 6th, with a 3.56

 

SO - Once again the leader was Travis Wood with 103, Scott Diamond a Braves prospect who just turned 23 will pass him with his next start, he currently has 101. The top Star is in 15th with 74... if you guessed Bobby Bramhall you know your prospects better than I do.

 

WHIP - Once again the leader is Travis Wood with a .97, Donovan Hand came in 6th and is the only Star in the top 20.

 

BB - Mark Holliman of the Stars comes in giving up the 11th most BBs in the league with 43. The league leader is 22 year old Braves prospect Kyle Cofield with 67. Kyle does have 70 Ks on the season and 3.62 ERA.

 

IP - Holliman has the most IP by any Stars pitcher with 104, the league leader is D'Backs prospect Matt Torra who's 25 year old RHP with a 137. It's extremely depressing that our best starter from this group was Cody who's been average in AAA. Holliman has accumultaed those 104 IP in 20 starts...

 

Team Batting

The Stars are 5th in AVE with a .258, 6th in OBP with .336, 7th in SLG with .363, 7th in OPS with .700, 4th in BB with 418, last in SO with 617 (a good thing), and tied for last with only 68 Stolen Bases on the season.

 

Team Pitching

The Stars are last in IP with 949, 9th in ERA with a 4.28, 9th (good) in BB with 368, 6th in SO with 754, tied for 7th (3 way) in WHIP with a 1.42, but they've given up 3rd most Hits in the league with 986 thus far on the season. They've also given up the 2nd most HR of any team with 89 on the season trailing Mobile who's given up 96.