Link Report for Wed. 8/19 -- Tough Night for Jones; A Capuano Sighting; A DVR Alert for Thurs.

[And That]

The box score has been fixed. Howell went one inning and struck out a batter.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Sacramento (Athletics) 11, Nashville 1

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link for Brendan Katin photo, text follows --

 

River Cats Blast Sounds, 11-1

 

NASHVILLE - The Sacramento River Cats beat the Nashville Sounds 11-1 on Wednesday night at historic Greer Stadium after blasting three home runs and recording 18 hits, tying a season-high for hits allowed for the Sounds.

 

Nashville (65-60) has dropped four straight, and moves into second place behind Memphis by a half game in the American Northern Division.

 

Brett Wallace went 3-for-6 with two home runs, a double, and five RBIs in the game, his fourth consecutive game with a home run.

 

Sacramento starting pitcher Clayton Mortensen (8-7) earned the win, surrendering just one run on three hits with two walks and seven strikeouts in seven innings.

 

In his first career Triple-A start, Sounds starting pitcher Mike Jones allowed three runs in the first inning, including RBI doubles by Wallace and catcher Eric Munson.

 

Sacramento added another three spot in the top of the fifth inning on another RBI base hit by Wallace, followed by RBI doubles by Travis Buck and Munson, extending the River Cats lead to 6-0.

 

Nashville got a run back in the bottom of the fourth inning trimming the Sacramento lead to 6-1. After third baseman Mat Gamel extended his hitting streak to a season-high nine games with a single, outfielder Brendan Katin drove Gamel home on a double down the left field line.

 

The River Cats got another three runs in the next frame, extending the Sacramento lead to 9-1. Wallace took Sounds reliever Robert Hinton deep for his 12th home run of the season, a two run shot to left-center. Chris Denorfia brought home another run with a single later in the inning.

 

Sacramento centerfielder Matt Carson hit his 17th home run to left-center in the next inning, a solo shot. Wallace's second homer to center field in the next inning made it 11-1 Sacramento.

 

Jones (0-1) picked up the loss, after being touched up for six runs on 10 hits with three walks in four innings. Hinton allowed four runs in two innings in relief.

 

The Sounds and River Cats play the third game of a four-game series at 7:00 pm CT on Thursday night at historic Greer Stadium. Right-hander Jeff Suppan makes the start for Nashville, his second rehab start for the Brewers since being placed on disabled list on July 28. Right-hander Shawn Chacon (6-4, 6.12) makes the start for Sacramento.

 

Nashville Box Score

RHP Mike Jones allows 14 baserunners and six runs in just four innings, not a single strkeout -- with ten hits allowed, you wonder if there was even a swing-and-miss -- it's disheartening, but only one start, but I think we all realize how far away this Cinderella story is, even if AAA is just "one step away"; it's not like Jones was given this start as a gift, though, he had earned it; RHP Robert Hinton was similarly ineffective in his two innings; Mat Gamel on fire again, reaching base three times -- see the Nashville media notes linked above for more details on Gamel's hot streak; just assume Angel Salome is sidelined until we say otherwise -- if not for "coach's" visit, we wouldn't know about his finger, and Gord Ash would still be silent; Carlos Corporan was drafted in the same round (12th, 2003) as newcomer RHP Buddy Flores (Bill Hall trade)...

 

Nashville Game Log

[Mass Haas]

A reminder that as of 10:35 PM, you can still listen to the Helena squad here -- unfortunately, they just lost a late lead in the 8th...to the 9th they go, tied at 5-5. RHP Damon Krestalude's fine start won't net him a win....

[And That]

Why is Brandon Sizemore still in Arizona? He sure could help bolster the Helena squad.

[Mass Haas]

Thursday evening is the final televised Time Warner cable system game for the Rattlers this season (Time Warner Cable Sports 32, I believe). Game time is 7:05 Central.

[Mass Haas]

Helena grabs a lead (currently 7-5 in the top of the 9th) -- a good night night for late-inning audio fun, this time with Steve.

 

Former Brewer reliever Chuck Crim the Ogden Pitching Coach.

[homer]

So I guess Hardy just needs a couple days off? 0-4 with 3 Ks. Ouch.

[wibadgers23]

Gamel with two more hits tonight. Is there any benefit of keeping him in Nashville until Sept 1st? Otherwise, he might as well be in Milwaukee starting almost every night.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Huntsville 7, West Tenn (Mariners) 6

 

Huntsville Site Game Summary

 

Stars Come Back to Stun Jaxx, Again!

Huntsville hands West tenn crushing loss with three-run ninth

Brett Pollock, Huntsville Stars

Chuck Caufield's sacrifice fly chased home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth, as Huntsville rallied to down West Tenn 7-6 Wednesday night in the middle of a five-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars won for a second time in the series to improve to 20-32 in the second half, while the Jaxx stumbled to 28-25 in the second half and into a first place tie in the North Division with Tennessee, which beat Chattanooga in walk-off fashion for a second straight night.

 

Freddy Parejo started the winning rally with a single, advanced to second base when Shane Justis was hit by a Phillippe Aumont pitch and moved up, as did Justis, on a Michael Garciaparra sacrifice bunt. Drew Anderson's single to left plated Parejo to cut the Jaxx lead to 6-5 and sent Justis to third, from where he scored on a wild pitch to tie the game. Anderson moved to third base on a balk before Jonathan Lucroy worked a walk and Taylor Green was intentionally passed to load the bases. Caufield lofted a fly ball deep enough to right field to allow Anderson to score the winning run standing up, as Aumont suffered his second blown save and loss in the series. The Stars won for only a third time in 48 games while trailing after eight innings, while the Jaxx suffered their tenth walk-off loss of the season.

 

West Tenn manufactured the go-ahead run in the seventh, as Mel Stocker walked, moved to second on a bunt base hit by Ezequiel Carrera, advanced to third on a Callix Crabbe line out to center and scored to make it 5-4 on a Marshall Hubbard single. The visitors added another in the ninth to push their lead to two on a Carrera sacrifice fly. Jim Henderson grabbed his first win with Huntsville after allowing a run on two hits over two frames.

 

The Stars broke through for three runs in the third inning against West Tenn starter Dan Cortes on a one-out, run-scoring double by Kevin Melillo and two-out run-scoring hits by Lucroy, who extended his hitting streak to 19 games, and Green. The home side tacked on a run in the fourth when Brett Lawrie led off with a single, advanced to second base on a passed ball and scored on an errant throw by third baseman Matt Mangini after he had made a diving stop on a Yohannis Perez ground ball. Cortes went six frames, giving up four runs, three earned, on nine hits, while walking and striking out a pair.

 

Josh Butler, making his first start with Huntsville after suffering a rib cage injury on July 2, blanked the Jaxx on three singles through five innings before the visitors tallied four times in the sixth to tie the game. Fleming Baez's fielders choice grounder drove in the first run and Johan Limonta followed with a base hit to drive in Crabbe to cut the lead to 4-2 and knock Butler out of the game. Mike McClendon took over for Butler and surrendered a run-scoring double to Matt Mangini and a game-tying sacrifice fly by Rich Poythress. Butler was charged with four runs on six hits, while walking one and fanning four over 5 1/3 innings.

 

The series continues Thursday night with right-hander Mark Holliman taking the hill for the Stars against West Tenn right-hander Steve Bray. 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

Stocker -- Crabbe -- Bray, reunion series; Mike McClendon couldn't help save Josh Butler's final line, but Josh's first five scoreless innings were nice; Brett Lawrie 1-for-4, again at second base, not the DH; Freddy Parejo the game MVP, three hits including the key leadoff stroke in the bottom of the 9th...

 

Huntsville Game Log

[Mass Haas]

WHEW! Ogden strands the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th, LHP Kristian Bueno comes in to face a lefty pinch-hitter and fans him on three pitches to end it, 7-5 Crew! Details in the AM...

[Mass Haas]

22-year-old RHP Caleb Thielbar of the Maryvale Brewers (18th round, 2009, out of South Dakota State) has earned some serious props.

 

In his last nine outings totalling 31.2 innings, Thielbar has allowed one earned run (0.28 ERA), walking just two while striking out 27.

 

The totally most anonymous effective player in the system this season, hands down.

 

He has outings of seven innings, six innings, and five innings (twice) during that stretch.

 

Give this kid his own show!

[Mass Haas]

The A-Crew trying to hold on late in Glendale. Details in the AM...

[Mass Haas]

David Weiser's starsboxscore.com

 

The return of the fat lady

Caufield's sac fly caps 3-run 9th-inning comeback

 

584 tonight. Hello, Huntsville? Is anybody at home? I thought I heard breathing. Oh, well. Pretending that you really care, you missed a good game.

 

Although they lost Tuesday's game badly, and this has nothing to do with the margin; it has more to do with leaving the bases loaded twice and hitting into a force play and leaving runners in scoring position in the 8th, these bookended victories were reminiscent of a string of four straight wins against the Braves last April in their final at-bat....... To refresh your memory, the Stars beat Mississippi, 5-4, on a chilly April 14, on a 13th inning two-out single by Vinny Rottino. The next night, two errors in the night set up a game-winning hit by Chuckie Caufield, and another 4-3 victory. On the 16th, Chris Errecart singled in two runs -- again with two out -- for a 4-3 win in the bottom of the 9th. Finally, on the 17th, the Stars scored all seven of their runs in the final three innings, capping a comeback 9th with a sac fly from Drew Anderson for a 7-6 victory. Isn't that eerie?......

 

Their uncanny ability to drive in runs with runners in scoring position (a .337 average w/RISP) when they needed them sprung from this string of four consecutive last at-bat victories. The Stars' drive for the 1st half title was born on these four games...... Now it may be a little too late for the Stars to make a drive to the top, but momentum is important if the Stars want to get past the first round of the playoffs.

 

Freddy Parejo started the rally with a single, then advanced to 2nd when Shane Justis was hit by a 2-1 Phillippe Aumont pitch. Michael Garciaparra's sacrifice bunt moved the runners into scoring position, then Anderson singled to left to cut the Diamond Jaxx lead to 6-5....... Anderson went to second and Justis scored from third on Aumont's wild pitch to tie the game and Anderson moved to third base on a balk..... Walks to Jonathan Lucroy and Taylor Green (intentionally) loaded the bases for Caufield, whose fly ball deep to right allowed Anderson to score standing up.

 

Josh Butler earlier lost a 4-0 lead when the Diamond Jaxx tied the game in the 6th as eight hitters came to the plate...... With no one out and the bases loaded, Fleming Baez hit into a force play at second. Johan Limonta singled in Callix Crabbe for the 2nd run. That was the end of Butler, who made his first pitching appearance since July 2...... Mike McClendon (a 2.13 ERA since July) came in, but Matt Mangini doubled deep to right near the line, scoring Baez and sending Limonta to third, making it a 4-3 game. A sacrifice fly by Rich Poythress tied it up....... Mel Stocker walked on five pitches to lead off the 7th and eventually scored on Thomas Hubbard's one-out single to put the Diamond Jaxx in front. They added another in the 9th to make it 6-4, but of course, it's never over till the fat lady sings, and the fat lady took her bow for another encore.

 

Lucroy's consecutive-game streak of doubles ended Tuesday, but he added another tonight, a two-out RBI double in the 3rd down the left field line after fouling off a couple of 2-2 pitches. It drove in a run and extended his hitting streak to 19 games -- the longest since Mickey Lopez's record 22-game streak of 2000 and one short of the 2nd longest in Stars history. (Steve Cox of the A's organization had a 20-game streak in 1996.)...... Shane Justis scored after being hit by a pitch, as I mentioned, in the 9th, but he's still mired in a deep 2-for-32 slump...... There's always hope. Taylor Green was 2-for-33, broke out against Mobile, and is now 6-for-his-last 14 at-bats..... Freddy Parejo had his first three-hit game since June 21 vs. Birmingham.

 

Mark Holliman (7-7, 4.80) takes the mound for the Stars Thursday night against Steve Bray....... I've heard remarks about the Diamond Jaxx looking like a team of former Stars rejects. I don't know about that, but I counted six former Stars -- four pitchers -- who were or are part of the Diamond Jaxx this year -- pitchers Luis Pena, Luis Villareal, Patrick Ryan, Bray, Mel Stocker, and Callix Crabbe.

 

Mike Jones was pounded by the A's top farm club, the Sacramento River Cats, for six runs on ten hits in four innings as the Nashville Sounds lost at Greer Stadium, 11-1, Wednesday night...... Robert Hinton followed in relief and gave up four runs on six hits in two innings. His ERA there climbs to 7.88..... J.J. Hardy went hitless in four at-bats, striking out three times, dropping his average since being sent down to Nashville to .182.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Manatees winning, not filling stadium seats

BY MARK DeCOTIS

FLORIDA TODAY

 

Despite winning the Florida State League's first-half North Division championship and having a winning record, the Brevard County Manatees rank in the middle of the pack in attendance.

 

The Manatees, an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, have drawn 62,375 in 51 home dates for an average of 1,223, ranking seventh in the 12-team, two-division league. The Tampa Bay Rays-affiliated Charlotte Stone Crabs top the league in attendance, averaging 2,768, while the Cincinnati Reds-affiliated Sarasota Reds rank last, averaging 507.

 

The Manatees didn't draw much better than that on their seven-game homestand that ended last Thursday, averaging 884. Even more sobering was the fact they played three games in three nights in pursuit of their 1,000th victory as a franchise but drew only 858, 724 and 650 fans, respectively, to 8,100-seat Space Coast Stadium, numbers obviously affected by the beginning of public school on Aug. 10.

 

But the fact remains that despite having an inexpensive entertainment ticket -- all seats are $7 and parking is free -- and playing in a top-notch facility in one of the county's fastest growing areas, the Manatees still struggle to draw fans. Their total declined from a high of 101,847 in 2005 to 66,256 last season, although they are on pace for 73,884 this season, exceeding 2008's total by about 7,628. Also, fans who do show up come mainly from South Brevard.

 

Ownership, headed by Orlando orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tom Winters, is well aware of both shortcomings and is striving to overcome them in the worst economy in decades.

 

"Our lagging attendance is somewhat of a mystery to me, personally," Manatees President Charlie Baumann wrote in an e-mail. "I gladly drive an hour from south Orlando to go to the games, so I don't understand proximity, or lack thereof, as a significant variable. The facility is beautiful, and dollar for dollar, we are the best value in the county when it comes to affordable family entertainment."

 

The team is pursuing several avenues to increase attendance.

 

"We are focused on reaching as many people as possible that have not had the pleasure of experiencing a game at Space Caost Stadium," Baumann wrote.

 

Strategies include:

 

- Family-based promotions.

- Corporate outings for Brevard-based businesses of all sizes.

- Community involvement including the Viera High School band performing the National Anthem and recognizing outstanding local teams such as the Rockledge Little League team that recently concluded play at the regional level.

- Getting Manatees players and team mascot Manny into the community to interact with fans.

 

"This is a unique differentiator from Major League Baseball -- the immediacy that is available when it comes to getting to know the players," Baumann wrote.

 

Additionally, the team is developing a TV show that will attempt to convey the wonderful experience of attending a Manatees game in person.

 

But the question remains, can a minor league baseball team playing in a local market with no local players draw?

 

The answer is yes, at least as far as Charlotte and the Philadelphia Phillies-affiliated Clearwater Threshers, who rank second in the league in attendance, are concerned. Even the Chicago Cubs-affiliated Daytona franchise, which does not host spring training at its ballpark, outdraws the Manatees.

 

Yet the FSL itself is drawing well. Its attendance has increased 12.5 percent and leads eight of the 15 leagues that are witnessing larger crowds: California (4.9 percent); International (2.2 percent); New York-Penn (1.7 percent); Eastern (1.2 percent); Appalachian (1 percent); Pioneer (0.3 percent); and South Atlantic (0.1 percent).

 

Manatees General Manager Kyle Smith sees two immediate reasons for the attendance struggles.

 

"Several companies that have had large group outings in the past simply say they can't afford to come out this season due to economic reasons, which I completely understand," Smith wrote in an e-mail. "This is specifically evident in the more exclusive areas (berm parties, suites, etc.).

 

"(Also) Brevard is a unique market because there is no real epicenter of activity, i.e. large downtown area. The county has a half a million people spread out over 70-plus miles of coastline, which makes marketing to the whole county difficult."

 

Clearwater takes a unique approach through its parent company Ripken Baseball owned by baseball legend Cal Ripken.

 

"Ripken Baseball has a direct philosophy on how we approach things and with us it's selling season tickets," said General manager Joe Hart. "That's our main thing. When we sell season tickets it's not just selling a seat to a game, it's selling the experience. We allow our season ticket holders opportunities to do things that normal people don't get to do. A lot of them are businesses that use them for clients. We gave the opportunity to go down on the field during batting practice to get to meet the players, they get the opportunity to have a son or daughter, or their top client throw out a first pitch. It's a lot of those type of things.

 

"All our emphasis is making our season ticket holders feel special and valued and with that a typical ball team does a giveaway item where the first 1,500 people through the gate get a hat. We do a hat giveaway, a baseball giveaway and a T-shirt giveaway and they're only for our season ticket holders and mini plan holders."

 

The Stone Crabs stadium seats 5,100 -- 7,600 with its grass berm and boardwalk and has sold the equivalent of just more than 1,000 full season tickets for 2009. Their single-game prices range from $5 for the berm to $10.

 

But they don't benefit just from season tickets and cheap admission.

 

"There's no doubt that being affiliated with the Rays certainly helps things," Hart said. "We're 75 miles up the road. The other good thing is you get the rehab guys, when a guy gets hurt a lot of times they're sending him down here to rehab so we get that benefit because of their proximity."

 

Additional Facts

 

Average home attendance of FSL teams

Charlotte: 2,768

Clearwater: 2,561

Daytona: 2,447

Fort Myers: 1,723

Tampa: 1,551

St. Lucie: 1,480

Brevard County: 1,223

Jupiter: 1,042

Palm Beach: 1,033

Lakeland: 937

Dunedin: 568

Sarasota: 507

 

***

 

I find it almost inconceivable that an otherwise well-written article didn't take weather into account. All in all, it seems the Manatees are doing "OK". We all know the Florida State League is what it is. -- Jim (Mass Haas)

[Mass Haas]

Manatees season ticket holder amenities

 

Cost: $280

 

A savings of $210 off box office price.

 

Ticket holder selects seat(s) for all 70 home games.

 

Blank date tickets for flexible use.

 

Admission to all 70 Manatees road games based on ticket availability.

 

Season ticket holder T-shirt.

 

Private team autograph picnic.

 

Free home playoff tickets, if applicable.

 

Brevard County Manatees relief pitcher Rafael Lluberes fires a pitch to a Dunedin Blue Jays hitter during a game last week at Space Coast Stadium in Viera. (Photo by Craig Rubadoux, FLORIDA TODAY)

 

http://cmsimg.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A9&Date=20090820&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=908200334&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

[Mass Haas]

Final: Helena 7, Ogden (Dodgers) 5

Link while active, text follows:

Brewers bring skid to an end
Helena Independent Record

The Helena Brewers weren't going to leave Ogden, Utah, without a win.

Michael Marseco went 3-for-5 with two doubles, including one in the top of the ninth to bring in the winning run, and the Brewers snapped a five-game losing streak Wednesday with a 7-5 win over the Raptors.

The Brewers remain in the bottom of the Pioneer League North Division with a 4-10 record, but escaped with their first win since beating Odgen at home on Aug. 13.

After giving up leads in the previous two games, Helena looked like it might falter again when the Raptors tied it up with a three-run bottom of the eighth.

But, after Ogden closing pitcher Luis Ferreras struck out Joey Paciorek, Chad Stang walked, then advanced on a wild pitch, and Marseco brought him home with a fly ball to right field.

Marseco would score right after on Scott Krieger's double to right field.

Marseco, who was sent down to Helena from the Brewers A affiliate Wisconsin Timber Rattlers earlier this season, finished with two runs and three RBI in the game.

Marseco's other RBI double scored the lone run in the top of the seventh while he added a run in the first and hit an RBI ground out in the second.

Krieger finished 2-4 with an RBI while Stang went 1-3 with two runs and an RBI.

Helena's Damon Krestalude started on the mound and carried a 4-2 lead into the sixth inning. He gave up two runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out four.

Reliever Robert Currie (2-2) held off the Raptors in the seventh, suffered a blown save when Ogden rallied to a tie in the eighth, then picked up the win.

After getting the first two batters out, Currie gave up two singles and hit Brian Ruggiano with a pitch before Pedro Guerrero cleared the bases with an RBI double. Brian Cavazos-Galvez struck out to end the inning.

Ferreras ended with the loss.

Helena heads to Orem, Utah, next to face the Owls. Orem has a 10-game win streak against the Brewers, and have not lost to the Capital City squad since Aug. 17, 2007.

Helena Box Score
Yikes -- when did catcher Cameron Garfield accumulate ten errors on the season? The 9-1-2-3 spots carried the day...

Helena Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Final: Arizona Brewers 3, Arizona Dodgers 2

Arizona Box Score

Another encouraging Seth Lintz outing, closing out a tight game for the aforementioned Mr. Caleb Thielbar; we will not rest until the big league Brewers are all Caleb, all the time, Gindl, Thielbar, bring them all aboard; welcome to professional baseball, 1-2-3 inning style, 21-year-old LHP Del Howell -- southpaws always welcome here; RF Max Walla's 4th consecutive multi-hit game -- way to go, kid; Adam McCalvy posted a brief note on Chris Capuano after we dropped him a line -- nothing in the JS, so glad we could bring Cap's rehab return to your attention...

 

Arizona Game Log

[sheethead]

So I guess Hardy just needs a couple days off? 0-4 with 3 Ks. Ouch.

Three days should do the trick. Its worked in the past.

[Diskono]

So I guess Hardy just needs a couple days off? 0-4 with 3 Ks. Ouch.

Three days should do the trick. Its worked in the past.

You see, its kind of like a golfer who usually shoots in the 110s, but then has a couple of rounds in the 120s. Golf is a grueling sport, so he needs 3 days of rest to get back down into the 110s.

[madbad2000]

Thanks for that season ticket info for BC, Jim. That is actually a heck of a deal and better then a lot of season ticket plans I've seen for other minor league teams. You get quite a bit for your package. I have never heard of tickets to road games as well. On field batting practice too. Very nice.