Link Report for Games of Sunday, August 30th

[Mass Haas]

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/store/dailylinkreport.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Sunday's Menu:

Times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: LHP Chris Cody at Round Rock (Astros), 5:40 PM pre-game; 6:05 gametime

Live Audio Link

 

Huntsville: RHP Brandon Kintzler at Birmingham (White Sox), 4:50 PM pre-game; 5:05 gametime

Live Audio Link

 

Brevard County: RHP Amaury Rivas at Tampa (Yankees), 12:00 PM gametime

Sorry, no audio for this series...

 

Wisconsin: RHP R.J. Seidel at Kane County (Athletics), 1:45 PM pre-game; 2:00 gametime; LHP Efrain Nieves will also pitch

Live Audio Link

 

Helena: RHP Eric Arnett at Great Falls (White Sox), 4:45 PM pre-game; 5:00 gametime

Live Audio Link

 

Arizona Summer League: Season complete (12-16 first half, 13-15 second half, 25-31 overall)

 

Dominican Summer League Brewers / Orioles: Season complete -- the squad finished 27-43, 11th place in the 12-team division, 24.5 games behind the first-place DSL Giants. If it makes you smile, the DSL Cubs #2 squad finished last at 15-52, and lost their final 19 games of the season.

[Mass Haas]

Follow Sunday's action as it happens:

Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Tab or New Window". Choose "Recap". While you're listening to your minor league game of choice (or watching/listening to the big league Crew when they are playing), simply refresh your game log browsers every so often.

 

MiLB.com now has Gameday available for AA as well as AAA this season.

 

Nashville:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_08_30_nasaaa_rreaaa_1

 

Huntsville:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_08_30_hunaax_biraax_1&did=t559&sid=t559

 

Brevard County:

 

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&gid=2009_08_30_breafa_tbyafa_1&cid=503&t=g_box

 

Wisconsin:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_08_30_wisafx_kccafx_1&did=t572&sid=t572

 

Helena:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_08_30_helrok_grfrok_1&did=t433&sid=t433

[Mass Haas]

This link will be included in each daily report when the Nashville Sounds are scheduled to play. Normally it is updated a few hours prior to gametime.

Nashville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format):



***

We're going to include the link to Kraig McNutt's Nashville blog in the same post as the Nashville media notes link going forward.

***

"Voice of the Rattlers" Chris Mehring's informative and entertaining Rattlers Radio Blog includes game notes an hour or two before gametime.

***

Midwest League Standings

[Mass Haas]

 Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memphis 71 63 .530 - 40-27 31-36 W1 Iowa 70 65 .519 1.5 42-25 28-40 W4 Nashville 70 65 .519 1.5 36-31 34-34 W2 Omaha 58 77 .430 13.5 29-39 29-38 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tennessee 34 28 .548 - 16-16 18-12 W3 West Tenn 34 28 .548 - 18-12 16-16 W1 Chattanooga 32 30 .516 2.0 19-12 13-18 L1 Huntsville 25 36 .410 8.5 13-16 12-20 L1 Carolina 21 41 .339 13.0 10-20 11-21 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Florida State League (A+) - FSL North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tampa 43 17 .717 - 16-11 27-6 L1 Brevard County 36 21 .632 5.5 22-13 14-8 W1 Clearwater 32 31 .508 12.5 17-15 15-16 W1 Dunedin 30 30 .500 13.0 17-13 13-17 W3 Daytona 27 34 .443 16.5 14-20 13-14 L1 Lakeland 23 35 .397 19.0 9-12 14-23 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Missoula 12 13 .480 - 6-7 6-6 W3 Great Falls 11 14 .440 1.0 2-8 9-6 W2 Billings 7 17 .292 4.5 6-8 1-9 L3 Helena 7 17 .292 4.5 4-8 3-9 L2 

[Mass Haas]

Late change for Wisconsin:

 

*-R.J. Seidel, Sunday's originally scheduled starting pitcher, will start on Wednesday at home against Cedar Rapids.

 

LHP Efrain Nieves gets the start today with no scheduled long-man piggyback.

[TheCrew07]

I thought I'd check in on some MiLB games before heading to my meeting tonight.

 

Rivas with a stinker, only 3 IP and gives up 4R. I forgot the playoffs when I was thinking about his IP, if BC gets past the first round he could conceivably get 18 more IP this season (1 start remaining on the season 2 playoff starts), which would push his total up around 149. That would be quite the jump in IP.

 

edit. WI's nondescript lineup puts up a solid 5 runs, but the pitching staff manages to give up 4 runs in the 9th and they are now in extras.

 

edit. Leadoff double against Ohlmann in 10th over McPhearson, sacrifice'd the runner to 3rd. With one out Isom elects to intentionally walk 2 batters loading the bases and switches to Almonte.

 

edit. Walk off HBP on what I believe was a 1-2 count, WI loses.

[TheCrew07]

I must be a jinx tonight, I just tuned into Helena as Stang drops a ball in CF. He first broke in, then broke back and dropped the ball which has now been scored a hit.

[MTBrew]

Yeah, Wendt gave Stang the benefit of the doubt saying he's been "under the weather".

Stang has been a very passive centerfielder since he got to Helena. Also completely lost at the plate.

He appears to be a good athlete, maybe that is why he was drafted in the 8th?

Also, as a baseball fan, this Helena roster is complete crap. There are not enough position players now and there have never been enough OF's.

It takes a lot from the game when all you have are righties in the lineup and the manager can't even situational pitch hit because there are no lefties or even enough guys late innings on the roster.

I can understand this early season when guys are being signed and arriving but not after mid season. They should have brought some guys up, sent McPhearson back down or signed some FA's.

I don't know if the organization is cheaping out but the fans in Helena deserve better.

Also a lot of these guys are tired, I don't understand why they keeping beating up Garfield either.

[twobrewers]

WI's nondescript lineup puts up a solid 5 runs, but the pitching staff manages to give up 4 runs in the 9th and they are now in extras.

Wisconsin might have the worst offensive prospects the Brewers have thrust upon any minor league affiliate in a LONG time.

 

If Frederickson, Peralta or Scarpetta aren't pitching - they really aren't worth following.

[MTBrew]

"Wisconsin might have the worst offensive prospects the Brewers have thrust upon any minor league affiliate in a LONG time. "

 

Having seen the bulk of that line-up in 08 and 09, this seasons Helena squad is worse.

[colbyjack]

Hopefully Cutter Dykstra's, and even Cameron Garfield's, late season surge will carry into next year, and Kentrail Davis should be a nice boost as well, although I know we thought the same thing about Brett Lawrie, who of course didn't debut until opening day this year with Wisconsin, and he alone couldn't carry the offense. I do think the pitching staff could be very good, but I agree that the lineup looks as though it will struggle to score runs.

 

The Brewers definitely need to do a better job finding the late-round Kenny Holmberg's and Tony Festa's of the world that can help solidify the lineups at the lower levels, although it sounds as though the coaching staff at Helena may have some issues as well. At first my response is that the focus on pitchers hurt the lineups at both Helena and Wisconsin this past year, but the Brewers still had quite a few intriguing bats mixed in the early rounds the last two years. Injuries to Jose Duran and Erik Komatsu haven't helped, and you would think that 2nd rounder Max Walla would be more polished than what he showed in AZ. Logan Schafer and Brett Lawrie appear to be fast-tracked, and Kentrail Davis will probably join them. Khris Davis and D'Vontrey Richardson get forgotten about when talking about options to help reinforce the lineups at either Wisconsin or Helena.

 

MTBrew, I mentioned this in a thread a few nights ago (and if you replied to it I apologize for missing it), but have you seen Heckathorn throw yet? If so, what did you think?

[MTBrew]

colbyjack, I did respond on Arnett and Heckathorn on the 8/27 thread. Not to rehash it here, but I don't really have a good handle or insight on evaluating pitchers. Unlike hitters (Yost says he just lets them hit at this level, not much in the way of coaching) and defense (which I can evaluate) I am unsure if the coaching staff is letting the pitchers throw or having them work on specific things to the exclusion of the game and stats. It is obvious that some are/were on pitch counts. It seems a lot like spring training to me, where guys you know that have good stuff look great one outing and then get shelled the next, because they are working on something. Arnett fits that description. Heckathorn did look very good the other night, mixed his pitches well, good command.

Bucci I think is tired, his throwing motion is not a fluid as it was earlier in the summer. I also think the 09 Helena staff would have benefited from a more experienced catcher. Not to knock Garfield but a "veteran" 4 year college type guy would go along way in game calling and experience.

I also commented on Dykstra 8/27, he is playing better this year, although his stats may not show that (or maybe he's just hot lately because his dad has been in town).

[wibadgers23]

Thanks for all your insight MTBrew. It's nice to get these firsthand accounts on our prospects. Anyway, I know you've said that you don't have a good handle on evaluating pitchers, but I was just wondering if you've been able to watch Odorizzi yet and if you have, what do you think of him? Thanks

[MTBrew]

wibadgers, I have seen Odorizzi on 3 occasions (I missed his first start, probably his worst outing.)

I really like him a lot! Very easy motion, throws strikes and doesn't walk many. His 6 BB's and 2 HR's with 33 So's in 40+ innings - tells me that he is a competitor. I think he is averaging around a hit an inning. I don't think he throws that hard, low 90's maybe, not a "power" type pitcher but he has very good control. He is hittable and it will be interesting to see how he does as he moves up and pitches against more advanced hitters. I think he is the kind of pitcher who will benefit from good coaching and experienced game calling. He looked very good the other night despite the 2 runs he surrendered, striking out 8 and walking none. Maybe a little mental lapse in the 4th inning but the defense didn't play real inspired ball behind him, although the runs were earned. He's a good athlete who can field his position. Tremendous upside, I believe he just turned 19 this year, he is tall and lean and looks like he could grow into his frame. I have to agree with colbyjack, the young pitching looks very promising.

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville Site:

 

Stars and Barons Washed Out

The Sunday afternoon game scheduled between the Stars and Barons has been rained out in Birmingham. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Monday afternoon, beginning at 5:00 PM central time.

 

The Stars will send right-handers Mark Holliman and Brandon Kintzler to the hill against Birmingham right-handers John Ely and Matt Zaleski. Coverage of the twin bill will begin at 4:45 PM and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

[Mass Haas]

From Stars' GM Buck Rogers:

Our deepest sympathies go out to Buck Clemmons, a member of the Huntsville Stars extended family. Buck is the Stars' bus driver, and his wife, Martha, passed away Saturday morning while Buck and the team were down in Birmingham. In all my years in baseball I have never had a bus driver who solely adopted a team as Buck Clemmons has, and vice versa. He was going to retire after last season, but at season's end so many players wanted him back that he put off retirement to be with 'his boys.' Recently Buck brought Martha to a game and I had to thank her for sharing him with us (he's on the road two-and-a-half months each season with the team, never at home). Buck is like a father to the players, coaches and staff. It goes without saying that we share his loss.

 

[Mass Haas]

Final: Tampa (Yankees) 7, Brevard County 2

MiLB.com:

 

Yankees seal FSL division deal

By Josh Jackson / Special to MLB.com

From the way the Tampa Yankees played Sunday's game, they seemed to be the best in the Florida State League's North Division.

 

The 7-2 win over the Brevard County Manatees, who won the first-half North title, just made it official. Tampa clinched a playoff berth Thursday with a 5-1 win over the Manatees and closed the book on the second-half division title with Sunday's victory.

 

Brevard County looked invincible in the first half of the season, charging to a 7.5-game lead over the second-place Daytona Cubs and an 11.5-game lead over the fifth-place Yankees, who were 30-37 at the midway point.

 

Tampa took advantage of the clean slate afforded by the second half, winning 43 games through Sunday. To that point, the Yankees had lost only 17 times in the second half, fewer than any other Class A Advanced team.

 

Tampa will face Brevard County again in their first playoff series, beginning Sept. 8.

 

Brevard County Box Score

Four Brewer relievers tried to keep it reasonably close, stranding five baseunners for each other, but the Yankees broke it open against RHP Mark Willinsky; CF Logan Schafer was ejected by the home plate ump after striking out in the 7th; Caleb Gindl and Brent Brewer each singled twice...

 

Brevard County Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Details on a big Nashville win, a ridiculously painful Wisconsin loss for a team desperate for a confidence boost, and another Helena blowout loss later on this AM.

 

Thanks for your patience -- seems like the Link Reporter is running on fumes as his inning count grows at this time of year...

 

 

[Mass Haas]

From Saturday:

 

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Starting Pitcher Tim Dillard

Took a line drive off his pitching hand this week, but should be good to go...

 

From Sunday:

 

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Brewers Minor League Pitching Coordinator Lee Tunnell

Interesting, not earth-shattering insights, but worth a listen...

[Mass Haas]

Final: Nashville 7, Round Rock (Astros) 3

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link for Adam Stern photo, text follows --

 

Sounds Conclude Road Trip With 7-3 Win

 

ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Nashville Sounds closed out their road trip with a 7-3 victory over the Round Rock Express on Sunday evening at The Dell Diamond in the finale of a five-game series.

 

Nashville took three of five from the Express and concluded its nine-game trip with a 6-3 record.

 

The win pulled the Sounds (71-65) within a half-game of first-place Memphis, which lost at Albuquerque, in the PCL American Conference Northern Division. Iowa also won its Sunday contest and joins Nashville just a half-game behind the Redbirds.

 

Every Sounds position player recorded a hit in the winning effort, led by two-hit, two-RBI nights from Adam Stern, Adam Heether, and Hernan Iribarren.

 

After Round Rock grabbed an early lead with a pair of first-inning runs against Sounds starter Chris Cody, Nashville took control of the contest with a six-run outburst in the top of the fourth, sending 10 batters to the plate against Express starter Josh Muecke.

 

Corey Patterson opened the frame by reaching on an error and stealing second before scoring on a J.J. Hardy single. After Erick Almonte doubled to put runners on second and third, Heether put the visitors into the lead at 3-2 with a two-run double to left. Iribarren later plated Heether with a sacrifice fly before Stern capped off the frame's scoring with a two-out, two-run double.

 

AUDIO: Adam Stern Two-Run Double

 

Iribarren increased the Sounds' lead to 7-2 in the fifth when he plated Heether with an RBI single off Muecke.

 

Round Rock wrapped up the evening's scoring in the sixth when second baseman Matt Kata (3-for-4) delivered his second run-scoring knock of the night, an RBI single off Sounds reliever Matt Ginter.

 

Cody (8-7) picked up the win for Nashville after allowing two runs on six hits over five innings of work. Ginter worked the final four frames in solid fashion for the Sounds, allowing one run on three hits.

 

Muecke (6-10) drew the loss after surrendering seven runs (four earned) on nine hits in his five frames of action.

 

The Sounds return to Music City tomorrow to begin a crucial divisional matchup against the cross-state rival Memphis Redbirds with Monday's 6:00 PM opener of a four-game series. Right-hander Mike Jones (1-1, 5.40) will make the start for Nashville to face Memphis right-hander P.J. Walters (7-10, 4.84).

 

Nashville Box Score

Looking at that line with only one walk, you wonder how Chris Cody amassed 111 pitches in five effective innings; veteran RHP Matt Ginter has been the epitome of a needed veteran cog asked to do his job for a contending AAA squad...

 

Nashville Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Nashville Sounds get final shots at PCL playoffs

Memphis to visit for crucial series

By Maurice Patton

THE TENNESSEAN

 

Two months ago, the Nashville Sounds' four-game homestand in the final week of the regular season against Memphis was anticipated to be little more than a warm-up for the Pacific Coast League playoffs.

 

Following a June 19 victory over Oklahoma City, the Sounds were 41-28 - 13 games over .500, with a five-game lead over the rest of the PCL American North Division.

 

Since then, Nashville's record has taken a nosedive, and so has its postseason prospects. The Sounds are 71-65 and trail division leader Memphis by a half-game entering tonight's start of the series.

 

The Sounds travel to New Orleans for four games to close the regular season starting Friday. Only the four division winners make the playoffs.

 

"We've definitely made it tough on ourselves," Sounds outfielder Brendan Katin said. "Every team has its struggles. Fortunately for us, we hadn't really had any - until now.

 

"This is a bad time to get in a rut like that."

 

After advancing to the playoffs each of the first three seasons of their affiliation with the Milwaukee Brewers - including a PCL championship in 2005 - last year's Sounds finished with the worst record in franchise history (59-81).

 

This year looked like a bounce-back campaign. Moving into the division lead on May 15, the team had spent all but six days in sole possession of that spot before Aug. 19, when an 11-1 loss to Sacramento dropped Nashville a half-game behind Memphis.

 

"We're not getting the runs. Then, when we get the runs, we don't pitch," Sounds Manager Don Money said. "We've had chances to put teams away and make things a little bit easier, but we let them hang around, make a mistake late and wind up getting beat.

 

"We're still looking for guys to step up. We're not getting that."

 

Still, the earlier success leads the team to believe a good finish isn't out of reach.

 

Second baseman Hernan Iribarren returned to the team last week along with pitcher Mike Burns.

 

The Sounds own an 8-4 record against Memphis - including a four-game sweep at Greer Stadium earlier this season.

 

"How long have we been in first place?" pitcher Lindsay Gulin asked. "We're going through a stretch right now. We've got to learn from it, make some adjustments, get back on track and finish strong."

 

The Nashville Sounds start a four-game series tonight against Memphis, a team they trail by a half-game in the division standings. Photo by BILLY KINGSLEY / TENNESSEAN FILE

http://cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20090831&Category=SPORTS0401&ArtNo=908310341&Ref=AR&Profile=1031&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

[Mass Haas]

Final: Kane County (Athletics) 6, Wisconsin 5, ten innings

 

Wisconsin Site Game Summary

 

Kane County stuns Wisconsin

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

GENEVA, IL - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers had a 5-1 lead over the Kane County Cougars heading into the bottom of the ninth inning on Sunday afternoon.

 

But the Cougars scored four in the ninth and Conner Crumbliss got credit for the game-winning RBI when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the tenth to beat the Rattlers 6-5. Kane County has beaten the Rattlers in nine straight meetings.

 

A foreshadowing of the frustrating day happened in the top of the first inning. Wisconsin had three hits, but could not score.

 

The Cougars (72-61 overall, 31-22 second half) scored in the bottom of the first. Rattlers starting pitcher Efrain Nieves walked Crumbliss, the leadoff batter, to start the inning. A single to right by Leonardo Gil put runners at the corners with no outs. A sacrifice fly to right off the bat of Steve Parker drove in Crumbliss for the 1-0 lead.

 

The Rattlers (57-75, 23-39) tied the game in the top of the fourth inning. They loaded the bases with no outs on a pair of walks and a bunt single. Kyle Dhanani grounded into a 6-4-3 double play that let the runner at third score the tying run.

 

Wisconsin took the lead with three runs in the top of the sixth. Brock Kjeldgaard started the inning with a double. Jose Duran's one-out RBI single drove in Kjeldgaard with the go-ahead run. Dhanani followed with an RBI triple to send Duran home. The throw to third hit Dhanani and deflected into the Timber Rattlers dugout to allow Dhanani to score and put Wisconsin up 4-1.

 

Derrick McPhearson drove in an insurance run with a two-out single in the top of the ninth. It did not turn out to be enough insurance.

 

Nieves was solid over 5-2/3 innings. He allowed four hits, struck out five, and gave up just that one first inning run. Nick Tyson relieved Nieves and did not allow a run in the first 2-1/3 innings he worked.

 

But in the ninth Tyson gave up a leadoff single and two straight walks to load the bases. A third consecutive walk to Tyler Ladendorf forced in a run to make the score 5-2. That was all for Tyson and Liam Ohlmann relieved.

 

Dusty Napoleon greeted Ohlmann with a sacrifice fly to cut the lead to 5-3. A single by Crumbliss reloaded the bases and an error (by third baseman John Delaney) let in a run to cut that lead to one. Parker hit a sacrifice fly to center and the tying run scored. A hit batsman loaded the bases again, but Ohlmann struck out Franklin Henderson, the Cougar who started the inning, to send the game to extra innings.

 

Kjeldgaard drew a one-out walk and stole second in the top of the tenth, but was left stranded there at the end of the inning.

 

In the bottom of the tenth, Jeremy Barfield doubled to start the inning. A sacrifice bunt moved him to third with the winning run. Wisconsin elected to walk the next two batters intentionally to load the bases. The Rattlers also went to the bullpen to bring Rigoberto Almonte into the game to replace Ohlmann.

 

Almonte quickly got ahead of Crumbliss, but came too far inside with a 1-2 pitch. The resulting hit batsman forced the winning run home and gave the Cougars a 6-5 win.

 

The Rattlers conclude their season series with the Cougars on Monday night at Elfstrom Stadium. Trey Watten (5-13, 4.58) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. Kane County counters with Murphy Smith (1-2, 4.94) going to the mound. Game time is 6:30 PM.

 

Wisconsin Box Score

Leaving Nick Tyson in to work a portion of a 4th inning of action to try and close it out underscores the absence of former closers Jim Henderson and Mickael Fiers; Chris' wrapup was concise enough -- detailing it further is a bit fruitless at this point...

 

Wisconsin Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Final: Great Falls (White Sox) 9, Helena 2

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

Brewers drop third straight game to Great Falls

By The Helena Independent Record

 

GREAT FALLS - Though the Helena Brewers remain mathematically alive for a spot in the Pioneer League playoffs with two weeks remaining in the regular season, their recent performances offer little hope of a dramatic push to the postseason.

 

Jeffrey Tezak had three hits and Johny Celis hit a three-run homer as the Great Falls Voyagers beat the Brewers for the third consecutive day, 9-2 on Sunday, before 2,725 fans. Great Falls (12-14 second half) remains just one game behind Missoula for the lead in the North Division. Helena (7-18) fell 5 ½ games off the pace with 12 games remaining in the regular season.

 

Terry Doyle (5-1) struck out seven and allowed just five hits and one run in six innings for the Voyagers.

 

Helena's Eric Arnett, Milwaukee's first-round selection in the June amateur draft, continued to struggle, falling to 0-4 after giving up three runs and five hits in 3 2/3 innings.

 

After Helena had taken a 1-0 lead on a Cutter Dykstra RBI single in the second inning, Great Falls scored nine unanswered runs. The Voyagers have outscored Helena 24-10 in the first three games of the current series, which concludes with a 7:05 PM contest (8:05 Central) tonight in Great Falls.

 

Arnett escaped a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the first without allowing a run, but wasn't so fortunate in the second, surrendering a pair of runs on two two-out singles and a wild pitch.

 

Nicholas Ciolli doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly in the third inning to extend the Voyagers' lead to 3-1 and send Arnett to the showers.

 

Great Falls added three more in the fifth on a two-run double by Jose Vargas and a sacrifice fly by Celis against reliever Damon Krestalude. Krestalude allowed six runs in three innings.

 

Celis then hit his seventh home run of the season, a three-run blast to centerfield off Krestalude, in the seventh for a 9-1 lead.

 

Chad Stang tripled and scored on an infield groundout in the eighth, but the Brewers would get no closer.

 

Dykstra and Sean Halton each had two hits for Helena. Tezak went 3-for-5, while Ciolli and Vargas were each 2-for-3 for Great Falls and combined for seven RBIs. Great Falls finished with 11 hits and has outhit Helena 38-21 in the series.

 

Helena Box Score

OF Scott Krieger struck out in the 4th and then was replaced -- might have tweaked something, might have felt ill, might have been disciplinary...

 

Helena Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Link Report Bonus:

 

New helmets required for MiLB in 2010

Associated Press

NEW YORK - Baseball's top prospects will have even more protection at the plate next season.

 

Rawlings and Minor League Baseball announced Monday that the St. Louis-based company's new S100 batting helmet will be required in the minors next season. Six of the sturdy helmets also are being sent to each major league team for its players to try out for the rest of this year.

 

The helmet is designed to withstand a 100 mph pitch but some major leaguers say it's too bulky and uncomfortable.

 

Just this month, third basemen David Wright of the Mets and Scott Rolen of the Reds were beaned and landed on the disabled list with concussions. Wright says he's hoping to try out the S100 when he's activated before Tuesday's game in Colorado.