Link Report for Wed. 9/2 -- Sounds lose matinee, now in danger of missing playoffs

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Well, now we know the Brewers aren't sweeping their nine September games with St. Louis.

 

So if you need the buzz and adrenolin rush of a playoff chase, we do offer you a noon matinee with Nashville, in a very tight race for the one playoff spot in their division with less than a week to go in the season.

 

Wednesday's Menu:

Times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: RHP Mike Burns at home vs. Memphis (Cardinals), 11:45 AM pre-game; 12:00 PM gametime

Live Audio Link

 

Follow Wednesday's action as it happens:

 

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_09_02_mrbaaa_nasaaa_1

[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):

Lots of great stuff there, check it out!

[Mass Haas]

 Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memphis 72 65 .526 - 40-27 32-38 W1 Nashville 72 66 .522 0.5 37-32 35-34 L1 Iowa 71 67 .514 1.5 43-25 28-42 L2 Omaha 61 77 .442 11.5 32-39 29-38 W3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

[Mass Haas]

The rest of the set-up for tonight's other Link Report games will be done later this afternoon.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Sounds tumble out of PCL division lead

By Mike Organ

THE TENNESSEAN

 

The Sounds' stay in first place of the Pacific Coast League's American Northern division was short-lived because of a disastrous third inning Tuesday night against Memphis.

 

The Redbirds scored seven runs in the inning on the way to a 9-1 win, which sent Nashville to second place with just six games remaining.

 

The loss came just one day after the Sounds had taken over first place from the Redbirds by beating them 6-5 in 12 innings. It was the first time Nashville had been in first place since Aug. 18.

 

A Greer Stadium crowd of 4,267 saw Sounds pitcher Lindsay Gulin walk two batters with one out and then surrender five consecutive hits, including two doubles.

 

Gulin remained in the game even after giving up a home run in the fourth inning because the Sounds had used so many pitchers Monday.

 

"We were thin. We used (five) pitchers Monday and four had at least two innings,'' Sounds Manager Don Money said. "You try to go longer with your starter here because of that.

But they kept getting hits. I know the fans are looking at you and saying, 'We're in first place. What happened?' They don't know the behind the scenes stuff. You've only got so many pitchers."

 

When right-hander Ryan Houston finally replaced Gulin to start the fifth inning, Gulin had given up eight runs on nine hits and walked three.

 

"Monday night was a big game and our bullpen pitched so phenomenal so it's a lot on my shoulders tonight,'' Gulin said. "The starters have to do their job, go out and put a quality start out there and I didn't do that. This one is on me."

 

The Sounds had three hits - a single, double and home run.

 

Photo Gallery -- Four shots from Tuesday's loss

Memphis' David Freese, left, circles the bases after hitting a solo home run off Sounds starter Lindsay Gulin in the fourth inning Tuesday. Photo by JAE S. LEE / THE TENNESSEAN

 

http://cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20090902&Category=SPORTS0401&ArtNo=909020411&Ref=AR&Profile=2072&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

[Mass Haas]

Final: Memphis (Cardinals) 5, Nashville 1

 

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link for Carlos Corporan photo, text follows --

 

NASHVILLE - The Nashville Sounds lost to the Memphis Redbirds, 5-1, on Wednesday afternoon at historic Greer Stadium in the third game of a four-game series.

 

With the loss, Nashville (72-67) drops to 1.5 games behind Memphis in Pacific Coast League American Northern Division.

 

The Sounds offense was held to five hits and struck out a season-high 15 times, with three players fanning at least three times on the afternoon.

 

On his second rehab assignment, Memphis starter Todd Wellemeyer pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless ball, striking out three while walking one. Oneli Perez (4-3) followed for the Redbirds and earned the win after allowing four hits and no runs in 5 2/3 innings.

 

The Redbirds struck first against Nashville starter Mike Burns in the top of the second inning. Memphis singled three times up the middle, highlighted by outfielder Mark Shorey's RBI base hit that put Memphis on the board at 1-0.

 

Memphis third baseman Allen Craig hit a two out two-run double to right field in the next frame, scoring Tyler Greene for a 2-0 Redbirds advantage. Craig added a sacrifice fly in the top half of the fifth inning, extending the lead to 3-0.

 

Nashville catcher Carlos Corporan hit a leadoff single to right field in the bottom of the next frame and later scored on a Corey Patterson sacrifice fly to trim the lead to 3-1.

 

Memphis got the run back on the first pitch of the next frame, with a solo home run to left field by Jarrett Hoffpauir, his 14th of the season.

 

Another sacrifice by Greene in the top of the ninth inning gave Memphis a 5-1 lead.

 

In his first start since returning from Milwaukee, Burns (7-3) took the loss after allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out seven in six innings of work for Nashville. Matt Ginter gave up one run in three innings in relief.

 

Corporan recorded a season-high three hits on the afternoon, including a double.

 

The Sounds and Redbirds wrap up their four-game series at 7:00 PM CT on Thursday evening at historic Greer Stadium, the final home game of the 2009 regular season. Nashville left-hander Chase Wright (9-7, 4.34) takes the mound against lefty Jaime Garcia (2-0, 4.50).

 

Nashville Box Score

Tike Redman singled twice and walked twice but never scored...

 

Nashville Game Log

[Mass Haas]

The rest of your Menu:

 

Huntsville: Idle

 

Brevard County: TBD at Clearwater (Phillies), 6:00 PM gametime

Sorry, no audio for this series...

 

Wisconsin: LHP Evan Frederickson at home vs. Cedar Rapids (Angels), 6:20 PM pre-game; 6:35 gametime

Live Audio Link

 

Helena: LHP Chris Capuano in a rehab start at home vs. Missoula (Diamondbacks), 7:50 PM pre-game; 8:05 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]

Brevard County:

 

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&gid=2009_09_02_breafa_clrafa_1&cid=503&t=g_box

 

Wisconsin:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_09_02_cedafx_wicafx_1&did=t572&sid=t572

 

Helena:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_09_02_misrok_helrok_1&did=t433&sid=t433

[Mass Haas]

"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]

 Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tennessee 35 30 .538 - 17-18 18-12 W1 Chattanooga 34 31 .523 1.0 19-12 15-19 W1 West Tenn 34 31 .523 1.0 18-12 16-19 L3 Huntsville 25 39 .391 9.5 13-16 12-23 L4 Carolina 24 41 .369 11.0 10-20 14-21 W3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Florida State League (A+) - FSL North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tampa 44 18 .710 - 17-12 27-6 L1 Brevard County 36 23 .610 6.5 22-13 14-10 L2 Clearwater 34 31 .523 11.5 18-15 16-16 W3 Dunedin 32 30 .516 12.0 18-13 14-17 W5 Daytona 27 35 .435 17.0 14-21 13-14 L2 Lakeland 23 36 .390 19.5 9-12 14-24 L4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Missoula 14 14 .500 - 6-7 8-7 W1 Great Falls 13 14 .481 0.5 4-8 9-6 W4 Billings 8 19 .296 5.5 7-9 1-10 L1 Helena 7 19 .269 6.0 4-9 3-10 L4 

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Starting Pitcher Tim Dillard (He's Kidding)

Let the PETA folks call in...and so much more....enjoy

[Mass Haas]

Problems with the Appleton broadcast,

 

so join Chris' live blog here

[trwi7]

Merklinger and Fiers with 12 K's and only one hit allowed through 8 innings tonight! Merklinger with 4 walks, but not bad!

[wibadgers23]

BC's bats were relatively quiet until they exploded in the 8th and 9th inning. Schafer and Farris with two hits each and 7 rbi's between them.

[trwi7]

Capuano pitches two scoreless innings for Helena allowing one hit, zero walks and striking out one. Burgos took over after and has pitched five scoreless innings with seven K's.

 

Unfortunately Helena has only one hit.

[Schlitz001]

I watched Capuano highlights on the news here in Montana and he looked to be in good form, painting the outside corner on his strikeout. In a brief interview he stated that he was feeling good and trying to get back his competitive edge.

 

I have to also say that the lefty for Missoula, Belfiore, looked really good.

[MTBrew]

Helena wins 2 - 1. Its been a while since a Helena win. The Brewers made the most of their 3 hits and won in the 9th. After Marseco singled and Paciorek reaches on an error, Garfield, with 2 strikes and 2 outs, doubled both home for the win. Excellent pitching from both clubs. It was also nice to see some professional pitching from Capuano - using the plate, setting up pitches, good control. He didn't overwhelm but made his pitches and showed what it takes to be a big leaguer.

[TooLiveBrew]

Boy would it be nice to have Capuano as a viable option for 2010. Best of luck, Chris!

[Mass Haas]

Final: Helena 2, Missoula (Diamondbacks) 1

 

Four photos of Chris Capuano from the Independent Record's Lisa Kunkel

Link while active, text follows:

 

Return to the mound

By CURT SYNNESS, Helena Independent Record

Chris Capuano has pitched in the big leagues in front of 50,000-plus fans, facing some of the toughest lineups in baseball and dueling some of the best pitchers in the game. In 2006, he was selected to the Major League All-Star Game.

 

So appearing in front of about 800 people in a Pioneer League Class A ballgame at Kindrick Legion Field Wednesday certainly couldn't have phased the former Milwaukee Brewer hurler? Right?

 

Wrong.

 

"I was nervous before the game, I got butterflies in the hotel this morning," said Capuano, who is working his way back to The Show after undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery in May of 2008.

 

Capuano started on the bump for the Brewers against the visiting Missoula Osprey, and after giving up a leadoff double to David Nick, the Massachusetts native retired the next six batters in a row, before being lifted from the contest.

 

The Brewers went on to a comeback win over Missoula in a pitching duel, 2-1, on a dramatic ninth inning two-run double by catcher Cameron Garfield.

 

Behind 1-0 in their last at-bat, with Michael Marseco and Joey Paciorek on first and second, Garfield drilled a two-out, two-strike line drive to right field, plating both runners for the victory.

 

Robert Currie earned the win, while Adam Worthington was tabbed with the defeat. Missoula starter Michael Belfiore went six scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out eight.

 

The Osprey outhit the hosts 9-3, led by David Nick (3-for-5, two doubles), Paul Goldschmidt (2-4) and Keon Broxton (1-4, RBI).

 

Assigned a restricted pitch-count, the lefthanded Capuano punctuated his introduction to Montana's Capital City by striking out Bobby Borchering to end the second inning.

 

"I had a lot of fun tonight," the personable 6-foot-2, 215-pound Capuano said afterwards. "It felt good to get out there and compete again, to be in a real game with your teammates, and I'm always happy when I put up zeroes. And I didn't feel any pain, which is the most important thing."

 

Capuano - a high school Valedictorian and Duke University graduate - made the bigs with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2003, prior to becoming a mainstay of the Milwaukee Brewers pitching staff from 2005-07. His 18 victories in 2005 was the most wins by a Brewer hurler since 1987. After winning his first five games the next year, he was chosen to the National League All-Star team.

 

Capuano injured his elbow in 2007, and has not pitched in a major league game in two years. He returned to the mound earlier this summer for the Brewers' Class A team in Arizona, working three innings, before his start versus the Osprey.

 

His rehab program consists of two more scheduled appearances for Helena.

 

"I first noticed (the nostalgia) when I was in the stands here Tuesday night," said Capuano, describing a flashback to his early days of pro baseball. "The kids out on the field running races, the fans rolling the dice. Those types of promotions get phased out when you get to the majors. It really brought back a lot of fond memories of a much simpler time of my playing career."

 

He said his two biggest highlights in the Majors occurred when he stepped on the field of the All-Star game, representing the National League; and when he pitched a victory for the Diamondbacks on the anniversary of 9/11 in 2003.

 

"I replaced Curt Schilling, who was scheduled to start. My dad flew out from Massachussetts, and there was a very moving ceremony before the game. I pitched a great game, it's definitely one of my prouder accomplishments," the 31-year old southpaw said.

 

Capuano is not reserved about his New England roots. He readily admitted to being a "closet Red Sox fan," confessing that he "roots for the Red Sox when we're not playing them."

 

Capuano said that he was excited to be in Montana, and is anxious to spend some time in the outdoors here with his wife, Sarah Clifford. Clifford, a former pentathlete, is currently involved in competitive horse jumping.

 

"When I first started out, I was assigned to the Diamondbacks (farm team) in Missoula, but I skipped Class A, so I didn't make it here," he said. "I am not disappointed with Montana's scenery, the landscape is beautiful. My wife is coming up from Arizona next week, and we're going to get out do some some hiking."

 

Helena improves to 8-19 for the second half, with Missoula slipping to 14-15. The Brewers are five games behind the second-place Osprey in the Northern Division standings.

 

Helena Box Score

Continued improvement from RHP Hiram Burgos...

 

Helena Game Log

Game should have ended before Cameron Garfield's big at-bat, as an error prolonged the inning...

[Mass Haas]

Details on Brevard's 9-0 win and Wisconsin's 4-3 loss later this AM....

[Mass Haas]

Final: Cedar Rapids (Angels) 4, Wisconsin 3

 

Wisconsin Site Game Summary

Kernels hang on to beat Rattlers

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - The Cedar Rapids Kernels grabbed a 4-1 lead and held off the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers -- with a little help from the Rattlers -- for a 4-3 win Wednesday night at Time Warner Cable Field. Darwin Perez hit a two-run homer and Roberto Lopez hit a two-run single to give four Kernels pitchers all the runs they would need. But, the ending needed to be seen to be believed.

 

Wisconsin (24-40 second half, 58-76 overall) got on the board with an unearned run in the bottom of the third inning. Sean McCraw scored from third on a passed ball to give the Rattlers a 1-0 lead.

 

The Kernels (34-29, 74-59) answered in the top of the fourth. Lopez was hit by a pitch to start the inning, but was still at first with two outs. That's when Perez lifted a fly ball to left that cleared the wall for his second home run of the season and a 2-1 Cedar Rapids lead.

 

In the top of the fifth, Tyson Auer singled and Alexi Amarista walked with one out. The duo pulled a double steal to make it respectively to third and second. Perez followed with a single to make the score 4-1.

 

The Rattlers loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the fifth and stranded all three runners. In the sixth, Wisconsin loaded the bases with one out. They would score a run on a sacrifice fly by Derrick Alfonso to make the score 4-2.

 

The score remained at 4-2 until the bottom of the ninth. Vladimir Veras, the fourth pitcher of the night for Cedar Rapids, retired the first batter. But, Alfonso walked and Erik Miller singled. Brandon Sizemore entered the game to pinch hit and his grounder to short was booted for an error and the Rattlers had the bases loaded with one out.

 

Josh Prince stepped up and lined a pitch to the gap in right center. Angel Castillo raced over to make the catch and noticed that Miller was about two steps from third base as Alfonso was standing at third to tag up on the catch. Alfonso would score the third run of the game just before Miller got doubled off second to end the game.

 

Mike Rocco got the win for the Kernels as he allowed one hit over two scoreless innings with two walks and three strikeouts.

 

Wisconsin and Cedar Rapids play again on Thursday night. Wily Peralta (4-3, 3.38) is the scheduled starter for the Timber Rattlers. The Kernels will send Tyler Chatwood (7-7, 4.12) to the mound.

 

A Brett Lawrie bobblehead will be given away to the first 1,000 fans courtesy of Integrity Insurance on Thursday.

 

Other promotions as part of Fan Appreciation on the final homestand of the 2009 season that will be happening tomorrow night are Bang For Your Buck with soda, beer, and hot dogs for $1; a 2010 magnet schedule giveaway from Fast Signs of Appleton, and a 2010 ticket voucher will be given to every fan wearing Timber Rattlers apparel.

 

Game time is 6:35 PM.

 

Wisconsin Box Score

Did Erik Miller think there were two outs when he left second base on that final play -- ouch; LHP Daniel Meadows faced the minimum in three scoreless innings of relief of fellow lefty Evan Frederickson -- Meadows was a 49th round pick, Frederickson, as you know, a supplemental first rounder, scouting, an inexact science? SS Josh Prince walked three times...

 

Wisconsin Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Wisconsin's ninth-inning rally falls short as Cedar Rapids hangs on for victory

By Ryan Wilson

Post-Crescent staff writer

 

GRAND CHUTE - The calendar has turned to September, kids are back at school and time is running out on the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers season.

 

As it began its final homestand, a three-game set against Cedar Rapids, Wisconsin found itself trying to leave a final, positive impression for the home crowd at Fox Cities Stadium.

 

But that didn't happen Wednesday night. The Timber Rattlers scored first, but finished with just three hits in falling to Cedar Rapids 4-3 before 4,457 fans.

 

Trailing by two, the Rattlers had the bases loaded with one out in the ninth when Josh Prince hit a ball hard toward the gap in right-center. But right fielder Angel Castillo tracked the fly down and threw to second to double up Wisconsin's Erik Miller.

 

One run scored on the play, but Miller's base running gaffe was the final out of the game.

 

While the team is trying to finish strong as a group, individual players also want to leave their mark as the season comes to a close. That can be difficult for any player, but especially for two of the newer Timber Rattlers.

 

Pitcher Maverick Lasker and infielder Brandon Sizemore recently joined the team, and both are hoping to find time in the season's closing days to make a statement.

 

"I've got one start left so I just want to finish out the season strong," said Lasker. "I want to stay healthy and come into spring training ready to go, and hopefully play the whole season here next year."

 

Lasker did what he set out to do in his first appearance on Monday night, pitching seven scoreless innings and allowing just four hits in a 2-0 win over Kane County. He is scheduled to make his last start on Saturday night at Beloit.

 

Sizemore, who saw his first action for Wisconsin when he reached on an error in the ninth inning on Wednesday, is looking forward to more opportunities.

 

"My main thing with being called up here is to get some more at-bats," said Sizemore. "Just get some quality at-bats and get some pitches to hit and put good swings on them. That's really all you can do anytime you're at the plate."

[Mass Haas]

Final: Brevard County 9, Clearwater (Phillies) 0

 

Florida Today:

Manatees blank Threshers

 

Eric Farris had two hits, including a three-run homer, and drove in five runs as the Brevard County Manatees blanked the Clearwater Threshers 9-0 Wednesday in a Florida State League baseball game.

 

Daniel Merklinger and Michael Fiers combined on the three-hit shutout. Merklinger struck out seven in six innings, and Fiers struck out six in three innings.

 

Logan Schafer, Brent Brewer and Anderson De La Rosa each had two hits for the Manatees, who will finish their three-game series with the Threshers today. Brevard County will return to Viera on Friday to host the Tampa Yankees. Schafer also drove in two runs for Brevard County.

 

Brevard County Box Score

There's no denying that the things Eric Farris has done well, this season, he's done exceedingly well; a 59-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 40.2 innings for reliever Michael Fiers, and he's padding those numbers at high-A now, including this impressive box score line; when we look back on the 2009 minor league season, we'll be pointing to the development of LHP Dan Merklinger as one of the huge plusses; CF Logan Schafer on base three times -- triple, single, walk...

 

Brevard County Game Log

It was only 2-0 after seven innings...

[Mass Haas]

Here's another gallery of Nashville photos from the Tennessean.

 

Link while active, text follows --

 

Sounds offense stalls in 5-1 loss to Memphis

By Maurice Patton

THE TENNESSEAN

 

Nashville's freefall out of the postseason continued Wednesday, as the Sounds were held to six hits and struck out 15 times in a 5-1 loss to visiting Memphis.

 

Nashville trails the Redbirds by 1 1/2 games in the Pacific Coast League American Northern Division. Iowa lost late at Omaha and is 2 1/2 games back.

 

"A lot of things can happen," Sounds Manager Don Money said after his team lost for the second straight day and for the 11th time in its past 18 games.

"They've got six games left and we've got five. But we've got to worry about (today)."

 

Nashville's leadoff hitters reached base in the second and fourth innings, but the struggling offense was unable to take advantage. By the time the Sounds scored on Corey Patterson's fifth-inning sacrifice fly, the run cut the deficit to 3-1 and Nashville managed just two more runners.

 

"They mixed up their pitches well, kept us off-balance," said Sounds leftfielder Tike Redman, one of just two Nashville players who didn't strike out at least once.

"They had good command and they threw strikes. Any pitcher that does that, they've got a good chance of winning."

 

The 15 strikeouts were typical for a Sounds offense that entered the game with the second-most strikeouts in the PCL - 1,037, one fewer than Round Rock.

 

Nashville starter Mike Burns struck out seven in six innings, but allowed eight hits and walked three. Memphis spread its scoring out over five innings.

 

Redman and Carlos Corporan, who scored on Patterson's sacrifice fly, accounted for five of Nashville's six hits.

 

"We didn't do a lot of good things," Money said. "We only got six hits, and 15 strikeouts is way too many. We're not making them make any plays."