Link Report for Fri. 6/4

[battlekow]

Final: Lake County 6, Wisconsin 5 (11 innings)

Captains comeback beats Wisconsin

Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

EASTLAKE,

OH - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers scored five times in the

top of the fourth inning to go up 5-0. But, the Lake County Captains

rallied to beat Wisconsin 6-5 in 11 innings at Classic Park on Friday

night. Casey Frawley drove in the winning run in the eleventh, but it

was the Lake County bullpen and their 7-1/3 innings of scoreless relief

that made the win possible for the leaders of the Midwest League's

Eastern Division.

 

 

 

Wisconsin (20-35) grabbed the lead by finally taking advantage of the

wildness of Lake County starting pitcher Trey Haley. The right-hander

had walked four batters through the first three innings, but the

Rattlers did not score in any of those first three innings. That changed

in the fourth.

 

 

 

Cutter Dykstra drew a leadoff walk and scored on a Pete Fatse RBI double

to start the inning. Kyle Dhanani reached on a fielder's choice but

Fatse was out trying to go to third on a grounder to short. Michael

Marseco walked to move Dhanani to second. But, with Franklin Romero,

Jr. at the plate, Dhanani tried to advance to third on a ball in the

dirt. He was out number two. Romero drew the third walk of the inning

from Haley to bring D'Vontrey Richardson to the plate.

 

 

 

The Rattlers centerfielder singled to center to score Marseco from

second. The throw to the plate was cut off and an attempt to get Romero

at third was mishandled for an error to let Romero score and make the

score 3-0. Scooter Gennett drew the fourth walk of the inning and

eighth of the game from Haley to chase the Captains starting pitcher

from the game.

 

 

 

Khris Davis greeted reliever Francisco Jimenez with a two-run double to

right-center and the Rattlers were up 5-0.

 

 

 

Wisconsin starting pitcher Del Howell struggled in the bottom of the

fourth. A ground out was sandwiched around a pair of walks to set up

the inning. Roberto Perez and Jeremie Tice had consecutive RBI singles

to make the score 5-2.

 

 

 

Jason Smit looked like he had plated Perez from second on a single to

center. But, Richardson had other ideas. The Rattlers outfielder fired

a strike to the plate to nail Perez for the second out of the frame.

Howell got a weak grounder back to the mound to end the inning.

 

 

 

Jake Odorizzi relieved Howell for the fifth inning and pitched around a

walk. But, in the bottom of the sixth, a leadoff double for Chun Chen

and a one-out RBI single by Tice pulled Lake County (37-18) to within

5-3.

 

 

 

In the bottom of the seventh, Chun stepped to the plate with two on and

two out. The Lake County designated hitter smacked a double down the

third base line to drive in both runs and tie the game 5-5.

 

 

 

The game remained tied until the bottom of the eleventh inning.

Rattlers reliever Andy Sauter retired the first two batters of the

inning. Bo Greenwell doubled and took third on a wild pitch. Frawley

singled to center on the next pitch to drive in the winning run.

 

 

 

Wisconsin is now 0-6 in extra innings this season.

 

 

 

Game two of the series at Classic Park is Saturday night. Wisconsin has

Eric Arnett (0-5, 6.80) as their scheduled starting pitcher. Clayton

Cook (1-4, 5.00) is set to start for the Captains. Game time is 6:00pm

CDT.

 

Wisconsin box score

Pretty tough loss, but what else is new? Great game from Richardson (though baserunning continues to be an issue); he even had a good at-bat on his strikeout, coaxing what sounded like it might have been ball four, but the call went against him. Gennett's hit streak was snapped, but he walked three times, as did Davis. Dykstra and Cameron Garfield each singled. Kind of shocking to see Odorizzi knocked around a bit, which is a testament to how good he's been. His final line: 3 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K. The game also featured a fine relief appearance from Santo Manzanillo, who tossed three scoreless innings featuring two hits, a walk, and three whiffs. Andy Sauter? Not so good so far this season. This was the first time the Rattlers had ever played the Captains, who switched from the South Atlantic League after last year.

 

Wisconsin play-by-play

The Rattlers had the go-ahead run on third with one out in the 10th but couldn't score:

 

Wisconsin Top 10th

• Cutter Dykstra singles on a ground
  ball to left fielder Bo Greenwell.
• Peter Fatse called out on
  strikes.
• With Kyle Dhanani batting, passed ball by Roberto
  Perez, Cutter Dykstra to 3rd.
• Kyle Dhanani strikes out
  swinging.
• Michael Marseco grounds out, second baseman Argenis
  Martinez to first baseman Ben Carlson.

[battlekow]

Final: Albuquerque 10, Nashville 1

Sounds lose 10-1, split series with Albuquerque

Nashville Sounds

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds lost to the Albuquerque

Isotopes, 10-1, on Friday evening at historic Greer Stadium in the

finale of a four-game set.

 

With the loss, Nashville drops to 31-23 and splits the four-game series

with Albuquerque.

 

It was the fourth time the Sounds have allowed 10 or more runs, three of

which coming from the Isotopes this season. Nashville also set a

season-high with 13 strikeouts in the ballgame.

 

Albuquerque starting pitcher Tim Corcoran (4-6) earned the win while

striking out a season-best 12 batters over eight innings. Corcoran gave

up one earned run on seven hits on the evening, fanning every batter he

faced at least once, except for Luis Cruz.

 

 

Albuquerque first baseman John Lindsay gave the Isotopes a quick 2-0

lead in the top of the first inning with a two-run double to

right-center, his PCL-leading 23rd two-bagger of the season.

 

 

After Lindsay left the game in the next inning due to a leg injury,

right fielder Jamie Hoffman hit a double to left-center for the club's

next run. Michael Restovich followed with his fourth homer of the year, a

two-run shot over the centerfield wall for a 5-0 Albuquerque lead.

Later in the inning with the bases loaded, Prentice Redman doubled home

two more runs for a 7-0 advantage.

 

 

After Ray Olmedo singled in the next frame, Mat Gamel brought home

Nashville's only run with a double off the center field wall that

reduced the lead to 7-1. The only extra-base hit by Nashville in the

game, it was Gamel's first RBI and second double in two games since

joining the Sounds yesterday.

 

 

The Isotopes tacked on another run in the top of the seventh inning for

an 8-1 lead. With one out and the bases loaded, Restovich singled home

Prentice Redman, followed by a Ramon Nivar double play that ended jam.

 

 

The Isotopes took a 9-1 lead in the next frame. JD Closser singled,

followed by a Chin-lung Hu reaching on a fielding error by Johnny

Raburn. After Mike Jones struck out the next two batters, Ivan De Jesus

Jr. singled home Closser from second base. Jones then struck out Xavier

Paul for the final out of the inning.

 

 

Closser brought home Hoffman for the final run in the eighth inning.

 

 

Taking the loss, starting pitcher Chuck Lofgren (6-4) was roughed up for

a season-high seven earned runs while scattering nine hits with one

walk in 2 2/3 innings. A.J. Murray added 2 2/3 innings in relief while

allowing one hit with a walk and two strikeouts.

 

 

In his seventh rehab outing this season for the Brewers, David Riske

allowed one earned run on two hits with two walks and one strikeout in

one inning.

 

 

Jones allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits with three strikeouts

in two innings. David Johnson added a scoreless inning in relief,

walking three with two strikeouts.

 

 

First baseman Erick Almonte went 3-for-4 in the defeat, the seventh time

in his last nine contests with multiple plate appearances.

 

 

The Sounds travel to Round Rock to open a four-game series with the

Express (AAA-Astros) at The Dell Diamond on 7:05 pm CT on Saturday

night. Left-hander Chase Wright (3-2, 3.93) takes the mound for the

Sounds against Express left-hander Polin Trinidad (3-2, 4.18).

 

Nashville box score

Ugly. 12 strikeouts? At least Gamel had a nice game, 2-3 with a walk and the double (listen here). Adam Stern was 0-5 for the second straight day since arriving back in Nashville.

 

Nashville play-by-play

 

[battlekow]

Final: Mobile 5, Huntsville 2

Huntsville box score

Josh Butler pitched poorly, allowing four runs on seven hits, five walks, and a hit batter in four innings while striking out but two. The Stars' bats couldn't get anything going against Mobile's staff, striking out a season-high 14 times; Caleb Gindl, who doubled and walked in four trips, was the only Star to avoid punching out. Brett Lawrie singled and walked, while Lorenzo Cain had a tough night, 0-4 with three whiffs. Taylor Green also took the collar and struck out twice. Angel Salome pinch hit and struck out looking.

 

Huntsville play-by-play

[YoungGeezy]

Well I feel that that was pure foolishness to bring Odorizzi in as a reliever.... I know th whole peggy-back thing is in place but when have a kid who has been starting every game as of late ( last 6 and 8 of last 10), prob developed a nice routine, was growing more confident with every start along with getting strong every start, why take him back to square one? If they pull this same crap with Heckathorn I will be an an outrage.... Odorizzi and Heckathorn if not deserve a promotion at least deserve their own day in the rotation.

 

Right now IMO the rotation should be:

 

Heckathorn

Odorizzi

Bucci

Lasker/Howell

Arnett/Krestulude

 

The top 3 deserve opportunities to start every game and go as long as they can... the others still need to improve and work on things (Still a Homer for Lasker though ha)

 

 

Hopefully soon at least one of the two (Kyle or Jake) get moved up to open a spot for Nieves to get a few more starts.

 

As for Lofgren.... maybe he just needs to go back to the pen. I also had a lot of hope for him and was happy when they traded to keep him but yeah he just isn't getting it done. To me it is much easier to pitch in reliever than start because if you have the stuff which he does, you can go out and just throw and hard and nasty as you want...as a starter you are limited and have to pace yourself. I'm curious if that move would indeed help and be is future spot. I'm still pulling for him not to mention that moving him out of the rotation may open the down for Rogers or Rivas!

[brewmann04]

I wondering if we see any Starting Pitching Prospects hit Milwaukee in the next few years.

[YoungGeezy]

I wondering if we see any Starting Pitching Prospects hit Milwaukee in the next few years.

Oh man I hope so. Injuries, off field issue, and all those type of things really have me not to enthusiastic but I do expect our pullpen to get much younger and more talented in the next year or two. Guys like Axford and Braddock already up, Wooten once he returns from injuries (will be awhile though), Fiers (if he goes back to the pen) and Lamontagne I see as a fast riser. Jones and McClendon both have been putting up great numbers in AAA and may be able to slip into the pen (both capable of being the long reliever and eating up innings on short starts). Kintzler has been fantastic so far and hopefully that continues. Mix in Villanueva, Stetter, maybe Lofgren (if move to reliever) and some of the other guys....there is some bright spots there.

 

Our starting pitchers are eighter still too young and have a lil while then our closer ones have injury or off field issues (Rogers still on a restricted pitch count..think 85, Rivas with tendenides, Jeffress coming off both injury and suspension, Butler injury ) and so on.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Slumping Stars finish home stand 3-7

By Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times

 

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- The Huntsville Stars entered this just-completed homestand only 4 1/2 games out of first place in the Southern League North, still owning some legitimate hope for a first-half pennant run.

 

They end the stand 8 1/2 back, dropping a sluggish 5-2 decision to Mobile Friday night in a game whose start was delayed 1:56 by rain and didn't end until midnight.

 

The Stars now travel to Tennessee, which is on a four-game win streak and which leads the SL North, then on to Carolina on a 10-game road swing.

 

The Stars went 3-7 on the homestand despite scoring an average of 5.2 runs per game, a stat skewed by an 11-run outburst Tuesday.

 

As manager Mike Guerrero constantly preaches, "PItching and defense wins games," and that's what was lacking Friday night -- and during much of the homestand. The Stars committed six errors in a 7-4 loss on Thursday

 

Starter Josh Butler, originally here on a major league rehab assignment but ultimately assigned to the Stars' roster, gave up seven hits and four runs, walking five. However, in a three-run fourth, shortstop Zelous Wheeler and first baseman Drew Anderson failed to make relatively routine plays with two outs; the latter was a two-run double by Evan Frey that extended the Mobile run to 4-0.

 

Huntsville answered with a two-run Anderson double in the fourth, the only real damage off BayBears starter Pat McAnaney, who allowed just five hits and struck out eight.

 

Though the Stars' bullpen allowed only one run after Butler's departure, it was still shaky, yieding four walks and four hits in five innings.

 

***

 

Zelous Wheeler, despite several positive attributes, is not an everyday shortstop, and "veteran" outfielder Drew Anderson is now the starting AA first baseman. As an organization, you're not always going to have the depth to slot in guys at each and every level in ideal fashion, that's understandable. But the organizational gaps in everyday talent for those two specific positions has been an issue for a few years now, it's not like the current Huntsville set-up was spurred by injury (although yes, Steffan Wilson is sidelined). As the losses mount on the farm, and more importantly, the poor overall play, it's getting tougher to look to the Link Report updates for an oasis among the big league victory desert right now. -- MH

[Mass Haas]

Final: DSL Brewers 5, DSL Cardinals 4

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

21-year-old 6'5" LHP Manuel Ruiz with a nice start in his pro debut, 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 HBP, 7 K; RHP Rigoberto Almonte allowed two inherited runners to score when he came in, in the 7th, but stuck around to get the walk-off win which was handed to the Brewer kids:

 

DSL Brewers Play-by-Play

 

DSL Brewers Bottom 9th

• 
  
• Allixon Cequea walks.
  
• Jose Pena out on a sacrifice bunt, first baseman Jorge Lopez to second baseman Robelys Reyes. Allixon Cequea advances to 3rd, on throwing error by second baseman Robelys Reyes.
  
• With Hitaniel Arias batting, wild pitch by Willy Paulino, Allixon Cequea scores.
  

Almonte is positively ancient among this group at 23 years old; to get a sense of how young and raw this group is overall, click on the "Player Index" link in the Brewerfan banner above. Then use the filter to display "DSL Brewers / Orioles" only (apologies as we know this is no longer a co-op team with Baltimore). You can then click on the age column header to sort the squad by age. Only five players are not teenagers.

The Brewers drew 10 of the combined 17 walks in the game; there were 21 K's in the game, with the Brewers also coming out ahead in the comparison there, as Brewer pitchers fanned 12. As the season moves along, we simply hope for low error totals (only one here), solid baserunning ratios on offense and defense, and otherwise effective play while hoping for some statistical stars to emerge.

The 3-4-5 lineup combo of Jose Pena / Hitaniel Arias / Jose Garcia will be the key, based on dollars invested, and hope for continued improvement from SS Andres Martinez.

 

Stir pot, simmer until 2015.

[Southern Leaguer]

If this works, Brandon Kintzler doing his best Rick Dempsey impersonation ...