Link Report for Wed. 7/28 -- Merklinger strikes out the world, Stars batter top prospect

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

 

Times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: LHP Sam Narron at home vs. Omaha (Royals), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime

Live Audio Link

 

Huntsville: RHP Michael Bowman at home vs. Mississippi (Braves), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime

Live Audio Link

 

Brevard County: LHP Dan Merklinger at St. Lucie (Mets), 6:00 PM gametime

Live Audio Link (Mets' Feed)

Wisconsin: RHP Maverick Lasker at Peoria (Cubs), 6:40 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime

Live Audio Link

 

Helena: Idle

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at home vs. the Royals-pain-in-the-butts; 9:00 PM; never audio for games in this league

 

DSL Brewers: at the DSL Cardinals, 9:30 AM -- by our count, there are still four games to be made up with this squad, so the boys will likely play two; if they do, we'll keep you posted...

[Mass Haas]

Follow Wednesday'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.

 

Nashville (Gameday also available)

Huntsville (Gameday also available)

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale)

 

DSL Brewers

[Mass Haas]

Standings reflect any league activity which occurred earlier in the day Wednesday --

PCL American North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Iowa	58	46	.558	-	-	30-26	28-20	7-3	W1
	Nashville	56	47	.544	1.5	40	28-22	28-25	6-4	W2
	Memphis	56	48	.538	2.0	39	32-21	24-27	6-4	L1
	Omaha	53	51	.510	5.0	36	25-26	28-25	3-7	L3

SOU North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
*	Tennessee	18	13	.581	-	-	10-6	8-7	7-3	W2
	Carolina	16	15	.516	2.0	38	6-7	10-8	5-5	L1
	Huntsville	16	15	.516	2.0	38	6-7	10-8	4-6	L1
	Chattanooga	14	16	.467	3.5	37	9-8	5-8	4-6	W1
	West Tenn	14	17	.452	4.0	36	8-7	6-10	7-3	W1

FSL North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Daytona	22	10	.688	-	-	10-4	12-6	10-0	W10
	Tampa	18	11	.621	2.5	38	8-5	10-6	5-5	L3
	Brevard County	19	12	.613	2.5	37	10-5	9-7	7-3	W4
*	Dunedin	13	18	.419	8.5	31	7-7	6-11	4-6	L2
	Lakeland	12	18	.400	9.0	31	9-7	3-11	6-4	L1
	Clearwater	13	20	.394	9.5	29	9-8	4-12	3-7	W1

MID Western
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Quad Cities	19	9	.679	-	-	8-5	11-4	8-2	W3
*	Cedar Rapids	18	11	.621	1.5	-	9-5	9-6	7-3	W2
	Kane County	17	13	.567	3.0	40	12-3	5-10	5-5	L1
	Wisconsin	15	15	.500	5.0	38	9-6	6-9	5-5	W1
	Clinton	14	15	.483	5.5	38	9-6	5-9	4-6	L1
	Beloit	13	15	.464	6.0	36	8-7	5-8	6-4	W1
	Burlington	13	15	.464	6.0	37	10-4	3-11	4-6	L3
	Peoria	12	16	.429	7.0	37	7-7	5-9	6-4	W2

PIO North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
*	Great Falls	22	14	.611	-	-	11-8	11-6	7-3	W4
	Billings	20	16	.556	2.0	E	13-6	7-10	7-3	W3
	Helena	18	18	.500	4.0	E	10-7	8-11	5-5	W1
	Missoula	13	23	.361	9.0	E	9-8	4-15	3-7	L3

AZL Central
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	AZL Brewers	20	10	.667	-	-	6-5	5-5	5-5	L1
	AZL Dodgers	14	16	.467	6.0	21	4-6	5-4	4-6	W1
	AZL Indians	14	16	.467	6.0	21	5-5	6-3	5-5	L1
	AZL Reds	13	17	.433	7.0	20	4-4	4-6	6-4	W1

DSL S.D. North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	DSL Mariners	28	18	.609	-	-	17-7	11-11	9-1	W4
	DSL Cardinals	24	21	.533	3.5	24	19-4	5-17	3-7	L3
	DSL Athletics	20	26	.435	8.0	19	11-11	9-15	6-4	L1
	DSL Brewers	19	26	.422	8.5	19	12-10	7-16	2-8	W1

[Mass Haas]

Chris goes into greater detail re: the Rattlers' playoff contention status here.

[Mass Haas]

PDF document:

 

Nashville Media Notes

 

Huntsville Media Notes

 

Big-time Braves prospect Julio Teheran making his AA debut tonight against the Stars.

[Mass Haas]

Rattler Radio:

 

Game notes

 

Tonight's pitcher

 

Starting lineup

 

[battlekow]

The Rattlers game is in a rain delay to start. Sounds like they might get underway in about an hour.

[battlekow]

Final (game one): @DSL Cardinals 6, DSL Brewers 1 (7 innings)

DSL Brewers box score

Jose Cepeda started and allowed five runs in five innings. Well, he allowed one run in five innings before failing to retire any of the first four batters in the 6th, all of whom eventually came around to score. Welcome sight: Jean Capellan relieved Cepeda, the first appearance for the young righty in almost three weeks. Each starting pitcher hit three batters each. Bad blood? If so, I wouldn't be surprised, what with there only being three other teams in the Brewers' division and no interdivisonal games. They're probably pretty sick of each other. Ruben Sanchez was 1-2, stole a base, tallied an outfield assist, and was on the receiving end of two of those pitches, so he had a very productive day. Andres Martinez was 2-3 with a triple. Jose Pena was 0-3. The Brewers drew no walks.

 

DSL Brewers play-by-play

A run here would have broken the 1-1 tie:

 

DSL Brewers Top 5th

• Andres Martinez triples (1) on a ground ball to left fielder Ronard Castillo.
• Yonki Hernandez strikes out swinging.
• Ruben Sanchez hit by pitch.
• With Raul MondesiJr. batting, Ruben Sanchez steals (14) 2nd base.
• Raul MondesiJr. called out on strikes.
• Hitaniel Arias lines out to left fielder Ronard Castillo.

Two of the three batters Cepeda hit were among those four baserunners to begin the 6th, so I'm going to guess that it wasn't intentional, at least on his part.

[battlekow]

Final (game two): DSL Cardinals 6, @DSL Brewers 0 (6 innings)

DSL Brewers box score

Again, the Cardinals got five runs late, this time in the 5th inning; the game was called in the top of the 6th, presumably due to rain. Juan Francisco was your starter. He could only make it one out into the 5th, and reliever Elvis Mora wasn't much relief, letting in three more runs before the inning ended. The Brewers managed just two baserunners, singles by Yonki Hernandez and Orton Rodriguez. I think this was only Rodriguez's second start of the year. Check out his game log; he goes weeks between appearances. He's only 20, but maybe he's transitioning into a coaching role, or maybe he's just shy.

 

DSL Brewers play-by-play

It's a good thing the game was called when it did, because it doesn't appear that Jose A. Garcia had it, exactly:

 

DSL Cardinals Top 6th

• Pitcher Change: Jose A. Garcia replaces Elvis Mora.
• Jose Agustin grounds out, second baseman Joan Abreu to first baseman Juan De Leon.
• Victor Encanacion walks.
• With Daniel Barbuena batting, wild pitch by Jose A. Garcia, Victor Encanacion to 2nd.
• With Daniel Barbuena batting, passed ball by Deivi Mejia, Victor Encanacion to 3rd.
• Daniel Barbuena hit by pitch.
• Luis Perez strikes out swinging.
• Domingo Diaz walks. Daniel Barbuena to 2nd.

That was the only HBP of the game, though, so that's the final nail in the coffin of my bad-blood theory.

[Mass Haas]

Game still in progress, so we'll wait for battlekow's summary a bit later, but let's just say a certain Seton Hall lefty has really turned a corner at Brevard. Perhaps we overuse "wow", but "wow"!

 

Yay for something clickin', whatever it may be in this case.

 

Stephen C. Smith has Brevard audio from Space Coast Thursday -- he'll be getting a suggestion letter for a pre-game chat candidate http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif.

(If you're able, Stephen, sorry to put you on the spot.)

 

[battlekow]

Final: Brevard County 5, @St. Lucie 1

Mets lose 8th in a row

Matt Gagnon/St. Lucie Mets

 

The St. Lucie Mets dropped their eighth consecutive game, a 5-1 loss at the hands of the Brevard County Manatees Wednesday night at Digital Domain Park. The loss puts the Mets at 17 - 16 on the second half of the season, now a full game behind the first place Bradenton Marauders in the FSL South Division.

 

The Mets again could not put together a legitimate offensive threat. The Mets had seven hits on the night but were struck out fifteen times while stranding six on base. St. Lucie was fortunate the score was not more lopsided. The Manatees banged out sixteen hits on the night but stranded fourteen runners on base.

 

Brad Holt took the loss for the Mets tossing 5.1 innings allowing two runs on six hits with five strikeouts and five walks. All four of the Mets pitchers ran into trouble at some point in their outing. Elvin Ramirez allowed a run and four hits in 1.2 innings of work. Sean Green was touched up for two runs in the ninth inning and Brant Rustich, who didn't allow a run still yielded two hits in his inning of work.

 

The Mets lone run came in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs. Stefan Welch hit his sixth home run of the season, a solo shot over the right field wall to put the Mets on the scoreboard. Of the Mets seven hits, Welch had two along with Jordany Valdespin. Pedro Zapata, Wilmer Flores and Juan Lagares accounted for the other Mets hits.

 

The Mets head to Viera to take on the Brevard County Manatees on Thursday night. Kyle Allen gets the start for the Mets. Allen is 6-6 with a 5.28 ERA and 52 strikeouts in nineteen appearances, seventeen starts on the season.

 

Brevard County box score

Not a particularly helpful writeup from our perspective, but what can you do. Anyway, the story tonight was Dan Merklinger, who, not satisfied with striking out 11 in six innings last time out, fanned 13 in six frames tonight. MH is right: wow! Merklinger allowed six hits and walked just one. Whatever he changed before his last start, I like it. Just as impressive was Juan Sanchez's 5-5 line, including his first home run of the season and just second since joining the system before last year. Sean Halton was 3-5, Erik Komatsu and Shawn Zarraga were both 1-3 with two walks, and Brock Kjeldgaard was 2-5 with two doubles. Holt was taken the pick right after Jake Odorizzi in 2008, and I remember being mad that he wasn't left on the board for the Brewers to take a couple choices later, a pick the Brewers used on Evan Frederickson. Holt was BA's #94 prospect after a blistering 2008 debut, but he's really struggled since.

 

Brevard County play-by-play

10 of Merklinger's strikeouts were swinging. He got stronger as the game went on, allowing just one baserunner in his last three innings and striking out seven of the ten batters he faced. Wow!

[Mass Haas]

Merklinger allowed six hits and walked just one. Whatever he changed before his last start, I like it.

Actually if there was an adjustment made, it was probably four starts ago (stats) -- last four starts:

 

26 IP, 22 H, 3 R, 6 BB, 39 K

 

We know who the Brewers' Minor League Pitcher of the Month for July is. Go back a 5th start via that link above and it's still a solid outing there.

 

[battlekow]

Final: @Peoria 8, Wisconsin 3

Chiefs crack Rattlers

Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

PEORIA, IL – The Peoria Chiefs and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers each had ten hits in Wednesday’s game at O’Brien Field. But, Peoria had five of their hits with runners in scoring position while the Rattlers managed just one hit in similar circumstances. Peoria beat the Rattlers 8-3 in the matchup of Western Division Rivals.

 

Peoria (51-47 overall, 13-16 second half) loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the third inning on a double and a pair of walks. Rattlers starting pitcher Maverick Lasker tried to get ahead of Luis Flores with a quick strike. Instead it was Flores who struck quickly as he swung at the first pitch and lined a two-run double into the left field corner. Jae-Hoon Ha was next and he doubled down the third base line to drive in two more runs and the Chiefs were up 4-0.

 

Wisconsin (41-58, 15-16) got a run back in the top of the third. Cutter Dykstra doubled and went to third on an error. Cameron Garfield’s grounder to second drove in Dykstra to make the score 4-1.

 

Peoria took advantage of a Rattlers error in the bottom of the fifth inning to get another run on the board. Wisconsin could not turn an inning ending double play and the error allowed Matt Szczur to take second base. Justin Bour doubled in Szczur and the Chiefs were up 5-1.

 

The Chiefs scored three times in the seventh on a combination of two out hits and errant Timber Rattler throws. Reliever Caleb Thielbar retired the first two batters of the inning, but Szczur singled and Bour doubled to put runners at second and third. Matt Cerda blooped in a single to center to score two runs, the throw home to get Bour was late and to the backstop. Cerda took off for third and the throw to get him was winged into left field. Cerda scored easily to make the score 8-1.

 

An RBI single by Kentrail Davis in the eighth and a solo homer by Hunter Morris in the ninth got the Rattlers to three runs, but it wasn’t enough for Wisconsin.

 

Game two of the series is Thursday night at O’Brien Field. Del Howell (2-4, 4.92) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Peoria has Robert Whitenack (8-7, 3.46) as their scheduled starter. Game time is 7:00pm. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:40pm.

 

Wisconsin box score

Lasker's line: 5 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3BB, 1 HBP, 4K, 1 WP, 6/4 GO/AO, 77 pitches, 43 strikes. Kentrail Davis, Morris, Dykstra, and Michael Marseco each had two hits. Khris Davis was 1-4 with a double, Scooter Gennett took the collar, and D'Vontrey Richardson was 1-4. You know, after a .278/.400/.342 June, I thought Richardson might be figuring things out and poised for a strong second half, but he was hitting just .204/.255/.282 in July entering tonight. On the other hand, Morris has come on very strong in July, which is great to see.

 

Wisconsin play-by-play

[Mass Haas]

Final: Omaha (Royals) 5, @Nashville 3

 

Royals Drop Sounds; Koshansky Belts Team-Leading 18th Long Ball

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds lost to the division-rival Omaha Royals, 5-3, on Wednesday evening at historic Greer Stadium in the second game of a four-game series.

 

Nashville (56-48) allowed 15 hits to Omaha as five Royals recorded multi-hit contests, led by Mike Moustakas and Kila Ka'aihue each adding three hits.

 

Omaha got on the board in the opening frame to take a 1-0 as third baseman Moustakas hit a two-out double to right field. First baseman Ka'aihue then recorded his team-leading 77th RBI with line drive single to left field that brought home Moustakas from second base. Designated Hitter Jai Miller made it 2-0 in the Royals fourth with a solo homer to left center, his 12th of the season.

 

The Sounds scored two runs in the next frame to knot the contest 2-2. After right fielder Brendan Katin worked a nine-pitch walk, first baseman Joe Koshansky ripped a game-tying two-run home run to deep center over the 24-foot batter's eye. It was Koshansky's team-leading 18th long ball and 59th RBI on the year (audio available via the link above).

 

The Royals scored two more runs to regain the lead in the next inning. After Moustakas and Ka'aihue led off the frame with singles, Jordan Parraz smacked a two-out double to plate both Omaha runners for a 4-2 lead.

 

Nashville trimmed the lead to one in the next inning to make it 4-3. Shortstop Luis Cruz was hit by a Federico Castaneda pitch, moved to second on a Ben Johnson single, advanced to third on a Lorenzo Cain sacrifice, and scored a Norris Hopper infield groundout.

 

Omaha added an insurance run in the top of the eighth inning to go up 5-3, as Moustakas hit an infield groundout to score Marc Maddox who singled earlier in the frame.

 

Nashville starting pitcher Sam Narron (6-4) took the loss after allowing four runs on 10 hits and with one strikeout in five innings pitched. Tim Dillard contributed three innings in relief while allowing one run on four hits with a strikeout. Mike McClendon struck out one in one scoreless inning for his sixth consecutive shutout outing.

 

Royals starter Blaine Hardy went 3 1/3 innings while giving up two runs on four hits for Omaha. Castaneda (4-2) earned the win, adding 3 1/3 innings while allowing one run. Louis Coleman threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings to pick up his first save of the season.

 

Eric Farris extended his season-long hitting streak to 12 games with a hit on the evening, while Mat Gamel went hitless to snap his season-long 11-game hitting streak.

 

The Sounds and Royals will continue their four-game series at 7:05 PM on Taco Bell Throwback Thursday at historic Greer Stadium. Nashville right-hander Josh Butler (1-0, 2.84) will make his second start of the season against Omaha right-hander Anthony Lerew (5-3, 2.84).

 

Nashville Box Score

Taco Bell Throwback? Just how old are these tacos they're throwing back? Sam Narron allowed ten hits and two walks in his five innings, so he was fortunate to give up only four runs; Tim Dillard chewed up three innings, but it's a lot easier to get excited about the presence of Mike McClendon and Donovan Hand in the Sounds' bullpen these days; so who goes elsewhere when Carlos Villanueva arrives, not to mention Brandon Kintzler's upcoming return? Dillard and fellow RHP David Johnson can be minor league free agents for the first time at season's end -- with just one month to go, it makes you wonder...

 

Lorenzo Cain and Mat Gamel combined to go 0-for-7 with four K's (sorry all you Beat the Streakers) -- Cain did have a sacrifice bunt; Joe Koshansky was on base three times and I root that the 28-year-old eventually sees the majors again in a 3TO kind-of-way (stats); Mat Gamel with error # 13, but hey, it wasn't throwing -- it's still unfair his mistakes get pointed out, but it's a price of high prospect-dom; Eric Farris with a rare-for-him GIDP (1-6-3), looking forward to see if he's returned to a spot near the top of the order soon; Royals' 3B Mike Moustakas is going to be an MLB beast...

 

Nashville Game Log

Good chance to tie it when down 4-3 wasted here --

 

Nashville Bottom 7th

• Eric Farris singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jordan Parraz.
  
• Luis Cruz out on a sacrifice bunt, first baseman Kila Ka'aihue to second baseman Marc Maddox. Eric Farris to 2nd.
  
• Ben Johnson strikes out swinging.
  
• Coaching visit to mound.
  
• Pitcher Change: Louis Coleman replaces Federico Castaneda.
  
• Lorenzo Cain called out on strikes.

Tying run at the plate for three batters in the 9th --

 

Nashville Bottom 9th

• Joe Koshansky walks.
  
• Erick Almonte flies out to center fielder Jarrod Dyson.
  
• Eric Farris strikes out swinging.
  
• Luis Cruz strikes out swinging.

[Mass Haas]

Final: @Huntsville 6, Mississippi (Braves) 0

 

First, let me say that I'm a huge fan of the Stars' broadcast crew. For home games, you've got Chad, Asron, and Connor at the booth at various times, Connor did a very nice post-game on-field interview with Brett Lawrie after the game, etc. So we love you, guys, but please sneak those post-game summaries online more quickly http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif.

I listened to nearly all of this one, so here we go...

 

Huntsville Box Score

Michael Bowman said "I'll show this 19-year-old, 97-MPH phenom what shutout pitching looks like"; 6 IP, 2 H, 4 BB, 2 K's -- the four walks came within the first nine batters faced by Bowman, but he spaced them out just enough to avoid surrendering even a single run; RHP's Nick Green and Eddie Morlan finished up nicely; that bullpen use sets up the very real possibility that Mark Rogers and Jeremy Jeffress could pitch in the same game for the first time at the AA level (or any level?) Thursday evening -- too bad Mike Jones isn't still around for the trifecta...

 

Drew Anderson led the offense with two doubles (each missed being a home run by a foot or so) and two walks; Caleb Gindl was 0-for-2 but walked three times -- his K rate and K-to-BB ratio is so improved over two years ago at West Virginia -- wonderful progress for Caleb, still in an age 21 season; Brett Lawrie singled twice and walked -- he stole one base and was thrown out once, but it should have been two CS's, as a tag was badly missed on the successful attempt; Lee Haydel (stats) continued a strong July with two more hits; Anderson De La Rosa doubled and singled -- he's still listed as a coach at Brevard County, perhaps telepathically -- does that mean he hasn't coached while at Nashville or Huntsville?

 

Huntsville Game Log

The Stars' three-run rally against a tiring Julio Teheran --

 

Huntsville Bottom 5th

• Brett Lawrie singles on a ground ball to center fielder Antoan Richardson.
  
• With Caleb Gindl batting, Brett Lawrie steals (27) 2nd base.
  
• Caleb Gindl walks.
  
• Zelous Wheeler out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Julio Teheran to first baseman Mauro Gomez. Brett Lawrie to 3rd. Caleb Gindl to 2nd.
  
• Drew T. Anderson walks.
  
• Chris Nowak out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Jordan Schafer. Brett Lawrie scores. Caleb Gindl to 3rd. Drew T. Anderson to 2nd.
  
• Taylor Green singles on a line drive to right fielder Willie Cabrera. Caleb Gindl scores. Drew T. Anderson to 3rd.
  
• Coaching visit to mound.
  
• Pitcher Change: Benino Pruneda replaces Julio Teheran, batting 9th.
  
• Lee Haydel singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jordan Schafer. Drew T. Anderson scores. Taylor Green to 2nd.
  
• Anderson De La Rosa strikes out swinging.

[battlekow]

Final: @AZL Brewers 4, AZL Royals 2

AZL Brewers box score

R.J. Johnson continued to demonstrate his rawness in his third pro appearance, walking three, hitting a batter, and uncorking two wild pitches in three innings. Still, he limited the damage to two rus (one earned), both coming in the 1st inning. Greg Holle came in for his encore appearance and worked the next three innings, allowing no runs or walks and striking out two. Marques Kyles handled the final three frames, also allowing no runs or walks and fanning four. Nice symmetry: each pitched allowed only a single hit in his third of the game. The Brewers had no extra-base hits and drew just one walk, but they were hit by a pitch three times. Max Walla and Yadiel Rivera each singled and took one for the team, and Demetrius McKelvie singled and drew the lone free pass, though he also struck out twice, natch. Tyler Roberts was 1-3 with a sac fly, and a rehabbing Jody Gerut was also 1-3; Gerut again left in the 6th inning.

 

AZL Brewers play-by-play

When you see how poorly Johnson's day started, you'll appreciate how well he recovered:

 

AZL Royals Top 1st

• Nick Van Stratten hit by pitch.
• With Darian Sandford batting, wild pitch by Ronald Johnson , Nick Van Stratten to 2nd.
• With Darian Sandford batting, wild pitch by Ronald Johnson , Nick Van Stratten to 3rd.
• Darian Sandford walks.
• Daniel Mateo walks. Darian Sandford to 2nd.
• Ryan
  Eigsti grounds into double play, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to second
  baseman Nick Shaw to first baseman Jason Rogers. Nick Van Stratten
  scores. Darian Sandford to 3rd. Daniel Mateo out at 2nd.
• Victor Soto singles on a ground ball to second baseman Nick Shaw. Darian Sandford scores.
• Ysmelin Alcantara called out on strikes.

Evan Frederickson, is that you? Not really sure why one of those runs would be unearned, but whatever. The fact that Johnson didn't implode after that and actually managed two scoreless innings is impressive.

 

The Brewers took the lead in the 6th:

 

AZL Brewers Bottom 6th

• Thomas Mittelstaedt grounds out, second baseman Jose Rodriguez to first baseman Victor Soto.
• Jason Rogers strikes out swinging.
• Maxwell Walla hit by pitch.
• Yadiel Rivera singles on a fly ball to right fielder Nick Van Stratten. Maxwell Walla to 2nd.
• Pitcher Change: Jose Sanchez replaces Robinson Yambati.
• Demetrius McKelvie walks. Maxwell Walla to 3rd. Yadiel Rivera to 2nd.
• John Bivens hit by pitch. Maxwell Walla scores. Yadiel Rivera to 3rd. Demetrius McKelvie to 2nd.
• Nick
  Shaw singles on a ground ball to third baseman Darian Sandford.
  Yadiel Rivera scores. Demetrius McKelvie to 3rd. John Bivens to
  2nd.
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Kenneth Allison replaces Jody Gerut.
• Kenneth Allison grounds out, third baseman Darian Sandford to first baseman Victor Soto.

[Mass Haas]

Manatees' Merklinger fans 13

Brewers prospect has 24 strikeouts in last two starts

MiLB.com

 

Dan Merklinger recorded a career-high 13 strikeouts and gave up six hits over six scoreless innings Wednesday as the Brevard County Manatees shut down the St. Lucie Mets, 5-1.

 

Merklinger's previous best came in his last start on July 22, when he fanned 11 against Fort Myers. The 2007 sixth-round pick settled into a groove after escaping a bases-loaded jam with two outs in the third. He retired nine straight before issuing a two-out walk to Hector Pellot.

Merklinger (5-4) recorded seven of his last nine outs via the strikeout.

 

The 24-year-old left-hander wrapped up a stellar July in which he was 2-1 with a 1.42 ERA and 45 strikeouts over 31 2/3 innings in five starts. It was a marked improvement from June, when he posted a 7.32 ERA in five starts.

 

Mark Willinsky kept the shutout intact through the eighth, but Brandon Ritchie surrendered a solo homer in the ninth.

 

Juan Sanchez was 5-for-5 with a solo homer and two runs scored, while Sean Halton collected three hits and drove in a run for the Manatees. Shawn Zarraga had two RBIs and Brock Kjeldgaard doubled twice.

 

Dan Merklinger has struck out 100 batters over 98 2/3 innings. (Scott Jontes/MiLB.com)

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2010/07/28/v7e7xSWS.jpg

[Mass Haas]

From the Peoria Star-Journal's game coverage, the only real Rattler reference --

 

Catcher Luis Flores also made the play of the day defensively in the seventh. Cutter Dykstra, son of ex-big leaguer Lenny Dykstra, laid down a well-placed bunt toward third.

 

Flores pounced on the ball, whirled and fired almost blindly to first base to catch Dykstra by a step.

 

“That’s something you don’t work on,” Flores said. “It’s just baseball instinct. A tough, bang-bang play. When I looked up, we had more time than I thought.”

 

Photos by Ron Johnson / Journal-Star

 

Logan Watkins of the Peoria Chiefs throws to first after making the force out at second base on Hunter Morris of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers during Wednesday night's game at O'Brien Field.

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Hak-Ju Lee of the Chiefs takes a knee after being hit by a pitch. The Rattlers' Cameron Garfield is behind the plate.

 

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