Link Report for Fri. 7/30 -- Scarpetta leads BC to 7th straight win; Maryvale romps again

[battlekow]

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

 

 

All times Central:

 

Nashville: LHP Chris Waters vs. Omaha Royals; 7:05 gametime

Live box score / Webcast

 

Huntsville: RHP Amaury Rivas vs. Mississippi; 7:00 gametime

Live box score / Webcast

 

Brevard County: RHP Cody Scarpetta vs. St. Lucie; 7:05 gametime

Live box score / Webcast (Mets' feed)

 

Wisconsin: RHP Damon Krestalude @ Peorida; 6:30 gametime

Live box score / Webcast

 

Helena: LHP Evan Frederickson vs. Great Falls; 8:05 gametime

Live box score / Webcast

 

AZL Brewers: TBD @ AZL Rangers; 9:00 gametime

Live box score

 

DSL Brewers: TBD @ DSL Athletics; 9:30 AM gametime

"Live" box score

[battlekow]

PCL American North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Iowa	59	47	.557	-	-	30-26	29-21	7-3	W1
	Memphis	57	49	.538	2.0	37	32-21	25-28	7-3	W1
	Nashville	56	49	.533	2.5	37	28-24	28-25	5-5	L2
	Omaha	55	51	.519	4.0	35	25-26	30-25	5-5	W2

SOU North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Tennessee	19	14	.576	-	-	11-7	8-7	7-3	W1
	Carolina	17	16	.515	2.0	36	7-8	10-8	5-5	W1
	Huntsville	17	16	.515	2.0	36	7-8	10-8	4-6	L1
	Chattanooga	15	17	.469	3.5	35	9-8	6-9	5-5	L1
	West Tenn	15	18	.455	4.0	34	8-7	7-11	8-2	L1

FSL North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Daytona	23	10	.697	-	-	11-4	12-6	10-0	W11
	Tampa	20	11	.645	2.0	37	10-5	10-6	6-4	W2
	Brevard County	21	12	.636	2.0	36	11-5	10-7	8-2	W6
	Dunedin	14	19	.424	9.0	29	8-8	6-11	5-5	L1
	Clearwater	14	20	.412	9.5	28	9-8	5-12	4-6	W2
	Lakeland	13	19	.406	9.5	29	10-8	3-11	6-4	L1

MID Western
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Quad Cities	20	10	.667	-	-	9-6	11-4	7-3	L1
	Cedar Rapids	20	11	.645	0.5	-	9-5	11-6	9-1	W4
	Kane County	18	14	.563	3.0	37	12-3	6-11	4-6	W1
	Beloit	15	15	.500	5.0	34	8-7	7-8	7-3	W3
	Wisconsin	15	17	.469	6.0	34	9-6	6-11	5-5	L2
	Peoria	14	16	.467	6.0	35	9-7	5-9	6-4	W4
	Clinton	14	17	.452	6.5	34	9-8	5-9	2-8	L3
	Burlington	13	17	.433	7.0	33	10-6	3-11	3-7	L5

PIO North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Great Falls	22	15	.595	-	-	11-8	11-7	6-4	L1
	Billings	21	16	.568	1.0	E	13-6	8-10	8-2	W4
	Helena	19	18	.514	3.0	E	11-7	8-11	5-5	W2
	Missoula	13	24	.351	9.0	E	9-9	4-15	2-8	L4

AZL Central
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	AZL Brewers	21	10	.677	-	-	7-5	5-5	6-4	W1
	AZL Dodgers	15	16	.484	6.0	20	5-6	5-4	5-5	W2
	AZL Indians	15	16	.484	6.0	20	5-5	7-3	5-5	W1
	AZL Reds	13	18	.419	8.0	18	4-4	4-7	5-5	L1

DSL S.D. North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	DSL Mariners	30	19	.612	-	-	17-7	13-12	8-2	W2
	DSL Cardinals	27	21	.563	2.5	22	20-4	7-17	4-6	W3
	DSL Athletics	21	28	.429	9.0	15	12-13	9-15	6-4	L2
	DSL Brewers	19	29	.396	10.5	14	12-12	7-17	2-8	L3

[battlekow]

Nashville game notes

[battlekow]

Rattler Radio:

 

Game notes

 

Tonight's pitcher

 

Starting lineup

 

No Kentrail Davis tonight.

[UeckerPowell]

Different webcast link for the Brevard County game.

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

Scarpetta having a fine night. The guy is a strikeout machine. Only one walk so far as well. Hopefully he can go deeper into the game.

[YoungGeezy]

Ruben Sanchez continues to be the only DSL position player to shine.. batting over .300, obp over .400, ops over .800, and a 19/15 BB/K ratio. Doesn't turn 19 until next month. Really nice size ( 6'2 180) and is a lefty...wonder if he is a guy to keep our eyes on

[battlekow]

Final: Omaha 3, @Nashville 0

Royals silence Sounds, 3-0, in finale

Nashville Sounds

 

NASHVILLE. Tenn. - Omaha starter Philip Humber pitched a complete game shutout to propel the division-rival Omaha Royals to a 3-0 victory over the Nashville Sounds on Friday evening at historic Greer Stadium.

 

Humber (5-6) earned his fifth win after allowing only four hits and two walks while striking out seven in nine innings. It was the second time this season a pitcher has tossed a complete game shutout against Nashville, as Tacoma's Steven Shell achieved the feat on May 12th in Nashville. The loss was Nashville's (5-9) seventh shutout loss of the season and third from the hands of Omaha. Eric Farris and Erick Almonte produced Nashville's only hits, as Humber quieted the rest of the Sounds lineup.

 

For the third consecutive season, the Sounds and Royals split the season-series, 8-8. Nashville was the last team to win a season series between the rivals, triumphing 9-7 in 2007.

 

In a pretty amazing feat, the Sounds and Royals have split their 384 all-time regular season meetings at 192 apiece dating back to 1985, when the Sounds moved up to the Class AAA level and joined the now-defunct American Association.

 

Continuing to stay hot for the Royals, first baseman Kila Ka'aihue gave Omaha a 1-0 lead, hitting a home run just out of the reach of Sounds right fielder Brendan Katin's glove over the right field wall in the top of the fourth inning. The home run was Ka'aihue's team-leading 24th homer of the season, tying him for second in the Pacific Coast League.

 

The Royals tacked on two more insurance runs in the top of the ninth for a 3-0 advantage. Shortstop Ed Lucas hit his ninth homer of the season for Omaha's first run, a solo shot off the guitar-shaped scoreboard. Later in the inning, Kurt Mertins hit a two-out RBI single to left field for the other run.

 

Sounds starter Chris Waters (5-9) was removed from the contest with a left arm injury with two outs in the top of the fourth inning to take the loss. Before being taken out, Waters allowed one run on three hits with a strikeout in 3 2/3 innings pitched.

 

Chuck Lofgren was effective in his second relief appearance of the season. The left-hander allowed two runs on five hits in 5 1/3 frames, walking three while fanning three.

 

Farris extended his hitting streak to a season-best 14 games on the evening with his two hits. Tony Gwynn Jr.'s 15-game hit streak last season was the longest recorded by a Sounds player in 2009.

 

The Sounds continue their eight-game homestand by welcoming the Round Rock Express (AAA-Astros) to Music City for a four-game set beginning at 6:35 pm CT at historic Greer Stadium. Left-hander Chase Wright (7-6, 4.56) takes the mound for Nashville against Express righty Josh Banks (8-7, 3.25).

 

Nashville box score

Hope Waters is okay. Nice job from Lofgren to come in and save the bullpen, though those two runs in the 9th must have been a back-breaker. Farris also stole his 7th base. Lorenzo Cain and Mat Gamel were hitless, but Gamel did draw a walk. You can listen to the audio of the Sounds turning a 5-6-3 double play here.

 

Nashville play-by-play

Waters found himself in a jam immediately, but did good work getting out of it:

 

Omaha Top 1st

• Jarrod Dyson triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Lorenzo Cain.
• David Lough pops out to second baseman Eric Farris.
• Mike Moustakas flies out to left fielder Norris Hopper.
• Kila Ka'aihue grounds out, first baseman Joe Koshansky to pitcher Chris Waters.

The Sounds came very close to tying the game in the 5th:

 

Nashville Bottom 5th

• Eric Farris singles on a ground ball to second baseman Kurt Mertins.
• Luis Cruz flies out to right fielder Jordan Parraz.
• With
  Ben Johnson batting, Eric Farris steals (7) 2nd base, . Eric Farris
  advances to 3rd, on throwing error by catcher Manuel Pina.
• Ben
  Johnson flies into double play, right fielder Jordan Parraz to catcher
  Manuel Pina. Eric Farris out at home on the throw.

[battlekow]

Final: @Huntsville 5, Mississippi 4

Huntsville box score

Amaury Rivas's line: 5.1 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, 7/3 GO/AO, 91 pitches, 56 strikes. Mississippi made it close, getting single runs in the 8th and 9th, but couldn't quite bridge the gap. Jim Henderson worked himself into trouble to begin the 9th, allowing three baserunners and only recording one out, before Lucas Luetge and Eddie Morlan came on to get an out apiece and finish off the Braves. Taylor Green went 1-4 with his eighth homer of the year, a two-run shot. Caleb Gindl had two singles in four trips, and Zelous Wheeler, Drew Anderson, and Lee Haydel each had a single and a walk. Haydel stole his 19th base. Brett Lawrie was 0-4.

 

Huntsville play-by-play

Rivas allowed four hits, including a homer, in the 2nd, but escaped with only two runs allowed:

 

Mississippi Top 2nd

• Mauro Gomez called out on strikes.
• Michael Daniel singles on a ground ball to third baseman Taylor Green.
• With
  Donell Linares batting, Michael Daniel caught stealing 2nd base,
  catcher Anderson De La Rosa to second baseman Brett Lawrie.
• Donell Linares singles on a ground ball to left fielder Lee Haydel.
• Shawn McGill homers (1) on a fly ball to right center field. Donell Linares scores.
• Kyle Cofield singles on a ground ball to left fielder Lee Haydel.
• Coaching visit to mound.
• Antoan Richardson singles on a line drive to right fielder Drew T. Anderson. Kyle Cofield to 2nd.
• Tyler Pastornicky grounds out, second baseman Brett Lawrie to first baseman Chris Nowak.

Green immediately tied the game:

 

Huntsville Bottom 2nd

• Chris Nowak singles on a ground ball to center fielder Antoan Richardson.
• Taylor Green homers (8) on a fly ball to right field. Chris Nowak scores.
• Lee Haydel walks.
• Anderson
  De La Rosa grounds into double play, shortstop Tyler Pastornicky to
  first baseman Mauro Gomez. Lee Haydel out at 2nd.
• Amaury Rivas strikes out swinging.

Rivas had an impressive 5th:

 

Mississippi Top 5th

• Tyler Pastornicky strikes out swinging.
• Willie Cabrera strikes out swinging.
• Eric Duncan singles on a line drive to center fielder Caleb Gindl.
• Mauro Gomez strikes out swinging.

Green is fortunate that his error here didn't lead to greater misfortune:

 

Mississippi Top 9th

• Pitcher Change: Jim Henderson replaces Robert Hinton, batting 7th, replacing left fielder Lee Haydel.
• Yasser Gomez grounds out, shortstop Zelous Wheeler to first baseman Chris Nowak.
• Antoan Richardson walks.
• Coaching visit to mound.
• Tyler Pastornicky walks. Antoan Richardson to 2nd.
• Willie
  Cabrera singles on a fly ball to right fielder Drew T. Anderson.
  Antoan Richardson to 3rd. Tyler Pastornicky to 2nd.
• Pitcher Change: Lucas Luetge replaces Jim Henderson, batting 7th.
• Eric Duncan strikes out swinging.
• Pitcher Change: Eddie Morlan replaces Lucas Luetge, batting 7th.
• Mauro
  Gomez reaches on fielding error by third baseman Taylor Green.
  Antoan Richardson scores. Tyler Pastornicky to 3rd. Willie Cabrera
  to 2nd.
• Michael Daniel strikes out swinging.

If this was a Rattlers game, Daniel would have hit a grand slam.

[battlekow]

Final: @Brevard County 6, St. Lucie 0

'Tees blank Mets, win streak at 7

Frank Longobardo/Brevard County Manatees

 

VIERA, Fla. -The Brevard County Manatees shutout the St. Lucie Mets 6-0 on Friday night at Space Coast Stadium in front on 1,809 fans, to sweep the series and extended the team's longest winning streak of the season to seven games.

 

After allowing five runs in his previous two starts, Cody Scarpetta threw 6 1/3 shutout innings and allowed five hits, while walking two and striking out seven. He earned his sixth win of the season and has a 2.72 ERA in his last ten starts.

 

Daniel Meadows came in for Scarpetta in the seventh and went 1 2/3 innings and allowed a hit and struck out two. Mike Ramlow finished the night with a scoreless ninth to preserve the shutout for the Manatees.

 

Erik Komatsu led the way for the Manatees (49-54, 22-12) at the plate as he went 3-for-4 with a double, RBI and two runs scored.

 

Shawn Zarraga drove in two runs and Sergio Miranda hit his first home run of the year, a solo shot to right in the third inning. Seven of Brevard County's starting nine in the batting order had at least one hit.

 

St. Lucie (50-53, 17-18) never had a runner get past second base and committed three errors as the Mets lost their tenth straight game. Brevard County out-scored St. Lucie 17-3 in the four-game sweep.

 

Up next for the Manatees will be a four-game series at home with the Jupiter Hammerheads starting Saturday night at 7:05.

 

R.J. Seidel (3-0, 3.20) is scheduled to take the hill for the Manatees, while the Hammerheads will send Brad Hand (5-7, 3.56) to the mound.

 

Brevard County box score

Impressive work from Scarpetta and Komatsu. Miranda's home run was his first of the year, matching his total from last year, and he also walked twice. Brock Kjeldgaard pitched in with a double and a walk; he's been slowly coming on the past couple months after a terrible April and May.

 

Brevard County play-by-play

The Manatees were able to overcome what must have been a deflating beginning:

 

Brevard County Bottom 1st

• Matt Cline hit by pitch.
• Sergio Miranda walks. Matt Cline to 2nd.
• Erik Komatsu singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Eric Beaulac. Matt Cline to 3rd. Sergio Miranda to 2nd.
• Sean Halton strikes out swinging.
• Angel
  Salome grounds into double play, second baseman Jordany Valdespin to
  shortstop Wilmer Flores to first baseman Stefan Welch. Erik Komatsu
  out at 2nd.

[battlekow]

Final: @Peoria 5, Wisconsin 2

Rattlers fall in Peoria

Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

PEORIA, IL – The Peoria Chiefs have some kind of mojo against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at O’Brien Field. Friday’s 5-2 Peoria victory gave they a 6-0 record against the Rattlers in their home stadium this season. The Chiefs are 12-1 in the last 13 games against the Rattlers. A pair of defensive miscues by Wisconsin in the bottom of the second inning gave Peoria all the runs they would need to beat the Rattlers.

 

The Chiefs (53-47 overall, 15-16 second half) loaded the bases against Wisconsin starter Damon Krestalude with a pair of singles to start the inning and a one out single. Krestalude looked like he would get out of the inning when he got George Matheus to fly out to shallow right to keep the runners where they were. Then, Hak-Ju Lee to send a chopper to first. But, the ball was mishandled by Hunter Morris and Lee reached first as the first Peoria run scored. Logan Watkins was next and his grounder to third snuck under the glove of Rattlers infielder Cutter Dykstra to allow two more runs to score for a 3-0 score.

 

Dykstra made up for his miscue in the field with a big swing in the top of the third. He stepped up with one out and a runner at first when he unloaded on a pitch from Peoria starting pitcher Frank Batista. The long two-run homer got the Rattlers (41-60, 15-18) to within 3-2. But, that was as close as Wisconsin would get.

 

Batista struck out five and did not allow another run over his five innings of work.

 

The score remained 3-2 until the bottom of the seventh inning. Rattlers reliever Santo Manzanillo gave up RBI singles to Mario Mercedes and Lee and the Chiefs went in front 5-2.

 

Wisconsin put together an attempted rally in the top of the eighth. Joey Paciorek singled to start the inning. Two outs later Morris and Chris Dennis drew walks against Peoria reliever Daniel Keefe to load the bases. But, Keefe got out of the inning and maintained the three run cushion.

 

The Timber Rattlers return home to start a seven game homestand on Saturday night with a game against the Clinton LumberKings. Eric Arnett (0-7, 6.06) is the scheduled starter for the Timber Rattlers. Clinton will counter with Erasmo Ramirez (7-4, 2.67) as their starting pitcher.

 

The first 1,000 fans into Time Warner Cable Field will receive a poster of recently promoted pitcher Kyle Heckathorn courtesy of Express Convenience Centers. There is also a FOX 11 Fireworks display after the game.

 

If you can’t make it out to the stadium, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM. The Miller Lite Pregame Show starts at 6:15pm. Game time on Saturday night is 6:35pm.

 

Wisconsin box score

Glad to see Dykstra hit the ball with some authority. Morris made two errors, both fielding. With Kentrail Davis out of the lineup, Scooter Gennett hit third and went 1-4 with a double. Erik Miller made the most of his rare starting opportunity by going 2-4. D'Vontrey Richardson was 0-5 and fanned thrice. Manzanillo walked three and allowed four hits in 1.2 innings.

 

Wisconsin play-by-play

Paciorek came on for Dykstra in the 5th. Anyone know why?

[battlekow]

Final: @DSL Athletics 3, DSL Brewers 1

DSL Brewers box score

I guess my guy Osmel Perez is a starter now, but his strikeout numbers have taken a tumble since being moved to the rotation. He fanned one in five innings today, giving him three K's in ten frames as a rotation member. Still, he didn't fare too poorly, holding the A's scoreless through four before faltering in the 5th, ultimately allowing three runs on six hits and two walks. Pedro Lambertus made his first appearance of the year, tossing a perfect inning with a strikeout. Ruben Sanchez was 2-5 with a double, Ronny Puello was 2-4 with a double, and Juan de Leon was 2-3 with a walk. Raul Mondesi, Jr. was 0-4, running his hitless streak to 14 at-bats since his 4-5 night on the 27th, though he did reach base on a HBP. Jose Pena did not play.

 

DSL Brewers play-by-play

The Brewers were impressively unclutch in the early going:

 

DSL Brewers Top 2nd

• Ronny Puello singles on a fly ball to left fielder Jose Sayegh.
• Juan De Leon singles on a line drive to left fielder Jose Sayegh. Ronny Puello to 2nd.
• With Jose R. Garcia batting, wild pitch by Jose Castillo, Ronny Puello to 3rd. Juan De Leon to 2nd.
• Jose R. Garcia strikes out swinging, catcher Reynaldo Mateo to first baseman Michael Soto.
• Deivi Mejia called out on strikes.
• Joan Abreu strikes out swinging.

DSL Brewers Top 3rd

• Ruben Sanchez doubles (5) on a fly
  ball to left fielder Jose Sayegh. Ruben Sanchez advances to 3rd, on
  missed catch error by pitcher Jose Castillo.
• Andres Martinez pops out to shortstop Franklin Contreras.
• Raul MondesiJr. reaches on a fielder's choice out, third baseman Gabriel Santana unassisted. Ruben Sanchez out at home.
• Hitaniel Arias singles on a line drive to left fielder Jose Sayegh. Raul MondesiJr. to 2nd.
• With Ronny Puello batting, wild pitch by Jose Castillo, Raul MondesiJr. to 3rd. Hitaniel Arias to 2nd.
• Ronny Puello strikes out swinging.

[battlekow]

Final: Great Falls 5, @Helena 3

Helena box score

Evan Frederickson allowed three runs in five innings, walking an unsurprising six batters, though he did somehow avoid the wild pitches today. Seth Lintz was pretty good, giving up a run in three innings, striking out three and walking none. Yes, none. In three innings. Seth Lintz. It's true, you can look it up. Mike Walker and Cody Hawn each doubled and walked, and Shea Vucinich was hitless but walked and was hit by a pitch. Robbie Garvey was 2-4, and yesterday's hero Greg Hopkins was 2-5.

 

Helena play-by-play

The Brewers left the bases loaded without scoring in the 1st and 3rd:

 

Helena Bottom 1st

• Robert Garvey singles on a ground ball to center fielder Randall Thorpe.
• With Shea Vucinich batting, Robert Garvey steals (2) 2nd base.
• Shea Vucinich hit by pitch.
• Cody Hawn flies out to center fielder Randall Thorpe.
• Gregory
  Hopkins grounds out, third baseman Andy Wilkins to first baseman Jared
  McDonald. Robert Garvey to 3rd. Shea Vucinich to 2nd.
• Michael Walker walks.
• John Dishon grounds out, pitcher Thomas Royse to first baseman Jared McDonald.

Helena Bottom 3rd

• Robert Garvey singles on a ground ball to pitcher Pete Gehle.
• Shea Vucinich called out on strikes.
• With Cody Hawn batting, Robert Garvey steals (3) 2nd base.
• Cody Hawn walks.
• Gregory Hopkins singles on a ground ball to left fielder Dusty Harvard. Robert Garvey to 3rd. Cody Hawn to 2nd.
• Michael Walker called out on strikes.
• John Dishon flies out to right fielder Ryan Lee.

[Mass Haas]

Stars Win By One

Connor Shreve, Huntsville Stars

 

Eddie Morlan closed a one-run ballgame with the bases loaded for a 5-4 Huntsville win at Joe Davis Stadium Friday night. The game never gave the perception that it would resemble the pitchers duel of the previous night.

 

Michael Daniel punched a ball through Huntsville’s infield with one out in the second and was quickly caught trying to steal. Eliminating Daniel saved a run; Donell Linares knocked a single, one of four in the M-Braves half of the frame, and was brought home by the next batter when backstop Shawn McGill crushed his first homer of the year to right field to give Mississippi a two-run advantage.

 

The visitors lead lasted less than fifteen minutes. Chris Nowak started the bottom half of the inning with a single and came around to score courtesy of Taylor Green and his eighth bomb of the season. Huntsville used the fifth inning to jettison from the M-Braves.

 

Anderson De La Rosa and pitcher Amaury Rivas both crossed home in the fifth thanks to sloppy play on the part of Mississippi. De La Rosa doubled and made it to third on Rivas’ bunt, a bunt that was misplayed and allowed all to reach safely. The Braves mistakenly tried to get De La Rosa at third and the close play did not allow a throw to first leaving Rivas safely on the bag. The comedy of errors continued when Eric Duncan could not handle a ball hit off the bat of Brett Lawrie that allowed the Stars' infielder to pick up another RBI for bringing home De La Rosa. After a groundout left Mississippi with a chance to escape, Zelous Wheeler punctuated the frame by lining a shot off the leg of M-Braves pitcher Richard Sullivan and scoring Rivas.

 

Rivas wasn’t the only Huntsville pitcher to help offensively. Robert Hinton, who came on to finish the sixth, added an insurance run in the same inning with a two-out single. The base hit was Hinton’s first of the year.

 

Rivas (10-5 2.67) departed with one out in the sixth and became the first Stars pitcher to win ten games in 2010. He scattered eight hits and allowed two earned runs while walking three and punching out five Mississippi batters on strikes. His win appeared to be in jeopardy in the ninth but Morlan worked out of the bases loaded jam to preserve the victory. Morlan, the third Stars pitcher of the inning, started Daniel with three balls out of the zone but came roaring back by throwing three straight strikes to bring the contest to a close.

 

With win number 18 for the second half in the bag and a Carolina loss, the Stars moved in to sole position of second place in the north remaining two games back of Tennessee. Huntsville can guarantee a series victory with a win Saturday as the current set continues at 6:00 PM (CDT).

[colbyjack]

Any guesses as to how the T-Rats rotation shakes out over the weekend? If Arnett goes today, will Odorizzi be piggy-backing with him, or is it likely that Jake throws tomorrow, or gets skipped again? I know it would mostly be a guess at this point, but I would like to try and get to tomorrow's game depending on the starter. It's hard to predict their 6-man rotation when Odorizzi, Arnett, Bucci and Burgos could all be in line to take the mound.

[Mass Haas]

Sergio Miranda's home run was his first of the year, matching his total from last year, and he also walked twice.

Watch the home run here courtesy of SpaceCoastBaseball.com.

[Mass Haas]

Any guesses as to how the T-Rats rotation shakes out over the weekend? If Arnett goes today, will Odorizzi be piggy-backing with him, or is it likely that Jake throws tomorrow, or gets skipped again? I know it would mostly be a guess at this point, but I would like to try and get to tomorrow's game depending on the starter. It's hard to predict their 6-man rotation when Odorizzi, Arnett, Bucci and Burgos could all be in line to take the mound.

Chris Mehring knew you'd be asking, colbyjack.

[Mass Haas]

Nice job, Manatees -- seven wins in a row, but they still are somehow two games back because the hated Daytona Cubs have won a dozen in a row. The two teams have only three games remaining against each other, August 21-23, one game at Space Coast.

[Mass Haas]

Paciorek came on for Dykstra in the 5th. Anyone know why?

Ejections: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers third baseman Cutter Dykstra ejected by 1B umpire Jeff Klinghoffer (5th).

 

Apparently didn't like the call at first base after grounding out. Anybody wnat to guess a helmet toss?

 

D'Vontrey Richardson's tools show up in the box score, even if his stat lines rarely reflect those same tools. Threw out runners both at 3rd base and home plate.

[Mass Haas]

From Thursday's Link Report:

 

Matthew Szczur. I give up... how do you pronounce this? Zoo-zoor?

Like "caesar", I think. I remember him from the Villanova football team when they played in the FCS national championship game last year.

Nice story here --

 

Chiefs center fielder gives bone marrow for a little girl

[Mass Haas]

Helena ends the first half with a loss, 5-3 to Great Falls

By Brett Billings, Helena Brewers

The Helena Brewers didn't end the first half of the Pioneer League Season as they had hoped as they fell to the Great Falls Voyagers 5-3 on Friday Night at Kindrick Legion Field.

 

Two of the Brewers' runs came in the fifth inning courtesy of a two-out double by Mike Walker. Shea Vucinich walked and Greg Hopkins, who finished the game 2 for 5, singled earlier in the inning.

 

The last run came in the eighth inning. Franklin Romero Jr. singled in Gerald Ogrinc, who also singled earlier in the inning.

 

Evan Frederickson (2-2, 5.93) took the loss. He pitched the first five innings allowing three runs. He struck out four and walked six.

 

Robert Currie came in relief in the sixth, and Seth Lintz pitched the final three frames. He allowed one run while striking out three.

 

The loss makes Helena's first half record an even 19-19 as they head into the second half of the season. Great Falls won the first half, which means they get an automatic playoff birth.

 

The Brewers look to start the second half strong, as they host the Billings Mustangs Saturday night for the first game of a three game series before hitting the road again. Billings is expected to start RHP Stalin Gerson. The Brewers are sending RHP Matt Miller to the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central).

 

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Brewers start afresh tonight

By AMBER KUEHN, Helena Independent Record

 

“Bittersweet Symphony” blared over the loudspeakers Friday at Kindrick Legion Field as it does after every Helena Brewers loss.

 

But it was an especially fitting anthem Friday, as Helena wrapped up a bittersweet first half of the Pioneer League season by falling 5-3 to the North Division champion Great Falls Voyagers.

 

After running out to an 8-1 start and finishing at a mere 19-19, it’s safe to say the Brewers are looking forward to a fresh start. The Brewers open the second half of the season tonight by hosting Billings in the first of six straight games — three in Helena and three in Billings.

 

“I’m not one of those guys that’s satisfied with .500,” Helena manager Joe Ayrault said. “I’m a grown up, .500 for me is almost like a tie.”

 

The Brewers won their first three games of the season in comeback fashion and finished the opening series with a sweep of Missoula. But injuries would plague the team later on, and the Helena nine ran into somewhat of a buzzsaw against Southern Division teams, particularly Ogden.

 

“We had to battle through a couple guys getting hurt,” Ayrault said, referencing outfielder Reggie Keen’s broken hand and infielder Greg Hopkins’ concussion.

 

But the Brewers also had some non-physical bumps and bruises, as they had to clear up a little shoddy baserunning and work on defense to continue to hover around .500 down the stretch.

 

Helena was the hottest hitting club in the league through the first few weeks of the season, but a rough month of July dropped the Brewers’ team batting average to .283, fourth best behind Great Falls, Ogden and Billings.

 

“Guys played hard, we have guys still playing well,” Ayrault said. “I’m just ready to get that second half rolling.”

 

The Brewers can make the playoffs either by winning the second-half title or earning the second-best composite record should the Voyagers cop the crown once again. But they’ll also have to keep their eyes on Billings, who had a late surge to finish second in the North.

 

As the slates are wiped clean, the Brewers’ first series — against the Mustangs — will be crucial, and Ayrault hopes his boys begin the second half the same way they started the first. He hopes they continue to improve, and he plans to keep stressing aggressiveness on the bases and situational hitting.

 

“We’re playing to win, playing to be in first place everyday,” he said.

 

Helena managed nine hits against the Voyagers in the first-half finale Friday, but was unable to get many runs across. The Brewers stranded ten baserunners in the game, including leaving the bags loaded in the first and third innings. Ayrault believes that was the difference maker.

 

“You get a couple knocks right there, you can blow the game open,” he said.

 

The Brewers cut into Great Falls’ 3-0 lead in the fifth thanks to Mike Walker’s two-run ground rule double that rolled fair down the left field line and under the fence. They’d tack on another run in the eighth after the Voyagers scored two more, but Brandon Sizemore’s fly out to left field squelched the host’s rally and left yet another runner stranded in scoring position.

 

Helena starter Evan Frederickson struggled with his command, walking a season-high six batters in five innings of work. He was saddled with the loss, while reliever Peter Gehle earned the win for Great Falls. Gehle pitched three innings of shutout ball after starter Thomas Royse left with what is believed to be a tender elbow.

 

DIAMOND NOTES: Great Falls pitcher David Holmberg, who started against Helena in Thursday night’s game, was part of the Edwin Jackson trade to the Chicago White Sox on Friday. Holmberg will now play for Missoula, the Arizona Diamondback’s rookie affiliate...Helena right-hander Tony Butler was promoted to Low-A Wisconsin on July 28.

[Mass Haas]

Brandon Sizemore replaced Helena LF Robbie Garvey after Garvey ended the 6th inning striking out swinging.

 

Just something to keep an eye on, did Garvey tweak something or was he a little too upset with himself upon returning to the dugout.

 

Or more likely, is it nothing at all...

[Mass Haas]

Ending on a high note!

 

Final: Arizona Brewers 14, @Arizona Rangers 0

 

Arizona Box Score

Late-round high school draftee RHP Michael Schaub made his first appearance in 25 days, easing back into action with a scoreless 1st inning; after that, for the second consecutive appearance, it was the Charly Bashara show, as the 23-year-old says "get me to Wisconsin, or at least Helena" with six shutout innings, allowing only three singles and one walk -- yay for the Massachusetts southpaw out of Northeastern University; RHP Seth Harvey finished the shutout with two scoreless of his own...

 

Jody Gerut led off the game with a home run, later singled and walked in four trips total; the A-Crew drew nine free passes and a HBP as the mini-morphin power Rangers had a tough day, committing four errors leading to five unearned runs; shortly after Gerut's home run, CF Kenny Allison hit his first professional roundtripper, a two-run shot, congrats; 22-year-old 1B Jason Rogers, he of the Prince Fielder-like thighs, reached all six plate appearances, three singles, three walks -- seven of 28 hits have gone for extra bases, so it's not totally power-laden, but a .460 OBP is impressive after 22 games -- another guy who needs to escape rookie ball quickly in 2011; still 21 for a few more weeks, unheralded infielder Nick Shaw now owns a .378 / .486 / .478 stat line (.964 OPS) -- there's a reason this club is 22-10; catcher Tyler Roberts was replaced in the 8th, and although he was HBP back in the 6th, his removal was likely a result of playing time for others, heat, and the score...

 

Arizona Game Log

Five-run 1st:

 

AZL Brewers Top 1st

Jody Gerut homers (1) on a fly ball to right field.

Nick Shaw singles on a fly ball to center fielder Teodoro Martinez.

Kenneth Allison homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Nick Shaw scores.

Tyler Roberts grounds out, shortstop Luis Sardinas to first baseman Jhonny Gomez.

Jason Rogers singles on a line drive to left fielder Braxton Lane.

Thomas Mittelstaedt pops out to second baseman Odubel Herrera.

Yadiel Rivera reaches on throwing error by shortstop Luis Sardinas. Jason Rogers to 3rd. Yadiel Rivera to 2nd.

With John Bivens batting, wild pitch by Shawn Blackwell, Jason Rogers scores. Yadiel Rivera to 3rd.

John Bivens reaches on throwing error by second baseman Odubel Herrera. Yadiel Rivera scores.

Pitcher Change: Alexander Claudio replaces Shawn Blackwell.

Kevin Berard strikes out swinging.

Five-run 6th:

 

AZL Brewers Top 6th

Pitcher Change: Tae Kyung Ahn replaces Edward Alfonzo.

John Bivens strikes out swinging.

Kevin Berard singles on a ground ball to second baseman Odubel Herrera.

Jody Gerut walks. Kevin Berard to 2nd.

Nick Shaw walks. Kevin Berard to 3rd. Jody Gerut to 2nd.

Kenneth Allison grounds out, third baseman Christian Villanueva to first baseman Jhonny Gomez. Kevin Berard scores. Jody Gerut to 3rd. Nick Shaw to 2nd.

Tyler Roberts hit by pitch.

Jason Rogers walks. Jody Gerut scores. Nick Shaw to 3rd. Tyler Roberts to 2nd.

Thomas Mittelstaedt reaches on fielding error by first baseman Jhonny Gomez. Nick Shaw scores. Tyler Roberts to 3rd. Jason Rogers to 2nd.

With Yadiel Rivera batting, wild pitch by Tae Kyung Ahn, Tyler Roberts scores. Jason Rogers to 3rd. Thomas Mittelstaedt to 2nd.

Yadiel Rivera walks.

Pitcher Change: Richard Alvarez replaces Tae Kyung Ahn.

John Bivens singles on a line drive to left fielder Braxton Lane. Jason Rogers scores. Thomas Mittelstaedt to 3rd. Yadiel Rivera to 2nd.

Kevin Berard flies out to center fielder Teodoro Martinez.

[SpaceCoastBaseball]

I just added video of Cody Scarpetta pitching in last night's Manatees game against St. Lucie. Video of offense highlights will be online later today.

 

Go to the home page at www.spacecoastbaseball.com and look under VIDEOS in the left column.

 

By the way, the pitching coach for the St. Lucie Mets is 73-year old Phil Regan, "The Vulture."

[battlekow]

Brandon Sizemore replaced Helena LF Robbie Garvey after Garvey ended the 6th inning striking out swinging.

 

Just something to keep an eye on, did Garvey tweak something or was he a little too upset with himself upon returning to the dugout.

 

Or more likely, is it nothing at all...

Ha, shows you what state my mind was in last night. First, I didn't even notice that Cutter Dykstra was ejected from the Rattlers game. Then, when I looked at the Helena PBP to see why Garvey had left, I saw that he batted last the previous half-inning and that there was a pitching change and assumed it was a double switch--forgetting about the whole DH thing. Let this be a lesson to you aspiring Link Reporters: consumption of Capital Blonde Doppelbock and reading comprehension are inversely related.