Link Report for Mon. 8/2 -- Wilhelmsen bests Odorizzi & Rattlers; Green walks off Stars (Hear the Call)

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Monday's Daily Menu:

 

Times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

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

Live Audio Link

 

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

Live Audio Link

 

Brevard County: LHP Dan Merklinger at home vs. Jupiter (Marlins), 6:05 gametime

Live Audio Link (Hammerheads' feed)

*** We don't believe Jupiter is carrying this road series, but we'll list a link just in case...

Wisconsin: RHP Jake Odorizzi at home vs. Clinton (Mariners), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime

Live Audio Link

 

Helena: RHP Tyler Thornburg at home vs. Billings (Reds), 7:50 PM pre-game; 8:05 gametime

Live Audio Link

 

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at the Giants' complex in Scottsdale; 9:00 PM; never audio for games in this league

 

DSL Brewers: at the DSL Mariners, 9:30 AM

[Mass Haas]

Follow Monday'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

 

Helena

 

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale)

 

DSL Brewers

[Mass Haas]

PCL American North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Iowa	61	47	.565	-	-	30-26	31-21	7-3	W3
	Memphis	60	49	.550	1.5	35	34-21	26-28	8-2	W4
	Nashville	57	51	.528	4.0	33	29-26	28-25	5-5	W1
	Omaha	56	53	.514	5.5	31	25-26	31-27	4-6	L2

SOU North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
*	Tennessee	22	14	.611	-	-	14-7	8-7	8-2	W4
	Huntsville	20	16	.556	2.0	33	10-8	10-8	7-3	W3
	Carolina	18	18	.500	4.0	31	8-10	10-8	5-5	W1
	Chattanooga	16	19	.457	5.5	30	9-8	7-11	5-5	W1
	West Tenn	15	21	.417	7.0	28	8-7	7-14	5-5	L4

FSL North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Daytona	25	10	.714	-	-	13-4	12-6	10-0	W13
	Tampa	21	12	.636	3.0	34	10-6	11-6	5-5	W1
	Brevard County	22	14	.611	3.5	32	12-7	10-7	7-3	L2
*	Dunedin	16	20	.444	9.5	26	9-8	7-12	5-5	W1
	Lakeland	15	20	.429	10.0	26	11-8	4-12	7-3	W1
	Clearwater	14	23	.378	12.0	23	9-8	5-15	2-8	L3

PIO North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
*	Great Falls	2	0	1.000	-	-	0-0	2-0	2-0	W3
	Billings	1	1	.500	1.0	36	0-0	1-1	1-1	W1
	Helena	1	1	.500	1.0	36	1-1	0-0	1-1	L1
	Missoula	0	2	.000	2.0	35	0-2	0-0	0-2	L2

AZL Central
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	AZL Brewers	22	11	.667	-	-	7-6	6-5	6-4	L1
	AZL Dodgers	16	17	.485	6.0	18	6-6	5-5	5-5	W1
	AZL Indians	16	17	.485	6.0	18	6-5	7-4	4-6	L1
	AZL Reds	14	18	.438	7.5	17	5-4	4-7	5-5	W1

DSL S.D. North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	DSL Mariners	31	20	.608	-	-	18-7	13-13	7-3	W1
	DSL Cardinals	29	22	.569	2.0	20	21-4	8-18	6-4	L1
	DSL Athletics	22	29	.431	9.0	13	13-13	9-16	5-5	L1
	DSL Brewers	20	31	.392	11.0	11	13-13	7-18	2-8	W1

[Mass Haas]

PDF document:

 

Nashville Media Notes

[Mass Haas]

A reminder on why a matchup tonight against a 26 1/2 year-old RHP at the A-ball level is interesting for long-time followers of the Brewers' chain.

 

Tom Wilhelmsen's MiLB.com page

[Mass Haas]

PDF Document:

 

Huntsville Media Notes

 

The Stars offense is batting .260 against lefties this year. Lefty Taylor Green leads the team against southpaws with a .305 average. He’s hit six of his eight home runs and 51 of his 59 RBI against LHP.

 

Unfortunately, those are Green's numbers against RHP. He's hitting .200 in his 70 AB's vs. LHP.

 

Amaury Rivas won't be pitching both Wednesday and Thursday as listed.

 

Otherwise, worth a peek http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[battlekow]

Rattler Radio:

 

Game notes

 

Tonight's pitcher

 

Starting lineup

 

Kentrail Davis is back but DHing, Khris Davis getting a day off, Chris Dennis playing LF, Hunter Morris batting third.

[battlekow]

Final: DSL Brewers 6, @DSL Mariners 5

DSL Brewers box score

The Brewers took a 5-1 lead in the 2nd, gave it all back with a four-run 4th, and scored the winning run in the 8th. Large lefty Eliezer Montano allowed all five runs, failing to escape the 4th. Joel Dicent, Carlos Sosa, and Rigoberto Almonte combined to hold the Mariners scoreless the rest of the way. Hitaniel Arias and Juan de Leon were both 1-3 with two walks, my guy Carlos Pena was 2-4, and Ronny Puello doubled and walked. Jose Pena was 0-5, though he didn't strike out.

 

DSL Brewers play-by-play

No PBP available at this time.

[Mass Haas]

Great name alert:

 

Professional debut as a pinch-runner then LF for the DSL Crew tonight -- Dionis Hinojosa

 

Still waiting on that first pro plate appearance...

[twobrewers]

Third round draft choice Tyler Thornburg started for Helena, but only went one inning. He had been going two innings. Hope all is well.

[battlekow]

Final: @Nashville 5, Round Rock 1

Narron leads Sounds to 2nd straight win

Nashville Sounds

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Left-hander Sam Narron tossed seven scoreless frames and catcher Martin Maldonado homered as part of a 3-for-4 night to lead the Nashville Sounds to a 5-1 victory over the Round Rock Express on Monday evening at historic Greer Stadium.

 

Narron (7-4) pulled into a tie for the Sounds' team lead as he earned his seventh victory of the year. The left-hander tossed his seventh quality start in 10 starts for Nashville, holding Round Rock to two hits over seven scoreless innings of work.

 

Hot-hitting second baseman Eric Farris put the Sounds on the board in the bottom of the third with a two-out RBI single to center off Round Rock starter Shane Loux. Maldonado, who led off the frame with a single, scored the game's first run on the play.

 

Farris has hit safely in 16 of his last 17 contests at a .391 clip (27-for-69). Maldonado has recorded a knock in 17 of his last 18 games (21-for-64, .328).

 

Maldonado doubled the Nashville lead to 2-0 in the fifth with a solo homer to left-center that careened off the guitar-shaped scoreboard. The blast, off Loux, was the backstop's fourth roundtripper of the year.

 

Narron opened the contest with four hitless frames and faced one over the minimum through five before running into a jam in the top of the sixth inning.

 

Round Rock loaded the bases with one out on a Loux single, a Farris fielding error on a Jack Shuck grounder, and a walk to Wladmir Sutil before the Sounds lefty escaped the jam unscathed by inducing an inning-ending double play grounder from Matt Kata.

 

Express catcher Brian Esposito put the visitors on the board in the top of the eighth when he belted a line-drive homer to left off Sounds reliever David Johnson, his second longball of the year.

 

Johnson worked out of further trouble in the frame after Round Rock placed the potential tying run at second with only one out.

 

The Sounds plated three insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth to stretch the lead to 5-1. Mat Gamel reached on a fielding error by Round Rock reliever Jonah Bayliss and Joe Koshansky was hit by a pitch before shortstop Luis Cruz plated both with a two-run double into the left field corner. Adam Stern followed with an RBI triple to right.

 

Carlos Villanueva made his second relief appearance for Nashville and worked around a pair of baserunners to post a scoreless ninth inning in closing out the victory.

 

Loux (2-11) was tagged with his PCL-leading 11th loss of the year for the Express despite a quality start effort. The right-hander allowed two runs on nine hits over seven innings of action.

 

The teams wrap up the series with a 7:05 p.m. finale on Tuesday evening at Greer. Right-hander Josh Butler (1-1, 7.59) will make his third Triple-A start of the year as he takes the hill for Nashville. Round Rock has yet to announce its starting pitcher for the contest.

 

Nashville box score

Stay hot, Martin! Cruz doubled twice, and Stern singled to complement his triple. Gamel was 0-4, and Lorenzo Cain was 1-4. Farris had the RBI single, but he was also picked off and committed two errors. Villanueva struck out one. Narron, inspired by Marty McLeary, doubled.

 

Nashville play-by-play

The Sounds almost took the lead in the 4th:

 

Nashville Bottom 4th

• Mat Gamel flies out to left fielder Matt Kata.
• Joe Koshansky flies out to center fielder Jack Shuck.
• Luis Cruz doubles (22) on a line drive to left fielder Matt Kata.
• Adam
  Stern singles on a line drive to center fielder Jack Shuck. Luis Cruz
  out at home on the throw, center fielder Jack Shuck to catcher Brian
  Esposito.

[battlekow]

Final: @Brevard County 5, Jupiter 3

Brevard County box score

The Manatees got a big four-spot in the 7th to pull ahead for the victory. Dan Merklinger started but wasn't able to recapture his recent magic, though he did all right: 5.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 1 HR, 2 WP, 3/6 GO/AO. Dan Meadows and Corey Frerichs locked down the win. Sergio Miranda and Angel Salome were both 3-4 with a double, and Juan Sanchez was 2-3 with a double and a walk. Salome was again removed late for a pinch runner. Erik Komatsu was 1-3 with an intentional walk.

 

Brevard County play-by-play

Shawn Zarraga started at catcher but left in the 4th with an injured groin. Merklinger struck out the side in the 2nd--and needed to do so to escape unscathed:

 

Jupiter Top 2nd

• Ben Lasater strikes out swinging.
• Jake Smolinski singles on a line drive to center fielder Erik Komatsu.
• Ernesto Manzanillo singles on a ground ball to right fielder Scott Krieger. Jake Smolinski to 2nd.
• With Daniel Pertusati batting, wild pitch by Dan Merklinger, Jake Smolinski to 3rd. Ernesto Manzanillo to 2nd.
• Daniel Pertusati strikes out swinging, catcher Shawn Zarraga to first baseman Sean Halton.
• Brett Hayes called out on strikes.

...and got some help from Scott Krieger to keep the Hammerheads off the board in the 3rd:

 

Jupiter Top 3rd

• Todd Muecklisch walks.
• Kevin Mattison singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Dan Merklinger. Todd Muecklisch to 2nd.
• Javier
  Guzman out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Dan Merklinger to second
  baseman Matt Cline. Todd Muecklisch to 3rd. Kevin Mattison to 2nd.
  
• Paul Gran flies into double play, right fielder Scott Krieger
  to catcher Shawn Zarraga. Todd Muecklisch out at home on the throw.
  

The big inning:

 

Brevard County Bottom 7th

• Brock Kjeldgaard grounds out, shortstop Todd Muecklisch to first baseman Ben Lasater.
• Juan Sanchez singles on a line drive to right fielder Ernesto Manzanillo.
• Matt Cline walks. Juan Sanchez to 2nd.
• Sergio Miranda doubles (15) on a line drive to left fielder Javier Guzman. Juan Sanchez scores. Matt Cline to 3rd.
• Peter Andrelczyk intentionally walks Erik Komatsu.
• Sean
  Halton grounds into a force out, third baseman Jake Smolinski to second
  baseman Daniel Pertusati. Matt Cline scores. Sergio Miranda to
  3rd. Erik Komatsu out at 2nd. Sean Halton to 1st.
• Angel Salome doubles (12) on a fly ball to center fielder Kevin Mattison. Sergio Miranda scores. Sean Halton scores.
• Pitcher Change: Corey Madden replaces Peter Andrelczyk.
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Peter Fatse replaces Angel Salome.
• Scott Krieger grounds out to first baseman Ben Lasater.

[battlekow]

Final: Clinton 5, @Wisconsin 0

Clinton keeps Wisconsin off the board; takes series

Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Clinton LumberKings received seven shutout innings from Tom Wilhelmsen to beat the Rattlers 5-0 Monday night at Time Warner Cable Field. Monday was the second time in the three game series in the Fox Cities in which the LumberKings shutout the Timber Rattlers.

 

Clinton (54-50 overall, 17-18 second half) grabbed the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the second inning. Vinnie Catricala doubled to start the inning. A grounder to the right side of the infield moved him to third. An RBI grounder by Kalian Sams knocked in Catricala. Matt Cerione followed with a home run to the Timber Rattlers bullpen in right-center.

 

In the fourth inning, Sams reached first base on a two-out error. A walk to Cerione extended the inning to Garbriel Noriega, who drove in Sams with a single for a 3-0 lead.

 

The LumberKings added a run in the fifth on an RBI single by Tim Morris. Rattlers starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi went seven innings and allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits. He walked two, struck out two, and took the loss. The decision ended a personal five game winning streak for Odorizzi.

 

Wisconsin (42-62, 16-20) didn’t get their first hit off Wilhelmsen until a bunt single by Cutter Dykstra in the fifth inning. Kentrail Davis tripled with one out in the seventh inning, but neither scored against the former Milwaukee farmhand.

 

Wilhelmsen, a 2002 draft pick of the Brewers, tossed seven innings, walked one, and struck out five for his first Midwest League win since 2003 when he was a member of the Beloit Snappers.

 

Clinton added a final run in the eighth inning on an RBI double by Mario Martinez.

 

Wisconsin continues their homestand on Tuesday night against the Peoria Chiefs. Maverick Lasker (6-4, 3.52) is scheduled to be the starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Ryan Searle (5-5, 4.29) is set to start for the Chiefs. Game time is 7:05pm.

 

As of Monday evening, there were less than 500 general admission grass seat tickets remaining for the game. Fans should call (920) 733-4152, 800-WI-TIMBER, or stop by the Time Warner Cable Field ticket office early tomorrow if they want to purchase a ticket to the game.

 

Tuesday night is a WAPL Bang for Your Buck Night with soda, hotdogs, and Miller Beer available for $1. Tuesday is also Fox Communities Credit Union Night. The first 5,000 fans to enter Time Warner Cable Field will receive an envelope from FCCU with a chance to win cash!

 

If you can’t make it to the game, you may tune into the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:45pm.

 

Wisconsin box score

You win this one, Mr. Wilhelmsen. Seriously though, it's hard not to he happy for the guy. Odorizzi didn't have his best stuff, but he gutted out a respectable performance, which perversely kind of makes me like him even more than if he'd had another ho-hum dominant outing. He allowed a lot of hard-hit fly balls, including three doubles and a homer; he also hit a batter. The Rattlers had only two baserunners beyond the aforementioned two hits: a walk by Dykstra and a single by Cameron Garfield.

 

Wisconsin play-by-play

Odorizzi impressed me this inning:

 

Clinton Top 7th

• Nick Franklin flies out to left fielder Chris Dennis.
• James Jones walks.
• With Blake Ochoa batting, James Jones steals (18) 2nd base.
• Blake Ochoa grounds out, third baseman Cutter Dykstra to first baseman Hunter Morris. James Jones to 3rd.
• Tim Morris grounds out, second baseman Ryan Gennett to first baseman Hunter Morris.

He walked Jones, the #2 hitter, on four pitches, a bad omen with the heart of the order coming up and his stuff off--but he made it through and kept his line respectable.

[ELCABALLO45]

Taylor Green just hit a walk off homer in the bottom of the 13th! Yes I was watching the Gameday for it. Rough night for Lawrie.

[DHonks]

David Johnson has been promoted slowly, but always has pretty good numbers. I wonder if he could be a middle innings guy next year??

[battlekow]

Final: @Huntsville 5, Carolina 3

 

Huntsville box score

The Stars got one in the 7th and two in the 8th to erase a 3-0 deficit, and then Taylor Green clouted a walk-off two-run shot in the 13th that just barely cleared the outfield wall to finally end the game. Green finished 1-4 with two walks, and Drew Anderson also homered for the Stars. Chris Nowak and Zelous Wheeler were both on base three times. Brett Lawrie and Caleb Gindl had tough nights atop the order, both 0-6; Lawrie also committed his 12th error. Michael Bowman turned in a quality start--seven innings, three runs--but the real hero tonight is the Stars' bullpen. Jim Henderson, Robert Hinton, and Lucas Luetge: take a bow.

 

Huntsville play-by-play

Hinton got a huge strikeout here:

 

Carolina Top 10th

• Kris Negron singles on a line drive to center fielder Caleb Gindl.
• With Jake Kahaulelio batting, Kris Negron steals (29) 2nd base.
• Jake Kahaulelio out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Anderson De La Rosa to second baseman Brett Lawrie. Kris Negron to 3rd.
• Brandon Yarbrough called out on strikes.
• Coaching visit to mound.
• Luis Terrero grounds out, pitcher Robert Hinton to first baseman Chris Nowak.

Luetge worked out of a big jam the next inning:

 

Carolina Top 11th

• Pitcher Change: Lucas Luetge replaces Robert Hinton, batting 9th.
• Mike Costanzo strikes out swinging.
• Sean Henry flies out to right fielder Drew T. Anderson.
• Eric Eymann singles on a line drive to center fielder Caleb Gindl.
• Chris
  Denove singles on a ground ball to center fielder Caleb Gindl,
  deflected by shortstop Zelous Wheeler. Eric Eymann to 3rd.
• Coaching visit to mound.
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Devin Mesoraco replaces Jeremy Horst.
• Devin Mesoraco walks. Chris Denove to 2nd.
• Kris Negron grounds out, third baseman Taylor Green to first baseman Chris Nowak.

The end was a long time coming, but when it did it was short and sweet:

 

Huntsville Bottom 13th

• Chris Nowak singles on a line drive to third baseman Mike Costanzo.
• Taylor Green homers (9) on a fly ball to right field. Chris Nowak scores.

[homer]

I realize it's a really small sample but since the all star break Taylor Green's line is .324/.400/.647

[battlekow]

Final: @Helena 9, Billings 3

Helena box score

Tyler Thornburg struck out two in a scoreless first inning but was then lifted for Tyler Cravy, who effectively worked a quality start: 6.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 7/4 GO/AO. Carlos George was 3-5 to lead the H-Crew, while Greg Hopkins was 2-4 with two doubles, and Mike Walker and Brent Dean were both 2-4 with a double. Cody Hawn got the night off.

 

Helena play-by-play

A four-run 7th put the game away:

 

Helena Bottom 7th

• Robert Garvey grounds out, shortstop Devin Lohman to first baseman Donald Lutz.
• Carlos George singles on a ground ball to shortstop Devin Lohman.
• Shea Vucinich pops out to shortstop Devin Lohman.
• Gregory Hopkins doubles (9) on a fly ball to right fielder Juan Duran. Carlos George scores.
• Michael Walker doubles (5) on a fly ball to left fielder Theo Bowe. Gregory Hopkins scores.
• Brent Dean doubles (6) on a fly ball to center fielder Jefry Sierra. Michael Walker scores.
• John Dishon singles on a ground ball to shortstop Devin Lohman. Brent Dean scores. John Dishon to 2nd on the throw.
• Brandon Sizemore flies out to right fielder Juan Duran.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Hopkins sparks Brewers to 9-3 win over Billings

By The Independent Record

 

Greg Hopkins had a pair of doubles and drove in three runs as the Helena Brewers defeated the Billings Mustangs 9-3 before 1,017 in a Pioneer League game at Kindrick Legion Field on Monday night.

 

Carlos George had three hits, while Mike Walker and Brent Dean added two each for Helena, which has won two of the first three games of its six-game series against the Mustangs. The teams travels to Billings to play three more beginning tonight.

 

Tyler Cravy (4-3) earned the win, allowing three runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings of relief of Tyler Thornburg. It was Cravy’s longest outing of the season and his first appearance in relief.

 

Billings took a 1-0 lead in the fourth when Billy Hamilton tripled and scored on an infield grounder.

 

Helena responded with a pair in the bottom of the fourth against Billings starter and loser Tanner Robles (2-1) when Shea Vucinich walked, stole second and scored on Walker’s single. Walker, who had advanced to second base on a throw to the plate, then scored when Billings shortstop Devin Lohman mishandled Brent Dean’s grounder.

 

The Brewers added two more in the fifth when Hopkins’ double scored Robbie Garvey and George.

 

Trailing 4-1, Billings got one back in the sixth when Theo Bowe reached on an infield single, took second and later third on throwing errors and finally scored on Hamilton’s infield groundout.

 

Hopkins’ run-scoring double highlighted a four-run seventh that extended the lead to 8-2. Walker, Dean and John Dishon also had run-scoring hits in the inning against Jesus Adames.

 

Helena got 11 hits to just six by the Mustangs.

 

Helena improves to 13-9 at Kindrick Legion Field this season, but now embarks on a six-game road trip.

[Mass Haas]

Third round draft choice Tyler Thornburg started for Helena, but only went one inning. He had been going two innings. Hope all is well.

The Helena media indicated he had suffered from arm soreness, and he hadn't pitched in four weeks. Thornburg's one inning makes sense for his return.

[Mass Haas]

Final: @Arizona Giants 4, Arizona Brewers 2

Arizona Box Score

Looks to be a tight game throughout, with each team scoring its runs one frame at a time; Giant pitchers walked six, Brewer pitches five, and each team threw two wild pitches, so it wasn't necessarily a clean mound game, however; RHP's R.J. Johnson, Greg Holle, and Travis Stortz split duties, with Holle taking a tough loss, surrendering one run in three innings; as battlekow has pointed out in the past, Stortz was born in fdfg, FL, which is MiLB.com code for Coral Springs...

 

SS Yadiel Rivera with the game's only error, it wasn't costly and was only his 8th on the season, not terrible for a young 18-year-old on the Arizona League fields; catcher Tyler Roberts was 2-for-4 and yanked his 4th HR of the season, still sporting a 1.048 OPS after 92 AB's; 2B Nick Shaw's plate discipline still through the roof -- OBP now at .496 after 27 games, three walks here; Max Walla 0-for-4 with three K's, same for 22-year-old 12th round pick John Bivens, who has found the going tough both in Helena and Maryvale; oh yeah, Jody Gerut walked in four trips...

 

Arizona Game Log

R.J. Johnson, still learning his way, walked three in the 1st, but his defense helped limit the damage to one run --

 

AZL Giants Bottom 1st

Carlos Willoughby walks.

Daniel Burkhart walks. Carlos Willoughby to 2nd.

Joseph Staley grounds into double play, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to first baseman Jason Rogers. Carlos Willoughby to 3rd. Daniel Burkhart out at 2nd.

Brice Cutspec walks.

Jose De La Cruz singles on a fly ball to center fielder Kenneth Allison. Carlos Willoughby scores. Brice Cutspec to 2nd.

With Rafael Rodriguez batting, Tyler Roberts picks off Jose De La Cruz at 1st on throw to Jason Rogers.

Down by two runs in the bottom of the 9th, this made little sense --

 

AZL Brewers Top 9th

Thomas Mittelstaedt walks.

With Yadiel Rivera batting, Thomas Mittelstaedt caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Joseph Staley to second baseman Carlos Willoughby.

Yadiel Rivera strikes out swinging.

John Bivens strikes out swinging.

[Mass Haas]

Stars shining brightly as they win fourth in a row

By Aaron Morse, Huntsville Stars

Taylor Green smacked a walk-off two-run homer in the 13th and the Huntsville Stars (21-16, 54-53) won in come-from-behind fashion by a final score of 5-3 over the Carolina Mudcats (18-19, 48-58) Monday night.

 

It’s the Stars’ fourth straight win and second consecutive victory in extra frames. The win moves the Stars to within one game of first place in the Southern League North as the Tennessee Smokies lost to the Montgomery Biscuits by a final count of 4-3. Also, the Stars now have a winning record overall for the first time since May 22.

 

Carolina took the early 1-0 lead in the second as Sean Henry got things going against Stars’ starter Michael Bowman with a ground-rule double to the right-center field gap. After a grounder moved him to third, Chris Denove legged out an infield single, driving in Henry for the first run of the ballgame.

 

They kept the pressure on the Stars with runs in the fourth and the sixth. Luis Terrero led-off the fourth with a single to center. A Brett Lawrie error allowed the Mudcats to put runners at first and third with nobody out. Bowman proceeded to uncork a wild pitch and just like that it was 2-0.

 

Terrero also started the Mudcats’ offense in the sixth with a double to left. One out later Henry singled him in to extend the lead to 3-0.

 

Bowman pitched a fine game, going seven innings, scattering six hits giving up three runs (all earned), walking one and striking-out three.

 

It didn’t look like it’d be enough though until the Stars came roaring back in the seventh and eighth.

 

After being shut down by Mudcats’ starter Travis Webb for the first six frames, Huntsville got to reliever Bradley Boxberger in the seventh. Green drew a lead-off walk and advanced to second on a Lee Haydel single. Anderson De La Rosa singled to load the bases but pinch hitter Andy Machado popped out. Lawrie hit a grounder to second; the Mudcats got the lead runner for the second out. However, the hustling Lawrie beat the throw to first, driving in Green and cutting the deficit to two.

 

The eighth inning would be huge as Mudcats’ reliever Joseph Krebs couldn’t hold on to the lead. A Zelous Wheeler infield single was followed by a Drew Anderson two-run blast, knotting the game up at three.

 

From then on it was a battle of attrition as the Stars’ bullpen shined. Jim Henderson tossed an inning of shutout ball and Robert Hinton followed that up with two of his own.

 

It was Lucas Luetge (2-2) who emerged as the pitching star in extras though, as he tossed three shutout innings. Both teams had plenty of chances to take the lead as Carolina left nine men stranded and went 2-11 with men in scoring position. Meanwhile the Stars left 10 men on base and went 2-8 with men in scoring position.

 

It looked like the Mudcats would take the lead when they loaded the bases with two away in the 11th. Taylor Green had other ideas, making a great diving play on a grounder off the bat of Kris Negron, robbing him of a hit and ending the inning.

 

Green followed up his defensive heroics with the decisive two-run bomb in the bottom of the 13th off Mudcats’ reliever Jerry Gil (3-6). His homer scored Chris Nowak who had reached on an infield single to third.

 

Audio: Taylor Green Walk-Off Homer

 

Anderson, Nowak, and De La Rosa tallied multi-hit games and Anderson and Green each drove in two runs with their respective homers. The Stars managed to get the victory despite Lawrie and Caleb Gindl going a combined 0-12.

 

The four-game winning streak is one short of the Stars’ longest of the year.

 

They’ll look to get another win over the Mudcats Tuesday as Mark Rogers (4-7, 3.39 ERA) takes to the hill. Join us on www.huntsvillestars.com beginning at 6:45 PM central time for the Window World Pre-Game Report.

[clancyphile]

Green seems to be racking up lots of doubles and a bunch of walks. A left-handed Cirillo?