Link Report for Friday 4/8 -- LaTroy Hawkins hits 94 on the Rehab Radar

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Friday's Daily Menu:

Times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: RHP Mark Rogers at home vs. New Orleans (Marlins), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime

Live Audio Link

iPad/iPhone: Listen

 

Huntsville: LHP Dan Merklinger at Jacksonville (Marlins), 6:05 PM gametime

Live Audio Link (Jacksonville feed)

If that feed is unavailable tonight, click the Jacksonville feed link from the MiLB.com audio page here

 

Brevard County: RHP Evan Anundsen at Daytona (Cubs), 6:05 PM gametime

Live Audio Link (Daytona feed)

 

Wisconsin: RHP Matt Miller at home vs. Kane County (Royals), 6:20 PM pre-game; 6:35 gametime

Live Audio Link

[Mass Haas]

Nice to see --

Nashville was added to the available games for MiLB.TV for tonight. The games there also archive, so that's a nice feature for Mark Rogers fans like myself.

 

I can't say I'll be streaming lots of Sounds games live this season (certainly not against the big league Brewer time slots), but the ability to go to an archive for specific moments in the game will be great -- and for $10 for the season for MLB.TV subscribers, as we discussed yesterday, that's a sweet deal.

[Mass Haas]

Follow Friday's action as it happens:

 

Nashville (Gameday also available)

Huntsville (Gameday also available)

Brevard County

Wisconsin

[Mass Haas]

PCL American North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Iowa	1	0	1.000	-	-	0-0	1-0	1-0	W1
	Nashville	1	0	1.000	-	-	1-0	0-0	1-0	W1
	Memphis	0	1	.000	1.0	143	0-1	0-0	0-1	L1
	Omaha	0	1	.000	1.0	143	0-0	0-1	0-1	L1

SOU North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Huntsville	1	0	1.000	-	-	0-0	1-0	1-0	W1
	Tennessee	1	0	1.000	-	-	0-0	1-0	1-0	W1
	Carolina	0	1	.000	1.0	69	0-1	0-0	0-1	L1
	Chattanooga	0	1	.000	1.0	69	0-1	0-0	0-1	L1
	Jackson	0	1	.000	1.0	69	0-0	0-1	0-1	L1

FSL North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Clearwater	1	0	1.000	-	-	0-0	1-0	1-0	W1
	Daytona	1	0	1.000	-	-	0-0	1-0	1-0	W1
	Lakeland	1	0	1.000	-	-	1-0	0-0	1-0	W1
	Brevard County	0	1	.000	1.0	69	0-1	0-0	0-1	L1
	Dunedin	0	1	.000	1.0	69	0-1	0-0	0-1	L1
	Tampa	0	1	.000	1.0	69	0-0	0-1	0-1	L1

MID Western
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Wisconsin	1	0	1.000	-	-	1-0	0-0	1-0	W1
	Beloit	0	0	-	0.5	-	0-0	0-0	0-0
	Burlington	0	0	-	0.5	-	0-0	0-0	0-0
	Cedar Rapids	0	0	-	0.5	-	0-0	0-0	0-0	-
	Clinton	0	0	-	0.5	-	0-0	0-0	0-0
	Peoria	0	0	-	0.5	-	0-0	0-0	0-0	-
	Quad Cities	0	0	-	0.5	-	0-0	0-0	0-0
	Kane County	0	1	.000	1.0	70	0-0	0-1	0-1	L1

[Mass Haas]

We'll link to media notes as they are available...

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes

[DHonks]

Good to see Evan back on the mound. He was fun to watch a couple years ago. Heck, this is some exciting depth that we had 4 interesting pitching prospects yesterday, with 4 more today. Gone are the days of waiting every 5th day for Nick Neugebauer while hoping that we might have an occasional JM Gold sighting

[Mass Haas]

Rattler Radio Blog: Game Notes & Lineups for 4/8/11

 

[Trowekamp]

Why did gindl leave the game?

[Tedaldtada]

Farris went yard!

[battlekow]

Final: @Nashville 7, New Orleans 1

Sounds Take Down Z's For 2nd Straight Night

Nashville Sounds

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds received another solid effort from their pitching staff to go along with an Eric Farris three-run homer in posting a 7-1 victory over the New Orleans Zephyrs on Friday evening at Greer Stadium.

Right-hander Mark Rogers, the top-rated prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers' farm system, made his first start of the year and took a no-decision. The 25-year-old allowed one run on four hits over 4 2/3 innings of work. He walked five batters and struck out five in his 95-pitch effort, finishing one out shy of his first career Triple-A win.

The Sounds' bullpen continued their strong start to the 2011 campaign as three hurlers followed Rogers by combining for 4 1/3 scoreless frames to close out the contest. The Nashville relief corps has surrendered just three hits over 6 1/3 innings this season.

Tim Dillard (1-0) earned the win for the Sounds after working 2 1/3 hitless innings and fanning two batters. Justin James added a scoreless frame before Mark DiFelice made his first Sounds appearance since 2008 and closed out the game with a spotless ninth.

New Orleans opened the evening's scoring with their lone run of the night when catcher Brad Davis lifted a sacrifice fly to center off Rogers to plate Joe Thurston in the top of the second inning.

The Sounds rallied to take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the frame without the benefit of a hit. Brendan Katin was hit by a West pitch to open the inning. After a Zelous Wheeler flyout, Brandon Boggs hit a comebacker to the mound and West misfired over the head of first baseman Josh Kroeger, which allowed Katin to score the tying run as Boggs raced all the way to third on the play. With Martin Maldonado at the plate, West threw a wild pitch that allowed Boggs to scamper home to give the home team a 2-1 advantage. Both runs in the frame were unearned against West.

Nashville blew the game wide open in the fourth, plating five runs against West to extend the lead to 7-1. Katin led off with a line-drive double to left. After Wheeler drew a walk, Boggs dropped a bunt single to the left side of the mound to load the bases for Maldonado, who ripped an RBI single to right to plate Katin. Wheeler also attempted to score on the play but was thrown out at the dish by Mathews, the Z's right fielder. Two batters later, Rogers helped his own cause with a sacrifice fly to center to bring home Boggs.

Farris continued his strong start to the season when he capped off the scoring barrage with a three-run homer to left. The infielder's first big fly of the season chased West from the contest and closed out the night's scoring, as neither team plated a run over the final five frames of action.

West (0-1) took the loss for New Orleans after giving up seven runs (five earned) on six hits over just 3 2/3 frames of action.

The teams continue the series with a 6:35 p.m. contest on Saturday evening at Greer Stadium. Right-hander Josh Butler makes his first start of the year for Nashville. He'll face Z's southpaw Mark McLemore. The Sounds' first fireworks show of the year will follow the on-field action.

Nashville box score

You can listen to Farris's three-run blast here. More of the same for Rogers in terms of (in)efficiency; only 51 of his 95 pitches went for strikes. He did get six groundouts against just two flyouts. It's nice to see Rogers on the mound, but it's even nicer to see DiFelice's name back in a box score; welcome back, Mark, and can I get a haircut? James' Brewers debut was uneventful. Wheeler walked three times and committed his second error in as many days. Farris also committed an error. Mat Gamel again started at first and was 0-4. Caleb Gindl was 0-1 before leaving the game. Not only did Rogers have a sac fly, but he also singled in his other trip.

Nashville play-by-play

What happened to Gindl?

Nashville Bottom of the 1st

Eric Farris grounds out, shortstop Osvaldo Martinez to first baseman Josh Kroeger.

Caleb Gindl strikes out swinging.

Mat Gamel flies out to left fielder Chris Aguila.

New Orleans Top of the 2nd

Defensive Substitution: Brett Carroll replaces center fielder Caleb Gindl, batting 2nd, playing center field.

Only Rogers' first inning was relatively free of trouble. He spent the rest of the game getting in and out of jams:

New Orleans Top of the 2nd

Chris Aguila singles on a line drive to left fielder Brandon Boggs.

Joe Thurston walks. Chris Aguila to 2nd.

Bryan Petersen singles on a line drive to left fielder Brandon Boggs. Chris Aguila to 3rd. Joe Thurston to 2nd.

Aaron Mathews grounds into a force out, third baseman Zelous Wheeler to catcher Martin Maldonado. Chris Aguila out at home. Joe Thurston to 3rd. Bryan Petersen to 2nd. Aaron Mathews to 1st.

Brad Davis out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Brett Carroll. Joe Thurston scores.

Sean West strikes out swinging.

New Orleans Top of the 3rd

Osvaldo Martinez strikes out swinging, catcher Martin Maldonado to first baseman Mat Gamel.

Ruben Gotay walks.

Josh Kroeger pops out to shortstop Edwin Maysonet.

Chris Aguila doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Brandon Boggs. Ruben Gotay to 3rd.

Joe Thurston grounds out to first baseman Mat Gamel.

New Orleans Top of the 4th

Bryan Petersen walks.

Aaron Mathews reaches on force attempt, fielding error by third baseman Zelous Wheeler. Bryan Petersen to 2nd.

Brad Davis strikes out swinging.

Sean West strikes out on foul bunt.

Osvaldo Martinez strikes out swinging.

New Orleans Top of the 5th

Ruben Gotay walks.

Josh Kroeger grounds into a force out, second baseman Eric Farris to shortstop Edwin Maysonet. Ruben Gotay out at 2nd. Josh Kroeger to 1st.

Chris Aguila pops out to first baseman Mat Gamel.

Joe Thurston singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brendan Katin. Josh Kroeger to 2nd.

Bryan Petersen walks. Josh Kroeger to 3rd. Joe Thurston to 2nd.

Pitcher Change: Tim Dillard replaces Mark Rogers, batting 9th.

Aaron Mathews grounds out, pitcher Tim Dillard to first baseman Mat Gamel.

[battlekow]

Final: @Jacksonville 5, Huntsville 4

Suns Walk-Off a Winner over Stars 5-4

Jacksonville Suns

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- Chris Gutierrez hit a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning to secure the first victory of the season for the Jacksonville Suns (1-1) over the Huntsville Stars (1-1) with a 5-4 win in front of 7,142 fans at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville on Friday night.

With no one out and two runners on in the bottom of the ninth, Gutierrez sneaked a ground-ball single past a drawn-in infield into left center field to score Erik Lis from second for the winning run.

Peter Andrelczyk (1-0) took the victory for the Suns by pitching scoreless innings in the eighth and ninth. Roque Mercedes (0-1) took the loss for Huntsville after failing to retire a batter and giving up the game-winning run.

Jacksonville jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the first three innings. Jorge Padilla hit the first Suns homer of the season in the bottom of the first, a two-run shot that put Jacksonville up 2-0. The Stars cut the deficit to 2-1 with a run in the second, but the Suns responded with two runs in the third thanks to back-to-back RBI base hits by Ryan Curry and Padilla.

Huntsville starter Dan Merklinger lasted four innings, giving up four runs on seven hits in his first start of 2011.

In Suns starter Omar Poveda’s final inning in the top of the fifth, the Stars added two runs off the bat of catcher Jonathan Lucroy’s double to cut the lead to 4-3. Poveda finished the game giving up three runs on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts in his first start since 2009 after missing the 2010 season recovering from “Tommy John” surgery. He took a no decision in five innings on the mound.

The Stars tied the game in the top of the sixth inning, as Matt Cline drove in Sean Halton on a single to left off Jacksonville reliever Garrett Parcell.

Jhan Marinez, a member of the Florida Marlins’ 40-man roster, made his first relief appearance of the season, pitching a perfect seventh inning with a strikeout.

Padilla’s three-RBI night led Jacksonville at the plate, but the Suns also saw multi-hit games from Kevin Mattison and Ben Lasater. After striking out three times in Thursday’s game, Laster recorded two doubles for the Suns on Friday.

The clubs will play the third game of the series on Saturday night at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonvillle. Left-hander Brad Hand will pitch for the Suns against Huntsville’s right-hander Jesus Sanchez.

Huntsville box score

Not a great game for recently DFA'd pitchers, as both Merklinger and Mercedes struggled, though it's easy to forget it was just Merklinger's third start above the High-A level. He struck out three and walked two, throwing 47 of his 70 pitches for strikes. Dan Meadows struck out two but also walked two in a scoreless inning. Darren Byrd, who may be a bit of a middle relief sleeper, fanned four in two innings, allowing just one hit and no walks. Cline, Halton, and Steffan Wilson each had two hits, as did Lee Haydel, who also walked. Taylor Green was 1-4. This is the second night in a row the Stars have faced a Suns pitcher coming off Tommy John surgery.

Huntsville play-by-play

Here's how Huntsville scored their first run:

Huntsville Top of the 2nd

Taylor Green singles on a line drive to right fielder Jorge Padilla.

Sean Halton grounds out, shortstop Chris Gutierrez to first baseman Ben Lasater. Taylor Green to 2nd.

Brandon Jones singles on a line drive to left fielder Alex Romero. Taylor Green to 3rd.

Steffan Wilson reaches on force attempt, throwing error by third baseman Paul Gran. Taylor Green scores. Brandon Jones to 2nd.

Matt Cline grounds into double play, third baseman Paul Gran to first baseman Ben Lasater. Brandon Jones out at 3rd.

The Stars had chances to add more in both the 5th and 6th innings:

Huntsville Top of the 5th

Steffan Wilson grounds out, shortstop Chris Gutierrez to first baseman Ben Lasater.

Matt Cline doubles (1) on a ground ball to left fielder Alex Romero.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Yancarlos Ortiz replaces Dan Merklinger.

Yancarlos Ortiz pops out to first baseman Ben Lasater in foul territory.

Lee Haydel walks.

Sergio Miranda walks. Matt Cline to 3rd. Lee Haydel to 2nd.

Jonathan Lucroy doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Alex Romero. Matt Cline scores. Lee Haydel scores. Sergio Miranda to 3rd.

Taylor Green strikes out swinging.

Huntsville Top of the 6th

Sean Halton singles on a ground ball to third baseman Paul Gran.

Brandon Jones flies out to right fielder Jorge Padilla.

Steffan Wilson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jorge Padilla. Sean Halton to 3rd.

Matt Cline singles on a line drive to left fielder Alex Romero. Sean Halton scores. Steffan Wilson to 2nd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Dayton Buller replaces Daniel Meadows.

Dayton Buller strikes out swinging.

Lee Haydel singles on a line drive to center fielder Kevin Mattison. Steffan Wilson out at home on the throw, center fielder Kevin Mattison to catcher Kyle Skipworth.

[battlekow]

Final: @Daytona 7, Brevard County 3

Cubs Improve to 2-0 With 7-3 Win

Chad Seely/Daytona Cubs

Powered by a five-run first inning, the Daytona Cubs improved to 2-0 on the season with a 7-3 victory over the Brevard County Manatees.

The Manatees struck first for the second consecutive night, but like on Thursday, the Cubs over-took the lead.

Down 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning, Cubs 1B Justin Bour put the Cubs on the board in a big way with a booming three-run blast to straight away centerfield to put Daytona ahead for good. It was Boar's first home run of the season. Welington Castillo followed suit with an opposite field double and was plated when Michael Burgess hit his second home run in as many night to expand the Cubs' lead to 5-1.

It stayed that way until the fifth inning when both teams each pushed across a run. Manatees' LF Khris Davis brought Brevard County within three in the top half of the sixth when he belted a solo home run off reliever RHP Kevin Rhoderick.

The Cubs tacked on a run late as Evan Crawford scored on a two-out RBI single by CF Jae-Hoon Ha.

Strong pitching was once again the case for Buddy Bailey's club, as starter RHP Nick Struck went five solid innings, allowing two runs (one earned) and striking out five.

Rhoderick led the charge out of the bullpen in his professional baseball debut and was perfect in his two innings of work, aside from the home run by Davis. RHP Jordan Latham and RHP Nick Searle followed and threw back-to-back scoreless frames in the 8th and 9th innings to shut down the Manatees.

The Cubs and Mantees will play game three of the four game set tomorrow night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark with first pitch scheduled for 7:05PM. RHP Aaron Kurcz will make his 2011 debut for the Cubs and will face RHP Nick Bucci.

Brevard County box score

Evan Anundsen was shelled in his first game back, allowing five runs on five hits and a walk in just one inning of work. He surrendered two homers and failed to record a strikeout. A rehabbing LaTroy Hawkins worked two easy innings. Khris Davis singled to go with his homer, Hunter Morris again had two hits, and Shea Vucinich doubled twice. Kentrail Davis doubled and was hit by a pitch (not again). Scooter Gennett was hitless with two strikeouts and remains 0-for-BC. Chris Dennis is still on the schneid as well, though he did draw a walk, but he also whiffed three times. In the less-publicized catching-prospect platoon, Rafael Neda took over for game one starter Shawn Zarraga and was 0-3 with a HBP while allowing three stolen bases. Vucinich committed his second error in as many games.

Brevard County play-by-play

Anundsen's gruesome inning:

Daytona Bottom of the 1st

Logan Watkins singles on a line drive to left fielder Khristopher Davis.

Matthew Cerda singles on a line drive to center fielder Kentrail Davis. Logan Watkins to 2nd.

Jae-Hoon Ha grounds into a force out, shortstop Josh Prince to second baseman Ryan Gennett. Logan Watkins to 3rd. Matthew Cerda out at 2nd. Jae-Hoon Ha to 1st.

Justin Bour homers (1) on a fly ball to center field. Logan Watkins scores. Jae-Hoon Ha scores.

Welington Castillo doubles (1) on a line drive to center fielder Kentrail Davis.

Michael Burgess homers (2) on a fly ball to center field. Welington Castillo scores.

Michael Brenly walks.

Junior Lake pops out to second baseman Ryan Gennett.

Evan Crawford pops out to second baseman Ryan Gennett.

How the Manatees scored their other two runs:

Brevard County Top of the 1st

Josh Prince singles on a ground ball to center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha.

With Ryan Gennett batting, wild pitch by Nicholas Struck, Josh Prince to 2nd.

Ryan Gennett strikes out swinging.

Kentrail Davis hit by pitch.

Hunter Morris singles on a line drive to right fielder Michael Burgess. Josh Prince scores. Kentrail Davis to 3rd.

Khristopher Davis grounds into double play, shortstop Junior Lake to second baseman Logan Watkins to first baseman Justin Bour. Hunter Morris out at 2nd.

Brevard County Top of the 5th

Rafael Neda grounds out, shortstop Junior Lake to first baseman Justin Bour.

Shea Vucinich doubles (2) on a ground ball to left fielder Evan Crawford.

Josh Prince reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by shortstop Junior Lake. Shea Vucinich scores. Josh Prince to 2nd. Missed catch error by third baseman Matthew Cerda, assist to shortstop Junior Lake.

Ryan Gennett lines out to shortstop Junior Lake.

Kentrail Davis flies out to left fielder Evan Crawford.

They wasted leadoff doubles in the 3rd and 4th innings. Trey Watten picked up Neda after the third successful stolen base:

Daytona Bottom of the 8th

Pitcher Change: Trey Watten replaces LaTroy Hawkins.

Evan Crawford singles on a ground ball to left fielder Khristopher Davis.

Logan Watkins out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Trey Watten to first baseman Hunter Morris. Evan Crawford to 2nd.

Matthew Cerda grounds out, second baseman Ryan Gennett to first baseman Hunter Morris. Evan Crawford to 3rd.

Jae-Hoon Ha singles on a line drive to left fielder Khristopher Davis. Evan Crawford scores.

With Justin Bour batting, Jae-Hoon Ha steals (2) 2nd base.

With Justin Bour batting, Trey Watten picks off Jae-Hoon Ha at 2nd on throw to Josh Prince.

[battlekow]

Final: Kane County 7, @Wisconsin 6

Kane County edges Wisconsin

Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

GRAND CHUTE, WI - Two big innings were enough for the Kane County Cougars to beat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 7-6 Friday night at Time Warner Cable Field. Kane County scored three times in the second and four times in the fifth to build a 7-2 lead. Three Cougars relievers allowed one run over five innings to hold off the Rattlers. Both teams are at 1-1 on the young season.

A misplay on a potential inning ending double play led to three Kane County runs in the second inning. The Cougars had runners at first and second with one out and Travis Jones sent a grounder to third. The throw to second got the force out, but the throw to first was wild to allow the first run of the game to score. Rattlers starting pitcher Matt Miller walked the next batter and Alex Llanos followed with a two-run double and the Cougars were up 3-0.

Wisconsin responded in the bottom of the third inning. Reggie Keen homered to left with two outs and Nick Shaw on base. Keen's first homer of the year pulled Wisconsin to with a run.

The scored remained 3-2 until the top of the fifth inning. Llanos tripled to start the inning. Then, Miller walked Angel Franco. The walk ended Miller's night. Rattlers reliever Charly Bashara was greeted with an RBI single by Brett Eibner and a two run double by Brian Fletcher. Geulin Beltre capped the four run inning with an RBI single.

Miller's line in his Timber Rattlers debut was four innings, four hits, five runs, five walks, and three strikeouts. He would be charged with the loss.

But, the Rattlers offense made the game interesting. The comeback attempt started in the bottom of the fifth as the team loaded the bases with no outs. TJ Mittelstaedt drew a walk, Carlos George singled, and Shaw walked again. That chased Kane County starting pitcher Sugar Ray Marimon from the game. Cougars reliever Matt Mitchell got the first out of the inning with a strikeout, but Cody Hawn singled through the right side of the infield to knock in a pair of runs. Mike Walker was next and he singled in one run to make the score 7-5. A single by Greg Hopkins loaded the bases again for the Rattlers. But, Mitchell got out of the inning with no more damage by getting a strikeout and a groundout.

Keen was a one man rally in the bottom of the seventh. He singled and stole second to get into scoring position. Keen would also steal third and score on a wild throw by Jones, the Kane County catcher. That got Wisconsin to within a run.

Hopkins would single with two outs in the seventh. Robbie Garvey sent a sinking line drive to shallow left-center that looked like it might drop in for a hit to extend the inning. But, Eibner charged in from centerfield to make a diving catch and end the inning.

The Rattlers did get the tying run into scoring position in the eighth inning after Mittelstaedt singled and stole second. But, Wisconsin could not get the tying run across the plate.

Wisconsin did steal five bases in the game. Keen had three and Mittelstaedt had two. In the first two games of the season, the Rattlers have stolen seven bases in eight attempts.

Game three of the series between Wisconsin and Kane County is Saturday afternoon at Time Warner Cable Field. The Rattlers will send Jimmy Nelson to the mound as their scheduled starting pitcher. The Cougars will counter with Leondy Perez. Game time is 1:05pm.

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Manny Parra is scheduled to pitch in relief for the Rattlers on Saturday afternoon. He is scheduled to be on about a 25 pitch limit.

Tickets are available at the Time Warne Cable Field Box Office or by calling (800) WI-TIMBER.

If you can't make it out to the game, you may tune in for the broadcast on AM1280WNAM or on www.timberrattlers.com beginning with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 12:45pm.

Wisconsin box score

Tough full-season debut for Miller, as his control regressed from its unexpectedly good 2010 level. Eric Marzec?was impressive in relief, fanning four in three scoreless, hitless innings, allowing just a walk. How about that Reggie Keen? Three hits for the second straight night for the NDFA outfielder, including his second pro homer, plus three steals! Speaking of which, the stolen bases for the team are nice in both quantity and rate, but the Rattlers were also picked off twice (Shaw and Mittelstaedt). I guess you get more chances to get picked off when you're on base a lot, and Shaw and Mittelstaedt were both on three times, Shaw with three bases on balls and Mittelstaedt with two singles and a free pass. Walker and Hopkins also had two hits. Cameron Garfield?had a quiet 2011 debut, 0-4 with a passed ball, though he did throw out both attempted base stealers.

Wisconsin play-by-play

[Mass Haas]

Turns out Nashville's Greer Stadium was not ready for MiLB.TV after all, as no archive is listed. So not able to go back and watch the Caleb Gindl at-bat. Of course, the Tennessean is no help despite this article --

 

Farris provides spark as Sounds' leadoff man

by Greg Sullivan, The Tennessean

 

Just before the new season, Nashville Sounds Manager Don Money said he was leaning toward using centerfielder Caleb Gindl as his leadoff man.

But it's a manager's prerogative to change his mind.

Instead, Money will go with second baseman Eric Farris at the top of the order, at least for now.

"We don't have a legitimate leadoff hitter," Money said. "So you just run out there who you think is going to do the job and hopefully it's successful."

After going 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored in Thursday's opener, Farris was 1-for-4 in Friday's 7-1 victory. He hit a towering three-run homer in the fifth inning.

"I'm still learning to be a leadoff hitter," Farris said. "But I want to be in the lineup somewhere. That's really what it comes down to."

While he doesn't walk enough to be considered a true leadoff man, drawing only nine walks in 230 at-bats last season, if Farris can continue to get on base he can be a menace for Pacific Coast League defenses.

He stole 70 bases in the Florida State League in 2009 to finish tied for third in all the minors in that category. He missed nearly three months with a knee injury last year and had 14 steals for Nashville.

Farris said the Sounds need good production from the top of the order this year, especially because they have few home run threats.

"On paper we're not the best power hitting team," Farris said. "We need to be able to produce runs by stealing some bases and getting some timely base hits."

"I've always had good instincts on the bases and got good jumps. That one year I got 70 (steals), that was just amazing."

I'd like to do that again."

Gindl, who served as the team's leadoff hitter during spring training, started the team's first two games in Nashville batting second and said he is fine with any role.

"I'm an aggressive hitter," Gindl said. "If Farris gets on base I've got to move him over."

[Mass Haas]

D-Cubs thrill near-record crowd in home opener

By Sean Kernan, Daytona News Journal staff writer

Photo Gallery

DAYTONA BEACH -- It didn't take long for the 2011 Daytona Cubs to make a good impression Friday night.

A five-run first inning, much to the delight of a near-record crowd of 5,017 at Jackie Robinson Ball Park, got the home-opener party started and Daytona went on to defeat Brevard County 7-3. It was the second-largest Cubs crowd behind the 5,113 fans who attended the 2009 home opener.

"We had some good pitching, made some plays in the infield, the little guys got on and the big guys got 'em in," said Daytona manager Buddy Bailey, who is now 16 shy of the 1,500-wins milestone.

First baseman Justin Bour crushed a three-run homer to dead center field, and two hitters later, Michael Burgess blasted a two-run shot out over the double-deck fence in right-center field.

"There's a lot of power in this lineup," Burgess said. "This is just the beginning."

For Burgess, a power-hitting corner outfielder acquired from the Washington Nationals in a January trade, it was his second home run in as many games with the Cubs.

"It feels great. Everything has just been great since I got traded here," Burgess said. "I can just be myself."

Daytona (2-0) sent nine batters to the plate in the first inning against Brevard County right-hander Evan Anundsen, who two years ago threw a no-hitter here against the Cubs. Anundsen lasted only one inning this time.

"We didn't do a whole lot after that first inning," Bailey said.

Fortunately, Daytona's pitchers had another good night, combining for 10 strikeouts with only one walk.

Cubs starter Nick Struck (1-0) allowed a run in the first inning and an unearned run in the fifth inning. The right-hander struck out the side in the second inning after getting a 5-1 lead from his teammates and finished with five strikeouts.

"(Struck) struggled a little bit in the first inning and when our offense put up five runs it gave him a chance to get his legs under him and he pitched well after that," Bailey said.

The Cubs beat the Manatees 3-2 in Thursday night's season-opener in Viera. Daytona will try to finish off the sweep of the season-opening three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers affiliate tonight at 7:05 (6:05 Central) at the Jack.

The night wasn't a total loss for the Manatees. Veteran big-leaguer LaTroy Hawkins made an injury-rehab appearance and was firing his fastball as high as 94 mph.

The 39-year-old righty fanned four batters and gave up singles to Welington Castillo and Michael Brenly in his two scoreless innings.

"LaTroy Hawkins is a tough cookie," Bailey said. "I thought Brenly had a really good at-bat against a big-league guy to get his hit."

A familiar face at the Jack took the mound for Brevard County in the third inning. Former Bethune-Cookman hurler Hiram Burgos allowed an unearned run on one hit in three innings for the Manatees.

[Mass Haas]

Daytona (2-0) sent nine batters to the plate in the first inning against Brevard County right-hander Evan Anundsen, who two years ago threw a no-hitter here against the Cubs. Anundsen lasted only one inning this time.

 

That was a fun Link Report!

[Mass Haas]

Table-setters having strong start to season for Timber Rattlers

by Ricardo Arguello, Post-Crescent staff writer

 

GRAND CHUTE — The season is just two games old, but this much is apparent about your Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

The top portion of the lineup of leadoff hitter Nick Shaw and No. 2 hitter Reggie Keen has the potential to thrill fans this season.

Though Wisconsin (1-1) dropped a 7-6 Midwest League decision to Kane County in front of 709 fans at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Friday, the duo of Shaw and Keen continued its strong start to the season.

Shaw, who had three hits, including a home run in the team's opener on Thursday, had three walks and scored two runs on Friday.

Keen, who had three hits including a double on Thursday, had three more hits Friday, including his first home run of the season, as well as two runs scored.

It's that kind of production that has Timber Rattlers manager Matt Erickson excited about the season.

"It's outstanding. I've had both those kids pegged since the beginning of spring training, wanting them to be our one-two guys," Erickson said. "It was just a matter of how we were going to do it. I really like Shaw in the leadoff spot. As you've seen in the past two days, he's not afraid to take a pitch and work the count. And he has the ability to hit the ball all over the park.

"And Reggie, if we can get Shaw on a lot, that gives him a few more fastballs and he has the ability to drive the ball gap-to-gap. Obviously, I didn't expect them to get off to the start that they have, but they do set the table and I anticipate them doing that most of the year."

Keen, who had a strong season at Helena last season before fracturing his left wrist in July, is batting .600 on the season and belted his first home run on an 0-2 offering from Kane County pitcher Sugar Ray Marimon in the third.

"Last night, I got down 0-2 and they threw me a changeup and I was looking for that," Keen said. "This time, they threw me a fastball in and I just adjusted and I just flipped the bat out there and good thing I got it good."

Keen also had three stolen bases and thinks that the Rattlers' overall team speed will put pressure on opposing pitchers no matter what the situation.

"That's what we talked about in spring training," Keen said. "Almost everyone on the team can run. Everyone has speed. In the outfield, the guys can run and in the field the guys can run. We know that even if we're up, we're going to run and when we're down we're going to run. (Erickson) has stressed that to us and hopefully that can be a spark."

[Mass Haas]

Reggie Keen is Tony Plush in training.

 

***

 

Chris Mehring pointed out --

 

Nick Shaw ran the count full in his first four plate appearances. The number of pitches he saw in each of those four plate appearances were: 7, 9, 8, and 6. Shaw struck out in the first and walked in the 3rd, 5th, and 6th.

 

Reggie Keen is 6-for-10 with a homer, a double, two RBI, four runs, and four stolen bases in his first two games this season.

 

***

 

For the record, here was Huntsville's media notes. There was nothing of substance Stars-wise in the Jacksonville media this AM.

[homer]

For some reason, the MiLB profile of Nick Shaw has him as a left handed thrower. That would make turning two especially difficult http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

http://web.minorleaguebas...=t572&t=p_pbp&pid=594587

[battlekow]

Mehring mentioned that Matt Miller threw 86 pitches.