Link Report for Mon. 4/18 -- Rogers hit hard, but Ross shines; odd inning for Peralta

[Mass Haas]

Final: Beloit (Twins) 4, Wisconsin 2

 

Ross rules, but Rattlers fall to late Snappers rally

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Beloit Snappers spoiled an impressive start by Austin Ross Monday night at Time Warner Cable Field. The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers right-hander worked seven shutout innings, allowed three hits, walked one, and struck out eight in the game. But, Beloit scored four times in the top of the ninth inning to defeat Wisconsin 4-2.

 

The Rattlers (5-6) grabbed an early lead with single runs in the first and second innings. Jason Rogers knocked in the run in the first with a single. Tony Pechek doubled in a run with two outs in the second inning for the 2-0 advantage.

 

Ross was outstanding with the lead. He limited the Snappers to four base runners over his seven innings. Beloit (7-4) never had more than one runner on base at the same time against Ross. Of the eight strikeouts recorded by Ross, five of them came in his final two innings.

 

However - for the second time in two days - the Rattlers bullpen could not get the final three outs for a victory. On Sunday, Peoria scored four times in the top of the seventh inning of game one of a doubleheader. On Monday, the Rattlers needed three pitchers to get through the ninth inning, but not before the Snappers took the lead.

 

Greg Holle, who worked a scoreless eighth inning gave up back-to-back doubles to Lance Ray and Oswaldo Arcia in the top of the ninth. The Arcia double off the wall in left scored Ray.

 

Tyler Cravy was next out of the Rattlers bullpen and his first pitch was wild to let Arcia take third base. Michael Gonzales delivered a single to send Arcia home with the tying run.

 

Pinch runner Jamaal Hawkins was running on a pitch to Daniel Ortiz and that kept the Snappers out of a double play when Ortiz sent a grounder to second. Kyle Knudson followed with a bloop single down the right field line to score Hawkins with the go ahead run.

 

Derek McCallum was next and he singled. Then, Andrew Leer singled to send Knudson home with the fourth run of the inning to send Cravy to the showers. Beloit collected six hits by the first seven batters of the top of the ninth inning.

 

Tom Keeling entered the game and got the final two outs of the frame.

 

Pechek singled with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to bring the tying run to the plate. But, Jose Gonzalez got the final out to preserve the comeback win for the Snappers.

 

Game two of the three game series is scheduled for Tuesday night. Matt Miller (0-1, 8.68) is scheduled to make the start for the Timber Rattlers. B.J. Hermsen (1-1, 1.59) is set to start for Beloit. Game time is 6:35 PM. If you can't make it to Time Warner Cable Field for a 'Bang for Your Buck Night', tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com. The Miller Lite Pregame Show starts at 6:15 PM.

 

Wisconsin Box Score

Bitter loss in the bitter cold. Can you say "achilles heel?" Think we've identified it on this Rattlers squad. But forget the bullpen for now, LSU's 22-year-old Austin Ross (23 this August) won't be long for Wisconsin if the level of dominance he's displayed thus far continues. Ross has a 0.67 WHIP through three starts, with a 16-to-4 K-to-BB ratio through 18 innings. Red-hot Mike Walker cooled off (0-for-3 with three K's) -- he was also HBP. Reggie Keen stole two bases (now with seven), but was also picked off. Nick Shaw, who walked in all five plate appearances in a game last week, was 0-for-5 tonight. Catcher Tony Pechek doubled and had the only multi-hit game among Rattlers, although LF T.J. Mittelstaedt singled and walked twice. Not a big walk-up in the cold, attendance only 347 at Time Warner.

 

Wisconsin Play-by-Play

This wasn't pretty --

 

Wisconsin Bottom of the 3rd

• Reggie Keen doubles (4) on a line drive to left fielder Derek McCallum.
  
• With Cody Hawn batting, Reggie Keen steals (7) 3rd base.
  
• Cody Hawn called out on strikes.
  
• Jason Rogers called out on strikes.
  
• Michael Walker called out on strikes.

Ross pitched out of his own trouble here --

 

Beloit Top of the 6th

• Andy Leer called out on strikes.
  
• Daniel Santana singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Austin Ross. Daniel Santana advances to 2nd, on throwing error by pitcher Austin Ross.
  
• With Gunner Glad batting, Daniel Santana steals (3) 3rd base.
  
• Gunner Glad called out on strikes.
  
• Lance Ray strikes out swinging.

Ouch --

 

Beloit Top of the 9th

• Lance Ray doubles (2) on a fly ball to right fielder Robert Garvey.
  
• Oswaldo Arcia doubles (5) on a fly ball to left fielder T. J. Mittelstaedt. Lance Ray scores.
  
• Pitcher Change: Tyler Cravy replaces Greg Holle.
  
• With Michael Gonzales batting, wild pitch by Tyler Cravy, Oswaldo Arcia to 3rd.
  
• Michael Gonzales singles on a line drive to left fielder T. J. Mittelstaedt. Oswaldo Arcia scores.
  
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Jamaal Hawkins replaces Michael Gonzales.
  
• Daniel Ortiz grounds out, second baseman Nick Shaw to first baseman Cody Hawn. Jamaal Hawkins to 2nd.
  
• Kyle Knudson singles on a fly ball to right fielder Robert Garvey. Jamaal Hawkins scores.
  
• Derek McCallum singles on a ground ball to shortstop Carlos George. Kyle Knudson to 2nd.
  
• Andy Leer singles on a ground ball to right fielder Robert Garvey. Kyle Knudson scores. Derek McCallum to 2nd.
  
• Pitcher Change: Thomas Keeling replaces Tyler Cravy.
  
• Daniel Santana flies out to center fielder Reggie Keen. Derek McCallum to 3rd. Andy Leer to 2nd.
  
• Gunner Glad grounds out, second baseman Nick Shaw to first baseman Cody Hawn.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Tampa (Yankees) 12, Brevard County 2

 

Brevard County pounded by Tampa 12-2 By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees

 

VIERA, Fla. -- Manatees starting pitcher Evan Anundsen gave up six runs in the first inning and Brevard County once again couldn't dig themselves out of an early hole, as they fell to the Tampa Yankees 12-2 on Monday night at Space Coast Stadium.

 

Anundsen's ERA ballooned to 29.25 on the season as he went just one inning and allowed five earned runs.

 

Brevard County's bullpen was able to keep the Yankees at bay until the seventh inning, when Hiram Burgos - who was in his fourth inning of work - gave up three runs on four hits as the Manatees fell behind 9-2.

 

Rob Wooten relieved Burgos and didn't fare much better as he allowed three runs in 1 2/3 innings.

 

At the plate, Khris Davis and Scott Krieger each had two hits and an RBI. Krieger hit a solo homer in the fourth inning with two outs.

 

Krieger has 11 hits in seven games and is hitting .440, with a .517 on-base percentage and an .840 slugging percentage on the young season.

 

Brevard County will try and salvage the series finale and snap its four game losing streak as they take on the Yankees on Tuesday night at 7:05 Pm (6:05 Central).

 

Former Cy Young award winner Zack Greinke will be making a rehab start for the Manatees. He is scheduled to throw 30-35 pitches in his outing.

 

Brevard County Box Score

Evan Anundsen's return to prospect prominence from shoulder surgery would make for a nice story, but when your WHIP is 4.25 through three appearance (two starts) covering only four innings, something is severely amiss; Manatees have been outscored 23-5 in the first two games of this series; LHP Efrain Nieves and RHP Hiram Burgos did what they could to keep things respectable for a while; LF Scott Krieger, at least from a stats standpoint, the only man to come to play in this one, very little of value otherwise within the box score / game log. At least the boys should eat well Tuesday if Zack Greinke ponies up for a nice spread in the clubhouse...

 

Brevard County Play-by-Play

Enter at your own risk...

[Cracked Bat Collector]

Was @ the Huntsville game tonight and his defense let him down in that 6 run inning and just some bad luck on some softly hit tappers that were simply tough plays. Steffan Wilson had a rough night defensively that's for sure. He was still tossing mid 90's halfway thru the game according to the gun @ the stadium in Chattanooga. Darren Byrd was sitting at about 93-94. Another observation, Dayton Buller looks shaky defensively. One pitch he didn't even have to move his glove for and it hit the heel and went to the backstop, allowing a runner to advance. Definitely a game Hville should have won.

[battlekow]

Final: @Chattanooga 10, Huntsville 7

Lookouts Top Stars in 10-7 Donnybrook

Chattanooga Lookouts

It was a tale of two types of games at AT&T Field on Monday night between the Huntsville Stars and Lookouts. In what started out as a pitchers' duel, the final summary of the game would be defined as a slugfest with a combined 17 runs and 25 hits. After the dust settled, the Lookouts came out on top, 10-7.

Starting pitchers Rubby De La Rosa (2-0) and Wily Peralta (2-1) dominated for four innings, as the two stingy pitchers did not yield a single run; however, the fifth inning proved to be a turning point in the game.

Huntsville's Matt Cline led off the fifth with a seemingly innocuous walk, but Dayton Buller followed with a triple to account for the first run of the game.

Chattanooga would counter in the bottom portion of the fifth in a big way by plating six runs. Kyle Russell led off the rally with a single and progressed to second on a throwing error by third baseman Steffan Wilson on a ball hit by Scott Van Slyke. Jaime Pedroza loaded the bases by reaching on a perfectly executed bunt single. Another throwing error by Wilson on a hit ball by Jessie Mier continued the base path carousel. Pinch hitter Pedro Baez then hit a one-out single to score Van Slyke and Pedroza. Peralta continued to labor, and the righty, once again, loaded the bases. A wild pitch scored another run, but an Alfredo Silverio two-RBI triple proved to be the final blow in the pivotal inning.

Both teams continued to slug it out in the sixth. Buller struck again with a two-run double, while RBI singles from Pedroza and relief pitcher David Pfeiffer highlighted the three-run inning for the Lookouts.

Van Slyke nailed an RBI double in the bottom of the seventh to extend the Lookouts' lead, 10-4.

Despite facing an increasingly daunting deficit, the Stars gave it the ole college try. RBI singles from Buller and Sergio Miranda accounted for two runs in the eighth, but a bases loaded double play by Sean Halton quelled any big-inning aspirations in the penultimate frame.

Huntsville added another run in the ninth inning on a Wilson double, but Javy Guerra, who entered the game in the eighth, settled down to notch his second save of the season.

The Chattanooga Lookouts and Huntsville Stars will continue their five-game series at 7:15 P.M., tomorrow. Tickets for this game or any other Lookouts home game can be purchased at the Lookouts Box Office at AT&T Field, online at www.lookouts.com, or by calling (423) 267-4849.

Huntsville box score

Good details and context on Peralta's start from Cracked Bat Collector above. Peralta's final line: 4.2 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 WP, 7/1 GO/FO, 90 pitches, 58 strikes. Overall, doesn't seem like there's anything to be concerned about here; he still missed bats and got a ton of ground balls. I'd expect his previous dominance to return next time out. Great to hear confirmation on Darren Byrd's impressive velocity; he fanned two and allowed a hit in a scoreless inning. Sounds like Wilson would fit in nicely in the Brewers' infield. Buller (or "Butler" as whoever wrote the Lookouts' recap knows him) was a homer short of the cycle. Brandon Jones had three hits and a walk. Erik Komatsu was 1-4 with a walk, and Lee Haydel 0-4 with a free pass. Unexpected lineup for the Stars: Haydel led off and Komatsu hit sixth.

Huntsville play-by-play

If you care for the intimate details of Peralta's fateful, fatal final frame:

Chattanooga Bottom of the 5th

• Kyle Russell singles on a ground ball to shortstop Matt Cline.
• Scott Van Slyke reaches on throwing error by third baseman Steffan Wilson. Kyle Russell to 2nd.
• Jaime Pedroza singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Steffan Wilson. Kyle Russell to 3rd. Scott Van Slyke to 2nd.
• Jessie Mier reaches on force attempt, throwing error by third baseman Steffan Wilson. Kyle Russell scores. Scott Van Slyke to 3rd. Jaime Pedroza to 2nd.
• Ivan Ochoa strikes out on foul tip.
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Pedro Baez replaces Rubby De La Rosa.
• Pedro Baez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Lee Haydel, deflected by shortstop Matt Cline. Scott Van Slyke scores. Jaime Pedroza scores. Jessie Mier to 2nd.
• With Brad Coon batting, Jessie Mier caught stealing 3rd base, catcher Dayton Buller to third baseman Steffan Wilson.
• Brad Coon singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brandon Jones. Pedro Baez to 3rd.
• With Elian Herrera batting, Brad Coon steals (1) 2nd base.
• Elian Herrera walks.
• With Alfredo Silverio batting, wild pitch by Wily Peralta, Pedro Baez scores. Brad Coon to 3rd. Elian Herrera to 2nd.
• Alfredo Silverio triples (3) on a ground ball to left fielder Lee Haydel. Brad Coon scores. Elian Herrera scores.
• Pitcher Change: Robert Hinton replaces Wily Peralta, batting 9th.
• Kyle Russell strikes out swinging, catcher Dayton Buller to first baseman Sean Halton.

[battlekow]

Chris Mehring's postgame thoughts include honorary Wisconsinite status for Austin Ross.

[Mass Haas]

Another reason Tuesday night with the Manatees will be special -- opposing Zack Greinke will be LHP Josh Romanski (off to a fantastic start, by the way - stats). Certainly you remember this thread.

[Mass Haas]

Tough finish ruins great start for Timber Rattlers in loss to Snappers

by Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent staff writer

 

GRAND CHUTE — One would think that a Louisiana native like Austin Ross would struggle pitching in the teeth-chattering cold.

Instead, Ross is keeping his performance level up even when Wisconsin's chilly spring temperatures dip into the low 30s like they did Monday night.

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers' highly regarded right-hander continued his impressive April, blanking Beloit on three hits over seven strong innings in a quality start.

It wasn't enough, though, to get Wisconsin a win. The Timber Rattlers bullpen blew up in the ninth, surrendering four runs on six hits in a 4-2 Midwest League loss to the Snappers before a small crowd of 347 at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

Ross, the Milwaukee Brewers' eighth-round pick out of Louisiana State University in the 2010 draft, did his part. He struck out eight and walked just one in his seven innings, while lowering his ERA to 1.00. Ross (1-0) has allowed just two earned runs in 18 innings with 16 strikeouts and only four walks.

"I was really pleased with Austin's outing," Wisconsin pitching coach Chris Hook said. "He's doing what we expect him to do and what an older college guy should be doing. He controls the fastball on both sides of the plate and used his curveball to get outs late in the game. He's learning how to use his pitches and build a game, and not use his out pitches too early in the game."

Ross was also sharp in the cold during the Timber Rattlers' home opener, allowing one run on two hits in a 9-3 win over Kane County.

"It's difficult to hit on nights like this and I'd much rather pitch than hit in it," said Ross. "You have to be aggressive and take advantage of the hitters struggling with the conditions.

"We have a heater in the dugout and it's really not that bad when you're out there because you're moving every pitch. It just takes a little while for your hands to warm up."

Ross said that Monday's game was probably the coldest conditions he has pitched in.

"The good thing is the wind wasn't bad," he said. "On Sunday, it was just howling and that cuts right to the bone. But I've pitched in the cold before. Early in the year in Louisiana, there's nights when it gets almost as cold as this, but not for extended periods."

Ross throws a fastball that averages between 88-91 mph, a good breaking ball and an effective change-up. And he throws strikes. He stayed ahead of hitters Monday night, often getting his first pitch over for a strike.

"I just tried to take advantage of the conditions and pump strikes," Ross said. "I felt like I had good command of my fastball and could hit either side of the plate."

Ross turned a 2-0 lead over to the Wisconsin bullpen in the eighth, but the Snappers' bats came alive in the ninth against Wisconsin relievers Greg Holle and Tyler Cravy, who allowed two runs apiece. Cravy was charged with the loss, giving up four hits in one-third on an inning.

The Timber Rattlers bullpen has been struggling and several pitchers are still vying for roles.

"It's April and we're trying to figure out who wants the ball in certain situations," Hook said. "The big thing in the back end of the bullpen is that you need more than one pitch you can throw in any count. Right now, these guys are having a hard time finding a secondary pitch. It's all about learning and someone is going to take that role. We have to figure out who it's going to be."

[Mass Haas]

Because we're not going to see video of many Dayton Buller triples this season, here are Huntsville highlights (and lowlights) from Chattanooga's TV news outlet.

[TheCrew07]

Tyler Cravy is making my prediction look bad early on...