Link Report for Thurs. 4/21 -- Farris starts at SS, Green at 2B; Rivera clutch; Scarpetta and Lasker decent

[Mass Haas]

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[Mass Haas]

Thursday's Daily Menu:

Times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: LHP Sam Narron at New Orleans (Marlins), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime

Live Audio Link

iPad/iPhone: Listen

MiLB.TV -- For subscribers

 

Huntsville: RHP Cody Scarpetta at Chattanooga (Dodgers), 6:15 PM gametime

Live Audio Link -- Lookouts' broadcast

Brevard County: RHP Maverick Lasker at Clearwater (Phillies), 6:00 PM gametime

Sorry, no audio available for this contest...

 

Wisconsin: RHP Matt Miller at Burlington (Athletics), 6:10 PM pre-game; 6:30 gametime

Live Audio Link

[Mass Haas]

Follow Thursday'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	7	6	.538	-	-	3-2	4-4	5-5	L1
	Omaha	7	7	.500	0.5	131	5-1	2-6	5-5	W3
	Nashville	6	8	.429	1.5	130	5-3	1-5	3-7	L3
	Memphis	4	9	.308	3.0	129	3-5	1-4	2-8	L3

SOU North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Chattanooga	9	4	.692	-	-	5-3	4-1	8-2	W5
	Tennessee	9	4	.692	-	-	4-1	5-3	7-3	W2
	Huntsville	8	5	.615	1.0	57	5-0	3-5	6-4	L3
	Jackson	5	8	.385	4.0	54	1-4	4-4	4-6	L2
	Carolina	2	11	.154	7.0	51	2-6	0-5	2-8	L2

FSL North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Daytona	9	5	.643	-	-	5-1	4-4	5-5	W2
	Lakeland	9	5	.643	-	-	6-2	3-3	7-3	L1
	Clearwater	8	6	.571	1.0	56	3-3	5-3	4-6	L2
	Tampa	7	7	.500	2.0	55	2-4	5-3	5-5	L2
	Brevard County	5	9	.357	4.0	53	2-6	3-3	5-5	W2
	Dunedin	4	10	.286	5.0	52	2-6	2-4	4-6	W1

MID Western
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Burlington	10	3	.769	-	-	3-1	7-2	8-2	W2
	Beloit	7	4	.636	2.0	-	4-2	3-2	7-3	W2
	Cedar Rapids	8	5	.615	2.0	-	2-2	6-3	6-4	W3
	Peoria	6	7	.462	4.0	56	2-2	4-5	5-5	W2
	Quad Cities	6	7	.462	4.0	56	3-6	3-1	4-6	L2
	Wisconsin	5	6	.455	4.0	57	3-4	2-2	4-6	L1
	Kane County	5	9	.357	5.5	54	2-5	3-4	3-7	L2
	Clinton	4	10	.286	6.5	53	3-7	1-3	3-7	L4

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes

SOUND BYTES: Nashville batters have struck out a league-high 123 times ... Nashville runners have been caught stealing 10 times, tied for most in the PCL (Las Vegas); the Sounds are just 7-for-17 in stolen base attempts ... Nashville batters have grounded into a league-high 17 double plays.

 

***

 

Follow the link, there's good news too. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville Media Notes

Wisconsin Media Notes

[And That]

As I mentioned in the new Power 50 player comments, Maverick Lasker has seen a significant increase in his GB rate this season. Again tonight, through 3 IP, 4/0 GO/AO ratio.

[battlekow]

Timber Rattlers in a rain delay.

[And That]

I wonder how close the Brewers are to ending the long Brock Kjeldgaard experiment? It's not like he's blocking anyone in particular, but he's 25 with a 702 career OPS in the FSL.

[bretsky07]

Farris at SS, Green at 2B for Nashville tonight.

[wibadgers23]

I wonder why Hart isn't playing tonight.

[battlekow]

Rattlers hit the road, weather follows them and forces another postponement

Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

BURLINGTON, IA – It wasn’t snow, but the result was the same for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Thursday’s game at Community Field against the Burlington Bees was postponed by rain. This marks the third day in a row that the Rattlers have been postponed by weather.

The teams will attempt to get on the field to play a pair of seven inning games on Friday evening. Game one is scheduled to start at 5:30pm. Wisconsin is tentatively set to send Matt Miller and Del Howell to the mound as the respective starters in game one and game two. Burlington plans to send Jacob Brown and Blake Hassebrock out as their starters in game one and game two.

Fans may tune in for the action on AM1280, WNAM or www.timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 5:10pm.

[And That]

I watched Farris make 4 throws, and was not impressed with his arm strength on any of them. He side-arms it, I think in an effort to speed up his release, but I can't say that it works.

[bobskube]

I wonder why Hart isn't playing tonight.

Hmm...I wondering the same thing. He should be playing unless something isn't right.

[And That]

Hart had a scheduled day off today.

[battlekow]

Final: @Clearwater 4, Brevard County 2

Singleton puts Clearwater back on track, win 4-2

Adrian Martinez/Clearwater Threshers

CLEARWATER, Fla - A two-RBI single off the bat of Jonathan Singleton gave the Clearwater Threshers (9-6) a 4-2 victory over the visiting Brevard County Manatees (5-10) on Thursday night. The Threshers limited the Manatees to just five hits and even the series at a game a piece.

First baseman Joe Savery put the Threshers on top in the fourth inning when he drove home Leandro Castro on a sacrifice fly. Then in the following inning, Travis Mattair led off with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Alan Schoenberger then slapped a single to right, scoring Mattair.

From there, Castro moved Schoenberger to third on a base hit and took second on the throw. Singleton followed with the eventual game-winning RBI, driving home both runs.

The Manatees responded with two unearned runs in the sixth but that was all they could manage as the Clearwater bullpen allowed just three runners the rest of the way.

Julio Rodriguez (2-0) was effective in his five innings of work, surrendering just two hits and registering five strikeouts. Justin Friend worked two scoreless innings to earn his league-leading sixth save of the season.

Maverick Lasker (0-3) was tagged with the loss for Brevard, giving up four runs (two earned) through five frames.

The Threshers look to win the series Friday night when the two teams square off in the rubber game. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. with gates opening an hour before.

Be sure to arrive early as the first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a special Domonic Brown bobblehead, presented by the Holiday Inn Express. Brown was a member of the Threshers in 2009 and has been rated as the Phillies' top prospect the last two seasons. He got his first crack at the big leagues last September and was set to challenge for a roster spot this year before being sidelined with an injury.

Brevard County box score

Lasker looked like he was going to end up with a better line; he was shutting out Clearwater through three before allowing a run in the 4th and three in the 5th. He still had pretty solid peripherals, fanning five against one walk and six hits, and continued his newfound groundballing ways with a 6/3 GO/FO. Rob Wooten struck out three in two scoreless innings of relief, giving up just a hit. Mike Brownstein had the only multi-hit game for the 'Tees, though Khris Davis heard Toby's pleas and walked twice. Scooter Gennett was also on twice with a single and a walk, while Kentrail Davis drew a free pass and Hunter Morris and D'Vontrey Richardson took 0-4 collars.

Brevard County play-by-play

Kentrail Davis got a little too greedy in the 1st:

Brevard County Top of the 1st

• Mike Brownstein called out on strikes.
• Ryan Gennett pops out to first baseman Joe Savery.
• Kentrail Davis reaches on fielding error by left fielder Jonathan Singleton. Kentrail Davis out at 3rd, left fielder Jonathan Singleton to shortstop Troy Hanzawa to third baseman Travis Mattair.

Lasker's not entirely free of blame for the two unearned runs, but Richardson's arm would have gotten him out it down just 2-0 had Morris managed to hang onto this throw:

Clearwater Bottom of the 5th

• Travis Mattair doubles (3) on a fly ball to right fielder Kentrail Davis.
• Troy Hanzawa out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Maverick Lasker to first baseman Brock Kjeldgaard. Travis Mattair to 3rd.
• Alan Schoenberger singles on a ground ball to right fielder Kentrail Davis. Travis Mattair scores.
• Jiwan James called out on strikes.
• Leandro Castro singles on a line drive to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. Leandro Castro to 2nd on the throw. Alan Schoenberger advances to 3rd, on missed catch error by third baseman Hunter Morris, assist to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson.
• Jonathan Singleton singles on a ground ball to left fielder Khristopher Davis. Alan Schoenberger scores. Leandro Castro scores.
• Darin Ruf flies out to right fielder Kentrail Davis.

After drawing a walk in the 8th, Khris Davis put the tying run on base--momentarily:

Brevard County Top of the 8th

• Ryan Gennett walks.
• Kentrail Davis grounds out, second baseman Alan Schoenberger to first baseman Joe Savery. Ryan Gennett to 2nd.
• Clearwater Threshers Manager Dusty Wathan ejected by 1B umpire Nick Mahrley.
• Hunter Morris grounds out, shortstop Troy Hanzawa to first baseman Joe Savery. Ryan Gennett to 3rd.
• Khristopher Davis walks.
• With Brock Kjeldgaard batting, Justin Friend picks off Khristopher Davis at 1st on throw to Joe Savery.

I wonder what bee was in Wathan's bonnet there.

[battlekow]

Final: Nashville 8, @New Orleans 7

Sounds Win 8-7 In New Orleans With Go-Ahead Pinch-Hit Homer By Mike Rivera

Nashville Sounds

METAIRIE, La. - With two outs in the top of the eighth inning, pinch-hitter Mike Rivera belted a go-ahead two-run homer over the left field wall to give the Nashville Sounds an 8-7 win over the New Orleans Zephyrs on Thursday night at Zephyr Field.

The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Nashville (7-8), and marked the first come-from-behind win this season. Nashville scored the first six runs of the game, but allowed seven unanswered by the Zephyrs before Rivera's late homer.

With two outs in the inning, New Orleans reliever Frank Mata (0-1) hit Martin Maldonado and then gave up Rivera's second home run of the season for the loss. The pinch-hit homer was the first hit by Nashville pinch-hitters this season, and marked the first pinch-hit long ball since Adam Stern's homer in second game of a doubleheader on July 9, 2010 at Memphis.

In his third rehab appearance for the Brewers, Manny Parra followed with a perfect eighth inning, allowing two groundouts while striking out one on 12 pitches (10 strikes). Justin James continued his dominance, earning his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth.

The Sounds scored their first two runs in the top of the second inning. Zephyrs pitcher Adalberto Mendez started the frame by walking both Brett Carroll and Taylor Green, with both runners advancing to scoring position on a Chris Nowak sacrifice bunt. Maldonado then laced a two-out double to left field that plated both runners.

The Sounds tacked on four more runs in the top of the third inning to extend their lead to 6-0. With the bases loaded and no outs, Mendez surrendered an RBI base hit to Carroll and a sacrifice fly to Green for the first two runs. Nowak later singled in the next run, followed by Jeremy Reed collecting his first RBI for the Sounds with another sacrifice fly that plated Carroll.

The Zephyrs would score seven unanswered runs over the next five innings to take a 7-6 lead in the seventh inning.

New Orleans plated their first two runs in the third, as former Vanderbilt star Ryan Klosterman singled to start the rally and scored on a Bryan Petersen double to right field. Former Sound Vinny Rottino then brought home Petersen with a base hit to left field. New Orleans' next two runs came from Chris Aguila's third home run of the season, a two-run shot over the wall in left field that trimmed the lead to 6-4.

The Zephyrs plated three runs to take a quick 7-6 advantage in the bottom of the seventh inning as Sounds reliever Jim Henderson began the frame by walking the first two batters. The first run of the frame came off a Henderson throwing error during a New Orleans sacrifice bunt.

After Henderson was lifted from the ballgame for reliever Mark DiFelice (1-0), Aguila laced a two-run double to left field for the tying and go-ahead runs. DiFelice fanned Brad Davis to end the inning and back into the win.

Sounds starting pitcher Sam Narron earned a no-decision, allowing four runs on seven hits in five innings pitched. Mendez surrendered six runs on five hits in five innings for New Orleans.

The Sounds and Zephyrs will play the finale of a four-game set at 7:00 pm CT on Friday night at Zephyr Field in New Orleans. Right-hander Amaury Rivas (2-1, 2.08) takes the mound for the Sounds against New Orleans righty Elih Villanueva (1-1, 6.19).

Nashville box score

Rivera may not be long for the Sounds, but at least he went out in style; listen to his homer here. As noted earlier, Green started at second base and Eric Farris at shortstop, though Farris didn't do himself any favors by committing a throwing error; Toby, above, was not impressed with his arm. Farris did draw a walk though, so that's nice, and though it's only his third of the year he's still well ahead of last year's pace. Mat Gamel was 2-4 with a double and walk, and Brandon Boggs also doubled and walked in what was hopefully his last appearance for the Sounds for awhile. Maldonado's double was just his second extra-base hit on the year.

Nashville play-by-play

[TooLiveBrew]

Hart had a scheduled day off today.

Phew!

[battlekow]

Final: Huntsville 4, @Chattanooga 2

Huntsville box score

Cody Scarpetta started and pitched okay, allowing two runs (one earned) in four frames on four hits and two walks, fanning four. He was pulled (hopefully) because of pitch count, having throwing 79 pitches, 46 of them strikes. Darren Byrd again pitched well in relief, working three scoreless innings with two strikeouts, two walks, and a hit. Michael Fiers got the save with two perfect innings, including two punchouts. The Stars never trailed, scoring two in the 1st and tacking on single runs in the 4th and 5th. Matt Cline was on three times with three free passes, but because he was hitting 7th he didn't score a single run. Lee Haydel and Erik Komatsu each singled and walked; Haydel also stole a base and threw a runner out at second.

Huntsville play-by-play

Scarpetta immediately got into trouble but almost got out of it unscathed:

Chattanooga Bottom of the 1st

• Jaime Pedroza doubles (3) on a fly ball to left fielder Lee Haydel.
• With Dioner Navarro batting, wild pitch by Cody Scarpetta, Jaime Pedroza to 3rd.
• Dioner Navarro pops out to catcher Anderson De La Rosa in foul territory.
• Alfredo Silverio strikes out swinging.
• Kyle Russell walks.
• Scott Van Slyke singles on a line drive to right fielder Brandon Jones. Jaime Pedroza scores. Kyle Russell to 2nd.
• Brian Cavazos-Galvez strikes out swinging.

The defense really helped Scarpetta out in the 4th before really hurting him:

Chattanooga Bottom of the 4th

• Scott Van Slyke singles on a line drive to center fielder Erik Komatsu.
• Brian Cavazos-Galvez pops out to first baseman Sean Halton in foul territory.
• Pedro Baez walks. Scott Van Slyke to 2nd.
• With Ivan Ochoa batting, Anderson De La Rosa picks off Pedro Baez at 1st on throw to Sean Halton.
• Ivan Ochoa reaches on fielding error by shortstop Matt Cline. Scott Van Slyke scores. Ivan Ochoa out at 2nd, left fielder Lee Haydel to second baseman Sergio Miranda.

Clutch two-out double by Steffan Wilson to drive in the first two Stars runs:

Huntsville Top of the 1st

• Lee Haydel strikes out swinging.
• Sergio Miranda walks.
• Sean Halton singles on a ground ball to center fielder Alfredo Silverio. Sergio Miranda to 2nd.
• Brandon Jones strikes out on foul tip.
• Steffan Wilson doubles (4) on a line drive to right fielder Kyle Russell. Sergio Miranda scores. Sean Halton scores. Steffan Wilson to 3rd on the throw.
• Erik Komatsu flies out to center fielder Alfredo Silverio.

What's with the Komatsu bunt play here being scored a force out?

Huntsville Top of the 4th

• Brandon Jones walks.
• Steffan Wilson walks. Brandon Jones to 2nd.
• Erik Komatsu ground bunts into a force out, left fielder Brian Cavazos-Galvez to third baseman Pedro Baez. Brandon Jones scores. Steffan Wilson out at 3rd. Erik Komatsu advances to 1st, on throwing error by pitcher Chris Withrow.
• Matt Cline grounds into a force out, shortstop Ivan Ochoa to second baseman Jaime Pedroza. Erik Komatsu out at 2nd. Matt Cline to 1st.
• Anderson De La Rosa singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brian Cavazos-Galvez. Matt Cline to 2nd.
• Cody Scarpetta strikes out swinging.

Maybe Darren Byrd is a better hitter--or pitcher--than I realize, but I'm not sure it's worth it to let him hit here in a two-run game:

Huntsville Top of the 6th

• Erik Komatsu singles on a line drive to right fielder Kyle Russell.
• Matt Cline walks. Erik Komatsu to 2nd.
• Anderson De La Rosa flies out to right fielder Kyle Russell. Erik Komatsu to 3rd.
• Darren Byrd called out on strikes.
• Lee Haydel lines out to left fielder Brian Cavazos-Galvez.

[bobskube]

Hart had a scheduled day off today.

Good, I'm really sick of Almonte/Kotsay and Gomez batting 2. I just hope they are being real cautious, but he needs ABs.

[Mass Haas]

Clearwater Bottom of the 6th

• Pitcher Change: Corey Frerichs replaces Maverick Lasker.
• Joe Savery pops out to third baseman Hunter Morris.
• Sebastian Valle pops out to first baseman Brock Kjeldgaard.
• Travis Mattair strikes out swinging.

The reason I posted this inning was because Corey Frerichs was shown with a 0/0 GB/FB ratio in the box score over one inning, with just one strikeout.

I would have thought for sure that pop outs would count as fly balls when determining FB/GB ratio stats. So not sure if they are not, or if they should be, and this was just some rogue Florida State League box score.

[Mass Haas]

Update from New Orleans:

 

Sounds pitcher Josh Butler, who was struck in the head by a line drive hit by Rottino on Tuesday night, said he’s feeling fine. “I got lucky,’’ Butler said. “It nicked off my glove before it hit me.’’

Some video highlights (without audio, not of Mike Rivera's go-ahead blast) are available via the link as well.

[JohnBriggs12]

Hart had a scheduled day off today.

Phew!

How close can he be to returning if he needs scheduled days off after playing partial games? Seems to me he's at least 2 weeks away.

[GormanHarvey]

Hart had a scheduled day off today.

Phew!

How close can he be to returning if he needs scheduled days off after playing partial games? Seems to me he's at least 2 weeks away.

From reading about his rehab before it began, this was the plan all along once he was deemed healthy enough to play. He pretty much had no spring training so they just don't want to risk re-injury do to anything getting fatigued in the early going. If he feels ok, I would think the pace will increase rapidly

[And That]

Oblique injuries can recur very easily. Brewers are just being careful, quite rightly IMO.