Link Report for Sat. 4/23 -- Rogers out of control, Stars rally, Howell nearly buzzes Bees

[Mass Haas]

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[Mass Haas]

Saturday's Daily Menu:

Times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: RHP Mark Rogers at home vs. Omaha (Royals), 6:20 PM pre-game; 6:35 gametime

Live Audio Link

iPad/iPhone: Listen

 

Huntsville: RHP Wily Peralta at home vs. Birmingham (White Sox), 6:43 PM gametime

Live Audio Link

iPad/iPhone: Listen

Traditional broadcast via the Barons' feed: Listen

 

Brevard County: RHP Hiram Burgos at Lakeland (Tigers), 5:00 PM gametime

Sorry, no audio available for this contest...

 

Wisconsin: RHP Matt Miller and LHP Del Howell in a doubleheader at Burlington (Athletics), 3:40 PM pre-game; 4:00 gametime

Live Audio Link

[Mass Haas]

Follow Saturday's action as it happens:

Nashville (Gameday also available)
Huntsville (Gameday also available)
Brevard County
Wisconsin Game One

Wisconsin Game Two

[Mass Haas]

PCL American North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Iowa	9	6	.600	-	-	5-2	4-4	6-4	W2
	Omaha	9	7	.563	0.5	129	7-1	2-6	7-3	W5
	Nashville	8	8	.500	1.5	128	5-3	3-5	4-6	W2
	Memphis	4	11	.267	5.0	125	3-5	1-6	1-9	L5

SOU North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Huntsville	10	5	.667	-	-	5-0	5-5	7-3	W2
	Tennessee	10	5	.667	-	-	4-1	6-4	7-3	W1
	Chattanooga	9	6	.600	1.0	55	5-5	4-1	7-3	L2
	Jackson	7	8	.467	3.0	53	1-4	6-4	4-6	W2
	Carolina	3	12	.200	7.0	49	3-7	0-5	2-8	L1

FSL North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Daytona	11	5	.688	-	-	6-1	5-4	5-5	W4
	Clearwater	9	7	.563	2.0	53	4-4	5-3	5-5	L1
	Lakeland	9	7	.563	2.0	53	6-3	3-4	5-5	L3
	Tampa	7	9	.438	4.0	51	2-6	5-3	4-6	L4
	Brevard County	6	10	.375	5.0	50	2-6	4-4	5-5	W1
	Dunedin	6	10	.375	5.0	50	2-6	4-4	6-4	W3

MID Western
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Burlington	10	3	.769	-	-	3-1	7-2	8-2	W2
	Cedar Rapids	9	5	.643	1.5	-	3-2	6-3	7-3	W4
	Beloit	7	5	.583	2.5	57	4-2	3-3	7-3	L1
	Peoria	7	7	.500	3.5	55	3-2	4-5	5-5	W3
	Wisconsin	5	6	.455	4.0	56	3-4	2-2	4-6	L1
	Quad Cities	6	8	.429	4.5	54	3-6	3-2	4-6	L3
	Kane County	6	9	.400	5.0	53	3-5	3-4	4-6	W1
	Clinton	4	11	.267	7.0	51	3-7	1-4	3-7	L5

[Mass Haas]

Wisconsin Game Notes & Game One lineup – 4/23/11

[battlekow]

Final (game one): @Burlington 3, Wisconsin 1 (7 innings)

Brown does it for Burlington

Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

BURLINGTON, IA – Wisconsin Timber Rattlers starting pitcher Matt Miller was good. But, Burlington Bees pitcher Jake Brown was a bit better. Brown and the Bees beat the Rattlers 3-1 in game one of a doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Community Field. Brown, who came on as a scheduled reliever in the top of the second inning, struck out five, allowed two hits, and gave up one unearned run over six innings for his third win of the season.

Burlington (11-3) sent Seth Frankoff to the mound in the top of the first inning to get in some work since the Bees have been on a layoff over the last two days. Frankoff allowed a hit with two outs, but nothing else.

The Bees jumped got to Miller in the first inning. They had runners at first and third with one out. Tony Thompson sent a single to right to drive in the runner from third. On the play, the ball got by Franklin Romero and that allowed the runner at first to score. Thompson wound up at third base, but he would be stranded there when the inning ended.

Brown, who threw five no-hit innings in his start prior to Saturday entered the game in the second and didn’t give up a hit until Mike Walker’s leadoff single in the sixth. That was the inning Wisconsin (5-7) pulled to within a run thanks to a Burlington miscue. Walker went to second on a wild pitch and took third on a flyball. But, he was still there with two outs. Carlos George sent a grounder to second, but the throw to first was missed by Jason Whitaker to let Walker score.

The Bees answered in the bottom of the inning. Nino Leyja tripled with two outs. A wild pitch by Miller let Leyja score for a 3-1 advantage.

Brown finished off the Rattlers with a scoreless sixth and a scoreless seventh inning.

Miller was touched for three hits, walked three, and struck out three for a complete game, but was charged with the loss.

Game two is scheduled to start at 6:15pm.

Wisconsin box score

Well, losing isn't great, but it's better than not playing. Miller threw only 53 of his 93 pitches for strikes. He also hit two batters, something he's done a lot of so far in his pro career (13 in 86.1 career innings). Cody Hawn and Jason Rogers had the Rattlers' other two hits; those were the only baserunners, as the Rattlers drew no walks. Tyler Roberts got to show off his arm again, picking a runner off second.

Wisconsin play-by-play

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes

[sfl2hnq17]

I looked at his splits and Rogers isn't that bad against righties when it comes to walks (1 in 7 IP) but the lefties seem to be the problem (11 in 4 1/3 IP). I don't know the issue I just thought it was pretty interesting.

[battlekow]

Really ugly:

Omaha Top of the 1st

• Lorenzo Cain walks.
• With David Lough batting, Lorenzo Cain steals (3) 2nd base.
• David Lough walks.
• Eric Hosmer walks. Lorenzo Cain to 3rd. David Lough to 2nd.
• Mike Moustakas triples (1) on a line drive to center fielder Caleb Gindl. Lorenzo Cain scores. David Lough scores. Eric Hosmer scores.
• Clint Robinson grounds out, second baseman Eric Farris to first baseman Mat Gamel. Mike Moustakas scores.
• Johnny Giavotella strikes out swinging.
• Lance Zawadzki triples (2) on a ground ball to right fielder Corey Hart.
• Lucas May called out on strikes.

Rogers threw 36 pitches, only 15 of them strikes.

[battlekow]

Final (game two): @Burlington 1, Wisconsin 0 (7 innings)

Howell’s heartbreak as Bees sweep Rattlers

Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

BURLINGTON, IA – Wisconsin Timber Rattlers starting pitcher Del Howell flirted with history in game two of Saturday’s doubleheader at Community Field against the Burlington Bees. The lefty out of the University of Alabama retired the first 10 batters he faced and kept the Bees hitless through the first six innings. However, the Rattlers offense was held scoreless on two hits. Then, the Bees got to Howell for a pair of hits and a single run in the bottom of the seventh for a 1-0 walkoff win and a doubleheader sweep of the Rattlers.

Wisconsin (5-8) got the first base runner of the game on a leadoff single by Jason Rogers in the second inning. In the top of the fourth, Cody Hawn singled and Rogers walked with one out, but both were left stranded. The hit by Hawn was the last by a Rattlers hitter on the evening. Bees starter Blake Hassebrock tossed six innings, allowed two hits, and struck out six.

Burlington (12-3) got their first runner when Nino Leyja walked with one out in the fourth. The Bees started to put runners on, but Howell did not break in the fifth or sixth inning. An error and a hit batsman put two on with one out in the fifth. But, a caught stealing and a strikeout kept the Bees off the board. In the sixth, Burlington coaxed a pair of walks off Howell and had runners at the corners with two outs, but a 1-3 grounder ended the threat.

Tony Thompson broke up the no-hit bit with a clean single to right as the leadoff batter in the seventh. Jose Rivero was next and he launched a 2-1 pitch from Howell to the gap in left-center. Thompson was rounding third with the winning run by the time the ball was retrieved. Rivero pulled into third with a game-winning triple.

Howell’s line in the loss was six innings pitched with two hits, a run, three walks, and four strikeouts.

Both Timber Rattlers starting pitchers in the doubleheader pitched a complete game, but took the loss. Matt Miller allowed three runs on three hits over six innings in the opener and was tagged with the loss.

Wisconsin hitters had five hits and scored one unearned run in the twinbill. Burlington’s offense also collected five hits in the game.

The Rattlers are off on Sunday. They return to action on Monday at Time Warner Cable Field against the Quad Cities River Bandits. Game time is 6:35pm. Tickets are available for Monday’s game and for the other five games of the homestand through the Timber Rattlers ticket office.

Wisconsin box score

Really too bad for Howell, who's found success hard to come by so far as a pro. He kept the ball down well to the tune of a 9/2 GO/FO, and threw 48 of his 83 pitches for strikes. After all the postponements and two complete games today, the Rattlers' bullpen is quite well-rested. Unfortunately, so are the legs of the Rattlers' hitters, who did very little baserunning today. The only runner not mentioned above was Nick Shaw's walk. The 250-pound Rogers stole his 5th base.

Wisconsin play-by-play

[ListachRides]

Rattlers with 5 hits in 2 games. That lineup could benefit from the Brewers taking some college position players early in the draft.

[YoungGeezy]

Rattlers with 5 hits in 2 games. That lineup could benefit from the Brewers taking some college position players early in the draft.

Why? The lineup is mostly college hitters already not to mention the small likelihood any of them get moved up after they would be drafted (maybe one, two max). They will be fine. I doubt Roberts and George are the only reason they didn't have any hits. Still have Chd Stang, Max Walla, and Kenny " Lo Cain Jr." Allison waiting for their opportunity to showcase.

 

What is up with Rogers? Man.....it is like the wheels have just feel off.

 

Howell still with 3BB. The lack of strikes is reason they held him back and he still hasn't shown he can stay over the plate. He is an advanced, repeating, college arm so I expect him to be dominant. Hope he gets it going soon or Ross will be the one taking Heckathorn's place in the next month or two

[battlekow]

Final: Omaha 9, @Nashville 0

Omaha Blanks Nashville, 9-0, In Homestand Opener

Nashville Sounds

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Vin Mazzaro tossed a quality start while the division-rival Omaha Storm Chasers dropped the Nashville Sounds, 9-0, on Saturday night in front of 8,251 fans at Greer Stadium.

Mazzaro (1-0) gave up just five hits while tossing seven scoreless innings with five strikeouts in the win. Former Sound Lorenzo Cain went 3-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored in his first game returning to Greer Stadium for the visiting Storm Chasers.

Sounds starter Mark Rogers ran in trouble in the opening frame, as the Storm Chasers took an early 4-0 advantage. After Rogers walked the first three Omaha batters, Mike Moustakas tripled off a hard lined ball over Caleb Gindl's head in center field to empty the bases. Clint Robinson then hit an RBI groundout that scored Moustakas for the final run of the inning.

Omaha tacked on another four runs in the top of the third inning to go up 8-0. The Storm Chasers loaded the bases again to begin the inning, which removed Rogers from the game. After reliever Chase Wright came into the contest, Johnny Giavotella hit a two-run single to left field for the first two runs. Wright retired the next two batters before allowing another two-run single to Paulo Orlando for the other two runs.

Cain's solo homer in the eighth inning was his first of the season that extended the Omaha lead to 9-0.

Rogers (0-2) was charged with the loss after surrendering seven runs on just three hits, but matched a season-high five walks in two plus innings pitched. Wright followed with four innings in relief, surrendering one run on five hits in four innings thrown.

In his fourth rehab appearance for the Brewers, Manny Parra allowed one hit in 1 1/3 innings scoreless innings in relief. He allowed one hit on 20 pitches throw, 13 for strikes.

Sounds designated hitter Jeremy Reed went 2-for-3 on the night, with his two hits accounting for Nashville's only hits through the first five innings. Right fielder Corey Hart went 0-for-3 with one flyout and two groundouts.

The Sounds and Storm Chasers will play at 2:05 pm CT on Sunday afternoon at Greer Stadium in the second -game of a four game set. 2009 American League Cy Young Winner Zack Greinke will take the mound for Nashville in his second rehab start for the Brewers against Omaha right-hander Jeff Suppan (1-2, 6.91).

Nashville box score

Okay. If you want to keep it positive, it's better than Rogers did last time out against Omaha. Really though, he was terrible: 60 pitches and only 27 strikes. Obviously things can't continue like this much longer; having Rogers throw so many high-pressure pitches is a huge injury risk, not to mention frustrating as hell for all involved. Not many things you'd want to highlight from this game, but you can listen to Gindl make a nice diving catch here; he also had an assist in his first game action since coming off the DL. Eric Farris (who started at second base) and Mat Gamel each had singles, and Taylor Green drew a walk.

Nashville play-by-play

[battlekow]

Final: Brevard County 9, @Lakeland 6 (11 innings)

Brevard County box score

This game was great, but I guess I'm the only one who wants to write about it on a Saturday night. BC blew a 6-2 lead by giving up four runs in the 8th but won it with three in the 11th. Hiram Burgos started and Burgosed it up, allowing two runs on eight hits in five innings but with no walks and five punchouts. Jon Pokorny and Mark Willinsky continued to struggle, between them responsible for the Flying Tigers' rally. Santo Manzanillo and Corey Frerichs locked it down after that, though, combining to toss three perfect innings with four strikeouts. Hunter Morris cracked his second homer of the year, Scott Krieger had three hits, and Scooter Gennett singled twice and drew a walk. Mike Brownstein and Shea Vucinich were also on three times. D'Vontrey Richardson continues to struggle after his three-hit debut, 0-5 tonight with a HBP. He continues, though, to do interesting things out of the batter's box--both good and bad; he threw out another runner with his shoulder-mounted missile launcher but was himself thrown out on the bases as well. Khris Davis had a hit and a walk. Kentrail Davis did not play.

Brevard County play-by-play

Here's how the Manatees built their lead:

Brevard County Top of the 6th

• Khristopher Davis grounds out, shortstop Gustavo Nunez to first baseman Tony Plagman.
• D' Vontrey Richardson grounds out, shortstop Gustavo Nunez to first baseman Tony Plagman.
• Scott Krieger singles on a line drive to right fielder Avisail Garcia.
• Brock Kjeldgaard singles on a ground ball to center fielder Daniel Fields. Scott Krieger to 2nd.
• Shea Vucinich doubles (5) on a fly ball to center fielder Daniel Fields. Scott Krieger scores. Brock Kjeldgaard scores.
• Pitcher Change: Jordan Pratt replaces Zach Samuels.
• Michael Roberts called out on strikes.

Brevard County Top of the 7th

• Mike Brownstein grounds out, second baseman Corey Jones to first baseman Tony Plagman.
• Ryan Gennett reaches on missed catch error by first baseman Tony Plagman, assist to shortstop Gustavo Nunez.
• Hunter Morris homers (2) on a fly ball to left field. Ryan Gennett scores.
• Khristopher Davis singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brent Wyatt.
• With D' Vontrey Richardson batting, Khristopher Davis steals (2) 2nd base.
• D' Vontrey Richardson hit by pitch.
• Scott Krieger flies out to right fielder Avisail Garcia.
• Brock Kjeldgaard singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brent Wyatt. Khristopher Davis scores. D' Vontrey Richardson out at 3rd on the throw, left fielder Brent Wyatt to third baseman Wade Gaynor.

...and here's how they lost it:

Lakeland Bottom of the 8th

• Pitcher Change: Jonathan Pokorny replaces R. Seidel.
• Daniel Fields walks.
• Tony Plagman pops out to first baseman Hunter Morris in foul territory.
• Wade Gaynor reaches on fielding error by shortstop Shea Vucinich. Daniel Fields to 3rd.
• Jordan Lennerton doubles (4) on a fly ball to left fielder Khristopher Davis. Daniel Fields scores. Wade Gaynor scores.
• Pitcher Change: Mark Willinsky replaces Jonathan Pokorny.
• Avisail Garcia singles on a ground ball to shortstop Shea Vucinich. Jordan Lennerton to 3rd.
• Corey Jones out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Brock Kjeldgaard. Jordan Lennerton scores.
• Brent Wyatt singles on a line drive to right fielder Brock Kjeldgaard. Avisail Garcia to 3rd.
• Julio Rodriguez singles on a ground ball to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. Avisail Garcia scores. Brent Wyatt to 2nd.
• Ryan Soares singles on a line drive to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. Brent Wyatt out at home on the throw, center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson to catcher Michael Robert

Wow. Huge throw by D'Vo. The decisive 11th:

Brevard County Top of the 11th

• Mike Brownstein singles on a line drive to right fielder Avisail Garcia.
• Ryan Gennett singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brent Wyatt. Mike Brownstein to 2nd.
• With Josh Prince batting, wild pitch by Dan Gentzler, Mike Brownstein to 3rd. Ryan Gennett to 2nd.
• Josh Prince reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by second baseman Corey Jones. Mike Brownstein scores. Ryan Gennett to 3rd.
• Khristopher Davis grounds out to catcher Eric Roof. Khristopher Davis out on batter interference.
• With D' Vontrey Richardson batting, passed ball by Eric Roof, Ryan Gennett scores. Josh Prince to 2nd.
• With D' Vontrey Richardson batting, wild pitch by Dan Gentzler, Josh Prince to 3rd.
• D' Vontrey Richardson reaches on a fielder's choice out, shortstop Ryan Soares to catcher Eric Roof to third baseman Wade Gaynor. Josh Prince out at home. D' Vontrey Richardson to 2nd on the throw.
• Scott Krieger singles on a ground ball to right fielder Avisail Garcia. D' Vontrey Richardson scores. Scott Krieger to 2nd on the throw.
• Brock Kjeldgaard flies out to center fielder Daniel Fields.

Injury note: Morris struck out in the top of the 9th and was replaced in the bottom; he may have been injured somehow.

[Mass Haas]

Final: @Huntsville 4, Birmingham 3

 

Stars Rally Late in the Game to Keep Their Perfect Home Record

 

Huntsville, AL. - The Huntsville Stars (11-5) managed to keep their perfect home record by beating the Birmingham Barons (9-7) by a 4-3 score in what turned out to be one of the most exciting games at Joe W. Davis Stadium in this young season. The Stars are averaging six runs per game this season at home and now own a 6-0 home record.

 

RHP Wily Peralta got the start for the Stars tonight and tossed 6.1 innings while striking out six and not factoring in the decision. Peralta allowed eight hits, three runs, and walked two. The last run he allowed tonight came in the seventh when Seth Loman hit a solo-shot to left field, giving the Barons a 3-0 lead over the Stars.

 

The Stars offense was missing early in the game; the first hit came in the bottom of the fourth when second baseman Sergio Miranda singled to left-center field. Even after Miranda's single and Brandon Jones' walk, the Stars failed to capitalize.

 

The Stars opened the fifth with a double by center fielder Erik Komatsu and again failed to put a dent in the scoreboard because of back-to-back-to-back strikeouts by Barons' starter Dylan Axelrod.

 

Axelrod allowed the first Stars' run in the seventh on a leadoff triple by Jones and an RBI single from Steffan Wilson. Axelrod ended his night after tossing seven innings, allowing one earned run on five hits. He walked one while striking out seven.

 

Nathan Jones came in to the game in the eighth to relieve Axelrod, who left with a no-decision tonight. He left in the two outs later, leaving the bases loaded and taking a loss for the Barons. Tyson Corley entered the game to try and keep the Barons' lead. He failed to accomplish his goal as he surrendered a two-RBI double by Chuckie Caufield, giving the Stars a 4-3 lead. That was Caufield's only hit of the night but was definitely all he needed to contribute to his team in this exciting night at the ballpark.

 

Lucas Luetge relieved Peralta for the Stars and did a fantastic job in keeping his team in the game. Luetge got the win while tossing two innings, striking out three and allowing only one hit. Roque Mercedes came into the game with one out in the ninth and got his third save of the season after he struck out the first batter he faced. He got Birmingham Barons' left fielder Tyler Kuhn to fly out to center field to end the game.

 

The Huntsville Stars host Birmingham again tomorrow Easter Sunday April, 24. Game time is set for 6:43 PM.

 

Huntsville Box Score

The Stars are the affiliate with the magic in 2011 thus far; Wily Peralta gutted out a quality start, thanks to southpaw Lucas Luetge inducing a double play grounder with two inherited men on to end the 7th; Huntsville's 3.20 team ERA leads the league, and their 1.26 WHIP trails only Birmingham; second baseman Sergio Miranda with the lone multi-hit game, although four others reached base twice; the batting avearages are pretty in the box score; nice to see over 6400 in attendance in support...

 

Huntsville Play-by-Play

Two of the three singles in Birmingham's one-run 4th were of the infield variety vs. Peralta; Caufield's clutch two-out double in the 8th must have ignited Joe Davis Stadium --

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 8th

• Pitcher Change: Nathan Jones replaces Dylan Axelrod.
  
• Lee Haydel walks.
  
• Sergio Miranda singles on a line drive to right fielder Justin Greene. Lee Haydel to 2nd.
  
• Sean Halton singles on a line drive to pitcher Nathan Jones. Lee Haydel to 3rd. Sergio Miranda to 2nd.
  
• Brandon Jones flies into sacrifice double play, left fielder Tyler Kuhn to shortstop Andrew Garcia to third baseman Christian Colonel. Lee Haydel scores. Sergio Miranda out at 3rd.
  
• Steffan Wilson walks. Sean Halton to 2nd.
  
• Erik Komatsu walks. Sean Halton to 3rd. Steffan Wilson to 2nd.
  
• Pitcher Change: Tyson Corley replaces Nathan Jones.
  
• Chuck Caufield doubles (6) on a line drive to right fielder Justin Greene. Sean Halton scores. Steffan Wilson scores. Erik Komatsu to 3rd.
  
• Matt Cline hit by pitch.
  
• Anderson De La Rosa grounds out, pitcher Tyson Corley to first baseman Christian Marrero.

[Mass Haas]

The Tennessean:

Still struggling: Sounds starter Mark Rogers (0-2) saw his struggles continue, and the Brewers' top prospect is still winless after four starts after the Sounds' 9-0 loss to Omaha on Saturday.

"He's been struggling pretty much this whole year," Sounds Manager Don Money said. "Last time against these guys he went 1 1/3 and tonight two-plus. His delivery is out of whack, and he can't control any of his pitches."

Omaha did not waste any time taking advantage of Rogers' struggles. The Storm Chasers scored four runs in the first, and Rogers was charged with three of the Storm Chasers' four third-inning runs after he was pulled in favor of reliever Chase Wright.

Nashville struggled at the plate as well Saturday against Omaha starter Vin Mazzaro. Mazzaro pitched seven shutout innings and allowed only five Sounds hits.

"(Mazzaro) was on tonight," Money said. "It's depressing, but you've gotta battle and we ran into a pretty good pitcher. Usually a good pitcher will stop good hitting, and every time we got somebody on we hit into a double play, we had three double plays."

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville Stars rally past Birmingham on Caufield's clutch hitBy Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Chuckie Caufield went all old-school on Saturday.

 

Then Caufield went opposite-field, and the Huntsville Stars marched away with a 4-3 victory in front of their largest crowd of the young season.

Caufield sliced a two-run double in the eighth, on a 3-2, two-out pitch by Birmingham reliever Tyson Corley, to complete the Stars' comeback over the Barons.

Huntsville is now 11-5 on the season, 6-0 at Joe Davis Stadium, where an announced crowd of 6,438 attended Saturday.

 

Caufield was sporting a pair of the old-style stirrup socks, with tall arches of white sanitary socks looming over his shoetops. It's the sort of "ESPN Classic" vision that warms to aging, nostalgic hearts.

"I like old school," Caufield said. "I'm an old-school guy. I liked how old-school guys competed hard. They were tough guys. I think the toughness they have is something I try to showcase every day I step on the field."

But it's -- careful not to trip on the triple negative -- not that he's never going to not wear the more current solid socks most players use.

"I'll alternate them. I'm not superstitious," he said.

Caufield, a 27-year-old outfielder, spent most of last season with the Stars, but had no qualms about returning this year.

"As long as I've got a uniform on my back, and the grace of God, I have an opportunity to go out and compete, which a lot of people wish they could do," he said. "I try to come out every day and have a good time and enjoy it."

"He's a guy that always plays hard and he always gives you the best he's got," manager Mike Guerrero said. "He's the type of player that you don't know if he's going good or bad because he always busts his butt out there."

He was going bad -- 0-for-3 -- when he came to bat against Corley, a sidearming righthander. Caufield faced him a few times last year and knew he relied on a devastating sinker.

On 3-2, Corley threw what Caufield called "a tough pitch to handle," a sinker on the inside corner. "But I was able to get my hands inside and protect the plate and the ball found some green grass."

"Incredible at-bat," Guerrero called it. "Clutch at-bat."

A pitcher's duel was pretty much assured, what with the Barons and Stars coming in tied for last in the Southern League in runs scored.

Huntsville started its ace, Wily Peralta, who allowed eight hits in 6 1/3 innings, whiffing six. One of the hits was a Seth Loman homer, giving the Barons a cozy 3-0 cushion going into the seventh.

Birmingham countered with Dylan Axelrod, who stuffed the Stars pretty good for six innings, then allowed a Brandon Jones triple and Steffan Wilson RBI single in the seventh. The Birmingham bullpen was fickle, with Nathan Jones allowing a Jones sacrifice fly and leaving the bases loading for Corley to face Caufield.

Nervous?

"Not at all," Caufield said. "I've actually had the opportunity to have some big-time hits in some clutch situations. I love to be in that situation. It doesn't bother me. It actually motivates me. I feel like somebody's got to get it done. Why not me?"

 

Huntsville Stars outfielder Chuckie Caufield (Huntsville Times file photo)

 

http://media.al.com/sports_impact/photo/9513386-large.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Injury note: Morris struck out in the top of the 9th and was replaced in the bottom; he may have been injured somehow.

UPDATE: It seems Hunter Morris dinged up a finger during that at-bat, something to keep an eye on this week. Not a big deal, it seems.