Link Report for Sat. 5/7 -- Ross stellar again but Rattlers fall 1-0

[Mass Haas]

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[Mass Haas]

Saturday's Daily Menu:

Times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: RHP Josh Butler at Round Rock (Rangers), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime

Live Audio Link

iPad/iPhone: Listen

MiLB.TV (for subscribers)

Huntsville: RHP Cody Scarpetta at home vs. Jacksonville (Marlins), 6:43 PM gametime

Live Audio Link

iPad/iPhone: Listen

Traditional broadcast via the Jacksonville feed: Listen

Brevard County: RHP Maverick Lasker at home vs. Daytona (Cubs), 6:05 PM gametime

Live Audio Link -- Cubs' feed

 

Wisconsin: RHP Austin Ross at home vs. Quad Cities (Cardinals), 6:15 PM pre-game; 6:35 gametime

Live Audio Link

[Mass Haas]

So much for MiLB.TV -- tried to watch the last-inning archive of the Sounds' and Zack Segovia's 9th inning "devastating" loss, and nothing is pulling up. So far my $10 discounted subscription isn't even close to worth it from a Brewers' perspective. Maybe that will change down the road...

[Mass Haas]

Follow Saturday'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
	Omaha	16	12	.571	-	-	9-4	7-8	5-5	L2
	Iowa	13	15	.464	3.0	114	6-6	7-9	3-7	L2
	Memphis	10	17	.370	5.5	112	8-7	2-10	4-6	L4
	Nashville	9	18	.333	6.5	111	6-8	3-10	1-9	L5

 

 

SOU North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Jackson	16	11	.593	-	-	6-6	10-5	8-2	W4
	Tennessee	17	12	.586	-	-	7-3	10-9	4-6	L1
	Huntsville	16	12	.571	0.5	42	9-4	7-8	4-6	L1
	Chattanooga	15	14	.517	2.0	40	8-11	7-3	4-6	W1
	Carolina	9	20	.310	8.0	34	7-12	2-8	4-6	W1

FSL North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Daytona	21	8	.724	-	-	10-4	11-4	8-2	W5
	Clearwater	19	10	.655	2.0	40	10-5	9-5	8-2	L1
	Dunedin	14	15	.483	7.0	35	5-8	9-7	7-3	W4
	Lakeland	14	15	.483	7.0	35	9-7	5-8	4-6	W1
	Brevard County	10	19	.345	11.0	31	4-11	6-8	2-8	L6
	Tampa	9	20	.310	12.0	30	3-11	6-9	1-9	L9

MID Western
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Burlington	20	7	.741	-	-	10-2	10-5	7-3	W2
	Cedar Rapids	18	10	.643	2.5	-	8-5	10-5	6-4	L2
	Beloit	16	10	.615	3.5	43	10-5	6-5	7-3	L1
	Peoria	14	14	.500	6.5	39	6-4	8-10	4-6	L1
	Quad Cities	13	15	.464	7.5	38	5-10	8-5	4-6	W1
	Wisconsin	11	14	.440	8.0	39	5-8	6-6	6-4	W1
	Clinton	9	20	.310	12.0	33	4-12	5-8	4-6	W1
	Kane County	9	20	.310	12.0	33	5-11	4-9	2-8	L1

[Mass Haas]

Milwaukee 7-game losing streak, Nashville 5, Brevard 6...

[TheCrew07]

The start of this season has been abysmal at every level, although it's hardly a revelation on the minor league side, it was to be expected.

[Hammer]

Going to the T-Rats game this evening. Is there anyone in particular that y'all want some action pics of?

[TooLiveBrew]

Ross, for sure. Mike Walker... Reggie Keen (flying around the field in some capacity, if you can)

[Mass Haas]

Going to the T-Rats game this evening. Is there anyone in particular that y'all want some action pics of?

Have fun! Wouldn't mind seeing Tyler Roberts -- how he carries his 226 lbs. on his 6'0" frame. Stosh if he tosses.

Thanks!

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes

[Hammer]

Will do!

[Mass Haas]

Chris' Rattler thoughts going back to Friday's win.

[Mass Haas]

Wisconsin Lineup and Media Notes

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville Media Notes

[Mass Haas]

Did not jinx Austin Ross with our original Link Report thread title "Need a bright spot? Austin Ross pitches tonight".

 

He's pitched scoreless ball through six (thus far), and just escaped a 2nd and 3rd, one out jam in the 6th.

 

But speaking of jinxes, it's time for a reverse no-hit jinx. Wisconsin only has a T.J. Mittelstaedt walk through five frames. Listening to Chris...

 

***

 

Don't check the Brevard box -- ugh.

 

***

 

As of 8:00 PM Central, Sounds and Stars in tight contests as they enter the middle innings.

 

***

 

SS Carlos George had to leave the Rattler game -- a leg injury attempting to beat out a ground ball leading off the 6th.

[And That]

If Ross has another good couple of starts after this one, there's no reason for him to be in the Midwest League any longer. I might be tempted to push him all the way to AA, where he can work on his change-up and where opposing hitters might challenge his fastball and slider.

[bork]

Looks like Gamel broke out of his slump in a big way. 4 for 4 with a double and 2 homers.

[Hammer]

Not sure if the T-Rats bats are this bad or if the Quad Cities pitchers were that good but there was NO OFFENSE in this game. Ross looked good but not nearly as good as Carlos Martinez. Martinez was hitting 93-95 on the stadium gun consistently and made every single one of the Rats look horrible. I also have a strong aversion to Class A umpires. The game was a joke to watch because of those two. 3 blown calls really switched the outcome of the game. Too bad because that doesn't show up in the box score. I have about 90 pictures from the game and will post them on something like Photobucket or Image Shack later this evening.

[TooLiveBrew]

Going to the T-Rats game this evening. Is there anyone in particular that y'all want some action pics of?

Have fun! Wouldn't mind seeing Tyler Roberts -- how he carries his 226 lbs. on his 6'0" frame. Stosh if he tosses.

Thanks!

I don't remember Roberts looking heavy from my looks at him

[Mass Haas]

Final: @Round Rock (Rangers) 9, Nashville 8

From the "you've got to be kidding" category...

Sounds Blow Late Lead Again In Round Rock, Lose 9-8

By Nashville Sounds

ROUND ROCK, Texas - In his first game with the Round Rock Express, Omar Quintanilla hit a game-winning two-out single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth to give the Round Rock Express a 9-8 win over the Nashville Sounds on Saturday night at the Dell Diamond.

After trailing for much of the contest, Round Rock scored three runs in the eighth inning and one in the ninth to hand Nashville (9-19) its fourth consecutive last-at-bat defeat and sixth loss in row. The loss was also the club's PCL-leading 12th one-run defeat of the year.

 

Round Rock battled back to tie the contest at 8-8 in the bottom of the eighth. Recording the first two outs of the frame, Tim Dillard walked Doug Deeds and gave up a single to Quintanilla before being replaced by Mark DiFelice (1-1), who proceeded to hit Matt Kata and load the bases. Kevin Cash then came to the dish and knocked a three-run double off the left field wall to knot the contest.

 

In the bottom of the ninth Brian Barden hit a one-out double to start the Express rally. DiFelice intentionally walked Brad Nelson to pitch to Chad Tracy, who proceeded to single and load the bases. DiFelice then fanned Deeds before surrendering the game-winning hit to Quintanilla.

 

Mat Gamel went 4-for-5 with two home runs, a double, three RBIs, and four runs scored in a losing effort for Nashville.

 

Gamel's two-home run performance marked the second time this season that a Sound has gone yard twice in a game after Taylor Green first achieved the feat in game two of April 17's doubleheader at Omaha. It was also the sixth time in Gamel's career that he hit two homers in a game, last occurring on July 23, 2010 at Albuquerque.

 

For the second consecutive night, Round took an early lead after Esteban German led off with a triple to center off starter Josh Butler and scored the night's first run on Endy Chavez's ensuing groundout. Later in the inning with two outs, Tracy knocked in Round Rock's second run on an RBI base hit to score Barden, who previously reached on Caleb Gindl's two-base fielding error.

 

The Sounds struck back in the next frame, plating three runs on five hits to take a 3-2 advantage. Gamel started the rally with a one-out single and scored on the next play as Jordan Brown doubled down the right field line. Luis Figueroa and Gindl followed with RBI base hits for the final two runs in the inning.

 

Gamel's first home run of the game extended the Sounds lead to 4-2 in the fourth, after the first baseman tattooed a solo home run off the equipment shed in center field.

 

Nashville scored two more runs in the next inning to take a 6-2 lead. After Brett Carroll doubled to right-center, Gamel belted his second homer of the contest to center field, his third of the season.

 

Butler lasted five plus innings for Nashville, departing the contest in the bottom of the sixth after allowing the first two hitters to reach base. Dillard came into the game and gave up a three-run home run to Tracy on the second pitch of the at-bat, which brought the Express within one run at 6-5. The home run was Tracy's fourth of the season.

 

The Sounds tacked on their final two runs in the seventh to go up 8-5, beginning with Gamel's one-out double. After George Kottaras walked, Taylor Green hit an infield-single to score Gamel and advance Kottaras to third. Cash then attempted to pick off Green at first, but committing a throwing error that allowed Kottaras to score the other run (that audio is available via the lead link in this post).

 

Dillard was charged with three runs in 2 2/3 innings in relief, striking out one. DiFelice took the loss, giving up two runs in one inning.

 

Express starter Derek Hankins surrendered six runs on 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision. Justin Miller (1-0) came away with the win with two innings of scoreless ball.

 

The Sounds and Express will continue their series with a 1:05 pm CT Sunday matinee on Mother's Day at the Dell Diamond. Sounds southpaw and Texas native Chase Wright (0-2, 5.40) makes his second start for Nashville against former Sounds right-hander Seth McClung (1-0, 2.91).

 

Nashville Box Score

Unbelievable, really -- Kevin Cash?! The two veteran relievers, Dillard and DiFelice, just can't let an 8-5 8th inning lead get away like that. Don Money's going to have a challenge on his hands -- things normally sour quickly in AAA clubhouses when things go this poorly early on (9-19 as noted above). Hopefully there's the right mix of character in that dugout if not the right mix of talent. Caleb Gindl hitting leadoff and playing center field is an interesting spot, at least it provides the 22-year-old with AB's. Mat Gamel's OPS is at .868, he's been inconsistent but effective overall. Jordan Brown on base three times. Taylor Green doubled and singled. Josh Butler became an afterthought quite a while ago. 37-year-old Luis Figueroa has stabilized the shortstop position. Once again, Jeremy Reed is your AAA cleanup hitter (at DH) and went 0-for-5. Nashville does not thank you this year, Doug Melvin...

 

Nashville Play-by-Play

A lot to digest if you so choose...

[Mass Haas]

Final: @Huntsville 4, Jacksonville (Marlins) 3

Stars Take Series Finale from Suns

By Jill Cacic / Huntsville Stars

 

Huntsville, AL - The Huntsville Stars (17-12) took game five from the Jacksonville Suns (15-15) in a 4-3 final Saturday night. Reliever Robert Hinton closed out the game, pitching three complete innings and only allowing one hit. Of the 11 batters faced, eight were sent right back to the dugout.

 

The Suns got on board early with a solo home run from Jake Smolinski in the top of the second. They added two more runs in the top of the fourth after a leadoff walk from Jim Negrych. Stars starter Cody Scarpetta hit Luke Montz with a pitch, putting two men on with no outs. Scarpetta threw a wild pitch to advance the runners and catcher Anderson de la Rosa mis-handled a fly pop up in foul territory to keep Smolinski alive -- Smolinski would eventually walk to load the bases. After Scarpetta fanned Kyle Skipworth, Alex Romero followed up with a groundout to score both Negrych and Montz, as De La Rosa committed his second error of the inning when he dropped a catch at home plate.

 

The Stars finally got on board in the bottom of the inning with a leadoff single from brand new Star Angel "Andy" Gonzalez. First baseman Sean Halton followed up with a single to deep right field to score Gonzalez.

 

Huntsville trailed by two going into the bottom of the sixth. They put up two more runs with help from a handful of singles from Gonzalez, Halton, outfielder Brandon Jones and third baseman Steffan Wilson.

 

Starter Scarpetta was pulled from the game after six innings. He gave up three runs on three hits, just one earned. He walked two and struck out seven.

 

Neither team scored again until the Stars put up the winning run in the bottom of the eighth. Erik Komatsu hit a sacrifice fly to score Jones. The Suns hadn't put up a run since the fourth and wouldn't for the rest of the game.

 

Suns starter Graham Taylor went 5.1 innings, giving up three runs on nine hits. He walked two and struck out four. The Suns took the series from the Stars, three games to two.

 

Huntsville has an off day Sunday before heading on the road for a ten-game road trip. They'll play the Smokies for five games in Tennessee and continue on to Jackson to face the Generals for a five-game series. They return home to Joe W. Davis Stadium on Thursday, May 19 for a five-game series with the Montgomery Biscuits.

 

Huntsville Box Score

This was Cody Scarpetta's strongest start in six efforts thus far -- the big righty won't be 23 until August, but will need to be in Milwaukee to stay in 2013 (if the expected 4th option year is granted to him for 2012). Reliever Robert Hinton has no business being back at AA, and is now sporting a 23-to-3 K-to-BB ratio in 14.1 innings. Forum contributor and Huntsville Stars' historian David Weiser has tracked Hinton's lengthy Stars' career, as Hinton joins former Stars' hurlers Derek Lee and David Welch as "mayors of Huntsville". CF Erik Komatsu walked and added the go-ahead sacrifice fly as noted in the recap -- OBP is .413, the same as it was for his full 2010 season at Brevard County. As my fellow Link Reporter Eric would note, Komatsu returned to the six-spot in the lineup. Matt Cline, playing a more familiar second base, reached in all three plate appearances.

 

Huntsville Play-by-Play

The Stars' two-run rally to tie things in the 6th should have been more rewarding -- an out at 3rd base for the first out, and left the bases juiced...

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 6th

• Angel Gonzalez singles on a fly ball to center fielder Kevin Mattison.
  
• Sean Halton singles on a fly ball to center fielder Kevin Mattison. Angel Gonzalez to 2nd.
  
• Brandon Jones singles on a ground ball to right fielder Alex Romero. Angel Gonzalez scores. Sean Halton out at 3rd on the throw, right fielder Alex Romero to first baseman Luke Montz to third baseman Jim Negrych. Brandon Jones to 2nd on the throw.
  
• With Steffan Wilson batting, passed ball by Kyle Skipworth, Brandon Jones to 3rd.
  
• Steffan Wilson singles on a line drive to right fielder Alex Romero. Brandon Jones scores.
  
• With Erik Komatsu batting, wild pitch by Graham Taylor, Steffan Wilson to 2nd.
  
• Erik Komatsu walks.
  
• Pitcher Change: Jeff Allison replaces Graham Taylor, batting 9th.
  
• Anderson De La Rosa flies out to center fielder Kevin Mattison.
  
• Matt Cline walks. Steffan Wilson to 3rd. Erik Komatsu to 2nd.
  
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Sergio Miranda replaces Cody Scarpetta.
  
• Sergio Miranda grounds out, second baseman Ryan Curry to first baseman Luke Montz.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Daytona (Cubs) 15, @Brevard County 5

 

BC pounded by Daytona 15-5

By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees

 

VIERA, Fla. -- Another short outing for a Brevard County starting pitcher set the tone early as the Manatees were clobbered by the Daytona Cubs 15-5 on Saturday night at Space Coast Stadium, in a game that lasted almost four hours.

 

Manatees (10-20) starter Maverick Lasker lasted just 1 1/3 innings as he allowed seven runs (six earned) on five hits and three walks. The biggest blow came off the bat of Daytona's Jae-Hoon Ha, a grand slam off of Lasker in the Cubs (22-8) eight-run second inning.

 

Brevard County's bullpen - which was lights out on Friday against Daytona - was not strong on Saturday as they allowed eight runs (seven earned) off of 11 hits in relief of Lasker.

 

The bulk of the 'Tees production at the plate came from Scooter Gennett, Kentrail Davis and Khris Davis as they combined to go 8-for-12 (.666) with three RBI and three runs scored. The rest of the Brevard County line-up was 2-for-28 (.080) with eight strikeouts.

 

The loss was the seventh in a row for the Manatees as Brevard County has yet to win a game in the month of May. It also brings the 'Tees record against the Cubs to 0-6 on the season.

 

With a league-wide off-day set for Sunday, Brevard County will return to action on Monday night at Daytona to close out the three-game set with the Cubs. The Manatees will send Kyle Heckathorn (3-2, 2.52) to the rubber, while Daytona will counter with Brett Wallach (2-1, 3.97).

 

Brevard County will then return home for a six-game home stand beginning on Tuesday with the opener of a four-game series with the Charlotte Stone Crabs.

 

Brevard County Box Score

Unlike Nashville, at least Brevard has a split-season second half to look forward to -- the natives must be restless, poor record, shoddy play overall, and winless against your dreaded neighbor. Maverick Lasker had only allowed four earned runs over 17 innings in his three prior starts, but outings like this will balloon an ERA to 6.43 this early in the season. Sea Cow pitchers allowed 16 hits (five for extra bases), ten walks, hit a batter, and threw a wild pitch. Hunter Morris committed two errors at first base, and now has eight miscues overall (20 games at 1B, six games at 3B). Eric noted that Scooter Gennett's hit streak now stands at 16. Scooter and the Davis boys all have OBP's of at least .370. Of the bullpen crew on this evening, at least Santo Manzanillo is interesting -- the fireballer walked two in two scoreless innings but did strike out four for a 20-to-7 ratio in 14.2 innings (11 hits). The Manatees' team ERA is 9th in the 12-team league at 4.45. On the bright side, the 'Tees again played in post-card weather, 78 degrees and clear.

 

Brevard County Play-by-Play

You could argue which was more painful to watch, the eight-run 2nd or five-run 9th. I vote for the 9th -- you can just imagine the ground crew and office staff saying 'let's go already' --

 

Daytona Top of the 2nd

• Nelson Perez singles on a line drive to right fielder Kentrail Davis.
  
• Michael Burgess singles on a pop up to second baseman Scooter Gennett. Nelson Perez to 2nd.
  
• Evan Crawford doubles (6) on a ground ball to left fielder Khristopher Davis. Nelson Perez scores. Michael Burgess to 3rd.
  
• Michael Brenly walks.
  
• Logan Watkins reaches on fielding error by first baseman Hunter Morris. Michael Burgess scores. Evan Crawford to 3rd. Michael Brenly to 2nd.
  
• Junior Lake out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. Evan Crawford scores. Michael Brenly to 3rd.
  
• David Macias walks. Logan Watkins to 2nd.
  
• Jae-Hoon Ha hits a grand slam (6) to left field. Michael Brenly scores. Logan Watkins scores. David Macias scores.
  
• Pitcher Change: Evan Anundsen replaces Maverick Lasker.
  
• Justin Bour homers (7) on a fly ball to right center field.
  
• Nelson Perez flies out to right fielder Kentrail Davis.
  
• Michael Burgess grounds out, second baseman Scooter Gennett to first baseman Hunter Morris.

Daytona Top of the 9th

• Pitcher Change: Mark Willinsky replaces R. J. Seidel.
  
• Logan Watkins walks.
  
• Junior Lake walks. Logan Watkins to 2nd.
  
• David Macias walks. Logan Watkins to 3rd. Junior Lake to 2nd.
  
• Jae-Hoon Ha strikes out swinging.
  
• Justin Bour walks. Logan Watkins scores. Junior Lake to 3rd. David Macias to 2nd.
  
• Nelson Perez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Kentrail Davis. Junior Lake scores. David Macias to 3rd. Justin Bour to 2nd.
  
• Pitcher Change: Jonathan Pokorny replaces Mark Willinsky.
  
• Michael Burgess grounds out, second baseman Scooter Gennett to first baseman Hunter Morris. David Macias scores. Justin Bour to 3rd. Nelson Perez to 2nd.
  
• Evan Crawford singles on a pop up to second baseman Scooter Gennett. Justin Bour scores. Nelson Perez scores.
  
• Michael Brenly pops out to second baseman Scooter Gennett.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Quad Cities (Cardinals) 1, Wisconsin 0

Bandits edge Rattlers 1-0

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The fans in attendance for the game between the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and the Quad Cities River Bandits Saturday night at Time Warner Cable Field were treated to a pitcher's duel. St. Louis Cardinals top prospect Carlos Martinez and Kevin Siegrist combined on a two-hit shutout of the River Bandits for a 1-0 win. Austin Ross, the starter for the Rattlers and a pitching prospect for the Milwaukee Brewers, allowed one run on six hits over 7-1/3 innings.

 

Martinez, the #3 prospect in the Cardinals organization, tossed four hitless innings. He walked one, struck out six, and left after reaching his pitch count.

 

Siegrist did not allow a hit until a two-out single by Chris Dennis in the seventh inning.

 

Ross scattered five hits and struck out six through the first seven innings.

 

But, the River Bandits (14-15) broke through in the eighth. Ross retired the first batter. But a walk and a single put two runners on base. That was the end of the line for Ross.

 

Oscar Taveras greeted reliever Stosh Wawrzasek with a single to right on a 1-2 pitch to drive in the decisive run.

 

Wisconsin (11-15) had an opportunity to score off Siegrist in the bottom of the eighth. Catcher Tony Pechek drew a walk to start the inning. A sacrifice bunt attempt went awry and Pechek was still at first with one out when Quad Cities catcher Juan Castillo lost the ball out of his glove as he attempted a pickoff throw to first. The error allowed Pechek to get into scoring position.

 

Franklin Romero went into the game as a pinch runner for Pechek with Reggie Keen at the plate. Keen lined a single to right. Romero had to hold for a moment to make sure the ball would go through, but took off for third when it did get through to right field. Romero was going to stop at third, but Taveras bobbled the ball. Romero took off for home, but Taveras threw a strike to the plate, and Romero was out.

 

Siegrist got the final out of the eighth and retired the side in order in the ninth to record the shutout.

 

Game two of the series is Sunday afternoon at Time Warner Cable Field. Tyler Thornburg (1-0, 2.37) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Quad Cities sends Zach Russell (0-2, 6.75) to the mound. Game time is 1:05 PM.

 

On Mother's Day, the Timber Rattlers will be wearing special jerseys to promote breast cancer awareness. The jerseys will be up for bid during a silent auction. Proceeds from the auction will go to local cancer initiatives.

 

If you can't make it out to the game, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 12:45 PM.

 

Wisconsin Box Score

This was the American debut for the 19-year-old Cardinals' wunderkid Carlos Martinez, who posted ridiculous numbers vs. DSL opponents last season. With a WHIP still under 1.00 and nearly a K per inning, what more can we say about Austin Ross (check out the stat lines). The dude will be 23 in August -- push him to Brevard ASAP. Ross also shined a 9/3 GB/FB ratio in this one. Carlos George is the only true shortstop on the roster, so we'll have to keep an eye on that if he's hobbled for a while.

 

Wisconsin Play-by-Play

[Mass Haas]

Full story

River Bandits manager Johnny Rodriguez said the non-drafted free agent already has the makeup to be a star.

 

"I've been in baseball more than 30 years and he could be a No. 1 guy in St. Louis," Rodriguez said. "He was better than I had expected.

 

"He reminds me of when I saw a young Pedro Martinez in Albuquerque in the early '90s. In fact, he shows me more than what Pedro did at his age, and you know how his career went."

 

When he's torturing the Brewers in future years, last night's Appleton crowd can say they saw his American debut.