Link Report for Sat. 5/14 -- Rivas and Peralta done in by late stumbles; Rattlers win 7th straight

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Saturday's Daily Menu:

Times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: RHP Amaury Rivas at home vs. Sacramento (Athletics), 6:20 PM pre-game; 6:35 gametime

Live Audio Link

iPad/iPhone: Listen

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers

Huntsville: TBD at Jackson (Mariners), 6:05 PM gametime

Live Audio Link -- look for the Jackson feed off the master MiLB.com audio list

Brevard County: RHP Kyle Heckathorn at home vs. St. Lucie (Mets), 6:05 PM gametime

Live Audio Link -- look for the St. Lucie feed off the master MiLB.com audio list

 

Wisconsin: RHP Matt Miller at Clinton (Mariners), 5:40 PM pre-game; 6:00 gametime

Live Audio Link

[Mass Haas]

The Huntsville pitching staff doesn't appear to be in shape for a "bullpen" game.

 

Considering he's now eligible to come off the DL after his molar extraction dental work, it would be almost shocking if Wily Peralta were not activated prior to today's game.

 

The Stars would need to make a corresponding move. With Tim Dillard's spot now open in Nashville, Robert Hinton's return to AAA makes too much sense (Toby's tweet).

[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	19	16	.543	-	-	11-5	8-11	4-6	L2
	Iowa	15	20	.429	4.0	106	7-8	8-12	3-7	L1
	Memphis	12	22	.353	6.5	104	9-10	3-12	2-8	L3
	Nashville	12	22	.353	6.5	104	9-9	3-13	3-7	W3

SOU North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Tennessee	21	14	.600	-	-	10-5	11-9	5-5	W2
	Huntsville	19	15	.559	1.5	35	10-4	9-11	4-6	L2
	Jackson	18	15	.545	2.0	35	6-7	12-8	6-4	W1
	Chattanooga	18	17	.514	3.0	33	9-11	9-6	5-5	L2
	Carolina	10	25	.286	11.0	25	7-13	3-12	3-7	L4

FSL North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Daytona	25	10	.714	-	-	11-4	14-6	8-2	L1
	Clearwater	23	12	.657	2.0	34	13-7	10-5	7-3	L1
	Dunedin	18	17	.514	7.0	29	5-9	13-8	8-2	W4
	Lakeland	17	18	.486	8.0	28	9-7	8-11	4-6	W1
	Brevard County	13	22	.371	12.0	24	7-13	6-9	3-7	W2
	Tampa	13	22	.371	12.0	24	7-13	6-9	4-6	W1

MID Western
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Burlington	25	9	.735	-	-	11-2	14-7	7-3	W1
	Cedar Rapids	20	15	.571	5.5	-	10-6	10-9	3-7	L5
	Beloit	18	14	.563	6.0	37	10-5	8-9	5-5	W1
	Peoria	19	16	.543	6.5	35	11-5	8-11	7-3	L1
	Wisconsin	17	15	.531	7.0	36	10-9	7-6	7-3	W6
	Quad Cities	17	17	.500	8.0	34	8-10	9-7	6-4	W3
	Kane County	12	24	.333	14.0	27	8-12	4-12	4-6	W1
	Clinton	9	27	.250	17.0	24	4-16	5-11	1-9	L7

[Mass Haas]

The Huntsville pitching staff doesn't appear to be in shape for a "bullpen" game.

 

Considering he's now eligible to come off the DL after his molar extraction dental work, it would be almost shocking if Wily Peralta were not activated prior to today's game.

 

The Stars would need to make a corresponding move. With Tim Dillard's spot now open in Nashville, Robert Hinton's return to AAA makes too much sense (Toby's tweet).

Well, as our Transaction Thread now shows, I was half-right.

 

Almost certainly a Peralta start tonight to keep everyone else on their normal schedule.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes

See the notes as well as our Transaction Thread for a positive Mark Rogers update.

 

Rogers starts Sunday, with Sam Narron the odd man out of the rotation for now. If Narron backed up Rogers tomorrow, it'd be on normal four days' rest.

[battlekow]

Wisconsin game notes and lineup:

Nick Shaw – 2B

Greg Hopkins – 3B

Cody Hawn – 1B

Chris Dennis – LF

Mike Walker -DH

Reggie Keen – CF

TJ Mittelstaedt – RF

Tony Pechek – C

Yadiel Rivera – SS

Matt Miller – SP

The tarp is on the field, and as Chris said, "Be prepared for a long delay tonight."

[battlekow]

Saturday's 'Tees/Mets game postponed

Frank Longobardo/Brevard County Manatees

VIERA, Fla. -- The scheduled game on Saturday, May 14 between the Brevard County Manatees and the St. Lucie Mets has been postponed due to inclement weather.

The game will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader on Sunday, May 15 beginning at 4:05 p.m.

Fans with tickets from Saturday night's game can exchange them at the Space Coast Stadium ticket office for any other remaining Manatees regular season home game.

For more information, please visit manateesbaseball.com or call (321) 633-9200.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2010/07/04/bjPOJW5T.jpg

(Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

[battlekow]

Final: Wisconsin 7, @Clinton 5

Lucky number seven for Rattlers

Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

CLINTON, IA – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers beat the Clinton LumberKings 7-5 on Saturday night to do something that they have not done since 2003. By beating Clinton on a cool, windy, and rainy evening at Alliant Energy Field, Wisconsin extended their current winning streak to seven games. The last time a Rattlers team won seven straight was May 25-June 7 of 2003 when that edition of the Rattlers won nine straight games.

Mike Walker put the Rattlers (18-15) up in the first inning. Walker’s two-out, two-run double painted the left field line to score Nick Shaw and Cody Hawn.

Tony Pechek helped the Rattlers pad their lead in the fifth inning. TJ Mittelstaedt drew a leadoff walk. Then, Pechek lined a pitch to the gap in right-center. Mittelstaedt scored easily and the Rattlers catcher hustled around to third base for his first professional triple. Pechek wasn’t done hustling either. He scored later in the frame on a wild pitch for a 4-0 lead.

But, Clinton (9-28) rallied against Rattlers starting pitcher Matt Miller. Shaver Hansen doubled in a run in the fifth. In the sixth, Carlos Ramirez reached on an error to start the inning. Tim Morris launched the next pitch over the wall in right for a two-run homer to make the score 4-3.

Eric Marzec relieved Miller and retired the next three LumberKings batters to keep Wisconsin in front.

Wisconsin loaded the bases in the top of the seventh inning on singles by Mittelstaedt and Pechek. Yadiel Rivera attempted to sacrifice the runners up, but his bunt was fielded by Clinton catcher Steven Baron, who threw to third. But, Stefen Romero dropped the ball as he tried to back up and find the bag.

Shaw was next, but his grounder to third turned into a force at home for the first out. Greg Hopkins was next and he grounded the ball to Morris at first. Morris threw wildly to the plate and Pechek scored. Rivera tried to score on the play, but a wicked carom brought the ball back to Baron who tagged Rivera for the second out.

Hawn was next and his grounder to second was booted by Hansen. Hansen tried to flip the ball underhanded to first base to get Hawn, but the ball slipped out of his hand and barely made it halfway to first. That allowed both Shawn and Hopkins to score for a 7-3 lead.

Marzec and Brian Garman kept the LumberKings off the scoreboard through the eighth inning. But, the rain came down harder just before the bottom of the ninth inning started and that made the task a bit tougher for Stosh Wawrzasek.

The Rattlers reliever had two on with one out when Baron sent a one-hopper to Shaw at second. But, the ball splashed into a puddle and Shaw couldn’t come up with the ball clean. Instead of an game-ending double play, a force at second got the second out and left runners at the corners.

A wild pitch by Wawrzasek allowed the runner from third to score and Baron to take second. Then, Hansen singled to drive in Baron and the score was 7-5.

Thomas Keeling relieved Wawrzasek to face Carlos Hernandez, the tying run. Keeling got him to ground slowly back to the mound. Keeling made sure he kept his feet in the slippery conditions and made a good throw to first to close out the game.

The LumberKings have lost eight straight games.

Wisconsin is three games over the .500 mark for the first time since they were 3-0 to start the 2009 season.

The Timber Rattlers and the LumberKings play the final game of the series on Sunday afternoon at Alliant Energy Field. Charly Bashara (2-1, 3.18) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Rattlers. Clinton will send Taijuan Walker (0-2, 9.95) to the mound. Game time is 2:00pm. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 1:40pm.

Wisconsin box score

It's been quite a run for the Rattlers, but not so much for Miller. After walking seven in his last start, he threw plenty of strikes today (52 in 78 pitches) but didn't miss any bats, failing to record a strikeout. This was Garman's first appearance since coming off the DL a couple days ago; after a really terrible beginning to his season, nice to see him have a quiet outing. Keeling only needed to get one out, but it does technically extend his walkless streak to four games. Efficient offense from the Rattlers--only 11 baserunners, but seven runs. Mittelstaedt was on three times with two walks and a single. Hawn had a double.

Wisconsin play-by-play

[battlekow]

Final: Sacramento 3, @Nashville 2

River Cats Plate Late Run To Defeat Sounds In Series Opener

Nashville Sounds

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds had their three-game winning streak halted on Saturday evening at Greer Stadium as the visiting Sacramento River Cats scored a run in the top of the ninth inning to post a 3-2 victory in the opener of a four-game series.

The loss was the eighth last at-bat defeat suffered this season by Nashville (12-23). The teams combined for only nine hits on the night and went just 1-for-14 combined with runners in scoring position in the game.

In the decisive ninth, Jai Miller led off by drawing a walk from Sounds reliever Donovan Hand and scored the eventual winning run one batter later when River Cats catcher Josh Donaldson followed with an RBI double off the base of the center field wall.

Right-handed reliever Joey Devine retired the Sounds in order in the bottom of the frame, including two strikeouts, to secure the victory and pick up his second save of the year.

Willie Eyre (3-1) was awarded the win for the River Cats despite suffering a blown save in the contest. Hand (0-2) took the loss for the Sounds after allowing the game-winning run in his lone inning.

Sounds first baseman Mat Gamel broke a scoreless deadlock the hard way in the bottom of the third inning, taking a pitch from Sacramento starter Travis Banwart off the elbow with the bases loaded to force home Taylor Green.

Nashville had loaded the bases with one out by drawing three walks from the River Cats right-hander, but netted only one run as Brendan Katin struck out for the second out then Edwin Maysonet followed Gamel by grounding out to end the inning.

Sounds starting pitcher Amaury Rivas cruised through the first six innings in scoreless fashion, retiring 14 straight Sacramento batters from the second through the sixth innings. It matched the longest such stretch by a Sounds hurler this season (Rivas on April 7 vs. New Orleans).

The right-hander ran into trouble in the seventh as Sacramento took advantage of a pair of errors by third baseman Green to grab a 2-1 lead.

The River Cats loaded the bases to start the inning. Steve Tolleson led off with a single and advanced to second when Green misfired to the second base bag after fielding a Matt Carson grounder, then Michael Taylor walked to fill the bags. After a strikeout, Green committed his second gaff of the frame when he failed to handle a Josh Donaldson grounder, allowing a pair of runs to cross home to give the visitors the lead.

Rivas re-loaded the bases by walking Shane Peterson and was replaced on the Nashville hill by Sean Green. The sidewinding right-hander escaped the bases-loaded jam with no further damage as he induced Wes Timmons, the first batter he faced, to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Rivas, who recorded a season-high eight strikeouts in the contest, took a hard-luck no-decision after allowing two unearned runs on two hits over his 6 1/3 innings. The right-hander tossed 107 pitches on the evening, the most by a Nashville hurler all season.

The Sounds rallied to tie the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the frame with an unearned run off Banwart.

The Sacramento right-hander had recorded 11 straight outs, including the first two of the Nashville seventh, before left fielder Michael Taylor dropped Green's fly ball, allowing him to reach second on the play. Caleb Gindl then greeted Eyre with an RBI double off the base of the left field wall to even the contest.

Green kept the game tied as he worked out of a jam in a scoreless eighth. After Sacramento placed a runner on third with one out, he struck out Tolleson and Taylor for the final two outs of the frame.

Gamel had the Sounds' longest hit streak of the year snapped at eight games with an 0-for-3 effort. Maysonet went 1-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to eight.

The teams continue the series with a 2:05 p.m. matinee on Sunday afternoon. Right-hander Mark Rogers (0-2, 9.45) makes his first start since April 23rd when he mans the bump for the Sounds. Sacramento will counter with right-hander Yadel Marti (1-0, 5.46).

Nashville box score

Even though he lost it a bit in the 7th with the two walks, still a great game from Rivas. 68 of his 107 pitches were strikes, and he posted a great 9/1 GO/FO. In addition to his double, Gindl walked and threw out a runner at third. Taylor Green and Eric Farris went hitless, though Green did draw a free pass. Tough game defensively, though. Katin DH'd but was pinch-run for after singling in the 8th because of his knee.

Nashville play-by-play

[battlekow]

Final: @Jackson 5, Huntsville 3

Huntsville box score

That's the Jackson Generals, nee the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx. Wily Peralta, fresh off the DL after some dental work, pitched well through five innings, allowing a run on six hits while striking out four and walking one, but could only get one out in the 6th and gave up two more scores. He ended up throwing 91 pitches (57 strikes) and didn't keep the ball on the ground as much as usual, posting an even 6/6 GO/FO. The Stars couldn't solve Generals starter Erasmo Ramirez (not the same guy as the former Sounds reliever); he went eight innings and allowed just one run. Once Ramirez was out of the game, they got two in the top of the 9th to make it interesting but couldn't fully close the gap. Erik Komatsu rekindled his (pine?) flame with two doubles, and Brandon Jones had two hits while driving in all three Huntsville runs. Other hits? There weren't any. Lee Haydel did draw a walk, which we always like to see.

Huntsville play-by-play

Meadows did a good job in keeping an extra run off Peralta's line:

Jackson Bottom of the 6th

• Rich Poythress grounds out, first baseman Steffan Wilson to pitcher Wily Peralta.
• Johermyn Chavez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Erik Komatsu.
• Nate Tenbrink triples (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Erik Komatsu. Johermyn Chavez scores.
• Eddy Martinez-Esteve triples (1) on a sharp line drive to center fielder Erik Komatsu. Nate Tenbrink scores.
• Pitcher Change: Daniel Meadows replaces Wily Peralta.
• Ralph Henriquez called out on strikes.
• Carlos Triunfel strikes out swinging.

The Stars actually had the tying runs on base before the rally fizzled out hardcore:

Huntsville Top of the 9th

• Pitcher Change: Brian Moran replaces Erasmo Ramirez.
• Lee Haydel walks.
• Erik Komatsu doubles (8) on a line drive to left fielder Jake Shaffer. Lee Haydel to 3rd.
• Pitcher Change: Scott Patterson replaces Brian Moran.
• Angel Gonzalez walks.
• Brandon Jones singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jake Shaffer. Lee Haydel scores. Erik Komatsu scores. Angel Gonzalez to 2nd.
• Steffan Wilson called out on strikes.
• Chuck Caufield strikes out swinging.
• Sergio Miranda grounds out, shortstop Carlos Triunfel to first baseman Rich Poythress.

[battlekow]

Toby reminds me: Sacramento's leadoff hitter is none other than Jemile Weeks, Rickie's brother and the Brewers' unsigned 8th-round draft pick from 2005.

[TooLiveBrew]

Jemile has had a great season at AAA so far. Hoping he continues his success.

[battlekow]

Chris Mehring's postgame thoughts include pointing out that the homer Matt Miller allowed was the first he's given up this year.

[Mass Haas]

I'd have to go back and check out his first four appearances, but Huntsville reliever Roque Mercedes has allowed at least one run in seven of his last ten appearances, including his last four, never pitching more than two innings. Brutal.

[CheezWizHed]

Toby reminds me: Sacramento's leadoff hitter is none other than Jemile Weeks, Rickie's brother and the Brewers' unsigned 8th-round draft pick from 2005.

 

Hmmm... So if we had Jemile at AAA and Rickie at MLB... that would have been an interesting problem.