Link Report for Fri. 5/20 -- Brandon Jones ends Stars' streak with walk-off blast

[Mass Haas]

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[Mass Haas]

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF!

Times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: RHP Amaury Rivas at Salt Lake City (Angels), 7:20 PM pre-game; 7:35 gametime

Live Audio Link

iPad/iPhone: Listen

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers

Huntsville: LHP Dan Merklinger at home vs. Montgomery (Rays), 6:43 PM gametime

Live Audio Link

iPad/iPhone: Listen

Traditional broadcast via the Montgomery feed: Listen

Brevard County: RHP Kyle Heckathorn at Fort Myers (Twins), 6:05 PM gametime

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

 

Wisconsin: LHP Charly Bashara at home vs. Burlington (Athletics), 6:15 PM pre-game; 6:35 gametime

Live Audio Link

[Mass Haas]

Follow Friday's action as it happens:

Nashville (Gameday also available)
Huntsville (Gameday also available)
Brevard County

Wisconsin

[Mass Haas]

The Burlington Bees (smallest market in full-season minor league baseball -- Burlington, Iowa) are sporting a 29-10 record. As Chris noted, the Timber Rattlers are now in the wild card lead, so a big challenge for them this series.

 

PCL American North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Omaha	23	16	.590	-	-	11-5	12-11	6-4	W4
	Iowa	18	22	.450	5.5	100	8-8	10-14	4-6	W1
	Memphis	16	23	.410	7.0	99	12-11	4-12	5-5	W1
	Nashville	15	24	.385	8.0	98	11-11	4-13	6-4	W2

SOU North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Jackson	24	15	.615	-	-	12-7	12-8	8-2	W7
	Tennessee	25	16	.610	-	-	11-5	14-11	6-4	W3
	Chattanooga	20	20	.500	4.5	26	11-14	9-6	4-6	L2
	Huntsville	19	21	.475	5.5	25	10-5	9-16	2-8	L8
	Carolina	11	29	.275	13.5	17	7-13	4-16	2-8	L3

FSL North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Daytona	29	12	.707	-	-	13-6	16-6	6-4	W2
	Clearwater	25	16	.610	4.0	26	13-9	12-7	4-6	L2
	Dunedin	23	18	.561	6.0	24	8-10	15-8	9-1	W5
	Lakeland	20	21	.488	9.0	21	9-9	11-12	5-5	L2
	Tampa	17	24	.415	12.0	18	9-13	8-11	7-3	W2
	Brevard County	15	26	.366	14.0	16	7-15	8-11	5-5	L2

MID Western
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Burlington	29	10	.744	-	-	15-3	14-7	7-3	W1
	Wisconsin	21	18	.538	8.0	-	13-11	8-7	7-3	W2
	Beloit	21	19	.525	8.5	31	11-7	10-12	4-6	L2
	Cedar Rapids	21	19	.525	8.5	31	11-8	10-11	1-9	W1
	Peoria	21	19	.525	8.5	31	12-7	9-12	5-5	W1
	Quad Cities	21	19	.525	8.5	31	8-10	13-9	7-3	L1
	Kane County	15	26	.366	15.0	24	9-13	6-13	6-4	L1
	Clinton	11	30	.268	19.0	20	5-17	6-13	2-8	L1

[Mass Haas]

Link Report Bonus:

 

Tonight in Salt Lake, the Sounds (actually an ironic team name in this case) go up against Salt Lake LH starting pitcher Ryan Ketchner, who is deaf.

 

Ketchner was drafted in 2000 by the Angels and is now 29, and at AAA is on the cusp, but still waiting for a big-league callup, now in his 5th big league organization. Cusp defined by level only, not necessarily by performance / prospect status.

 

In this recent news piece, Ketchner is interviewed in the accompanying video link. Do check it out if you think you'd be interested. Very cool.

 

FYI -- back in 2003, the Brewers drafted deaf LHP Justin Wilson out of an Arizona community college in the 37th round. Wilson topped out at Helena in 2004.

[battlekow]

Nashville game notes

[Southern Leaguer]

Huntsville TV station is quoting Hunter Morris' high school coach as saying Morris has been promoted to the Stars. No confirmation from the team, though.

[TooLiveBrew]

Thanks, StarsBooster! Hope that's true, I like that they're being aggressive with him if that's the case.

[Tedaldtada]

It would make sense with Halton going down. Take Logan with you, Hunter.

[SZBrewerFan]

Mark Rogers being......well Mark Rogers. Maybe Helena will have a spot open in their rotation in a couple of weeks!

[battlekow]

Final: @Huntsville 6, Montgomery 5

Huntsville box score

They really meant that guarantee this time. After being handcuffed by top prospect Matt Moore through six innings, the Stars entering the bottom of the 7th trailing 5-1. They scored one run in the 7th and one in the 8th to narrow the gap before Brandon Jones belted a two-out walk-off three-run homer to break their eight-game losing skein in thrilling fashion. Lee Haydel was on three times with two hits and a walk, Erik Komatsu also had a hit and a walk, and Hainley Statia singled and doubled. Dan Merklinger was effective albeit uninspiring as the starter, allowing two runs (one earned) in 5.2 innings with a 2/2 K/BB. Darren Byrd was knocked around for three runs in Merklinger's stead. Hopefully Corey Frerichs, who turned in two scoreless frames for the win, is finding his footing at AA.

Huntsville play-by-play

Huntsville Bottom of the 7th

• Martin Maldonado lines out to left fielder Reid Fronk.
• Sergio Miranda reaches on throwing error by shortstop Tim Beckham.
• Hainley Statia singles on a ground ball to right fielder John Matulia. Sergio Miranda to 3rd.
• Lee Haydel strikes out swinging.
• Erik Komatsu singles on a soft line drive to right fielder John Matulia. Sergio Miranda scores. Hainley Statia to 3rd.
• Angel Gonzalez flies out to center fielder John Shelby.

Huntsville Bottom of the 8th

• Brandon Jones singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Daniel Mayora. Brandon Jones advances to 2nd, on throwing error by third baseman Daniel Mayora.
• Steffan Wilson flies out to right fielder John Matulia.
• Chuck Caufield grounds out, third baseman Daniel Mayora to first baseman Henry Wrigley.
• Martin Maldonado singles on a ground ball to left fielder Reid Fronk, deflected by pitcher Neil Schenk. Brandon Jones scores.
• Sergio Miranda flies out to center fielder John Shelby.

Huntsville Bottom of the 9th

• Hainley Statia strikes out swinging.
• Lee Haydel singles on a line drive to left fielder Reid Fronk.
• Erik Komatsu walks. Lee Haydel to 2nd.
• Angel Gonzalez flies out to right fielder John Matulia. Lee Haydel to 3rd.
• Brandon Jones homers (2) on a fly ball to right center field. Lee Haydel scores. Erik Komatsu scores.

Haydel and Sergio Miranda teamed up to cut down what could have been an important insurance run for the Biscuits in the 8th;

Montgomery Top of the 8th

• Pitcher Change: Corey Frerichs replaces Darren Byrd.
• Nevin Ashley doubles (6) on a fly ball to left fielder Lee Haydel. Nevin Ashley out at 3rd, left fielder Lee Haydel to second baseman Sergio Miranda to third baseman Angel Gonzalez.
• Henry Wrigley strikes out swinging.
• Reid Fronk singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Brandon Jones.
• John Shelby pops out to shortstop Hainley Statia.

[battlekow]

Final: @Fort Myers 7, Brevard County 2

Brevard County box score

"Rehabbing" Mark Rogers got the start instead of Kyle Heckathorn and continued his struggles, allowing three runs while only recording five outs. He allowed four hits, walked three, hit a batter, and only struck out one. Mark Willinsky also allowed three runs in relief, and the Sea Cows were sunk. Kentrail Davis led the way on offense with his second homer; he also drew two free passes. Scooter Gennett and Hunter Morris each singled and walked. Khris Davis was back in the lineup; he took a walk and was hit by a pitch. Shawn Zarraga was back, too, and went 1-4. Logan Schafer walked once in five trips, committed a fielding error, and threw a runner out at third.

Brevard County play-by-play

Fort Myers Bottom of the 1st

• Aaron Hicks grounds out to first baseman Brock Kjeldgaard.
• James Beresford walks.
• Brian Dozier singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Mike Brownstein. James Beresford to 2nd.
• Nathan Hanson pops out to first baseman Brock Kjeldgaard.
• Daniel Rams singles on a line drive to left fielder Khristopher Davis. James Beresford scores. Brian Dozier to 3rd.
• Anderson Hidalgo grounds out, third baseman Mike Brownstein to first baseman Brock Kjeldgaard.

Fort Myers Bottom of the 2nd

• Reggie Williams walks.
• Ramon Santana strikes out swinging.
• Steven Liddle hit by pitch. Reggie Williams to 2nd.
• Aaron Hicks singles on a fly ball to center fielder Logan Schafer. Reggie Williams to 3rd. Steven Liddle to 2nd.
• James Beresford grounds into a force out, shortstop Shea Vucinich to second baseman Scooter Gennett. Reggie Williams scores. Steven Liddle to 3rd. Aaron Hicks out at 2nd. James Beresford to 1st.
• Brian Dozier singles on a ground ball to center fielder Logan Schafer. Steven Liddle scores. James Beresford to 2nd.
• Nathan Hanson walks. James Beresford to 3rd. Brian Dozier to 2nd.
• Pitcher Change: Mark Willinsky replaces Mark Rogers.
• Daniel Rams called out on strikes.

[And That]

James Beresford walks.

Random, useless info...

 

James is the younger brother of former Brewers farmhand Simon Beresford. Simon was one of the last guys the Brewers signed as an amateur out of Australia.

 

Simon Beresford stats from the way-back machine.

[battlekow]

Final: Nashville 5, @Salt Lake 2

Sounds Win Second Straight In Salt Lake, 5-2

Nashville Sounds

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - The Nashville Sounds won their third straight game on Friday evening at Spring Mobile Ballpark, defeating the Salt Lake Bees by a 5-2 margin.

Sounds third baseman Chris Nowak (2-for-4) spotted the visitors a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning, drilling Ryan Ketchner's 3-1 offering over the left field wall for a one-out solo homer. It was the infielder's first roundtripper of the year.

Salt Lake evened the contest at 1-1 in the home half of the fourth when Andrew Romine drew an inning-opening walk from Sounds starter Amaury Rivas then later scored on a groundout.

Nashville reclaimed the lead in the fifth when Eric Farris' two-out single off Ketchner to right plated catcher Dayton Buller to make it a 2-1 game.

The Bees came back to re-knot the score at 2-2 in the seventh against Nashville reliever Donovan Hand. Gil Velazquez greeted the right-hander with a single and tied the contest two batters later when he raced home on Dwayne Bailey's one-out double to right.

The Sounds pulled back in front in the eighth when Mat Gamel's two-out single to left off Salt Lake reliever Horacio Ramirez brought home Caleb Gindl.

Nashville tacked on a pair of insurance runs with two outs in the ninth against Bees reliever Michael Kohn. After the first two batters of the frame were retired, Buller doubled then Nowak and Gindl delivered consecutive RBI singles to extend the Sounds' lead to 5-2.

Mark DiFelice worked around a leadoff single by Velazquez in the bottom of the ninth to toss a scoreless frame and notch his team-leading fifth save for Nashville.

Hand (1-2) backed into the victory for the Sounds after suffering a blown save in the contest. He allowed one run in his two innings of work.

Ramirez (2-1) was saddled with his first loss of the year after surrendering the go-ahead run in his only frame of action.

Rivas took a no-decision despite working his team-leading fifth quality start of the year. The right-hander allowed just one run on four hits over his six innings of work, but walked five batters while striking out only three. He induced nine groundouts against only one flyout during his 97-pitch effort.

The teams continue the series with another 7:35 p.m. CT meeting on Saturday. Sounds left-hander Sam Narron (1-1, 3.44) will make the start to face Salt Lake right-hander Brian Lawrence (2-2, 5.21).

Nashville box score

As you would expect given the walk total, Rivas wasn't in the zone much: 97 pitches, only 53 strikes. DiFelice continues to do solid work--two strikeouts and no walks tonight give him a 16/3 K/BB in 12.1 innings; gotta figure he'll see Milwaukee at some point this year. Gindl had three hits, so his on-base streak continues. Brett Carroll drew two walks and threw out yet another runner. Buller entered the game in the 3rd for George Kottaras in what would have been Kottaras's first plate appearance.

Nashville play-by-play

The only play Kottaras was involved in before being lifted was a caught-stealing in the bottom of the 1st; perhaps he fainted from shock or retired on the spot.

[battlekow]

Final: @Wisconsin 4, Burlington 3

Mittelstaedt’s homer makes the difference

Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

GRAND CHUTE, WI – TJ Mittelstaedt’s leadoff homer in the bottom of the seventh inning provided the winning margin for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Friday night. Wisconsin topped the Burlington Bees 4-3 at Time Warner Cable Field to secure their third consecutive win.

The Rattlers (22-18) scored a run in the bottom of the first inning against Burlington starter Blake Hassebrock. Reggie Keen reached on an error to start the inning. He stole second. Then, Mittelstaedt drew a walk. One out later, Keen broke for third early and Hassebrock stepped off the pitching rubber to throw directly to third. However, his throw was wild and Keen scored easily for a 1-0 lead.

Hassebrock walked four in the inning, but the Rattlers could not convert another run in the frame.

Burlington (29-11) tied the game against Timber Rattlers starter Charly Bashara in the second on a two-out RBI single by AJ Kirby-Jones.

But, the Rattlers took the lead again with single runs in the second and the third. Mittelstaedt singled in Nick Shaw with two outs in the second. Then, Franklin Romero beat out a potential inning-ending double play to let Mike Walker score from third for a 3-1 advantage.

But, the Bees evened the game again with an RBI double by Yorby Cabrera in the fifth and a solo homer to left-center by Wade Kirkland in the sixth.

The Bees, who entered Friday’s game with the best record in the Midwest League, looked poised to take the lead in the top of the seventh against reliever Tyler Cravy as the first two batters reached on singles. Cravy recovered and struck out the next three batters to keep the game tied heading to the seventh inning stretch.

The game did not remain tied long. Mittelstaedt deposited a 1-0 pitch from Bees reliever Pedro Vidal on the deck in right field and the Rattlers went up 4-3.

Cravy worked a scoreless eighth inning. Then, Greg Holle recorded his tenth save of the season with a perfect ninth inning.

The teams continue their series on Saturday evening with a pair of seven inning games. Game one of the twinbill is set to start at 5:05pm. There will be a 30 minute break between the end of game one and the start of game two. The Timber Rattlers had tentatively named Brooks Hall as their starting pitcher in game one and the game two starter had yet to be announced. If Hall does start game one, it will be the Midwest League debut for the 4th round pick of the Brewers from the 2009 draft. Burlington has announced Josh Bowman (4-0, 3.16) and Nate Long (2-0, 3.24) as their starters for game one and game two.

If you can’t make it out to the ballpark, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com for the Miller Lite Pregame Show starting at 4:45pm.

Wisconsin box score

He's 23, so it doesn't quite fit, but I'll be playing

tonight in honor of Mittelstaedt, the former Long Beach State Dirtbag. Walker had a hit and two lived up his last name twice, and Tyler Roberts also drew two free passes, which has to be the first time he's done that all year given that he had all of six entering the game. No Cody Hawn again today. Keen's two steals give him 17 already and put him on pace for over 60. Cravy's been erratic this year but has turned in a couple of overpowering relief outings; his 20/5 K/BB in 14.1 IP is grand, but the 23 hits he's allowed explains his near-seven ERA.

Wisconsin play-by-play

[Mass Haas]

Be sure, like always, to check out all of Chris' post-game Rattler thoughts (the thoughts that rattle around in his head?).

See, to me, I'm more amazed by the fact that T.J. Mittlestaedt's walk-up music for the night has been viewed over 1,000,000 times on YouTube than I am that he actually had the song for his walk-up.

Oh yeah, at that same link, you'll find this:

[Mass Haas]

[Mass Haas]

Buller entered the game in the 3rd for George Kottaras in what would have been Kottaras's first plate appearance.

Nashville play-by-play

The only play Kottaras was involved in before being lifted was a caught-stealing in the bottom of the 1st; perhaps he fainted from shock or retired on the spot.

**********

 

I pulled up the MiLB.TV archive to see what we could learn. Turns out that Dayton Buller was the starting catcher, and it was his throw that nailed the runner (awesome throw by the way, off an offspeed pitch, yet). So no faint or retirement for Kottaras -- it'll be interesting to see if Buller gets credit for the CS in updated stats. The Salt Lake announcer indicated that Kottaras had been listed as the starter, but there had been a late change in the starting lineup.