Link Report for Tue. 6/21 -- Manatees Sink in Matinee; Suppan shuts out Sounds

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Tuesday's Daily Menu:
Times Central; pitchers subject to change --

Nashville: RHP Amaury Rivas at home vs. Omaha (Royals), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime
Live Audio Link
iPad/iPhone: Listen
MiLB.TV -- for subscribers

Huntsville: Southern League All-Star game in Jackson, TN -- Stars' players Erik Komatsu and Steffan Wilson start, RHP's Wily Peralta and Michael Bowman should see action; 7:15 gametime
Live Audio Link -- Select the Jackson feed from the MiLB main audio page

Brevard County: RHP Maverick Lasker at Dunedin (Blue Jays), 11:00 AM gametime
Live Audio Link -- Select the Dunedin feed from the MiLB main audio page

Wisconsin: Midwest League All-Star game in Davenport, IA -- Timber Rattlers' RHP's Austin Ross and Tyler Thornburg, along with position players Chris Dennis and Mike Walker, will all likely take part; 7:05 gametime
Live Audio Link -- Select the Quad Cities feed from the MiLB main audio page

Helena: RHP Brandon Williamson at home vs. Missoula (Diamondbacks), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime
Live Audio Link -- Select the Helena feed from the MiLB main audio page

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): Opening Night at home vs. the mini-Dodgers; games begin at 7:00 local time in the desert; never audio for games in this league

DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Athletics, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until late afternoon at the earliest

[Mass Haas]

Follow Tuesday's action as it happens:

Nashville (Gameday also available)

Southern League All-Star Game
Brevard County

Midwest League All-Star Game

Helena

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale)
DSL Brewers

[Mass Haas]

FYI -- Tonight's Midwest League All-Star Game is available via broadcast on Time Warner Cable Sports 32 TV.

[Mass Haas]

PCL American North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Omaha	38	33	.535	-	-	21-15	17-18	4-6	L3
	Memphis	37	33	.529	0.5	74	23-16	14-17	8-2	W1
	Nashville	31	39	.443	6.5	68	19-15	12-24	4-6	L1
	Iowa	31	40	.437	7.0	67	14-17	17-23	4-6	L1

FSL North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
*	Daytona	46	22	.676	-	-	25-10	21-12	4-6	L3
	Clearwater	39	29	.574	7.0	E	20-13	19-16	2-8	L3
	Dunedin	37	31	.544	9.0	E	16-18	21-13	6-4	L1
	Tampa	36	32	.529	10.0	E	16-17	20-15	7-3	W4
	Lakeland	35	33	.515	11.0	E	20-16	15-17	5-5	W1
	Brevard County	27	41	.397	19.0	E	14-21	13-20	6-4	W3

PIO North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Great Falls	1	0	1.000	-	-	0-0	1-0	1-0	W1
	Helena	1	0	1.000	-	-	1-0	0-0	1-0	W1
	Billings	0	1	.000	1.0	37	0-1	0-0	0-1	L1
	Missoula	0	1	.000	1.0	37	0-0	0-1	0-1	L1

AZL Central
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	AZL Indians	1	0	1.000	-	-	1-0	0-0	1-0	W1
	AZL Brewers	0	0	-	0.5	56	0-0	0-0	0-0	-
	AZL Dodgers	0	0	-	0.5	56	0-0	0-0	0-0	-
	AZL Reds	0	1	.000	1.0	55	0-0	0-1	0-1	L1

DSL S.D. North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	DSL Mariners	13	5	.722	-	-	7-3	6-2	9-1	W9
	DSL Brewers	13	6	.684	0.5	54	5-3	8-3	5-5	L1
	DSL Athletics	7	12	.368	6.5	48	3-4	4-8	3-7	L1
	DSL Cardinals	5	14	.263	8.5	46	4-8	1-6	4-6	W1

[Mass Haas]

Brevard shows us how to leave the bases loaded in the top of the 1st, and Dunedin shows us how to clear the bases in the bottom of the frame -- not good:

 

Brevard County Top of the 1st

• Scooter Gennett lines out to center fielder Chris Hopkins.
  
• Kentrail Davis pops out to third baseman Sean Ochinko in foul territory.
  
• Hunter Morris walks.
  
• With Khristopher Davis batting, Hunter Morris steals (3) 2nd base.
  
• Khristopher Davis walks.
  
• Brock Kjeldgaard walks. Hunter Morris to 3rd. Khristopher Davis to 2nd.
  
• Shea Vucinich flies out to left fielder Brian Van Kirk.

Dunedin Bottom of the 1st

• Justin Jackson called out on strikes.
  
• Ryan Schimpf strikes out swinging.
  
• Sean Ochinko reaches on fielding error by shortstop Josh Prince.
  
• Brad Glenn walks. Sean Ochinko to 2nd.
  
• Jon Talley walks. Sean Ochinko to 3rd. Brad Glenn to 2nd.
  
• Brian Van Kirk hits a grand slam (3) to left center field. Sean Ochinko scores. Brad Glenn scores. Jon Talley scores.
  
• Kevin Ahrens strikes out swinging.

[And That]

Bradley Blanks made his Brewers organizational debut in the Brevard game.

 

Hunter Morris had a really odd game - 2 walks and 2 stolen bases. The odds of that happening again this season are about a hundred million quadrillion to one.

 

Young Efrain Nieves continues to thrive in relief. He's not a starting prospect any more, but he handles lefties pretty well.

[CheezWizHed]

Bradley Blanks made his Brewers organizational debut in the Brevard game.

 

And he lived up to his name:

1IP, 1H, 1BB, but no runs scored

[Mass Haas]

Final: @Dunedin 6, Brevard County 5

 

Brevard County Box Score

Manatees did a nice job bouncing back from the disastrous first inning documented above, but it wasn't enough to extend their three-game winning streak; Brevard outhit the D-Jays 10-7 and drew six walks (Manatees' pitchers walked seven), but the boys from Viera / Melbourne / Space Coast stranded 12 men. Starter Maverick Lasker's overall season line was protected via four unearned runs, but only lasted three innings and now sports a 5.74 ERA in a campaign filled with early departure starts; Hunter Morris (on base four times) and Scott Krieger (3-for-5) each homered; Morris stole two bases (four on the season) as the Manatees were 4-for-4 on the basepaths; Kentrail Davis (2-for-5, his 15th SB) continues to show signs of life as of late; D'Vontrey Richardson did not play -- he exited early in Brevard's previous game last Thursday; can the Blue Jays just promote 26-year-old All-Star closer and former Brewer farmhand Wes Etheridge already? 24 saves, seemingly all of them against his former organization...

 

Brevard County Play-by-Play

Newcomer Bradley Blanks threw a scoreless 6th, although it was quite eventful --

 

Dunedin Bottom of the 6th

• Pitcher Change: Bradley Blanks replaces Evan Anundsen.
  
• Chris Hopkins doubles (5) on a fly ball to left fielder Khristopher Davis.
  
• Justin Jackson reaches on a fielder's choice out, pitcher Bradley Blanks to shortstop Josh Prince to third baseman Shea Vucinich. Chris Hopkins out at 3rd. Justin Jackson to 2nd on the throw.
  
• Ryan Schimpf walks.
  
• Sean Ochinko grounds into double play, shortstop Josh Prince to second baseman Scooter Gennett to first baseman Hunter Morris. Ryan Schimpf out at 2nd.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes

We learn that LHP Daniel Meadows will start Game One of Wednesday's doubleheader (spot start, bullpen game).

[battlekow]

Final: @DSL Brewers 5, DSL Athletics 2

DSL Brewers box score

The Cerveceritos entered the 6th down 2-0 but got a run, three more in the 7th, and another in the 8th to cap a nice comeback. Strong start for towering lefty Eliezer Montano, who allowed two runs in six innings with a 4/0 K/BB (though he hit three batters). He was backed up capably by 19-year-old righty Orlando Torrez, who struck out five over the last three frames. 19-year-old middle infielder Alejandro Mendoza had a great day with a double, walk, and his first career homer, a two-out, three-run shot. Dionis Hinojosa was perfect with a single, double, walk, and HBP. Jose Pena also doubled and walked. Orlando Arcia was 0-4. All told, six batters between the two teams were plunked. So DSL.

DSL Brewers play-by-play

If not for Mendoza, they might have gotten nothing out of a promising inning:

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 7th

• Dionis Hinojosa walks.
• Natanael Mejia singles on a ground ball to center fielder Alfredo Sosa. Dionis Hinojosa to 2nd.
• Pitcher Change: Jose Castillo replaces Yordy Alejo.
• Raphachel Colatosti out on a sacrifice bunt, third baseman Renato Nunez to second baseman Rodolfo Penalo. Dionis Hinojosa to 3rd. Natanael Mejia to 2nd.
• Yonki Hernandez reaches on a fielder's choice out, first baseman Wilman Martinez to catcher Argenis Raga. Dionis Hinojosa out at home. Natanael Mejia to 3rd.
• With Alejandro Mendoza batting, Yonki Hernandez steals (7) 2nd base.
• Alejandro Mendoza homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Natanael Mejia scores. Yonki Hernandez scores.
• Orlando Arcia grounds out, third baseman Renato Nunez to first baseman Wilman Martinez.

[Tedaldtada]

You just would not believe what Suppan did to the Sounds tonight.

 

And Taylor Green has received a ton of well-deserved love lately, but Gamel has been the best hitter on that team all year, without a doubt.

[battlekow]

Final: Omaha 7, @Nashville 0

Suppan Blanks Sounds With Two-Hit Shutout

Nashville Sounds

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Longtime Major Leaguer Jeff Suppan fired a complete-game, two-hit shutout to lead Omaha to a 7-0 victory over the Sounds on Tuesday evening at Greer Stadium in the opener of a five-game series.

Suppan (6-4) tossed the sixth shutout in the Pacific Coast League this season with his 99-pitch effort. He retired the final 13 Nashville batters in succession to close out the virtuoso performance.

Eric Farris and Mat Gamel each doubled to account for the Sounds' lone hits on the night.

Omaha broke a scoreless deadlock in the top of the fourth inning. The visitors took a 1-0 lead on Lance Zawadzki's two-out ground-rule double to left-center off Sounds starter Amaury Rivas that bounded over the outfield wall to plate Clint Robinson, who drew a one-out walk earlier in the frame.

The Storm Chasers padded their lead in the fifth with three more runs against Rivas, all scoring before a batter was retired. Cody Clark opened with a double and moved to third on a Paulo Orlando single before scoring on a David Lough single to center. Johnny Giovatella plated a pair of runs when he followed with a two-run double down the left field line to make it a 4-0 game.

Omaha tacked on two more runs in the eighth to up its advantage to 6-0. Robinson led off with a walk and moved to third on Kila Ka'aihue's line drive double down the right field line, which chased Rivas from the contest. Right-hander Zack Segovia took over on the hill and was greeted by a first-pitch, two-run single to right-center by former Sound Lorenzo Cain.

The visitors closed out the evening's scoring in the ninth when Robinson scored his third run of the night on Cain's one-out RBI single against Segovia.

Rivas (5-7) took the loss for Nashville after allowing six runs on eight hits over seven-plus innings of work. He walked five batters and struck out two in his season-high 109-pitch effort.

The teams continue the series with a 5:35 p.m. doubleheader on Wednesday that will make up an April 26 rainout. Both contests of the twinbill will be seven-inning affairs.

Left-hander Daniel Meadows (0-1, 6.75) will start Tuesday's opener for the Sounds to face Omaha right-hander Luis Mendoza (4-3, 3.00). Right-hander Frankie De La Cruz (1-4, 4.18) will start the nightcap for Nashville and square off against Kansas City Royals right-hander Sean O'Sullivan, who will make the first appearance of a rehabilitation assignment for the Storm Chasers.

Nashville box score

Ugh. What more to say? I don't even feel like posting the William Shatner picture. Rivas got a lot of grounders (11/3 GO/FO) but it hardly mattered. 109 pitches, 60 strikes; I dunno if five walks from a 55% strike rate is normal, but it looks a little off. Taylor Green and Caleb Gindl were a combined 0-7.

Nashville play-by-play

[YoungGeezy]

Very hard to see Steffan Wilson not winning All-Star Game MVP going 3-4 with 2 RBI's for the winning North team.

[brewmann04]

I hope that Wilson becomes a future Brewer utility player in a few years,

[YoungGeezy]

I hope that Wilson becomes a future Brewer utility player in a few years,

Last ST I thought he had a real chance, then all the injuries and really bad 2010 set him back but glad to see he is healthy and coming back around. It will be nice to see the competition between Wheeler, Farris, Green, Wilson next Spring for IF utility spots. Nice thing about Wilson is he can play all 4 Corners if needed.

 

I think Rivera being down in Helena and hitting right now is HUGE. His confidence was prob a little down in Wisconsin but his bat was coming along towards the end before being sent down. I think that experience overall will pay off great for him.

 

Ozuna is now 2-3 and just a flat out stud. I fell in love with him last season when he was Ruben "Sanchez" and really hope he can be the real deal. Seems as if Bruce Seid feels he hit gold when he talked about Ruben.

[brewmann04]

thanks for the update young geezy.

 

? is Ozuna a cf or corner OF

[battlekow]

Very hard to see Steffan Wilson not winning All-Star Game MVP going 3-4 with 2 RBI's for the winning North team.

Wrap-ups for the Stars' and Rattlers' All-Star Games can be found in their respective team threads.

[YoungGeezy]

thanks for the update young geezy.

 

? is Ozuna a cf or corner OF

Center Fielder. By them having a great athlete like Dowell move over to the corner I figure like Logan Shafer and Richardson, he is a guy who gets priority over the others at that spot. I think I have heard he is not a blazer like a Gomez but all around a very good CF with a solid arm, good speed and range (so maybe similar to a Shafer defensively as well but I could be wrong)

 

 

[Mass Haas]

Final: @Helena 5, Missoula 4

 

Rivera Leads Series Sweep

By Nicholas Allen / Helena Brewers

 

Brewers shortstop Yadiel Rivera was big for the Brewers at the plate and in the field Tuesday night in Helena. Rivera, ranked by Baseball America as the 21st-best prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers organization entering 2011, lived up to that status going 2-for-4, adding his first home run. He collected two RBI and scored two runs as the Brewers defeated the Missoula Osprey 5-4 at Kindrick Legion Field. Hot-hitting Joey Paciorek added two doubles in four at-bats, dropping his average to .556.

 

Brandon Williamson (1-0) started on the mound for the Brewers. He pitched seven strong innings, striking out six while giving up just six hits and one mistake, a three-run home run to Josh Parr in the top of the fifth inning. Following Parr's homer, Williamson set down eight Osprey hitters in a row to complete his outing and pick up his first professional victory. Alan Williams pitched the final two frames, surrendering just one hit and one walk while punching out five Missoula hitters to collect his first save. Enrique Burgos (0-1) took the loss for the Osprey, giving up five runs (four earned) in four innings of work.

 

Rivera showed his great defensive ability in the top of the fifth inning when he ranged deep into the hole with a smooth backhand and strong throw to retire Ryan Court and the Osprey's fifth inning rally. He added another nice play when he chased a chopper deep behind the second base bag and with his momentum carrying him into the outfield, fired a strike to first in time to retire Matthew Jensen in the seventh.

 

The Brewers move to 2-0 on the season, sweeping the Osprey at home. The series shifts to Missoula on Wednesday where lefty Mike Strong (0-0, 0.00) will take the mound for the Brewers against Missoula's Jesse Darrah. The Brewers return to Kindrick Legion Field for a five game homestand Friday June 24.

 

Yadiel Rivera Photo by Lisa Kunkel

 

http://helena.brewers.milb.com/images/2011/06/22/d6Utkct2.png

[Mass Haas]

Williamson, Williamses lead the way in 5-4 Brewers win

by Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record

Apparently to be good in the Pioneer League, it helps if your name is Williams.

Or Williamson, for that matter.

Helena Brewers starter Brandon Williamson twirled seven sterling innings in his professional debut, Alan Williams struck out the side in the ninth to earn the save and Adrian Williams had a pair of defensive gems at second base Tuesday. The trio helped Helena to a 5-4 victory over the Missoula Osprey at Kindrick Legion Field, sweeping the two-game series.

With their second nail-biting win in as many nights, the Brewers are 2-0 and alone in first place in the Pioneer League North standings.

“That’s a great way to start,” Helena manager Joe Ayrault said. “We did what you have to do in baseball to win ball games. We got great pitching, solid defense and playing errorless baseball tonight was outstanding.”

The Brewers held the Osprey scoreless for three innings Tuesday, each frame with an impressive moment. Helena’s Kyle Dhanani and Parker Berberet turned an inning-ending 5-3-5 double play in the first; Adrian Williams backhanded a hard liner by Eric Groff in the second; and Williams made another fine play in the third, diving to field a bullet by Josh Parr and get the throw to first in time for the final out.

Meanwhile, Williamson kept batters on their toes by mixing his offspeed pitches, getting hitters to chase his curveball and keeping command of his fastball, which has reached the low 90s in the past.

The right-hander who recently helped lead Dallas Baptist University to the NCAA Super Regionals in their second season as a Division I program earned the win, striking out six and allowing just six hits and four earned runs.

“It was exciting,” Williamson said. “This is something I’ve looked forward to since I was a little kid, and to actually get a chance, I’m extremely blessed. Our offense came out early and was able to score some runs so I was able to not worry about anything really, just try to pitch my game.”

Yadiel Rivera got the Brewers on the board in the bottom of the third, when the shortstop struck a two-run homer into the net in left field. Joey Paciorek’s bat was hot for the second straight night, and he blistered a double to the left-field wall two at-bats later. Helena would tack on two more runs in the inning, courtesy of an error and a wild pitch.

But Missoula made things interesting in the fifth. After making it a 4-1 game in the fourth, the Osprey got back-to-back singles on consecutive pitches. Josh Parr followed with a three-run bomb on the first pitch he saw, and it looked as though another comeback was brewing.

Helena would have something to say about that. Williamson retired the next eight batters he faced, and southpaw Alan Williams entered in the eighth and allowed just two baserunners. The independent league signee making his affiliated pro debut fanned five of the eight Osprey he faced, getting the final out on a solid changeup.

Williams said he didn’t feel any pressure closing out a one-run game, even though he’s had more experience as a starter and middle reliever.

“I just didn’t really even think about it, and I knew the situation but didn’t let that affect me at all,” said Williams, who most recently pitched for the Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League. “We played good defense, and that always makes it easier for you on the mound.”

Williams was pleased with the way he worked his two-seam fastball and slider.

“He did a great job, very impressive,” Ayrault said. “To have a lefty like that, it’s great to have him in the back end of a ballgame.”

As for Williamson, he’s just basking in the moment. He’s had quite a month, from pitching against the University of California in the Super Regional — he took the loss in that one — to bagging his first win. Which one will he remember most?

“They both hold their own weight,” he said, “...but this one’s definitely going to have a special place in my heart.”

Helena leaves the friendly confines of Kindrick for the first time this season, when they head on the road to Missoula today. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central). Lefty Mike Strong is expected to start for the Brewers, while Jesse Darrah makes his pro debut for the Osprey.

TRANSACTIONS: The Brewers added a pair of familiar faces to their roster Tuesday, with pitchers Tom Keeling and Tyler Cravy returning to the Capital City squad. Both saw action in Helena a year ago, and were just sent down from Class A Wisconsin.

 

Article link includes four photos from the game (click on photos for enlarged view)

 

Helena Box Score

Brandon Williamson and Alan Williams combined to fan 11 while walking just one; Williamson also had a 9-to-4 GB/FB ratio to go with his six K's; big LF/1B Jason Rogers singled in four trips in his first formal game since breaking his hand with Wisconsin in late April; great to read about all the defensive highlights...

 

Helena Play-by-Play

Your garden variety 5-3-5 double play --

 

Missoula Top of the 1st

• Josh Parr hit by pitch.
  
• Justin Bianco grounds out to first baseman Parker Berberet. Josh Parr to 2nd.
  
• Ryan Court grounds into double play, third baseman Kyle Dhanani to first baseman Parker Berberet to third baseman Kyle Dhanani. Josh Parr out at 3rd.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Arizona Dodgers 9, @Arizona Brewers 6

Arizona Box Score

The Maryvale boys jumped out to a 3-0 1st inning lead, but fell victim to three multiple-run Dodger innings; your mound crew was made up of starter Michael White, a 21-year-old RHP making his pro debut (White was drafted in the 13th round out of a Tennessee community college in 2010), 23-year-old LHP Stephen Peterson, a recently signed non-drafted free agent out of URI; 22-year-old RHP Manuel Ruiz, debuting state-side after fanning 52 in 34.1 DSL innings last year (with 33 walks), and 21-year-old RHP Casey Medlen, the 21-year-old 37th round 2011 draft pick out of the University of North Florida. Peterson statistically was the most impressive, stranding a baserunner for White and tossing 2.1 scoreless, fanning five. The Dodgers led 5-4 entering the top of the 9th but added four unearned runs off Ruiz and Medlen (who allowed three inherited runners to score). White fanned six in five innings and had a ground ball rate of 10-to-1, so he impressed in some ways despite allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks.

 

25 strikeouts in the game, as Brewer batters fanned 12 times. It was an eclectic if unheralded lineup made up of DSL promotees (CF Ruben Ozuna, 1B Hitaniel Arias, RF Ronny Puello, and 3B Andres Martinez) , non-drafted free agents (SS Brandon Macias, DH Steve Felix, C Jimmie Pharr), and high school draftees (LF Malcolm Dowell, 2011 and 2B Kevin Berard, 2010). Macias doubled twice and was HBP, Ozuna doubled and singled out of the leadoff spot, and Pharr walked twice.

 

106 degrees at first pitch.

 

Arizona Play-by-Play

Three-run Brewer 1st --

 

AZL Brewers Bottom of the 1st

• Ruben Ozuna doubles (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Joseph Winker.
  
• Brandon Macias doubles (1) on a ground ball to left fielder Joseph Winker. Ruben Ozuna scores.
  
• Steve Felix hit by pitch.
  
• Hitaniel Arias singles on a ground ball to right fielder Ronny Lugo. Brandon Macias out at home on the throw, right fielder Ronny Lugo to catcher Jose Capellan. Steve Felix to 3rd.
  
• Jimmie Pharr walks. Hitaniel Arias to 2nd.
  
• Ronny Puello out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Devon Ethier. Steve Felix scores. Hitaniel Arias to 3rd. Jimmie Pharr to 2nd.
  
• With Malcolm Dowell batting, wild pitch by Luis Mesa, Hitaniel Arias scores. Jimmie Pharr to 3rd.
  
• Malcolm Dowell strikes out swinging.

[brewmann04]

Thanks again for the Info YoungGeezy it nice to have a few young CF prospects in the system and hopefully we can see them move up fast.