Link Report for Mon. 6/27 -- Ross's BC debut, Miller's return from injury do not go well

[Mass Haas]

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[Mass Haas]

Monday's Daily Menu:

Times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: RHP Frankie De La Cruz at home vs. New Orleans (Marlins), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime

Live Audio Link

iPad/iPhone: Listen

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers

Huntsville: RHP Michael Bowman at Carolina (Reds), 6:15 PM gametime

Live Audio Link -- Select the Carolina feed from the MiLB main audio page

Brevard County: RHP Austin Ross in his Manatee debut at home vs. Tampa (Yankees), 6:05 PM gametime

Sorry, no audio available for this series...

 

Wisconsin: RHP Matt Miller at home vs. Peoria (Cubs), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime

Live Audio Link

 

Helena: RHP Chad Pierce at home vs. Great Falls (White Sox), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime

Live Audio Link -- Select the Helena feed from the MiLB main audio page

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at the Giants' complex in Scottsdale; 9:00 PM gametime; 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 Monday's action as it happens:

 

Nashville (Gameday also available)

 

Huntsville (Gameday also available)

Brevard County

Wisconsin

 

Helena

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale)

DSL Brewers

[Mass Haas]

PCL American North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Omaha	42	36	.538	-	-	22-16	20-20	4-6	W1
	Memphis	40	37	.519	1.5	66	23-16	17-21	5-5	L1
	Iowa	36	42	.462	6.0	61	19-19	17-23	6-4	W5
	Nashville	35	42	.455	6.5	61	23-18	12-24	5-5	W3

SOU North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Chattanooga	3	1	.750	-	-	3-1	0-0	3-1	W3
	Carolina	2	2	.500	1.0	66	2-2	0-0	2-2	L1
	Huntsville	2	2	.500	1.0	66	0-0	2-2	2-2	W1
	Jackson	2	2	.500	1.0	66	0-0	2-2	2-2	L1
*	Tennessee	2	3	.400	1.5	65	0-0	2-3	2-3	W1

FSL North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Brevard County	2	0	1.000	-	-	2-0	0-0	2-0	W2
*	Daytona	2	2	.500	1.0	67	0-1	2-1	2-2	L1
	Dunedin	2	2	.500	1.0	67	0-0	2-2	2-2	W1
	Tampa	2	2	.500	1.0	67	2-1	0-1	2-2	L1
	Lakeland	1	1	.500	1.0	68	1-0	0-1	1-1	W1
	Clearwater	1	3	.250	2.0	66	1-2	0-1	1-3	L3

MID Western
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Beloit	3	0	1.000	-	-	3-0	0-0	3-0	W5
	Kane County	3	0	1.000	-	-	0-0	3-0	3-0	W3
	Clinton	2	1	.667	1.0	67	2-1	0-0	2-1	W1
	Quad Cities	2	1	.667	1.0	67	0-0	2-1	2-1	W2
*	Burlington	1	2	.333	2.0	66	0-0	1-2	1-2	L1
	Wisconsin	1	2	.333	2.0	66	1-2	0-0	1-2	L2
	Cedar Rapids	0	3	.000	3.0	65	0-0	0-3	0-3	L4
	Peoria	0	3	.000	3.0	65	0-3	0-0	0-3	L10

PIO North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Helena	5	2	.714	-	-	4-1	1-1	5-2	L1
	Billings	3	4	.429	2.0	30	2-2	1-2	3-4	W1
	Great Falls	3	4	.429	2.0	30	1-2	2-2	3-4	W1
	Missoula	3	4	.429	2.0	30	1-1	2-3	3-4	L1

AZL Central
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	AZL Dodgers	3	2	.600	-	-	2-1	1-1	3-2	L2
	AZL Indians	3	3	.500	0.5	51	2-1	1-2	3-3	W1
	AZL Brewers	2	3	.400	1.0	51	0-2	2-1	2-3	L2
	AZL Reds	2	4	.333	1.5	50	2-1	0-3	2-4	L2

DSL S.D. North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	DSL Mariners	18	5	.783	-	-	9-3	9-2	10-0	W14
	DSL Brewers	17	7	.708	1.5	48	7-4	10-3	7-3	W2
	DSL Athletics	7	17	.292	11.5	38	3-7	4-10	2-8	L6
	DSL Cardinals	6	18	.250	12.5	37	5-9	1-9	3-7	L3

[Mass Haas]

Media Notes:

Nashville

Huntsville

Wisconsin

[TheCrew07]

Ross had a tough 1st inning, mostly self induced.

 

Tampa Top of the 1st

Abraham Almonte walks.

Walter Ibarra singles on a ground ball to right fielder Kentrail Davis. Abraham Almonte to 3rd.

With Melky Mesa batting, Walter Ibarra steals (8) 2nd base.

Melky Mesa strikes out swinging.

With Zoilo Almonte batting, wild pitch by Austin Ross, Abraham Almonte scores. Walter Ibarra to 3rd.

Zoilo Almonte out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. Walter Ibarra scores.

Kyle Roller called out on strikes.

[battlekow]

Final: @DSL Brewers 11, DSL Athletics 4 (8 innings)

DSL Brewers box score

The game was called after the bottom of the 8th. The big innings were a three-run 2nd and a five-run 4th. Yonki Hernandez set the table well, reaching all four times out of the leadoff spot and scoring three runs. Dionis Hinojosa was also on four times with a triple, single, HBP, and walk. "El Pirata" Orlando Arcia continues to get on base very well, adding a single and a HBP today. Elvis Rubio was a late defensive replacement and went 0-1. Joel Dicent notched another fine start, going five shutout innings with five hits, five strikeouts, no walks, and a hit batter. Marcos Padilla allowed two runs in two innings on three hits but didn't walk a batter and fanned two.

DSL Brewers play-by-play

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 2nd

• Juan De Leon grounds out, shortstop Gabriel Santana to first baseman Wilman Martinez.
• Raul Mondesi pops out to first baseman Wilman Martinez.
• Carlos Pena reaches on fielding error by third baseman Renato Nunez.
• With Dionis Hinojosa batting, wild pitch by Gregory Paulino, Carlos Pena to 2nd.
• Dionis Hinojosa triples (3) on a fly ball to center fielder Alfredo Sosa. Carlos Pena scores.
• Yonki Hernandez walks.
• With Francisco Castillo batting, Yonki Hernandez steals (9) 2nd base.
• Francisco Castillo doubles (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Alfredo Sosa. Dionis Hinojosa scores. Yonki Hernandez scores.
• Orlando Arcia flies out to left fielder Jesus Rivas.

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 4th

• Raul Mondesi walks.
• Carlos Pena reaches on fielding error by third baseman Renato Nunez. Raul Mondesi to 2nd.
• Dionis Hinojosa hit by pitch. Raul Mondesi to 3rd. Carlos Pena to 2nd.
• Yonki Hernandez singles on a fly ball to center fielder Alfredo Sosa. Raul Mondesi scores. Carlos Pena scores. Dionis Hinojosa to 2nd. Missed catch error by catcher Argenis Raga.
• Pitcher Change: Edward Almonte replaces Gregory Paulino.
• Francisco Castillo pops out to shortstop Gabriel Santana.
• Orlando Arcia hit by pitch. Dionis Hinojosa to 3rd. Yonki Hernandez to 2nd.
• Jose Pena called out on strikes.
• With Deivi Mejia batting, wild pitch by Edward Almonte, Dionis Hinojosa scores. Yonki Hernandez to 3rd. Orlando Arcia to 2nd.
• Deivi Mejia doubles (5) on a fly ball to center fielder Alfredo Sosa. Yonki Hernandez scores. Orlando Arcia scores.
• Juan De Leon grounds out, second baseman Luis Osorio to pitcher Edward Almonte.

[battlekow]

The 2nd inning could have gone better for Matt Miller and Wisconsin:

Peoria Top of the 2nd

• Ryan Cuneo singles on a ground ball to right fielder Franklin Romero.
• Elliot Soto doubles (7) on a fly ball to left fielder T. J. Mittelstaedt. Ryan Cuneo to 3rd.
• Anthony Giansanti reaches on throwing error by shortstop Mike Brownstein. Ryan Cuneo scores. Elliot Soto to 3rd.
• Pierre LePage flies out to right fielder Franklin Romero.
• Matthew Szczur singles on a line drive to left fielder T. J. Mittelstaedt. Elliot Soto scores. Anthony Giansanti to 3rd.
• Rubi Silva singles on a line drive to left fielder T. J. Mittelstaedt. Anthony Giansanti scores. Matthew Szczur to 2nd.
• Greg Rohan singles on a ground ball to right fielder Franklin Romero. Matthew Szczur scores. Rubi Silva to 3rd.
• Richard Jones strikes out swinging.
• With Micah Gibbs batting, Rubi Silva steals (3) home. Greg Rohan steals (2) 2nd base.
• Micah Gibbs singles on a ground ball to right fielder Franklin Romero. Greg Rohan scores. Micah Gibbs to 2nd on the throw.
• Pitcher Change: Damon Krestalude replaces Matthew Miller.
• Ryan Cuneo doubles (9) on a line drive to right fielder Franklin Romero. Micah Gibbs scores.
• Elliot Soto pops out to first baseman Michael Walker in foul territory.

[battlekow]

Final: @Carolina 9, Huntsville 2

Huntsville box score

Michael Bowman got hammered for seven runs on 13 hits in five innings and that was pretty much that, though Roque Mercedes again greatly failed to distinguish himself in relief. The benefit of having someone actually watching the game: Sean Halton went 0-4, but veteran minor league observer Mike Emeigh reports that he "smoked" two balls and also made an "oustanding" play on defense. Lee Haydel had two hits, including a triple (and Emeigh says he also hit another ball hard), plus his 10th steal--getting close to 50%, Lee! Erik Komatsu was 1-3 with a double, a walk, and a runner thrown out at home, and Logan Schafer was 0-4. We like to think that in Schafer and Haydel the Stars have two good center fielders running around out there, but Emeigh wasn't impressed today, nor was he taken with Komatsu's rag arm.

Huntsville play-by-play

[TheCrew07]

With Micah Gibbs batting, Rubi Silva steals (3) home. Greg Rohan steals (2) 2nd base.

I hope Chris covers this in his post game... was that one of those little league/babe ruth/high school moves where the runner on 1st steals second and then the runner on 3rd steals home? Was it a legit steal of home? Did the T-Rats just botch the play somehow.

 

As an aside, I'm having a heck of time loading the site and responding, I've been to trying to post since Sessile first put the 2nd inning up.

[brewmann04]

rough night for the starters not named De La Cruz

[battlekow]

Final: Tampa 6, @Brevard County 3

Brevard County box score

Austin Ross's debut didn't exactly go swimmingly, but going off his peripherals it should have at least floated: 5 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 HR. Not all hurt Ross, but BC committed four errors tonight, including the 16th each by Hunter Morris and Scooter Gennett, plus a catcher's interference call against Shawn Zarraga (long time no see!) just for variety's sake. Jon Pokorny may have rediscovered last year's form: after a very rough start to the year, he has a 20/4 K/BB in his last 14.2 innings and hasn't been scored upon since the middle of May. Gennett atoned for his error with two hits in five trips, including a double (just his 14th extra-base hit this year but his third in the last two games). D'Vontrey Richardson warmed my black heart with two hits of his own, and the indefatigable Khris Davis reached his customary two times via a single and a walk. Morris drew his 13th walk of the year (he has 292 plate appearances).

Brevard County play-by-play

The three innings Ross was scored upon:

Tampa Top of the 1st

• Abraham Almonte walks.
• Walter Ibarra reaches on fielding error by first baseman Hunter Morris. Abraham Almonte to 3rd.
• With Melky Mesa batting, Walter Ibarra steals (8) 2nd base.
• Melky Mesa strikes out swinging.
• With Zoilo Almonte batting, wild pitch by Austin Ross, Abraham Almonte scores. Walter Ibarra to 3rd.
• Zoilo Almonte out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. Walter Ibarra scores.
• Kyle Roller called out on strikes.

Tampa Top of the 4th

• Kyle Roller homers (1) on a fly ball to right field.
• Luke Murton pops out to catcher Shawn Zarraga in foul territory.
• Mitch Abeita grounds out, shortstop Josh Prince to first baseman Hunter Morris.
• Rob Segedin flies out to right fielder Kentrail Davis.

Tampa Top of the 5th

• Emerson Landoni flies out to left fielder Khristopher Davis.
• Abraham Almonte singles on a line drive to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson.
• Walter Ibarra triples (1) on a line drive to right fielder Kentrail Davis. Abraham Almonte scores.
• Melky Mesa singles on a ground ball to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. Walter Ibarra scores.
• With Zoilo Almonte batting, Melky Mesa steals (1) 2nd base.
• Zoilo Almonte strikes out swinging.
• Kyle Roller flies out to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson.

[battlekow]

Brevard County doubled up by Tampa 6-3

Frank Longobardo Brevard County Manatees

VIERA, Fla. -- One night after Tyler Thornburg made his Brevard County debut, it was Austin Ross's turn on Monday night. Ross did not fare as well as Thornburg though as the Manatees fell 6-3 to the Tampa Yankees at Space Coast Stadium.

Ross went five innings and allowed five runs - three earned - on five hits, while walking one and striking out five.

The Yanks got to Ross early as they scored twice in the first, once on a wild pitch and again on a sacrifice fly.

Brevard County tied it right up in the bottom of the first with a sacrifice fly by Brock Kjeldgaard that scored Kentrail Davis and a RBI single by D'Vontrey Richardson that scored Hunter Morris.

Ross settled down and held Tampa in both the second and third, but ran into trouble early in the fourth when he gave up a lead-off homer to Kyle Roller as the Yankees took a 3-2 lead.

He ran into trouble again in the fifth as the Yankees plated two more runs on three hits to take a 5-2 lead.

Jon Pokorny relieved Ross and struck out four in two scoreless innings and Mark Willinsky followed with a scoreless inning of his own.

Brevard County cut the deficit to 5-3 in the eighth, thanks to three consecutive singles by Kjeldgaard, Richardson and Shawn Zarraga, with Zarraga's hit bringing home Kjeldgaard. It would stay a 5-3 game though as Juan Sanchez grounded into an inning-ending double play to end the threat.

Manatees pitchers struck out 11 Tampa hitters, but Brevard County's defense committed four errors, which led to three unearned runs.

The rubber game of Brevard County's three-game series with Tampa will be on Tuesday at noon.

The 'Tees will send Kyle Heckathorn (4-6, 4.39) to the hill in the series finale with the Yankees.

[battlekow]

Final: @Nashville 8, New Orleans 2

Sounds Extend Win Streak To Four With 8-2 Victory

Nashville Sounds

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds earned their fourth straight win on Monday evening, defeating New Orleans by an 8-2 margin at Greer Stadium.

It marked the Sounds' third win in three games against the Zephyrs this series. Nashville (36-42) has won 11 of its 15 meetings with New Orleans in 2011.

Right-hander Frankie De La Cruz (3-4) picked up the win as he turned in his team-leading ninth quality start of the year for the Sounds. He held the Z's to two runs (one earned) while scattering seven hits over six innings. It was his third straight winning decision after opening the year with four consecutive losses.

Outfielder Caleb Gindl went 3-for-4 with two RBIs to pace the offense. The Nashville bench enjoyed a stellar evening as well, as two pinch-hitters combined for four RBIs on the night.

The Sounds took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning against New Orleans left-hander Sean West. After Brandon Boggs led off with a walk, he scored the game's first run when he raced around the bases on Brett Carroll's RBI double to the right-center gap.

The visitors grabbed a 2-1 lead in the second with a pair of runs off De La Cruz. Mike Cervanek got things started with a one-out single then moved to second when Sounds shortstop Edwin Maysonet booted an Ozzie Martinez grounder. Tim Torres, who joined the Zephyrs earlier in the day, turned his first Triple-A at-bat of the year into a game-tying RBI single to left. West helped his own cause when he put New Orleans in front by a run as he laid down an RBI sacrifice bunt up the first-base line to plate Martinez.

Gindl knotted the score at 2-2 in the third when his two-out RBI double to left brought in Eric Farris, who had opened the frame with a single off West.

The Sounds pulled back in front in the sixth, but got only one run across despite having the bases loaded with no outs in the inning.

Catcher Wil Nieves led off with a single to center then moved to third when West misfired into right field while attempting to throw out Zelous Wheeler following a sacrifice bunt. Pinch-hitter Jordan Brown ripped a go-ahead single to right to bring in Nieves for a 3-2 Nashville lead.

Left-hander Dan Jennings came on for New Orleans and induced a pair of comebackers that resulted in forceouts at the plate. The second of those tappers, off the bat of Carroll, turned into an inning-ending 1-2-3 double play.

Nashville broke the game open in the seventh with a four-run outburst against Jennings to extend its advantage to 7-2.

Gindl got the scoring started when he continued his solid night by singling home Erick Almonte, who had singled and stole second to kick off the frame. With one out, Nieves and Wheeler each singled to load the bases for pinch-hitter Mike Rivera, who greeted new Z's reliever Frank Mata by smoking a three-run, bases-clearing double to the wall in left-center.

The Sounds tacked on an unearned run in the eighth. Carroll struck out to open the inning but reached when catcher [and former Sound!] Vinny Rottino was charged with a passed ball then later scored on a Maysonet groundout to wrap up the evening's scoring.

West (2-4) was saddled with the loss for New Orleans after giving up three runs (two earned) on eight hits over five-plus frames of work.

The Sounds will attempt to wrap up a four-game sweep when the teams conclude their 16-game season series with a 7:05 p.m. finale on Tuesday at Greer. Right-hander Josh Butler (4-5, 5.84) will man the bump for the Sounds to face New Orleans right-hander Chris Sampson (5-0, 2.66).

Nashville box score

De la Cruz struck out just three and walked two, but he kept the ball on the ground very well, to the tune of a 10/2 GO/FO. Gindl started in center field and also walked; hopefully he's kicking it back into gear. Curious night for Taylor Green to be completely absent from the box score. Boggs' two walks give him 33 in 159 plate appearances. Farris stole his eighth base against six caught-stealings; two years ago he was 70/6 in that regard.

Nashville play-by-play

[battlekow]

Final: Peoria 16, @Wisconsin 7

Wisconsin box score

We'll have Chris's recap in the morning, but I'm tired. You read earlier about Matt Miller's disastrous return from an oblique strain that kept him out for over a month, and Damon Krestalude and Charly Bashara (four runs each) weren't a whole lot better. Bright side: at least Miller was getting killed on hits alone, albeit some of them well-struck; 34 of his 50 pitches were strikes and he didn't walk a batter (alternate interpretation: if the pitcher is throwing BP, why take pitches?). Naturally, TJ Mittelstaedt was the only Rattlers "pitcher" to go unscored upon, allowing one hit in a scoreless 9th. Mittelstaedt, Mike Brownstein, Cody Hawn, and Greg Hopkins all had two hits, and Mike Walker, Timber Rattler, knocked one out of the park for the 12th time this year. How about a game featuring 23 runs taking only 3:05 to play? Merciful, for Chris's sake.

Wisconsin play-by-play

The fun inning:

Wisconsin Bottom of the 8th

• Franklin Romero strikes out swinging.
• Nick Shaw singles on a ground ball to right fielder Matthew Szczur.
• Mike Brownstein singles on a ground ball to right fielder Matthew Szczur. Nick Shaw to 2nd.
• Cody Hawn singles on a ground ball to right fielder Matthew Szczur. Nick Shaw scores. Mike Brownstein to 2nd.
• Gregory Hopkins doubles (7) on a fly ball to right fielder Matthew Szczur. Mike Brownstein scores. Cody Hawn to 3rd.
• Michael Walker homers (12) on a fly ball to center field. Cody Hawn scores. Gregory Hopkins scores.
• T. J. Mittelstaedt singles on a ground ball to center fielder Rubi Silva.
• Pitcher Change: Larry Suarez replaces Alvaro Sosa.
• Chad Stang reaches on throwing error by third baseman Greg Rohan. T. J. Mittelstaedt to 2nd.
• Tyler Roberts strikes out swinging.
• Franklin Romero strikes out swinging.

[TooLiveBrew]

Final: Great Falls 10, @Helena 3

 

Crew Falls to Voyagers, 10-3

By Nicholas Allen

 

For the second consecutive game, the Helena Brewers struggled to keep

opposing runners off the base paths. Starter Chad Pierce (0-1) walked

the lead-off hitter in both innings he pitched and both runners came

around to score. Every Great Falls hitter reached base in the game,

while seven Voyagers recorded hits.

 

Conversely, eight different Voyagers struck out as Helena recorded 13

total K's . Helena's Alex Jones fanned five in 3.2 scoreless innings of

relief after the Voyagers broke open the contest in the middle innings.

Great Falls scored three runs in the fourth inning, two in the fifth and

three in the sixth. Jarrett Casey (2-0) picked up the win for the

Chicago White Sox Pioneer League affiliate with five scoreless innings,

surrendering just three hits, one walk and striking out three.

 

The two game set will come to a close tomorrow.

 

 

Helena Box Score

Chad Pierce is the Fon du lac native drafted this year in the 38th round out of UW-Milwaukee. His final line was 2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K. The unearned run came on a first inning throwing error from third baseman Mike Nemeth. Alex Jones allowed three hits in his three and two-thirds innings of relief; he walked none to go along with five strikeouts.

 

Nemeth was 2-4; Jason Rogers was 2-3 with a walk. John Dishon added a double; Kyle Dhanani & Robbie Garvey each singled. Garvey scored a run & drew two walks out of the leadoff spot. 2011 49th-rounder Gant Elmore also walked. Max Walla came on to play centerfield in the top of the 9th inning, and struck out for the game's final out in his only plate appearance.

 

 

Helena Play-by-Play

[TooLiveBrew]

Final: @AZL Giants 8, AZL Brewers 6

 

AZL Box Score

The Brewers scored all six runs from the fifth inning on, but couldn't outscore the Giants. Four runs in the bottom of the 7th inning proved to be enough margin for victory for the Giants. 2011 6th rounder Danny Keller, the 6'5 & 190-lb. righty out of Newbury Park H.S. in California, made his first professional start. He went just two innings, allowed four hits, two earned runs, one walk, and struck out two batters. Michael Schaub pitched four innings in relief of Keller, & allowed two earned runs. 2010 7th-rounder Joel Pierce had a rough night out of the 'pen, allowing all four runs to score in the 7th (only three were earned runs); he'd thrown three wild pitches & recorded just two outs before getting pulled. Casey Medlen ('11 37th-rd.) got the final four outs without allowing a hit; he walked one & struck out three.

 

Leadoff man & leftfielder Ruben Ozuna shook off last night's 0-fer with three singles in four at-bats. This was his fifth multi-hit game in six Arizona League games. DH Steve Felix went 3-5 with a double & two runs, and even added a steal of second base. Shortstop Renaldo Jenkins ('11 19th-rd.) went 1-4 with a walk and one RBI. Catcher Adam Weisenburger ('11 34th-rd.), third baseman Jalen Harris ('11 41st-rd.), & centerfielder Malcolm Dowell ('11 9th-rd.) added one hit & one walk each. Dowell had a RBI groundout in the 6th, and a RBI infield single in the 8th. Kevin Berard came in to play second base in the bottom of the 8th inning, and drove in a run with a single in the top of the 9th. 2011 50th-rounder Matthew Franco drew two walks, including a RBI walk in the 6th inning.

 

 

AZL Play-by-Play

The Brewers were down 3-2 heading into the 6th inning. They scored two runs in the top half of the frame to jump out to a 4-3 lead, but could've done much more damage:

AZL Brewers Top of the 6th

• Pitcher Change: Steve Edlefsen replaces Addison Proszek.
• Steve Felix hits a ground-rule double (1) on a fly ball to center field.
• Hitaniel Arias strikes out swinging.
• Adam Weisenburger strikes out swinging. Adam Weisenburger advances to 1st, on throwing error by catcher Eric Sim.
• Jalen Harris walks. Steve Felix to 3rd. Adam Weisenburger to 2nd.
• Matthew Franco walks. Steve Felix scores. Adam Weisenburger to 3rd. Jalen Harris to 2nd.
• Malcolm
  Dowell grounds out, second baseman Cristian Paulino to first baseman
  Ben Thomas. Adam Weisenburger scores. Jalen Harris to 3rd.
  Matthew Franco to 2nd.
• Pitcher Change: Jake Shadle replaces Steve Edlefsen.
• Ruben Ozuna grounds out, shortstop Kelby Tomlinson to first baseman Ben Thomas.

The Giants plated a run to tie things up in the bottom half, and then Joel Pierce worked two-thirds of an inning to forget:

AZL Giants Bottom of the 7th

• Pitcher Change: Joel Pierce replaces Michael Schaub.
• Cristian
  Paulino singles on a ground ball to shortstop Renaldo Jenkins.
  Cristian Paulino advances to 2nd, on throwing error by shortstop Renaldo
  Jenkins.
• Ben Thomas singles on a ground ball to
  center fielder Malcolm Dowell. Cristian Paulino scores. Ben Thomas
  to 2nd on the throw.
• With Leonardo Fuentes batting, wild pitch by Joel Pierce, Ben Thomas to 3rd.
• Leonardo Fuentes walks.
• With Garrett Buechele batting, wild pitch by Joel Pierce, Ben Thomas scores. Leonardo Fuentes to 2nd.
• Garrett Buechele strikes out swinging, catcher Adam Weisenburger to first baseman Hitaniel Arias.
• With Myles Schroder batting, wild pitch by Joel Pierce, Leonardo Fuentes to 3rd.
• Myles Schroder singles on a ground ball to center fielder Malcolm Dowell. Leonardo Fuentes scores.
• Eric Sim lines out to left fielder Ruben Ozuna.
• Kelby Tomlinson singles on a line drive to right fielder Matthew Franco. Myles Schroder to 3rd.
• Pitcher Change: Casey Medlen replaces Joel Pierce.
• Gus
  Benusa reaches on force attempt, throwing error by second baseman
  Brandon Macias. Myles Schroder scores. Kelby Tomlinson to 2nd.
• Eldred Barnett called out on strikes.

Pierce was efficient in his first 2011 appearance, a four inning-start back on the 22nd. Much different story tonight; hopefully he can just shake it off & move on.

[Mass Haas]

AZL Brewers Top of the 8th

• Pitcher Change: Sundrendy Windster replaces Jake Shadle.
• Adam Weisenburger singles on a fly ball to right fielder Leonardo Fuentes. Adam Weisenburger out at 2nd, right fielder Leonardo Fuentes to first baseman Ben Thomas.
• Jalen Harris singles on a ground ball to pitcher Sundrendy Windster. Jalen Harris advances to 2nd, on throwing error by pitcher Sundrendy Windster.
• Matthew Franco grounds out, second baseman Cristian Paulino to first baseman Ben Thomas. Jalen Harris to 3rd.
• Malcolm Dowell singles on a ground ball to shortstop Kelby Tomlinson. Jalen Harris scores.
• Ruben Ozuna singles on a ground ball to second baseman Cristian Paulino. Malcolm Dowell to 2nd.
• Renaldo Jenkins strikes out swinging.

AZL Giants Bottom of the 8th

• Defensive switch from second base to third base for Brandon Macias.
• Defensive Substitution: Kevin Berard replaces third baseman Jalen Harris, batting 7th, playing second base.

Unfortunately, I read that as Jalen Harris being safe on a play at the plate and then leaving the game. Something to watch for, if he misses more than just a game, we'll reach out to Josh (Agent39) for an update.

***

111 degrees at gametime.

Perhaps it's already out there, but I'd love to read a definitive well-written detailed report on the routines, effects, and sheer agony of going through a summer in the AZL -- not just games, but workouts, etc. Must be thrilling to stand out in left field during a 25-minute wild pitch-filled frame. Joel Pierce is from the Great White North, for pete's sake!

And yes, it's a "dry" heat.

[Mass Haas]

Nor was Emeigh taken with Komatsu's rag arm.

 

***

 

While that may be the case, you had this in the same game --

 

Carolina Bottom of the 2nd

• Neftali Soto singles on a line drive to right fielder Erik Komatsu.
  
• Felix Perez singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Lee Haydel. Neftali Soto to 2nd.
  
• Yasmani Grandal strikes out swinging.
  
• David Cook singles on a soft fly ball to right fielder Erik Komatsu. Neftali Soto to 3rd. Felix Perez to 2nd.
  
• Jose Castro singles on a line drive to right fielder Erik Komatsu. Neftali Soto scores. Felix Perez out at home on the throw, right fielder Erik Komatsu to catcher Anderson De La Rosa. David Cook to 3rd on the throw.
  
• Pedro Villarreal strikes out swinging.

[Mass Haas]

Rattlers fall behind early, lose to Peoria

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Peoria Chiefs entered Monday's game at Time Warner Cable Field with a 10-game losing streak. The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers swept the Chiefs in a four game series in the previous meeting between the Midwest League rivals. The worm turned a bit on Monday with the Chiefs beating the Timber Rattlers 16-7. Anthony Giansanti had four hits, including a pair of home runs, to pace the 19-hit attack of the Chiefs for the victory.

 

Rattlers starting pitcher Matt Miller did not receive a warm welcome back from the disabled list as the Chiefs scored an unearned run in the top of the first inning. Rubi Silva reached on an error with one out. Richard Jones drove in Silva with a two-out double. That was just a prelude to the second inning.

 

Miller, who was making his first start since May 19, gave up a single and a double to start the inning. An error allowed the first run of the inning to score. Miller rebounded to get the first out of the inning. Then, things got out of hand.

 

Matt Szczur singled in a run. Rubi Silva followed with an RBI single. Greg Rohan also singled in a run and the Chiefs had a 4-1 lead. Miller struck out Richard Jones for the second out. But, the Chiefs stole a run.

 

Rohan broke for second and beat the throw to second. Silva broke for the plate on the throw down to second and the return throw home was late. Micah Gibbs singled to drive in Rohan and knock Miller out of the game.

 

Ryan Cuneo, who started the inning with a single, greeted Rattler reliever Damon Krestalude with an RBI double to cap the inning and give the Chiefs an 8-0 lead.

 

Giansanti started the Peoria third with a home run and the Chiefs were up 9-0.

 

Wisconsin (39-35, 1-3) loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the third inning. The bases were still loaded with two outs. But, Greg Hopkins salvaged the opportunity and knocked in two runs with a single to center to make the score 9-2.

 

However, the Chiefs responded with three runs in the top of the fourth. Jones doubled in the first run of the frame. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Cuneo. Elliot Soto scored later in the inning on a wild pitch.

 

Peoria starting pitcher Matt Loosen allowed two runs on four hits and struck out seven over six innings of work in his Midwest League debut. He would pick up the win, but the Chiefs offense was not close to being done.

 

They added three more runs in the sixth inning. Two came in on a double by Pierre LaPage. Szcrur followed with an RBI double. When LaPage singled in the gave every member of the Peoria batting order at least one hit in the game.

 

Giansanti hit his second homer of the game with one out in the top of the eighth inning and the Chiefs were up 16-2.

 

The Rattlers strung together six hits with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning. Cody Hawn drove in the first run with a single. Hopkins got his third RBI of the night with a double. Then, Mike Walker hit a long home run to center. The three-run blast, the 12th of the season for Walker, made the score 16-7. Walker has five home runs and 18 RBI against the Chiefs in 2011.

 

Rattlers outfielder T.J. Mittelstaedt brought his knuckleball in to pitch the top of the ninth inning and he worked a scoreless inning, but the Rattlers could not get anything across the plate in the bottom of the ninth.

 

The series continues on Tuesday night at Time Warner Cable Field. Maverick Lasker, a member of the Timber Rattlers in 2010, makes his Midwest League debut for 2011 as Wisconsin's starting pitcher. Left-hander Graham Hicks (1-3, 4.32) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Chiefs. Game time is 7:05 PM.

 

Tuesday night is Ladies Night at Time Warner Cable Field. The first 400 female fans aged 18 and older to attend the game on June 28 will receive pink water bottles and gift bags from Knights Jewelry. A few lucky female fans will selected for a postgame diamond dig after Tuesday's game. For the diamond dig, one diamond will be buried amongst cubic zirconium in the beach seating area beyond the outfield fence in right-centerfield. There is also a pearl pendant giveaway from Rogers and Hollands during the game.

 

It's also a Bang for Your Buck Night means Pepsi products, Cher-Make hot dogs, and Miller Beer products are available for $1.

 

Plus, it is a KRAFT Singles Tuesday Night Tickets. Buy 1 Ticket, Get 1 Free from KRAFT Singles with purchase. Bring your package wrapper to a Timber Rattlers game on Tuesdays for a steal of a deal!

 

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:45 PM.

[Mass Haas]

Timber Rattlers give up 19 hits in big loss to Peoria Chiefs

by Jim Oskola, Appleton Post-Crescent

 

GRAND CHUTE — It was a sign of things to come at Fox Cities Stadium on Monday when the start of the game between the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and Peoria Chiefs was delayed about five minutes by rain.

By the time the game ended a smidge over three hours later, the Rattlers probably wished that shower that delayed the start of the game had been a deluge that wiped it out.

That is the thing that is wished for when you end up on the bad end of a 16-7 score like Wisconsin did.

"There's 140 games so we came close last half so we know we're a good ball club," Rattlers shortstop Mike Brownstein said. "This is just one game and tomorrow is a new day. Same team. Now we have something to prove. We've got a chip on our shoulders. We've got to get them tomorrow."

Having Peoria score that many runs on 19 hits and four errors could make one a bit testy.

"You know I had two big errors," Brownstein said. "You can think about it and keep yourself up all night if you want. It's not going to bring back the play. It's not going to change anything. The only thing you can do is say, 'Tomorrow I'm going to get some extra work in and make the next play.' "

It was a rude welcome back for Rattlers pitcher Matt Miller.

Miller, who last pitched on May 19 against Beloit, lasted just 1 2/3 innings, giving up seven hits and eight runs (three earned).

"You've got to see it for what it is," Rattlers outfielder and occasional pitcher T.J. Mittelstaedt said. "You lose a game by a lot, it's the same as losing a game by one. Losing by one really sticks with you because you thought you had a chance to win it at the end. This one you can get rid of and take the positive that we scored at the end of the game into tomorrow."

The Rattlers' who had scuffled offensively, scoring only eight runs in their three games since the Midwest League All-Star break, did show some resiliency. Wisconsin scored five times in the eighth inning, including three on Mike Walker's 12th home run of the year, a mammoth shot that cleared the bullpen area located behind the centerfield wall.

"We had a tough day today," Brownstein said. "You just go home, come back tomorrow and it's a new day."

[Mass Haas]

He hits, he pitches, he's T.J. Mittelstaedt

by Jim Oskola, Appleton Post-Crescent

Timber Rattlers outfielder T.J. Mittelstaedt got called on for extra duty during Monday's 16-7 loss to Peoria at Fox Cities Stadium.

 

Sent down to the bullpen to warm up so he could pitch the ninth inning against the Chiefs, the Rattlers took it upon themselves to rally for five runs.

 

That got Mittelstaedt called in from the bullpen to bat after Mike Walker's three-run home run.

 

Was Mittelstaedt winded?

 

Nope. He responded with a single on a 3-2 count.

 

A couple outs later he was out on the mound pitching a scoreless ninth inning.

 

"Early in the season we had a game like this and I told Matty (Rattlers manager Matt Erickson) that I could go out there and throw some strikes if I needed to," Mittelstaedt said. "I mess around throwing a knuckleball when we're warming up. It's alright. Just throwing strikes, it's tough to hit when someone's throwing that throw."

 

Mopping up in a game like Monday's isn't something Mittelstaedt relishing doing but he's willing to because it saves Erickson from going even deeper into the Rattlers' bullpen.

 

"I think that's the biggest thing," Mittelstaedt said. "It's saving arms for tomorrow and the next day. They want to get in there so they can have their innings, too, but we need them in a game that matters. In this one, it really didn't matter."

 

It's a good lesson in teamwork and stepping up when needed.

 

***

 

My note -- LHP Charly Bashara really took one for the team as well -- two days after pitching two innings in relief, he went four innings here after the Matt Miller and Damon Krestalude struggles. -- Jim

[Mass Haas]

Chris Mehring with his Rattler Radio Blog audio / video report and game thoughts.

 

For your DVR settings during the Brewers - Yankees series, from Chris:

 

By the way, Timber Rattlers Field Pass debuts on Sports 32 Tuesday night. We talk with Matt Erickson and Aaron Hahn, there is a package on the Rattlers in the MWL All-Star Game, and I found a new way to make a fool of myself as I try the visual training that the players use.

 

Also, the Border Battle at Miller Park is on Time Warner Cable Sports 32 Wednesday evening. Locals, you've been reminded.

[Mass Haas]

Brewers drop second straight

by Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record

A rough night by Helena on the mound and in the field ultimately led to the Brewers’ demise Monday as the home team lost back-to-back games for the first time this season.

Great Falls took advantage of four wild pitches, four hit batsmen and a trio of errors by the Brewers to top Helena 10-3 at Kindrick Legion Field in front of the park’s biggest crowd of the season.

“There’s gonna be nights like this,” Brewers manager Joe Ayrault said. “We came out a little flat and their pitcher threw the ball very well ... but I liked the fact that our guys didn’t give up at-bats late in the ball game.”

Voyagers starter Jarrett Casey shut down Helena for five innings, twirling three-hit scoreless baseball. The Brewers took advantage of the momentum change a new pitcher can often provide, scoring their first run off reliever Austin Evans. Casey, who is now a perfect 2-0 on the season and has maintained a 0.00 ERA, said he could have gone longer. The southpaw hurled 77 pitches before being pulled.

“It felt pretty good. I’m not going to lie though, I wanted to go back out for more,” said Casey, the 6-foot-3, 180-pound lefty who played his college ball at Missouri State and is on a strict pitch count. “My first start I was doing a really good job of getting ahead in the count. Tonight I didn’t do that, but I was able to come back with a decent pitch.”

That go-to pitch was his slider on Monday, though Casey admits he typically favors his changeup. While Brewers were able to make contact — Casey struck out just three after fanning seven in his last outing — they struggled to get the ball out of the infield. Helena recorded seven groundouts in the early innings.

“He kept us off balance with his pitches, threw a nice breaking ball over the middle of the plate,” Ayrault said of Casey. “For a young left-hander to get his breaking ball over in this league and be able to throw strikes with his fastball, that’s impressive.”

Helena (5-3) loaded the bases in the seventh after reliever Blake Drake walked Kenny Allison. The Brewers would plate a pair of runs in the inning, on an RBI single by Robbie Garvey that was barely beyond the reach of first baseman Leighton Pangilinan and a fielder’s choice by Kyle Dhanani. Garvey limped off the field an inning later with an apparent injury.

Casey was pleased with how his bullpen performed.

“Three runs, no big deal,” he said, “especially with the kind of run support we got tonight.”

The Voyagers (4-4) had three innings with two runs or more, had every player in the lineup reach base and all but one athlete register at least one hit. Great Falls rapped out 10 hits, led by Randall Thorpe’s 2-for-3 performance. Jason Rogers was 2 for 3 for Helena, which had a home crowd of 1,659.

“It’s still early in the season, but the fact that (Helena) is doing pretty well so far and the fact that we came out and put it to them is big,” Casey said. “We’ve had some pretty good solid offense so far, but tonight was by far one of our best.”

Helena went through three pitchers before the sixth inning Monday, as Chad Pierce, Skyler Crawford and Mike Strong struggled. But sidewinder Alex Jones was the bright spot, getting back-to-back inning-ending strikeouts in the sixth, two more Ks in the seventh and fanning another in the final frame. Jones gave up just three hits over the final 3.2 innings.

The Brewers will try to salvage a split of the two-game set tonight. Right-hander Sam Phippen gets the nod for Great Falls, while the Brewers start Andrew Moye (0-0, 9.00 ERA).

Ayrault said the game plan is simple.

“Come to the ballpark, hit the reset button,” he said. “It’s a new day.”

NOTES: The Brewers have begun negotiations with their top draft pick, junior right-hander Taylor Jungmann. Jungmann hurled 141 innings for the University of Texas and was honored with college baseball’s version of the Heisman, the Dick Howser Trophy. He was 13-3 with a 1.60 ERA and 125 strikeouts while leading Texas back to the College World Series. The Brewers have until 10 p.m. on Aug. 15 to agree to signing bonuses with their remaining unsigned picks. ... Milwaukee came to terms with third-round pick Drew Gagnon, a right-handed pitcher from Long Beach State, and left-handed hitting first baseman Nick Ramirez, a fourth-rounder. Gagnon was the starting pitcher for the East Division for the Cape Cod All-Star Game at Fenway Park in 2010. Ramirez was Big West Conference Player of the Year in 2011.

[Mass Haas]

Eliza Wiley, Independent Record - Helena Brewers Kyle Dhanani lengthens his stride in an attempt to beat Great Falls' Leighton Pangilinan and the ball to first base Monday night in front of a packed Kindrick Legion Field.

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