Link Report for Games of Sunday 7/3 -- Heckathorn pitches well, Gindl stays hot

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Sunday's Daily Menu:

 

Times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: RHP Frankie De La Cruz at Round Rock (Rangers), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime

Live Audio Link

iPad/iPhone: Listen

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers

Huntsville: RHP Michael Bowman at home vs. Mississippi (Braves), 6:43 PM gametime

Live Audio Link

iPad/iPhone: Listen

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

Brevard County: RHP Kyle Heckathorn at Tampa (Yankees), 5:30 PM gametime

Sorry, no audio available for this series...

Wisconsin: RHP Maverick Lasker at Beloit (Twins), 6:40 PM pre-game, 7:00 gametime

Live Audio Link

 

Helena: RHP Andy Moye at Great Falls (White Sox), 1:50 PM pre-game, 2:05 gametime

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

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at home vs. the itty-bitty Cubbies; 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league

 

DSL Brewers: Idle

[Mass Haas]

Follow Sunday's action as it happens:

 

Nashville (Gameday also available)

 

Huntsville (Gameday also available)

 

Brevard County

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale)

[Mass Haas]

PCL American North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Omaha	46	37	.554	-	-	26-17	20-20	6-4	W4
	Memphis	44	38	.537	1.5	61	26-16	18-22	5-5	W3
	Iowa	40	43	.482	6.0	56	23-20	17-23	9-1	W2
	Nashville	37	45	.451	8.5	54	25-18	12-27	6-4	L3

SOU North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Chattanooga	8	2	.800	-	-	4-1	4-1	8-2	W1
	Huntsville	6	4	.600	2.0	59	4-1	2-3	6-4	W3
*	Tennessee	6	4	.600	2.0	59	4-1	2-3	6-4	W1
	Carolina	4	6	.400	4.0	57	3-2	1-4	4-6	L1
	Jackson	3	7	.300	5.0	56	1-4	2-3	3-7	L1

FSL North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Brevard County	5	3	.625	-	-	3-1	2-2	5-3	L1
*	Daytona	6	4	.600	-	-	1-2	5-2	6-4	W3
	Dunedin	5	5	.500	1.0	60	2-2	3-3	5-5	L1
	Tampa	5	5	.500	1.0	60	4-3	1-2	5-5	W1
	Lakeland	4	4	.500	1.0	61	2-1	2-3	4-4	W1
	Clearwater	3	7	.300	3.0	58	2-5	1-2	3-7	L2

MID Western
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Beloit	7	2	.778	-	-	3-0	4-2	7-2	W2
	Kane County	6	3	.667	1.0	-	1-2	5-1	6-3	L2
	Clinton	5	4	.556	2.0	61	3-3	2-1	5-4	L1
*	Burlington	4	5	.444	3.0	60	3-3	1-2	4-5	L1
	Quad Cities	4	5	.444	3.0	60	2-4	2-1	4-5	W1
	Wisconsin	4	5	.444	3.0	60	2-4	2-1	4-5	W1
	Cedar Rapids	3	6	.333	4.0	59	1-2	2-4	3-6	L1
	Peoria	3	6	.333	4.0	59	0-3	3-3	3-6	W1

PIO North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Billings	8	5	.615	-	-	5-3	3-2	7-3	W3
	Helena	7	6	.538	1.0	25	5-2	2-4	5-5	L3
	Great Falls	6	7	.462	2.0	24	2-2	4-5	4-6	W1
	Missoula	5	8	.385	3.0	23	3-4	2-4	4-6	L1

AZL Central
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	AZL Dodgers	8	2	.800	-	-	4-1	4-1	8-2	W5
	AZL Indians	5	5	.500	3.0	44	3-2	2-3	5-5	L1
	AZL Reds	5	5	.500	3.0	44	4-1	1-4	5-5	W1
	AZL Brewers	2	8	.200	6.0	41	0-4	2-4	2-8	L7

DSL S.D. North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	DSL Mariners	22	8	.733	-	-	11-4	11-4	7-3	W4
	DSL Brewers	20	11	.645	2.5	40	9-6	11-5	5-5	L4
	DSL Athletics	10	21	.323	12.5	30	6-8	4-13	3-7	L2
	DSL Cardinals	10	21	.323	12.5	30	6-11	4-10	4-6	W2

[Mass Haas]

Look for the Nashville and Wisconsin media notes here and here later on, respectively.

 

If Huntsville posts theirs (and they have done so regularly as of late), it will be found by placing your cursor over the "roster" banner at the Stars' home page.

[battlekow]

Final: @Tampa 5, Brevard County 4

Brevard County box score

Three runs from Roque Mercedes between the 7th & 8th innings turned a 4-2 lead into a 5-4 loss. It would seem he's brought his Huntsville magic with him to the Space Coast. Kyle Heckathorn pitched well again: 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 6/4 GO/FO. Santo Manzanillo struck out the only two batters he faced. D'Vontrey Richardson stayed hot with three hits, including a double, and is 15 for his last 35, though he hasn't walked since May. He also stole his second base in the last three games, giving him a slightly less ugly 5/7 ratio on the year. Shea Vucinich joined him with three hits, Khris Davis doubled and walked twice, and Kentrail Davis had two hits and two steals (21 now) and was hit by a pitch. Scooter Gennett and Hunter Morris went hitless, and Shawn Zarraga did not play after leaving yesterday's game with a head injury of some sort.

Brevard County play-by-play

Both runs and four of the seven hits Heckathorn allowed came in the 1st, and based on that line-drive double play mixed in there he was lucky to give up that few:

Tampa Bottom of the 1st

• Abraham Almonte singles on a line drive to left fielder Khristopher Davis.
• Walter Ibarra singles on a bunt ground ball to catcher Sean McCraw. Abraham Almonte to 2nd.
• Zoilo Almonte lines into double play, second baseman Scooter Gennett to shortstop Josh Prince. Abraham Almonte doubled off 2nd.
• With Luke Murton batting, Walter Ibarra steals (10) 2nd base.
• Luke Murton singles on a line drive to shortstop Josh Prince, deflected by third baseman Shea Vucinich. Walter Ibarra scores. Luke Murton to 2nd on the throw.
• Kyle Roller singles on a ground ball to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. Luke Murton scores.
• JR Murphy grounds into a force out, shortstop Josh Prince to second baseman Scooter Gennett. Kyle Roller out at 2nd.

Manzanillo picked up a huge strikeout with the go-ahead run on third and one out, but Sean McCraw spoiled it:

Tampa Bottom of the 8th

• Kyle Roller singles on a line drive to left fielder Khristopher Davis.
• JR Murphy doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Khristopher Davis. Kyle Roller scores.
• Kelvin Castro grounds out, pitcher Roque Mercedes to first baseman Hunter Morris. JR Murphy to 3rd.
• Pitcher Change: Santo Manzanillo replaces Roque Mercedes.
• Taylor Grote strikes out swinging.
• With Emerson Landoni batting, passed ball by Sean McCraw, JR Murphy scores.
• Emerson Landoni strikes out swinging.

[brewmann04]

Can someone tell me why is Sean Green still in the system and worse why is he the closer for nashville. There really has to be someone more deserving a shot.

[battlekow]

Final: Mississippi 6, @Huntsville 2

Huntsville box score

Meek showing. Michael Bowman, who's pitched poorly this year and especially so lately, gave up four runs in 4.1 innings. Logan Schafer and Sean Halton each had two hits, leaving just one for the rest of the Stars (Martin Maldonado's single); Schafer was also hit by a pitch. Lee Haydel took an 0-5 collar, and Erik Komatsu hitless skein continues, 0-19 now. Lucas Luetge did have a nice outing in relief, 2.2 scoreless innings with two strikeouts.

Huntsville play-by-play

[battlekow]

Final: Wisconsin 5, @Beloit 4

Wisconsin bites Snappers with late comeback

Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

BELOIT, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers trailed the Beloit Snappers 4-2 heading into the eighth inning Sunday night at Pohlman Field. That didn’t matter. Wisconsin scored twice in the eighth and once in the ninth inning to rally for a 5-4 victory over their in-state rivals. The victory was the second straight for the Rattlers and fourth in their last five games.

The Timber Rattlers (43-37 overall, 5-5 second half) grabbed an early lead with an RBI single by Cody Hawn in the top of the first inning.

But, Beloit (45-35, 7-3) rallied back with two runs in the bottom of the first off Rattlers starting pitcher Maverick Lasker. Nate Roberts drove in the tying run with a triple. An RBI grounder by Michael Gonzales drove in Roberts to give Beloit a 2-1 lead.

Wisconsin tied the game in the top of the second. Franklin Romero’s RBI single sent Chad Stang home from third to make the score 2-2.

Lasker allowed one hit over the second, third, and fourth inning. But, he walked Jairo Perez, the leadoff batter, in the fifth. A single by Lance Ray put runners on first and second. Perez took off for third on a pickoff throw from Rattlers catcher Tony Pechek after a failed bunt attempt by Tobias Streich. Perez made it to third just ahead of the relay throw from the second base bag.

Streich worked Lasker to a 2-2 count after fouling off four two strike pitches. Then, he sent a fly ball to foul territory in right field. Romero made a nice running catch for the out, but his momentum carried him deeper into foul ground. The throw home was wide of the mark as Perez scored. Plus, Ray moved up to second on the throw to the plate.

A single by Daniel Santana moved Ray to third. Lasker got the second out on a pop up to short. But, an errant pickoff throw to first caromed off Santana into short right to allow Ray to score a run to make the score 4-2.

Wisconsin rallied to tie the game in the top of the eighth inning. TJ Mittelstaedt doubled to start the frame. Nick Shaw’s single to left-center was misplayed and Mittelstaedt scored as Shaw took second base.

However, Shaw was at third with two outs. Hawn made sure the opportunity was not wasted. The Rattlers first baseman dumped a single into right field to drive in Shaw with the tying run.

Romero set up the Rattlers go ahead run in the top of the ninth. He laced a 2-2 pitch down the right field line for a one out triple. Romero scored moments later on a passed ball for a 5-4 lead.

Rattlers closer Greg Holle entered the game in the bottom of the ninth inning and worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his seventeenth save of the season.

Game two of the series is an Independence Day matinee at Pohlman Field. Wisconsin has Brooks Hall (4-1, 3.15) as the scheduled starting pitcher. Beloit will send Ryan O’Rourke (2-1, 1.84) to the mound. Game time is 2:00pm. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 1:40pm.

Wisconsin box score

The Battle of Wisconsin is ours! Mittelstaedt cannot be stopped--two more hits and a walk today. Shaw, Hawn, Stang, and Romero also had two hits, and Mike Walker singled and walked. Stang drew just his second free pass. Lasker threw 72 pitches/46 strikes and posted a nice 4/0 K/BB in his four innings. Chris said yesterday that Matt Miller was as good as you could be for throwing 80 pitches in four innings, and I guess the same probably applies to Lasker for 72. Hawn may be the Cheetah, but Greg Hopkins still pinch-ran for him in the 8th. I guess that makes Hopkins the King Cheetah:

http://www.african-safari-pictures.com/image-files/king-cheetah.jpg

Greg Hopkins takes a lead off first base. (Associated Press)

Wisconsin play-by-play

[battlekow]

Final: @Round Rock 9, Nashville 6

Round Rock Sweeps Sounds With Another Walkoff Victory

Nashville Sounds

ROUND ROCK, Texas - Catcher Mike Napoli smashed a walkoff three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to stake the Round Rock Express to a 9-6 victory over the Nashville Sounds on Sunday evening at The Dell Diamond in the finale of a four-game series.

It marked the third straight night that Round Rock scored the game-winning run in its final turn at the plate against Sounds pitching.

The Sounds had rallied from a two-run deficit to tie the score in the top of the ninth inning before Napoli's blast, which came off Sounds reliever Sean Green, ended the contest.

Nashville (37-46), which was swept in the series, lost all eight of its games in Round Rock this season. The Sounds' current four-game losing skid immediately follows a five-game win streak, the club's best of the season.

The red-hot Caleb Gindl, who went 2-for-5 with three RBIs on the night, gave the Sounds a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning when he drilled his third homer of the series to right-center off Round Rock starter and former Sound Zach Jackson.

Eric Farris, who had opened the game with a single, also scored on the two-run blast, Gindl's 11th roundtripper of the year. Farris' single extended the infielder's hit streak to nine games, matching his best effort of the season.

Round Rock halved the Nashville lead to 2-1 in the second when Esteban German and Joey Butler ripped back-to-back two-out doubles off Sounds starter Frankie De La Cruz.

The Sounds extended the lead to 3-1 in the fourth when Erick Almonte (3-for-4) led off with a double to center and later scored on an Andy Gonzalez groundout.

The Express knotted the score at 3-3 in the fifth when Butler drew an inning-opening walk from De La Cruz and Robinzon Diaz singled before both baserunners scored on Julio Borbon's two-run triple down the first base line, the outfielder's first of two three-baggers in the contest.

Round Rock took its first lead of the evening in the sixth when Chris Davis led off with a single off De La Cruz, moved to third on a German single, and scored the go-ahead run on a Butler groundout to put the Express in front, 4-3.

Nashville tied the game at 4-4 in the eighth when Brandon Boggs greeted new Round Rock reliever Pedro Strop with a first-and-third fly ball that caromed off the top of the center field wall for an RBI single that plated Taylor Green.

Former Vanderbilt star Matt Kata put the Express back in front in the bottom of the eighth when the infielder smacked a two-out Sean Green offering back up the middle for a two-run, bases-loaded single. The knock staked Round Rock to a 6-4 lead.

The Sounds didn't go down without a fight, however, rallying to tie the contest at six-all in the top of the ninth. Gonzalez drew a leadoff walk from Strop and later scored on Gindl's two-out RBI triple to right. Brett Carroll followed with a potential game-ending grounder to third, but German overshot first base with his throw, allowing Gindl to score the tying run.

In the home half of the ninth, Borbon drew an inning-opening walk from Green then Omar Quintanilla dropped a sacrifice bunt attempt up the first base line that was mishandled by Gonzalez, the Sounds' first baseman, to allow a pair of Express baserunners to reach with no outs. Napoli followed by launching a 2-2 Green offering to left for the walkoff blast, his third homer in the past two nights against Sounds pitching.

Zach Phillips (1-3) earned his first win of the year for Round Rock after striking out the only batter he faced in the top of the ninth.

Green (0-4) took his second loss in the past three nights after surrendering the game-ending longball.

Carroll went 0-for-5 on the night for Nashville to bring an end to his season-best 10-game hitting streak.

The Sounds return to Music City tomorrow to host the cross-state rival Memphis Redbirds (AAA-Cardinals) in a brief three-game homestand. Right-hander Josh Butler (4-5, 5.45) will make the start for Nashville in Monday's 7:05 p.m. opener. Memphis will counter with right-hander Adam Ottavino (3-5, 3.97).

A special Independence Day fireworks spectacular will light up the sky above Greer Stadium following the game.

Nashville box score

Jeez. The Sounds will celebrate Independence Day tomorrow, but it will be freedom from the tyranny not of King George III but the villainous Round Rock Express that they honor with their fireworks. I suspect when they design their flag green will not be one of the colors they choose. Nice peripherals from de la Cruz: 8/2 K/BB in his six innings. Love to see Gindl hot again. Taylor Green was 1-4 with a walk. Carroll's hit streak may have been snapped, but he picked up his umpteenth outfield assist.

Nashville play-by-play

[Mass Haas]

Final: Helena 3, @Great Falls 0

 

Heleba Independent Record recaps the road game --

 

GREAT FALLS — Helena Brewers starting pitcher Andy Moye sparkled in six strong innings of work, and his teammates took advantage of a pair of wild pitches from his counterpart to breeze to a 3-0 blanking of the hosting Great Falls Voyagers on Sunday afternoon.

Moye allowed just three singles, struck out six and did not surrender a walk in helping Helena improve to 8-6 on the season.

Moye improved to 2-0 on the year with the effort. It was Moye's second straight start against the Voyagers, after going five scoreless in a winning effort earlier in the week.

Great Falls starter Samuel Phippen allowed just three hits and struck out six himself in five innings of work, but hurt his team’s effort with an erratic top of the fifth.

Phippen surrendered a leadoff single to Brewers first baseman Parker Berberet in the frame and followed up with a wild pitch to move Berberet to second.

Phippen then walked Helena catcher Tyler Roberts and advanced both runners into scoring position with another wild pitch. Sacrifice grounders from Brewers right fielder Max Walla and third baseman Kyle Dhanani plated both of their teammates. Left fielder Robbie Garvey drew a walk of his own before second baseman Gant Elmore grounded out to end the frame.

Walla singled in Roberts in the top of the seventh to provide the final margin.

Walla finished 1-for-3 at the plate, including his two RBIs, to lead the Helena offense.

Berberet and center fielder Ruben Ozuna each went 2-for-4 on the night.

David Goforth allowed just one hit, no walks and struck out two in three innings for his first save.

 

Helena Box Score

RHP Andy Moye, this year's 15th round pick out of Georgia Southern, doing exactly what he should be doing as a pitcher who will turn 24 in two months; now with a 16-to-1 K-to-BB ratio in 14 innings; 7th round pick David Goforth (University of Mississippi) is a year younger -- we congratulate both on a fine night, but with tempered enthusiasm, naturally; Tyler Roberts a double and two walks, and while he'll always be Ruben Sanchez to me, glad to see Ruben Ozuna survived his wall collision from Saturday with no residual efects...

 

Helena Play-by-Play

[Mass Haas]

Final: AZL Cubs 9, @AZL Brewers 3

Arizona Box Score

A-Crew falls to 2-9 with eight losses in a row; 19-year-old (20 in September) Jeffrey Saba, a DSL promotee, is listed at 6'2", 152, so his K numbers from last year and this don't suggest power pitcher, at least for now -- he did fan four in five innings here, allowing three runs, two earned; soon-to-be 19-year-old non-drafted LHP Will West struggled in an inning plus, while a more advanced non-drafted free agent, UC-Santa Barbara's Greg Davis, allowed both runners to score after inheriting West's 1st and 3rd, no out situation in the 7th while also allowing a run of his own.

 

50th round high school OF Matt Franco is only 3-for-22 after seven games played, but he's walked seven times for a .345 OBP, and the lefty bat was on base all four times here out of the nine-hole; another lefty bat, 23-year-old Steve Felix (undrafted out of Troy University in 2010) is rocking a 1.411 OPS after eight games played -- he's also 4-for-4 in SB attempts and since those numbers may never be prettier in his pro career, we'll let you view them here; former DSL OF's Jose Garcia (two hits here) and Ronny Puello (now 1-for-17) have only appeared in five games each out of eleven, while 18-year-old 9th round pick CF Malcolm Dowell (6-for-36, all singles, 17 K's) has played in ten contests thus far...

 

Arizona Play-by-Play

[Mass Haas]

Can't help but think of this guy whenever we see the name of AZL undrafted catcher Jimmie Pharr -- the linked man turned 77 this past week, wow...

[Mass Haas]

Audio of Caleb Gindl's two-run 1st inning home run -- perhaps because it was a first inning shot and not a no-doubter, Stu's call was unusually straightforward...

[Mass Haas]

And video of Gindl's home run from the game prior on Saturday...

[Mass Haas]

Rattler Radio Blog post-game thoughts -- to write in Mehring-speak:

 

A.Must.Read

[Mass Haas]

Brewers blank Voyagers

by Jesse Geleynse, Great Falls Tribune

 

With its high elevation and an almost constant wind blowing to the outfield, Centene Stadium does not lend itself to a lot of shutouts.

But Sunday proved an exception as the Great Falls Voyagers lost a 3-0 decision to the visiting Helena Brewers in front of 1,332 fans as Helena pitchers Andy Moye and David Goforth combined to four-hit the Voyagers and avenge Saturday's 9-8 Great Falls win.

"(That was a) phenomonal job by Moye and Goforth today," said Helena manager Joe Ayrault. "Both had been throwing the ball well and have been very impressive since minicamp. It was a good way to respond after last night's loss late in the ball game and it was a good way for us to bounce back in a day game with a victory."

Moye (2-0) worked the first six innings and allowed three hits as he struck out six. Both of the lanky right-hander's wins have come against the Voyagers as Moye beat Great Falls 5-4 on June 28.

"That's a good arm we ran into tonight," Voyagers manager Ryan Newman said of Moye. "We faced him over there in Helena, too, and he pitched really well there. Sometimes you just have to tip your cap — the kid did an outstanding job."

The Brewers did not miss a beat when Goforth took over in the seventh inning. Goforth, whose fastball topped out in the mid-90s, allowed one hit and fanned two to pick up his first save of the season as he and Moye faced just two batters more than the minimum.

Moye received all the support he needed when the Brewers struck for two runs in the top of the fifth.

Parker Berberet led off with a single and Tyler Roberts followed with a walk. Both runners moved up on a wild pitch and Berberet scored on a groundout by Max Walla. Kyle Dhanani drove home Roberts with another groundout and Helena led 2-0.

The Brewers added another run in the top of the seventh. Roberts stroked a one-out double and Walla scored him with a single to right field.

"Guys stuck with it and had good at-bats," Ayrault said. "We got great defense and pitching and a timely knock today. You're gonna win every time, pretty much."

Voyagers starter Sam Phippen (0-2) suffered his second loss at the hand of the Brewers. The pitcher of record for the Voyagers on June 28, Phippen was perfect through three innings before allowing singles to Ruben Ozuna and Yadiel Rivera in the fourth. But Phippen later picked Ozuna off and Rivera was caught stealing to end the inning as Phippen faced the minimum himself through four.

Kevin Vance allowed one run in three innings of four-hit relief for Great Falls before yielding to Cody Winiarski, who pitched a scoreless ninth.

"A 3-0 ballgame, that's good pitching all the way around," Newman said. "Phip gave us a great effort, five solid innings, and Vance came in and did outstanding."

Ozuna finished 2-for-4 while Berberet was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Roberts had a hit and scored twice while Walla finished with two RBIs.

Herbek, Michael Earley, Martin Medina and Jeffer Patino had singles for Great Falls (6-8), which slid back into a tie for third place with Missoula in the North Division standings.

The Brewers (8-6) climbed back into a tie for first place with Billings.

"You're going to have your streaks and how you come into the ballpark every single day has to be the same," Ayrault said. "You have top hit the 'reset' button every day when you come through the door and be ready to play and win every day."

Monday's game will feature Blair Walters (0-0, 7.71) starting for the Voyagers against Tyler Cravy (1-0, 3.00) of the Brewers.

[JohnBriggs12]

Moye (16 to 1 K to BB rate) is becoming a guy to keep an eye on.

[LouisEly]

Moye (16 to 1 K to BB rate) is becoming a guy to keep an eye on.

I was thinking about posting the same thing, but was worried that the 23-year-old-in-rookie ball and small sample police would deliver me a good flogging.

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO: Another Caleb Gindl home run, this one off a southpaw (his 1st off a LHP this year)