Link Report for Wed. 7/6 -- Thornburg struggles, Gennett homers; All seven farm clubs lose

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

 

Times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: LHP Sam Narron at home vs. Memphis (Cardinals), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime

Live Audio Link

iPad/iPhone: Listen

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers

Huntsville: LHP Dan Merklinger at Chattanooga (Dodgers), 6:15 PM gametime

Live Audio Link -- It's the Lookouts' feed...

Brevard County: RHP Tyler Thornburg at home vs. Clearwater (Phillies), 6:05 PM gametime

Sorry, no audio available for this series...

Wisconsin: LHP Del Howell at home vs. Kane County (Royals), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime

Live Audio Link

 

Helena: RHP Kevin Shackelford 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): at home vs. the Dodgers' tykes; 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league

 

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

[Mass Haas]

As we've noted earlier this week, the Timber Rattler game will be televised on Time Warner Cable Sports 32.

[Mass Haas]

Follow Wednesday's action as it happens:

 

Nashville (Gameday also available)

 

Huntsville (Gameday also available)

 

Brevard County

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale)

DSL Brewers

[docduany]

I'm sorry if this is the wrong place for this post. Can someone tell me the name of the kid in Arizona who struck out 11 batters in his first ( or one of his early season) starts this season? He was a late round draft pick in 2010 I believe. I just remember being excited about finding a diamond in the rough, but I haven't be able to identify his name or results since. Thanks in advance you genius link report people.

[Mass Haas]

I'm sorry if this is the wrong place for this post. Can someone tell me the name of the kid in Arizona who struck out 11 batters in his first ( or one of his early season) starts this season? He was a late round draft pick in 2010 I believe. I just remember being excited about finding a diamond in the rough, but I haven't be able to identify his name or results since. Thanks in advance you genius link report people.

The two back-to-back posts starting here will answer your question.

[patrickgpe]

Michael Schaub, a 38th rounder in 2010.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville's amazing Media Notes

Huntsville's Media Notes

[Mass Haas]

Erick Almonte's home run from Tuesday night is now available in the Nashville archive (not Brandon Boggs' walkoff?).

[Mass Haas]

Wisconsin Media Notes

[battlekow]

Final: @Chattanooga 5, Huntsville 4

Huntsville box score

Dan Merklinger posted a nice K/BB but an ugly line overall: 5.1 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 2 HR, 2 WP, 6/2 GO/FO, 99 pitches, 62 strikes. Jim Henderson had a nice outing in relief, striking out three of the six men he faced. Logan Schafer, Anderson de la Rosa, and Matt Cline each had two hits, with Schafer and Cline each swatting a double. Zelous Wheeler also doubled and was hit by a pitch. Lee Haydel was 0-4, and Erik Komatsu and Sean Halton did not start, though struck out pinch-hitting. Brock Kjeldgaard is 3 for his first 20 with the Stars with just one extra-base hit, a double. Two of the hits, including the double, came in his first game, so it's been a poor start to July for the consonanted one.

Huntsville play-by-play

You might conclude that fortune did not favor Merklinger today, but he earned his line: just one of the hits he allowed came on a regular (non-"sharp") ground ball.

[battlekow]

Final: Clearwater 11, @Brevard County 4

Brevard County box score

Tyler Thornburg wasn't at his best: 5 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 2 WP, 4/4 GO/FO. The seven hits represent almost 10% of his career total including tonight's game, 74--that's how unhittable he's been. Obviously the "relief" corps inflamed things a bit, the chief offender being Rolando Pascual, who gave up four runs and got only one out. They already moved him to relief, so...maybe he can play shortstop? Scooter Gennett went off for three hits, including his fifth homer and a double, and Shea Vucinich also had three hits. Hunter Morris added two hits, and D'Vontrey Richardson singled and walked (His first walk since May! *trumpets blare*). Khris Davis, who never gets shut out, went hitless but drew a walk, while Kentrail Davis, who does, was.

Brevard County play-by-play

A three-run 1st did most of the damage against Thornburg:

Clearwater Top of the 1st

• Jiwan James singles on a ground ball to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson.
• D'Arby Myers singles on a line drive to left fielder Khristopher Davis. Jiwan James to 3rd.
• Jonathan Singleton pops out to third baseman Shea Vucinich in foul territory.
• With Darin Ruf batting, wild pitch by Tyler Thornburg, Jiwan James scores. D'Arby Myers to 2nd.
• Darin Ruf grounds out, third baseman Shea Vucinich to first baseman Hunter Morris.
• Sebastian Valle doubles (14) on a fly ball to left fielder Khristopher Davis. D'Arby Myers scores.
• Jeremy Barnes singles on a ground ball to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. Sebastian Valle scores.
• John Suomi strikes out swinging.

[battlekow]

Final: DSL Mariners 7, @DSL Brewers 2

DSL Brewers box score

After three days off (two unscheduled), the Cerveceritos reconvened and rediscovered the fact that they can't seem to beat the Marineritos. Eliezer Montano was tagged for six runs in three innings, though Marcos Padilla turned in a nice game in the longest outing of his career: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K. Yonki Hernandez had three of the Cerveceritos' six hits; the other three belonged, one each, to Esthervin Matos, Raul Mondesi, and Deivi Mejia. Orlando Arcia drew a walk, but the 0-3 day saw his average dip below .300--the horror!

DSL Brewers play-by-play

Two runs in the 9th kept it from being a shutout. Gotta believe the Marineritos' skipper was none too pleased with his reliever putting the first three men aboard in a blowout:

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 9th

• Pitcher Change: Albert Tamarez replaces Wander Marte.
• Francisco Castillo walks.
• Orlando Arcia walks. Francisco Castillo to 2nd.
• Deivi Mejia walks. Francisco Castillo to 3rd. Orlando Arcia to 2nd.
• Pitcher Change: Enrique Rosario replaces Albert Tamarez.
• Jose Pena out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Gabriel Guerrero. Francisco Castillo scores.
• Raul Mondesi singles on a line drive to center fielder Janelfry Zorrilla. Orlando Arcia scores. Deivi Mejia to 3rd.
• Dionis Hinojosa strikes out swinging.
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Juan De Leon replaces Carlos Pena.
• Juan De Leon flies out to right fielder Gabriel Guerrero in foul territory.

[battlekow]

Final: Kane County 10, @Wisconsin 7

Wisconsin box score

Del Howell was hammered for six runs in 3.2 innings, and though the Rattlers scored four in the 9th to make a game of it, they were too far behind to come all the way back. Mike Walker cracked his 14th homer as part of his two-hit effort, and Cody Hawn collected three hits, including a double. Greg Hopkins, Jason Rogers, and Chad Stang joined Walker in the two-hit club. TJ Mittelstaedt had an off night, 0-4 with a walk; he did steal his 15th base, and Reggie Keen his 30th. Chris's recap tomorrow.

Wisconsin play-by-play

The 9th-inning rally-ish:

Wisconsin Bottom of the 9th

• Chad Stang singles on a line drive to center fielder Brett Eibner.
• Nick Shaw singles on a line drive to center fielder Brett Eibner. Chad Stang to 2nd.
• Reggie Keen flies out to center fielder Brett Eibner.
• T. J. Mittelstaedt strikes out swinging.
• Gregory Hopkins singles on a line drive to center fielder Brett Eibner. Chad Stang scores. Nick Shaw to 2nd.
• Michael Walker homers (14) on a fly ball to center field. Nick Shaw scores. Gregory Hopkins scores.
• Cody Hawn singles on a line drive to center fielder Brett Eibner.
• Jason Rogers flies out to center fielder Brett Eibner.

[TooLiveBrew]

Final: Missoula 5, @Helena 2

 

Brewers Swept by Osprey

by Nicholas Allen

 

The Brewers jumped out to an early lead Wednesday night, but were undone

by baserunning mistakes and errors as the Missoula Osprey claimed a

series sweep with a 5-2 victory at Kindrick Legion Field. Kevin

Shackelford (0-1) earned the loss, allowing five runs (three earned) on

six hits. Thomas Keeling followed with two scoreless innings in which he

struck out four and surrendered just one hit and did not walk a batter.

 

The Brewers got on the board in the second inning as Max Walla doubled

and came around to score on a single by Yadiel Rivera. Kyle Dhanani

followed with a single to right. On the play, Mike Nemeth was held at

third while Yadiel Rivera hustled around second and was eventually

tagged out as both runners stood on third base. Ruben Ozuna would later

double to drive in Nemeth and Dhanani would attempt to score as well,

only to be tagged out at home as he collided with Osprey catcher Fidel

Pena to end the inning.

 

Helena had a chance to break the game open in the following inning,

loading the bases with nobody out, only for Missoula starter Enrique

Burgos (2-1) to strike out the side and end the threat. Burgos earned

the victory as he gave up just two runs on six hits in five innings. The

Osprey bullpen would hold the Brewers scoreless the rest of the way,

with Frank Santana earning his third save of the year.

 

Missoula tied the game in the fourth on back-to-back doubles by Eric

Groff and Tom Belza and added three runs in the fifth for the final

margin. Adrian Williams committed consecutive errors to open the inning,

though Pena was picked off by Shackelford. Chris Ellison connected on

his second home run of the season to drive in Justin Bianco. Josh Parr

scored on a wild pitch to end the scoring.

 

The two teams will move to Missoula for a two-game series before the

Brewers return home for a three game set against the Great Falls

Voyagers beginning Saturday July 9.

 

 

Helena Box Score

Robbie Garvey had a single out of the leadoff spot. DH Nick Ramirez added a single & a walk. Catcher Tyler Roberts went 0-4 with three K's (two swinging); Walla had a single to go along with his double. Third baseman Dhanani walked twice in addition to his hit, but committed a throwing error in the 5th.

 

Shackleford was hurt by three Helena errors, all committed in the 5th inning; the Osprey scored three runs (one earned) in the frame. His final line was 7 IP, 6 H, 5 R/3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K. Keeling struck out the side in order in the eighth inning; he allowed a two-out double before shutting things down in the ninth.

 

 

Helena Play-by-Play

Painful inning, take 1:

 

Helena Bottom of the 3rd

• Robert Garvey singles on a ground ball to center fielder Justin Bianco.
• With Adrian Williams batting, wild pitch by Enrique Burgos, Robert Garvey to 2nd.
• Adrian Williams walks.
• Nick Ramirez singles on a line drive to center fielder Justin Bianco. Robert Garvey to 3rd. Adrian Williams to 2nd.
• Tyler Roberts called out on strikes.
• Max Walla strikes out swinging.
• Michael Nemeth strikes out swinging.

Painful inning, take 2:

 

Missoula Top of the 5th

• Fidel Pena reaches on fielding error by second baseman Adrian Williams.
• With Justin Bianco batting, Kevin Shackelford picks off Fidel Pena at 1st on throw to Michael Nemeth.
• Justin Bianco reaches on fielding error by second baseman Adrian Williams.
• Chris Ellison homers (2) on a fly ball to left field. Justin Bianco scores.
• Josh Parr reaches on throwing error by third baseman Kyle Dhanani. Josh Parr to 3rd.
• With Stephen Cardullo batting, wild pitch by Kevin Shackelford, Josh Parr scores.
• Stephen Cardullo pops out to first baseman Michael Nemeth.
• Jonathan Griffin flies out to center fielder Ruben Ozuna.

[TooLiveBrew]

Final: Dodgers 9, Brewers 0

 

AZL Box Score

Three three-run innings from the Dodgers, along with six strong innings from starter Luis Mesa, combined to overwhelm the Brewers. The AZL squad lost their ninth game in the last ten, dropping their record to 3-10 so far on the season.

 

Centerfielder Malcolm Dowell & catcher Cameron Garfield led the way for the offense, with two hits each. Second baseman Kevin Berard walked once & singled once. Leftfielder Matthew Franco ('11 50th-rd.) & first baseman Hitaniel Arias each singled, and Brandon Macias added one walk.

 

2010 thirteenth-rounder Michael White allowed three runs (all earned) in four innings of work before being replaced during the top of the fifth. '11 UDFA Steven Peterson completed two perfect innings, striking out three, but really only retired four Dodgers hitters. How, you ask? Read on ... After White allowed a leadoff triple & a walk to start the fifth inning, Peterson came on in relief. He struck out the first batter he faced, and on the same play, Garfield cut down Dodgers shortstop Delvis Morales trying to steal second. Dodgers centerfielder Devon Shines tried to score from third on the play, but Berard was able to get the ball back to Garfield in time to complete the incredibly rare triple play.

 

 

AZL Play-by-Play

On a night where the number three featured prominently, here's the triple play... which occurred with the third batter of the inning at the plate, after a three-bagger led off the frame. This was the lone bright spot (aside from Peterson) for the AZL Crew:

AZL Dodgers Top of the 5th

• Devin Shines triples (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Ronny Puello.
• Delvis Morales walks.
• Pitcher Change: Stephen Peterson replaces Michael White.
• Joseph
  Winker strikes out swinging and Delvis Morales caught stealing 2nd,
  catcher Cameron Garfield to second baseman Kevin Berard to catcher
  Cameron Garfield. Devin Shines out at home. Delvis Morales out at
  2nd.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Memphis 6, @Nashville 5, 13 innings

 

Sounds Lose 6-5 To Memphis In Extras

Nashville moves to 1-8 in extra-inning play this season

Nashville Sounds

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -The Nashville Sounds lost an extra-inning, 6-5 contest to division-rival Memphis Redbirds in the finale of a three-game series on Wednesday evening at Greer Stadium.

Memphis plated the winning run on a Nashville fielding error in the top of the 13th inning, which snapped a streak of four errorless games for the Sounds.

 

Nashville (39-47) has played in a PCL-high 41 one-run games this season, going 18-23 in those contests. The Sounds' 23 one-run losses are most in the PCL and account for nearly half of the club's total defeats. Nashville also moved to 1-8 in extra-inning play.

 

Sounds second baseman Eric Farris collected a season-high four hits and scored two runs from the leadoff spot. Brett Carroll, Caleb Gindl, and Edwin Maysonet each added two hits.

 

After Farris led the bottom of the first with a single, Taylor Green put the Sounds on board with an RBI double to right field.

 

The Redbirds knotted the contest at 1-1 in the next frame as Andrew Brown led off the inning with a ground rule double over the wall in right center. Brown would then move over to third on a groundout and come home on a sacrifice fly.

 

Nashville went ahead 4-1 in the bottom of the third inning as Farris again led off with a single to start the rally. After Gindl walked, he and Farris advanced to scoring position on a wild pitch from Memphis starter Maikel Cleto. Carroll then doubled in the gap in center to plate both runners. (Audio of that two-run double available here.)

 

The next batter, Erick Almonte, walked to reach base, and he and Carroll both moved to scoring position on a double steal. Cleto then tossed another wild pitch that allowed Carroll to score the Sounds' final run of the inning.

 

The Redbirds exploded for four runs in the top of the sixth inning to go back ahead at 5-4. The inning was highlighted by Aaron Luna's two-out, three-run homer, as Sounds starter Sam Narron issued two walks and hit another in the frame.

 

The Sounds tied the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the eighth inning. Pinch-hitter Jordan Brown knocked a two-out double to right field and scored on Farris' fourth hit of the game, a softly hit RBI single over the shortstop's head. Brown is now hitting .600 (6-for-10) as a pinch hitter.

 

The next four innings were scoreless for both clubs before Memphis plated the go-ahead run in the 13th inning. Andrew Brown doubled to reach base to begin the inning. Carpenter then hit a dribbler down the first base line that hopped off the bag. After first baseman Almonte fielded the ball and overthrew pitcher Sean Green, which allowed Brown to come around and score.

 

Wil Nieves recorded a hit in the bottom of the 12th to extend his hitting streak to seven games, the longest active on the club.

 

In his third start of the season for the Redbirds, Cleto gave up four runs on six hits with three strikeouts in five innings in the no-decision.

 

Narron was charged with five runs on seven hits in six innings in a no-decision. Relievers Justin James and Tim Dillard each provided two scoreless innings from the bullpen. Green (0-5) took the loss, giving up an unearned run while walking five in three innings.

 

Coming into the game with a PCL-low 38 stolen bases on the season, the Sounds swiped a season-high three bags on the evening.

 

The Sounds travel to Albuquerque for a quick four-game road trip with the Isotopes, beginning at 8:05 PM CT on Thursday night at Isotopes Park. Nashville right-hander Amaury Rivas (6-7, 4.34) takes the mound against Albuquerque left-hander Randy Keisler (4-4, 4.08).

 

Nashville Box Score

Four hours and 17 minutes -- the frequency of these tight ballgames for the Sounds, well documented by the Nashville staff here all season, has been amazing; the upper half of this box score certainly looks like a Tony LaRussa piece of work, as we are talking the Redbirds here; Eric Farris' stolen base was his 11th in 17 attempts -- if he were to steal 59 more consecutive bases this season, he'd match his numbers from his 2009 campaign at Brevard; Farris with four singles, Caleb Gindl and Taylor Green each reached base three times -- those two have locked up 40-man roster spots this fall, when they'll need to be protected from Rule 5; Sean Green threw 57 pitches, only 28 strikes, yet deserved a better fate somehow -- when he wasn't walking men, he did have a 7-0 ground ball ratio...

 

Nashville Play-by-Play

Yeah, Erick Almonte's game-ending error was the only one the Sounds committed, they also turned four double plays; Sean Green had to bat in a potential game-winning spot in the 12th -- combination of a near-empty bench and the status of the bullpen after a busy week --

 

Nashville Bottom of the 12th

• Taylor Green called out on strikes.
  
• Brandon Boggs strikes out swinging.
  
• Wil Nieves singles on a ground ball to left fielder Daryl Jones.
  
• Edwin Maysonet singles on a ground ball to second baseman Donovan Solano. Wil Nieves to 2nd.
  
• Sean Green called out on strikes.

[HiAndTight]

This report kinda supports the argument for paying over slot later on for talent that fell.

 

Scootter Gennett is obviously more than worth the 260K he got, or whatever it was exactly.

Del Howell has been a bit of a disappointment, but at this point I think if you combine he and Gennett's bonuses, you'd be more than happy with that production.

And then you have Thomas Keeling who's still showing some promise, but isn't quite as productive as Gennett. Still, if he can keep having walk-less outings, you have to feel pretty dang good about him.

[Mass Haas]

Lookouts Outshine Stars, 5-4

Chattanooga Lookouts

All of the Lookouts positional starters contributed with at least one hit to lead Chattanooga to a 5-4 win over the Huntsville Stars in Wednesday night action at AT&T Field.

Huntsville jumped off to an early 2-0 lead by plating two runs in the third inning. Anderson De La Rosa led off the inning with a single and scampered to third on a subsequent Matt Cline double. Dan Merklinger followed with a groundout to second baseman Jaime Pedroza, which scored De La Rosa and pushed Cline to third. Lee Haydel then hit another run-resulting groundout to Pedroza to account for the second run of the inning.

The Lookouts usurped the Stars' lead in the fourth inning. Travis Denker and Wilberto Ortiz led off the inning with back-to-back solo shots off of Merklinger (5-5) to tie up the game. After a Pedroza strike out, Griff Erickson blasted a double to deep center. Lookouts starting pitcher Allen Webster then laid down a bunt that resulted in the ball plopping a few feet fair in front of the batter's box. Catcher De La Rosa aggressively threw to third base, but an errant throw into left field resulted in Erickson easily trotting home.

Scott Van Slyke led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a double. Denker then struck out swinging on a wild pitch which enabled him to reach first and Van Slyke to third. Ortiz then grounded out in a double play; however, Van Slyke was able to score on the play to augment the Lookouts' lead, 4-2.

Both teams exchanged one-run efforts in the sixth by means of a similar blueprint. Logan Scafer and Zelous Wheeler both hit doubles to account for Huntsville's run, while back-to-back doubles from Alfredo Silverio and Brian Cavazos-Galvez negated the Stars' efforts.

Josh Lindblom entered the game in the ninth for the Lookouts and retired the side to record his twelfth save of the season.

Webster (2-1) picked up the win for the Lookouts. In six innings of work, he yielded three runs on five hits. He struck out seven, while not issuing a walk.

***

Kudos to the Chattanooga staff for using usurped and augment in the same game story -- impressive!

[Mass Haas]

'Tees thumped by Threshers

Thornburg drops first decision of 2011

By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees

 

VIERA, Fla. -- Tyler Thornburg lost his first game of the 2011 season on Wednesday night, as the Brevard County Manatees were thumped by the Clearwater Threshers, 11-4.

Thornburg - the reigning FSL Pitcher of the Week - went five innings and allowed four runs on seven hits, while walking three, striking out four and throwing two wild pitches. It was just the second time this year, between Wisconsin and Brevard County, that Thornburg gave up more than two runs in a start.

Clearwater jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first, but the Manatees were able to get one run back in the bottom of the inning, thanks to a lead-off homer by Scooter Gennett.

The Threshers made it 4-1 in the third, when Darin Ruf hit a one-out solo homer off of Thornburg. Again though, Brevard County was able to cut into the deficit in the bottom of the inning, on a two-out, two-RBI single by Shea Vucinich that made it a 4-3 game.

After Thornburg departed the game, Brevard County's bullpen struggled as the trio of Roque Mercedes, Jon Pokorny and Rolando Pascual combined to give up seven runs in 3 1/3 innings of work.

Gennett led the way at the plate for the 'Tees as he was 3-for-5 with a double, home run, RBI and two runs scored. Vucinich also notched three hits, along with two RBI. Hunter Morris added two hits as well.

Brevard County will look to even this four-game series in the finale on Thursday night at 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

 

The 'Tees will send Austin Ross (0-1, 6.30) to the mound, while a starting pitcher has yet to be announced by the Threshers for Thursday's game.

 

Scooter Gennett was 3-for-5 with a homer, but Tyler Thornburg lost his first decision of 2011 as the Manatees were thumped by the Threshers, 11-4 on Wednesday night. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2011/07/06/XDT3xf3J.jpg

[Mass Haas]

MISSOULA SWEEPS: Brewers drop third straight, fall to third in division

by Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record

 

Chris Ellison may have only had one hit in Wednesday’s game at Kindrick Legion Field, but the Missoula outfielder made it count.

Ellison took an outside fastball from Helena’s Kevin Shackelford and sent it sailing over the wall in left-center field, a two-run shot that broke a 2-all tie in the fifth inning and sent the Osprey to their fourth straight win, a 5-2 victory over the Brewers.

Helena (8-9) fell below .500 for the first time this season and the reigning Pioneer League champions now find themselves in third place in a tight North Division race.

“Tough one,” Brewers manager Joe Ayrault said after his squad was swept by Missoula. “We had them on the ropes early, then you could feel the momentum change a little bit. Good thing we got another game tomorrow.”

Helena took a 2-0 lead in the second inning thanks to RBIs from Yadiel Rivera and Ruben Ozuna. The hosts had a chance to tack on more in the third, getting a walk sandwiched between a pair of singles to load the bases with no outs, and the heart of the order due up for the Brewers. But Missoula starter Enrique Burgos worked out of the jam in the most dominant way possible, striking out the side.

The visitors tied the game with two runs in the fourth, then added three more an inning later off of Ellison’s home run, a wild pitch and three costly Helena errors. The 5-2 score would hold the rest of the way.

“They beat us in some close games early on in the year and they were in first place for a while,” said Ellison, who entered the game batting .305. “We really wanted to come out here and prove we could play with them and I feel like we did that.”

The Birds’ bullpen shined for the second straight night, giving up just one hit through three innings of relief with six strikeouts. Helena batsmen struck out a dozen times in the contest, and were fanned 22 times by Missoula pitchers in the short two-game set.

“We have a young team and these guys are just aggressive, they get after it,” Ayrault said, adding that hitting coach Ned Yost IV preaches having a two-strike approach. “We have a lot of guys with good plate discipline.”

Shackelford took the loss in his first start of the season, filling in for Brandon Williamson, who sat out his spot in the rotation with a concussion. Williamson was hit in the head by a line drive at Billings during the six-game road swing. Burgos earned his second win of the season for Missoula (9-8).

“Shack did a great job in the start to give us those seven innings and (Thomas) Keeling was phenomenal there at the end,” Ayrault said of his reliever, who threw two scoreless innings out of the bullpen.

But unfortunately for the Brewers, the Osprey arms were just a bit more effective and got the run support needed to take four games out of a five-day road trip.

“Games are won on pitching and defense,” Ellison said, crediting his pitchers for solid play and his teammates for errorless ball. “Bats come and go, but as long as they keep this up I feel like we’re going to have a pretty good season.”

The message in the Brewers’ clubhouse was the same it has been for the past few games: hit the reset button, put this one behind them and try to snap a three-game skid.

“In baseball, you’ve got to have a short memory,” Ayrault said. “We’re going to head over to Missoula with a winning attitude.”

Right-hander Chad Pierce is expected to start for Helena tonight, when the Brewers open a two-game set on the road. Jesse Darrah gets the nod for the Osprey.

 

All photos by Dylan Brown Independent Record - Helena Brewers' Mike Nemeth dives back to third base, while Missoula third baseman Stephen Cardullo catches the ball Wednesday night at Kindrick Legion Field.

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/ee/6eef2ada-a849-11e0-850c-001cc4c03286/4e152848d28dc.image.jpg

 

Brewers shortstop Yadiel Rivera goes for a double play

 

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Brewers second baseman Adrian Williams collects a grounder to make a play at first for the out

 

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/9/ac/9ac04db0-a849-11e0-ba0f-001cc4c03286/4e1528925c0f5.image.jpg

 

Missoula Osprey shortstop Josh Parr tags out Helena Brewers' Max Walla on an attempted steal

 

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/55/b55cab8c-a849-11e0-8f12-001cc4c03286/4e1528bf05c84.image.jpg

[battlekow]

Five Kane County homers too much for Wisconsin

Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

GRAND CHUTE, WI - Jake Kuebler hit three home runs to lead the Kane County Cougars to a 10-7 victory over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Wednesday night at Time Warner Cable Field. The Cougars hit five home runs in the game to build a 10-3 lead. That was enough to hold off a late Timber Rattlers charge and end Wisconsin's four game winning streak.

Kane County (37-45 overall, 9-4 second half) went in front in the top of the second inning. Kuebler launched a 2-0 pitch from Rattlers starting pitcher Del Howell with two outs. The ball banged off Kuebler's picture on the scoreboard in left-center to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead.

In the third inning, Yowill Espinal - Kane County's number nine hitter - cracked a leadoff homer over the wall in left and the Cougars were up 2-0.

Wisconsin (45-38, 7-6) cut the deficit to one run on an RBI grounder off the bat of Nick Shaw in the bottom of the third inning.

But, the Cougars pulled away in the top of the fourth with four runs. They loaded the bases with one out. Then, Julio Aparicio singled in a run to start the scoring. A run scoring wild pitch and a sacrifice fly by Espinal made the score 5-1. Angel Franco singled in one more run to chase Howell from the game with the Cougars in front 6-1.

The Rattlers loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth inning with no outs, but could not score.

In the sixth, Greg Hopkins and Mike Walker singled with one out. Both moved up a base on a wild pitch. An RBI grounder by Cody Hawn scored Hopkins. Jason Rogers followed with an RBI double to get the Rattlers to within three runs.

But, the Cougars answered in the top of the seventh inning. Brian Fletcher started the inning with a home run to centerfield that cleared the batter's eye. Later in the inning, Kuebler bashed his second home run of the game. This one was a two-run shot to left to make the score 9-3.

Kuebler, who was hitting .196 and had two homers in 37 game with the Cougars this season, hit his third home run of the night with two outs in the ninth inning for a 10-3 advantage.

The Rattlers put together a little rally in the bottom of the ninth. Chad Stang and Shaw singled to start the inning, but they were still at first and second with two outs in the inning. Hopkins singled to left to score Stang. Then, Walker blasted a homer off the scoreboard. Walker's fourteenth home run of the season made the score 10-7.

Hawn followed with a single, his third hit of the night. Rogers was next and his deep drive to left-center was rundown and caught by centerfielder Brett Eibner on the warning track for the final out.

Game two of the series is Thursday afternoon at Time Warner Cable Field. Matt Miller (2-4, 4.74) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Kane County has Leondy Perez (2-8, 3.44) as their scheduled starter. Game time is 12:05pm.

Tomorrow is a Thirsty Thursday with 22 ounce Pepsi products and 16 ounce Miller products are available for $2. Fans may redeem a Thursday game ticket at Slugger's, located inside Super Bowl on Northland Avenue, for a chance to win great prizes from Miller Lite.

Thursday also features s a bonus Baker Tilly Business Person's Special with a box seat ticket, a beverage, and a brat or hot dog for $11.50 and a business card. Senior citizens may also take advantage of this deal.

Additionally, Thursday is Taco Bell Day at Time Warner Cable Field. Area Taco Bell restaurants are hosting kids and family members from local Boys & Girls Clubs. There will be an in game offer and T-Shirts from Taco Bell.

If you can't make it out to the game, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 11:45am.

[Mass Haas]

Brevard Conuty Manatees manager Jeff Isom, left, congratulates Scooter Gennett after he hit a home run in the first inning. / Photo by Craig Rubadoux, FLORIDA TODAY

 

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[Mass Haas]

Rattler Radio Blog -- Post-Game Thoughts, including record-breaking news (in a bad way)...positive updates, too, though.

[Mass Haas]