Link Report for Thurs. 7/7 -- Huntsville takes epic extra-inning battle

[molitor fan]

I think its just as likely that he just got the digits of the hot redhead seated along the 3rd base line

[brewmann04]

Doug do you think they would trade there top prospect at 3rd base especially with casey struggling.

[SoCalBrewfan]

My buddy is at the Nashville vs Albuquerque game and Green is getting random high fives in the dugout.

 

He did steal his first base of the year...

 

Would be happy to see him in Milwaukee though.

[Mass Haas]

Finals:

 

@Albuquerque 5, Nashville 1

 

Huntsville 3, @Chattanooga 1, 14 innings

 

Helena 4, @Missoula 3, 11 innings

 

@AZL Royals 10, AZL Brewers 7

 

Full details soon on all counts...

[Mass Haas]

Final: Huntsville 3, @Chattanooga 1

 

Eovaldi takes no-hitter into seventh

Dodgers prospect dominant, but Lookouts fall to Stars in 14

By John Parker / Special to MLB.com

 

Chattanooga starter Nathan Eovaldi got the edge in a pitchers' duel Thursday night, but the Huntsville Stars won the battle early Friday morning.

Eovaldi took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, but after a scoreless game dragged on into extra frames, the Double-A Lookouts fell to the visiting Stars, 3-1, in 14 innings.

 

The right-hander ultimately yielded two hits and two walks while fanning five over seven innings. He did not figure in the decision.

 

The Dodgers' 11th-round pick out of Alvin, Texas in 2008, Eovaldi lowered his ERA to 2.62 over 82 1/3 innings this season. He's held Southern League hitters to a .209 average and yielded just two home runs while striking out 89.

 

The 21-year-old tossed six one-hit frames at Montgomery on May 11 and six two-hit innings against Tennessee on May 16, but had never taken a no-hitter so far into a pro game.

 

The two clubs' Southern League game, which lasted four hours and 53 minutes, had a little bit of everything -- except runs.

 

Eovaldi retired the first seven batters he faced before issuing a one-out walk to Stars second baseman Hainley Statia in the third. Statia went to second on a sacrifice bunt -- even in the third, both managers apparently knew runs would be at a premium -- but was stranded there when Logan Schafer struck out.

 

After setting down nine more Stars in a row, Eovaldi surrendered his first hit to leadoff hitter Matt Cline in the seventh. Sean Halton grounded into a fielder's choice, but Huntsville third baseman Zelous Wheeler followed with a double to left. The Lookouts intentionally walked Erik Komatsu to face Brock Kjeldgaard with the bases loaded and one out.

 

The Stars left fielder, who is batting just .130 in nine games since his promotion from Class A Advanced Brevard County, smacked an 0-1 offering into a 6-4-3 double play. That narrow escape ended Eovaldi's night. He recorded 12 groundball outs against just two flyouts.

 

The Lookouts had their own chance to score in the bottom of the frame. Scott Van Slyke drew a leadoff walk and went to third on Travis Denker's single to left. Van Slyke tried to come home on Gorman Erickson's ground ball to first, but was thrown out at the plate to keep the game scoreless.

 

Pinch-hitter Hector Gimenez followed with a flyout to center. After Rob Wooten relieved Stars starter Wily Peralta, the Lookouts pinch-hit for Eovaldi with Jaime Pedroza, who grounded out to second.

 

Peralta, the Huntsville starter, was nearly as sharp as Eovaldi, allowing three hits over while fanning seven over 6 2/3 shutout innings.

 

The rush of substitutions at the end of the seventh led to confusion -- Pedroza, hitting ninth for the pitcher, stayed in the game at second base while new Lookouts pitcher Scott Rice moved into the No. 8 spot, replacing Gimenez.

 

A lack of clarity about the Lookouts' lineup changes led to a 20-minute delay as Huntsville manager Mike Guerrero lodged a protest, but the game ultimately continued -- and continued.

 

The Stars put two men aboard with no one out in the 10th, but a missed bunt, a popup and a flyout ended the threat. The Lookouts loaded the bases in the bottom of the frame, but Kyle Russell went down swinging.

 

Huntsville finally broke through in the top of the 12th. Komatsu delivered a leadoff single and stole second. With two out, Stars left fielder Lee Haydel stroked a line drive to center. As Komatsu was waved around third, Lookouts center fielder Alfredo Silverio's throw to the plate hit the back side of the pitcher's mound. Huntsville led, 1-0.

 

After Chattanooga put men on first and second with two outs in the bottom of the 12th, Huntsville brought in reliever Darren Byrd to close out the win. Van Slyke, who was 0-for-4, ripped the first pitch into left to tie the game.

 

Komatsu again got the Stars started in the 14th with a leadoff double. He moved to third on Steffan Wilson's groundout, and after Martin Maldonado drew a walk, Statia lifted a two-run double to center to put the Stars ahead for good.

 

Despite drawing a leadoff walk in the bottom of the 14th, the Lookouts ran out of responses as Van Slyke struck out to end the game.

 

The two clubs combined for 17 hits in the 14 innings. Komatsu and Haydel had two hits apiece for the Stars, while Silverio and first baseman Brian Cavazos-Galvez had a pair each for the Lookouts. Huntsville struck out 12 times; Chattanooga, 14. They were a combined 4-for-28 with runners in scoring position and left 27 men stranded -- 16 by the Lookouts alone.

 

Despite allowing the game-tying hit to Van Slyke, Byrd (5-3) got the win for the Stars. He gave up two hits in 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

 

Former Dodgers first-round pick Ethan Martin (0-1) suffered his first Double-A loss in his fourth appearance with the Lookouts. The right-hander yielded two runs on two hits and a walk in the 14th inning.

[Mass Haas]

Stars nip Lookouts in 14th

By David Paschall, Chattanooga Times Free Press

 

Hainley Statia’s two-run double to left-center field in the top of the 14th inning propelled Huntsville to a 3-1 victory Thursday night at AT&T Field over the Chattanooga Lookouts, who had no answer following the 14th-inning stretch.

 

Thursday’s game lasted 4 hours and 53 minutes, and it contained a 32-minute delay before the top of the eighth inning when Huntsville manager Mike Guerrero thought Lookouts manager Carlos Subero had called for a double switch. Subero insisted he had not, and the result was the umpires holding multiple conversations with both managers and even going into the locker room to check the rule book.

 

Guerrero said the game was continuing under protest.

 

“There was never a double switch signaled,” crew chief Anthony Johnson said. “He was under the impression that he wasn’t given the right signal as far as the umpire coming to him and telling him exactly what was going on. It’s a common courtesy and he thought we should tell him that, but as far as everything on the lineup, it was correct.”

 

What led to the confusion was Hector Gimemez pinch-hitting in the eighth spot for shortstop Ivan Ochoa in the bottom of the seventh and Jaime Pedroza pinch-hitting for pitcher Nate Eovaldi. Pedroza stayed in the game to play second base and relief pitcher Scott Rice entered the game and was slotted to bat in the eight hole.

 

“Technically that is not a double switch,” said Dusty Dellinger, the evaluator of all 45 Double-A umpires. “A pitcher came into the game, and the only spot he could go to was the eighth. There was never any flip-flopping, so what Chattanooga did is legit.”

 

Huntsville took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 12th inning when Lee Haydel’s two-out single up the middle scored Erik Komatsu. The Lookouts answered when Scott Van Slyke’s two-out single to left scored Elian Herrera.

 

The chaos from the delay overshadowed a phenomenal night on the mound by Eovaldi and Huntsville counterpart Wily Peralta. The two starters combined to allow just two hits through five innings — doubles in the first and third inning by Lookouts leadoff hitter Alfredo Silverio.

 

Eovaldi, who turned 21 in February, worked seven scoreless innings and had a no-hitter through six. In his two second-half starts at AT&T Field, the 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-hander from Alvin, Texas, has thrown 14 scoreless innings with five hits allowed and 10 strikeouts.

 

His no-hit bid ended in the top of the seventh when Matt Cline opened by singling up the middle on an 0-2 pitch. The Stars put runners on second and third with one out, but Eovaldi intentionally walked Komatsu before getting Brock Kjeldgaard to ground into a double play.

 

“My defense was making all the plays behind me, and I was able to locate my pitches,” Eovaldi said.

 

Huntsville Box Score

Wow, what a game; Stars pitchers survived eight walks (two intentional); exemplary clutch mound work throughout the game as the stories above and the game log will attest to; Erik Komatsu doubled, singled, and walked twice; props to Hainley Statia for the game-winner -- he also walked twice, as the 25-year-old has proved to be a worthwhile indy league pickup, not spectacular, but very useful...

 

Huntsville Play-by-Play

Pretend you're Adam Richman -- Man vs. Game Log; in this case, Man (Huntsville) wins...

 

http://celebritiespoundingit.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/adam-richman-pounds-ice-cream.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Final: @Albuquerque 5, Nashville 1

 

Isotopes Silence Sounds Offense In Road Opener

Nashville held to two hits in 5-1 loss

Nashville Sounds

 

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Nashville Sounds were held to two hits by the Albuquerque Isotopes in a 5-1 loss on Thursday night at Isotopes Park in the opener of a four-game series.

Albuquerque starter Randy Keisler (5-4) earned the win and continued his dominance from the mound against the Sounds this season. The 35-year-old allowed one unearned run on just two hits and one walk in 6 2/3 innings. In two starts, Keisler has picked up two wins while recording a 0.66 ERA (1 ER / 13.2 IP) against Nashville.

 

Edwin Maysonet's double and Mike Rivera's single accounted for the club's only two hits.

 

The Isotopes took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a crazy turn of events. Leadoff hitter Dee Gordon tripled over the head of Brett Carroll in deep center on the first pitch from Amaury Rivas. Home plate umpire Mark Buchanan then declared a balk as Rivas threw to first to appeal Gordon not touching the bag during his triple, which allowed Gordon to score from third.

 

Nashville's lone run came in the top of the third during an Albuquerque throwing error. Maysonet got things started with a leadoff double down the left field line, moved to third on a Rivas sacrifice bunt, and then scored as Gordon fired a throw over the head of first baseman John Lindsey while attempting to throw out Eric Farris.

 

(You know it was a tough night when the opponent throwing error was the Sounds' audio highlight of the night.)

The Isotopes tacked on two runs to go ahead at 3-1in the bottom of the fourth. Albuquerque began the inning with three hits, highlighted by an RBI double from Lindsey. Trayvon Robinson then singled Lindsey to third, followed by a Jamie Hoffman sacrifice fly.

 

The final two Albuquerque runs came from solo homers off releiver Daniel Meadows, as the Isotopes moved to 5-1 over the Sounds.

 

Robison extended the Isotopes' lead to 4-1 with a solo shot over the left field wall in the bottom of the sixth. The long ball was Robinson's 21st of the season, bringing the PCL Home Run Derby participant into a tie for the third-most home runs in the PCL. Justin Sellers later belted his ninth in the bottom of the seventh, a solo shot to left field.

 

Taking the loss, Rivas (6-8) surrendered three runs on six hits and three walks while fanning three in 4 2/3 frames. Meadows tossed 2 1/3 frames in relief, giving up two hits (both homers) with three strikeouts. Donovan Hand followed with a scoreless inning.

 

The Sounds and Isotopes continue with the second game of a four-game set at 8:05 PM CT at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque on Friday evening. Nashville right-hander Frankie De La Cruz (3-4, 3.94) makes the start against Albuquerque righty John Ely (4-4, 5.48).

 

Nashville Box Score

That's a bummer contest to read about after the Huntsville high; both home runs allowed by Dan Meadows were to right-handed batters; Randy Keisler and in that park, really, Sounds batters? Caleb Gindl 0-for-3, Taylor Green 0-for-2 with a HBP and a celebratory stolen base, as noted earlier in this thread. It was Green's first stolen base since 2008, when he stole four. He had been 0-for-4 in that department over the past two years...

 

Nashville Play-by-Play

Meadows did strand two Amaury Rivas baserunners in the 5th, but it was still a disappointing line for Rivas --

 

Albuquerque Bottom of the 5th

• Justin Sellers walks.
  
• Randy Keisler called out on strikes and Justin Sellers caught stealing 2nd, catcher Mike Rivera to shortstop Edwin Maysonet.
  
• Dee Gordon
  
• ball to center fielder Brett Carroll.
  
• Russell Mitchell walks.
  
• Pitcher Change: Daniel Meadows replaces Amaury Rivas, batting 9th.
  
• Jerry Sands grounds into a force out, shortstop Edwin Maysonet to second baseman Eric Farris. Russell Mitchell out at 2nd.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Helena 4, @Missoula 3, 11 innings

 

Brewers again nudge O's in extra innings

By NICK LOCKRIDGE of the Missoulian

 

With cooler temperatures pushing in, Helena's hottest hitter went deep.

Parker Berberet belted a two-out solo home run to left field to lift the Brewers over the Missoula Osprey, 4-3, in extra innings on Thursday at Ogren-Allegiance Park.

Helena halted Missoula's four-game win streak and pulled even with the Osprey in the Pioneer League North standings at 9-9 for the first half. The Brewers snapped their own three-game funk with yet another extra-inning win over the O's.

Missoula has played five extra-inning games this year, with four coming against Helena. The Brewers are 3-1 in those contests.

"I don't know what the deal is," said Berberet, who now has three home runs on the season. "We can't seem to get it done in nine innings and gotta go extras.

"I'm glad we came out on top, though."

Berberet, who went 1 for 4 with two runs scored, saw his team-best batting average dip to .340 on the night, but that mattered little when he stepped to the plate with two outs in the top of the 11th.

The Osprey had just turned a double play to help pitcher Victor Lara get out of a tough spot, after he hit Helena's Adrian Williams with a pitch to lead off the 11th. Lara, who took the loss, then grooved a fastball to Berberet.

"I have the power to hit it out," Berberet said, "so in that situation, why not go for it."

The Brewers' Kyle Dhanani went 2 for 4 with an RBI single in the seventh that tied the game at 3-3. Teammate Yadiel Rivera also had a run-scoring triple in the frame. Helena took advantage of Missoula reliever Johan Jaime, who pitched just the seventh inning after a stellar outing by O's starter Jesse Darrah.

Darrah, an eighth-round draft choice out of Fresno Pacific, went six innings and allowed one run on four hits, but didn't factor into the decision. He struck out eight Helena hitters, including Robbie Garvey for the final out of the fifth.

Also in the fifth, Missoula catcher Roidany Aguila threw out back-to-back base stealers at second.

In the sixth, Darrah was helped out by an inning-ending double play, which was started by second baseman Eric Groff. Darrah's only miscue was a wild pitch that let Berberet score from third base in the fourth inning, cutting the O's lead to 2-1.

The Osprey got on the board first with a pair of runs in the third inning. Ryan Court and Josh Parr each had RBI singles. Court had a 3-for-4 night at the plate. Aguila scored the first run of the game when he collided with Berberet, his fellow catcher, at home plate and jarred the ball loose.

Brewers' left-hander Mike Strong (1-0) got the win after working five innings of relief and Sean Albury got the save with a perfect 11th, including two punchouts. Strong gave up just four hits and got out of a jam in the bottom of the 10th, when Missoula's Josh Parr stole second and third base, after which Helena manager Joe Ayrault was tossed from the game for arguing a call.

[Mass Haas]

Osprey 4-game win streak snapped

Court, Darrah have solid nights, but Missoula falls in 11, 4-3

Missoula Osprey

 

The Missoula Osprey had their chance to jump into a first-place tie in the Pioneer League's North Division, but Parker Berberet and the Helena Brewers had other ideas on Thursday in front of 2,001 witnesses at Ogren Park Allegiance Field.

The Brewers scored twice in the top of the seventh, and Berberet's solo home run off of Victor Lara with two out in the top of the 11th inning lifted Helena to a 4-3 win, and back into a tie for second place with the Osprey.

 

The two teams, now with 9-9 records, have played seven games against each other, and six of those games have been decided by a single run, including four in extra innings.

 

It looked as though extra innings would not be needed, thanks to a solid start by Osprey starter Jesse Darrah. In his best start as a professional, Darrah pitched six innings of four-hit ball, allowing just a single run and two walks while striking out a career high eight batters. Darrah has now fanned 15 batters in his last 11 innings of work.

 

The Osprey would take a 2-0 lead in the third, thanks to a run-scoring single by Josh Parr, and a RBI single by Ryan Court, who would finish with three of Missoula's nine hits on the night. After the Brewers manufactured a run in the fourth off of Darrah - on a walk, a groundout and two wild pitches - the Osprey would answer in the sixth, on back-to-back doubles from Court and Jon Griffin, giving the Osprey a 3-1 lead.

 

Johan Jaime came on in the seventh for Missoula and struggled, giving up three straight hits that led to two Helena runs that tied the game. D.J. Johnson made his Osprey debut in the eighth, and retired all six batters he faced.

 

(Obviously not the Maryvale Brewers' D.J. Johnson, yet to debut this season.)

The Osprey and Brewers will close out their two-game series on Friday at Ogren Park Allegiance Field. The Osprey will send right-hander Conrad Flynn to the mound, while the Brewers will counter with right-hander Andy Moye, the reigning Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week.

 

Helena Box Score

In addition to the nice efforts from Mike Strong and Sean Albury described above, starter Chad Pierce had his best pro outing -- 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 3 K; Pierce and Strong are reverse piggy-backing efforts, and Strong finished at 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K; clean Brewer defense sure helped; the bats had eight hits over 11 innings, not a gaudy line, and the K's keep coming, 11 more; RF Max Walla singled and walked in five trips; SS Yadiel Rivera tripled (1-for-5) but also fanned three more times; CF Ruben Ozuna was 0-for-5 and struck out twice out of the leadoff spot; nothing against the Helena "vets" (like 3B Kyle Dhanani, 2-for-4 here, but who turns 24 in September), but the three players we highlighted (Rivera, Ozuna, Walla) are the three youngest on the team and are of the most interest...

 

Helena Play-by-Play

[Mass Haas]

Final: @AZL Royals 10, AZL Brewers 7

Arizona Box Score
Royals broke open the game with a five-run 6th, making a 5-4 lead a 10-4 lead; rehabing Brewer LHP Mitch Stetter got the one-inning start (3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1K) --

AZL Royals Bottom of the 1st

• D'Andre Toney pops out to shortstop Renaldo Jenkins.
• Humberto Arteaga singles on a line drive to center fielder Malcolm Dowell.
• Lane Adams singles on a line drive to left fielder Jose R. Garcia. Humberto Arteaga to 2nd.
• Brian Gaylord strikes out swinging.
• With Travis Lane batting, passed ball by Adam Weisenburger, Humberto Arteaga to 3rd. Lane Adams to 2nd.
• Travis Lane singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jose R. Garcia, deflected by shortstop Renaldo Jenkins. Humberto Arteaga scores. Lane Adams scores.
• Jerrell Allen flies out to left fielder Jose R. Garcia.

After Stetter, it was RHP Mark Rogers for two innings (one unearned run, one H, one BB, one K); rooting so hard for Canadian 2010 7th round RHP Joel Pierce, but he struggled again; RHP Mike Schaub got an inning of work in to mop up -- looking forward to his next full effort; A-Crew not playing like A-listers -- five errors; 3B Jalen Harris and 1B Steve Felix each reached base three times; CF Malcolm Dowell walked twice out of the leadoff spot...

Arizona Play-by-Play
Three errors and a wild pitch in the painful 6th --

AZL Royals Bottom of the 6th

• Rainier Bello singles on a ground ball to right fielder Matthew Franco, deflected by first baseman Steve Felix.
• Nick DelGuidice walks. Rainier Bello to 2nd.
• Pitcher Change: Casey Medlen replaces Joel Pierce.
• Carlos Garcia hits a sacrifice bunt. Fielding error by third baseman Jalen Harris. Rainier Bello to 3rd. Nick DelGuidice to 2nd. Carlos Garcia to 1st.
• D'Andre Toney walks. Rainier Bello scores. Nick DelGuidice to 3rd. Carlos Garcia to 2nd.
• Humberto Arteaga reaches on force attempt, fielding error by second baseman Kevin Berard. Nick DelGuidice scores. Carlos Garcia to 3rd. D'Andre Toney to 2nd.
• Lane Adams reaches on catcher interference by Adam Weisenburger. Carlos Garcia scores. D'Andre Toney to 3rd. Humberto Arteaga to 2nd. Lane Adams to 1st.
• Brian Gaylord walks. D'Andre Toney scores. Humberto Arteaga to 3rd. Lane Adams to 2nd.
• Travis Lane strikes out swinging.
• Jerrell Allen grounds into a force out, third baseman Jalen Harris to catcher Adam Weisenburger. Humberto Arteaga out at home. Lane Adams to 3rd. Brian Gaylord to 2nd. Jerrell Allen to 1st.
• With Rainier Bello batting, wild pitch by Casey Medlen, Lane Adams scores. Brian Gaylord to 3rd. Jerrell Allen to 2nd.
• Rainier Bello grounds out, second baseman Kevin Berard to first baseman Steve Felix.

[yoshii8]

My buddy is at the Nashville vs Albuquerque game and Green is getting random high fives in the dugout. Has the call been placed?

I would think he'd be pulled from the game if that was the case.

He is listed as only getting 2 ab's. However there is nobody else on the box score that played third.

 

[bork]

He is listed as only getting 2 ab's. However there is nobody else on the box score that played third.

He also had a HBP.

 

[Mass Haas]

Timber Rattlers show up late again, but able to rally for victory over Cougars

by Mike Woods, Appleton Post-Crescent

 

GRAND CHUTE — The boss had asked his staff, in particular the starting pitching staff, to stop hitting the snooze button and to please show up to work on time.

And so, on Thursday, the boss watched Kane County's first five hitters reach base and score four runs off his starting pitcher, Matt Miller.

Might as well have talked to an empty chair, Timber Rattlers manager Matt Erickson thought.

But to Miller's credit, he erased his rotten first inning from memory and shut down the Cougars over the next five innings. And to Miller's good fortune, his teammates had their foot on the gas all afternoon long as Wisconsin banged out 17 hits and erased that early 4-0 deficit to post an 11-5 Midwest League victory on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

It was the Rattlers' fifth win in six games, which made Erickson happy. But not that happy, for it continued a disturbing pattern as over that span the Rattlers have been outscored 17-6 in the first two innings.

"No question about it, we were a little late with the alarm clock today," said Erickson. "I just challenged our starting pitching in general. We seem to be giving up crooked numbers early in ballgames the last week or so. Collectively, we're swinging the bats pretty good right now. So I challenged them. They are the battery. They're the people that touch the ball and can set the tone for the rest of the game coming out of the bullpen. We haven't done a real good job of that the last week.

"But he did settle in and got himself in a nice little rhythm and got extended deep into that game, which was what we needed to keep our bullpen on pace."

Miller's mood afterward matched that of his manager.

"It's a good and a bad feeling," he said. "It's a good feeling, innings two through six, we got into a good rhythm, threw some really good pitches, executed the game plan like we wanted to.

"But again, that first inning, when you're playing at home and you want to set a tone, especially after losing (Wednesday) against these guys, it's really a disconcerting factor for us. These last few games we've started out behind. We really haven't set the tone early, as far as starting pitching. Luckily we've been winning and our hitters have been battling back for us and swinging the bats very well lately. It's mixed feelings, really."

The Rattlers had a raft of hitting stars Thursday. Mike Walker went four-for-four, scored four runs and drove in a run as he raised his average to .294. Cody Hawn went two-for-four with an RBI to raise his average to .288. Chad Stang went three-for-four with an RBI to up his average to .344. T.J. Mittelstaedt continued to tattoo the ball, collecting two hits in five trips to up his average to .327.

But newcomer Joey Paciorek continues to hold the hottest bat. A converted catcher who joined the team June 30, Paciorek went three-for-five, scored twice, hit a three-run homer and finished with four RBI and saw his average spike to .409.

"Just overall being more aggressive," Paciorek said of his approach. "I'm getting good pitches to hit and I'm barreling them up right now."

Paciorek was with Wisconsin last year before a broken hand sent him to the sideline. When he arrived for the winter program, his career path took quite a turn.

"I came in for the winter program and I was a utility guy, played all around the infield before and we thought it would be just an extra tool under my belt that I'd be able to catch, just in case,'' said Paciorek. "Then at the end of spring training, they called me in and said we want you to be a fulltime catcher and we're going to start working you in back there. It's going good so far. I'm liking it back there. It's a lot of fun."

Erickson said the Brewers organization has liked what it has seen thus far.

"Offensively, him and Stanger (Stang) are adding a punch to the bottom or our lineup," he said. "And then defensively, I think I'm excited for him. There's definitely going to be some growing pains. There's still some stiffness there, some uncertainty at times. But he gives great effort behind the plate. He's got good hands and good feet from being an infielder and he's a big man.

"I think he's adapted just listening to Greenie (Charlie Greene, catching instructor and field coordinator) who has worked with him the past couple of months. Greenie's excited about what he could be and how far he has come in just a short time.''

And if Paciorek can somehow help his starting pitcher get started on time, he will be appreciated even more.

Dennis promoted: Rattlers designated hitter Chris Dennis was promoted on Thursday to High A Brevard County, where he started the season.

Dennis hit .263 with eight homers, 35 RBI and a slugging percentage of .486.

Dennis' spot on the roster was taken by infielder Carlos George, who had been on the disabled list.

[Mass Haas]

Rattler Radio Post-Game Thoughts (have to love Clubber Lang references)

[Mass Haas]

[yoshii8]

He is listed as only getting 2 ab's. However there is nobody else on the box score that played third.

He also had a HBP.

Good call, I didn't scroll far enough down.