Link Report for Wed. 7/27 -- Rivas struggles, Heckathorn OK, Arnett solid

[Mass Haas]

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[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

 

Nashville: RHP Amaury Rivas at Oklahoma City (Astros), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime

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

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers

 

Huntsville: RHP Kyle Heckathorn at Birmingham (White Sox), 7:05 PM gametime

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

Brevard County: RHP Mark Rogers at Charlotte (Mets), 5:30 PM gametime

Live Audio Link -- Select the Stone Crabs' feed from the MiLB main audio page

 

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

Live Audio Link

Helena: RHP Eric Arnett at home vs. Casper (Rockies), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime

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

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): RHP Mike White at the Indians' complex in Goodyear; 1:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league

 

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

[Mass Haas]

Follow Wednesday's action as it happens:

 

Nashville (Gameday also available)

 

Huntsville

 

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	55	48	.534	-	-	30-23	25-25	5-5	L3
	Memphis	52	51	.505	3.0	38	30-21	22-30	3-7	W1
	Nashville	51	53	.490	4.5	37	32-23	19-30	8-2	W2
	Iowa	46	58	.442	9.5	32	27-25	19-33	3-7	W1

SOU North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Chattanooga	19	12	.613	-	-	8-8	11-4	6-4	W3
*	Tennessee	15	16	.484	4.0	36	9-6	6-10	5-5	W4
	Carolina	14	17	.452	5.0	35	7-9	7-8	4-6	L5
	Huntsville	14	17	.452	5.0	35	5-10	9-7	4-6	W1
	Jackson	12	19	.387	7.0	33	6-9	6-10	4-6	L3

FSL North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Tampa	18	14	.563	-	-	9-7	9-7	6-4	W2
	Brevard County	16	14	.533	1.0	39	5-7	11-7	8-2	W5
	Clearwater	16	16	.500	2.0	37	12-6	4-10	6-4	W6
*	Daytona	16	16	.500	2.0	37	6-8	10-8	5-5	W3
	Dunedin	15	17	.469	3.0	36	5-8	10-9	4-6	L1
	Lakeland	13	17	.433	4.0	36	8-8	5-9	3-7	L1

MID Western
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Kane County	18	12	.600	-	-	7-8	11-4	5-5	W2
	Quad Cities	17	13	.567	1.0	-	9-6	8-7	6-4	W1
	Clinton	15	15	.500	3.0	39	7-8	8-7	3-7	W1
	Beloit	14	16	.467	4.0	38	8-7	6-9	2-8	L6
	Cedar Rapids	13	17	.433	5.0	37	8-7	5-10	4-6	L2
	Wisconsin	13	17	.433	5.0	37	5-10	8-7	4-6	W1
	Peoria	10	20	.333	8.0	34	4-11	6-9	2-8	L2
*	Burlington	9	21	.300	9.0	33	7-8	2-13	2-8	L7

PIO North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Missoula	23	12	.657	-	-	12-6	11-6	8-2	W6
	Billings	19	16	.543	4.0	E	8-9	11-7	6-4	W4
	Great Falls	16	19	.457	7.0	E	8-9	8-10	4-6	L3
	Helena	16	19	.457	7.0	E	8-10	8-9	4-6	L1

AZL Central
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	AZL Reds	15	14	.517	-	-	8-7	7-7	5-5	W1
	AZL Dodgers	14	14	.500	0.5	28	6-8	8-6	4-6	W2
	AZL Indians	14	14	.500	0.5	28	6-7	8-7	5-5	L2
	AZL Brewers	7	19	.269	6.5	23	4-10	3-9	4-6	L2

DSL S.D. North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	DSL Mariners	35	13	.729	-	-	19-6	16-7	7-3	L2
	DSL Brewers	30	18	.625	5.0	20	14-10	16-8	5-5	W2
	DSL Cardinals	17	32	.347	18.5	6	11-14	6-18	4-6	W1
	DSL Athletics	17	33	.340	19.0	5	10-13	7-20	5-5	L1

[Mass Haas]

The Maryvale kids begin morning play (1:00 PM Central) today. Game just got underway, they were gifted two runs in the 1st --

 

AZL Brewers Top of the 1st

• Kevin Berard walks.
  
• Brandon Macias singles on a ground ball to right fielder Juan Romero. Kevin Berard to 3rd.
  
• Steve Felix walks. Brandon Macias to 2nd.
  
• With Hitaniel Arias batting, wild pitch by Elvis Araujo, Kevin Berard scores. Brandon Macias to 3rd. Steve Felix to 2nd.
  
• Hitaniel Arias strikes out swinging.
  
• Jimmie Pharr strikes out swinging.
  
• With Renaldo Jenkins batting, wild pitch by Elvis Araujo, Brandon Macias scores. Steve Felix to 3rd.
  
• Renaldo Jenkins flies out to center fielder Luigi Rodriguez.

[Mass Haas]

Mark Rogers is bumping Evan Anundsen from the Manatee start this evening (menu has been updated). Anundsen may pitch behind Mark, we'll see.

[TooLiveBrew]

Fingers crossed...

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville Media Notes

 

Look for Wisconsin Media Notes here just prior to gametime.

[YoungGeezy]

Keller had a good two innings today, hopefuuly has some more to come

[Mass Haas]

Manatees rained out, look for a doubleheader and Mark Rogers on Thursday.

[battlekow]

OF Ruben Ozuna back in the lineup for Helena after missing two weeks with a groin strain.

[battlekow]

Final: @AZL Indians 7, AZL Brewers 5

AZL Brewers box score

Michael White allowed four runs on five hits in three innings, fanning six and walking two. The 21-year-old has posted a pretty solid K/BB so far, 25/9 in 24.2 innings, but he's given up plenty of hits, 31 now. Sixth-rounder Danny Keller contributed two scoreless innings, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one. Not that much going on offensively despite the five runs. Andes Martinez doubled and walked, and Kevin Berard, Renaldo Jenkins, and Matt Franco all went hitless but drew two free passes. For guys like Franco and Jenkins, it's tough to know whether their good walk totals are evidence of actual plate discipline ore merely timidity and confusion, given their extremely poor overall numbers. Hey, at least Jenkins is hitting better than Yadiel Rivera did last year!

AZL Brewers play-by-play

The A-Team loaded the bases with one out in the 9th but couldn't score:

AZL Brewers Top of the 9th

• Matthew Franco walks.
• Andres Martinez walks. Matthew Franco to 2nd.
• Jose R. Garcia grounds into a force out, first baseman Erik Gonzalez to shortstop Jorge Martinez. Matthew Franco to 3rd. Andres Martinez out at 2nd. Jose R. Garcia to 1st.
• Kevin Berard walks. Jose R. Garcia to 2nd.
• Brandon Macias pops out to first baseman Erik Gonzalez on the infield fly rule.
• Steve Felix pops out to third baseman Robel Garcia in foul territory.

[battlekow]

Final: @DSL Cardinals 17, DSL Brewers 1

DSL Brewers box score

Well, that'll kill your Pitag. Gian Rizzo finally had a bad start, allowing six runs on nine hits in just 2.1 innings. Marcos Padilla also struggled, allowing five runs in three innings, though four of them were unearned. The Cerveceritos had only three hits. Orlando Arcia did go 1-1 with a walk before being lifted in the 6th inning, presumably because it was 9-0 at that point. Esthervin Matos did not play.

DSL Brewers play-by-play

If you dare.

[battlekow]

Final: @Birmingham 3, Huntsville 1

Huntsville box score

Uninspiring start for Kyle Heckathorn: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 8/4 GO/FO, 97 pitches, 55 strikes. RJ Seidel pitched very impressively in relief, stranding the bases loaded in the 6th and tossing 2.2 perfect innings, fanning five. Brock Kjeldgaard was on three times with a double, single, and a walk. Khris Davis and Hainley Statia each singled and walked.

Huntsville play-by-play

In between the 1st and 6th innings, Heckathorn, allowing just a single. He actually retired 11 in a row at one point. The end of the line wasn't pretty, though:

Birmingham Bottom of the 6th

• Jose Martinez pops out to second baseman Matt Cline.
• Brandon Short singles on a ground ball to third baseman Zelous Wheeler. Brandon Short advances to 2nd, on throwing error by third baseman Zelous Wheeler.
• Jon Gilmore singles on a line drive to left fielder Khris Davis. Brandon Short scores.
• Seth Loman walks. Jon Gilmore to 2nd.
• Jake Oester walks. Jon Gilmore to 3rd. Seth Loman to 2nd.
• Pitcher Change: R. J. Seidel replaces Kyle Heckathorn.
• Justin Greene grounds into double play, third baseman Zelous Wheeler to catcher Anderson De La Rosa to first baseman Sean Halton. Jon Gilmore out at home.

[battlekow]

Final: @Clinton 5, Wisconsin 3

Clinton brings the Lumber

Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

CLINTON, IA – The Clinton LumberKings had six hits in Wednesday’s game against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Alliant Energy Field. But, three of the hits were homers and the other two were doubles to lead Clinton to a 5-3 win over the Rattlers.

Clinton (40-61 overall, 16-15 second half) grabbed the lead with a pair of home runs in the bottom of the first inning. Julio Morban lined a solo homer over the right field fence with one out to start the scoring. The next batter walked. Then, Stefen Romero lifted a home run to left to give Clinton a 3-0 lead.

An RBI double by Kevin Rivers in the bottom of the third inning made the score 4-0.

The Rattlers (51-50, 13-18) got their first run of the game in the fifth inning. Nick Shaw’s infield single got Joey Paciorek home from third base.

But, Kalian Sams hit a two-out solo home run in the bottom of the fifth and the LumberKings were back up by four runs.

In the top of the sixth, a throwing error by Sams allowed Chad Stang to score and the Rattlers were within three runs again.

In the ninth, Wisconsin put the first two runners on base against John Hesketh. Paciorek walked and Mike Brownstein singled. Reggie Keen’s line drive to right-center was dropped by Sams, but Brownstein was forced at second. Greg Hopkins knocked in Paciorek with a sacrifice fly to pull the Rattlers to within 5-3.

TJ Mittelstaedt stepped up and drove a 2-2 pitch from Hesketh deep to right field, but the ball drifted foul. Then, Hesketh retired Mittelstaedt with a strikeout to end the game.

The Timber Rattlers and the LumberKings continue the series on Thursday night. Jimmy Nelson (5-7, 4.19) is set to start for Wisconsin. Clinton counters with George Mieses (4-10, 5.00). Game time is 7:00pm. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:40pm.

Wisconsin box score

Nick Ramirez was 0-3 with a walk in his Rattlers debut. He walked just twice in 107 plate appearances for Helena. Alan Williams rewarded my faith in him with two perfect innings of relief, featuring three strikeouts. Paciorek punished my lack of faith by going 2-3 with a double and a walk. Mittelstaedt struck out three times.

Wisconsin play-by-play

[battlekow]

Final: @Oklahoma City 6, Nashville 3

Nashville box score

The Sounds didn't score until putting three on the board in the 9th. Amaury Rivas pitched poorly, allowing six runs on ten hits in five innings. Eric Marzec made his Nashville debut after his surprisingly three-level promotion and tossed two scoreless frames. Edwin Maysonet had three hits, Taylor Green and Jordan Brown each had two, and Logan Schafer had a hit and a walk. Patrick Arlis, who actually exists, got into just his second game of the year and first since April 12th; he singled in his only at-bat. He'll be back on the DL with a swollen batting average soon.

Nashville play-by-play

[battlekow]

Road Win Streak Ends With 6-3 Loss To RedHawks

Nashville Sounds

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The Oklahoma City RedHawks hung a 6-3 defeat on the Nashville Sounds on Wednesday evening at RedHawks Field.

The loss brought a close to the Sounds' seven-game road winning streak, which was the club's best effort away from Greer Stadium this season.

Nashville didn't score a run in the contest until there were two outs in the top of the ninth inning, when the Sounds plated three runs against the RedHawks bullpen before the rally ultimately fell short.

Right-hander Lucas Harrell (2-0) turned in a solid start for Oklahoma City, striking out eight batters while holding the Sounds to four hits over six scoreless innings to earn the victory.

RedHawks batters legged out seven of their 11 hits for extra bases in the contest.

Oklahoma City jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, plating single runs against Sounds starter Amaury Rivas in each of the game's first three innings. The RedHawks led off each of those frames with a double and that baserunner later came around to score every time. J.B. Shuck recorded two of those three two-baggers.

Shuck scored the night's first run on a J.R. Towles sacrifice fly in the first, Collin DeLome made it 2-0 in the second when he scored in unearned fashion following a fielding error by Sounds shortstop Edwin Maysonet, and Shuck scored again in the third on a Towles RBI double.

The RedHawks doubled their lead to 6-0 in the sixth against Rivas after they opened the frame with three consecutive extra-base hits off the right-hander.

Brian Bogusevic led off with a triple to right-center before DeLome and Koby Clemens followed with back-to-back RBI doubles to increase the Oklahoma City lead to 5-0.

After a fielder's choice grounder put runners on the corners, right-hander Eric Marzec was summoned from the Nashville bullpen to make his Triple-A debut. He induced a double-play grounder from Oswaldo Navarro, which allowed Clemens to score from third.

Marzec worked into and out of no-out, bases-loaded jam in the seventh, escaping the jam without damage by inducing a pair of grounders: from Bogusevic that erased a runner in a forceout at the plate for the first out, then from DeLome that resulted in an inning-ending double play.

The Sounds broke up the RedHawks' shutout bid by plating three runs with two outs in the top of the ninth inning against Mickey Storey.

Logan Schafer extended his hitting streak to six games with an RBI single to right that plated Patrick Arlis from second for the visitors' first run of the night. Arlis had singled as a pinch-hitter earlier in the frame in just his second plate appearance of the year.

Maysonet, who paced the Sounds' offense with a 3-for-5 evening, followed with a two-run single that drew Nashville within 6-3, but Storey recovered to induce a game-ending popup from Jordan Brown.

Rivas (7-10) was tagged with the loss after giving up six runs (five earned) on 10 hits (seven for extra bases) in his five-plus innings of work.

The teams continue the series with another 7:05 p.m. meeting on Thursday. Right-hander Frankie De La Cruz (4-6, 4.17) will man the bump for the Sounds and face Oklahoma City right-hander Nelson Figueroa (6-5, 5.55).

[Mass Haas]

Bright spot in a 17-1 DSL loss?

 

Well, at least for 20-year-old catcher Julio Sotelo, who was injured on a play at the plate way back on June 8th. He had a pinch-hit groundout in the 8th for the team's only RBI.

 

Welcome back, kid. No season-ending injury for you.

[Mass Haas]

Wonder if Nick Shaw felt a twinge running to 3rd, odd place to be lifted --

 

Wisconsin Top of the 5th

• Joseph Paciorek doubles (6) on a fly ball to left fielder Julio Morban.
  
• Mike Brownstein grounds out to first baseman Mickey Wiswall. Joseph Paciorek to 3rd.
  
• Reggie Keen pops out to shortstop Anthony Phillips.
  
• Nick Shaw singles on a ground ball to shortstop Anthony Phillips, deflected by pitcher Nathan Reed. Joseph Paciorek scores.
  
• T. J. Mittelstaedt singles on a line drive to center fielder Mike McGee. Nick Shaw to 3rd.
  
• Nick Ramirez grounds out to first baseman Mickey Wiswall.

Clinton Bottom of the 5th

• Defensive Substitution: Gregory Hopkins replaces shortstop Nick Shaw, batting 2nd, playing second base.
  
• Defensive switch from second base to shortstop for Mike Brownstein.
  
• Stefen Romero pops out to second baseman Gregory Hopkins.
  
• Mickey Wiswall grounds out, shortstop Mike Brownstein to first baseman Nick Ramirez.
  
• Kalian Sams homers (13) on a fly ball to left center field.
  
• Jetsy Extrano pops out to shortstop Mike Brownstein.

Hey, Eric Marzec to Nashville, Nick Shaw to Milwaukee for Rickie Weeks. You read it here first...

[Mass Haas]

Final: @Helena 10, Casper 3

 

Helena Box Score

The H-Crew salvages a 1-5 night for the farm teams; Eric Arnett threw well -- 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 7 K, 1 WP, 7-to-3 GB-to-FB. 2011 3rd rounder Drew Gagnon tossed three innings of one-run ball, fanning six while walking only one. Arnett turns 24 in January -- I'm going to picture him coming in fresh next year at that age, just like Mike Fiers did, that'll brighten my outlook. Brewers smacked 15 base hits, but 14 were singles -- still productive, though, sprinkle in four walks, an HBP, and 7-for-14 with RISP. 20-year-old Max Walla is starting to look like a ballplayer -- no, not because he's dreamy, ladies, 3-for-5 driving in two here. The Brewers sure love those under 6' corner outfielders, don't they? 3B Kyle Dhanani and 1B Mike Nemeth each had three-hit nights. Yadiel Rivera (HBP, three runs scored) had that lone extra-base knock.

 

Helena Play-by-Play

Five-run 6th broke open a 5-2 game --

 

Helena Bottom of the 6th

• Adrian Williams singles on a ground ball to shortstop Rosell Herrera.
  
• Ruben Ozuna pops out to third baseman Trevor Story in foul territory.
  
• Yadiel Rivera hit by pitch. Adrian Williams to 2nd.
  
• Parker Berberet singles on a ground ball to center fielder David Kandilas. Adrian Williams scores. Yadiel Rivera to 3rd. Parker Berberet to 2nd on the throw.
  
• Max Walla reaches on a fielder's choice out, shortstop Rosell Herrera unassisted. Parker Berberet out at 3rd.
  
• Kyle Dhanani singles on a ground ball to right fielder Julian Yan. Yadiel Rivera scores. Max Walla to 3rd.
  
• Benjamin McMahan singles on a fly ball to left fielder Carl Thomore. Max Walla scores. Kyle Dhanani to 2nd.
  
• With Michael Nemeth batting, wild pitch by Alving Mejias, Kyle Dhanani to 3rd. Benjamin McMahan to 2nd.
  
• Michael Nemeth singles on a ground ball to center fielder David Kandilas. Kyle Dhanani scores. Benjamin McMahan scores.
  
• Kenneth Allison walks. Michael Nemeth to 2nd.
  
• Pitcher Change: William Rankin replaces Alving Mejias.
  
• Adrian Williams reaches on fielding error by shortstop Rosell Herrera. Michael Nemeth to 3rd. Kenneth Allison to 2nd.
  
• Ruben Ozuna grounds out, first baseman Harold Riggins to pitcher William Rankin.

[Mass Haas]

Chris' post-game Rattler thoughts...

[Mass Haas]

Link Report Bonus:

 

Brewers tryout at Greer Stadium allows local players to show talents

by Austen Gregerson | The Tennessean

Regional Milwaukee Brewers scout Joe Mason said tryouts like the one at Greer Stadium earlier this week are mainly held to help boost awareness for a major-league club in the affiliate’s area.

Mason didn’t find that one great player who managed to slip through every professional team’s extensive scouting system among the 75 participants. Most were in their early 20s, had minimal playing experience past high school if any at all, and at times struggled to keep infield throws from careening into the stands.

But Mason, 63, has seen tryouts pay off, although it doesn’t happen often. In a 1981 tryout, he signed Bill Latham, who pitched for the Mets in 1985 and Twins in 1986.

Because of their affiliation with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, the Brewers usually hold a tryout each year at Greer Stadium. A player who earns attention usually falls into two categories.

“One is to see if anybody was overlooked in the draft, but that type of player has to knock your eyes out because it’s pretty hard to sign somebody out of a tryout,” Mason said. “The other thing you’re looking for is an up-and-coming kid, a 2012 or 2013 graduate. Turns out today, the better players in the camp were 2013 guys.”

At a tryout held this late in the season, Mason looks for the younger athlete who can still hold his own against players five to seven years older.

One 16-year-old was Brennan Washington, a junior outfielder at Ensworth. Washington, who is from Murfreesboro, made the cut down to the 20 or so players selected for a simulated game. He impressed Mason with his arm strength and foot speed, two of the few factors scouts feel they can accurately gauge at open tryouts.

“I wanted to have a little fun, but mainly just to get my name out,” Washington said. “It’s not often you get to come out and step foot on Greer Stadium, so it was exciting to come out and play in front of people from Milwaukee.”

Then there were players like 6-foot-7 Chris Sobota. Sobota, 23, signed with Penn State out of high school but had Tommy John surgery and redshirted his freshman season. He never pitched for the Nittany Lions, and had the surgery again 18 months ago.

“It’s tough not to think it’s all over,” Sobota said. “Everybody tells you to stay positive when you have injuries, but I did my best and my family, friends and coaching staff helped me through it. There were a lot of ups and downs but I’m glad I am where I am now.”

Sobota flew to Nashville from his home near Pittsburgh for the tryout after finding the date online. He’s also tried out for the Phillies and Royals and attended the Major League Scouting Bureau tryouts attended by all 30 teams. While surviving the initial cut at each event, Sobota has yet to be called back by any team yet still retains hope the Brewers will invite him out to their spring training facility in Arizona.

“It’s not that I just wanted to play in a Triple-A park. I’ve had aspirations bigger than that since I was little,” Sobota said. “I just didn’t want to go through life with any regrets and I know I have the skills available to pitch well.”

Mason met and spoke briefly with each player who made the first cut. Even though he saw no players who knocked him out, he was impressed with some of the younger ones, such as Washington.

“If they haven’t kicked dirt in my face by the time he gets out of high school, then I might have to go see what he’s become,” Mason said.

[Mass Haas]

Ghost busters: Brewers bounce back with big win

by Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record

Given a second chance, Kyle Dhanani made it count.

Did he ever.

Following a reversed call on a foul ball in the fifth inning, the Helena Brewers third baseman crushed the next pitch over the “helenet” in left field Wednesday for his second home run of the season. The two-run shot, which Dhanani called his best hit ball of the year, broke what had been a tight pitcher’s duel wide open and began a hit parade for Helena, which beat Casper 10-3 in the rubber match at Kindrick Legion Field.

With the count full to Dhanani in the fifth inning and Helena holding a 3-1 lead, the next pitch from Alving Mejias glanced off of Dhanani’s foot and bounced into play. Dhanani didn’t run as home plate umpire Clay Park allowed the third-to-first groundout to play out. After Brewers manager Joe Ayrault backed up Dhanani and argued the call, Park consulted with base umpire Nick Bayer and the call was reversed. One more pitch, and Dhanani was off on the 360-foot trot and the Brewers owned a four-run lead.

“It was probably one of my best swings of the year, it felt really good,” said Dhanani, who would finish the game 3 for 5 with three RBIs and a pair of runs scored to break a 2-17 slump. “It was really smooth, I was totally relaxed and I felt like I had nothing to lose. Once I hit it I was like, you know what, the ball never lies.”

“Dhanani’s been swinging the bat well all season long, definitely making the most of his opportunities,” Ayrault said. “He’s been solid on defense, and the umpires got the call right on that foul ball ... that was a big hit for us.”

A night after the offense pounded out 11 hits but couldn’t crawl back to beat the Ghosts, falling 13-7, the Brewer bats were back at it again. Max Walla and Mike Nemeth each went 3 for 5 with a pair of RBIs and Parker Berberet and Adrian Williams also had multi-hit games for Helena. The Brewers finished with 15 hits, four short of their season high.

“We’ve been swinging the bats well and the guys did a great job pitching tonight,” said Berberet, who was also stellar behind the plate. Ayrault noted that the catcher had 11 blocks and called a good game for starter Eric Arnett and reliever Drew Gagnon. “We just need to keep swinging the bats and getting good pitching. When we get both we win, it just seems like sometimes we just get one or the other.”

Arnett was stellar through six innings, as the big right-hander picked up his third win of the season. The 2009 first-round pick allowed just two runs on six hits while striking out seven. Gagnon, coming out of the bullpen for the first time since his freshman year of college, hurled three innings of two-hit ball and fanned six for his first save. It was Gagnon’s longest outing of the season.

“I felt pretty good, I took it like I started,” Gagnon said. “I did try to overthrow the ball a bit because I’m only in a short time.”

Gagnon was eagerly waiting to enter in the top of the seventh, but his offense gave him plenty more time to warm up. The Brewers reeled off five runs in the sixth inning while batting around — giving the Ghosts a taste of their own medicine after Casper recorded a five-run inning the night before — so Gagnon entered with a 10-2 cushion.

“I was down in the pen, ready to come in, and the next thing you know our team’s putting together two-out runs like crazy,” said Gagnon, who himself allowed just one run in the eighth.

Three of the Brewers’ runs in the sixth inning came with two outs already on the board, as Dhanani, Ben McMahan and Nemeth had back-to-back-to-back run-scoring singles. That type of situational hitting is something the Brewers practice endlessly, and an area where they’ve been especially strong this season.

“We work on a lot of situational hitting,” said Ayrault, whose crew improved to 17-19. “It’s just one of those things — usually your clutch performers get it done with two outs.”

The entire league has an off day today. Next up, the Brewers head on the road for a three-game set against the Billings Mustangs, beginning Friday. Helena returns home to host Great Falls on Aug. 3.

NOTES: Helena OF Ruben Ozuna returned Wednesday from a groin injury that had kept him out since July 13. He was 0 for 4 but made a spectacular shoestring catch in shallow center to rob Carl Thomore of extra bases ... Casper infielder Trevor Story was 2 for 2 with an RBI double to extend his hit streak to five games ... With the win, the Brewers improved to 9-10 at home. Casper (10-26) is a mere 4-18 on the road ... The first-half Southern division title is still up for grabs, with Orem and Ogden neck and neck.

 

All photos by Dylan Brown Independent Record -

Helena's Parker Berberet is tagged out at second by Casper's Jose Rivera Wednesday night at Kindrick Legion Field.

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/8c/18c50528-b8c3-11e0-8f64-001cc4c002e0/4e30cc597d0df.image.jpg

Helena's Kyle Dhanani is tagged out at home by Casper catcher Will Swanner

 

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/a2/4a2f035c-b8c3-11e0-9bcf-001cc4c002e0/4e30ccac65794.image.jpg

 

Helena shortstop Yadiel Rivera throws the ball to first for an out against Casper Wednesday night at Kindrick Legion Field.

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/b3/6b309656-b8c3-11e0-8ad5-001cc4c002e0/4e30cce3bf40d.image.jpg

[CheezWizHed]

20-year-old Max Walla is starting to look like a ballplayer

 

Its easy to forget how young he is, since this is his third season. 20yo isn't too bad for rookie ball.

 

Also, do we have any pictures where we aren't being tagged out? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif But I have to admit that picture of Kyle Dhanani getting tagged out at home is and excellent photograph (if I suspend my baseball fan mentality for a moment).