Link Report for Tue. 8/2 -- Outstanding starts by FDLC and JJN

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Tuesday's Daily Menu:

 

Nashville: RHP Frankie De La Cruz at home vs. Round Rock (Rangers), 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 Michael Bowman at home vs. Carolina (Reds), 6:43 PM gametime

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

iPad/iPhone: Listen

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

Brevard County: Idle

 

Wisconsin: RHP Jimmy Nelson at home vs. Clinton (Mariners), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime

Live Audio Link

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers

Helena: RHP Eric Arnett at Great Falls (White Sox), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime

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

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): RHP Mike Schaub at the A's complex in Phoenix; 1:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league

 

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

[Mass Haas]

Follow Tuesday's action as it happens:

 

Nashville (Gameday also available)

 

Huntsville (Gameday also available)

Wisconsin

Helena

 

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale)

DSL Brewers

[Mass Haas]

PCL American North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Omaha	60	49	.550	-	-	32-24	28-25	6-4	W4
	Memphis	55	54	.505	5.0	30	33-21	22-33	4-6	W3
	Nashville	53	57	.482	7.5	28	33-25	20-32	5-5	L2
	Iowa	47	63	.427	13.5	22	27-25	20-38	3-7	L3

SOU North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Chattanooga	22	15	.595	-	-	10-10	12-5	6-4	W1
*	Tennessee	18	19	.486	4.0	30	11-6	7-13	7-3	W3
	Carolina	17	20	.459	5.0	29	9-11	8-9	3-7	W1
	Huntsville	17	20	.459	5.0	29	6-11	11-9	5-5	L1
	Jackson	15	22	.405	7.0	27	7-10	8-12	4-6	L1

FSL North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Tampa	21	17	.553	-	-	10-10	11-7	6-4	L3
	Dunedin	20	18	.526	1.0	32	9-8	11-10	7-3	W4
	Clearwater	19	19	.500	2.0	31	13-7	6-12	7-3	L1
*	Daytona	19	19	.500	2.0	31	9-9	10-10	6-4	W3
	Brevard County	16	19	.457	3.5	30	5-10	11-9	5-5	L5
	Lakeland	16	20	.444	4.0	30	8-10	8-10	4-6	W2

MID Western
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Quad Cities	22	14	.611	-	-	14-7	8-7	7-3	W2
	Kane County	21	15	.583	1.0	-	9-9	12-6	5-5	L2
	Clinton	19	17	.528	3.0	33	11-10	8-7	6-4	L1
	Beloit	17	19	.472	5.0	31	8-7	9-12	3-7	L2
	Cedar Rapids	16	20	.444	6.0	30	10-8	6-12	5-5	W2
	Wisconsin	14	22	.389	8.0	28	6-12	8-10	4-6	W1
*	Burlington	12	24	.333	10.0	26	8-10	4-14	3-7	L1
	Peoria	12	24	.333	10.0	26	4-11	8-13	3-7	W1

PIO North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Great Falls	2	0	1.000	-	-	2-0	0-0	2-0	W2
	Helena	1	1	.500	1.0	36	0-0	1-1	1-1	L1
*	Missoula	1	1	.500	1.0	36	0-0	1-1	1-1	W1
	Billings	0	2	.000	2.0	35	0-2	0-0	0-2	L2

AZL Central
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	AZL Dodgers	18	15	.545	-	-	9-8	9-7	6-4	W1
	AZL Reds	18	16	.529	0.5	23	9-8	9-8	5-5	W3
	AZL Indians	17	17	.500	1.5	22	9-8	8-9	5-5	W1
	AZL Brewers	8	23	.258	9.0	16	4-13	4-10	4-6	L2

DSL S.D. North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	DSL Mariners	37	17	.685	-	-	20-7	17-10	4-5	L1
	DSL Brewers	33	20	.623	3.5	16	16-10	17-10	6-4	W1
	DSL Cardinals	20	33	.377	16.5	3	13-15	7-18	6-4	L1
	DSL Athletics	19	36	.345	18.5	E	11-15	8-21	4-6	W1

[Mass Haas]

This and that --

 

Two former Brewer farmhands were rescued from independent ball yetserday -- LHP Chris "Commander" Cody by the Braves and INF Ozzie Chavez by the Phillies. Good for them.

 

***

 

This is the only time I'm personally going to mention this voting this year, because I've grown so frustrated watching our Zelous' and Meverick's getting knocked out by players who have nicknames, not given names.

 

That being said, MiLB.com's Moniker Madness is underway -- Wheeler is an 11 seed, Lasker a 4 seed, and they are in the same bracket.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes

[Mass Haas]

A big shoutout to whoever provides us a true prospect scouting report on "Man of Mystery" Mike Schaub, the 19-year-old 2010 38th round pick who signed out of an Anaheim high school.

 

The kid is money.

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville Media Notes

[CheezWizHed]

That being said, MiLB.com's Moniker Madness is underway -- Wheeler is an 11 seed, Lasker a 4 seed, and they are in the same bracket.

And a Callix Crabbe sighting also!

[And That]

A big shoutout to whoever provides us a true prospect scouting report on "Man of Mystery" Mike Schaub, the 19-year-old 2010 38th round pick who signed out of an Anaheim high school.

 

The kid is money.

Schaub throws in the mid 80's, touching the low 90's, with his fastball. Throws from a high 3/4 arm slot. Can get good downward bite and run on his 2-seam. Slider has potential to be a good pitch. Like most young pitchers, still working on a change-up.

 

What do I win?

[battlekow]

Final: @AZL Athletics 5, AZL Brewers 3

AZL Brewers box score

Same teams as yesterday, same score as yesterday, just with the home field reversed. Edward Nigma Michael Schaub actually pitched well despite giving up four runs in five innings, allowing just three hits and two walks while fanning six. His cursed tandem-mate, Joel Pierce, worked the next two frames, and allowing just one run as he did is a major victory at this point. Steve Felix continues to show what experienced hitters do to inexperienced pitchers in hot weather: 2-4 with two doubles. Young Renaldo Jenkins, usually a shortstop, was at second base today and collected a hit and a free pass.

AZL Brewers play-by-play

Looks like Schaub was flagging by the 5th (understandable, given that it was 98 degrees at game-start). An error also did him no favors, but the luck evened out somewhat with how he got out of the inning:

AZL Athletics Bottom of the 5th

• Reynaldo Mateo flies out to center fielder Kevin Berard.
• Jensi Peralta walks.
• Luis Baez reaches on force attempt, fielding error by shortstop Brandon Macias. Jensi Peralta to 2nd.
• Dayton Alexander walks. Jensi Peralta to 3rd. Luis Baez to 2nd.
• Austin Booker singles on a fly ball to center fielder Kevin Berard. Jensi Peralta scores. Luis Baez scores. Dayton Alexander to 2nd.
• Shane Boras lines into double play, pitcher Michael Schaub to shortstop Brandon Macias. Dayton Alexander out at 2nd.

[Mass Haas]

A big shoutout to whoever provides us a true prospect scouting report on "Man of Mystery" Mike Schaub, the 19-year-old 2010 38th round pick who signed out of an Anaheim high school.

 

The kid is money.

Schaub throws in the mid 80's, touching the low 90's, with his fastball. Throws from a high 3/4 arm slot. Can get good downward bite and run on his 2-seam. Slider has potential to be a good pitch. Like most young pitchers, still working on a change-up.

 

What do I win?

 

Like I said, a big shoutout http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif -- readers, don't feel inclined to suffer through all two minutes:

[Mass Haas]

[Mass Haas]

Look for Wisconsin's media notes here just prior to their game time.

[CheezWizHed]

Young Renaldo Jenkins, usually a shortstop, was at second base today and collected a hit and a free pass.

 

Jenkins just became one of my favorites. Went to check on how it is doing and realized that we share the same birthday! Granted, I've had it for a few years longer than he...

[LouisEly]

Over his last 10 starts - including six innings so far tonight - Jimmy Nelson has a 2.79 ERA and in 61.1 IP has given up 50 hits and struck out 62.

[battlekow]

Final: @Huntsville 8, Carolina 1

Huntsville box score

Khris Davis (yay!) and Brock Kjeldgaard each had a triple and a double, and Hainley Statia had two hits and a walk. Sean Halton exited after singling in the 1st inning, pinch-run for by Lee Haydel, who proceeded to strike out in all four of his at-bats. Yuck. Michael Bowman pitched well, allowing just one run in six innings. Lucas Luetge fanned three of the five batters he faced, but Santo Manzanillo, after striking out the side his last time out, whiffed none today against two walks and a hit but still snuck out of the inning unscathed. I would definitely like to see Manzanillo display strikeout stuff more consistently with the Stars.

Huntsville play-by-play

The Stars' four-run 1st, including Halton's exit:

Huntsville Bottom of the 1st

• Sergio Miranda walks.
• Hainley Statia singles on a ground ball to left fielder Josh Fellhauer. Sergio Miranda to 2nd.
• With Sean Halton batting, passed ball by Yasmani Grandal, Sergio Miranda to 3rd. Hainley Statia to 2nd.
• Sean Halton singles on a line drive to left fielder Josh Fellhauer. Sergio Miranda scores. Hainley Statia out at home on the throw, left fielder Josh Fellhauer to catcher Yasmani Grandal.
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Lee Haydel replaces Sean Halton.
• With Steffan Wilson batting, wild pitch by Brandon Hynick, Lee Haydel to 2nd.
• Steffan Wilson walks.
• Zelous Wheeler called out on strikes.
• Brock Kjeldgaard triples (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Quintin Berry. Lee Haydel scores. Steffan Wilson scores. Brock Kjeldgaard scores. Throwing error by second baseman Henry Rodriguez.
• Khris Davis flies out to right fielder Bill Rhinehart.

Manzanillo walking the tightrope. The walks are especially frustrating given the score:

Carolina Top of the 9th

• Pitcher Change: Santo Manzanillo replaces Lucas Luetge, batting 9th.
• Bill Rhinehart grounds out to first baseman Steffan Wilson.
• Eric Campbell doubles (8) on a line drive to left fielder Khris Davis.
• Didi Gregorius walks.
• David Cook walks. Eric Campbell to 3rd. Didi Gregorius to 2nd.
• James Skelton flies out to left fielder Khris Davis in foul territory.
• Henry Rodriguez flies out to center fielder Lee Haydel.

[gregmag]

Good catch, LE. I haven't been paying close enough attention; do we know whether he was hurt or something? The turnaround is stunning: 24/28 K/BB in his first 45.1 innings, 62/22 in his last 61.1. The P50 guys mentioned his increased fly ball rate, but his HRs are actually down too. Very encouraging.

[battlekow]

Final: @Nashville 7, Round Rock 0

De La Deals, Gamel Homers, Sounds Win

Nashville Sounds

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Right-hander Frankie De La Cruz hurled 7 2/3 scoreless innings and Mat Gamel belted a pair of home runs [audio] to lead the Nashville Sounds to a 7-0 shutout win over the Round Rock Express on Tuesday evening at Greer Stadium in the finale of a four-game series.

With the win, the Sounds (54-57) salvaged a split of the four-game series and earned their third shutout victory of the season.

De La Cruz (6-6) continued his recent dominance on the hill by scattering six hits while striking out seven batters over his 7 2/3 scoreless frames to drop his seasonal ERA to 3.73.

In his last 12 starts, the red-hot right-hander is 6-1 with a 2.35 ERA (18er/69.0ip). Tonight's effort marked the team-leading 12th quality start of the year for De La Cruz.

Right-hander Mike McClendon closed out the shutout by recording the final four outs.

Gamel powered the Nashville offense with his fourth two-homer game of the year, belting a pair of solo homers to up his team-leading longball total to 23 on the year.

The Sounds got on the board first with an unearned run in the bottom of the second inning. Gamel led off with a walk and moved to second on Brandon Boggs' two-out single. Both runners advanced a base when Round Rock hurler Brett Tomko uncorked a wild pitch, then catcher Kevin Cash misfired into left field as he attempted to throw out Gamel at third, allowing the first run of the night to score.

Nashville doubled its lead to 2-0 in the third as two of the Sounds' hottest hitters teamed up. Logan Schafer led off with a double into the right field corner and scored when Jordan Brown followed with an RBI single up the middle.

Schafer has hit safely in 11 of his 12 Triple-A contests at a .388 clip (19-for-49), while Brown extended the club's longest active hitting streak to six games (11-for-28, .393).

The Sounds' lead increased to 3-0 in the fifth when Eric Farris hit a line drive to center then came around to score on the play following a pair of Express miscues. Center fielder Joey Butler overran the ball then shortstop Nick Green misfired into the stands behind the third base bag.

Gamel made it a 4-0 game in the sixth when he homered for the second straight night against Round Rock pitching, taking Tomko deep to right to lead off the frame for his team-leading 22nd longball of the year.

Brown (2-for-4) closed out the evening's scoring in the eighth with his second run-scoring knock of the night, a two-out, two-run double to right off Express reliever Darren O'Day.

Tomko (5-4) was saddled with a quality-start loss for the visitors after surrendering four runs (two earned) on eight hits over his six innings of work.

The Sounds travel to Colorado Springs tomorrow morning to begin an eight-game road trip. Right-hander Mike Fiers (3-0, 2.25) will be activated from the disabled list to start Wednesday's 8:05 p.m. CT opener of a four-game series at Security Service Field. He'll face Sky Sox right-hander Clayton Mortensen (1-5, 9.82).

Baseball returns to Greer Stadium on Friday, August 12th, when the Sounds begin an eight-game homestand.

Nashville box score

FDLC continues to rock my world. He threw 121 pitches, 79 for strikes. I was surprised to see him come out for the 8th after his pitch count sat at 111 through seven, but what the hell, he's 27, leave him in if he's lathered up. Schafer also singled. Caleb Gindl doubled and walked twice. Taylor Green went 0-4 for the second night in a row and should probably expect to find a plane ticket to Huntsville in his locker tomorrow. Listen, Taylor, we're about results around here--this kind of lack of performance just isn't going to cut it.

Nashville play-by-play

[battlekow]

Final: @Wisconsin 2, Clinton 1

Rattlers edge LumberKings

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

GRAND, CHUTE, WI - Jimmy Nelson went seven strong innings and got all the support he needed from a Jason Rogers home run as the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers defeated the Clinton LumberKings 2-1 Tuesday night at Time Warner Cable Field.

Nelson and Clinton LumberKings starting pitcher George Mieses hooked up in a scoreless duel through the first part of the game. Nelson allowed four hits in the game and matched his single game strikeout high as a pro with eight. At one point he retired 15 of 16 batters faced. Mieses allowed two hits through the first 5-2/3 innings. But, Wisconsin (53-54 overall, 15-22 second half) got to him in the sixth.

Nick Shaw singled with one out and moved to second on a grounder. That brought Rogers to the plate. The Rattlers designated hitter lined the first pitch of the at bat over the wall in left for a two-run home run. Rogers' home run, his fifth of the season, was the first that he has hit at Time Warner Cable Field this season.

The LumberKings (43-64, 19-18) scraped for a run in the bottom of the seventh against Nelson. Tim Morris drew a one out walk. He went to second on a wild pitch and stole third as Nelson recorded his eighth strikeout of the game. Then, Anthony Phillips dropped a bunt single to score Morris and Clinton was within a run.

Nelson got the final out of the seventh and turned the game over to Alan Williams in the top of the eighth. Williams worked a perfect eighth. He gave up a leadoff infield single in the top of the ninth, but retired the next three batters to close the door on the LumberKings. The save was the first for Williams as a Timber Rattler.

Game two of the four game series is Wednesday afternoon at Time Warner Cable Field. Brooks Hall (5-3, 3.96) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Anthony Fernandez (4-3, 3.27) is set to start for the LumberKings. Game time is 12:05pm.

Tomorrow is an American TV Win-It Wednesday. Every fan aged 16 and older will receive a scratch-off ticket and every ticket is a winner with prizes from the Timber Rattlers and American TV of Appleton. The Baker Tilly Business Person's Special is also available 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.

Wisconsin box score

Jimmy J's resurgence has not gone unnoticed, and though he's still a big-college pitcher in A-ball, it's obviously preferable that he pitch well rather than poorly. He needed just 86 pitches (50 strikes) to get through his seven frames; he walked just two despite the low strike%. Williams continues to be excellent. Hat tip to Not-Small Jason Rogers.

Wisconsin play-by-play

[battlekow]

Final: @DSL Brewers 2, DSL Athletics 1

DSL Brewers box score

The Cerveceritos got a run in the bottom of the 8th to avenge their AZL brethren. Gian T. Rizzo was awesome: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K. Raul Mondesi and Juan de Leon each had three hits, and Dionis Hinojosa had two hits, a walk, and two steals, giving him 27 thefts now. Orlando Arcia doubled and was intentionally walked. I'd walk the guy, too.

DSL Brewers play-by-play

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 8th

• Dionis Hinojosa singles on a line drive to second baseman Rodolfo Penalo.
• Alejandro Mendoza out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Yordy Alejo to second baseman Rodolfo Penalo. Dionis Hinojosa to 2nd.
• With Orlando Arcia batting, Dionis Hinojosa steals (27) 3rd base.
• Yordy Alejo intentionally walks Orlando Arcia.
• With Juan De Leon batting, Orlando Arcia steals (10) 2nd base.
• Juan De Leon singles on a line drive to right fielder Jonesy Zarraga. Dionis Hinojosa scores. Orlando Arcia to 3rd.
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Francisco Castillo replaces Juan De Leon.
• Sthervin Matos lines into double play, shortstop Gabriel Santana to first baseman Wilman Martinez. Francisco Castillo doubled off 1st.

[TooLiveBrew]

Final: Helena 11, @Great Falls 6

 

Helena Box Score

Eric Arnett went six innings, allowing six hits, five runs (all earned); he walked two & struck out four. The only encouraging news was that he had a groundout/air-out ratio of 11/2. Alex Jones worked the final three innings, allowing three hits, one run (earned), striking out three & walking none.

 

Yadiel Rivera had a three-hit night, including a double & triple. Kenny Allison also had three hits, one double & one triple, but added three RBI. Parker Berberet had two singles, with one walk & one mustache. Max Walla continues to translate physical tools into results, with a two-run homer to center in the 5th inning. Tyler Roberts & Adrian Williams each singled once.

 

 

Helena Play-by-Play

Arnett had gotten good results through three innings (five groundouts/one air-out, one hit (single), one BB, three K), but came undone in the 4th:

 

Great Falls Bottom of the 4th

• Mark Haddow doubles (5) on a fly ball to right fielder Max Walla.
• Michael Earley hit by pitch.
• With Kevan Smith batting, passed ball by Tyler Roberts, Mark Haddow to 3rd. Michael Earley to 2nd.
• Kevan Smith walks.
• Martin
  Medina doubles (7) on a fly ball to center fielder Robert Garvey.
  Mark Haddow scores. Michael Earley scores. Kevan Smith scores.
• With David Herbek batting, wild pitch by Eric Arnett, Martin Medina to 3rd.
• David Herbek singles on a ground ball to shortstop Yadiel Rivera. Martin Medina scores.
• Andrew Douglas grounds into double play, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to first baseman Parker Berberet. David Herbek out at 2nd.
• Qualon Millender called out on strikes.

[TooLiveBrew]

Rivera, Allison Lead the Brewers Past the Voyagers

By Voyagers Baseball

 

GREAT FALLS Mont. -- Helena's offensive charge in the middle innings

pushed them past the Voyagers, evening series with a 11-6 victory.

 

After both teams traded four-run innings in the fourth, the Brewers

responded immediately with a three-run fifth. With one out in the

inning, Yadiel Rivera tripled to right-center field and was scored

immediately on a Parker Berberet single. Two batters later, Max Walla

homered off of Scott Snodgress to straight away centerfield, scoring two

runs and giving Helena a 7-4 lead.

 

 

The line drive cleared the caged-fence shy of the green outfield wall

which protects fielders from the flag pole planted in play. The grounds

rules at Centene Stadium dictate that as a home run.

 

 

The Brewers would add two more runs in the sixth, extending their

advantage to 9-4, more than enough support for the Brewers staff, which

has the lowest ERA in the league.

 

 

Eric Arnett (4-2) earned the win for the Brewers, going six innings,

giving up five runs. The righty struck out four in his outing, walking

two and hitting two, including former college teammate at Indiana,

Michael Earley.

 

 

Alex Jones (S,3) pitched the final third of the game, earning his first

save of the season. The righty gave up just one run in three innings,

using two double plays to his advantage. As a team, the Brewers turned

four double plays in the ballgame.

 

 

Scott Snodgress (0-2) lasted just 4.2 innings in the defeat. The lefty

gave up seven runs--just three earned--striking out a career high eight,

walking two. Snodgress looked very sharp through the game's first three

innings, striking out six, allowing just one batter to reach. But

Yadiel Rivera plagued him, collecting a single, a double, and a triple

in three plate appearances against him.

 

 

Austin Evans gave the Voyagers 2.1 innings of relief, giving up two

runs, just one of which was earned. Jon Gulbransen gave up two runs in

his lone inning while Kevin Rath continues to provide the Voyagers with

quality outings, pitching a scoreless ninth.

 

 

The Voyagers were led offensively by David Herbek. The shortstop

collected three hits, including his fourth home run of the season, a

solo shot in the sixth. He ended the night with two RBIs.

 

 

Martin Medina's double in the fourth scored three runners and brought

the Voyagers to within one, before Herbek's first RBI brought him home

to tie the game. The first baseman added a single in the ninth.

 

 

Also with a multi-hit effort was Mark Haddow. His double in the fourth sparked the four-run inning.

 

 

With an infield single in the seventh, Qualon Millender extended his on-base streak to 16 games.

 

 

Both Yadiel Rivera, the league's hits leader, and Kenny Allison were

just a home run short of the cycle. Allison drove home three runs in the

ballgame. Parker Berberet added a couple of hits in the winning effort.

 

 

Once again, the Voyagers fail to win their third straight game. They are now 0-6 when playing with a two-game winning streak.

 

The series continues tomorrow night. Blair Walters (LHP) goes for the

Voyagers against Tommy Toledo (RHP). First pitch between the Voyagers

and the Brewers is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. from Kindrick Legion Field

[Mass Haas]

24-year-old Huntsville LHP Lucas Lester Luetge (Rice University) not only has a perfect LOOGY name, but has held lefty bats to a .169 average in a large sample (15-for-89) this year. A just-miss on the P50.

[Mass Haas]

Welcome relief for Rattlers

by Jim Oskola , Appleton Post Crescent

A relative newcomer to the Timber Rattlers roster, Alan Williams is quickly making himself known to his teammates.

 

With many more outings like Tuesday night against Clinton and he will become the best friend of the Rattlers starting pitchers.

 

Williams, a southpaw, threw two innings of scoreless relief in Wisconsin's 2-1 win over the LumberKings. Williams allowed a single and struck out two to earn his first Midwest League save.

 

"This guy came out of the Frontier League which is an independent league," Rattlers pitching coach Chris Hook said. "He didn't get drafted this year. He came to Helena and pitched really well for them. They told us he's good at the back end of a game. He likes the ball in his hand and he's done a really nice job. When he gets out there, his curveball is nice and tight. He's throwing his fastball. He's aggressive. We really like what we see out there."

 

Williams doesn't waste any time on the mound, either.

 

"He is just a bulldog and that's good to see late in the game," Hook said.

 

Williams has appeared in five games for Wisconsin, pitching 6 2/3 innings. He has allowed two hits, three earned runs, four walks and struck out 10. Three of the four walks and all three runs came last Friday against Clinton when, after striking out the first batter he faced, he walked the next three. They all scored later in the inning after Williams had been replaced.