Link Report for Wed. 8/10 -- Nashville all about the Hamiltons; Bucci excellent

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

Nashville: RHP Josh Butler at Reno (Diamondbacks), 2:50 PM pre-game, 3:05 gametime
Live Audio Link -- Select the Nashville feed from the MiLB main audio page
MiLB.TV -- for subscribers

Huntsville: Idle

Brevard County: RHP's Hiram Burgos and Nick Bucci in a doubleheader at Dunedin (Blue Jays), 4:00 PM gametime; each contest slated for seven innings
Live Audio Link -- Select the Dunedin feed from the MiLB main audio page

Wisconsin: RHP Matt Miller at home vs. Beloit (Twins), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime
Live Audio Link
MiLB.TV -- for subscribers
Helena: RHP Andy Moye 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): Idle

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

NOTE: The DSL kids could make up the August 4th rainout as part of a doubleheader today, but it's rare when they let the DSL teams play doubleheaders back-to-back days. It's possible that it will be made upon one of the three opportunities that remain in these final ten days of the season (ends on August 20th).

[Mass Haas]

Follow Wednesday's action as it happens:

 

Nashville (Gameday also available)

 

Brevard County Game One

Brevard County Game Two

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

DSL Brewers

[Mass Haas]

PCL American North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Omaha	64	53	.547	-	-	35-28	29-25	6-4	L1
	Memphis	60	57	.513	4.0	23	34-21	26-36	7-3	W3
	Nashville	59	59	.500	5.5	22	34-25	25-34	6-4	W3
	Iowa	53	65	.449	11.5	16	33-26	20-39	6-4	W4

SOU North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Chattanooga	26	18	.591	-	-	10-10	16-8	6-4	L1
*	Tennessee	25	20	.556	1.5	25	14-6	11-14	9-1	W3
	Carolina	20	24	.455	6.0	20	9-11	11-13	5-5	W1
	Jackson	20	25	.444	6.5	20	9-11	11-14	6-4	W2
	Huntsville	19	25	.432	7.0	19	8-16	11-9	4-6	L3

FSL North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Tampa	24	20	.545	-	-	12-11	12-9	4-6	L1
	Clearwater	23	21	.523	1.0	26	17-9	6-12	6-4	W1
	Dunedin	23	21	.523	1.0	26	9-8	14-13	7-3	W1
	Brevard County	20	21	.488	2.5	25	8-12	12-9	4-6	W3
*	Daytona	21	23	.477	3.0	24	10-11	11-12	5-5	L1
	Lakeland	18	24	.429	5.0	23	8-11	10-13	5-5	L3

MID Western
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Quad Cities	27	17	.614	-	-	14-7	13-10	7-3	W1
	Kane County	26	18	.591	1.0	-	11-11	15-7	5-5	L1
	Clinton	23	21	.523	4.0	24	11-10	12-11	5-5	L1
	Beloit	20	24	.455	7.0	21	11-12	9-12	3-7	L1
	Cedar Rapids	18	26	.409	9.0	19	11-11	7-15	4-6	W1
	Peoria	18	26	.409	9.0	19	10-13	8-13	7-3	L1
	Wisconsin	18	26	.409	9.0	19	8-14	10-12	5-5	W1
*	Burlington	15	29	.341	12.0	16	10-12	5-17	4-6	W1

PIO North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Great Falls	7	3	.700	-	-	4-3	3-0	7-3	L1
*	Missoula	6	4	.600	1.0	28	4-1	2-3	6-4	W1
	Billings	5	5	.500	2.0	27	1-2	4-3	5-5	W3
	Helena	2	8	.200	5.0	24	0-5	2-3	2-8	L7

AZL Central
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	AZL Dodgers	23	17	.575	-	-	12-8	11-9	7-3	W1
	AZL Indians	21	19	.525	2.0	15	12-8	9-11	5-5	L1
	AZL Reds	21	19	.525	2.0	15	11-9	10-10	6-4	L2
	AZL Brewers	9	29	.237	13.0	5	5-15	4-14	2-8	W1

DSL S.D. North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	DSL Mariners	39	18	.684	-	-	20-9	19-9	4-6	W1
	DSL Brewers	36	22	.621	3.5	12	19-12	17-10	7-3	W2
	DSL Cardinals	21	37	.362	18.5	E	13-15	8-22	4-6	L5
	DSL Athletics	20	39	.339	20.0	E	11-16	9-23	3-7	L2

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes

[Bernman23]

Nashville puts up a 10-spot, and after previously being down 7-0, they are now up 10-7.

 

Nashville Top of the 7th

 

Pitcher Change: Esmerling Vasquez replaces Zach Kroenke, batting 9th.

Logan Schafer walks.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Andy Gonzalez replaces Eric Farris.

Andy Gonzalez pops out to pitcher Esmerling Vasquez.

Taylor Green hit by pitch. Logan Schafer to 2nd.

With Erick Almonte batting, wild pitch by Esmerling Vasquez, Logan Schafer to 3rd. Taylor Green to 2nd.

Erick Almonte doubles (12) on a ground ball to left fielder Evan Frey. Logan Schafer scores. Taylor Green scores.

Edwin Maysonet walks.

Pitcher Change: Kam Mickolio replaces Esmerling Vasquez, batting 7th.

Defensive Substitution: Lucas May replaces pitcher Esmerling Vasquez, batting 9th, playing catcher.

Martin Maldonado walks. Erick Almonte to 3rd. Edwin Maysonet to 2nd.

Caleb Gindl doubles (18) on a fly ball to left fielder Evan Frey. Erick Almonte scores. Edwin Maysonet scores. Martin Maldonado to 3rd.

Brandon Boggs doubles (14) on a line drive to center fielder Ryan Langerhans. Martin Maldonado scores. Caleb Gindl scores.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Mat Gamel replaces Daniel Ray Herrera.

Mat Gamel singles on a line drive to right fielder Cole Gillespie. Brandon Boggs to 3rd.

Logan Schafer doubles (8) on a line drive to right fielder Cole Gillespie. Brandon Boggs scores. Mat Gamel to 3rd.

Pitcher Change: Jeff Bennett replaces Kam Mickolio, batting 7th.

Andy Gonzalez pops out to first baseman Juan Miranda in foul territory.

Jeff Bennett intentionally walks Taylor Green.

Erick Almonte doubles (13) on a fly ball to right fielder Cole Gillespie. Mat Gamel scores. Logan Schafer scores. Taylor Green scores.

Edwin Maysonet lines out to left fielder Evan Frey.

[Mass Haas]

Wisconsin Media Notes

[battlekow]

Final: @DSL Mariners 11, DSL Brewers 5

DSL Brewers box score

After six home games in a row, the Cerveceritos finally went on the "road" and dropped a game to the hated Marineritos. Milton Gomez, the youngest pitcher in the system, was absolutely tattooed: 1.1 IP, 6 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 0 K. Whoa. Juan de Leon homered and doubled, and Yonki Hernandez tallied a triple and two walks. Young guns watch: Orlando Arcia (1-5); Esthervin Matos (0-4, BB); Raul Mondesi (1-3, HBP, SF); Elvis Rubio (DNP).

DSL Brewers play-by-play

Modesi showing off the family arm:

DSL Mariners Top of the 8th

• Randy Perez grounds out, second baseman Francisco Castillo to first baseman Juan De Leon.
• Ketel Marte singles on a fly ball to center fielder Dionis Hinojosa.
• With Janelfry Zorrilla batting, wild pitch by Angel Ventura, Ketel Marte to 2nd.
• Janelfry Zorrilla singles on a fly ball to left fielder Raul Mondesi. Ketel Marte out at home on the throw, left fielder Raul Mondesi to catcher Natanael Mejia. Janelfry Zorrilla to 2nd on the throw.
• With Axel Wel batting, Janelfry Zorrilla picked off and caught stealing 3rd base, catcher Natanael Mejia to shortstop Orlando Arcia to third baseman Sthervin Matos.

[battlekow]

Final: Nashville 11, @Reno 9

Sounds Come Back To Sweep Reno In Road Trip Finale

Nashville Sounds

RENO, Nev. - The Nashville Sounds completed a four-game series sweep of the Reno Aces, thanks to a 10-run seventh inning rally in an 11-9 victory on Wednesday afternoon at Aces Ballpark.

With the win, The Sounds (60-59) finished 6-2 on the eight-game road trip through Colorado Springs and Reno and are posting a winning record for the first time since April 17th when they were 6-5.

The sweep was the third sweep of the season for the Sounds. Nashville previously swept New Orleans from June 25-28 at Greer Stadium and Iowa from July 18-21 at Principal Park. The Sounds were also swept by Reno at Aces Ballpark last season, their only meeting in 2010.

Exploding for at least 10 runs in four of the last six victories, the Sounds tied a club record by ripping eight doubles in the victory for the fifth time in club history, including five two-baggers in the seventh inning.

Trailing 7-0 after six innings, the seven-run comeback was the biggest this season, as Nashville previously produced six-run comebacks on June 2 vs. Iowa and July 5 vs. Memphis.

Reno jumped out to a 3-0 lead before making an out thanks to a pair of home runs in the bottom of the second inning. First baseman Juan Miranda crushed a leadoff homer over the right field berm, his fifth of the year. After catcher Konrad Schmidt was hit by starter Josh Butler, shortstop Angel Berroa crushed his second long ball of the season, a two-run shot to left for the next two runs.

Reno moved ahead at 4-0, as Butler got into trouble in the next inning after retiring the first two batters. Former Sounds outfielder Cole Gillespie got the rally started with a two-out single to left moved to third as the next two batters walked to load the bases. Butler then grazed Berroa with an inside fastball that allowed Gillespie to score.

The Aces tacked on three more runs for a 7-0 lead in the fifth inning courtesy of a season-high five walks by reliever Zack Segovia. The frame began similar to the second, as Gillespie started with a leadoff single for the only hit in the inning. Segovia would then issue walks to five of the next seven batters he faced, including three consecutive two-out walks with the bases loaded before being removed from the contest.

The Sounds scored 10 runs in the seventh inning by sending 14 batters to the dish, highlighted by five different run-scoring doubles, including two from first baseman Erick Almonte. The 10 runs scored were the most in an inning this season, as Almonte drove in the first two and final three runs.

New reliever Esmerling Vasquez walked center fielder Logan Schafer and hit third baseman Taylor Green to get things started. Both runners moved to scoring position on a wild pitch and scored when first baseman Almonte lined a double to left field. After Vasquez walked Maysonet, he was removed for reliever Kam Mickolio, who walked catcher Martin Maldonado to load the bases.

Consecutive first pitches from Mickolio were then attacked for two-run doubles by outfielders Caleb Gindl and Brandon Boggs for the next four runs. Boggs moved to third on a single from pinch hitter Mat Gamel and scored as Schafer ripped a game-tying RBI double to right field to chase Mickolio.

Former Sounds reliever Jeff Bennett then entered the game and intentionally walked Green to load the bases, before Almonte unloaded an opposite field, go-ahead, three-run double off the right field wall.

Nashville reliever Sean Green began the next frame and recorded the first out before getting into trouble. Reno quickly loaded the bases with a walk and two singles to remove Green. Randy Flores entered the game and induced an infield groundout and pop up to end the jam, but not before Reno scored a run to come with two runs at 10-8.

The Sounds tacked on an insurance run in the ninth for an 11-8 lead. Andy Gonzalez doubled, moved to third on a bunt single, and scored on a wild pitch.

Reno made the game interesting in the bottom of the ninth inning by rallying against reliever Randy Flores. May singled to lead off and scored on a Ryan Langerhans single combined with a Gonzalez throwing error to make it 11-9. After a controversial foul ball call down the third base line, Mike McClendon picked up his eighth save by throwing one pitch for a game-ending fly out.

A combined 18 walks were issued in the matinee finale between the clubs. Nashville issued nine walks, while Reno also walked nine for an offensive season-high for the Sounds. Maldonado worked a career-high three walks.

Butler matched a season-low with three innings pitched on the afternoon. The 26-year-old surrounded four runs on four hits and three walks and three strikeouts in 88 pitches (42 strikes).

Segovia tossed a scoreless fourth inning before allowing three runs on five walks in the fifth. Daniel Herrera (1-0) worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win. Flores worked 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

Reno starting pitcher Zach Kroenke's quality start was wasted, as the left-hander tossed six shutout frames while fanning four in a no-decision. Mickilo (2-3) took the loss after allowing five runs and not recording an out.

After a league-wide off day tomorrow, the Sounds travel back to Music City to welcome the Las Vegas 51s (AAA-Blue Jays) for a four game series, beginning at 7:05 pm CT on Friday evening at Greer Stadium. Right-hander Amaury Rivas (7-11, 5.01) is scheduled to make the start against Las Vegas right-hander Chad Beck (1-1, 4.50).

Nashville box score

Angel Berroa! Jeff Bennett! A ten-run inning! Zack Greinke's telephone twin! The Pacific part of the Pacific Coast League is fun. Green was on four of six trips with two hits, a walk, and the HBP; Maldonado was also on four times, adding a single to his three free passes. As you can see in the PBP above, Eric Farris was pinch-hit for in the 7th, which is something we'll have to keep an eye on. Farris had a double and a walk in his three plate appearances before leaving.

Nashville play-by-play

[battlekow]

Final (game one?): Brevard County 9, @Dunedin 2 (9 innings)

Brevard County box score

There was supposed to be a doubleheader, and indeed the box score for game two is set up already, but when the 7th inning ended with the Manatees up by seven runs, they just kept on playing. Nick Bucci was quite good: 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K, 3/4 GO/FO; both runs came in the 6th. Scooter Gennett rapped out four singles to raise his batting average to .302, the first time it's been over .300 in a very long time. Scooter's BA splits by month: .318 / .212 / .314 / .339 / .406. Remarkable in context how bad his May was. Shea Vucinich had three hits, including a double. Hunter Morris drew his 17th walk; he's gone to the plate 434 times this year.

Brevard County play-by-play

Dunedin Bottom of the 6th

• Brad McElroy singles on a ground ball to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson.
• A. J. Jimenez pops out to second baseman Scooter Gennett.
• Sean Ochinko doubles (28) on a fly ball to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. Brad McElroy to 3rd.
• Brian Van Kirk strikes out swinging.
• With Ryan Schimpf batting, wild pitch by Nicholas Bucci, Brad McElroy scores. Sean Ochinko scores. Throwing error by catcher Shawn Zarraga.
• Ryan Schimpf called out on strikes.

I wonder how often a team's only runs--plural--score on the same wild pitch.

[battlekow]

Almonte fuels Sounds' huge inning

By Danny Wild / MLB.com

In a game that seemed to drag on, Erick Almonte said a marathon seventh inning zipped by.

"It was our first day game in about a month and it was almost four hours, but it was kind of cool to make that comeback that way," Almonte said. "It went by quick."

Trailing by seven runs and having little luck against Reno starter Zach Kroenke, Nashville scored 10 times in the seventh.

"We just started hitting like crazy," said Almonte. "We hit the ball in the right places."

The Sounds needed just about all of those runs Wednesday afternoon as they held on for a wacky 11-9 win in Reno that featured 11 pitchers, 27 hits and 18 walks. Limited to pinch-hitting duties in the last few games, Almonte doubled twice and had five RBIs in the seventh.

Nashville, which had a five-run inning in the opener of the series, used a three-run ninth on Monday to beat the Aces. It completed the four-game sweep in unusual fashion.

"We've just had so much confidence in the last two weeks, especially on the road. we just have that confidence at the end of games," Almonte said. "But they made it interesting."

Nashville's big inning included five doubles, four walks, a wild pitch, two pinch-hitters and three Reno relievers. Andy Gonzalez came off the bench and ended up making two outs in the frame. But the Sounds tied a record by ripping eight doubles for the fifth time in club history.

Esmerling Vasquez replaced Kroenke to start the seventh, and things went downhill from there for the Aces. Vasquez walked Logan Schafer and hit Taylor Green with one out before uncorking a wild pitch to set the table for Almonte, who smacked a two-run double to left.

"We were down by seven runs at that time, and with two runners on base, I just wanted to put a good swing on it," Almonte said. "I did, hit a double that scored two, and we scored a couple more and then I got to bat again with the bases loaded."

A "couple more" is a bit of an understatement -- consecutive walks set up back-to-back two-run doubles by Caleb Gindl and Brandon Boggs, both off Kam Mickolio. Pinch-hitter Mat Gamel singled before Schafer delivered the fourth double of the inning, plating Boggs and chasing Mickolio.

Jeff Bennett retired Gonzalez but intentionally walked Green to face Almonte, who cleared the bases with his 13th double that put Nashville in front, 10-7.

"We were tied already at that point, so worst-case scenario, we have the game tied with two outs," Almonte said. "But I was able to connect on the ball and hit another double."

Reno responded with a run in the bottom of the inning on a fielder's choice by Michael Restovich, but Nashville countered in the ninth as Gonzalez scored on Randy Flores' wild pitch.

Ryan Langerhans hit an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth, but the Aces' rally stalled when Mike McClendon retired Cole Gillespie on one pitch.

Almonte began the season with Milwaukee but has remained at Nashville since rehabbing a concussion he suffered in late April. His last game with the Brewers came on April 25.

At Triple-A, the 33-year-old utility man is batting .304. He tied a Sounds' record on June 6 when he plated seven runs against New Orleans.

"When that happened -- the concussion -- they sent me back to Triple-A and I thought, 'There's nothing I can do, just go there, put up my numbers and it's a chance to contribute,'" said Almonte, who hit .103 in 16 games with Milwaukee. "That's what I'm doing. I don't worry about the big leagues. I know the Brewers are doing well, but I want to help this ballclub, so right now, I'm just doing my job here."

Almonte said he'd never been apart of a rally like Wednesday's.

"To bat twice and get five RBIs in one inning, it doesn't happen often," he added. "It was a great inning, everyone was jumping on me."

Salt Lake set the Pacific Coast League record for runs in an inning when they scored 16 times in the sixth against Vernon on Aug. 18, 1923.

Although a 10-run rally was probably not part of the Souns' plan, Almonte said his teammates didn't change their approach.

"We were able to work the pitches in the second inning with no outs, but we didn't score a run. Their starter did a good job throwing the ball for strikes, getting ahead, but we moved on," he said. "It was a long game."

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2011/08/10/fTDp7XRc.jpg

(Jim Redman/MiLB.com)

[Never Outhustled]

Eric Farris was pinch-hit for in the 7th, which is something we'll have to keep an eye on

Could that be related to Milwaukee's need for another 40 man roster spot? Farris had occupied 1.

[DHonks]

is that 3 or 4 consecutive scoreless outings for Pascual? I wonder if they're mistaking him for someone else

[battlekow]

Final: @Wisconsin 3, Beloit 1

Wisconsin box score

Matt Miller rebounded, much like Randy Wolf, from a 1st-inning run to have quite a good (if wild) outing: 7.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 1 HBP, 6 K, 7/6 GO/FO, 99 pitches, 61 strikes. Always good for a hit batter or two, that Matt Miller. Alan Williams inherited a runner and two outs from Miller and allowed a hit before punching out the next batter to end the 8th. Adrian Rosario worked a perfect 9th, striking out the side. Chad Stang hit his second homer, and Mike Brownstein and Brandon Macias each had two hits. Nick Ramirez was 1-3 to raise his average to .118. TJ Mittelstaedt was 0-3 with a walk and has one hit in his last 30 at-bats; he did steal his 20th base.

Wisconsin play-by-play

Recap coming shortly, I'm sure.

[brewmann04]

Xellence what do you mean that Farris might be going to the Mets? Why would they need another spot ?

[TooLiveBrew]

Final: @Helena 9, Missoula 4

 

Brewers Win 9-4 to Snap Streak

By Nicholas Allen

 

Seven is enough...

 

The Brewers took advantage of four Missoula errors, scoring five

unearned runs in the first four innings of a 9-4 victory over the Osprey

at Kindrick Legion Field on Wednesday. The win snapped a seven-game

losing-streak for Helena.

 

The rest of the Brewers runs were scored without any additional help. In

the sixth, Brewers' catcher Tyler Roberts singled with one out and

scored with heady base running on Kenny Allison double off the

centerfield wall. Roberts scored all the way from first. Allison's

fellow Beaumont, Texan John Dishon capped the scoring with a blistering

line-drive over the left field wall for a three-run homer and a 9-3

lead.

 

Andy Moye (5-1) allowed eight hits and three earned runs over five

innings, striking out five and walking one in the victory. Thomas

Keeling followed with three innings, surrendering just one unearned run,

two hits and one walk while striking out two. Sean Albury added a

perfect ninth inning, striking out two in his 11th consecutive scoreless

appearance to begin his professional career.

 

The teams meet again tomorrow as the homestand concludes.

 

 

Helena Box Score

Roberts & Perker Berberet both went 2-4, with Berberet doubling once. Kenny Allison went 2-2 with a double & two walks. Ben McMahan had a single. Yadiel Rivera & Max Walla both were 0-4.

 

 

Helena Play-by-Play

Helena scored two runs apiece in the 2nd & 4th innings off errors. In the 6th, they were a bit more conventional about it:

 

Helena Bottom of the 6th

• Pitcher Change: Dexter Price replaces Taylor Siemens.
• Max Walla lines out to shortstop Stephen Cardullo.
• Tyler Roberts singles on a line drive to left fielder Tyler Linton.
• Kenneth Allison doubles (4) on a fly ball to center fielder Justin Bianco. Tyler Roberts scores.
• Michael Nemeth grounds out, second baseman Eric Groff to first baseman Jonathan Griffin. Kenneth Allison to 3rd.
• Adrian Williams hit by pitch.
• John Dishon homers (5) on a fly ball to left field. Kenneth Allison scores. Adrian Williams scores.
• Yadiel Rivera strikes out swinging, catcher Fidel Pena to first baseman Jonathan Griffin.

[dadofandrew]

Farris can't go to NYM, he's been in MIL. X was saying they may have removed Farris from the 40 to make a spot for Cruz. I do not know, but considering it was 7-0, I assume they just wanted to give a reserve INF an AB or two.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville AUDIO: Erick Almonte's Go-Ahead Three-Run Double

[Mass Haas]

Miller time for the Timber Rattlers

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

GRAND CHUTE, WI - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers starting pitcher Matt Miller overcame a shaky first inning and worked with a pair of Rattlers relievers to hold the Beloit Snappers to a run on Wednesday night at Time Warner Cable Field. The Rattlers offense came through with a pair of runs in the first and another in the fifth for a 3-1 win.

Beloit (58-57 overall, 20-25 second half) went in front in the first inning without a hit. The first two batters reached on walks issued by Miller. A fly ball to right moved a runner to third. Then, Jairo Perez knocked in the run with a slow grounder up the third base line.

Miller didn't give up much else over the rest of his 7-2/3 innings.

The Rattlers (57-58, 19-26) responded in the bottom of the first inning. Nick Shaw drew a leadoff walk, moved to second on a wild pitch, and took third on a grounder. T.J. Mittelstaedt's grounder to short got Shaw home with the tying runs.

Chad Stang was next and he manufactured a run with one swing of the bat. The Rattlers centerfielder drove the first pitch of he saw in the first over the wall in left-center to put Wisconsin up 2-1.

Mike Brownstein knocked in a run with a two out single in the bottom of the fifth to make it 3-1.

Miller set a single game high as a professional for innings pitched with his 7-2/3 innings. He walked four, hit a batter, allowed three hits, and struck out six.

Alan Williams was called on in the eighth inning with a runner at first and two outs. Williams allowed a single to the first batter he faced, but struck out the next batter to close out the eighth.

Adrian Rosario came on for the top of the ninth and struck out the side in order on eleven pitches for his second save of the season.

Game two of the series is Thursday night at Time Warner Cable Field. Del Howell (1-6, 5.59) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Ryan O'Rourke (3-3, 3.00) is set to start for Beloit. Game time is 7:05 PM.

Break out the bell-bottoms, leisure suits, and disco moves because it's That 70's Night at the ballpark on Thursday night with special Guest Denny Diamond presented by West Business Services.

Thursday is also a Thirsty Thursday with 22 ounce Pepsi products and 16 ounce Miller products are available for $2. Additionally, The Great Safety Adventure Tour from Kohl's Cares will be in the parking lot to allow families to learn about safety risks inside and outside the home.

Plus, the first 1,000 fans to Time Warner Cable Field will receive a poster of Timber Rattlers outfielder T.J. Mittelstaedt. Also, Harbor House will be accepting donations of bath products and new bed linens as part of a drive to support their residents.

[Mass Haas]

Miller starts slow, finishes strong in win over Beloit Snappers

by Jim Oskola, Post-Crescent staff writer

GRAND CHUTE — The way the first inning started for Wisconsin Timber Rattlers starting pitcher Matt Miller, it didn't appear that he would pitch into the eighth inning.

With a pitch count of 20 after one inning, making it through five innings seemed more likely.

Miller, after a visit from Rattlers pitching coach Chris Hook, got into a groove, going 7.2 innings to lead Wisconsin to a 3-1 win over the Beloit Snappers on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Wednesday.

The 7.2 innings pitched represented a single-game professional high.

"Obviously, we struggled through a little bit," Miller said. "We went through some things early, struggled to find a groove. We got the first guy down 0-2 and for whatever reason things kind of went haywire.

"My timing was off. I wasn't getting down through pitches. I've seen that happen once before in the first inning. I've been having trouble getting through that first one but one of these times I'm going to get it figured out."

After getting out of the first inning, Miller walked the leadoff hitter in the second inning but then used only 76 pitches to breeze through the next 6.2 innings.

"Once we started working ahead, we started putting together some 1-2-3 innings," Miller said. "When you're pitching ahead, we had a really good pace. Your blood gets going. (Catcher) Joey (Paciorek) and I were right on the same page after that, just attacking guys and getting through. My fastball command got better as the game went on."

Rattlers manager Matt Erickson was pleased with the way Miller minimized the damage during the first inning and the way the Rattlers battlers executed.

"He got into a nice little rhythm," Erickson said. "To be very honest, we haven't been very good with situational hitting in the second half. We went over it and took a lot of time talking about some of the approaches and it showed up in the first inning without a base hit."

That first-inning run came about when Nick Shaw walked, went to second on a wild pitch, went to third on a ground out by Mike Brownstein and scored on a ground out by T.J. Mittelstaedt.

Chad Stang, batting fourth in the lineup for only the second time this season, then put the Rattlers ahead to stay with his home run to center field.

"I always look first pitch fastball early in the game and if it's right there in my wheelhouse, I put a good swing on it and see what happens," Stang said. "He gave it to me where I could handle it."

By the numbers, Stang isn't a prototypical cleanup hitter. He's not a masher who hits three-run bombs.

Stang, who entered the game batting .286, had only one home run and 10 runs batted in prior to his solo shot.

"I've done it before," Stang said. "It wasn't anything new to me but it's just different responsibility in the lineup. You still have to keep doing the same things I'm doing and have good at-bats.''

[Mass Haas]

Rattler Radio Post-Game Thoughts, and Chris discusses Adrian Rosario's effort you'll see on video below --

[Mass Haas]

[Mass Haas]

Brewers snap seven-game skid with five-run win

by Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record

 

Sights and sounds that had been absent from Kindrick Legion Field for more than a week were evident once again Wednesday night.

Players high-fiving one another, smiling while signing autographs for young fans. Loud cheers that could be heard outside the clubhouse walls, giving way to blaring music. The Helena Brewers were winners again, and boy were they due for a celebration.

Helena snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 9-4 victory over the Missoula Osprey, despite being outhit 10-8 by the Pioneer League’s first-half champions. John Dishon crushed a three-run bomb to break the game open in the sixth inning, Kenny Allison reached base four times to go along with a pair of RBIs, and the Brewers batted their way out of a scoreless slump. The hosts hadn’t scored in 19 innings, but that all changed with a two-run second inning that seemed to give the Brew Crew a renewed confidence.

“It was definitely good for the whole team to come out and get some hits and to get a win today,” said Dishon, who connected on a hanging curveball from Missoula reliever Dexter Price and sent it sailing 335 feet for his fifth homer of the season. “The guys were pressing, and a lot of guys were upset we were losing, so it was great to win.”

Dishon said it wasn’t the mechanics the Brewers had to work on throughout the week, but rather regaining that mental edge.

“Just relax,” he said. “We came here and we didn’t have anything to lose.

“When you’re struggling, baseball is definitely a mental thing. When you get that first hit out of the way, it feels good. Definitely relieves a lot of stress.”

Though the main goal of Rookie ball may be development, it’s still more fun to be winning. And hitting, for that matter. Helena pounded out eight base knocks Wednesday after combining for just seven total in the previous series.

Allison broke up a potential double-play ball in the second inning, coming in to second base hard and causing shortstop Stephen Cardullo to throw it away. That pushed two runs across for the Brewers, who would tack on three more in the fourth frame on back-to-back singles by Tyler Roberts and Allison, a sac fly by Mike Nemeth and two crucial errors by Missoula (6-5). The Osprey recorded four errors total in the game, an atypical night by the North Division’s top defensive squad.

Meanwhile, the Brewers’ defense looked strong. Helena (3-8) went around the horn twice for two big twin killings, and the pitching staff did its part once again, striking out nine Osprey sluggers.

“(Sean) Albury fell behind 3-0 then really beared down and got it done for us,” Helena manager Joe Ayrault said of his closer, who has yet to allow a run in 11 games this season. “(Thomas) Keeling was outstanding, too.”

The visitors got on the board in the fourth with an RBI single by Jon Griffin, which scored Eric Groff after the second baseman reached on a leadoff double. The Osprey trimmed the Brewers’ lead to 5-3 an inning later, on a two-run dinger by Fidel Pena. Missoula’s final run would cross in a strange seventh inning, when Ty Linton reached on an infield single before going to third on back-to-back errant throws by Keeling and Max Walla, then heading home on an RBI bunt single by Justin Bianco that appeared at first to be nothing more than a checked swing.

“It was a long week, we’re just happy to get a ‘W’,” said Parker Berberet, who was 2 for 4. “We just came out every day with a clean slate and worked hard, and we knew eventually it would pay off for us.”

Andy Moye earned his fifth win of the season, while southpaw Taylor Siemens took his first loss.

Does it mean more knowing the win to snap the skid came against the first-half division winners?

“I don’t think so, I think just getting a win period,” Dishon said with a smile. “It’s a different attitude in the locker room right now.”

NOTES: Wednesday’s game was Title Town Night at Kindrick, as the Brewers recognized Helena’s three crowns in three different sports. The Brewers were the 2010 Pioneer League champions, the Helena Bighorns hockey team won their first national title and Carroll College’s football team won its sixth NAIA national championship ... Missoula right-hander Raymond Hernandez (6-0, 3.12) starts for the visitors tonight in the final game of a two-game set, while fellow righty Kevin Shackelford (1-2, 4.41) gets the nod for the Brewers.

 

Photos by Dylan Brown Independent Record –

Brewers second baseman Adrian Williams hits a line drive Wednesday night, while playing against Missoula at Kindrick Legion Field.

 

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Brewers shortstop Yadiel Rivera catches the ball, as Missoula's Fidel Pena slides in safe

 

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Brewers catcher Tyler Roberts is greeted by fellow teammates after scoring a run

 

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[Mass Haas]

Photog extraodrinaire Brad Krause was at Wednesday's Rattlers game and offers his thoughts and photos.