Link Report for Thurs. 8/18 -- Latest: Several Friday AM Updates, Photos Added

[Mass Haas]

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[Mass Haas]

Thursday's Daily Menu:

 

Nashville: LHP Sam Narron at home vs. Tucson (Padres), 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 Mississippi (Braves), 7:05 PM gametime

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

Brevard County: RHP Evan Anundsen at Daytona (Cubs), 6:05 PM gametime

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

 

Wisconsin: RHP Jimmy Nelson at Peoria (Cubs), 6:40 PM pre-game, 7:00 gametime

Live Audio Link

Helena: RHP Tyler Cravy at home vs. Ogden (Dodgers), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime

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

 

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): Doubleheader at home vs. the Padres, making up a July 18th rainout; 11:00 AM gametime; the Padres act as the host for Game Two, each contest slated for seven innings; never audio for games in this league

 

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

[Mass Haas]

Follow Thursday's action as it happens:

Nashville (Gameday also available)
Huntsville (Gameday also available)

Brevard County
Wisconsin

Helena

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale) Game One
Arizona Rookie (Maryvale) Game Two
DSL Brewers

[Mass Haas]

PCL Amer. Northern
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Omaha	69	55	.556	-	-	36-28	33-27	6-4	W3
	Memphis	64	60	.516	5.0	15	38-23	26-37	7-3	L1
	Nashville	64	61	.512	5.5	15	38-27	26-34	8-2	W2
	Iowa	57	68	.456	12.5	8	34-26	23-42	7-3	W2

SOU North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Chattanooga	31	20	.608	-	-	15-12	16-8	6-4	W2
*	Tennessee	29	23	.558	2.5	17	16-9	13-14	7-3	W2
	Carolina	23	28	.451	8.0	11	12-13	11-15	4-6	L2
	Jackson	23	29	.442	8.5	11	12-15	11-14	5-5	L3
	Huntsville	21	30	.412	10.0	9	8-16	13-14	2-8	L2

FSL North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Dunedin	29	23	.558	-	-	13-10	16-13	7-3	W3
	Tampa	26	25	.510	2.5	17	13-14	13-11	4-6	L2
	Brevard County	25	25	.500	3.0	15	10-13	15-12	6-4	W2
	Clearwater	25	26	.490	3.5	15	17-11	8-15	4-6	L5
*	Daytona	24	26	.480	4.0	14	12-11	12-15	4-6	L2
	Lakeland	22	27	.449	5.5	13	10-14	12-13	4-6	W3

MID Western
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Kane County	30	21	.588	-	-	12-14	18-7	5-5	L1
	Quad Cities	30	21	.588	-	-	15-9	15-12	4-6	W1
	Clinton	27	24	.529	3.0	17	12-13	15-11	6-4	L1
	Beloit	24	27	.471	6.0	14	12-14	12-13	6-4	W1
	Wisconsin	22	29	.431	8.0	12	11-17	11-12	6-4	W3
*	Burlington	20	31	.392	10.0	10	11-12	9-19	6-4	W3
	Cedar Rapids	20	31	.392	10.0	10	11-14	9-17	3-7	L4
	Peoria	20	31	.392	10.0	10	10-17	10-14	4-6	L4

PIO North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
*	Missoula	11	6	.647	-	-	8-2	3-4	7-3	W4
	Great Falls	10	7	.588	1.0	21	4-3	6-4	4-6	W2
	Billings	9	8	.529	2.0	20	4-3	5-5	7-3	W1
	Helena	6	11	.353	5.0	17	3-7	3-4	4-6	W2

AZL Central
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	AZL Dodgers	28	18	.609	-	-	14-9	14-9	8-2	L1
	AZL Reds	27	19	.587	1.0	10	14-9	13-10	7-3	W6
	AZL Indians	23	23	.500	5.0	6	13-10	10-13	5-5	L1
	AZL Brewers	12	33	.267	15.5	E	5-17	7-16	4-6	W3

DSL S.D. North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	DSL Mariners	42	24	.636	-	-	21-13	21-11	4-6	L4
	DSL Brewers	42	25	.627	0.5	6	21-14	21-11	7-3	W1
	DSL Cardinals	25	43	.368	18.0	E	15-18	10-25	4-6	L1
	DSL Athletics	24	42	.364	18.0	E	14-17	10-25	5-5	W2

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes --

GOOD BREW: The Sounds and their Major League affiliate, the Milwaukee Brewers, are a combined 27-4 in their last 31 games of action. Nashville has won eight of 10 while the red-hot Brew Crew -- who lead the National League Central by seven games -- have won 19 of their last 21 contests and boast the best record in the Major Leagues since July 6 (28-9). Including rehab stints, 15 members of Milwaukee’s current 25-man active roster have played for the Sounds during the past seven seasons.

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville Media Notes --Anderson Machado has filled whatever role he has been needed for this season. Machado has appeared as a pitcher in blowouts and as a pinch hitter. Last night was the first time in seven career appearances that Machado surrendered a run on the mound.

 

***

 

Look for Wisconsin's Media Notes here shortly before their game this evening.

[battlekow]

Final (game one): AZL Padres 4, @AZL Brewers 3 (7 innings)

Final (game two): AZL Brewers 8, @AZL Padres 2 (7 innings)

AZL Brewers box score (game one)

AZL Brewers box score (game two)

After a two-inning rehab appearance for Justin James in the first game, an odd line for Will West: 3.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 6 K. Reverse sort of line for Yeffrey Saba in game two, who went six innings and allowed only two runs but struck out just one. In the second game, the Brewers tied the game at two in the 6th before exploding for six runs in the 7th. 5th-rounder Michael Reed, out since the 11th, returned and went 2-4. Jose Garcia, Jalen Harris, and Renaldo Jenkins each picked up triples. Kevin Berard started at short again in the first game and committed another error there; Berard moved to second base in game two, with Jenkins taking over at short and turning in a nice game with two hits and two steals. Rafael Neda was hit by two pitches in game two, hopefully neither on the hand.

AZL Brewers play-by-play (game one)

AZL Brewers play-by-play (game two)

AZL Brewers Top of the 7th

• Matthew Franco singles on a fly ball to right fielder Yair Lopez.
• Malcolm Dowell singles on a fly ball to center fielder Alberth Martinez. Matthew Franco to 2nd.
• Kevin Berard strikes out swinging.
• Michael Reed singles on a fly ball to left fielder Fabel Filpo. Matthew Franco to 3rd. Malcolm Dowell to 2nd.
• Matthew Franco out at home, catcher Robert Kral to pitcher Genison Reyes. Malcolm Dowell to 3rd on the throw. Michael Reed to 2nd.
• With Rafael Neda batting, passed ball by Robert Kral, Malcolm Dowell scores. Michael Reed to 3rd.
• Rafael Neda hit by pitch.
• Jimmie Pharr hit by pitch. Rafael Neda to 2nd.
• Hitaniel Arias singles on a fly ball to right fielder Yair Lopez. Michael Reed scores. Rafael Neda scores. Jimmie Pharr to 2nd.
• Jalen Harris walks. Jimmie Pharr to 3rd. Hitaniel Arias to 2nd.
• Renaldo Jenkins triples (2) on a fly ball to right fielder Yair Lopez. Jimmie Pharr scores. Hitaniel Arias scores. Jalen Harris scores.
• Matthew Franco called out on strikes.

[jvrocksaz]

It is good to see Martin Maldonado continuing to tear it up at AAA.

[jjfanec]

Schafer with another home run. That is 4 in 26 games in AAA after 0 in his first 59 games. He has 2 more extra base hits in 26 games at AAA than he did in 50 games at AA.

[And That]

Helena's Ben McMahan is kind of an interesting guy. Hits line drives, but hits them hard. A converted catcher playing OF for the first time. Needs to walk more, but will only be 22 going into Wisconsin next year.

[TheCrust]

Rough loss for the Rattlers tonight. The 5 man infield worked for the first guy. Not so much for the screaming line drive down the left field line....

[battlekow]

Final: @Peoria 5, Wisconsin 4

Peoria gets a run in the ninth to beat Wisconsin

Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

PEORIA, IL – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers got out to a fast start Thursday night at O’Brien Field. But, the Peoria Chiefs rallied twice to tie the game and eventually beat the Rattlers 5-4 with a run in the bottom of the ninth inning.

The Timber Rattlers (60-62 overall, 22-30 second half) took advantage of wildness on the part of Peoria starting pitcher Luis Liria in the first inning. TJ Mittelstaedt and Nick Shaw drew walks to start the game. Cody Hawn doubled to left to score Mittelstaedt for a 1-0 lead. Greg Hopkins drew a walk to load the bases. Then, Nick Ramirez and Brandon Macias had consecutive RBI ground outs to score the final two runs of the inning.??

Peoria (54-68, 21-31) came back with two runs on four hits in the bottom of the second inning. Jesus Morelli beat out an infield single with two outs and runners at the corners to drive in the first run. Ben Klafczynski followed with an RBI single to make the score 3-2.

??The Chiefs tied the game in the fourth. Micha Gibbs doubled to right-center with runners on first and second. The runner from second scored, but Reggie Keen and Macias relayed the ball to the plate in time to get the runner trying to score from first.??

Wisconsin retook the lead in the top of the seventh. Franklin Romero, Jr. reached second on a error with one out. A wild pitch put Romero on third. Mittelstaedt cashed in the run with a line single to right and the Rattlers led 4-3. ??

But, Peoria came back in the bottom of the seventh. A two-out RBI single by Jones scored Anthony Giansanti from second to tie the game 4-4.

?In the bottom of the ninth, Brian Garman walked Arismendy Alcantara to start the inning. Rubi Silva was next and his attempted bunt turned into a drag bunt that wound up in short right for a single that sent Alcantara around to third with the winning run. Wisconsin walked the next batter to load the bases for Jones.

??Wisconsin set up their defense with five infielders as they brought Mittelstaedt in from left field. Jones would send a grounder to Macias at second and the throw home got Alcantara.??

The defense rest to their more traditional position after getting the first out. Then, Dustin Geiger lined a 1-0 pitch from Garman down the line in left to sent Silva home with the winning run.

The final game of the series is Friday night at O’Brien Field. Eric Arnett (0-1, 4.50) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Peoria has Frank Del Valle (2-2, 3.38) as their scheduled starter. Game time is 6:30pm.

Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:10pm.

Wisconsin box score

Jimmy Nelson's line: 5.2 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 9/1 GO/FO. Seems like Nelson is either featuring his two-seamer a lot more lately or is simply losing his midsummer momentum; of course, the latter could be a consequence of the former. Alan Williams worked 1.2 scoreless frames but was hung with a blown save for allowing an inherited runner to score the tying run in the 7th. Mittelstaedt, Shaw, and Hawn each had a hit and a walk, and both Mittelstaedt (21) and Hawn (3) swiped a bag. Glad to see the Cheetah back in his natural habitat.

Wisconsin play-by-play

[battlekow]

Final: Huntsville 5, @Mississippi 4

Huntsville box score

Six shutout innings from Michael Bowman came in handy, as Rob Wooten allowed three runs (with the help of Robert Hinton--see MH's favorite stat: Inherited runners-scored: Hinton 2-2) and Bad Santo Manzanillo showed up, allowing three baserunners and a run in the 9th and failing to strike out a batter. Actually, "Bad Santo" would be a pretty good nickname if the "bad" was "good bad" rather than "bad bad". You know what I mean. Hainley Statia doubled down on triples, and Steffan Wilson had three hits, including his fifth homer. Khris Davis watch: 0-4, .215 batting average.

Huntsville play-by-play

Mississippi Bottom of the 9th

• Pitcher Change: Santo Manzanillo replaces Robert Hinton, batting 7th, replacing right fielder Steffan Wilson.
• Mycal Jones homers (7) on a fly ball to left field.
• Dan Nelson walks.
• Ernesto Mejia pops out to first baseman Sean Halton in foul territory.
• Ed Lucas hit by pitch. Dan Nelson to 2nd.
• Cory Harrilchak grounds into double play, second baseman Matt Cline to shortstop Hainley Statia to first baseman Sean Halton. Ed Lucas out at 2nd.

[battlekow]

Final: @Daytona 4, Brevard County 3

Brevard County box score

The game was delayed in the 4th inning, presumably due to weather, causing Evan Anundsen to depart early, which really wasn't such a bad thing since he'd already allowed eight baserunners. D'Vontrey Richardson and Josh Prince each had two hits, and Shea Vucinich was on three times with a single and two walks. I swear, with the number of good games Vucinich has recorded, I can't believe he's still hitting just .256, though that's up significantly from his mark earlier this summer, as he's been hitting at a .300+ clip since the end of June.

Brevard County play-by-play

Tie game, untied game:

Brevard County Top of the 8th

• Chuck Caufield grounds out, shortstop Elliot Soto to first baseman Justin Bour.
• Scott Krieger hit by pitch.
• With Josh Prince batting, Scott Krieger caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Chad Noble to second baseman Logan Watkins.
• Josh Prince singles on a ground ball to shortstop Elliot Soto.
• With Michael Roberts batting, Josh Prince steals (20) 2nd base.
• Michael Roberts reaches on throwing error by third baseman Matthew Cerda. Josh Prince scores. Michael Roberts to 2nd.
• Scooter Gennett grounds out to first baseman Justin Bour.

Daytona Bottom of the 8th

• Michael Burgess doubles (22) on a line drive to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson.
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Matthew Szczur replaces Michael Burgess.
• Pitcher Change: Roque Mercedes replaces Jonathan Pokorny.
• Elliot Soto out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Michael Roberts to second baseman Scooter Gennett. Matthew Szczur to 3rd.
• With Chad Noble batting, wild pitch by Roque Mercedes, Matthew Szczur scores.
• Chad Noble strikes out swinging.
• Evan Crawford flies out to right fielder Kentrail Davis.

[TooLiveBrew]

Final: Ogden 9, @Helena 1

 

Helena Box Score

Tyler Cravy: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 5 R/4 ER, 2 BB, 7 K

Chad Pierce: 1.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R/ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Seth Harvey: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K

 

Ben McMahan: 2-4, 2B, HR, RBI

Yadiel Rivera: 1-4, SB

Robbie Garvey, Adrian Williams: 1-4

Parker Berberet, Max Walla: 0-4

 

Helena Play-by-Play

The Brewers took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 2nd on McMahan's fifth professional home run. Ogden tied things at one in the 3rd, and then scored eight runs in innings 5-7 to blow this one wide open. Raptors pitching was able to keep the Helena bats quiet for basically the entire game.

[TooLiveBrew]

Final: Tucson 8, Nashville 6

 

Sounds Blow Late Six-Run Lead, Lose 8-6

Tucson Bats Around And Scores All Eight Runs In The 8th

Nashville Sounds

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The visiting Tucson Padres erupted for eight runs in the eighth inning for a come-from-behind 8-6 win over the Nashville Sounds on Thursday night at Greer Stadium.

 

Nashville (64-62) scored six runs over the first seven innings before the eight-run outburst gave the Sounds their biggest blown lead of the season.

 

The Sounds had 11 hits in the loss, led by two-hit performances by centerfielder Logan Schafer, left fielder Jordan Brown, first baseman Erick Almonte, and catcher Martin Maldonado.

 

Schafer gave the Sounds a 1-0 lead to begin the game with a line drive homer down the right field line. It was Schafer's fourth homer of the season and second game-opening home run of the homestand (August 12 vs. Las Vegas).

 

Nashville plated three more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to lead, 4-0. The first run came after Almonte tripled off the outfield wall in right center. Right fielder Caleb Gindl then lined a single to right field that allowed Almonte to walk home. Maldonado added a single, shortstop Edwin Maysonet ripped a two-run double to the gap in left center.

 

The Sounds tacked on another run in the bottom of the sixth. Gindl walked to start the damage, moved to third on a Maldonado single, and scored when Andy Gonzalez [formerly Angel Gonzalez] looped a base hit to right field.

 

Nashville plated their final run for a 6-0 advantage in the next inning. Schafer opened with a base hit to left, moved to third on Jordan Brown's single, and came home as Eric Farris grounded into a double play.

 

Tucson's offense came alive in the eighth inning, scoring eight runs on four different pitchers and snapping a streak of 20 consecutive scoreless frames leading back to opener of the series. After shortstop Pat McKenna singled, left fielder Steve Tolleson doubled to the gap in left center for the first run.

 

Right-hander Daniel Meadows came into the contest to relieve Sam Narron and offered up an RBI double off the right field wall to first baseman Anthony Rizzo. After pinch hitter Luis Martinez walked, right-hander Sean Green came in and hit right fielder Bobby Kielty and walked home third baseman Jarrett Hoffpauir with the bases loaded.

 

Right-hander Zack Segovia then came into the game and allowed two, two-run singles by pinch hitter Matt Clark and McKenna to give the Padres a 7-6 lead. Segovia then issued another bases loaded walk before striking out Rizzo to end the jam, the 14th batter of the inning. It was the third time this season that the Sounds have allowed a season-high eight runs in an inning.

 

Tucson reliever Greg Burke (2-2) picked up the win. Closer Brad Brach pitched two scoreless innings for his seventh save.

 

Narron's ninth quality start was wasted, as the left-hander allowed two runs on six hits while fanning two in 7 1/3 innings of work for a no-decision. After allowing a leadoff double to Chris Denorfia in the first, Narron sat down a stretch of 14 batters in a row, matching a season-high previously set by three pitchers this season.

 

Meadows allowed two runs on 1/3 of an inning. Green was charged with two runs without recording an out. Segovia (5-4) surrendered two runs in 1 1/3 innings while letting all three of his inherited runners to score for the loss.

 

Tucson right-hander and former Vanderbilt star Matt Buschmann gave up five runs on seven hits with four strikeouts in five innings pitched for a no-decision.

 

The Sounds and Padres wrap of a four-game series with tomorrow's 7:05 pm CT finale at Greer Stadium. Nashville right-hander Amaury Rivas (7-12, 5.09) will toe the rubber against Tucson righty Jeremy Hefner (8-7, 5.61).

 

 

Nashville Box Score

Mat Gamel had a rare day off; he'd gone 0-8 in his two previous games

Schafer: 2-5, HR, RBI

Brown: 2-5

Almonte: 2-4, 3B

Gindl: 1-3, BB, RBI

Maldonado: 2-4

Maysonet: 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI

Gonzalez: 1-4

 

Narron: 7.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R/ER, 2 BB, 2 K

Meadows: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R/ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Green: 0.0 IP, 0 H, 2 R/ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Segovia: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R/ER, 2 BB, 3 K

 

 

Nashville Play-by-Play

I think this is what the kids call "epic fail" -- up 6-0 heading into the 8th...

 

Tucson Top of the 8th

• Pat McKenna singles on a ground ball to shortstop Edwin Maysonet.
• Anthony Contreras walks. Pat McKenna to 2nd.
• Drew Macias lines out softly to left fielder Jordan Brown.
• Steve
  Tolleson doubles (23) on a line drive to center fielder Logan Schafer.
  Pat McKenna scores. Anthony Contreras to 3rd.
• Pitcher Change: Daniel Meadows replaces Sam Narron, batting 9th.
• Anthony
  Rizzo doubles (31) on a fly ball to center fielder Logan Schafer.
  Anthony Contreras scores. Steve Tolleson out at home, center fielder
  Logan Schafer to second baseman Eric Farris to catcher Martin Maldonado.
  
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Luis Martinez replaces Greg Burke.
• With Luis Martinez batting, wild pitch by Daniel Meadows, Anthony Rizzo to 3rd.
• Luis Martinez walks.
• Pitcher Change: Sean Green replaces Daniel Meadows, batting 9th.
• Bobby Kielty hit by pitch. Luis Martinez to 2nd.
• Jarrett Hoffpauir walks. Anthony Rizzo scores. Luis Martinez to 3rd. Bobby Kielty to 2nd.
• Pitcher Change: Zack Segovia replaces Sean Green, batting 9th.
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Matt Clark replaces Guillermo Quiroz.
• Matt
  Clark singles on a line drive to right fielder Caleb Gindl. Luis
  Martinez scores. Bobby Kielty scores. Jarrett Hoffpauir to 2nd.
• Pat McKenna walks. Jarrett Hoffpauir to 3rd. Matt Clark to 2nd.
• Anthony
  Contreras singles on a line drive to center fielder Logan Schafer.
  Jarrett Hoffpauir scores. Matt Clark scores. Pat McKenna to 2nd.
• Drew Macias hit by pitch. Pat McKenna to 3rd. Anthony Contreras to 2nd.
• Steve Tolleson walks. Pat McKenna scores. Anthony Contreras to 3rd. Drew Macias to 2nd.
• Anthony Rizzo strikes out swinging.

Nashville Gameday

[Mass Haas]

Final: DSL Mariners 7, @DSL Brewers 3, completed early (7.5 innings)

Weather: 90 degrees, sunny.

Apparently a weather system moved in because the Cerveceritos didn't get their 8th or 9th inning at-bats. The good guys now trail their arch-enemy by 1.5 games (two games in the loss column), and each club has just three games remaining (doubleheaders Friday, single game Saturday, none against each other).

DSL Brewers Box Score
Brewers scored three runs in the 3rd to tie things up at 3-3, but ususally solid 18-year-old Venezuelan RHP Jorge Ortega allowed a lead-off HR in the very next half-inning, and the Mariners squad tacked on later against not-usually solid 19-year-old RHP Javier Belen; SS Orlando Arcia (15th in the league in OPS) 2-for-4, now hitting .299, just a bit more, kid...

DSL Brewers Play-by-Play

[LouisEly]

Helena's Ben McMahan is kind of an interesting guy. Hits line drives, but hits them hard. A converted catcher playing OF for the first time. Needs to walk more, but will only be 22 going into Wisconsin next year.

 

 

Do they plan on moving him full time to OF, or is he playing there because of a lack of bodies and a surplus of catchers? Obviously they need extra catchers in rookie ball with the extra work they give the pitchers on the side. IIRC, McMahan was 2nd string behind perhaps the best catcher in the NCAA and thus was a little under the radar. Unless he is a significant defensive liability, I'd like for them to keep him at C.

[Mass Haas]

Ninth-inning bases-loaded single gives Chiefs 5-4 win

By Kevin Capie of the Peoria Journal Star

PEORIA — It isn’t often a Midwest League game turns into a chess match, but that’s what happened at O’Brien Field on Thursday night before the Peoria Chiefs declared check mate

 

Dustin Geiger’s one-out, bases-loaded single to left field with a drawn-in outfield in the ninth inning gave Peoria a 5-4 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

 

“You love being in that situation,” Geiger said. “You always dream of that as a kid, being able to win the game for your team.”

 

The ninth set up perfectly for the Chiefs with the top of the order due up to start the inning.

 

Arismendy Alcantra drew a walk from Brian Garman. When Rubi Silva turned a sacrifice bunt attempt into a deep infield single, Alcantara took third and the game was afoot.

 

“You have to like the chances when the top of the order comes back around,” Chiefs manager Casey Kopitzke said. “The key to the inning was getting (Alcantara) going first to third, it changed the dynamic of the game.”

 

Wisconsin elected to intentionally walk Anthony Giansanti to get a lefty-lefty match-up with cleanup hitter Richard Jones, who tied the game at four with a single in the seventh against an overshifted defense.

 

This time, the Timber Rattlers employed a five-infielder, all-the-way-in defense against Jones, moving shortstop Nick Shaw to the second-base side of the bag and bringing left fielder T.J. Mittelstaedt in where the shortstop normally plays.

 

The ploy almost worked as Jones grounded to second baseman Brandon Macias, who retired Alcantara at the plate. However, there was not enough time to double up Jones at first.

 

“It’s definitely interesting seeing that alignment,” Kopitzke said. “They almost got the double play on us and broke our backs.”

 

Wisconsin moved Mittelstaedt back into left field and brought the outfield and infield in to face Geiger, who lined into left for the winner.

 

“I just wanted to put the ball in play,” Geiger said. “I was lucky enough to get enough of it and get the ball down.”

 

The Chiefs trailed 3-0 after the first half inning when starter Luis Liria walked three and gave up a double. The Chiefs tied the game with two runs in the second and one in the fourth.

 

Wisconsin reclaimed the lead with an unearned run in the top of the seventh before Jones’ RBI single in the bottom of the inning.

 

The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Chiefs. “We don’t try to think about the losing streak too much,” Geiger said. “We just try to do our job every day.”

[Mass Haas]

Rattler Radio Post-Game Thoughts -- The Peoria Rally Vegetable version...

[Mass Haas]

M-Braves fall short of Stars, 5-4

Braves plate four runs after the seventh, but fall short of a comeback

By Miranda Black / Mississippi Braves

PEARL, MS-After a three-run eighth inning and a leadoff homer by Mycal Jones the bottom of the ninth to make it a one-run game, the M-Braves fell short as the Stars held on to claim a 5-4 victory at Trustmark Park Thursday night.

Huntsville (22-30, 59-63) jumped on the Braves (24-29, 49-74) early, taking a 1-0 lead in the first. Matt Cline singled and took second on a wild pitch. A ground out moved him over to third before Sean Halton drove him in with a sac fly to center field.

Steffan Wilson launched a solo home run to left-center to make it a 2-0 game in the top of the second.

Hainley Statia led off the sixth with a triple to left field. Halton followed with an RBI-single to center field, and Zelous Wheeler singled to drive in Halton and extend the Stars' lead to 4-0.

Statia led off the eighth with another triple before coming in to score on Wheeler's sac fly, extending Huntsville lead to 5-0.

Ernesto Mejia and Ed Lucas led off the bottom of the eighth with back-to-back singles. Cory Harrilchak followed with a single to center field, plating the M-Braves' first run of the night. Braeden Schlehuber then delivered a two-run double down the left field line to make it a 5-3 game.

Jones launched his seventh home run of the season, a solo homer into the M-Braves bullpen, in the bottom of the ninth to make it a one-run game, but the Stars held on with an inning-ending double play to defeat the Braves 5-4.

Michael Bowman (5-10) limited the M-Braves to just five hits and two walks while fanning three in six innings of work. Santo Manzanillo (S, 4) came on in the ninth and worked around the leadoff homer to notch the save.

M-Braves starter Luis Avilan (3-8) gave up four earned runs on seven hits, a home run, one walk, and six strikeouts in five and 1/3 innings pitched.

Right-hander Aaron Shafer (1-2, 7.80) takes the hill in game four of this five-game series against the Stars. He'll counter Huntsville lefty Dan Merklinger (7-7, 4.16). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

[Mass Haas]

Daytona Cubs win on wild pitchBy Sean Kernan, Daytona News-Journal Staff writer

 

DAYTONA BEACH -- Daytona broke a 3-3 tie in the eighth inning when pinch-runner Matt Szczur scored on a wild pitch by Brevard County's Roque Mercedes, leading to a 4-3 Cubs' win Thursday night.

 

Daytona closer Frank Batista closed out the victory in the ninth with his 24th save of the year.

 

Daytona improved to 25-26 in the second half and 72-49 overall with a win that opened a four-game homestand at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The Manatees slipped to 25-26 and 52-69.

 

Michael Burgess led off the bottom of the eighth with a double to center. Szczur came on to pinch run and was bunted to third by Elliot Soto before scoring the game-winning run.

 

The Manatees had scored twice in the top of the second inning, but the Cubs came right back with two runs on a walk and four singles. Burgess drew a base on balls before Soto and Chad Noble loaded the bases with singles.

 

Evan Crawford knocked in Daytona's first run with a single to center, and Matt Cerda's RBI infield hit to short tied it at 2.

 

In the sixth inning, Soto reached on a two-base error by Brevard County third baseman Shea Vucinich and was driven home on Crawford's third hit of the night for a 3-2 Cubs' lead.

 

The visitors got an unearned run in the eighth, tying the game at 3.

 

On a throw from Daytona right fielder Michael Burgessm, catcher Chad Noble tags Brevard's Michael Roberts out at home to end the second inning at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Thursday. (N-J photo by Nigel Cook)

 

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[Mass Haas]

Raptors top Brewers 9-1

by Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record

 

Ogden first baseman Matt Kirkland said the team’s hitting coach called a meeting after the Raptors batted just .231 against the Helena Brewers through three games.

Jay Washington’s advice was simple and to the point, and the Ogden players heard every word: Start hitting the ball.

The Raptors did just that, belting out 10 hits Thursday at Kindrick Legion Field to prove why they’re second in the Pioneer League in batting average. The Raptors won 9-1 to earn the series split with the Brewers, who failed to string three victories together for the fifth time this season.

“You’re gonna have those off nights,” Helena manager Joe Ayrault said. “You don’t wanna be happy with playing .500, but at the same time splitting the series with the first-half winner in the opposing division is good, they have a good ball club.”

Kirkland continued his hot hitting of late, going 3 for 4 with a two-run homer in the seventh that helped the visitors pull away. The Knoxville, Tenn., native entered the game batting .455 through his last five contests, a testament to some adjustments he made at the plate.

“Just working with our hitting coach on getting my foot down, seeing the ball better,” Kirkland said. “Just little things, but the little things count.”

Helena DH Ben McMahan started things off with a solo shot in the second inning, his second homer in as many nights. It was the first hit of the game by either team and, unfortunately for the hosts, would be the only scoring by the Brewers. McMahan had the only other extra-base hit for Helena, a leadoff double in the ninth.

“Their starting pitcher did a nice job: mixed his pitches, had some plus stuff,” Ayrault said of Derek Cone, who earned the win after allowing just three hits and the home run through six frames, striking out seven.

Tyler Cravy started out well for the Brewers. He faced nine batters before giving up a hit, but a costly error by Helena third baseman Kyle Dhanani set up Scott Wingo for an RBI single to tie the game. Cravy set the Raptors down in order in the fourth, but was roughed up in a four-run fifth inning. The right-hander was pulled with two outs and two men on in favor of Chad Pierce, but Joc Pederson struck a two-run single to left field on Pierce’s first offering.

“It was a team effort and we got it done,” Kirkland said. “We just had a meeting with our hitting coach and what he said paid off.”

Seth Harvey was the bright spot in relief for the Brewers, fanning the first four he faced and giving up just a single through 2 2/3. Still, Ayrault was pleased with what he saw from Cravy, who missed his last start with tenderness in his arm.

“He felt good after the game,” the Brewers skipper said. “That was my main concern on the night was making sure he was OK and good to go.”

Helena begins a three-game set with first-place Orem today. Tommy Toledo is on the bump for the Brewers, while Logan Odom starts for the visitors.

NOTES: Great Falls pitchers Scott Snodgress, Blake Drake and Joe Dvorsky combined for a no-hitter in Casper on Thursday, the Pioneer League’s first of the season and second in as many years. Snodgress picked up his first win of the season, striking out nine through six innings of perfect ball ... Ogden catcher Andrew Edge struck out in all four of his at-bats, as he and Jeff Hunt — the 8- and 9-hole hitters — were a combined 1 for 8 with seven strikeouts Thursday.

[Mass Haas]

All photos by Dylan Brown Independent Record -

Brewers manager Joe Ayrault congratulates Ben McMahan on his home run Thursday evening at Kindrick Legion Field.

 

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Brewers shortstop Yadiel Rivera throws a collected ball to first base

 

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Brewers pitcher Tyler Cravy delivers a strike in the third inning

 

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Brewers pitcher Tyler Cravy walks off after being relieved in the fifth inning

 

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