Link Report for Wed. 8/31 -- Fiersy brilliance

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

 

Nashville: RHP Mike Fiers at Iowa (Cubs), 6:20 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime

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

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers

 

Huntsville: Idle

 

Brevard County: RHP Tyler Thornburg and Manuel Ruiz in a doubleheader at home vs. Clearwater (Phillies), 4:05 PM gametime; each contest slated for seven innings

Sorry, no audio available for this series...

 

Wisconsin: RHP Brooks Hall at Burlington (Athletics), 6:10 PM pre-game, 6:30 gametime

Live Audio Link

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers

 

Helena: LHP Mike Strong at home vs. Billings (Reds), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime

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

 

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): Season complete; 17-39 record, worst in the 13-team league

 

DSL Brewers: Season complete; 44-27 regular season, first-round playoff series loss

[Mass Haas]

Follow Wednesday's action as it happens:

Nashville (Gameday also available)
Brevard County Game One
Brevard County Game Two
Wisconsin
Helena

[Mass Haas]

Pacific Coast League American Northern
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Omaha	77	60	.562	-	-	39-31	38-29	6-4	L1
	Memphis	73	64	.533	4.0	3	41-24	32-40	7-3	L1
	Nashville	69	69	.500	8.5	E	40-32	29-37	4-6	W1
	Iowa	63	75	.457	14.5	E	37-29	26-46	4-6	L1

SOU North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Chattanooga	38	27	.585	-	-	17-13	21-14	4-6	W1
*	Tennessee	38	27	.585	-	-	22-13	16-14	6-4	W2
	Carolina	29	35	.453	8.5	E	15-15	14-20	5-5	W2
	Jackson	28	37	.431	10.0	E	15-20	13-17	5-5	L2
	Huntsville	26	38	.406	11.5	E	10-19	16-19	4-6	W2

FSL North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Dunedin	36	29	.554	-	-	17-14	19-15	5-5	L3
	Clearwater	34	29	.540	1.0	5	23-12	11-17	7-3	L1
	Tampa	33	29	.532	1.5	5	16-18	17-11	6-4	L1
	Brevard County	30	32	.484	4.5	1	11-16	19-16	5-5	W2
*	Daytona	28	33	.459	6.0	E	13-14	15-19	3-7	W1
	Lakeland	26	36	.419	8.5	E	13-17	13-19	3-7	W2

MID Western
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
@	Clinton	37	26	.587	-	-	19-15	18-11	8-2	L1
	Quad Cities	37	26	.587	-	-	19-12	18-14	7-3	L1
	Kane County	34	30	.531	3.5	4	14-18	20-12	2-8	L1
	Beloit	28	35	.444	9.0	E	13-16	15-19	3-7	W1
	Wisconsin	28	36	.438	9.5	E	15-20	13-16	6-4	L2
*	Burlington	27	36	.429	10.0	E	14-15	13-21	6-4	W1
	Cedar Rapids	27	37	.422	10.5	E	15-17	12-20	5-5	W2
	Peoria	25	39	.391	12.5	E	12-20	13-19	3-7	W1

PIO North
	Club	W	L	PCT	GB	*ELIM #	Home	Away	L 10	Streak
	Billings	18	11	.621	-	-	10-4	8-7	7-3	L1
	Great Falls	18	11	.621	-	-	9-5	9-6	7-3	W2
*	Missoula	14	15	.483	4.0	6	9-6	5-9	3-7	L3
	Helena	9	20	.310	9.0	1	5-10	4-10	3-7	W2

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes

Look for Wisconsin's notes here just prior to gametime.

[battlekow]

Final (game one): Clearwater 2, @Brevard County 0 (7 innings)

Brevard County box score

Fair-to-middling start from Tyler Thornburg: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 6 K. Shawn Zarraga and Chuckie Caufield each had two knocks, including a double apiece; the rest of the team combined for two hits, though one of them was a Kentrail Davis double. Scooter Gennett's 0-3 day dropped his batting average back under .300. D'Vontrey Richardson did not play. Newcomer Manuel Ruiz is slated to start game two.

Brevard County play-by-play

Thornburg flagged badly in the 5th, issuing three of his four walks and needing an at-'im ball to get out it with just one run in:

Clearwater Top of the 5th

• Alan Schoenberger walks.
• Torre Langley out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Tyler Thornburg to second baseman Scooter Gennett. Alan Schoenberger to 2nd.
• Jiwan James singles on a line drive to right fielder Scott Krieger. Alan Schoenberger to 3rd.
• Jeremy Barnes walks. Jiwan James to 2nd.
• Darin Ruf walks. Alan Schoenberger scores. Jiwan James to 3rd. Jeremy Barnes to 2nd.
• Brandon Tripp lines into double play, shortstop Shea Vucinich to second baseman Scooter Gennett. Jeremy Barnes doubled off 2nd.

[tyguy20204]

Mike Fiers is a golden god.

[battlekow]

Final (game two): @Brevard County 4, Clearwater 2 (7 innings)

Brevard County box score

Well, Manuel Ruiz was rarely boring last year in the DSL and this year in the AZL, and that trend continued upon his promotion to the FSL: 3.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 6 K, 2 WP. A damn sight better than what Rolando Pascual was doing, anyway. Scooter Gennett and Hunter Morris both went deep for the Sea Cows; Morris had two hits. No D'Vontrey Richardson in game two, either.

Brevard County play-by-play

Ruiz had actually walked just two through three innings before he Thornburg'd himself in the 4th:

Clearwater Top of the 4th

• Brandon Tripp walks.
• Cyle Hankerd singles on a fly ball to center fielder Kentrail Davis. Brandon Tripp to 2nd.
• With D'Arby Myers batting, wild pitch by Manuel Ruiz, Brandon Tripp to 3rd. Cyle Hankerd to 2nd.
• D'Arby Myers walks.
• Cesar Hernandez strikes out swinging.
• Alan Schoenberger strikes out swinging.
• Kevin Quaranto walks. Brandon Tripp scores. Cyle Hankerd to 3rd. D'Arby Myers to 2nd.
• Pitcher Change: Mitchell Conner replaces Manuel Ruiz.
• Jiwan James flies out to center fielder Kentrail Davis.

[jjfanec]

I dont know how some cant believe Fiers is a legitimate prospect. 9 IP, 3H, 1BB, 9K, and 0 ER. Man he is good

[battlekow]

Final: Nashville 1, @Iowa 0

Mike Fiers Hurls Three-Hit Shutout At Iowa

Nashville Sounds

DES MOINES, Iowa - Right-hander Mike Fiers was nearly flawless on Wednesday evening, allowing only four baserunners in a complete-game, three-hit shutout to lead the Sounds to a 1-0 victory over the division-rival Iowa Cubs at Principal Park.

With the gem, Fiers continued his dominance of the Pacific Coast League, improving to 7-0 with a 1.25 ERA (8er/57.2ip) in his nine starts for the Sounds this season.

He allowed only three hits (two singles and a double) while issuing one walk and striking out nine batters in Nashville's sixth shutout victory of the year. Fiers was very efficient, throwing only 99 pitches on the evening (74 strikes) and retired 24 of his 28 batters faced.

It marked the first complete-game shutout by a Nashville hurler since Chase Wright's one-hitter against Memphis on June 17, 2010 at Greer Stadium.

In his last 17 combined starts between Nashville and Double-A Huntsville, Fiers is a spectacular 10-2 with a 1.50 ERA (17er/102.1ip), allowing opponents to hit only .170 against him over that stretch (62-for-364).

Nashville batters struggled against Iowa pitching all evening, registering only one run while striking out 15 times against a pair of Cubs hurlers.

The Sounds plated the only run they needed with a two-out rally in the top of the fifth against Cubs starter Jay Jackson. After the first two hitters of the frame were retired, Edwin Maysonet singled to right and came around to score when Jordan Brown (2-for-4) followed with an RBI double to right-center.

Iowa put the potential tying run on base in the ninth against Fiers when Lou Montanez singled with on a two-strike, two-out pitch, but Fiers struck out Brad Snyder to end the contest and close out the shutout.

Jackson (7-14) suffered his PCL-leading 14th loss of the year after allowing the one run on seven hits in six innings, fanning 11 during his quality-start effort.

Logan Schafer and Erick Almonte added 2-for-4 efforts for Nashville.

The teams wrap up the series with a 6:35 p.m. finale on Thursday. Right-hander Wily Peralta (2-0, 2.16) will man the bump for Nashville to face Iowa right-hander Austin Bibens-Dirkx (4-5, 6.43).

Nashville box score

I hope the Brewers add Fiers to the 40-man roster and call him up for some bullpen work; he deserves it after a phenomenal season. 75% strikes! It's always nice when the opposing starter strikes out 11 and isn't the best guy out there. One of Schafer's hits was a triple. Mat Gamel doubled once in four trips, and Caleb Gindl was 0-3 with three strikeouts, though he did draw a walk.

Nashville play-by-play

[battlekow]

Final: @Burlington 4, Wisconsin 1

Burlington beats Wisconsin

Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

BURLINGTON, IA – The Burlington Bees tuned up for the playoffs by defeating the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 4-1 on Wednesday night at Community Field. Bees starting pitcher Jose Macias struck out six over seven shutout innings and rode an early three run outburst to his eighth win of the season.

The Bees (7361 overall, 28-36) got on the board first with three runs in the second inning. Consecutive singles by AJ Kirby-Jones and Douglas Landaeta out runners at the corners to start the frame. Beau Taylor grounded into a force play at second that got Kirby-Jones home.

Taylor was at second with two outs and Wade Kirkland singled to left. The throw home by Jason Rogers was a bit off line, but Rattlers catcher Rafael Neda acted as if he had tagged Taylor at the plate for the third out. But, Taylor was ruled safe for a 2-0 lead.

On that scoring play, Kirkland had moved up to second base. He would score the third run of the inning on a single by Tyreace House.

Burlington, a team headed to the Midwest League playoffs based on winning the first half Western Division Championship, added a run in the third inning. Kirby Jones grounded out to short to drive in a run from third base to make it 4-0 Bees.

The Rattlers (66-69, 28-37) were held to two hits by Burlington starter Jose Macias through seven innings. No Rattlers runner made it past second base with Macias in the game.

TJ Mittelstaedt cracked a one-out homer in the top of the ninth off Bees reliever TJ Walz to help the Rattlers avoid the shutout. Mittelstaedt, who also had a single in the first inning, had two of Wisconsin’s three hits. He also walked and stole a base.

But, it wasn’t enough for Wisconsin as they dropped their third straight game.

Game two of the series is Thursday night at Community Field. Del Howell (3-8, 5.63) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Jonathan Joseph (5-4, 5.88) is scheduled to start for the Bees. 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

Brooks Hall: 3 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 3 K. He was removed after 59 pitches; I don't know why. Cody Hawn had the Rattlers' other hit.

Wisconsin play-by-play

[LouisEly]

"With the gem, Fiers continued his dominance of the Pacific Coast League, improving to 7-0 with a 1.25 ERA (8er/57.2ip) in his nine starts for the Sounds this season."

 

He also has given up 35 hits and struck out 56 in 50.2 innings. When reading those stats keep in mind that the PCL is known as a hitters league, and (small sample alert) his ERA is 2.29 at home and 0.87 on the road.

 

At this point you have to think that between Peralta and Fiers the Brewers have to feel pretty comfortable this offseason trading some of their major league starting pitching to shore up the hole at SS.

[Hate those Rodents]

I hope Wolf doesn't implode the rest of the year. I'd feel extremely comfortable taking the "risk" of going with the winner of Fiers/Peralta in spring training to join the rotation.

[And That]

Brooks Hall: 3 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 3 K. He was removed after 59 pitches; I don't know why.

Hall crossed the 100 IP mark today. For a 21 year old without a lot of mileage on his arm, that might have been about his limit for the year.

[TooLiveBrew]

Final: Billings 14, @Helena 9

 

Helena Box Score

Helena couldn't overcome the Billings offense, who scored seven runs in the 2nd inning, & led by ten heading into the bottom of the 7th.

 

Steve Felix hit two more home runs, and Yadiel Rivera & Robbie Garvey each had three hits to lead the offense for Helena. Rivera & Kenny Allison also homered. Parker Berberet doubled twice; Garvey & Kyle Dhanani doubled once apiece. Max Walla singled twice.

 

Mike Strong had a brutal but short outing: eight runs, including four homers, recording just four outs. Chad Pierce came on in relief, & worked 3.2 innings with four runs allowed. Alex Jones allowed two runs (one earned) over two innings. 14th-rounder Jacob Barnes stands out in the box score, with three strikeouts to zero walks in two shutout innings. Barnes's were the only two innings aside from the 3rd in which Billings didn't score.

 

 

Helena Play-by-Play

Helena tried to rally in both the 8th & 9th innings, but couldn't sustain their offense long enough in either case:

 

Helena Bottom of the 8th

• Kyle Dhanani doubles (13) on a fly ball to center fielder Bryson Smith.
• Steve Felix walks.
• With Kenneth Allison batting, passed ball by Yovan Gonzalez, Kyle Dhanani to 3rd. Steve Felix to 2nd.
• Kenneth Allison strikes out swinging.
• Gant Elmore walks.
• Pitcher Change: Jason Braun replaces Carlos Contreras.
• Robert
  Garvey singles on a ground ball to center fielder Bryson Smith,
  deflected by second baseman Ryan Wright. Kyle Dhanani scores.
  Steve Felix scores. Gant Elmore to 2nd.
• Yadiel Rivera hit by pitch. Gant Elmore to 3rd. Robert Garvey to 2nd.
• Benjamin McMahan grounds into double play, third baseman Sammy Diaz to first baseman Nick O'Shea. Robert Garvey out at 3rd.

Score now at 14-7.

Helena Bottom of the 9th

• Parker Berberet doubles (14) on a fly ball to left fielder Spencer Dickinson.
• Max
  Walla singles on a ground ball to pitcher Jason Braun. Parker
  Berberet scores. Max Walla to 2nd. Throwing error by pitcher Jason
  Braun.
• Kyle Dhanani grounds out, second baseman Ryan Wright to first baseman Nick O'Shea. Max Walla to 3rd.
• Steve Felix out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Spencer Dickinson. Max Walla scores.
• Kenneth Allison grounds out, second baseman Ryan Wright to first baseman Nick O'Shea.

Couldn't string together enough hits... coming back from down 14-4 is no easy task.

[TooLiveBrew]

Thanks Sessile!

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: Mike Fiers Strikes Out Final Batter To Complete Shutout

 

[CheezWizHed]

The way Fiers has been pitching, one would think that the Mets would have snapped him up earlier if he was on the PTBNL list...

[Mass Haas]

Rattler Radio Post-Game Thoughts

Yeah, Cody Hawn's numbers have probably snuck up on all of us, but the slugging still lacking, especially for a first baseman...

[Mass Haas]

BC splits twinbill with Clearwater

'Tees eliminated from playoff race, Morris ties record

By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees

 

VIERA, Fla. -- The Brevard County Manatees split a doubleheader with the Clearwater Threshers on Wednesday night at Space Coast Stadium.

Brevard County's 2-0 loss in game one officially eliminated the Manatees from postseason contention. However, in the 'Tees 4-2 win in game two, Hunter Morris tied Brevard County's single-season home run record with his 18th homer.

GAME ONE - CLEARWATER 2, BREVARD COUNTY 0

Tyler Thornburg struck out six in five innings, but walked four and allowed two runs as the 'Tees dropped the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader, 2-0 to the Threshers. The loss eliminated Brevard County from playoff contention.

The game was scoreless until the fourth inning, when Cesar Hernandez drove in Brandon Tripp with a two-out single, to give Clearwater a 1-0 lead.

Thornburg ran into more trouble in the fifth as he loaded the bases on two walks and a single. A bases-loaded walk to Jeremy Barnes made it a 2-0 game. Thornburg got out of the jam with no further damage, thanks to a double play.

Brevard County was able to load the bases with two outs in the seventh, but a line out by Brent Dean to the pitcher ended the game.

Bradley Blanks relieved Thornburg and threw two perfect innings. Chuck Caufield and Shawn Zarraga each had two hits in the loss.

GAME TWO - BREVARD COUNTY 4, CLEARWATER 2

A solo homer by Dean in the fifth inning, broke a 2-2 tie and a record-tying homer by Morris in the sixth put the game out of reach as the Manatees won game two, 4-2.

Newcomer Manuel Ruiz started on the hill for the 'Tees and went 3 2/3 innings and struck out six, but walked five and allowed two runs (one earned).

Brevard County tied the game at 2-2 in the fourth, thanks to a lead-off homer by Scooter Gennett and a two-out single by Caufield that scored Shea Vucinich.

Dean's solo homer in the fifth gave the 'Tees a 3-2 lead and then Morris hit a solo shot in the sixth to seal it. It was the 18th home run this season for Morris, which tied the Manatees single-season home run record, that was set by Jose Santos in 2001. Brock Kjeldgaard also tied the record earlier this season.

Mitch Conner picked up the win in relief as he threw 2 1/3 shutout innings. Roque Mercedes shut the door and earned his ninth save of the season.

UP NEXT:

Brevard County will close out the 2011 season with a four-game series with the Daytona Cubs. The first two games on Thursday and Friday will be played in Daytona Beach.

The series shifts back to Viera on Saturday and then the Manatees close out the year back at Daytona on Sunday.

In Thursday's series opener, Hiram Burgos (5-8, 5.05) will take the mound for the 'Tees. Daytona will send Jeffry Antigua (2-1, 2.92) to the hill.

 

 

Manatees starting pitcher Tyler Thornburg threw five innings in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Clearwater Threshers. Thornburg struck out six and allowed two runs, in a losing effort. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2011/08/31/IBWnXoXf.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Smith Cycle Leads Billings in Slugfest

Helena Brewers

 

The Brewers pounded out nine runs on 14 hits but it was not enough as they fell 14-9 to the Billings Mustangs Wednesday in Helena. Every Billings batter recorded at least one hit, centerfielder Bryson Smith hit for the cycle with five RBIs and Ryan Wright finished just a single short of the cycle in the win.

 

Mike Strong (2-6) took the loss for the Brewers, allowing eight unearned runs in 1.1 innings. Billings scored one run in the top of the first inning and seven in the second, collecting eight hits and four home runs off the southpaw.

 

Helena also homered four times, two by Steve Felix, giving him three homers and eight RBI in the series thus far. Felix's first homer was followed by Kenny Allison's second long ball of the season. Yadiel Rivera added his eighth homer of the season in the seventh inning. Robbie Garvey and Rivera each collected three hits and two RBI on the night.

[Mass Haas]

Billings' Bryson Smith hits for the cycle against Brewers
by Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record

Leading off the ninth inning, Bryson Smith took the first offering from Helena reliever Jacob Barnes and rocketed the ball down the third-base line.

Billings’ red-headed center fielder stopped at first base, and the umpire went and collected the ball from the pitcher, taking the souvenir out of play. With the single, Smith completed the cycle on a cold Wednesday night at Kindrick Legion Field as the Mustangs beat the Brewers 14-9. Fellow teammate Ryan Wright finished the game just a base-hit shy of the same feat.

“First and foremost, to God be the glory,” said Smith, who was 4 for 6 with five RBIs and a run scored. “Without him, I couldn’t do it.”

It was the first time Smith has hit for the cycle in his life, at any level, and the sixth time a player has accomplished the task in the Pioneer League this season. Smith became the first Mustang to hit for the cycle in 2011.

The 34th-round draft pick out of the University of Florida hit a two-run homer in the second inning, one of three Billings batters to go yard in that inning alone. The two teams combined for eight home runs in the slugfest. Smith’s RBI double came in the fourth, and he laced a two-run triple in the fifth. It wasn’t until that point that Smith realized he had a chance to make history.

“Once I had the triple the third baseman said something to me, and from then on it was in the back of my head for sure,” he said.

On his first attempt in the seventh, Smith grounded out to second baseman Gant Elmore. When he connected in the ninth, he drew applause from the few fans remaining.

Did he pull up at first in order to get the cycle?

“I’m not that kind of kid,” Smith said. “I thought he caught it and that’s why I was hustling down, I kind of had my head down.”

The crowd of 524 was treated to a bevy of offensive fireworks in the contest. Billings recorded a season-high 20 hits, Helena hit a season-best four long balls and everyone on either lineup card reached base. Brewers first baseman Steve Felix had a pair of solo shots in the contest to give him three home runs in the last two days, and Kenny Allison and Yadiel Rivera also went yard.

Billings pulled away in the second with a seven-run inning that featured back-to-back homers by Smith and Robert Maddox and a triple by Wright that nearly cleared the fence. Maddox’s bomb chased lefty Mike Strong, who had been solid for the Brewers all season. It was the second night in a row that a Helena starter failed to get through two innings.

Smith said after the Mustangs had their six-game win streak snapped the previous night — the Brewers won that one 6-4 — they knew they had to put that behind them and come out swinging.

“We were focused collectively as hitters, Ryan Wright also had a chance at the cycle so that shows how focused we were as a group,” he said. “Everyone’s seeing the ball pretty well right now, and when you lose one you can’t let it get to you.”

Billings (19-11) has now won seven of its last eight and is locked in a tie for first with Great Falls in the North Division standings. Smith said the recipe for a second-half title is simple.

“Same thing we did tonight,” he said with a smile.

Billings shortstop Juan Perez also went 4 for 6 at the plate, as the Mustangs’ 1-3 hitters went a combined 11 for 18 with seven runs scored and nine batted in.

Robbie Garvey and Rivera each had three hits and a pair of RBIs to lead the hosts. The Brewers loaded the bags in the eighth, but Elmore grounded into a 5-3 unassisted double play.

Billings right-handed starter Cole Green earned the win despite allowing four runs on nine hits through five innings. Strong was tagged with the loss after being peppered for eight hits and eight earned runs — four of them homers — through an inning and 1/3.

The series wraps up tonight, with first pitch slated for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central). Helena’s ace Andy Moye (6-2, 4.54) comes to the mound, while southpaw Tony Cingrani (1-2, 1.56) is slated to start for the Mustangs. Cingrani is coming off a six-inning no-hitter.

Photo by Dylan Brown, Independent Record –
Brewers second baseman Gant Elmore delivers the ball to first base for a double play against Billings Wednesday night at Kindrick Legion Field.

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/a/07/a07116fc-d447-11e0-9c03-001cc4c002e0/4e5ef71c16dbf.image.jpg

[markedman5]

What pitches does Frier's throw? Fastball velocity? Ground ball or fly ball guy?

 

 

I noticed he is 26. If he is going to get his shot I would say its about time. Hopefully they call him up and he gets a chance to start after we clinch.