Link Report for Sat. 4/21 -- Rattlers Win Matinee In 12th; Maldonado's 'D' Impresses in Sounds' 13-inning loss

[TooLiveBrew]

Second such reminder within today's "Report" -- it's 10:25 Central, Sounds and StormChasers enter the 11th inning tied at 5-5 (thanks to Caleb Gindl's one-out two-run HR 9th inning heroics). Listen here if you're hanging out now.

Erick Almonte on to pitch the 13th... yes, you read that correctly.

 

 

EDIT: and wound up being the losing pitcher

[Tedaldtada]

Dunedin (Jays) 3 Brevard County 2

 

Box Score

 

Not much to talk about on offense for the Sea Cows so I want to highlight Franklin Romero Jr. Over the last 5 games, Franklin is 7-17 (.412) with 2 2B 1 3B 2:1 BB:K and 3 SB all in the 9 hole. His season OBP is .341 which is roughly 100 points higher than his career on-base average. Although the 'new' Romero Jr. likely will not last, we can still appreciate his improved start in 2012. Kudos, Franklin. Platoon catcher Adam Weisenburger had 2 hits. T.J. Mittelstaedt forced in a run with a BB.

 

RHP Taylor Jungmann started for the 4th time of his career tonight and again was not overwhelming but signs of good pitching are there. His line tonight: 5 IP 3 H 3 R 2 ER 2 BB 4 K 1 WP 7:2 GO:FO. The start bumped his season ERA to 3.18. RHP Greg Holle (2 IP) and LHP Alan Williams (1 IP 2 K) went Humber over the final 3 innings.

 

Game Log

 

One to follow

 

Dunedin Bottom of the 8th

 

Pitcher Change: Alan Williams replaces Greg Holle.

Ryan Schimpf called out on strikes.

Jake Marisnick pops out to first baseman Cody Hawn in foul territory.

Jonathan Jones called out on strikes.

[TooLiveBrew]

Final: Jackson 11, @Huntsville 8

 

Not a good night to be a Huntsville pitcher -- all five Stars pitchers allowed earned runs tonight. The Generals were relentless, scoring in every inning aside from the 1st & 4th. After a 1-2-3 first inning from starter Tyler Thornburg, the Stars plated two runs on just two hits (one BB, one WP, & one E certainly helped). Jackson responded & took a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the 3rd. The Stars responded as well --

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 3rd

Scooter Gennett singles on a line drive to center fielder Denny Almonte.

Brock Kjeldgaard homers (2) on a fly ball to right field. Scooter Gennett scores.

Hunter Morris singles on a line drive to left fielder Kalian Sams.

With Andy Gonzalez batting, wild pitch by James Paxton, Hunter Morris to 2nd.

Andy Gonzalez walks.

Jason Jaramillo singles on a ground ball to center fielder Denny Almonte. Hunter Morris scores. Andy Gonzalez out at 3rd, center fielder Denny Almonte to shortstop Gabriel Noriega.

Lee Haydel walks. Jason Jaramillo to 2nd.

Matt Cline walks. Jason Jaramillo to 3rd. Lee Haydel to 2nd.

Pitcher Change: Jandy Sena replaces James Paxton.

Josh Prince singles on a ground ball to first baseman Rich Poythress. Jason Jaramillo scores. Lee Haydel to 3rd. Matt Cline to 2nd.

Domnit Bolivar singles on a fly ball to right fielder Johermyn Chavez. Lee Haydel scores. Matt Cline to 3rd. Josh Prince to 2nd.

Scooter Gennett grounds into double play, shortstop Gabriel Noriega to second baseman Nick Franklin to first baseman Rich Poythress. Domnit Bolivar out at 2nd

 

That would be 5 runs on 6 hits. After that, though, the Generals pitching got stingy. They shut out Huntsville the rest of the way, to the tune of just three more hits.

 

 

Huntsville Box Score

Thornburg's line: 4 IP, 5 H, 4 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, (5 FO/2 GO, 39 strikes/72 TP).

I'll try to be kind & just say if you want to see the lines for relievers Roque Mercedes, Bradley Blanks, Eric Marzec, & Mitch Stetter, you'll have to click through to the box score. Short version: it ain't pretty; Stetter was the only one to not surrender a longball.

 

Josh Prince had about as good a night as a leadoff hitter can, going 2-4 with a pair of walks. Scooter Gennett, Hunter Morris, Jason Jaramillo, & Lee Haydel made it five Stars with two-hit games. Haydel also BB'd once. Brock Kjeldgaard's third inning HR was the only XBH of the game for Huntsville; Kjeldgaard & Domnit Bolivar were both 1-4 with one BB. Andy Gonzalez & Matt Cline were both hitless, but walked twice each.

 

 

Huntsville Play-by-Play

Unless you're looking for Jackson Generals exploits, you already read the best part of the night for Huntsville. However, here's their 2-run 1st --

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 1st

Josh Prince singles on a ground ball to right fielder Johermyn Chavez.

Domnit Bolivar walks. Josh Prince to 2nd.

With Scooter Gennett batting, wild pitch by James Paxton, Josh Prince to 3rd.

Scooter Gennett grounds into a force out, shortstop Gabriel Noriega to second baseman Nick Franklin. Josh Prince scores. Domnit Bolivar out at 2nd. Scooter Gennett to 1st.

Brock Kjeldgaard reaches on force attempt, fielding error by third baseman Eric Campbell. Scooter Gennett to 2nd.

Hunter Morris singles on a fly ball to center fielder Denny Almonte. Scooter Gennett scores. Brock Kjeldgaard to 2nd.

Andy Gonzalez grounds into double play, pitcher James Paxton to shortstop Gabriel Noriega to first baseman Rich Poythress. Hunter Morris out at 2nd.

 

I really wonder what happened with this next play, in the 5th. Maybe a missed interference call on Jaramillo as he advanced to second? --

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 5th

Jason Jaramillo singles on a fly ball to left fielder Kalian Sams.

Lee Haydel grounds out, second baseman Nick Franklin to first baseman Rich Poythress. Jason Jaramillo to 2nd.

Jackson Generals Manager Jim Pankovits ejected by 3B umpire Spencer Flynn.

Matt Cline pops out to first baseman Rich Poythress in foul territory.

Josh Prince walks.

Domnit Bolivar strikes out swinging, catcher Ralph Henriquez to first baseman Rich Poythress.

 

 

Huntsville Gameday

[TooLiveBrew]

Final: @Omaha 6, Nashville 5 (13 innings)

 

A two-run blast from Caleb Gindl tied this one up in the top of the 9th, but the battle of attrition was eventually won by the Storm Chasers. Sounds manager Mike Guerrero made the decision that he wasn't going to use any more relievers after getting multiple innings from three guys -- Daniel Meadows, Amaury Rivas, & Vinny Chulk -- so on came Erick Almonte for the 13th, only to go down as the losing pitcher. Rivas & Chulk combined for 5 shutout innings, each allowing just one hit.

 

The Sounds went scoreless from the 3rd through the 8th, and only managed two baserunners (one single, one BB) in extras.

 

 

Nashville Box Score

Donovan Hand wasn't particularly effective, but got a few key plays from his defense to minimize the damage. His line: 4 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 2K (6 GO/1 FO, 38 strikes/58 TP)

Meadows: 2.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 3 K

Rivas: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K <-- filthy night for Amaury... also induced two groundouts & a pop-out

Chulk: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K

Erick Almonte: 0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB (also added an E while he was on to pitch)

 

Logan Schafer led off the game with a HR and finished 2-7 with 3 R scored; he also contributed an inning-ending OF assist at 3B in the 6th. Gindl finished 2-5 with one BB, and also came up with a huge OF assist at home in the 4th. Taylor Green was 2-5 with a 2B and a BB. Eric Farris went 2-5 from the 9-hole. Brooks Conrad, Sean Halton, & Martin Maldonado added a hit apiece. Conrad added one RBI; Halton also walked once. Maldonado cut down two attempted basestealers (Omaha was 0/2 on the game).

 

 

Nashville Play-by-Play

Aside from opening the game with three consecutive ground ball outs, this was Hand's most impressive inning (stranded two runners & kept Nashville's 3-0 lead intact) --

 

Omaha Bottom of the 2nd

Clint Robinson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Logan Schafer.

Tony Abreu pops out to third baseman Taylor Green in foul territory.

David Lough singles on a ground ball to left fielder Corey Patterson. Clint Robinson to 2nd.

Kevin Kouzmanoff strikes out swinging.

Max Ramirez strikes out swinging.

 

 

Gindl's huge OF assist --

 

Omaha Bottom of the 4th

Clint Robinson walks.

Tony Abreu grounds into a force out, first baseman Sean Halton to pitcher Donovan Hand. Clint Robinson out at 2nd. Tony Abreu to 1st.

David Lough singles on a fly ball to center fielder Logan Schafer. Tony Abreu to 2nd.

Kevin Kouzmanoff doubles (7) on a line drive to left fielder Corey Patterson. Tony Abreu scores. David Lough scores.

Max Ramirez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Corey Patterson. Kevin Kouzmanoff to 3rd.

Cody Clark flies into double play, right fielder Caleb Gindl to catcher Martin Maldonado. Kevin Kouzmanoff out at home on the throw.

 

 

Schafer's big play to end the 6th --

 

Omaha Bottom of the 6th

David Lough strikes out swinging.

Kevin Kouzmanoff doubles (8) on a fly ball to center fielder Logan Schafer.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Anthony Seratelli replaces Kevin Kouzmanoff.

Max Ramirez hit by pitch.

Cody Clark flies into double play, center fielder Logan Schafer to third baseman Taylor Green. Anthony Seratelli out at 3rd on the throw.

 

 

This is a confusing play description. Iirc the game logs note if a strikeout is completed with a throw down to 1B, but that's about the only scenario I can think of to explain this --

 

Nashville Top of the 5th

Caleb Gindl reaches on fielding error by first baseman Clint Robinson.

Sean Halton grounds into a force out, shortstop Tony Abreu to second baseman Johnny Giavotella. Caleb Gindl out at 2nd. Sean Halton to 1st.

Taylor Green doubles (3) on a fly ball to right fielder David Lough. Sean Halton to 3rd.

Edwin Maysonet strikes out swinging.

Sean Halton out at home, catcher Cody Clark to pitcher Vin Mazzaro.

 

 

Almonte's pitching appearance probably went even worse than you'd have expected --

 

Omaha Bottom of the 13th

Pitcher Change: Erick Almonte replaces Vinnie Chulk.

Anthony Seratelli walks.

Terry Evans singles on a line drive to right fielder Caleb Gindl. Anthony Seratelli to 2nd.

Cody Clark hits a sacrifice bunt. Fielding error by pitcher Erick Almonte. Anthony Seratelli to 3rd. Terry Evans to 2nd. Cody Clark to 1st.

Defensive Substitution: Hainley Statia replaces left fielder Corey Patterson, batting 7th, playing left field.

Jarrod Dyson singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Logan Schafer. Anthony Seratelli scores. Terry Evans to 3rd. Cody Clark to 2nd.

 

 

Nashville Gameday

[TooLiveBrew]

Ugh. And of course the Nashville game story is up now that I finished that huge post.

[TooLiveBrew]

Sounds Drop Sixth In A Row With 6-5 Loss To Omaha In 13 Innings

Gindl's Ninth Inning Blast Forces Game To Extras

Nashville Sounds

 

PAPILLION, Neb. - Outfielder Jarrod Dyson hit a bases loaded single in the bottom of the 13th inning to give the Omaha Storm Chasers a 6-5 victory over the Nashville Sounds in the opener of a four-game set at Werner Park on Saturday night.

In his first pitching appearance of his professional career, Erick Almonte began the 13th inning by walking the leadoff batter and allowing a single to Terry Evans. Cody Clark then bunted to Almonte (0-1), but reached on a fielding error. In the ensuing at-bat, Nashville brought in five infielders but Dyson knocked the game-winning hit up the middle to end the marathon.

 

The Sounds' current six-game losing streak is their longest of the year and the club's longest since dropping nine straight contests from May 2-10 last season. The Sounds' 4-13 start is the 2nd-worst in club history through 17 games of action.

 

The extra-inning game was the PCL-leading fourth of the young season for Nashville (2-2). Thirteen of the Sounds' 17 games have been decided by one or two runs (3-9 in those contests).

 

Logan Schafer homered and scored three runs from the leadoff spot. Caleb Gindl also homered and drove in two runs. Taylor Green and Eric Farris each added two hits apiece.

 

Defensively, Nashville turned a season-high three double plays while catcher Martin Maldonado threw out both runners attempting to steal. Gindl and Schafer each added an outfield assist.

 

Schafer gave the Sounds a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. On the second pitch from Omaha starter Vin Mazzaro, Schafer crushed a game-opening homer to center field for his second of the year. Schafer was also responsible for Nashville's last game-opening homer last season on August 18 vs. Tucson.

 

Nashville tacked on two more runs in the next inning for a 3-0 advantage. With runners on the corners and two outs, designated hitter Brooks Conrad blooped an RBI single to left field, which was then booted by Derrick Robinson to allow Schafer to score from first.

 

Omaha scored four unanswered to go ahead at 4-3 with two runs in both the third and fourth innings. Kevin Kouzmanoff belted a two-run double for the first two runs while Clint Robinson hit a two-run homer just inside the foul pole in the fifth. The long ball was Robinson's fourth of the year.

 

Consecutive one-out doubles from Derrick Robinson and Johnny Giavotella gave the Storm Chasers a 5-3 lead in the home half of the seventh.

 

After a leadoff single from Schafer in the ninth, outfielder Caleb Gindl smashed a game-tying two-run homer to right field off Omaha reliever Francisley Bueno to force the game to extras. The home run was Gindl's second of the season.

 

In a spot start and first Triple-A start due to the recent promotion of Wily Peralta, right-hander Donovan Hand surrendered two runs on seven hits while striking out two in four innings of work for a no-decision.

 

Reliever Dan Meadows gave up three runs on 2 2/3 innings while striking out three. Amaury Rivas provided 2 1/3 innings of shutout ball while stranding his only inherited runner. Vinnie Chulk added three scoreless innings.

 

Mazzaro tossed a quality start with three runs allowed on seven hits in six innings. Tommy Hottovy (1-0) pitched three shutout innings for the win.

 

The Sounds and division-rival Storm Chasers continue their series with a 2:00 pm CT afternoon matinee on Sunday at Werner Park. Right-hander Seth McClung (0-1, 11.32) takes the hill for Nashville against Omaha righty Nate Adcock (2-1, 1.47).

[HiAndTight]

Not surprised to see Gindl throwing guys out from home plate. I've seen him play a few times and would rate his arm as a 70. He just has an absolute cannon for an arm.

 

In fact, I think he can have a Jay Buhner like career with a little higher BA, better overall D(though not quite as strong an arm) and much better overall defense as Buhner didn't have much range. Oh, and eliminate the 40/44/40 HR seasons and average them out with 20 HR's and you have a more accurate picture.

 

I think he's a shade below what I predicted for Gamel. .275/.360/.470 with very good RF defense. I don't know what the scouting report is on him, but again, having watched him play, that dude has a cannon in RF.

 

Obviously Schafer has a good arm. Don't know if it's really strong, or more Aoki-like and just accurate(though I'm sure a little stronger).

 

Throw in Green who I believe is a Mark Loretta type player with a lower BA and better power who can play all the same positions, sans SS and we've got 4 really solid, not great, but solid young players in Gamel, Green, Schafer and Gindl.

 

Of course I'm the lone remaining holdout predicting a Gomez breakout season, though he'll probably have another year where he just can't be patient at the plate, if he does, he's got all the tools to be a Carlos Gonzalez type player. That of course won't happen, but if you look at each, Gonzalez didn't really get his start in the big leagues untill he was 24 full time and Gomez is still just 26.

 

I know, I know, there's a lot there to call me crazy, but you see those flashes where he impacts a game and saves a game defensively, comes up with a big hit offensively, hits a 400+ HR, wins a game with his speed, pinch runs and almost automatically steals a base...now if he could just take a walk....we'd be golden.

[Mass Haas]

The Nashville game story link has now been updated to include four audio highlight calls by Voice of the Sounds Jeff Hem.

[Mass Haas]

Stars Outslugged By Generals

 

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.- In what was dubbed to be a pitchers duel between Stars RHP Tyler Thornburg and Generals LHP James Paxson, the Jackson Generals offense broke out with 13 hits and four home runs to lead them to a 11-8 win over the Huntsville Stars on Saturday night.

 

In a game that featured 19 combined runs and 28 combined hits, the Stars got the scoring started in the first inning as an RBI groundout by second basemen Scooter Gennett and an RBI single by first baseman Hunter Morris gave the Stars an early 2-0 lead.

 

After a run in the second inning and a three-run home run by Generals designated hitter Joe Dunigan in the thrid inning gave Jackson a 4-2 lead, Huntsville answered in the bottom half of the frame by batting their entire order. Led by a two-run homerun by rightfielder Brock Kjeldgaard, and RBI singles by catcher Jason Jaramillo, center fielder Josh Prince, and shortstop Domnit Bolivar, the five-run third inning gave the Stars a 7-4 lead.

 

From that point on, the Generals offense cruised to seven unanswered runs over the next five innings, including two home runs by center fielder Denny Almonte and an RBI double as well as another solo shot from Dunigan. On the night, Chavez and Dunigan combined to go 7-for-10 at the plate with four homeruns and eight runs batted in. Both 1B Ryan Poythress and LF Kailian Sams also had two hits apiece for Jackson.

 

In two innings of relief, Jackson RHP Yoervis Medina improved to 1-2 on the season with the victory. Generals RHP Stephen Pryor earned his fifth save of the season as well.

 

For the Stars, RHP Bradley Blanks was tabbed with the loss, falling to 1-1 on the season after giving up two runs in two innings pitched.

 

On offense for the Stars, it was Morris who led the plate, going 3-for-5 on the night (all singles). Left fielder Lee Haydel, Jaramillo, Gennett, and Prince each had two hits apiece as well. For Jaramillo, it was his second straight multi-hit game.

 

Game three of a five game series will take place on Sunday as the Stars will send RHP Evan Anundsen (0-1, 2.25 ERA) to face off against highly-touted RHP Tijuan Walker (2-0, 1.64 ERA). First pitch is at 4:03 PM.

[Mass Haas]

Just in case you had forgotten (or taken for granted) the defensive prowess of Sounds' catcher Martin Maldonado, read this.

 

Awesome.

 

***

 

Just to punctuate that link, here's more details from the Omaha.com game story:

 

Strong-armed Nashville catcher Martin Maldonado threw out Jarrod Dyson at second base on a stolen-base attempt, completing a strikeout-throw out double play to end the inning. Dyson had stolen 55 straight bases against catchers while playing for Omaha, dating to the 2010 season. He'd been picked off by pitchers three times, his only caught stealings in that stretch.

[battlekow]

This is a confusing play description. Iirc the game logs note if a strikeout is completed with a throw down to 1B, but that's about the only scenario I can think of to explain this --

 

Nashville Top of the 5th

Caleb Gindl reaches on fielding error by first baseman Clint Robinson.

Sean Halton grounds into a force out, shortstop Tony Abreu to second baseman Johnny Giavotella. Caleb Gindl out at 2nd. Sean Halton to 1st.

Taylor Green doubles (3) on a fly ball to right fielder David Lough. Sean Halton to 3rd.

Edwin Maysonet strikes out swinging.

Sean Halton out at home, catcher Cody Clark to pitcher Vin Mazzaro.

 

Probably out trying to score on a wild pitch or passed ball, yeah?

[battlekow]

Sounds play-by-play man Jeff Hem provides some context for Schafer's and Gindl's homers: "wind blowing toward right at 25 mph for 2nd day in row...good to be a LHB".

[TooLiveBrew]

This is a confusing play description. Iirc the game logs note if a strikeout is completed with a throw down to 1B, but that's about the only scenario I can think of to explain this --

 

Nashville Top of the 5th

Caleb Gindl reaches on fielding error by first baseman Clint Robinson.

Sean Halton grounds into a force out, shortstop Tony Abreu to second baseman Johnny Giavotella. Caleb Gindl out at 2nd. Sean Halton to 1st.

Taylor Green doubles (3) on a fly ball to right fielder David Lough. Sean Halton to 3rd.

Edwin Maysonet strikes out swinging.

Sean Halton out at home, catcher Cody Clark to pitcher Vin Mazzaro.

 

Probably out trying to score on a wild pitch or passed ball, yeah?

Yeah, but if it was strike three swinging & then a WP/PB, Maysonet would've gone down to first & Halton wouldn't have been the third out of the inning... right?

[TheCrew07]

Squeeze attempt?

[TooLiveBrew]

Squeeze attempt?

That was my first thought, but if it was a whiffed bunt attempt, the catcher would have the ball in his glove & not need to flip it to the pitcher for the out.

[battlekow]

Does the PBP say "With [x] batting..." for wild pitches and passed balls?

 

EDIT: Survey says "yes".