Link Report for Fri. 4/27 -- Rattlers are all big leaguers for a day; "Downhill Thunder" on Brevard's mound

[TooLiveBrew]

I realize this is extremely late notice but if someone could cover Huntsville and Wisconsin tomorrow (Saturday) I would greatly appreciate it.

I'm out of town tomorrow night, otherwise I would. I hope someone else can step up for you.

 

I have to echo Mass Haas's comment -- great job this month, Crew & Tedaldtada.

[Mass Haas]

Rattlers' Gagnon shines at Miller Park

By Sam Dykstra / Special to MLB.com

 

Drew Gagnon took the hill at Miller Park for the first time in his professional career Friday. But if he keeps pitching as he has been, he could be back at the Brewers' home ballpark before too long.

 

Milwaukee's 2011 third-round Draft pick allowed four hits and a walk over a career-high eight innings Friday as the Class A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers blanked the Dayton Dragons, 3-0.

 

Gagnon (2-0) extended his scoreless streak to 19 2/3 innings and dropped his ERA to a Midwest League-leading 0.64.

 

The former Long Beach State star began his night by issuing a leadoff walk to Theo Bowe, who stole second. But he followed that with a streak of nine consecutive outs.

 

Gagnon's most difficult inning may have been the fourth when Juan Perez opened the frame with a double and Sean Buckley was hit by a pitch two batters later. But the 21-year-old right-hander got Juan Silva to hit a comebacker that turned into a double play. He allowed only three baserunners over his final four innings.

 

"I had everything in my toolbox today," Gagnon said. "The first inning was a little shaky, but after the second, I felt like everything was going for me. I told my catcher, 'I'm feeling pretty good about this. Let's keep battling.' And from then on, it worked really well. Fastball, curveball, changeup, everything was working."

 

The outing easily was the longest of Gagnon's brief professional career -- he went six innings on April 22. He needed only 87 pitches, throwing 62 for strikes, a figure that surprised even him after the game.

 

Although the California native felt could have gone the distance, he admited that certain circumstances may have prevented him from taking the mound for the ninth.

 

"I was definitely feeling good enough to go back out, but it is early in the year. They've got us all on pitch counts, and I understand that," he said. "Plus, it's Miller Park. You want to give the other guys to get a chance to pitch here."

 

Miller Park actually was the fourth Major League stadium in which Gagnon has pitched following Fenway Park (Cape Cod League All-Star Game), AT&T Park (as a junior at Long Beach State) and Dodger Stadium (high school). He said his biggest thrill was pitching at Fenway because of the century-old park's history, but Miller Park brought its own excitement.

 

"It was my first time pitching in a park like this," Gagnon said. "Pitching in a dome was certainly interesting, but it was definitely a cool experience. Hopefully, it's a preview of what's going to happen here down the line."

 

For Gagnon to achieve the ultimate goal of all Brewers prospects, he knows he'll have to continue to put together more stretches like his current one.

 

"I've got to let my defense make the plays," he said. "The outfield has come up big in helping me do what I've been doing. But personally, I've got my routine. I've got to keep getting after it and, like always, go out on the mound like it'll be the last time I step out there."

 

Max Walla hit a three-run homer in the first inning to provide Gagnon and the Timber Rattlers with all the offense they needed. It was his second homer at Miller Park following one he slugged at the Brewers' Rising Stars Game on April 2, 2011.

 

Drew Gagnon leads the Midwest League with a 0.64 ERA. (Ann Mollica/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers)

 

http://www.milb.com/images/2012/04/28/fX9GyPXD.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Rattler Radio -- "Nine After Nine"

[Mass Haas]

Timber Rattlers soak up major-league flavor at Miller Park

Brett Christopherson, Appleton Post-Crescent

 

MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin Timber Rattlers pitching coach Dave Chavarria has a saying he often shares to anyone within earshot when pregame batting practice wraps up and hungry players scurry into the clubhouse to down some grub:

 

Take it in, and get some soup.

 

But given the more expansive menu awaiting the Rattlers on Friday — not to mention their slick surroundings — Chavarria figured it didn't make much sense to utter it following this particular BP session.

 

"When they were coming in, I said, 'I can't say that because you guys are probably going to get a little better than soup,' " he smiled. "And they started laughing. It's one of those things where you kind of let them be for a day — just let them soak it in and enjoy it."

 

That would be Miller Park, the Rattlers' home field on Friday and an annual perk for those taking up a roster spot with the Milwaukee Brewers' Low-A minor league affiliate.

 

"Getting an opportunity like this to come here and do my daily routine at a big league park, that's unbelievable," hurler Andy Moye said prior to Wisconsin's 3-0 Midwest League triumph over the Dayton Dragons. "First time getting to see this stadium, it's definitely motivation to get up here."

 

Consider it a personal quest, as well.

 

Moye's grandfather, Robert Loftin, spent four seasons as a second baseman in the New York Giants system during the 1950s, working his way to the highest minor league rung but unable to clear that final hurdle.

 

"He went to spring training with Willie Mays," Moye said of his grandfather. "When I was 10, we went to Cooperstown (N.Y.) with the family, and we were able to go in the archives (at the National Baseball Hall of Fame) and pull out some books and find some stats on him, which is pretty cool.

 

"It's every kid's dream (to reach the big leagues), but especially with my grandpa never getting a chance to make it. I'd love nothing more than to fulfill that dream for both of us. That would be pretty awesome."

 

The Miller Park experience was also personal for Chavarria, whose father, Ossie, actually lived the dream as an infielder/utility player with the Kansas City Athletics in 1966 and '67.

 

So naturally, kicking back at a major league park — even for one night — invoked some fond major league memories.

 

"When he was called up to the big leagues, he went to New York City, and I guess his first big league hit came off of (Yankees great) Whitey Ford," said Chavarria, who pitched professionally in the Texas Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants systems. "And the next day for his rookie hazing, they all hopped in a cab and dropped him off in Harlem and told him to find his way back to the ballpark.

 

"His first hit was off of Whitey Ford, and he hit one off (Fenway Park's) Green Monster. So, you're sitting there as a kid, and you go, 'Maybe my dad is kind of cool.' "

 

For Moye, cool was sitting on his grandfather's lap as a boy and listening to tales from yesteryear, triggering an interest in the game and a determination to have the family name one day — and finally — sewn onto the back of a big league jersey.

 

"He would talk about the game-winning home runs he hit and the diving plays he made to save games," said Moye, a right-hander plucked by the Brewers in the 15th round of the 2011 draft and 1-0 with a 2.35 ERA in four starts this season. "It just always made me want me to be a baseball player. … I remember the day I got drafted and signed, he was ecstatic. He called me and teared up a little bit.

 

"And I know in his office back in Jacksonville (Fla.), he's got a picture of when he signed his contract with him and his dad. And right under, he's got a picture of me and my dad when I signed my contract. He's definitely living this a little bit through me."

 

Meanwhile, some of Moye's teammates formed new memories.

 

There was right fielder Max Walla, who smacked a three-run homer over the right field wall in the first inning. It was his second career poke at Miller Park, the other coming in the Rising Stars game — an all-star contest for Brewers prospects — in April 2011.

 

And check out righty Drew Gagnon, who continued his ace-like dominance, scattering just four hits and whiffing four over eight sterling innings to lower his ERA to 0.64 and improve to 2-0.

 

A perfect night all-around.

 

"To walk out in a big league stadium and just soak it in, it's kind of cool," Chavarria said. "And it gives you that extra, maybe, oomph. 'This is what I want to do. I can do this.' And guys start to believe in themselves a little more."

 

Believe in the dream, too.

[Mass Haas]

MiLB.com's archive of the Timber Rattlers game is only available to subscribers.

 

I was able to watch it live, but the audio was pointless, just music or silence. I pulled up Chris' audio, which was abot 1-2 minutes behind the video action. So unsure the archived audio will be of too much value, which is probably a bummer to Drew Gagnon's family.

 

Max Walla's home run was pretty impressive. Hopefully MiLB pulls up a video later today, it doesn't appear the Milwaukee TV sports reports included coverage from Miller Park Friday night.

[Mass Haas]

Pitching Propels Stars Over M-Braves

Huntsville Stars

 

PEARL, Miss. – Another strong outing from a Huntsville starting pitcher gave the Stars the opportunity to win their second-consecutive game over the M-Braves in a 7-4 final at Trustmark Park Friday night. RHP Evan Anundsen went the distance, pitching six innings, allowing just one run and four hits.

 

The Stars put up three runs in the third inning and never looked back. Center fielder Josh Prince hit his first Double-A home run, a solo-shot on the first pitch of the inning. Third baseman Andy Gonzalez singled to get on base. He advanced to second on a Hunter Morris single. Left fielder Jay Gibbons hit into a fielder’s choice to advance Gonzalez. Catcher Jason Jaramillo singled home Gonzalez and Gibbons to give the Stars their 3-0 lead.

 

The Braves got on the board in the bottom half of the inning thanks to a lead-off walk from shortstop Andrelton Simmons. He eventually came home on a ground out by third baseman Joe Leonard.

 

Huntsville’s Morris led off the Stars sixth with a double. He crossed the plate on another RBI-single by Jaramillo, his third on the night. Kentrail Davis walked to start the seventh inning. He advanced to second on a Prince single. Mississippi’s reliever Chris Jones threw a wild pitch to allow both runners to advance. The Stars’ Gonzalez took advantage of the situation and hit a single to score both Davis and Prince, giving Huntsville a 6-1 lead.

 

Heading into the top of the ninth, Huntsville’s offense wasn’t done yet. The Southern League’s reigning Hitter of the Week Scooter Gennett singled to start the action. He came home on a double by Gonzalez, who joined Jaramillo with three RBIs on the night. Gennett ended the night 1-for-5 with a strikeout.

 

Mississippi put up a fight in the final frame of the game, plating three runs. It wasn’t enough to catch the Stars with the final 7-4 victory going to Huntsville’s starter Anundsen, his first Double-A win. Reliever Jesus Sanchez picked up his first save of 2012, going 0.1 inning. For the Braves, starter Sean Gilmartin went six innings, giving up four runs on seven hits. He walked one and struck out five in route to his third loss of the season.

 

The Stars and Braves continue the five-game series tomorrow at 6 p.m. The Stars will look to RHP Kyle Heckathorn (1-0, 3.47 ERA) in game four against Mississippi’s RHP David Hale (2-2, 5.75 ERA). Catch the call by Alex Cohen at www.huntsvillestars.com.

[igor67]

Along with all of the other exciting stuff in the pitching lines these days, how about the length of these starts? 8 inning starts in the minors? That's a whole lot of control and dominance to keep the pitch count down. I just don't really remember previous guys lasting that long as more than a rarity. And in the last week we've had a couple of them that I can remember and Nelson going 7 2/3.

[battlekow]

I realize this is extremely late notice but if someone could cover Huntsville and Wisconsin tomorrow (Saturday) I would greatly appreciate it. Once again I asked 2 different posters earlier in the week and didn't receive a PM back. I have a double header starting at 11 AM and then a family get together at my brother's restaurant after the games so I have no idea when I'll be getting home. Sometimes these family things go pretty quick, sometimes they get rather boisterous...

 

If no one is available I'll certainly get the recaps in, but they might not get posted until early Sunday morning which isn't a problem for me, I just wanted everyone to know that I didn't forget if they aren't posted by midnight.

I got it.

 

"Getting an opportunity like this to come here and do my daily routine at a big league park, that's unbelievable," hurler Andy Moye said prior to Wisconsin's 3-0 Midwest League triumph over the Dayton Dragons. "First time getting to see this stadium, it's definitely motivation to get up here."

 

Consider it a personal quest, as well.

 

Moye's grandfather, Robert Loftin, spent four seasons as a second baseman in the New York Giants system during the 1950s, working his way to the highest minor league rung but unable to clear that final hurdle.

 

"He went to spring training with Willie Mays," Moye said of his grandfather. "When I was 10, we went to Cooperstown (N.Y.) with the family, and we were able to go in the archives (at the National Baseball Hall of Fame) and pull out some books and find some stats on him, which is pretty cool.

Robert Loftin's stats, for those curious.

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO:

 

Max Walla brings home all three Timber Rattler runs with a first-inning homer in their 3-0 win over Dayton

 

Drew Gagnon fans his fourth as he completes his eighth shutout inning in the Timber Rattlers' 3-0 win over Dayton