Link Report for Thurs. 5/3 -- Brevard Offense Awakens for a Day; Gagnon Strong Again

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Brevard County: LHP Jed Bradley at Tampa (Yankees), 10:00 AM gametime

 

Sorry, no audio for this series...

 

Once again this season, Brevard does not have its own audio coverage. It appears two teams in the Manatees North Division (within which the majority of games are played) have audio, and all six teams in the South Division have audio (at least for their home games), so there will be opportunities to listen to approx. 70% or Brevard's games this season, just all from the opponent's perspective. There are no Florida State League games on MiLB.TV this year.

 

***

 

Entertain yourself with the Brevard box score / game log:

 

Brevard County

 

***

 

Florida State League North Division Standings

 

***

 

Look for the remainder of the Link Report, setting up the evening action, this afternoon.

[Mass Haas]

Catching up on Nashville video:

 

Brooks Conrad hits a three-run homer in Tuesday's Sounds' 8-5 win over the Omaha Storm Chasers

[Tedaldtada]

Florida resident and avid twitterer, @FigureFilbert, will be attending the Brevard COunty game starting in under 15 minutes. Be sure to follow and request updates on our young lefty.

 

Update 1: Jonathan C. Mitchell ‏ @FigureFilbert

 

It's early but Bradley's fastball command is off while his breaking ball is very sharp. #Brewers

 

Update 2: Bradley was pinpoint in the second with his fastball, usually mostly fastball/change that inning. #Brewers

 

Update 3: TJ Mittelstaedt with a 3-run triple top (sic) CF. Now 2-2 in the game. #Brewers

 

Update 4: Jed Bradley was 88-90 with pinpoint control in the second. Hit 92 in the first. #Brewers

 

Jed Bradley gets the K on a beautiful slider. #Brewers http://pic.twitter.com/q4q6d4Lx

 

Update 5: Good luck hitting Jed Bradley's slider future left handed hitting opponents. #Brewers

 

Update 6: Bradley sitting 89-91 so in the 5th & threw a plus change up to right hander. Just allowed his 1st run on a missed dive attempt. #Brewers

 

Update 7: Bradley allows two run triple in a change up down and away off the plate to a lefty. Hitter flailed at it but got the barrel on it. #Brewers

 

The official scorers are awarding hits left and right. Two dropped liners right at fielders awarded hits. Bradley's 4th run allowed.

 

Update 8: Jed Bradley still 88-90 in the 6th and hitting his spot 90% of the time. Been the victim of the Luck Dragons. #Brewers

[Mass Haas]

From our Transaction Thread about a release earlier this spring:

 

LHP Efrain Nieves -- Though only 22 now, Nieves already has five years in the system as the Crew's 7th round pick out of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy & School in 2007. He was used exclusively in relief at Brevard last season, but did make 36 starts earlier in his career. Here's another Post-Crescent profile. History -- Nieves reached #20 on the Power 50 in April '09.

 

***

 

Nice to see that Nieves has been recently picked up by the Tigers' organization, he's yet to appear in a game, but maybe the Manatees will see him with Lakeland later this summer.

[Mass Haas]

The rest of Thursday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Mike Fiers at home vs. Omaha (Royals), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

Jeff Hem is the new play-by-play voice of the Sounds; follow him on Twitter @jeffhempbp; we'll link to his blog updates at On the Air…and Off

 

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; all Nashville games, home and away, will be available to watch via MiLB.TV's $39.99 season-long package ($9.99 to pay for a single month). We imagine the audio feed is from the home team. All MiLB.TV details available at the link.

 

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Huntsville: RHP Evan Anundsen at home vs. Chattanooga (Dodgers), 6:28 PM pre-game, 6:43 gametime

 

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

 

I-Phone friendly audio link

 

Alex Cohen is the new play-by-play voice of the Stars; follow him on Twitter @alexmcohen. It's fantastic that Huntsville is returning to what will be a traditional broadcast format this year. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be broadcast.

 

MiLB.TV subsciption note: A total of 24 Stars' games (in Jacksonville and Tennessee) will be broadcast.

 

**********

 

Wisconsin: RHP Drew Gagnon at Clinton (Mariners), 6:10 PM pre-game, 6:30 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link - 1280 AM WNAM

 

Chris Mehring is back to do his customary fantastic work as the Voice of the Rattlers. Follow him on Twitter @CMehring; we'll link to Chris' infamous blog often -- Rattler Radio.

 

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; Wisconsin is one of only two (Great Lakes) Midwest League clubs that have all their home games available via MiLB.TV; Chris' call provides the audio. So for the $39.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sounds games, all Timber Rattlers home games, and 24 Stars' road games (one Helena series this summer, too).

[Mass Haas]

Follow Thursday's evening action as it happens with box score / game log links:

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Wisconsin

[Mass Haas]

STANDINGS:

 

AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division

 

AA - Southern League North Division

 

Florida State League North Division

 

Midwest League Western Division

[Mass Haas]

To see tweets as to when the Link Report has been technically "completed" with available links, as well as to know when the new day's Report has been posted, please follow @Mass_Haas on Twitter

[Mass Haas]

As you digest Manatee summaries later on, this post earlier in the thread has been updated today with first-hand observations. Very informative, our Link Reporter "Tedaldtada" will refer to them later.

[Mass Haas]

Gord Ash spoke with ESPN 540 from Huntsville as part of their post-game Brewers coverage Wed. night -- spoke in some general terms about the minor league levels (Audio Link)

[TheCrew07]

Gord Ash spoke with ESPN 540 from Huntsville as part of their post-game Brewers coverage Wed. night -- spoke in some general terms about the minor league levels (Audio Link)

 

That was pretty interesting interview especially when discussing about how in Huntsville but more so Nashville there isn't as much focus on development as there is on just winning.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes

[Mass Haas]

Wisconsin Media Notes

 

The Huntsville notes are only getting posted to their site on occasion (last time was 4/29). Hoping they see this and will set up daily reminder . Thanks.

[Tedaldtada]

Brevard's bats come alive to double up Yanks

05/03/2012 2:29 PM ET

By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees

 

TAMPA, Fla. -The Brevard County Manatees' bats came alive to the tune of a season-high 12 runs as they doubled up the Tampa Yankees, 12-6 on Thursday afternoon at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. The win snapped the Brevard's three-game losing streak as the 'Tees avoided a sweep at the hands of the Yankees.

 

Every member of Brevard County's starting line-up either recorded a hit or scored a run as the Manatees scored four times in three separate innings. Five 'Tees had multi-hit games, with Shea Vucinich leading the way with a 3-for-5 afternoon.

 

T.J. Mittelstaedt and Mike Walker each drove in three runs, while Cody Hawn drove in four.

 

2011 first round draft pick Jed Bradley (3-2, 3.34) gave up four runs in six innings of work, but earned his third win of the season. He allowed six hits, while walking two and striking out four.

 

The Manatees (12-15) got on the board first with a big inning in the top of the third. Adam Weisenburger and Juan Sanchez led off the frame by drawing back-to-back walks and then Nick Shaw reached on a bunt single to load the bases. With that bunt single, Shaw reached base for the 19th consecutive game.

Mittelstaedt then stepped up to the plate and cleared the bases with a three-run triple. Mittelstaedt would score one batter later as he was driven in on a Cody Hawn sacrifice fly as the Manatees took a 4-0 lead.

 

A two-out RBI double by Tampa's Jose Mojica in the fifth cut Brevard's lead to 4-1 and the Yanks would tie the game with three runs in the sixth, with the big blow being a two-run triple by Neil Medchill.

 

Brevard County answered right back in the top of the seventh thanks to a two-out three-run double by Walker and a RBI single by Reggie Keen, to give the 'Tees a 8-4 lead.

 

Tampa (13-14) scratched a run across in the bottom of the seventh off of Greg Holle, but the Manatees once again answered with a big inning. A solo homer by Shea Vucinich and a three-run blast by Cody Hawn in the eighth gave Brevard County a 12-5 lead.

 

Brevard County - which came into Thursday's game hitting just .192 with runners in scoring position - was 5-for-11 (.454) with runners in scoring position on Thursday afternoon. Five of the Manatees 13 hits went for extra bases and the 'Tees had seven RBI with two outs.

 

The Manatees will continue their seven-game road trip with a four-game series against the Palm Beach Cardinals (13-14), beginning on Friday night at 6:35 p.m. This will be the first time this season that the 'Tees have faced a team from the South division.

 

Brevard County will send Hiram Burgos (1-1, 0.99) to the hill. He has allowed just one earned run in his last 18 innings of work. Palm Beach will counter with southpaw Anthony Ferrara (1-1, 2.74).

[Mass Haas]

Baseball America -- Little Movement Expected In Triple-A Affiliation Shuffle

 

Nashville Sounds - Brewers 2012 Change unlikely. Potential for new ballpark makes Nashville an even more appealing market.

 

***

 

Honestly, it seems every other day for the past forever there's something in the Nashville press about a ballpark plan, but until anything seems even remotely concrete we haven't linked to it here. And believe it, it's literally dozens of potential links, and we've thankfully not wasted your time with them for a couple of years now. Should that change in a truly concrete manner, we'll let you know. There are no bulldozers lined up outside ol' Greer Stadium as of yet.

[Tedaldtada]

Brevard County 12 Tampa (Yankees) 6

 

Box Score

 

Bust out hitters! The only weak spot on the night was the base running. Yankee catcher J.R. Murphy nailed everyone who attempted a steal. T.J. Mittelstaedt exacted revenge by nailing Murphy at 3rd from the OF. The seven 2-out RBI were the difference for the 'Tees. Cody Hawn (2-4 HR) and Shea Vucinich (3-5 HR) homered in the same inning. T.J Mittelstaedt (2-4 3B BB) hit his fourth 3B on the year. Mike Walker (1-5 2B) and Nick Shaw (2-4 2B 2 BB) had the other XBH's.

 

Jed Bradley's night was chronicled here. Sounds like he was impressive but unlucky. The secondary offerings provided the most 'wow' factor while the fastball command was commended.

 

Three relievers from a deep bullpen held off the Tampa team. Casey Medlen was the only one to finish a clean inning as Greg Holle and Eric Arnett each gave back a run.

 

Game Log

 

Three 4-packs.

Brevard County Top of the 3rd

 

Adam Weisenburger walks.

Juan Sanchez walks. Adam Weisenburger to 2nd.

Nick Shaw singles on a bunt ground ball to catcher JR Murphy. Adam Weisenburger to 3rd. Juan Sanchez to 2nd.

T. J. Mittelstaedt triples (4) on a fly ball to center fielder Eduardo Sosa. Adam Weisenburger scores. Juan Sanchez scores. Nick Shaw scores.

Cody Hawn out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Ramon Flores. T. J. Mittelstaedt scores.

Miguel Velazquez strikes out swinging.

Michael Walker grounds out, second baseman Kelvin Castro to first baseman Kyle Roller.

Brevard County Top of the 7th

 

Juan Sanchez grounds out, second baseman Kelvin Castro to first baseman Kyle Roller.

Nick Shaw walks.

T. J. Mittelstaedt walks. Nick Shaw to 2nd.

Cody Hawn grounds into a force out, first baseman Kyle Roller to shortstop Jose Mojica. Nick Shaw to 3rd. T. Mittelstaedt out at 2nd. Cody Hawn to 1st.

Miguel Velazquez walks. Cody Hawn to 2nd.

Michael Walker doubles (3) on a fly ball to left fielder Ramon Flores. Nick Shaw scores. Cody Hawn scores. Miguel Velazquez scores.

Reggie Keen singles on a ground ball to right fielder Rob Segedin. Michael Walker scores.

With Shea Vucinich batting, Reggie Keen caught stealing 2nd base, catcher JR Murphy to second baseman Kelvin Castro.

 

Brevard County Top of the 8th

 

Pitcher Change: Vidal Nuno replaces Aaron Dott.

Shea Vucinich homers (1) on a fly ball to left field.

Adam Weisenburger flies out to center fielder Eduardo Sosa.

Juan Sanchez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Eduardo Sosa.

Nick Shaw hits a ground-rule double (5) on a fly ball to right field. Juan Sanchez to 3rd.

T. J. Mittelstaedt strikes out swinging.

Cody Hawn homers (3) on a fly ball to right field. Juan Sanchez scores. Nick Shaw scores.

Miguel Velazquez strikes out swinging.

[Mass Haas]

1B Nick Ramirez is part of the "We the Prospects" blog via MLB.com and provides an update on his comeback from his hamate injury here.

[Mass Haas]

Audio Update — “The Lowdown from Lowe”

 

Today’s pregame interview is with Sounds reliever Johnnie Lowe, who has been with the Sounds/Brewers for just a couple of weeks after spending the first five seasons of his pro career in the White Sox system.

 

Love that Jeff's interviews aren't rushed, he's able to give a lot of depth to the chat process. Interesting perspective in this one from the newcomer to the organization.

 

***

 

Alex Cohen, lead broadcaster for the Huntsville Stars, returns to the Evening Schmooze on 4/30/12

 

This is a pretty neat interview with Alex. He visited with old friends at Indiana University, and shared quite a bit about his new life as the Voice of the Stars in his first chance to call professional baseball. He talks about his relationship with the players and staff among other things. Good stuff...

[Mass Haas]

On Milwaukee: A quick chat with Brewers prospect Mark Rogers

[TheCrew07]

Final: Wisconsin 8, Clinton 2

 

Wisconsin Box Score

I was worried for most of the game that the Rattlers were going to waste a fine effort by Drew Gagnon but they erupted for 7 runs in 8th. Drew didn't even reach his pitch count as he was at around 75 pitches then he was replaced by Kevin Schackelford following the monster T-Rat 8th. Drew's final line 7IP, 3H, 2ER, 0BB and 3Ks, he gave up both those runs on Sac Flies in the 1st and 3rd. Drew and Kevin combined to retire the last 20 batters in a row, it would have been an incredibly quick game if not for the 8th.

 

On the position player side of things tonight turned out to be all about the 5, 6, and 7 hitters in the Ratter line-up. Gregory Hopkins went 3-4 with a HR, Yadiel Rivera went 2-3 with a walk, and finally Ben McMahan went 2-4 and had a huge hit in the 8th inning to get the scoring started. Wisconsin played a clean game defensively (love posting that), Rivera made another couple of a very nice plays, I sure hope he can hit at the upper levels. Rafeal Neda was 0-1 on steal attempts, both Adrian Williams and Rivera got nailed trying to steal bases.

 

I'm sure Chris will cover the rest when the game story and his 9 After 9 pop and his broadcast this evening was pretty entertaining, he was telling stories tonight.

 

Wisconsin Play By Play

Gagnon's runs...

Clinton Bottom of the 1st

• Jamal Austin singles on a line drive to left fielder Ben McMahan.
  With Steven Baron batting, Jamal Austin steals (9) 2nd base.
  Steven Baron grounds out, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to first baseman Gregory Hopkins. Jamal Austin to 3rd.
  Jharmidy De Jesus out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Max Walla. Jamal Austin scores.
  Jabari Blash grounds out, third baseman Brandon Macias to first baseman Gregory Hopkins.

 

Clinton Bottom of the 3rd

• Dillon Hazlett grounds out, second baseman Adrian Williams to first baseman Gregory Hopkins.
  Anthony Phillips doubles (4) on a ground ball to left fielder Ben McMahan.
  Jamal Austin singles on a ground ball to second baseman Adrian Williams. Anthony Phillips to 3rd.
  Steven Baron out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Chadwin Stang. Anthony Phillips scores.
  Jharmidy De Jesus strikes out swinging.

 

The 7 run 8th.

Wisconsin Top of the 8th

• Gregory Hopkins singles on a ground ball to shortstop Anthony Phillips.
  With Yadiel Rivera batting, passed ball by Steven Baron, Gregory Hopkins to 2nd.
  Yadiel Rivera walks.
  Pitcher Change: John Taylor replaces Ambioris Hidalgo.
  Ben McMahan singles on a line drive to center fielder Jamal Austin. Gregory Hopkins scores. Yadiel Rivera to 3rd. Ben McMahan to 2nd on the throw.
  Rafael Neda walks.
  Adrian Williams reaches on force attempt, throwing error by pitcher John Taylor. Yadiel Rivera scores. Ben McMahan scores. Rafael Neda to 3rd. Adrian Williams to 2nd.
  Chadwin Stang called out on strikes.
  Brandon Macias hit by pitch.
  Max Walla grounds into a force out, pitcher John Taylor to catcher Steven Baron. Rafael Neda out at home. Adrian Williams to 3rd. Brandon Macias to 2nd. Max Walla to 1st.
  Jason Rogers singles on a line drive to center fielder Jamal Austin. Adrian Williams scores. Brandon Macias scores. Max Walla to 3rd. Jason Rogers to 2nd on the throw.
  Gregory Hopkins singles on a line drive to center fielder Jamal Austin. Max Walla scores. Jason Rogers scores.
  Pitcher Change: Kyle Hunter replaces John Taylor.
  Yadiel Rivera singles on a ground ball to shortstop Anthony Phillips. Gregory Hopkins to 2nd.
  Ben McMahan singles on a ground ball to third baseman Ramon Morla. Gregory Hopkins to 3rd. Yadiel Rivera to 2nd.
  Rafael Neda flies out to center fielder Jamal Austin.

 

edit. I don't recall ever hearing more train whistles in a broadcast than I did tonight, my goodness they were so loud Chris couldn't even talk at times, I would hate for the T-Rats to have that kind of experience at home, wow.

[TheCrew07]

Final: Chattanooga 10 , Huntsville 5

 

Huntsville Box Score

Evan Anundsen was humming right along looking to match his season high of 6IP on April 27th but it all came apart in the 6th. Anundsen gave up a run on a sac fly and was pulled as he was up against his pitch count, he was relieved by Bradley Blanks who had the worst .1 of an inning from a control standpoint I've seen in a while. 3 hits, 3 runs, and 2 WPs later Eric Marzec replaced Blanks and finally got the last out of the inning. Anundsen's final line after the smoke had cleared turned out to be 5.1IP, 4H 3ER, 2BB, and 1HR allowed against 3SOs having thrown 81 pitches and 47 for strikes. Roque Mercedes followed Marzec and threw more gas on the fire, Roque only has 2 scoreless appearances all year and in his 1.2IP today he gave 5R, 2 earned, on 6(!) hits, a walk, and a HR. R.J Seidel got out of Mercedes' jam in the 8th with a strike out and finished the game off.

 

Kentrail Davis, Hunter Morris, Jay Gibbons, and Josh Prince all had multiple hits plus a double. Although his outing turned sour, Anundsen added a hit of his own going 1-2. Jason Jarmillo had an error and got 1 of 4 would be thieves on the bases.

 

Khris Davis was absent yet again.

 

 

Huntsville Play By Play

The Stars jumped out to a nice 5-1 lead scoring 3 in the 2nd and 2 in the 3rd.

Huntsville Bottom of the 2nd

• Andy Gonzalez walks.
  Hunter Morris strikes out swinging.
  Jay Gibbons singles on a ground ball to center fielder Nick Buss. Andy Gonzalez to 2nd.
  Jason Jaramillo flies out to center fielder Nick Buss. Andy Gonzalez to 3rd.
  Josh Prince singles on a ground ball to left fielder Kyle Russell. Andy Gonzalez scores. Jay Gibbons to 2nd.
  With Evan Anundsen batting, wild pitch by Allen Webster, Jay Gibbons to 3rd. Josh Prince to 2nd.
  Evan Anundsen singles on a ground ball to left fielder Kyle Russell. Jay Gibbons scores. Josh Prince scores.
  Kentrail Davis grounds out, second baseman Rafael Ynoa to first baseman J. T. Wise.

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 3rd

• Jeff Bianchi pops out to first baseman J. T. Wise.
  Scooter Gennett lines out to shortstop Jake Lemmerman.
  Andy Gonzalez singles on a line drive to center fielder Nick Buss.
  Hunter Morris doubles (14) on a fly ball to left fielder Kyle Russell. Andy Gonzalez to 3rd.
  Jay Gibbons doubles (3) on a fly ball to left fielder Kyle Russell. Andy Gonzalez scores. Hunter Morris scores.
  Jason Jaramillo grounds out to first baseman J. T. Wise.

 

The game got ugly in a hurry.

Chattanooga Top of the 6th

• Jake Lemmerman singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jay Gibbons.
  J. T. Wise singles on a fly ball to center fielder Josh Prince. Jake Lemmerman to 3rd.
  Kyle Russell out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Jay Gibbons. Jake Lemmerman scores.
  Pitcher Change: Bradley Blanks replaces Evan Anundsen, batting 9th.
  With Pedro Baez batting, wild pitch by Bradley Blanks, J. T. Wise to 2nd.
  Pedro Baez singles on a line drive to center fielder Josh Prince. J. T. Wise scores.
  Blake Smith singles on a line drive to left fielder Jay Gibbons. Pedro Baez to 2nd.
  Gorman Erickson strikes out swinging.
  With Nick Buss batting, wild pitch by Bradley Blanks, Pedro Baez to 3rd. Blake Smith to 2nd.
  Nick Buss singles on a line drive to left fielder Jay Gibbons. Pedro Baez scores. Blake Smith scores. Nick Buss to 2nd on the throw.
  Pitcher Change: Eric Marzec replaces Bradley Blanks, batting 9th.
  Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Anthony Jackson replaces Allen Webster.
  Anthony Jackson grounds out, third baseman Andy Gonzalez to first baseman Hunter Morris.

 

Chattanooga Top of the 7th

• Pitcher Change: Roque Mercedes replaces Eric Marzec, batting 6th, replacing left fielder Jay Gibbons.
  Lee Haydel remains in the game as the left fielder.
  Rafael Ynoa singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jeff Bianchi, deflected by pitcher Roque Mercedes.
  Jake Lemmerman bunt pops out to catcher Jason Jaramillo in foul territory.
  With J. T. Wise batting, Rafael Ynoa steals (7) 2nd base.
  J. T. Wise grounds out, shortstop Jeff Bianchi to first baseman Hunter Morris.
  Kyle Russell singles on a line drive to right fielder Kentrail Davis. Rafael Ynoa scores.
  Pedro Baez flies out to center fielder Josh Prince.

 

Chattanooga Top of the 8th

• Blake Smith homers (4) on a fly ball to center field.
  Gorman Erickson singles on a line drive to right fielder Kentrail Davis.
  With Nick Buss batting, wild pitch by Roque Mercedes, Gorman Erickson to 2nd.
  Nick Buss hits a sacrifice bunt. Throwing error by catcher Jason Jaramillo. Gorman Erickson scores. Nick Buss to 2nd.
  Travis Denker pops out to second baseman Scooter Gennett.
  With Rafael Ynoa batting, Nick Buss caught stealing 3rd base, catcher Jason Jaramillo to third baseman Andy Gonzalez.
  Rafael Ynoa walks.
  With Jake Lemmerman batting, Rafael Ynoa steals (8) 2nd base.
  Jake Lemmerman doubles (5) on a ground ball to left fielder Lee Haydel. Rafael Ynoa scores.
  J. T. Wise doubles (8) on a ground ball to left fielder Lee Haydel. Jake Lemmerman scores.
  Pitcher Change: R. J. Seidel replaces Roque Mercedes, batting 4th.
  Defensive Substitution: Matt Cline replaces pitcher Roque Mercedes, batting 6th, playing third base.
  Kyle Russell strikes out swinging.

[TheCrew07]

Big eighth drives Rattlers to fourth straight win

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

CLINTON, IA - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers broke up a pitching duel with a seven run eighth inning on Thursday night as Ashford University Field. Wisconsin turned a 2-1 deficit into an 8-2 victory over the Clinton LumberKings. Greg Hopkins had three hits and three RBI on the night for the Rattlers offense and pitcher Drew Gagnon turned in seven more strong innings to get his third win of the season.

 

Clinton (10-16) did something no team had done to Gagnon since April 12. They scored a run. Jamal Austin started the bottom of the first with a single, stole second, and went to third on a ground out. A sacrifice fly by Jharmidy DeJesus plated Austin for a 1-0 lead.

 

Wisconsin (16-11) did not have to work as hard to get their run in the top of the second. Hopkins drove a 3-2 pitch from Ambioris Hidalgo over the wall in left-center for his second home run of the season. The solo homer by the Rattlers first baseman tied the game 1-1.

 

Clinton retook the lead in the bottom of the third. They had runners at first and third with one out and a sacrifice fly by Steve Baron got the go ahead run home for the LumberKings.

 

That was it for the LumberKings. Including Baron, Gagnon retired the last 14 batters he faced. But, the Rattlers could do nothing against Hidalgo. Until the eighth.

 

Wisconsin trailed 2-1 to start the eighth and Hopkins began the inning with a single. Yadiel Rivera was next and he wanted to drop a sacrifice bunt. But, Hidalgo walked him to put two runners on base with no outs. That ended the night for Hidalgo as Clinton went to side-arming right hander John Taylor.

 

Ben McMahan stepped up and attempted a bunt but fouled it off. The bunt play was taken off and McMahan delivered a sharp single to center to score Hopkins with the tying run. The throw to the plate missed the cutoff man and that allowed Rivera to take third and McMahan to take second. That was just the start.

 

Taylor walked Neda to load the bases and Adrian Williams came to the plate. The Rattlers second baseman sent a high chopper up the third base line. Taylor fielded the ball cleanly and had a chance to get Rivera at the plate. But, the throw home was wild. Both Rivera and McMahan scored. Neda wound up on third and Williams was standing on second with Wisconsin up 4-2. One out later, Brandon Macias was hit by a pitch to reload the bases.

 

After Max Walla grounded into a force play at the plate recorded the second out of the eighth, Jason Rogers stepped in with the bases loaded. He worked the count to 3-2 before lining a single to center that knocked in two runs. The throw home missed the cutoff man again and Rogers wound up on second base as Walla took third.

 

That brought Hopkins to the plate for the second time in the inning and he drove in two more runs with a single and the Rattlers were comfortably in front 8-2.

 

Kevin Shackelford replaced Gagnon in the bottom of the eighth a took over right where the Rattlers starter left the game by retiring all six batters he faced. In all, Rattlers pitchers retired the last twenty LumberKings batters in the game.

 

The win was the fourth straight for the Rattlers and moved their record to 16-11, a season high five games over .500. The win, coupled with Beloit (15-11) having their game suspended in the third inning in Cedar Rapids, put the Rattlers alone in first place in the Western Division for the first time since the 2005 season.

 

The final game of the three game series is Friday night at Ashford University Field. Mark Williams (0-3, 3.47) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Clinton counters with Stephen Landazuri (3-0, 1.86). 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.

 

HOME RUN:

WIS:

Greg Hopkins (2nd, 0 on in 2nd inning off Ambioris Hidalgo, 1 out)

 

WP: Drew Gagnon (3-0)

LP: Ambioris Hidalgo (1-3)

 

TIME: 2:20

ATTN: 57

[Tedaldtada]

Sounds Lose Series Finale To Omaha, 3-1

05/03/2012 11:43 PM ET

Nashville Sounds

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Sounds' attempt to record a sweep of division-leading Omaha was thwarted as on Thursday evening as Nashville fell 3-1 to the Storm Chasers at Greer Stadium.

Nashville (8-18) took three of the four during the series, however, and have won four of their last five contests as they prepare to embark upon their third road trip of the season.

 

Omaha right-hander Vin Mazzaro (1-0) held the Sounds to one run on five hits while striking out seven in seven innings to record his first victory. Francisley Bueno took over and closed out the contest with a pair of hitless frames, striking out four, to close out the win and earn his second save.

 

Nashville did not have an at-bat with a runner in scoring position all evening and left only one runner on base as Omaha hurlers recorded 11 strikeouts and the Storm Chasers' defense turned a pair of double plays.

 

The Sounds took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when designated hitter Erick Almonte drew a leadoff walk from Mazzaro and scored when Caleb Gindl followed with an RBI double that struck the base of the wall in center field. Gindl was out on a rundown on the play, however, after taking too wide a turn past second.

 

The visitors knotted the game in the top of the fourth when first baseman Clint Robinson's double to the left-center wall plated Johnny Giavotella, who had opened the frame by drawing a walk from Sounds starter Mike Fiers.

 

Fiers turned in his second consecutive quality start for the Sounds but took another no-decision . The right-hander allowed only one run on six hits over six innings to lower his ERA to 3.99 on the year. He deftly worked out of second and third, one-out jams in scoreless fashion twice in the contest to keep Nashville in the game.

 

Omaha pulled in front, 3-1, in the seventh against Sounds reliever Amaury Rivas. Storm Chasers catcher Cody Clark drove the right-hander's second offering over the left field foul pole for his third home run of the season to put the visitors ahead. Later in the frame, Giavotella slammed an RBI double off the left field wall to drive in Derrick Robinson up the Omaha lead to two.

 

Rivas (1-1) was saddled with the loss for the Sounds after giving up two runs on five hits in his two innings of work. Like Fiers, he also successfully worked out of a jam in his second frame of action after placing runners on second and third with only one out.

 

The Sounds travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico tomorrow to begin a four-game road series with an 8:05 p.m. contest. Right-hander Seth McClung (0-2, 8.10) mans the bump for Nashville and will face Isotopes right-hander Stephen Fife (2-2, 7.25).

[Tedaldtada]

Omaha (Royals) 3 Nashville 1

 

Box Score

 

Vin Mazzaro and Mike Fiers dueled to start this game. Mazzaro, once seen as a potential #2-3 starting pitcher, is trying to earn himself a spot in the MLB rotation. He made a strong case today.

 

Fiers had one of his better starts. 6 IP 6 H 1 R 1 ER 2 BB 4 K 7:5 GO:FO. Amaury Rivas was nicked up for the deciding runs.

 

The only XBH belonged to Caleb Gindl (1-3 2B). (Audio attached to link)

 

The big news is that Taylor Green (1-3) started at 1B. At the same time, this is terrible news for Sean Halton's (DNP) 2012 big league prospects.

 

Game Log

 

Gindl gotten by a intelligent cut call.

 

Nashville Bottom of the 2nd

 

Erick Almonte walks.

Caleb Gindl doubles (4) on a fly ball to center fielder Jason Bourgeois. Erick Almonte scores. Caleb Gindl out at 3rd on the throw, center fielder Jason Bourgeois to shortstop Anthony Seratelli to third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff to first baseman Clint Robinson to third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff.

Eric Farris lines out to left fielder Derrick Robinson.

Corey Patterson flies out to center fielder Jason Bourgeois

 

Gameday