Link Report for Wed. 5/9 -- All About The Schoolkids

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Seth McClung at home vs. Colorado Springs (Rockies), 10:50 AM pre-game, 11:05 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 Kyle Heckathorn at Jackson (Mariners), 10:50 AM pre-game, 11:05 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.

 

**********

 

Brevard County: RHP Hiram Burgos at home vs. St. Lucie (Mets), 9:35 AM gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link -- Select the St. Lucie feed from the MiLB main audio page

 

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.

 

***

 

Wisconsin: RHP Chad Thompson at home vs. Quad Cities (Cardinals), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 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 Wednesday's action as it happens with box score / game log links:

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

[Mass Haas]

STANDINGS:

 

AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division

 

AA - Southern League North Division

 

High-A - Florida State League North Division

 

A - 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]

You may be able to sample some minor league audio today, but with the 12:10 big league Brewers start, the affiliate guys may be battling to gain our full attention this afternoon.

 

On the other hand, Chris Mehring and the Timber Rattler should have our undivided attention tonight.

 

Speaking of the Timber Rattlers, this is your DVR alert, one day in advance. Thursday's 6:35 Wisconsin game will be broadcast on Time Warner Cable Sports 32. The Brewers are idle on Thursday, so once again, the T-Rats should have a large audience (RHP David Goforth makes the start under the TV's glare.)

[Mass Haas]

Manatees' Hiram Burgos with a 1-2-3 1st in this very early broadcast (9:30 AM Central).

 

The St. Lucie announcer needs to catch his breath, but is fine otherwise.

 

Can't complain about mid-morning affiliate entertainment.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes

 

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Huntsville Media Notes

 

***

 

Audio Update from Music City — “Blurbs from (Jeff) Bianchi”

 

Jeff Hem's note -- Today’s interview is with former Royals minor leaguer, Jeff Bianchi, who joined the Sounds from Double-A Huntsville three days ago and is 5-for-7 with an RBI with the Sounds. Bianchi spent seven seasons with the Royals before being signed by Milwaukee this past January.

 

***

 

Disciples of Uecker has more on Jeff Bianchi at the tail end of their post here.

[Mass Haas]

Usually in RF, AAA OF Caleb Gindl played LF Tue., CF today; versatility never a bad thing

 

***

 

Josh Prince at SS again for Huntsville -- is the OF experiment over or is this more a byproduct of Jeff Bianchi's promotion to Nashville?

[And That]

The Stars offense is squaring off against Mariners uber-prospect Taijuan Walker.

[Tedaldtada]

What is the deal with Burgos? This is the hottest I have ever seen a Brewers pitcher.

[Mass Haas]

Brevard done in by a former teammate today

[Mass Haas]

Brewers alumni killing the system today:

 

Was a scoreless game in the 7th in Nashville:

 

Col. Springs Top of the 7th

Pitcher Change: Daniel Meadows replaces Seth McClung, batting 9th.

Tommy Field walks.

Brandon Roberts walks. Tommy Field to 2nd.

Pitcher Change: Donovan Hand replaces Daniel Meadows, batting 9th.

Wilkin Castillo out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Donovan Hand to second baseman Eric Farris. Tommy Field to 3rd. Brandon Roberts to 2nd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Brandon Wood replaces Guillermo Moscoso.

Donovan Hand intentionally walks Brandon Wood.

Hernan Iribarren doubles (5) on a line drive to left fielder Jordan Brown. Tommy Field scores. Brandon Roberts scores. Brandon Wood to 3rd.

DJ LeMahieu called out on strikes.

Matt McBride strikes out swinging.

[Tedaldtada]

Loving Heckathorn's start today. If anything, he is viable trade bait now.

[brewmann04]

Trade you have to keep your Pitching . BTW when does this Henderson guy get his turn in the Bullpen.

[Mass Haas]

Wisconsin Media Notes

[markedman5]

I was wondering the same thing about Henderson. He is up to 16 scoreless innings in a row now....it's not like we have a bunch of Chapmans out there......

 

Trade you have to keep your Pitching . BTW when does this Henderson guy get his turn in the Bullpen.

[Mass Haas]

Look for 1B Nick Ramirez to join Wisconsin on Thursday, as per his own tweet.

[Mass Haas]

Utility man Sergio Miranda, released by the Brewers this spring, has found work with the Evansville (IN) Otters of the independent Frontier League.

[wibadgers23]

What is the deal with Burgos? This is the hottest I have ever seen a Brewers pitcher.

 

Yeah, I think it's time for Burgos to get bumped up to Huntsville. He turns 25 in August and pitched in BC all last year.

[jjfanec]

Is Heckathorn getting snubbed as we talk about all the prospects this year? His numbers are really good this year. His overall numbers seem even better than his ERA. 37 K to 7 BB.

[Tedaldtada]

BC doubled up by Mets in Wednesday matinee

05/09/2012 2:00 PM ET

By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees

 

http://www.milb.com/images/2012/05/09/6SqsNGEV.jpg

Hiram Burgos tied a career-high with 10 K's. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

 

VIERA, Fla. - A ten strikeout performance by 'Tees starting pitcher Hiram Burgos wasn't enough for Brevard County as the Manatees fell 4-2 on Wednesday afternoon at Space Coast Stadium to the St. Lucie Mets.

 

Burgos, who came into the game leading the Florida State League in both ERA and WHIP, allowed two runs - one earned - in seven innings of work. He allowed three hits and walked one, while striking out ten St. Lucie hitters. Burgos' (2-1, 0.87) ten strikeouts tied a career-high that he first achieved on July 12, 2010 while with the Helena Brewers against the Billings Mustangs.

 

The Manatees (14-19) gave Burgos run support early as they scored two runs in the first three innings off of St. Lucie's starter, Jenrry Mejia, who was making his first rehab appearance since having Tommy John surgery last season.

 

Both Brevard County runs were driven in by Cody Hawn, who singled home Reggie Keen with a RBI single in the first and scored Keen again in the third on a sacrifice fly to left.

 

The runs off of Mejia were all that the 'Tees would get as Angel Cuan piggybacked Mejia and threw three scoreless innings and former Manatee Adrian Rosario shut the door on his former squad in the ninth to earn his ninth save of the season.

 

Brandon Kintzler drew the loss for Brevard as St. Lucie (26-7) scored the go-ahead run on him in the eighth, as Kintzler allowed two hits and two walks in the frame.

 

Offensively, the 'Tees managed just five hits and went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Nick Shaw went 0-for-3 snapping his streak of reaching base in consecutive games at 24.

 

Brevard County and St. Lucie will face-off on Thursday night at 6:35 p.m. for the third game of their four-game set.

 

For the Manatees, it will be Brooks Hall (!) (0-1, 2.08) getting his first start of the season. Hall spent the first two weeks of the season on the disabled list and has made three relief appearances since being activated off the DL on April 22. He will be piggybacked by Brandon Williamson (0-1, 4.85).

 

For St. Lucie, they are expected to send 2007 Major League All-Star Chris Young to the mound. The 32-year-old righty signed a minor league contract with the Mets in the offseason and is recovering from a torn anterior capsule in his shoulder.

 

Young has started 139 games in eight big league season and at six feet ten inches tall, stands as one of the tallest players in baseball history. He is a former Manatee as he went 5-2 with a 1.62 ERA in eight starts back in 2003 when Brevard County was affiliated with the Montreal Expos.

 

Box Score

 

So what are the possible reasons that Burgos has been this good?

 

1. He is taking advantage of much weaker competition as he repeats the FSL.

2. Nothing is different, he is just in the zone as they say.

3. Something is different with his repertoire. Either his stuff has improved or his already plus command and control has taken another step forward.

4. Last year was the outlier. He was injured or ineffective and because of that he unperformed.

 

Am I missing any? It is probably a mixture of all of them. Final line tonight: 7 IP 3 H 2 R 1 ER 1 BB 10 K 1 HR Balk 6:3 GO:FO

 

Brandon Kinzler and perpetual Moniker Madness entrant Stosh Wawrzasek could not keep it tied and that is a bad thing with this offense.

 

Nick Shaw's meaningless streak is over at 24.

 

Game Log

 

Four perfect innings for Burgos (1, 5, 6, and 7)

 

An old friend.

 

Brevard County Bottom of the 9th

 

Pitcher Change: Adrian Rosario replaces Angel Cuan.

Cody Hawn walks.

With Shawn Zarraga batting, Cody Hawn advances to 2nd on a balk.

Shawn Zarraga flies out to center fielder Cesar Puello.

Michael Walker strikes out swinging.

Shea Vucinich called out on strikes.

[Tedaldtada]

Is Heckathorn getting snubbed as we talk about all the prospects this year? His numbers are really good this year. His overall numbers seem even better than his ERA. 37 K to 7 BB.

 

I know I had not lost all faith. His stuff is finally producing the results it should. Congrats to Kyle for his early success.

[Tedaldtada]

Six-Run Eighth Inning Gives Sounds 6-2 Victory Over Colorado Springs

05/09/2012 3:28 PM ET

Nashville Sounds

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds beat the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, 6-2, thanks to a six-run eighth inning in front of a season-high 9,180 screaming kids at Greer Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

 

The six runs scored in the home half of the eighth was the most scored by Nashville (10-22) in an inning this season, and also gave the club its fifth last at-bat victory.

 

In a no-decision, Sounds starter Seth McClung authored his best pitching performance of the season against the Sky Sox. The 31-year old gave up two hits and walked three while striking out six over six innings of shutout ball.

 

McClung allowed a single to former Sound Hernan Iribarren followed by a walk to DJ LeMahieu to open the contest, then sat down the next 13 straight Sky Sox hitters. The 13 consecutive hitters retired set a new Sounds season high by a pitcher, one more than Wily Perlta sat down On Opening Night on April 5 at New Orleans.

 

Colorado Springs starter Guillermo Moscoso matched McClung by holding the Sounds to two hits through six innings, both doubles to Corey Patterson and Sean Halton.

 

Colorado Springs broke through to score its only runs in the top of the seventh. Left-hander Dan Meadows entered the game in relief of McClung and walked the only two batters he faced on nine pitches. Donovan Hand intentionally walked pinch hitter Brandon Wood to load the bases and face Iribarren, who crushed a two-run double off the base of the left field wall.

 

Nashville batted around for the first time this season to plated all six runs in the bottom of the eighth. Second baseman Eric Farris led off with a base hit to stop a string of 16 Sounds retired in a row by Moscoso and reliever Mike Ekstrom. Farris stole second on his team-leading 8th swipe, advanced to third on a Halton single, and scored on a Paul Phillips RBI single.

 

After pinch hitter Hainley Statia hit a bunt single to load the bases with no outs, center fielder Caleb Gindl brought home the tying run on a sacrifice fly to center. In the ensuing at-bat, shortstop Jeff Bianchi hit a soft infielder dribbler (Audio) past Ekstrom (1-1) to score Phillips for the go-ahead run.

 

With runners on first and third, outfielder Jordan Brown then hit his first homer of the season (Audio), a wind-aided, three-run shot over the left field wall off reliever Dustin Molleken.

 

Hand pitched a scoreless inning, but allowed both inherited runners to score. Rivas (2-1) earned the victory with a shutout inning. Jim Henderson finished the game without a shutout ninth, extending his shutout streak to a team-leading 16 2/3 innings over nine outings.

 

The Sounds and Sky Sox continue their series at 7:05pm CT on Taco Bell Throwback Thursday at Greer Stadium. Right-hander Mark Rogers (0-2, 4.15) will take the mound against Colorado Springs Rob Scahill (3-3, 6.00).

 

Box Score

 

Dude, how fun must that have been for those kids? If you ever get the chance to take a kid to a game, do it.

 

A 6-run bottom of the 8th to win it for the Sounds. Jeff Bianchi (1-4) hit it where they weren't for the go ahead run and Jordan Brown (1-4 HR) wall scraped a three-run two-out bomb in the 8th.

 

Seth McClung, with six scoreless, made me look like a jerk for my sarcastic remark yesterday. Well done, Big Red. Amaury Rivas was the benefactor of the offensive explosion as he squeezed out a W with a scoreless inning of work. Jim Henderson is still MR. 0.00. Logan Schafer did not start, but he did PH. Caleb Gindl is searching for answers still.

 

Game Log

Wall-o-text

 

Nashville Bottom of the 8th

 

Eric Farris singles on a ground ball to left fielder Andrew Brown.

With Sean Halton batting, Eric Farris steals (8) 2nd base.

Sean Halton singles on a ground ball to left fielder Andrew Brown. Eric Farris to 3rd.

Paul Phillips singles on a line drive to right fielder Hernan Iribarren. Eric Farris scores. Sean Halton to 2nd.

Defensive switch from right field to center field for Hernan Iribarren.

Defensive switch from first base to right field for Matt McBride.

Pitcher Change: Dustin Molleken replaces Mike Ekstrom, batting 7th.

Defensive Substitution: Chad Tracy replaces pitcher Mike Ekstrom, batting 9th, playing first base.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Hainley Statia replaces Amaury Rivas.

Hainley Statia singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Dustin Molleken. Sean Halton to 3rd. Paul Phillips to 2nd.

Corey Patterson flies out to left fielder Andrew Brown.

Caleb Gindl out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Hernan Iribarren. Sean Halton scores. Paul Phillips to 3rd. Hainley Statia to 2nd on the throw.

Jeff Bianchi singles on a ground ball to shortstop Tommy Field. Paul Phillips scores. Hainley Statia to 3rd.

Jordan Brown homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Hainley Statia scores. Jeff Bianchi scores.

Andy Gonzalez flies out to left fielder Andrew Brown.

 

Gameday

[Tedaldtada]

Six-Run, 8th Inning Rally Drops Sky Sox, 6-2

05/09/2012 3:00 PM ET

 

Nashville, TN - The Nashville Sounds rallied for six runs in the eighth inning as they came from behind to beat the Colorado Springs Sky Sox 6-2 on Wednesday afternoon at Herschel Greer Stadium. The Sounds' victory evens the four-game series at a game each.

 

Both teams struggled to generate offense early as starters Guillermo Moscoso and Seth McClung each held the other scoreless through six innings. Moscoso, the Sox starter, gave up a double in the first and second innings but that was it for the day as he stymied the Nashville hitters. In his six innings of work Moscoso walked none and struck out three in his first start since being optioned down by the Rockies.

 

In the seventh, the Sky Sox would break through against the Sounds bullpen as they plated two runs on a one-out, bases load double by outfielder Hernan Iribarren. Moscoso was pinch-hit for in the inning despite having thrown just 76 pitches but it paid off as the Sox took the 2-0 lead.

 

In the Nashville half of the inning, Sox righty Mike Ekstrom came on in relief and had a quick 1-2-3 inning and in the process set a Colorado Springs record. The three outs gave him 19.1 scoreless innings to start the season which broke lefty Matt Reynolds' record of 18.2 innings to start the 2009 season.

 

Ekstrom stayed on in the 8th but his record streak would come to an end. The Sounds started the inning with three straight singles to plate a run and chase Ekstrom. Dustin Molleken came on to try and stop the rally but Nashville kept pouring it on as they scored five more runs in the inning with the final blow coming off the bat of Jordan Brown who smacked a wind-aided, three-run homer to left. The hits in the inning were the first of the game for the Sounds since the second inning.

 

The six-run rally made a winner of Amaury Rivas (2-1, 3.86)) who worked a scoreless eighth for Nashville. Ekstrom (1-1, 1.40) picked up his first loss of the season giving up three runs.

 

Game three of the four-game series is set for tomorrow night at 6:05 PM (MDT) with the Sox sending out RH Rob Scahill (3-3, 6.00) to face RH Mark Rogers (0-2, 4.15).