Link Report for Thurs. 5/10 -- Stars win to grab division lead; Sounds walk off

[Mass Haas]

Nashville is also knotted 2-2 late, in the 9th, (so we'll give Jeff some audio love as well, it's 9:55 Central); anyway, it's nice to see some things never change:

 

Col. Springs Top of the 8th

 

Tommy Field singles on a line drive to center fielder Logan Schafer.

Chad Tracy lines out to left fielder Corey Patterson.

Brandon Roberts walks. Tommy Field to 2nd.

Wil Nieves grounds into double play, first baseman Sean Halton to shortstop Jeff Bianchi to pitcher Johnnie Lowe. Brandon Roberts out at 2nd.

[TheCrew07]

Bandits blast two homers to beat Wisconsin

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Quad Cities River Bandits got a pair of two-run home runs early in Thursday's game against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Starting pitcher Sam Gaviglio made those runs stand as the River Bandits topped the Rattlers 5-3 at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

 

Quad Cities (18-16) took the lead on two pitches in the top of the second. Anthony Garcia singled on the first pitch of the inning from Wisconsin starter David Goforth. Juan Castillo lined the next pitch over the wall in left for a two-run homer and a 2-0 lead.

 

Wisconsin (21-13) took advantage of the Bandits throwing the ball around the field in the bottom of the third. Yadiel Rivera reached on a hit batsman to start the inning. He was at second with two out. Then, Brandon Macias drove him in with a single to left.

 

The throw home allowed Macias to take second and the fact that the throw got by the catcher let Macias break for third. Gaviglio, who was backing up the play, fired wildly and the ball wound up in left field again. Macias trotted home with the tying run.

 

But, the River Bandits struck against Goforth again in the top of the fourth. Castillo drew a leadoff walk. Luis Mateo was next and his line drive barely cleared the 16' high wall in left-center. It was enough to put Quad Cities up 4-2.

 

Wisconsin had Gaviglio in trouble in the sixth inning as they had two on with no outs. But, Gaviglio escaped with a double play and a fly ball to center for the final out.

 

Quad Cities added an insurance run in the top of the eighth with a sacrifice fly by Nick Martini. The run off Rattlers reliever Chad Pierce put the Bandits up 5-2.

 

Heath Wyatt came into the game for the ninth and almost let the Rattlers back into it. Wyatt walked the first two batters he faced. That brought Nick Ramirez, who was making his 2012 debut for the Rattlers, to the plate as they tying run. Ramirez drove the ball deep to center, but the ball did not carry and Martini made the catch on the warning track. Greg Hopkins drove in a run with a grounder, but that was the second out of the inning. Wyatt got the final out on a tapper back to the mound and the Bandits held on for the 5-3 win.

 

The final game of the series - and the homestand - is Friday night. Jacob Barnes (1-1, 1.72) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. Dail Villanueva (3-1, 2.97) is scheduled to start for Quad Cities. Game time is 6:35pm.

 

Friday is a North Shore Bank Family night. Children 12 and under eat free. After the game, children 14 and under may to participate in Kids Run the Bases presented by Jernegan's Health Mart.

 

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:15pm. Friday's game is also available on MiLB.TV.

 

HOME RUNS:

QC:

Juan Castillo (4th, 1 on in 2nd inning off David Goforth, 0 out)

Luis Mateo (4th, 1 on in 4th inning off David Goforth, 0 out)

 

WP: Sam Gaviglio (2-2)

LP: David Goforth (3-2)

SAVE: Heath Wyatt (5)

 

TIME: 2:29

ATTN: 2,567

[Tedaldtada]

Nashville 4 Colorado Springs (Rockies) 3

 

Box Score

 

Walk off at Greer! Corey Patterson, who did not start in the game, singled in Eric Farris.

 

Mark Rogers is still dealing with his old skeletons. It really should be expected though, he did basically miss all of last season. Look for Mark to take small steps. Johnnie Lowe came in held them. Mike McClendon blew the ninth inning save. Is there no one else Nashville can turn to?

 

Caleb Gindl left the game early after a fly out with the hero Patterson replacing him. Martin Madonaldo committed an error and picked off a runner while allowing 1 of 2 steal attempts to be successful.

 

Game Log

 

Eric Farris made this happen.

 

Nashville Bottom of the 9th

Pitcher Change: Edgmer Escalona replaces Josh Outman, batting 9th.

Hainley Statia grounds out, pitcher Edgmer Escalona to first baseman Chad Tracy.

Eric Farris singles on a fly ball to center fielder Brandon Roberts.

With Martin Maldonado batting, Eric Farris steals (9) 2nd base.

Martin Maldonado grounds out, second baseman DJ LeMahieu to first baseman Chad Tracy. Eric Farris to 3rd.

Corey Patterson singles on a bunt ground ball to second baseman DJ LeMahieu. Eric Farris scores..

 

Gameday

[Mass Haas]

Caleb Gindl left the game early after a fly out with the hero Patterson replacing him.

 

Fortunately, looks to be a standard double-switch to allow Johnnie Lowe to go multiple innings.

 

***

 

FYI, Hunter Morris' Huntsville HBP departure appears to be precautionary, Alex Cohen wasn't able to tell if he was hit directly in the back or whether it got Hunter's elbow first.

[TheCrew07]

Final: Huntsville 3, Jackson 2 (11 Innings)

 

Huntsville Box Score

Well the last 4 innings were pretty entertaining, the Stars have won 4 in a row and are now in sole possession of 1st place. Alex was right when he said the Stars were fortunate Heckathorn pitched so well yesterday which left a well rested pen tonight. Josh Stinson went 5 innings giving up 6H, 2ER, 2BB, and 1WP against 2SOs and unfortunately he didn't get to bat because of the DH in AL affiliate ballparks. Eric Marzec followed Stinson and pitched his best in a while, going 3 full innings allowing just 1 walk while he struck out 1. Rob Wooten came on for the 9th and 10th giving up 2H and 2BB with 2SO. R.J. Seidel finished it off with a walk and strike out in the 11th for his first save.

 

Jason Jarmillo, Jay Gibbons, Lee Haydel, and Juan Sanchez each had 2 hits a piece while Haydel and Sanchez each added a double. However, no hit was bigger than Domnit Bolivar's game winning single. The Star did commit 2 throwing errors by Scooter Gennett and Sanchez though Gennett had 1 very nice play in the 4 innings I listened to and finally Jarmillo also added a PB. Haydel had a huge OF assist at 3rd in the 9th to help out Wooten then in the 10th Jarmillo and Wooten combined on a pitch out to erase another runner. Kentrail Davis stole his 4th base of the season and Haydel was caught stealing for the 2nd time.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

Jarmillo was caught in a run down and somehow crawled back to 1st base, everyone including Alex thought he was out. Pankovits spare no one his ire during the course of his exit.

Huntsville Top of the 9th

• Pitcher Change: Carter Capps replaces Jandy Sena.
  Jason Jaramillo singles on a line drive to center fielder Denny Almonte.
  Jay Gibbons strikes out swinging.
  Jackson Generals Manager Jim Pankovits ejected by HP umpire Jay Pierce.
  Domnit Bolivar flies out to right fielder Daniel Carroll.
  Lee Haydel grounds out, second baseman Eric Campbell to first baseman Steven Proscia.

 

Haydel guns the runner at 3rd!

Jackson Bottom of the 9th

• Pitcher Change: Robert Wooten replaces Eric Marzec.
  Steven Proscia strikes out swinging. Passed ball by catcher Jason Jaramillo. Steven Proscia to 1st.
  Jesus Sucre singles on a ground ball to left fielder Lee Haydel. Steven Proscia out at 3rd on the throw, left fielder Lee Haydel to third baseman Matt Cline.
  Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Nick Franklin replaces Jesus Sucre.
  Gabriel Noriega reaches on throwing error by shortstop Juan Sanchez. Nick Franklin to 2nd.
  Francisco Martinez grounds out, third baseman Matt Cline to first baseman Domnit Bolivar. Nick Franklin to 3rd. Gabriel Noriega to 2nd.
  Daniel Carroll called out on strikes.

 

The perfectly timed pitch out.

Jackson Bottom of the 10th

• Joseph Dunigan singles on a ground ball to second baseman Scooter Gennett.
  With Eric Campbell batting, Joseph Dunigan caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Jason Jaramillo to shortstop Juan Sanchez to first baseman Domnit Bolivar.
  Eric Campbell walks.
  Denny Almonte walks. Eric Campbell to 2nd.
  Chris Pettit pops out to first baseman Domnit Bolivar on the infield fly rule.
  Steven Proscia lines out to center fielder Josh Prince.

 

The game winning rally, thankfully the 1 run held up.

Huntsville Top of the 11th

• Pitcher Change: Yoervis Medina replaces Carter Capps.
  Scooter Gennett singles on a line drive to left fielder Chris Pettit.
  Matt Cline out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Ralph Henriquez to first baseman Steven Proscia. Scooter Gennett to 2nd.
  Jason Jaramillo singles on a ground ball to right fielder Daniel Carroll. Scooter Gennett to 3rd.
  Yoervis Medina intentionally walks Jay Gibbons. Jason Jaramillo to 2nd.
  Domnit Bolivar singles on a ground ball to left fielder Chris Pettit. Scooter Gennett scores. Jason Jaramillo to 3rd. Jay Gibbons to 2nd.
  Lee Haydel flies out to center fielder Denny Almonte.
  Juan Sanchez strikes out swinging.

 

Seidel has been better in a relief than he was a starter, maybe he can make a career out of the pen. Gennett made a real nice backhanded play deep in the hole and thankfully the C was running.

Jackson Bottom of the 11th

• Pitcher Change: R. J. Seidel replaces Robert Wooten.
  Ralph Henriquez grounds out, second baseman Scooter Gennett to first baseman Domnit Bolivar.
  Gabriel Noriega called out on strikes.
  Francisco Martinez walks.
  With Daniel Carroll batting, Francisco Martinez steals (13) 2nd base.
  Daniel Carroll lines out to third baseman Matt Cline.

[TheCrew07]

Chris Mehring's Nine after 9 for May 10, 2012

[TheCrew07]

Taillon cruises in Marauders' rout

Pirates' top prospect throws six scoreless for second win

By Danny Wild / MLB.com

 

http://www.milb.com/images/2012/05/10/h8gMUrIP.jpg

Jameson Taillon has 36 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings for Bradenton. (Bradenton Marauders)

 

There were two Taillons in the ballpark Thursday night, and for Clearwater, one was more than enough to handle.

 

Jameson Taillon gave his father plenty to cheer about in his seventh start, pitching six dominant innings as Class A Advanced Bradenton backed its starter at the plate in a 16-3 rout of Clearwater at McKechnie Field.

 

"It was his first time seeing me pitch in a while," Taillon said of his dad, Michael, who was in Bradenton for the week. "So he got to see me, which is cool, and I'm glad he got to see me on a good night."

 

Of course, the way Taillon is pitching, every night has been a good one. The Pittsburgh's No. 1 prospect, sporting a throwback Pirates-inspired Marauders cap, struck out three, walked one and held the Phillies affiliate to five hits over six shutout frames for his second win. Pittsburgh's first-round pick from 2010 has held opponents to six runs and has 36 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings this year.

 

Dan Grovatt, Wes Freeman and Stefan Welch all went deep Thursday, and when Taillon finally took a seat after six innings, the Marauders owned a 14-0 lead.

 

"It's nice, but it's also kind of one of those things where you gotta keep throwing, you gotta keep doing your thing," Taillon said. "The only things I did differently pitching with a lead, I just went out and attacked with my fastball, used my chanegup and curve a little. But mostly commanding the fastball, there was no need to go to anything else. I stuck with that and it worked."

 

Taillon's aforementioned fastball is of the 95- to 97-mph variety, and it's occasionally touched 99. Combine that with a 12-to-6 curve and Taillon's latest weapon, a changeup, and you've got a lot of frustrated Florida State League batters.

 

The changeup specifically has been a new one for the Woodlands, Texas native, who was essentially dared to work it into his arsenal this winter.

 

"I took everyone's word on it -- the change is a third pitch -- but my pitching coach in Spring Training challenged me to start throwing it," Taillon said. "The best way to gain confidence it to throw it, and that's what I've been doing. I definitely see it as an out pitch."

 

Taillon said he threw 68 pitches Thursday as opposed to Clearwater starter Brody Colvin, who hurled 104 and was tagged with 12 earned runs over 5 1/3 innings.

 

"I'm still throwing a lot of changeups actually, and I can count about six or seven swing-throughs on that tonight, got a couple ground balls, a ground-ball double play," Taillon said. "So I'm getting a lot of outs out of it and that's giving me confidence."

 

Clearwater stranded a runner in the first when Taillon struck out Edgar Duran and Brandon Tripp around a one-out walk to Carlos Alonso. He whiffed Anthony Hewitt before fielding a comebacker from Chris Duffy to end the second, erased Miguel Alvarez's leadoff single in the third with an inning-ending double play and worked a 1-2-3 fourth.

 

Taillon escaped a jam in the fifth when Clearwater loaded the bases on three singles, but with two outs, Duran's single to the left side actually hit the baserunner from second, Anthony Hewitt, who was called out to end the inning. An inning later, Taillon fielded a comebacker and started a double play following a single to wrap up the sixth.

 

"It's nice to be able to go deeper into the game. That's one of my main goals, to be the guy they hand the ball to and eat innings," said the 6-foot-6 right-hander. "To be the guy they hand the ball to in big games. I'm not too sure what [Pittsburgh's] plans are, but it's nice to go six innings, and I think I had about 68 pitches through six.

 

"I feel like I could have kept going and gone back out there, but I think later down the road, [the pitch counts] might open up a bit."

 

As for the Marauders lineup, the barrage of runs began in the sixth when two walks and a wild pitch led to three consecutive singles, a passed ball, another single and a three-run homer by Grovatt to cap a seven-run outburst.

 

"It was fun, our offense has been swinging a hot stick lately. We've been killing the ball," said Taillon. "The main thing is we're seeing pitches, working the count and it's a lot fun to be a part of."

 

And somewhere in the stands, the elder Taillon had a smile on his face too.

 

"He saw me throw once or twice last year in the Minors, but this was definitely a good start," Taillon said. "It's always fun to have him in the stands."

[Mass Haas]

Lots of buzz (pun intended) about moths in pitcher's ears last night from the Huntsville game. Following the player's twitter list thread, it seems like R.J. Seidel may have been the big victim. Pretty fun stuff from a team obviously in a good mood despite the long middle of the night bus ride home.

[Mass Haas]

Sounds Walk Off Against Sox On Patterson Bunt

Nashville Sounds

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Corey Patterson's two-out drag bunt single plated Eric Farris with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning and gave the Nashville Sounds a dramatic 4-3 victory over Colorado Springs on Thursday evening at Greer Stadium.

 

Nashville (11-22) recorded its second straight last at-bat win and sixth overall last at-bat triumph of the year.

 

After the Sounds blew a 3-2 lead in the top of the frame, Farris got things started in the home half of the ninth with a one-out single to center off Sky Sox reliever Edgmer Escalona then promptly stole second, his team-leading ninth theft of the year in 11 attempts. After Martin Maldonado advanced Farris to third with a groundout, Patterson stepped into the batter's box and laid down a perfectly-executed bunt to the right of the mound on the first offering he saw from the right-hander, netting the game-winner in walkoff fashion (audio).

 

Colorado Springs third baseman Brendan Harris put the visitors on the board with a two-out solo homer off Sounds starter Mark Rogers in the top of the first inning. The blast to left was the infielder's second big fly of the year.

 

The Sounds tied the contest at 1-1 in the home half of the first when Logan Schafer led off with a single against Sky Sox starter Rob Scahill and later scored on Sean Halton's bases-loaded sacrifice fly.

 

Farris kept the game deadlocked in the top of the third when his diving, over-the-shoulder catch of a two-out Brandon Wood blooper in shallow right field left the bags full of Sky Sox (audio).

 

The Sounds pulled ahead, 2-1, in the fourth on their second sacrifice fly of the night. With runners on the corners and one out, Maldonado lifted a fly ball to right field that plated Halton from third just before Farris was doubled off first as the Sky Sox completed a rare sacrifice fly double play.

 

Colorado Springs evened the game in the fifth against Rogers. Ex-Sound Hernan Iribarren drew a leadoff walk and stole second, moving to third on the play when Maldonado's throw to second one-hopped the bag and caromed off shortstop Jeff Bianchi's knee into right field. D.J. LeMahieu followed with an RBI infield single.

 

Nashville took the lead with an unearned run against rehabbing Sky Sox hurler Josh Outman in the bottom of the eighth. Pinch-hitter Erick Almonte led off with a single up the middle, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. With two outs, Outman threw a ball in the dirt which eluded catcher Wil Nieves, who recovered to make a throw back to the plate as Almonte raced home. However, Outman dropped the ball, allowing Almonte to score the go-ahead run for a 3-2 Nashville lead (audio).

 

Colorado Springs evened the contest once again with an unearned run of their own in the top of the ninth against Sounds reliever Mike McClendon (2-2), who suffered a blown save but backed into the win following the late Sounds rally. Pinch-hitter Matt McBride hit a high chopper to third base to open the frame and reached when Hainley Statia booted the ball, was sacrificed to second on a first-pitch bunt by Iribarren, and scored when LeMahieu followed with a first-pitch, game-tying RBI single to center.

 

Statia singled in the fourth inning to extend the Sounds' longest active hitting streak to six games. The infielder has hit safely in nine of his last 10 contests.

 

The teams wrap up the series with a 7:05 p.m. finale on Friday evening. Right-hander Wily Peralta (1-2, 3.55), the Brewers' top prospect, takes the hill for the Sounds to face Colorado Springs right-hander Edgar Gonzalez (1-1, 4.91).

[Mass Haas]

Another stellar game summary from the best staff in the business in Nashville. I did mention to them there was no love within it, however, for Johnnie Lowe's three shutout innings, and Johnnie and his 0.00 ERA will now get a special section within tonight's media notes instead .

[Mass Haas]

Brevard County's rally falls short against St. Lucie

Brooks Hall fans five in five frames in first start of 2012

By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees

 

VIERA, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees had the tying run on second base in the ninth inning but were unable to extend the game as their rally fell short in a 4-3 loss to the St. Lucie Mets on Thursday night at Space Coast Stadium.

 

Down 4-1 heading into the bottom of the ninth, Cody Hawn led the inning off with a walk. Then after back-to-back strikeouts by Shawn Zarraga and Mike Walker, Shea Vucinich doubled to left to put runners on second and third.

 

St. Lucie then brought in their closer and former Manatee, Adrian Rosario to try and put out the fire. The first batter he faced was Scott Krieger, who drew a walk to load the bases.

 

Franklin Romero Jr. then stepped up and deposited a single into left field to score both Hawn and Vucinich and cut St. Lucie's lead to 4-3. The rally would end though with Nick Shaw at the plate as he grounded out to second to end the game as Brevard County's record dropped to 7-9 in one-run games.

 

Brooks Hall (0-1, 1.98) got his first start of the season for the 'Tees and had a solid outing as went five innings and allowed one run on three hits. He walked just one and struck out five. That one run allowed came on a two-out double by Blake Forsythe that scored Richard Lucas in the top of the second to give St. Lucie a 1-0 lead.

 

The Manatees (14-20) were unable to push a run across against St. Lucie starter and 2007 MLB All-Star Chris Young. The 32-year-old Major League veteran threw five shutout innings.

 

Brevard County tied the game right away when his replacement, Hamilton Bennett entered the game in the sixth. T.J. Mittelstaedt took the first pitch of the inning from the St. Lucie (27-7) reliever and took it for a ride over the right field fence for a solo homer, his third of the season.

 

Brandon Williamson (0-2, 4.76) relieved Hall in the sixth and in the seventh the Mets scored two runs on him on two hits and an error to take a 3-1 lead. Mets designated hitter Daniel Muno added an insurance run as he took Williamson deep for a solo shot with two outs in the top of the ninth.

 

The 'Tees will look to earn a split in their four-game set with St. Lucie as the series wraps up on Friday night at 6:35 PM (5:35 Central).

 

2011 first round draft pick Taylor Jungmann (2-3, 2.93) will toe the rubber for Brevard County. Jungmann is in search for his first victory since April 10.

 

St. Lucie will send righty Cory Mazzoni (3-0, 3.00) to the bump. The Mets drafted Mazzoni in the second round of the 2011 draft and Baseball America lists him as Mets' 13th ranked prospect.

 

In his first start of the 2012 season, Brooks Hall went five innings and allowed one run on three hits, while striking out five. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

 

http://www.milb.com/images/2012/05/10/XEWa3pqD.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Yet another Hunter Morris HBP update -- did get his hand after all, but appears minor, day-to-day for now.

[Mass Haas]

Just guessing that outside of the Appleton Post-Crescent home newspaper coverage (and even they took most of this most recent series off), the Brewers organization may have the weakest newspaper presence in all of MLB among the four full-season teams.

 

Nashville has two papers (the Tennessean and the City Paper) that mainly ignore the club, perhaps five feature stories all season.

 

The Huntsville Times' online presence is so weak that we salivate when their senior columnist Mark McCarter jumps in occasionally to throw us one of his well-crafted stories.

 

And down in Melbourne, Florida Today (which surprised us with some decent stuff in 2011), has yet to file a single feature on this year's Manatees.

 

Here was today's featured photo:

 

Manny the Manatee will entertain fans at tonight’s game in Viera. / FLORIDA TODAY file

 

http://cmsimg.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A9&Date=20120511&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=305110030&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0&Late-surge-stops-short-Manatees

 

***

 

Fortunately the Helena Independent Record kicks some serious butt with their coverage, so we can look forward to that.

[Mass Haas]

Here's another detailed report (plus audio) from Kyle at BrewCrewBall via his press credentials at Thursday's Rattlers game.