Link Report for Sat. 5/12 -- Wisconsin's Matt Miller continues his mound resurgence

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Saturday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Brian Baker at home vs. Reno (Diamondbacks), 6:20 PM pre-game, 6:35 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 Tyler Thornburg at home vs. Mississippi (Braves), 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.

 

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Brevard County: RHP Jimmy Nelson at Daytona (Cubs), 6:05 PM gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Daytona 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 Matt Miller at Kane County (Royals), 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 Saturday'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]

Nashville Media Notes

[Mass Haas]

Wisconsin Media Notes

[Mass Haas]

There is an availability tonight for some of those who volunteered services earlier this spring to join the fun, it'd be a nice way to dip your toes into the Link Report pool, sorry about the short notice.

 

So if you're reading and can help out with Nashville and Brevard County Saturday night, please post here so we know.

 

It doesn't have to be one of the members I'm listing here, but I am going to link to their offer to help below. If you're a new volunteer, great, just let us know.

 

You all know the basic routine, but if you'd like to put your own unique spin on things, go for it, thanks.

 

homer

 

jjkoestler

 

PrinceFielderx1

 

YoungGeezy

 

First to post letting us know they've got AAA and High-A tonight wins the honor.

 

Thank you !!!!

[homer]

I can do AAA and High A.

 

Be gentle.

[Mass Haas]

Be gentle.

 

Absolutely! Seriously, thanks.

[Mass Haas]

Florida State League team offensive rankings before another stellar (not) offensive output from the Manatees

 

***

 

Rain delay is set to end in Huntsville at 8:30 Central time, so there will be some later-than-usual audio with Tyler Thornburg for us tonight.

 

***

 

Wild one thus far in Nashville. Caleb Gindl has made a pinch-hitting appearnce, so while apparently semi-sidelined for an unknown reason, he's not DL-bound, or so it seems.

 

***

 

Rattlers tied after five at 1-1.

[Mass Haas]

How you pass a rain delay in Huntsville -- nice carpet, looks circa 1985, when Joe Davis was built.

[PrinceFielderx1]

Huntsville was postponed for those who don't know. http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2012_05_12_msbaax_hunaax_1

 

I was really looking forward to Thornburg's 8th start of the season tonight. Oh well, I'll just have to wait a little longer.

 

The Nashville game ended early due to rain. 6-5 Nashville. FYI

[homer]

Final: Nashville 6, Reno 5 (in six innings)

 

Box

 

Sounds Win Rain-Shortened Series Opener Against Reno

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds edged the Reno Aces, 6-5, in a six-inning, rain-shortened opener of a four-game series on Saturday evening at Greer Stadium.

 

At the conclusion of the top of the sixth inning, the game went into a rain delay and was officially halted approximately 45 minutes later at 9:03 p.m., making it an official game.

 

With the win, Nashville (12-23) snapped Reno's eight-game winning streak.

 

The Sounds took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning against Reno starter Joe Martinez. Erick Almonte got things started with a one-out double off the left field wall. After Corey Patterson drew a walk, Andy Gonzalez (2-for-2) drilled a line-drive RBI two-bagger off the wall in left to plate the night's first run. Patterson scored the second Nashville run when Paul Phillips followed with a sacrifice fly to right.

 

Nashville shortstop Jeff Bianchi doubled the home team's advantage to 4-0 in the third with an opposite-field, two-run homer to right off Martinez that just cleared the wall. The longball, which also plated Eric Farris (single), was the first of the infielder's Triple-A career.

 

The Sounds extended the lead to 6-0 later in the third with a pair of unearned runs stemming from a one-out fielding error on Aces first baseman Mike Jacobs. With two outs in the frame, Gonzalez ripped his second run-scoring double of the night for Nashville, a two-run two-bagger to left-center, plating Almonte and Patterson.

 

Reno rallied for five runs in the top of the fourth inning against Sounds starter Brian Baker to pull back within a run at 6-5. Adam Eaton and Jake Elmore opened with back-to-back singles before both scored on a Josh Bell double into the right-center gap. After Jacobs drew a walk from Baker to put two runners on, Ryan Wheeler belted a three-run homer to right. The outfielder's fifth home run of the season reduced the Aces' deficit to one run.

 

Left-hander Victor Garate (1-3) worked two hitless innings for the Sounds to pick up his first victory of the year. Baker allowed five runs on seven hits in four innings of work in his start.

 

Martinez (0-3) suffered the loss for Reno, working all five innings and allowing six runs (four earned) on six hits.

 

The teams will continue the series with a 2:05 p.m. contest on Sunday afternoon. Right-hander Mike Fiers (0-2, 4.21) is slated to man the bump for the Sounds. He will be opposed by Reno right-hander Charles Brewer (1-2, 6.75).

[homer]

Final: Daytona 4, Brevard County 0

Box

 

No write up on MiLB yet so I'll post the details from Daytona's fifth inning which was all they needed to beat the punchless Manatees.

 

Daytona Bottom of the 5th

 

Elieser Bonne singles on a line drive to center fielder Reggie Keen.

Chad Noble out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Jimmy Nelson to first baseman Cody Hawn. Elieser Bonne to 2nd.

Ronald Torreyes grounds out, pitcher Jimmy Nelson to first baseman Cody Hawn.

Rubi Silva singles on a line drive to center fielder Reggie Keen. Elieser Bonne scores. Rubi Silva to 2nd on the throw.

Arismendy Alcantara singles on a ground ball to center fielder Reggie Keen. Rubi Silva scores.

Nelson Perez reaches on fielding error by third baseman Michael Walker. Arismendy Alcantara scores.

Greg Rohan pops out to second baseman T. J. Mittelstaedt.

 

Nelson was solid but not spectacular. According to the recap he gave up line drive hits in each of the first three innings but was able to work his way out of trouble. In the fifth, not so much. He still came through with a very respectable line of 7IP, 8H, 2ER, 1BB, and 5K's. But unfortunately BC was only able to scratch out 5 hits in total and only 1 hit in the last three innings.

 

I'll post a recap tonight if it's posted before I head to bed, otherwise I'll have it up in the morning.

[TheCrew07]

Final: Wisconsin 2, Kane County 1 (11 Innings)

 

Rattlers win 2-1 pitching duel in 11 innings

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

GENEVA, IL - A trio of Wisconsin Timber Rattlers pitchers held off the Kane County Cougars long enough for the offense to scratch out a run in the eleventh inning for a 2-1 road victory at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark. Matt Miller, Tommy Toledo, and Seth Harvey combined to hold a potent Kane County offense to one run on five hits in the game.

Tyler Roberts, who hit two home runs in Friday's game at home, gave the Rattlers (23-13) a lead in the fifth on Saturday. The Wisconsin catcher grounded a single that just made it through the right side of the infield to score Ben McMahan from second base to make the score 1-0.

 

But, the Cougars (18-18) would tie the game in the bottom of the fifth. Kenny Swab was at second base with two outs. Tim Ferguson sent a grounder to right and second baseman Greg Hopkins made a sliding stop of the ball just beyond the infield dirt. Hopkins had no play at first, but he noticed that Swab had rounded third base too far and had stopped. Hopkins ran at Swab and threw behind him to third. Swab took off for the plate and scored when Brandon Macias threw wildly home.

 

Those were the only runs allowed by the respective starting pitchers. Miller worked six innings and allowed that unearned run on four hits. Kane County starter Scott Alexander scattered six hits and two walks over six innings.

 

Wisconsin had an opportunity to take a lead in the seventh inning as they loaded the bases with one out in the top of the seventh inning against Kane County reliever Jason Mitchell. But, Mitchell escaped with a strikeout and a fly out.

 

Toledo walked the leadoff batter in the bottom of the ninth and - after a sacrifice bunt - intentionally walked a batter to set up a double play. The strategy worked as Orlando Calixte sent a sharp grounder to Macias at third. Macias turned the grounder into an inning ending double play and sent the game to extra innings.

 

Wisconsin loaded the bases in the top of the eleventh inning on a single, a walk, and another single by the first three batters of the game. McMahan was next and he grounded the first pitch of his at bat right at the second baseman. But, Danny Mateo bobbled the ball and let it get behind him to let Jason Rogers score the go ahead run.

 

Harvey gave up a single to the leadoff batter in the bottom of the eleventh. After a stolen base put that runner on second, Harvey walked the next batter to put the winning run aboard with Jorge Bonifacio and Lane Adams due up next.

 

Harvey struck out Bonifacio, who entered the game with a .315 average good for fourth in the Midwest League, on a nasty 1-2 pitch. Lane, the league's leading hitter at .341 when the game started, struck out on three pitches. From there, Harvey clinched the game - and his seventh save of the season by getting Michael Antonio to ground out to first.

 

Game two of the series is Sunday afternoon. Drew Gagnon (3-0, 1.02) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Edwin Carl (2-2, 1.69) is set to start for the Cougars. Game time is 1:00pm. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 12:40pm.

 

WP: Tommy Toledo (4-0)

LP: Jason Mitchell (0-3)

SAVE: Seth Harvey (7)

 

TIME: 2:51

ATTN: 6,356

 

Nine after 9 for May 12, 2012

 

Wisconsin Box Score

I'll be honest in that I fully intended on just building a computer for my brother's restaurant and coming home but one thing led to another all afternoon/evening/night and now I'm in no condition to add anything to Chris' commentary. I apologize as stellar attendance and pitching truly deserves more in depth analysis.

 

Wisconsin Play By Play

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: Andy Gonzalez Go-Ahead RBI Double

 

AUDIO: Jeff Bianchi Two-Run HR

[Mass Haas]

Arms blank 'Tees into off-day

Eric Jokisch threw his second consecutive shutout in a 4-0 Cubs win on Saturday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Jokisch has not allowed a run over 12 innings of work with no walks and 16 strikeouts in his last two starts.

Daytona Cubs

 

Daytona Beach, FL -- The Daytona Cubs earned their first shutout of the season behind another strong outing from LHP Eric Jokisch in a 4-0 victory over the Brevard County Manatees, Saturday.

 

Jokisch (W, 3-3), who went seven shutout innings in his last outing on Monday, threw six more on Saturday and struck out five. The southpaw continuously pounded his changeup down in the zone, and did not walk a batter for the second consecutive start while only allowing four hits.

 

Both Jokisch and Manatees' starter RHP Jimmy Nelson did not allow a run through the first four innings until Daytona struck for three in the fifth. With RF Elieser Bonne on second with two outs, 2B Rubi Silva singled up the middle to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead. After Silva took second on the throw home, 3B Arismendy Alcantara singled plating Silva for the Cubs' second run. With Alcantara on first, LF Nelson Perez popped a ball up to the left side of the infield that was misplayed by 3B Mike Walker which allowed Alcantara to score all-the-way from first to give the Cubs a 3-0 lead.

 

Daytona added a an insurance run in the eighth on a DH Richard Jones double to right-center. It was Jones' second double of the game.

 

Both RHP Ty'Relle Harris and RHP Scott Weismann threw perfect innings of relief in the seventh and eighth respectively, and RHP Tony Zych closed the game out in the ninth after allowing a single and a walk to start the frame.

 

Daytona pounded 10 hits in the win, including two each from Alcantara, Bonne, Jones and Silva.

 

With the win, Daytona improves to 13-22 on the season. The Cubs and Manatees will enjoy an off day on Sunday before beginning a three-game set at Space Coast Stadium on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 (5:35 Central Time).

[Mass Haas]

Daytona-News Journal game story includes this:

 

Jokisch only faced a couple of scoring threats by the Manatees. With one out in the second inning, Brevard catcher Shawn Zarraga singled to right. He was erased on Mike Walker's fielder's choice grounder to short.

 

Miguel Velazquez then slammed a long drive over center fielder John Androeoli's head. But Androeli retrieved the ball quickly, preventing Walker from scoring. Jokisch then retired Scott Krieger on a soft comebacker that ended the inning.

[Mass Haas]

Wisconsin OF Ben McMahan (stats)

 

OPS in 50 April B's: .515

OPS in 42 May AB's: 1.146

[Mass Haas]

Craig Counsell on Nashville Sports Radio

[HiAndTight]

What is Miller even throwing these days? I thought coming out of Michigan....IIRC, he was a guy who could run it up there in the mid 90's..which to me means 90-92 on average throughout the game.

 

But while he had another great start, I honestly think we've got 25 pitchers I've got more confidence in the farm system moving forward. How ugly can a 6 Inning shutout be? Well, when you have 1 K and you're getting the ball in the air more than on the ground with a 4/7 GO/FO ratio....meh, I can't get too interested for a guy several years out of college in Low A.

 

Nelson on the other hand gets ground balls, he I know can dial it up there into the low to mid 90's, and to me I've KINDA gotten a Kameron Loe type fastball with a couple more clicks on it. Just that over the course of a game as a starting pitcher that along can be dominating.

 

Now when you combine that with the fact that he arguably has the best slider in the Brewers system to be able to combat left handers, and that big frame to eat up innings, and he's the guy who's kinda jumped out and surprised me so far this year. I'd written off the three college starters from the last few drafts when talking about Nelson, Miller and Arnett(not that they're the only three, they just kinda represent the trend the Brewers decided they wanted to start going in with the big 6'5-6'6-ish frame to be able to carry a lot of innings.

 

He's an exciting guy right now for me to follow.

 

I've said this over and over, but we have so many guys I think can be REALLY good-good #3-4 type starters. If this team can just get one or two guys who can step up and above and reach that ceiling...

 

Well, that's just what makes following these arms so much fun. You can actually envision a full pitching staff, a plausible playoff staff in these guys. Brooks Hall is a guy I love, the guys everyone else loves so we need not mention them, and then still guys who I think have room to break out. Scarpetta, Rivas to a lesser degree, and just a number of others.