Link Report for Tue. 5/15 -- Burgos and Wooten debut at new levels, Schafer day-to-day (twisted ankle)

[Tedaldtada]

The Manatees team batting line has fallen to an unimaginable .219 / .298 / .312

 

I feel bad for Tedaldtada as when I chose Huntsville and Wisconsin as my 2 teams I was simply looking to recuse myself from the BC pitching staff, my favorite prospect was in AA, and I've always enjoyed listening to Chris. I had no idea was I going to end up bogarting the best 2 teams in the organization.

 

Tedaldtada if you want to switch out I'll take Nashville because I still don't think it's a good idea for me to report on BC, but you can take whomever you wish from me.

 

To be honest, I kind of have my eye on Helena. I would not mind dropping Nashville once the rookie leagues begin. I believe Young Geezy is taking the DSL. Do we have any dibs placed on the rookie league teams besides the DSL (i.e. Arizona and Helena)?

[Tedaldtada]

I meant to yesterday but Richard-ishly forgot, thank you to Homer and SessileFielder for covering for me over the weekend.

 

Sounds Take Three Of Four From Reno With 9-7 Victory On Wednesday

05/15/2012 2:17 PM ET

Nashville Sounds

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds plated four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to record a 9-7 victory over the Reno Aces in the finale of a four-game series in front of 8,995 fans at Greer Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

 

Nashville (14-24) overcame two separate three-run deficits on the afternoon, initially trailing 0-3 and again at 4-7 entering the bottom of the sixth to take three of four from the Aces.

 

Seven of the Sounds' 14 victories have come when Nashville scores the winning run in their final turn at the plate. Twenty-three of the Sounds' 38 games have been decided by one or two runs, tied with Memphis for most in the PCL.

 

The Sounds went 7-for-11 with runners in scoring position in the game, with seven of their 13 hits coming from the 6-8 hitters in the lineup.

 

Third baseman Andy Gonzalez led the charge with a 3-for-4 performance with two RBIs. Outfielder Corey Patterson added two hits, a double, two stolen bases, and three runs scored. Catcher Martin Maldonado had two hits including a double and RBI.

 

Reno quickly took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as Reno leadoff hitter Adam Eaton struck out, but advanced to third base on a throwing error from Maldonado. Eaton would score during the following play on a sacrifice fly from Jake Elmore.

 

Ryan Wheeler pushed the lead to 3-0 with a two-run blast in the top of the third. After a ground-rule double to right center by Elmore, Wheeler belted his sixth homer of the season over the right wall.

 

The Sounds got on the board in the next frame to trim the lead to 3-1. After Maldonado doubled down the left field line, Hainley Statia hit a deep sacrifice fly to center to plate the Sounds backstop.

 

Nashville plated three runs on a couple of crazy plays to take a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the fifth. Patterson scored the first run after working a five-pitch walk, swiping second base, advancing to third on a throwing error from the catcher, and coming home on a fielding error from the centerfielder.

 

Two batters later, Gonzalez tripled to right field and scored the tying run as pitcher Mark Rogers perfectly bunted between the first baseman and pitcher.

 

Rogers moved to second on a base hit from Statia and to third on a wild pitch before coming home to score the go-ahead run on an Eric Farris sacrifice fly. The inning ended as Statia was ruled out for leaving too early while advancing to third.

 

Reno re-took the lead at 7-4 in the next frame as David Winfree led off the frame with a double to remove Rogers from the contest. Reliever Robert Wooten entered for his Triple-A debut and gave up a game-tying RBI single to former Sound Cole Gillespie. Konrad Schmidt then gave Reno the lead on an RBI double.

 

Victor Garate relieved Wooten and fanned two batters, but also gave up a two-run double to right field by Elmore.

 

The Sounds scored their first of five unanswered runs in the bottom of the seventh thanks to three consecutive singles by Patterson, Gonzalez, and Maldonado.

 

Nashville erupted for the other four runs the bottom of the eighth to take a 9-7 lead. Shortstop Jeff Bianchi was hit by a Sam Demel fastball, stole second base, and scored the first run on a Jordan Brown bouncing double down the first base line. Sean Halton followed with a single to put runners on the corners and replace Demel with Jonathan Albaladejo.

 

Patterson followed with a game-tying RBI double down the right field line to score Brown while Gonzalez tacked on two more runs with a two-run dribbling single to center.

 

Rogers remained winless, surrendering four runs (three earned) on four hits and three walks in five inning pitched. The 26-year-old also fanned a season-high seven batters on 85 pitches, 43 for strikes in a no-decision.

 

Wooten was charged with two runs in a third of an inning for a blown save, while the Sounds moved to a perfect 5-0 when blowing a save this year.

 

Garate allowed one run in 2/3 of an inning. Mike McClendon pitched a perfect inning.

 

Johnnie Lowe (3-0) worked around two hits for a scoreless inning and the victory. With runners on first and third with one out, the Aces bunted into a double play to end the eighth and keep his scoreless streak intact. Jim Henderson earned his second save with a shutout frame and also extended his scoreless streak to 18 2/3 innings, best among PCL pitchers to open 2012 with a 0.00 ERA.

 

Zach Kroenke gave up four runs on five hits in five innings for a no-decision. Demel (0-3) was charged with the loss on three runs.

 

After a league-wide off day tomorrow, the Sounds embark on a nine-day, eight-game road trip at the Tucson Padres (AAA-Padres) and Las Vegas 51s (AAA-Blue Jays) of the PCL Pacific Conference Southern Division. Right-hander Wily Peralta (1-3, 3.69) will toe the rubber in Thursday's 9:05 pm CT road trip opener against Tucson right-hander Matt Palmer (3-2, 5.88).

 

Box Score

 

A very thick game story today.

 

Six pitchers pitched for the Sounds led by Mark Rogers (5 IP 4 H 4 R 3 ER 3 BB 7 K 1 HR 1 HBP 5:2 GO:FO) and finished by Jim Henderson (still scoreless on the year). Johnnie Lowe also still perfect.

 

Logan Schafer's departure is not made clear in the game story. Stay tuned. Andy Gonzalez (3-4 3B CS) is off to quite the start across two levels. Be sure to listen to his RBI single (Audio). After homering yesterday, Martin Maldonado had another 2 hits in this one. He may be working his way out of a cold spell. Corey Patterson (2-3 2B BB 2 SB) had some big hits (Audio). Caleb Gindl appeared as a pinch hitter and got a hit.

 

The top 4 hitters in the Reno lineup and their OPS:

• 1. Adam Eaton .979
  2. Jake Elmore .996
  3. Ryan Wheeler .890
  4. Randy Ruiz .975

 

Game Log

 

Slightly deflating for a starting pitcher. I used to be a starting pitcher.

 

Reno Top of the 1st

 

Adam Eaton strikes out swinging. Adam Eaton advances to 3rd, on throwing error by catcher Martin Maldonado.

Jake Elmore grounds out, shortstop Jeff Bianchi to first baseman Sean Halton. Adam Eaton scores.

Ryan Wheeler flies out to center fielder Logan Schafer.

Randy Ruiz grounds out, third baseman Andy Gonzalez to first baseman Sean Halton.

 

The way the Sounds do it. Last at bat

 

Nashville Bottom of the 8th.

 

Pitcher Change: Sam Demel replaces Jensen Lewis, batting 3rd.

Taylor Harbin remains in the game as the second baseman.

Jeff Bianchi hit by pitch.

With Jordan Brown batting, Jeff Bianchi steals (1) 2nd base.

Jordan Brown doubles (3) on a ground ball to right fielder Cole Gillespie. Jeff Bianchi scores.

Sean Halton singles on a line drive to center fielder Adam Eaton. Jordan Brown to 3rd.

Defensive Substitution: Ryan Budde replaces pitcher Sam Demel, batting 3rd, playing catcher.

Pitcher Change: Jonathan Albaladejo replaces Sam Demel, batting 8th.

Corey Patterson doubles (5) on a line drive to right fielder Cole Gillespie. Jordan Brown scores. Sean Halton to 3rd.

Andy Gonzalez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Adam Eaton. Sean Halton scores. Corey Patterson scores.

With Martin Maldonado batting, Andy Gonzalez caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Ryan Budde to second baseman Taylor Harbin.

Martin Maldonado flies out to right fielder Cole Gillespie.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Caleb Gindl replaces Johnnie Lowe.

Caleb Gindl singles on a ground ball to center fielder Adam Eaton.

Hainley Statia strikes out swinging.

 

Plenty more. Dive in.

 

Gameday

[TheCrew07]

To be honest, I kind of have my eye on Helena. I would not mind dropping Nashville once the rookie leagues begin. I believe Young Geezy is taking the DSL. Do we have any dibs placed on the rookie league teams besides the DSL (i.e. Arizona and Helena)?

 

Not sure on the rookie league teams, Helena is usually pretty fun to cover as the Independent Record provides good coverage and Steve is an excellent radio personality, much like the T-Rats/Chris/Post-Crescent here in WI. I'll willingly give up 1 of my teams and take over Nashville until we get some more assistance if you like, it's always more fun to report on teams that are doing well.

[Mass Haas]

TUESDAY'S MANATEES/CUBS GAME POSTPONED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER

 

VIERA, Fla. - The scheduled game on Tuesday, May 15 between the Brevard County Manatees and the Daytona Cubs has been postponed due to inclement weather.

 

The game will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader on Wednesday, May 16 beginning at 5:05 p.m. Brevard County and Daytona will play two seven-inning games.

 

***

 

And just like that, it's just the big boys vs. the Mets tonight.

[Mass Haas]

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.- In the finale of a rain shortened four-game series with the Mississippi Braves, the Huntsville Stars lost by a score of 5-1 in front of a packed house on Tuesday at Joe Davis Stadium.

 

Beginning in the first inning, the Mississippi Bats were able to get to Stars starter Hiram Burgos in his Double-A debut as an RBI triple by catcher Evan Gattis gave the M-Braves a 1-0 lead.

 

Just one inning later, the Braves first three batters reached base. An RBI single by left fielder Corey Harrilchak and then a two-run double by right fielder Keenan Wiley brought home all three runners to go up by a score of 4-0.

 

Other than that blemish, Burgos was one of the bright spots for the Stars on Tuesday. Despite getting tagged with his first Double-A loss, the 24-year-old righty pitched six innings, giving up four runs and six hits while striking out five batters. In addition to that, Burgos also retired the final 14 batters he faced.

 

Unfortunately for Burgos and the rest of the Stars, the M-Braves were able to win their second straight game on the heels of another brilliant pitching performance by their starting pitcher.

 

Following an outing where LHP Sean Gilmartin threw six shutout innings on Monday night, RHP David Hale pitched six innings of two-hit scoreless baseball to improve to 3-2 on the season.

 

On offense, the Stars only were able to manage four hits and a run in the eighth inning as catcher Anderson De La Rosa scored from third on a wild pitch by Braves reliever Ryan Buchter. Prior to that run, the Huntsville offense had been held scoreless for their previous 17 innings.

 

The loss snapped a streak of three consecutive series wins for the Stars.

 

After an off day on Wednesday, the Stars will hit the road for five games starting Thursday as they open up a series with the Chattanooga Lookouts. First pitch is at 6:15 PM.

[Tedaldtada]

I'll willingly give up 1 of my teams and take over Nashville until we get some more assistance if you like, it's always more fun to report on teams that are doing well.

 

No need. I have feeling Nashville is going to have a big second half.

[Mass Haas]

Per Gord Ash via Haudricourt, Logan Schafer twisted an ankle and will be fine.

[Mass Haas]

Brewers Player Development and Minor League Operations Manager Scott Materns was in Panama City, Florida this week speaking at a local banquet.

 

Text and video of news report is at link

 

Honestly, it appears Scott was just being polite to the local community in expressing Brewer interest in the area. Located halfway between Tallahassee and Pensacola (where a new Southern League ballpark was just built), the town geographically profiles as a potential Southern League town if they chose to step up to the plate stadium-wise as well.

 

In reality, little to sink our teeth into here.

[Mass Haas]

Rattler Radio Blog: Nine After Nine

 

You know the deal -- it's a must.

[HiAndTight]

Yikes, the Hiram Burgos bubble popped pretty abruptly.

 

 

Meh, lets put a little pin in that for a while. He went 6 IP and he struggled out of the gate giving up 4 in the first two innings pitched. For a guy taking the biggest step in the minors, in his first two innings, I'm going to reserve judgement.

 

Nobody thought his .85 ERA and .57 Whip or whatever the absurd numbers were was going to hold up as he moved up, but getting through the next 4 shutout innings and regrouping is encouraging.

[HiAndTight]

In addition to that, Burgos also retired the final 14 batters he faced.

 

 

I hadn't realized he performed this well after his pour start. That's certainly encouraging. Nearly 5 perfect innings after 1 2/3 in which he gave up the first 4 earned.

[X-TAI]

I talked to Burgos and he is very excited and happy to break the Ice. I think he was more scare bout batting than anything. He felt really good about his pitches and they way he perform. Couple of them hits and runs could of got caught but Sun got in the way..I have never heard him so excited,so that's a great sign..

[Tedaldtada]

I talked to Burgos and he is very excited and happy to break the Ice. I think he was more scare bout batting than anything. He felt really good about his pitches and they way he perform. Couple of them hits and runs could of got caught but Sun got in the way..I have never heard him so excited,so that's a great sign..

 

That is really great. Tell him, if you could, that we are pretty excited as well. Congrats, Hiram.