Link Report for Sat. 5/19 -- Rattlers Rejoin the First Place Spot

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Saturday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Mike Fiers at Tucson (Padres), 8:50 PM pre-game, 9:05 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 Tyler Thornburg at Chattanooga (Dodgers), 6:00 PM pre-game, 6:15 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 Brandon Williamson at home vs. Fort Myers (Twins), 5:35 PM gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Fort Myers 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. Kane County (Royals), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime; RHP Mark Williams will see action as part of the tandem

 

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]

Joe Block's Brewer Pre-Game Audio Interview with Erik Komatsu

[Mass Haas]

Final Reminder on the Manatees Jersey Auction bidding

 

***

 

Please allow me to give my yearly personal thanks to the Sounds for this particular charitable effort.

 

Sounds Connect With Hearing Impaired Children

Annual Fantasy Baseball Camp Held At Greer Stadium

[CheezWizHed]

Joe Block's Brewer Pre-Game Audio Interview with Erik Komatsu

 

I think about Little Pine almost every time I pass a construction zone...

[TheCrew07]

Final: Wisconsin 7, Kane County 3

 

Rattlers beat Kane County to grab a share of first place

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - Good things happen to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers when Jason Rogers mashes the baseball. Wisconsin's first baseman had three hits including a two-run homer, on Saturday night at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium and the Rattlers beat the Kane County Cougars 7-3. The win by the Rattlers and a loss by the Beloit Snappers allowed Wisconsin to move into a tie atop the Western Division of the Midwest League with 27 games remaining in the first half.

 

But, Kane County (23-20) scored first on Saturday. A two-out double by Lane Adams scored Daniel Mateo from first base for a 1-0 Cougars lead.

 

Wisconsin (26-17) answered with three straight runs. Yadiel Rivera doubled with one out in the second inning. Rafael Neda drove in Rivera with a double to tie the game. In the third inning, Rogers - with Max Walla aboard - crushed his fifth home run of the season. The tape-measure shot put the Rattlers up 3-1.

 

Rattlers starting pitcher Chad Thompson retired the first two batters he faced in the top of the fourth inning. Then, Murray Watts doubled and Dean Espy homered to left-center and the score was tied 3-3. Thompson struck out seven and walked none over four innings.

 

Rivera snatched the lead back in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Brewers shortstop prospect hit a leadoff home run off Kellen Moen to put Wisconsin up 4-3. Later in the inning, Walla singled to send in Carlos George for a 5-3 lead.

 

Reliever Mark Williams entered the game and protected that lead. He went five innings and did not allow a hit. Williams walked two and struck out two while keeping the Cougars from mounting a rally.

 

Wisconsin added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh inning. Greg Hopkins doubled in a run and Rivera knocked in his second run of the game with a sacrifice fly to account for the 7-3 score.

 

The Rattlers outhit the Bees 14-6 in the game.

 

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Carlos Gomez completed his rehabilitation assignment on Saturday night. He went 1-for-3 with a walk and a nice running catch in deep right-center field.

 

Beloit entered play their Saturday night game in Burlington against the Bees with a one game lead on the Timber Rattlers in the Western Division. Beloit had a 6-1 lead after a six run third inning. But, the Bees rallied with single runs in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings to make the score close. Burlington took the lead for good with a five run seventh inning and went on to a 9-6 victory.

 

Wisconsin and Beloit each lead Kane County by three games for the first half Western Division Wild Card.

 

But, there is still a long way to go in the half.

 

The series between Wisconsin and Kane County continues on Sunday afternoon. David Goforth (3-3, 6.27) is the scheduled starting pitcher and Fond du Lac native Chad Pierce is set to come on in relief for the Timber Rattlers. Kane County sends Brooks Pounders (2-1, 3.38) to the mound. Game time is 1:05pm.

 

The first 1,000 fans to attend Sunday's game will receive a special baseball cap from North Shore Bank. Before the game fans can play catch on-field courtesy of 77 KIDS. Timber Rattlers players will be available for an autograph session after the game. Time Warner Cable customers can receive up to four half-priced reserved bleacher tickets when showing their TWC bill at time of ticket purchase.

 

Plus, as part of Brewers Sunday presented by 107.5, The Fan, Timber Rattlers players will be wearing Brewers-themed jerseys on-field during the game.

 

If you can't make it out to the stadium, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 12:45pm. Sunday's game is also available to subscribers of MiLB.TV.

 

HOME RUNS:

KC:

Dean Espy (1st, 1 on in 4th inning off Chad Thompson, 2 out)

 

WIS:

Jason Rogers (5th, 1 on in 3rd inning off Kellen Moen, 0 out)

Yadiel Rivera (4th, 0 on in 4th inning, off Kellen Moen, 0 out)

 

WP: Mark Williams (2-3)

LP: Kellen Moen (2-2)

 

TIME: 2:46

ATTN: 4,983

 

Nine after 9 for May 19, 2012

I wrote my bit about about Rivera below before reading the 9 after 9... great minds and all that. Chris has Chadwin Stang getting 2 hits, but the box lists him with 1. Also, the bit about George's play... wow.

 

Wisconsin Box Score

Almost 5K at the game today, very nice to see my fellow Wisconsinites! Chad Thompson was better but nothing close to his hitless debut, still he's making progress. Mark Williams is an interesting guy to follow, he's only allowed 2 runs in his last 16.1 IP, and in his 5 hitless innings tonight he walked 2 and struck out 2. He is probably deserving of a promotion at the break, however there really isn't room at BC unless there is a whole chain of promotions throughout the organization. Between his stint in Helena last year and WI so far this year I'm liking what I see.

 

As Chris discussed above Jason Rogers lead the way with his 3-4, 1BB, and 1HR effort slightly overshadowing Yadiel Rivera's 2-3, 12B, and 1HR night. Rivera now has a .709 OPS with only a .260 OBP (Chris in the 9 after 9 and MiLB.com have different slash lines, MiLB's might not have updated yet), if he can figure out a way to get on base more, look out. Parker Berberet collected the other multi hit effort going 2-4 for the game. The T-Rats busted out the whuppin sticks as Ben McMahan (forgot to mention how much I liked that he had Walla's back last night), Gregory Hopkins, Rafael Neda, and Carlos George all doubled during the contest. Speaking of George, after seeing him for the first time in person yesterday he's even more of a toothpick than his profile suggests, I believe he's every part of 6' 2", but I'd question the 185 LBs, that young man could definitely use the weight room.

 

Wisconsin Play By Play

A Mark Williams highlight package...

Kane County Top of the 5th

• Pitcher Change: Mark Williams replaces Chad Thompson.
  Justin Trapp pops out to third baseman Gregory Hopkins.
  Daniel Mateo lines out to right fielder Max Walla.
  Jorge Bonifacio flies out to right fielder Max Walla.

 

Kane County Top of the 6th

• Lane Adams flies out to right fielder Max Walla.
  Orlando Calixte flies out to left fielder Chadwin Stang.
  Murray Watts grounds out, second baseman Carlos George to first baseman Jason Rogers.

 

Kane County Top of the 7th

• 
  Dean Espy pops out to second baseman Carlos George.
  Jin-Ho Shin walks.
  Tim Ferguson strikes out swinging.
  Justin Trapp flies out to right fielder Max Walla in foul territory.

 

Kane County Top of the 8th

• Defensive Substitution: Ben McMahan replaces center fielder Carlos Gomez, batting 1st, playing left field.
  Defensive switch from left field to center field for Chadwin Stang.
  Daniel Mateo walks.
  Jorge Bonifacio flies out to center fielder Chadwin Stang.
  Lane Adams grounds into double play, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to second baseman Carlos George to first baseman Jason Rogers. Daniel Mateo out at 2nd.

 

Kane County Top of the 9th

• Orlando Calixte grounds out, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to first baseman Jason Rogers.
  Murray Watts flies out to right fielder Max Walla.
  Dean Espy called out on strikes.

[Tedaldtada]

Brevard's bats wake up in 7-2 win

05/19/2012 10:04 PM ET

By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees

 

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Brevard County starting pitcher Brandon Williamson earned his first win as a Manatee in a 7-2 win over Fort Myers on Saturday night. Williamson struck out five in five innings of work. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

 

VIERA, Fla. - Before the Saturday night's post-game fireworks could wake up Viera, the Manatees' bats woke up first to the tune of seven runs and 11 hits as the 'Tees topped the Fort Myers Miracle 7-2 at Space Coast Stadium.

 

Shawn Zarraga led the way at the plate by going 3-for-4 with three RBI. Both Cody Hawn (No) and T.J. Mittelstaedt also had two hits each, while Miguel Velazquez homered for the second straight game.

 

The Manatees (16-25) scored early as they plated two runs in the first inning when Hawn doubled home Shaw - who led the inning off with a double - and then Zarraga singled to plate Hawn.

 

Brevard County busted the game wide open in the third as Zarraga drove in Mittelstaedt with a RBI single and then three batters later, Velazquez went deep to center on the first pitch he saw for a three-run homer to make it a 6-0 lead for the 'Tees.

 

Zarraga added his third RBI single of the night in the fourth inning as he drove in Mittelstaedt with two outs. Six of the seven runs that Brevard County drove in were with two outs. The Manatees came into the game hitting .206 with runners in scoring position, but against the Miracle (16-26) on Saturday they went 7-for-14 with runners in scoring position.

 

Seven runs in the first four innings was plenty of run support for Manatees starting pitcher Brandon Williamson who allowed just one run in five innings of work. He scattered five hits and walked one, while striking out five and earning his first win with Brevard County.

 

Brevard County will go for their first series win since April 25-27 in the final game of the four-game set with the Miracle on Sunday at 5:05 p.m.

 

Andy Moye, who was just called up from Class-A Wisconsin, will get his first start with the Manatees and he will be doing so on three days rest. In eight appearances with the Timber Rattlers in 2012, Moye was 3-0 with a 1.45 ERA.

 

The Miracle will counter with Jhon Garcia (0-4, 3.77), who has given up at least five runs in each of his last three starts.

 

Box Score

 

Starter Brandon Williamson was very good tonight. 5 IP 5 H 1 R 0 ER 0 BB 5 K 4:4 GO:FO. Williamson is an '89'er so he still has age on his side somewhat. He has been a solid pitcher across three levels this season. After Brian Garman pitched two, old pal Eric Arnett threw two very impressive innings (0 H 1 BB 2 K).

 

Shea Vucinich was hit twice by pitches, along with his hit. He is one of the few BC hitters with a positive trending batting average. Up to .233 now after being at .200 and below much of April. SS Nick Shaw (2-5 2B) was productive from the lead-off spot. Miguel Velazquez continues to heat up after a 3-run homer today. Miguel did commit an error. The multi-hit stars (Zarraga, Mittelstaedt and Hawn ) besides Shaw were all covered in the game story.

 

Game Log

Homers can make big innings look short.

 

Brevard County Bottom of the 3rd

 

T. J. Mittelstaedt walks.

Cody Hawn grounds out, shortstop Levi Michael to first baseman Michael Gonzales. T. J. Mittelstaedt to 2nd.

Shawn Zarraga singles on a line drive to left fielder Daniel Ortiz. T. J. Mittelstaedt scores.

Michael Walker flies out to left fielder Daniel Ortiz.

Shea Vucinich singles on a line drive to center fielder Angel Morales. Shawn Zarraga to 3rd.

Miguel Velazquez homers (3) on a line drive to center field. Shawn Zarraga scores. Shea Vucinich scores.

Franklin Romero Jr. grounds out, third baseman Jairo Perez to first baseman Michael Gonzales.

 

Arnett's innings. About as good as I have seen him.

 

Fort Myers Top of the 8th

 

Pitcher Change: Eric Arnett replaces Brian Garman.

Oswaldo Arcia grounds out, pitcher Eric Arnett to first baseman Michael Walker.

Josmil Pinto flies out to right fielder Franklin Romero Jr.

Lance Ray strikes out swinging, catcher Shawn Zarraga to first baseman Michael Walker.

 

Fort Myers Top of the 9th

 

Andy Leer walks.

Michael Gonzales grounds into double play, shortstop Nick Shaw to second baseman Shea Vucinich to first baseman Michael Walker. Andy Leer out at 2nd.

Angel Morales strikes out swinging.

[Tedaldtada]

Tuscon (Padres) 6 Nashville 2

 

Box Score

 

Mike Fiers got smacked around a bit. He had his ERA back under 4.00 before this game but now it sits at 4.13. Would you trade Mike Fiers for Jason Bartlett + cash? You have to admit that Fiers is the kind of guy that succeed in SD. Jim Henderson gave up a run but it was unearned. He walked into an absolute mess.

 

Tucson Bottom of the 6th

 

Jonathan Roof walks.

Jorge Reyes out on a sacrifice bunt to first baseman Sean Halton. Jonathan Roof to 2nd.

Pitcher Change: Jim Henderson replaces Victor Garate, batting 6th.

Defensive Substitution: Erick Almonte replaces pitcher Victor Garate, batting 9th, playing third base.

Daniel Robertson singles on a ground ball to shortstop Hainley Statia, deflected by pitcher Jim Henderson. Jonathan Roof to 3rd.

With Logan Forsythe batting, passed ball by Martin Maldonado, Jonathan Roof scores. Daniel Robertson to 2nd.

Logan Forsythe walks.

With Jedd Gyorko batting, Daniel Robertson steals (6) 3rd base. Logan Forsythe steals (1) 2nd base.

Jedd Gyorko strikes out swinging.

Matt Clark strikes out swinging.

 

Henderson escaped a crueler fate by K'ing the 3 and 4 hitters. Robert Wooten managed his first clean inning on his third try.

 

Number 3 hitter Logan Schafer hit his 5th home run of the year. I have a feeling his average is down a bit because he is trying to add more power to his game. His SLG is 100 points higher than his OBP. Logan just needs a hot week or two and his line will be very impressive. Some time out west should help. Lead off hitter Caleb Gindl is a mess right now. Sean Halton went 2-3 with a 2B.

 

Game Log

 

Ruh-roh. We have had some frustrated managers and coaches this season.

 

Tucson Bottom of the 5th

 

Jonathan Roof singles on a line drive to right fielder Corey Patterson.

Jorge Reyes out on a sacrifice bunt, first baseman Sean Halton to second baseman Eric Farris. Jonathan Roof to 2nd.

Daniel Robertson walks.

Logan Forsythe walks. Jonathan Roof to 3rd. Daniel Robertson to 2nd.

Nashville Sounds Pitching Coach Fred Dabney ejected by HP umpire Angel Campos.

Jedd Gyorko out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Logan Schafer. Jonathan Roof scores. Daniel Robertson to 3rd.

Pitcher Change: Victor Garate replaces Michael Fiers, batting 9th.

Matt Clark hit by pitch. Logan Forsythe to 2nd.

Yasmani Grandal walks. Daniel Robertson scores. Logan Forsythe to 3rd. Matt Clark to 2nd.

Sawyer Carroll singles on a ground ball to third baseman Andy Gonzalez. Logan Forsythe scores. Matt Clark to 3rd. Yasmani Grandal to 2nd.

Beamer Weems pops out to shortstop Hainley Statia.

 

Gameday

[TheCrew07]

Final: Chattanooga 5, Huntsville 4 (10 Innings)

 

Huntsville Box Score

Dang, the Lookouts returned the favor getting the extra inning win today but the Stars missed chances in the 4th and 6th to bust the game wide open. I'm not sure what's up with Tyler Thornburg's recent walk totals, but he walked more (4) than he struck out (3) today. He went 6 innings, giving up 5 hits and 3ER. In his last 6 games Tyler has given up more than 1 run in 5 of the 6 games, twice in that span he gave up 3 unearned runs in a single game. Bradley Blanks went the next 2 runs allowing the game tying HR and was followed by a scoreless 9th from Darren Byrd. Dan Merklinger was undone by a Matt Cline error in the 10th giving up the game winning double immediately following the error. Dan has had a pretty forgettable season to this point.

 

Josh Prince and Scooter Gennett had 2 hits and a walk a piece with Scooter adding a double. Hunter Morris tripled and Cline doubled to round the noteworthy accomplishments at the plate tonight. Prince stole 3 bases pushing his season total to 11 and executed a double steal with Gennett but was also caught stealing once which was his 5th (actually picked off 1st). Jarmillo went 0-1 cutting down would be base stealers but Thornburg erased that batter picking him off later in the inning.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

Thornburg's performance.

Chattanooga Bottom of the 1st

• Nick Buss flies out to center fielder Josh Prince.
  Rafael Ynoa flies out to left fielder Jay Gibbons in foul territory.
  Luis Nunez strikes out swinging.

 

Chattanooga Bottom of the 2nd

• Blake Smith singles on a line drive to center fielder Josh Prince.
  Pedro Baez grounds out, third baseman Matt Cline to first baseman Hunter Morris. Blake Smith to 2nd.
  Travis Denker walks.
  Jake Lemmerman flies out to center fielder Josh Prince. Blake Smith to 3rd.
  Gorman Erickson flies out to center fielder Josh Prince.

 

Chattanooga Bottom of the 3rd

• Chris Withrow strikes out swinging.
  Nick Buss doubles (7) on a ground ball to right fielder Kentrail Davis.
  Rafael Ynoa walks.
  Luis Nunez flies out to center fielder Josh Prince. Nick Buss to 3rd.
  Blake Smith triples (1) on a ground ball to right fielder Kentrail Davis. Nick Buss scores. Rafael Ynoa scores.
  Pedro Baez strikes out swinging.

 

Chattanooga Bottom of the 4th

• Travis Denker flies out softly to center fielder Josh Prince.
  Jake Lemmerman grounds out, third baseman Matt Cline to first baseman Hunter Morris.
  Gorman Erickson flies out to left fielder Jay Gibbons.
  

 

Chattanooga Bottom of the 5th

• Chris Withrow walks.
  Nick Buss grounds into a force out, first baseman Hunter Morris to shortstop Tommy Manzella. Chris Withrow out at 2nd. Nick Buss to 1st.
  With Rafael Ynoa batting, Nick Buss steals (4) 2nd base.
  With Rafael Ynoa batting, Nick Buss caught stealing 3rd base, pitcher Tyler Thornburg to third baseman Matt Cline.
  Rafael Ynoa lines out to center fielder Josh Prince.

 

Chattanooga Bottom of the 6th

• Luis Nunez doubles (6) on a ground ball to left fielder Jay Gibbons.
  Blake Smith doubles (6) on a sharp fly ball to left fielder Jay Gibbons. Luis Nunez scores.
  Pedro Baez pops out softly to second baseman Scooter Gennett.
  Travis Denker flies out to left fielder Jay Gibbons.
  Jake Lemmerman walks.
  Gorman Erickson grounds out, third baseman Matt Cline to first baseman Hunter Morris.

[TheCrew07]

Mass linked the Hot Sheet in yesterday's LR, for those didn't read it Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo was the #1 prospect. Below you will find the divisional mentions from the Hot Sheet Chat.

 

Ben (Miamisburg, OH): How has Donnald Lutz with his crazy numbers so far (on pace for 40 HR and 90+ extra base hits) not even get a mention in any prospect hot sheets yet?

 

Jim Shonerd: You might see Lutz, a first baseman with the Reds' high Class A Bakersfield squad, in a Man Among Boys section one of these days, but I wouldn't expect much more than that when we're talking about a 23-year-old in the Cal League.

Ben (Miamisburg, OH): Can a reliever make the hot sheet? Reds AA LHP Donnie Joseph has dominated the Southern League with a 0.45 ERA and striking out over 12 per 9 inning.

 

 

Jim Shonerd: It's very, very rare for a reliever to make it since they generally won't pitch enough innings in a week to get the same consideration starters do ... along with the fact that the vast majority of the top pitching prospects are starters.

Brett (Altoona): Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon are both putting together respectful numbers. When do you see them going to AA?

 

 

Jim Shonerd: I'd expect Cole to get there first, probably in the not too distant future if he keeps up what he's been doing in the last couple weeks.

Kolten Wong (St Louis): How do I compare to Jason Kipnis?

 

 

Jim Shonerd: Similar statures. Both are lefty swingers. Tools-wise, Kipnis probably has a little more power in his bat while Wong has a stronger throwing arm, though that's less of a distinction at second base. Both are advanced hitters, which is what their teams bought into.

[TheCrew07]

Cingrani continues dominance, fans 12

Reds prospect leads Cal League with 0.78 ERA, 65 strikeouts

By David Heck / Special to MLB.com

 

http://www.milb.com/images/2012/05/19/tZ3eknLd.jpg

Tony Cingrani ranks seventh in the Minor Leagues with a 0.83 WHIP. (Ricky Bassman/MiLB.com)

 

Pitching in his first full professional season, Tony Cingrani believes he will be in Bakersfield for a while. That's bad news for the rest of the California League.

 

The Reds' No. 12 prospect continued his run as the league's dominant hurler Friday, striking out 12 while giving up one run on five hits over six innings. That wasn't quite enough for the Class A Advanced Blaze, who dropped a 6-3 decision to the Lake Elsinore Storm.

 

The 12 punchouts were a season high for Cingrani, who fanned 13 for short-season Billings last Aug. 27.

 

"Tonight, after throwing something in the dirt, we'd usually go outside with a fastball," Cingrani said. "I threw a couple two-strike breaking balls in the dirt for strikeouts. The breaking ball and fastball were my two [pitches] tonight."

 

Cingrani set the tone early, generating his first six outs via strikeouts. He ended his night nearly the same way, fanning five batters in the fifth and sixth innings.

 

"The first two innings, there's a big white wall in center field and maybe I was throwing out of it," Cingrani said. "It didn't seem like they were seeing me too well. After that, I threw a lot of sliders and changeups for strikes. Pretty much everything was working."

 

In between his strong start and finish, the 22-year-old left-hander encountered his lone trouble spot in the fourth. He surrendered a leadoff homer to Tommy Medica and a double to Padres' No. 2 prospect Rymer Liriano two batters later. But he worked out of further trouble by fanning Everett Williams and retiring Eddy Rodriguez on a ground ball.

 

The five hits were the second-highest total Cingrani's given up this year. And while he pitches in the hitter-friendly Cal League, he has not allowed more than one earned run in any of his eight starts. He leads the circuit with a 0.78 ERA and 65 strikeouts over 46 innings.

 

"Moving the fastball around, not leaving it over the middle and not leaving it up," Cingrani said of keys to success. "If you go low in the zone and go inside-outside, you're keeping them guessing. Usually, you're going to have a groundout or a popup, not very solid contact."

 

Despite his success, Cingrani is not concerned about when he will move on to the next level. For now, he's content with the way things are going in Bakersfield.

 

"They have said that I was staying until the All-Star break, so I'm just here to do what I need to do," he said. "I'm just going to keep going out every fifth day and try to do what I did today. I'm not too worried about that, it is my first year here. I'm more worried about getting those innings in and staying healthy. The rest of it is out of my control."

 

Medica finished with two homers, a double and four RBIs, while Chris Bisson also plated a pair of runs for the Storm.

 

Donn Roach (7-0) earned his league-leading seventh win by allowing two unearned runs on two hits over seven innings. He struck out four and walked two as he lowered his ERA to 1.69.

[TheCrew07]

Adams homers twice, plates five

Cardinals prospect raises PCL batting average to .338

By Andrew Pentis / Special to MLB.com

 

http://www.milb.com/images/2012/05/18/krr567bU.jpg

Matt Adams was the Cardinals' 23rd-round pick in the 2009 Draft. (Allison Rhoades/Memphis Redbirds)

 

When you're batting well over .300, as Cardinals No. 8 prospect Matt Adams is, you seek out the little things that will keep you going in the right direction. Call it a proactive practice.

 

For Adams, this meant sitting down with Memphis Redbirds batting coach Mark Budaska this week to discuss a flaw in his at-bat mechanics.

 

"The last couple of games, I felt like I was rushing my load. We sat down, talked and saw that was the case," Adams said. "My feet were moving too quick [when] I load up in my swing. I just kind of slowed everything down."

 

His bat appeared to speed up.

 

Adams went 4-for-5 at the plate with two homers and five RBIs -- both season highs -- on Friday night in the Redbirds' 9-6 road win over the Las Vegas 51s.

 

Adams won an 11-pitch battle by smacking a first-inning solo shot off Tim Redding.

 

"I took the first pitch, swung through a changeup and I was down 0-2 and battled back saw the ball really good," Adams said. "I fouled off the pitches I couldn't drive and then got a slider."

 

The burly left-handed-hitting slugger overcame another early 0-2 count to smack a fastball, discarding another ball over the right-center field fence.

 

"It was a fastball down and in," said Adams, a first baseman. "He blew me away the first two pitches and I was just getting ready for the fastball."

 

Wait. Getting ready for a fastball on an 0-2 count?

 

"I always sit fastball and then I adjust," the 2009 23rd-round Draft pick said after his first multi-homer game at the Triple-A level. "I'm an aggressive hitter getting pitching out over the plate."

 

Adams also singled in the third, flied out in the sixth and doubled to center in the eighth. As a result, he's batting .338 with 18 extra-base hits through his first 36 games in the Pacific Coast League.

 

So what is left to work on?

 

"Definitely letting the off-speed pitches, a backdoor slider or changeup, come in," Adams said. "I'm catching those out front and hitting lazy fly balls. Though I had a double on one tonight, so that was nice to see."

 

Travis d'Arnaud and Anthony Gose, the Blue Jays' top two prospects, respectively, also enjoyed big games.

 

A catcher and cleanup hitter, d'Arnaud cranked solo homers in the first and fifth off Memphis starter Brian Broderick. It also was d'Arnaud's first multi-homer game in the PCL.

 

"He's a great hitter," Adams said. "A lot of great hitters on their team. With Travis, especially, even when he's taking pitches he's in a good position to hit."

 

Batting leadoff, Gose doubled and tripled against Broderick, scoring twice. The strong-armed center fielder also collected an assist throwing out Zack Cox at the plate for the final out in the seventh inning.

 

Broderick (2-5) was charged with six runs on eight hits over five frames.

 

Redding gave up three runs on six hits over three innings before giving way to the 51s' bullpen.

[TheCrew07]

TH with some Brewer's Minor league coverage at the end of this article.

 

BREWERS MINOR LEAGUE REPORT

Class AAA Nashville

 

RHP Wily Peralta (1-4, 5.36) needs to buckle down some to be ready for a big-league call-up. On Thursday, he was hammered for 10 hits and nine runs in only three innings in a 13-0 loss to Tucson.

 

OF Caleb Gindlis still looking to get going at the plate. He is batting .174 with a .211 on-base percentage and .314 slugging percentage.

 

Class AA Huntsville

 

LHP Mitch Stetter, signed after being released by Texas, has posted a 4.91 ERA through 10 relief outings, with six hits, three walks and eight strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings.

 

1B Hunter Morris continues to swing the bat well, taking a .314 average, two homers and 18 RBI into play Friday.

 

High Class A Brevard Co.

 

RHP Taylor Jungmann, a first-round pick in 2011, is 2-3 with a 3.15 ERA through nine starts, with 49 hits and 16 walks allowed in 54 1/3 innings, and 36 strikeouts. The other No. 1 pick from last year, LHP Jed Bradley, is on the disabled list with a slight groin strain.

 

RHP Andrew Moye earned a promotion to the Manatees after going 3-0 with a 1.45 ERA in eight games with Wisconsin.

 

Low Class A Wisconsin

 

OF Ben McMahan, a 23rd-round draft pick in 2011 out of Florida, is batting .315 with two homers and 16 RBI through 31 games.

 

RHP Seth Harvey, a 37th-round pick in 2010, has performed well as the Timber Rattlers' closer, going 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA and seven saves in 14 games, with 23 strikeouts in 16 innings.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes

 

***

 

Wisconsin Media Notes

[Mass Haas]

Sounds Homer Twice To Lead Early, Fall To Tucson, 6-2

Logan Schafer And Corey Patterson Go Yard In First Two Frames

Nashville Sounds

 

TUCSON, Ariz. - The Nashville Sounds lost to the Tucson Padres by a score of 6-2 on Saturday evening in the third game of a four-game series at Kino Stadium.

 

The Sounds are just 5-16 when playing away from Greer Stadium this season, and have been held to two runs or less in 13 of their 21 road games.

 

Both runs came courtesy of solo homers in the first two innings by outfielders Logan Schafer and Corey Patterson.

 

Batting third in the Sounds lineup for the first time in 2012, Schafer gave the Sounds a 1-0 advantage in the opening frame with a solo homer to right center (audio). The long ball was Schafer's team-leading fifth homer of the year.

 

Patterson scored Nashville's other run in the next inning with his second blast of the season, a leadoff, solo shot to right center (audio). The Sounds threatened to do more damage with three more hits in the frame, but had baserunners thrown out at third and home before starting pitcher Mike Fiers struck out to end the rally.

 

Matt Clark cut the lead in half with one swing to leadoff the second. On the first pitch from Fiers, Clark crushed his sixth homer of the season to right. The run allowed by Fiers snapped a scoreless streak of 11 consecutive innings, leading back to the 5th inning on May 8 vs. Colorado Springs (most by a Nashville starting pitcher in 2012).

 

Tucson later knotted the game at 2-2 in the same inning with a Yasmani Grandal double and RBI single from Beemer Weems.

 

The Padres batted around on only two hits while taking a 5-2 lead in the top of the fifth after a crazy series of events. With runners moving from first and second and one out, Fiers' 3-2 pitch to Logan Forsythe was gunned to third by catcher Martin Maldonado for an inning-ending, strike-them-out-throw-them-out double play. However, the borderline pitch was ruled a ball, which caused Nashville pitching coach Fred Dabney to argue and get ejected.

 

On the following play, Jeff Gyorko brought home the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly to remove Fiers from the contest. Victor Garate entered and quickly hit a batter to load the bases and then walked home the next run on four pitches. The fifth run was scored on a Sawyer Carroll infield single. The Tucson lead moved to 6-2 on an unearned run against Garate in the sixth.

 

Fiers moved to 1-3 after being touched for five runs on five hits and two walks in 4 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old fanned five in 94 pitches, 60 for strikes.

 

Garate allowed both inherited runners to score while also giving up an unearned run in 2/3 of an inning. Jim Henderson added 1 2/3 scoreless innings to extend his PCL-leading scoreless streak to 20 1/3 innings over 12 outings to open the season. Rob Wooten ended the game with a perfect ninth.

 

Jorge Reyes (3-5) surrendered two runs (both homers) on eight hits while striking out five in seven innings of work.

 

The Sounds and Padres will wrap up their series with a 9:05 pm CT finale at Kino Stadium on Sunday evening. In a battle of winless pitchers, Sounds right-hander Seth McClung (0-4, 6.25) will take the mound against Tucson southpaw Tom Layne (0-3, 8.05).

[Mass Haas]

Tough season for the Tucson Padres, too:

 

The Padres now have a chance to earn their first series win of the season Sunday.

[Mass Haas]

Worth mentioning that Kentrail Davis (stats) has had a pretty miserable go of it this season; it kind of gets lost on an otherwise mostly productive Huntsville squad.

[pete]

I saw that Dabney got run by Angel Campos. I wonder if he's just the last guy on the seniority chart or he went to the minors due to poor performance.

 

I wonder if Dabney was upset about the strike zone.