Link Report for Sun. 5/20 -- Not a Sweep, but a Pretty Nice Day on the Farm

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Sunday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Seth McClung 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 Kyle Heckathorn at Chattanooga (Dodgers), 1:00 PM pre-game, 1:15 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 Andy Moye at home vs. Fort Myers (Twins), 4:05 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.

 

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Wisconsin: RHP David Goforth at home vs. Kane County (Royals), 12:45 PM pre-game, 1:05 gametime; RHP Chad Pierce 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 Sunday'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]

Josh Prince -- Classic

[Mass Haas]

Wisconsin Media Notes (and fan video)

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes

Knowledge is good...

[Mass Haas]

Gotta love the guy the Rattlers square up against today

[TheCrew07]

Final: Wisconsin 7, Kane County 6

 

Wisconsin wins a wild one on a walkoff

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

http://www.milb.com/images/2012/05/20/WXAHJu2O.jpg

The Timber Rattlers celebrate a two-run walkoff single by Nick Ramirez on May 20, 2012. (Ann Mollica/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers)

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - A windy Sunday afternoon at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities wasn't over until Nick Ramirez said that it was. The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers first baseman rescued the Rattlers be delivering a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning to send Wisconsin to a 7-6 win over the Kane County Cougars.

 

The wind was howling out to left field at 25mph at the start of the game with gusts reaching over 30mph. But, the wind didn't come into play until much later in the game.

 

Kane County (23-21) took advantage of a Wisconsin error in the top of the second inning. Lane Adams reached on a throwing error to start the frame. Michael Antonio doubled in Adams for a 1-0 lead. The inning could have spiraled out of control as Wisconsin starting pitcher David Goforth walked the next two batters to load the bases with one out. But, he escaped with a strikeout and a popup.

 

Wisconsin (27-17) tied the game in the bottom of the fourth. Max Walla walked to start the inning and Jason Rogers followed with an infield single. An error on the play allowed Walla to take third base. Ramirez looped a single in just over the glove of the Cougars third baseman to send Walla home and make the score 1-1.

 

The Cougars manufactured a run in the top of the fifth inning to take the lead. A single, a balk, and a fly ball moved a runner to third base. Adams made it 2-1 with a sacrifice fly.

 

Kane County starting pitcher Brooks Pounders allowed the one run on four hits and struck out eight Timber Rattlers through six innings. The offense picked up when Pounders left the game.

 

Robinson Yambati immediately got into trouble in the bottom of the seventh inning. Greg Hopkins started the inning with a single and a wild pitch moved him to second base. Ben McMahan reached on an error to put runners at the corners. Yadiel Rivera dumped a single into center and Hopkins scored the tying run. Tyler Roberts was next and the Rattlers catcher sent a high fly ball to left that the jet stream carried out of the ballpark for a three-run home run and a 5-2 Wisconsin lead.

 

Chad Pierce, who came on in relief of Goforth for the sixth inning, gave up three straight singles - one a wind-blown infield popup - in the top of the eighth and the Cougars had the bases loaded with no outs. He limited the damage to a run scoring sacrifice fly by Murray Watts and an RBI groundout by Edul Escobar as Kane County cut the lead to a single run.

 

Pierce went back out for the top of the ninth inning and retired the first two batters of the frame. But, he gave up a single to Jorge Bonifacio and was replaced by closer Seth Harvey, who would face Adams.

 

Harvey missed with the first pitch and Adams hit his second pitch over the Kane County bullpen beyond the wall in left-center for a long, two-run home run and a 6-5 Cougars lead.

 

Yambati went back out for the bottom of the ninth inning and had two outs with a runner at first base. Then, he walked Walla and Chadwin Stang on full counts to load the bases.

 

Ramirez, who had a "walkoff" single in the tenth inning to beat Burlington on May 16, didn't waste time to send everyone home happy. He lined the first pitch of his at bat to right to score the tying and winning runs.

 

The Timber Rattlers had four "walkoff" wins in 70 home games in 2011. This Sunday was the fifth of the 2012 season for the Rattlers and it came in their 28th home game of the year.

 

As an added bonus for Wisconsin, the Beloit Snappers lost 12-0 at Burlington on Sunday. The Rattlers and Beloit entered Sunday tied for the lead in the Midwest League's Western Division. Wisconsin now has a one game lead on the Snappers and a four game advantage over Kane County.

 

The final game of the series - and the homestand - is Monday afternoon. Left-hander Will West will make his Timber Rattlers debut as the starting pitcher. Kane County sends Aaron Brooks (3-4, 5.36) to the mound. Game time is 12:05pm.

 

A day game means there is a Baker Tilly Business Persons Special. Show your business card when you purchase a ticket and for $11.50 you will receive a box seat ticket, a beverage and your choice of brat or hot dog. This ticket offer is also available to senior citizens.

 

Monday is also a B104.7 Qdoba Q*Monday. Fans receive a free ticket to any Monday home game on the 2012 schedule when they purchase a lunch entrée at the Qdoba by the Fox River Mall.

 

If you can't make it out to the game on Monday, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 11:45am. Monday's game may also be viewed by subscribers of MiLB.TV or Sports32 on Time Warner Cable systems.

 

HOME RUNS:

KC:

Lane Adams (3rd, 1 on in 9th inning off Seth Harvey, 2 out)

 

WIS:

Tyler Roberts (3rd, 2 on in 7th inning off Robinson Yambati, 0 outs)

 

WP: Seth Harvey (3-0)

LP: Robinson Yambati (1-1)

 

TIME: 2:45

ATTN: 4,737

 

Nine after 9 for May 20, 2012

I might have to break down and start a twitter account *sigh*

 

Wisconsin Box Score

The end of this game was quite the emotional roller coaster, I'll spare you my internal monologue from the 7th on-wards and I'll just say this victory was one that had me hopping off the couch. With the Brewers finally running away with a game from the start I was able to focus exclusively on the T-Rats this afternoon. I'm always curious how much progress a pitcher like David Goforth will make with his delivery over the course of the season, it just seems like many guys take that jump between seasons. David threw 82 pitches but only 44 for strikes so it's not surprising that he had more walks than strike outs, 4:3. He also added in a WP and a Balk during the contest. Chad Pierce wasn't as effective as he'd been prior, obviously the HR Seth Harvey allowed in the 9th didn't help his line.

 

Much like Friday night by the 3rd inning I was looking up the opposing pitcher thinking who is this guy? The Cougars' pitcher Brooks Pounders was a 2nd round draft pick of the A's in 2009. It's kind of sad how quickly I forgot about a guy when they drop out of an organization's top 10, much less their top 30. Fielder might have been too fat for Bean but apparently monstrous pitchers are still "money ball" baby! He had a very nice game and is having a heck of a season from peripherals standpoint. He's always been a big dude, here's his scouting report from the 2009 draft:

Among California preps, Temecula Valley High righthander Brooks Pounders has split scouts more than any other player. Pounders' father Brad was a star at UC Riverside and played in the Padres farm system in the 1980s. Brooks is a jumbo-sized 6-foot-5, 240-pounder, who despite his intimidating size is not a fireballer. Instead, he has a feel for four pitches and advanced secondary stuff. His fastball ranges from 88-90 mph, peaking at 91. He throws both a tight curveball and hard slider, both of which have plus potential, and rounds out his repertoire with a changeup. Pounders' frame is not projectable, so he doesn't figure to throw much harder in the future. His fastball is fairly straight, and his command can be inconsistent. Those factors may combine to depress Pounder's draft position, and if he slides he'll end up at Southern California.

 

No disrespect intended to Nick Ramirez' heroics (2-5) driving in runs on multiple occasions but the first thing that jumped out at me from the Rattler box score was Max Walla's day. He went 2-3 with 2 walks, he now has 21 BB against 27 SO, he's in his 4th season already, but I'm extremely happy with the progress he's made. Windblown or not, Tyler Roberts' HR had me pretty excited as well. Ben McMahan and Gregory Hopkins each had an error but McMahan also had an OF assist. Walla and Chadwin Stang collected a stolen base a piece.

 

Wisconsin Play By Play

Chris described it above but here's the WI 7th and on...

Wisconsin Bottom of the 7th

• Pitcher Change: Robinson Yambati replaces Brooks Pounders.
  Gregory Hopkins singles on a ground ball to center fielder Lane Adams.
  With Ben McMahan batting, wild pitch by Robinson Yambati, Gregory Hopkins to 2nd.
  Ben McMahan reaches on fielding error by second baseman Justin Trapp. Gregory Hopkins to 3rd.
  Yadiel Rivera singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Lane Adams. Gregory Hopkins scores. Ben McMahan to 2nd.
  With Tyler Roberts batting, wild pitch by Robinson Yambati, Ben McMahan to 3rd. Yadiel Rivera to 2nd.
  Tyler Roberts homers (3) on a fly ball to left field. Ben McMahan scores. Yadiel Rivera scores.
  Carlos George grounds out, third baseman Michael Antonio to first baseman Murray Watts.
  Brandon Macias singles on a line drive to left fielder Runey Davis, deflected by third baseman Michael Antonio. Brandon Macias out at 2nd, left fielder Runey Davis to second baseman Justin Trapp.
  Max Walla lines out to center fielder Lane Adams.

 

Kane County Top of the 8th

• Lane Adams singles on a line drive to center fielder Max Walla.
  Michael Antonio singles on a fly ball to right fielder Ben McMahan. Lane Adams to 2nd.
  Orlando Calixte singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Gregory Hopkins. Lane Adams to 3rd. Michael Antonio to 2nd.
  Murray Watts out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Ben McMahan. Lane Adams scores.
  With Edul Escobar batting, wild pitch by Chad Pierce, Michael Antonio to 3rd. Orlando Calixte to 2nd.
  Edul Escobar grounds out, third baseman Gregory Hopkins to first baseman Nick Ramirez. Michael Antonio scores. Orlando Calixte to 3rd.
  Runey Davis strikes out swinging.

Wisconsin Bottom of the 8th

• Jason Rogers hit by pitch.
  Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Chadwin Stang replaces Jason Rogers.
  Nick Ramirez flies out to left fielder Runey Davis.
  With Gregory Hopkins batting, Chadwin Stang steals (9) 2nd base.
  Gregory Hopkins grounds out, second baseman Justin Trapp to first baseman Murray Watts.
  Ben McMahan walks.
  Yadiel Rivera grounds out, shortstop Orlando Calixte to first baseman Murray Watts.

 

Kane County Top of the 9th

• Defensive switch from center field to right field for Max Walla.
  Chadwin Stang remains in the game as the center fielder.
  Defensive switch from right field to left field for Ben McMahan.
  Justin Trapp pops out to shortstop Yadiel Rivera.
  Daniel Mateo grounds out, second baseman Carlos George to pitcher Chad Pierce.
  Jorge Bonifacio singles on a line drive to left fielder Ben McMahan.
  Pitcher Change: Seth Harvey replaces Chad Pierce.
  Lane Adams homers (3) on a fly ball to center field. Jorge Bonifacio scores.
  Michael Antonio called out on strikes.

 

Wisconsin Bottom of the 9th

• Tyler Roberts walks.
  Carlos George strikes out on foul bunt.
  Brandon Macias grounds into a force out, shortstop Orlando Calixte to second baseman Justin Trapp. Tyler Roberts out at 2nd. Brandon Macias to 1st.
  Max Walla walks. Brandon Macias to 2nd.
  Chadwin Stang walks. Brandon Macias to 3rd. Max Walla to 2nd.
  Nick Ramirez singles on a line drive to right fielder Jorge Bonifacio. Brandon Macias scores. Max Walla scores. Chadwin Stang to 2nd.

[TheCrew07]

Final: Chattanooga 7, Huntsville 3

 

Huntsville Box Score

I actually intended on switching my audio to Kyle Heckathorn's start this afternoon but by the time I looked at the box score he'd already given up 7 runs in 2 innings and Dan Merklinger was out for the start of the 3rd so I stuck with the T-Rats instead. However I probably should have listened to this game anyway because Dan had his finest outing of the season. He went 3 scoreless allowing a hit and a walk while striking out 5. R.J. Seidel pitched 2 scoreless and Brandon Kintzler closed it out with a clean 8th.

 

The Stars squared off against Nathan Eovaldi today and he's a name you should remember. He's the #3 prospect in the Dodgers organization is in the 96th prospect in the top 100 according to BA. His peripherals don't do much for me but here's his scouting report from this off season:

Eovaldi fell to the 11th round of the 2008 draft because he had Tommy John surgery as a high school junior and made a strong commitment to Texas A&M. The Dodgers weren't scared off and signed him for $250,000. After a solid but unspectacular start to his pro career, he took off in 2011, dominating Double-A and making his big league debut at age 21. Eovaldi has a power arsenal, led by a heater that works at 94-98 mph with good downhill angle and occasional late life. His fastball touched triple digits when he came out of the bullpen in the majors. He has a wrist wrap in his arm action that has led to inconsistency, but he did a better job in 2011 of staying over the rubber longer and allowing his arm to clear, helping his fastball command. Eovaldi ditched his curveball after 2010 and developed an 85-91 mph slider that's a plus pitch with tilt and late movement at its best. His changeup is fringy but good enough to keep hitters honest. His key going forward will be to throw more strikes. Some scouts believe Eovaldi fits best as a two-pitch, late-inning reliever, but Los Angeles will keep him a starter. He'll vie for a spot in the big league rotation in spring training.

 

Hunter Morris had the only multi-hit effort for the Stars going 2-3 with a double and Josh Prince added a double to round out the offensive side of the coin here this evening. Lee Haydel got picked off but also added an OF assist.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

This is only for the morbidly curious out there...

Chattanooga Bottom of the 1st

• Nick Buss grounds out, second baseman Scooter Gennett to first baseman Hunter Morris.
  Jake Lemmerman walks.
  J. T. Wise singles on a ground ball to left fielder Lee Haydel. Jake Lemmerman to 2nd.
  Blake Smith homers (6) on a fly ball to right field. Jake Lemmerman scores. T. Wise scores.
  Travis Denker doubles (7) on a line drive to left fielder Lee Haydel.
  Brahiam Maldonado grounds out softly, third baseman Matt Cline to first baseman Hunter Morris. Travis Denker to 3rd.
  Rafael Ynoa flies out to left fielder Lee Haydel.

 

Chattanooga Bottom of the 2nd

• Gorman Erickson grounds out, first baseman Hunter Morris to pitcher Kyle Heckathorn.
  Nathan Eovaldi walks.
  Nick Buss singles on a line drive to right fielder Kentrail Davis. Nathan Eovaldi to 2nd.
  Jake Lemmerman singles on a sharp ground ball to third baseman Matt Cline. Nathan Eovaldi to 3rd. Nick Buss to 2nd.
  J. T. Wise singles on a ground ball to shortstop Juan Sanchez. Nathan Eovaldi scores. Nick Buss to 3rd. Jake Lemmerman to 2nd.
  Blake Smith out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Lee Haydel. Nick Buss scores.
  Travis Denker doubles (8) on a fly ball to center fielder Josh Prince. Jake Lemmerman scores. Wise scores.
  Brahiam Maldonado flies out to center fielder Josh Prince.

[Tedaldtada]

'Tees pound Miracle to earn series win

05/20/2012 9:20 PM ET

By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees

 

http://www.milb.com/images/2012/05/20/xniqHLkN.jpg

Manatees starting pitcher Andy Moye won his first start with Brevard County on Sunday, after recently being called up from Class-A Wisconsin. Moye allowed two runs - one earned - in five innings of work as the 'Tees routed the Fort Myers Miracle 13-2. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

 

VIERA, Fla. - A nine-run sixth inning helped the Brevard County Manatees score a season-high in runs as the 'Tees clobbered the Fort Myers Miracle 13-2 on Sunday evening at Space Coast Stadium.

 

Highlighting that nine run inning were three-run homers by both T.J. Mittelstaedt and Shea Vucinich. Vucinich was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate as he drove in three, scored three times and drew a walk. He is hitting .370 (17-for-46) in the month of May to raise his season batting average 77 points, after hitting just .178 in April.

 

Cody Hawn, Mike Walker, Scott Krieger and Franklin Romero Jr. all added two hits each as Brevard County (17-25) also reached a season-high in hits with 14.

 

Krieger hit the other Brevard County homer, which was a two-run shot in the second inning. He also had a double and drove in a total of four runs.

 

All these runs were plenty in support of Manatees starting pitcher Andy Moye, who earned a victory in his first start at Brevard County. Moye went five innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits. He walked one and struck out four as he continued his winning ways from Class-A Wisconsin.

 

Ten of Brevard's 12 RBI on Sunday came with two outs, including the homers by Mittelstaedt and Vucinich in the sixth. The Manatees were 7-for-13 with runners in scoring position and seven of the Manatees' 14 hits went for extra bases.

 

The victory gave Brevard County the series win over Fort Myers (16-27) as the Manatees took three of four from the Miracle. Brevard's last series win came against Tampa on April 25-27.

 

The 'Tees will now hit the road for a seven-game road trip, which will begin on Monday night at 6:30 p.m. with the first game of a four-game set against the Charlotte Stone Crabs. The Stone Crabs (21-21) have won seven of their last ten games and are in third place in the Florida State League South Division.

 

Brooks Hall (0-1, 2.41) will toe the rubber for Brevard to open the road trip. Hall struck out three in five innings of work in his last start against Daytona this past Wednesday.

 

The Stone Crabs will send Albert Suarez (2-2, 2.24) to the bump. Baseball America ranked Suarez as Tampa Bay's 17th best prospect heading into this season.

 

Box Score

 

Somewhere, in a dark, padded room, Jimmy Nelson, Taylor Jungmann and Brooks Hall are mumbling craziness while fighting over a teddy bear. It is understandable. After all, Andy Moye comes to BC and is presented with 13 runs from an offense that as a whole is way under a .600 OPS.

 

"Why him (Moye)! I buy Mittelstaedt a candy bar after every game!", Nelson proclaims suddenly.

 

That was the only discernible statement made by any of the three pitchers in the room. The rest was just crazy mumbling. [/humor]

 

Andy Moye pitched great on three days rest. 5 IP 3 H 2 R 1 ER 1 BB 4 K 5:4 GO:FO. The minor league production being harvested from the 2011 draft class is pretty encouraging. Three relievers combined for 4 scoreless innings.

 

Shea Vucinich (3-3 2B HR BB) made some kind of adjustment in May. He is really killing it (see gamestory). Scott Kreiger (2-4 2B HR) is fighting for .200. Corner cousins (Hawn actually DH'ed tonight) Mike Walker (2-4 2B) and Cody Hawn (2-5 2B) did some damage. Tonight's 3B T.J. Mittelstaedt hit a bomb, his 4th on the year.

 

Game Log

 

A ton of 2-out damage.

 

Brevard County Bottom of the 6th

 

Michael Walker singles on a ground ball to center fielder Angel Morales.

Shea Vucinich singles on a ground ball to center fielder Angel Morales. Michael Walker to 2nd.

Miguel Velazquez strikes out swinging.

Scott Krieger doubles (3) on a line drive to center fielder Angel Morales. Michael Walker scores. Shea Vucinich scores.

Franklin Romero Jr. singles on a fly ball to right fielder Oswaldo Arcia.

Nick Shaw strikes out swinging.

With T. J. Mittelstaedt batting, wild pitch by Cole Nelson, Scott Krieger to 3rd. Franklin Romero Jr. to 2nd.

T. J. Mittelstaedt homers (4) on a fly ball to right center field. Scott Krieger scores. Franklin Romero Jr.

Cody Hawn doubles (11) on a line drive to center fielder Angel Morales.

Shawn Zarraga singles on a ground ball to left fielder Daniel Ortiz. Cody Hawn to 3rd.

Pitcher Change: Bruce Pugh replaces Cole Nelson.

Michael Walker reaches on fielding error by third baseman Anderson Hidalgo. Cody Hawn scores. Shawn Zarraga to 2nd.

Shea Vucinich homers (2) on a fly ball to left field. Shawn Zarraga scores. Michael Walker scores.

Miguel Velazquez grounds out, third baseman Anderson Hidalgo to first baseman Lance Ray.

 

The inning before...ahhh, baseball.

 

Brevard County Bottom of the 5th

 

T. J. Mittelstaedt strikes out swinging.

Cody Hawn strikes out swinging.

Shawn Zarraga called out on strikes.

[Tedaldtada]

Nashville 2 Tucson (Padres) 1

 

Box Score

 

Caleb Gindl was benched again, but he did PH. I do not blame the decision makers. Gindl has been awful. Logan Schafer was back in the lead off spot.

 

The real story here was Seth McClung. 7 IP 5 H 0 R 4 BB 4 K 1 WP 6:6 GO:FO. Seth has been better lately. Mike McClendon just about coughed it up in the bottom of the 9th.

 

This was a game full of 1-2-3 innings. The box says it took almost 3 hours to play. I do not know how that is possible by looking at the game log. Perhaps a plethora of full counts?

 

Game Log

 

Pretty bare-bones, but dive in.

 

Gameday

[Mass Haas]

If you're reading this in the office and didn't set your DVR to tape LHP Will West's noon debut start on TWC Sports 32, it will be re-played at 9:00 AM Tuesday.

 

Also Timber Rattlers Field Pass is on at 11:30 AM and 9:00 PM Monday, with other airings later in the week (listings).

[Mass Haas]

Sounds Ride McClung For 2-1 Victory In Tucson

McClung Tosses Seven Shutout Innings For First Win

Nashville Sounds

 

TUCSON, Ariz. - Starting pitcher Seth McClung threw seven shutout innings to guide the Nashville Sounds to a 2-1 victory over the Tucson Padres on Sunday night at Kino Stadium.

 

In his best pitching performance and third quality start of the season, the 31-year-old McClung (1-4) surrendered five hits while walking and striking out four in 104 pitches (62 strikes) for his first victory. Only two of McClung's five hits allowed left the infield.

 

The victory gave Nashville (16-26) a four-game series split with Tucson for the second consecutive season and moves the club into third place in the PCL American Northern Division.

 

Reliever Mike McClendon recorded the final six outs for his third save.

 

Outfielder Corey Patterson had two hits for the second straight game, while runs was driven in by shortstop Hainley Statia and first baseman Sean Halton.

 

The Sounds plated their first run in the second inning, but failed to do more damage while leaving the bases juiced as the frame ended. The rally started with consecutive one-out singles from third baseman Andy Gonzalez and right-fielder Jordan Brown. Statia then smashed a ground-rule RBI double to left field to score Gonzalez and hold Patterson at third base (audio).

 

After pitching around catcher Paul Phillips to load the bases, starting pitcher Tom Layne then struck out McClung and induced an inning-ending groundout.

 

Nashville tacked on their other run in the visiting half of the fourth for a 2-0 lead. With two outs, centerfielder Logan Schafer was hit by a Layne fast ball, followed by second baseman Eric Farris working a five-pitch walk. Halton then added to his team-leading RBI total with a run-scoring rope to left field to score Schafer (audio).

 

The Padres plated their only run with two outs in the ninth inning. Brad Davis worked a two-out walk, took second on defensive indifference, and scored on a Yasmani Grandal RBI base hit. McClendon then got Daniel Robertson to pop out to Farris to end the game.

 

Layne (0-4) stayed winless after giving up two runs on four hits while striking out six in 5 1/3 innings.

 

The Sounds continue their eight-game road swing with a four-game series with the Las Vegas 51s (AAA-Blue Jays) at Cashman Field. Nashville right-hander Mark Rogers (0-2, 4.28) searches for his first Triple-A victory in the opener against Las Vegas righty Scott Richmond (3-3, 6.17).

[Mass Haas]

Lookouts wash out Stars

Former Ringgold High School pitcher tagged seven runs on seven hits

By David Paschall, Chattanooga Times Free Press

 

Sunday afternoon's game at AT&T Field was delayed more than an hour by rain in the third inning, but Kyle Heckathorn's homecoming had already been drenched.

 

The former Ringgold High School pitcher was tagged for seven runs on seven hits and lasted just two innings as his Huntsville Stars were thumped 7-3 by the Chattanooga Lookouts. Heckathorn performed in front of family, friends and several children who take pitching lessons from him during the offseason.

 

"Nerves are always a factor," Heckathorn said. "I didn't want to disappoint anyone, but that's how it turned out. They're a good-hitting team. I had a bad day, and they made me pay for it."

 

The 6-foot-6, 249-pound right-hander entered his first game in Chattanooga as a professional with a 2-2 record and a 4.17 earned run average, but the quick stint swelled his totals to 2-3 and 5.32.

 

After getting Lookouts leadoff batter Nick Buss to ground out, Heckathorn walked Jake Lemmerman, allowed a single to left by J.T. Wise and gave up a three-run home run to right by Blake Smith. The homer by Smith was one at-bat too late for the cycle after he singled, doubled twice and tripled during Chattanooga's 5-4 win Saturday night in 10 innings.

 

Smith has driven in four runs each of the past two games.

 

"Our offense has just really gotten hot recently," Smith said. "Their pitcher has great stuff, and we remembered him having great stuff when we faced him before [May 4 in Huntsville]. He's got a live arm, but he just got in a little trouble getting behind. He left some pitches up, and once you leave a pitch up, it can lead to a couple of runs.

 

"He had a couple of two-strike hits, and once that gets rolling, it's hard to stop."

 

Sunday's romp clinched the series for the Lookouts, who improved to 21-23 and have won consecutive series for the first time this season.

 

Heckathorn's second inning began with a ground out by Griff Erickson, but then he allowed a walk to Lookouts starter Nathan Eovaldi and singles to Buss and Lemmerman to load the bases. An infield hit by Wise and a sacrifice to left by Smith made it 5-0, and then Travis Denker doubled to center to extend the lead to 7-0.

 

In his first eight starts for the Stars this season, Heckathorn racked up 40 strikeouts and only seven walks. The 23-year-old did not tally any strikeouts against the Lookouts and walked two.

 

"We were able to attack early, and we were able to hit some hard balls off of him," Lookouts manager Carlos Subero said. "We just had a good game early."

 

Said Heckathorn: "I've got to pack this in and go get them the next time. I'll get another shot at them, and hopefully it will turn out different."

 

Ethan Martin (5-0, 3.28) is scheduled to start tonight's 7:15 PM (6:15 Central) series finale for the Lookouts, with Hiram Burgos (0-1, 6.00) scheduled for the Stars.

 

Kyle Heckathorn pitches for the Hunstville Stars against the Chattanooga Lookouts Sunday at AT&T Field.

Photo by John Rawlston

 

http://media.timesfreepress.com/img/photos/2012/05/20/052112_WEB_c_Lookouts_t618.jpg?ba5b5b122dd3d37cc13d83e92a6a0ec0d5bfa32a

[Mass Haas]

Very good Rattlers photo gallery from the Post-Crescent

[Mass Haas]

Nick Ramirez video interview included in the Post-Crescent game story

[Mass Haas]

Ringgold product Kyle Heckathorn returns home for a special start

By Brendan F. Quinn, nooga.com

 

Despite being stationed with the Huntsville Stars, the Double-A affiliate in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, former Ringgold High School standout Kyle Heckathorn was given the privilege of a midseason homecoming.

 

The Ringgold, Ga., native was penciled in as the Stars’ starting pitcher for the fourth of a five-game series against the Chattanooga Lookouts. Despite a relatively small Sunday evening crowd at AT&T Field, section 104 was filled with family and friends to cheer on the hometown hero.

 

Just minutes before the ceremonial first pitch was thrown, the doorknob to the visitors’ bullpen turned and the towering 6-foot-6 right-hander stepped onto the warning track in left field. As the hurler made his way down the left field line to the third base dugout, shouts and homemade signs for the North Georgia product could not go ignored.

 

With a smile across his face and a wave to the crowd standing above the Stars’ dugout, the Brewers prospect knew he was home.

 

“I have so many memories here,”Heckathorn said. “I remember the train coming out and watching the Lookouts as a kid.”

 

Heckathorn began his baseball career just south of Chattanooga with the Ringgold High School Tigers in 2002 where his 11-1 record and 0.92 ERA during his senior season gained the attention of Kennesaw State head coach Mike Sansing. As a team making the transition to Division I, the 2005 North Georgia Player of the Year began dealing as a freshman for the Owls in 2007.

 

Heckathorn started 11 games, struck out a team-high 77 batters and led the pitching staff with a 3.31 ERA in his first season.

 

The highly touted right-hander followed that with a stellar sophomore campaign. He started 13 games, and tied for the team lead in strikeouts with 98 and found himself on the radar of all 30 big league teams.

 

The Brewers selected Heckathorn in the first round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, taking the local talent as the 47th overall pick.

 

Currently in his fourth year in the minors and second stint in the Southern League with Huntsville, the 23-year-old returned to pitch against the Lookouts for the first time in Chattanooga.

 

While received well by fans, the bats wielded by the Lookouts didn’t give him a warm welcome. Heckathorn was touched up for seven earned runs on seven hits through just two innings of work from the mound. Although reaching 91 MPH with his fastball, jitters may have played a part in the starter’s rough outing.

 

“Nerves are always a factor,” Heckathorn said. “I didn’t want to disappoint anyone but that’s how it turned out. (The Lookouts) are a good hitting team. I had a bad day and they made me pay for it, but that’s all a part of it.”

 

Heckathorn, despite losing his third contest of the season, has been effective for Huntsville. Along with two walks in Sunday’s matchup, the 2010 MiLB.com Organizational All-Star has allowed just nine base-on-balls opposed to 40 strikes outs thus far.

 

Since beginning his professional career in 2009, Heckathorn has seen his opponents’ batting average drop drastically—from .326 to .279 this year—and the starter has already managed to shave home run numbers since last season. Through 22 games in 2011, Heckathorn allowed a whopping 15 round-trippers and gave up a career-high 64 earned runs, but just two home runs and a 1.46 ground ball/fly ball ratio has shown the starter keeping more batted balls in the dirt.

 

Sunday’s outing is another lesson.

 

“You have to bounce back,” Heckathorn said. “I have to go look at video, keep working with our pitching coach and correct it—hopefully come back in four days and have a better outing.”

 

Heckathorn said Sunday’s loss was tough to swallow, but the support of his family helps him keep his head up.

 

Heckathorn and the Stars will have two more chances against the Lookouts with two five-game series scheduled to be played in Huntsville, Ala., in July.

[Mass Haas]

STARS DROP SECOND STRAIGHT

 

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.- After losing in extra innings on Saturday night, the Huntsville Stars fell to the Chattanooga Lookouts by a score of 7-3 on Sunday afternoon at AT&T Park.

 

The loss highlighted a rough return home for Stars starting pitcher Kyle Heckathorn. In the first inning, the Ootewah, Tennessee native gave up a three-run home run to Chattanooga right fielder Blake Smith. Then in the second, Heckathorn gave up an RBI single to first baseman J.T Wise and a two-run double to third baseman Travis Denker. A sacrifice fly by Smith abruptly finished his shortest outing at the Double-A level at just two innings. He was tagged with all seven Chattanooga runs on seven hits. He walked two and didn’t strike out any of the 15 batters he faced.

 

After an hour rain delay, pitcher Dan Merklinger came in for Heckathorn and threw three scoreless innings, striking out five batters. The Lookouts didn’t plate another run and managed just two hits off the Stars bullpen. The Stars offense finally came alive in the eighth inning. After Lee Haydel grounded out to start the inning, center fielder Josh Prince and pinch-hitter Tommy Manzella both drew walks. Southern League doubles leader Hunter Morris hit his 18th double to score Prince. Catcher Jason Jaramillo followed that up with an RBI single to plate Manzella. Right fielder Kentrail Davis grounded out to allow Morris to cross home, cutting the Lookouts lead to just four. Matt Cline flew out to end the inning and the Stars comeback.

 

The newest member of the Stars, relief pitcher Brandon Kintzler, came in to close out the game in the bottom of the eighth. He pitched a perfect inning, forcing two ground outs and a pop out.

 

For Chattanooga, starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi improved to 2-2 on the season after holding the Stars scoreless with three hits through five innings. He walked four and struck out two.

 

For the Stars, the loss secured their second consecutive series loss in a row. Huntsville has also now lost five out of their last six games.

 

The finale of a five-game series in Chattanooga will begin on Monday as the Stars will send RHP Hiram Burgos (0-1, 6.00 ERA) to square off against Chattanooga’s RHP Ethan Martin (5-0, 3.28 ERA). First pitch is at 6:15 p.m. Alex Cohen has the call at www.huntsvillestars.com starting at 6:00.