Link Report for Wed. 5/30 -- Thornburg moves to 7-0 despite ejection; 1st place Rattlers romp; Plunk-o-rama for Schafer

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Seth McClung at Oklahoma City (Astros), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 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.

 

**********

 

Huntsville: RHP Tyler Thornburg at Tennessee (Cubs), 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: Huntsville road games in four locales (Mississippi, Tennessee, Jacksonville and Pensacola) will be broadcast.

 

**********

 

Brevard County: LHP Jed Bradley at home vs. Daytona (Cubs), 5:35 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 Chad Thompson at Cedar Rapids (Angels), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime; if form holds, RHP Mark Williams will 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]

This means Tyler Thornburg tonight!

 

MiLB.TV note -- Reminder that in addition to the always-available Sounds feed, you're treated to Stars video for this series in Tennessee, so good time for friends and family of Huntsville players (and the rest of us) to invest in MiLB.TV if so inclined.

[Mass Haas]

Follow Wednesday'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]

Catching up with video -- this from the Stars Tuesday:

 

Huntsville's Scooter Gennett plates two runs with a double in the Stars' 8-4 win over Tennessee

[Mass Haas]

Yes, the Rattlers first-place lead is down to two, but because 3rd place Kane County lost to 2nd place Beloit, Wisconsin's wild card lead is still at six. Of course, we're all rooting for a first-half division crown with 18 games remaining.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes

[Mass Haas]

Audio from OKC — “The Bake® Show”

 

Jeff's note: Today’s interview from Bricktown is with Sounds right-hander Brian Baker. His Twitter handle, which he admittedly rarely uses, is @TheBakeShow14, and it’s a handle that he says he didn’t come up with. Nonetheless, or perhaps because of that, his teammates enjoy referring to him as The Bake Show. In this chat, Baker discusses his outing in last night’s rain-shortened Sounds loss, his seven years in the Tampa Bay organization and his illustrious career at Division-II Columbus State (GA) University, whose athletics Hall of Fame inducted Baker earlier this Spring.

[Mass Haas]

Media notes:

 

Huntsville

 

Wisconsin

[Mass Haas]

Catching up on Monday video from Tennessee:

 

Huntsville's Hunter Morris delivers a run-scoring double in the Stars' 3-2 loss to the Smokies

[Tedaldtada]

Sounds' Struggles Against RedHawks Continue With 7-2 Loss

05/30/2012 11:19 PM ET

Nashville Sounds

 

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Sounds' struggles against Oklahoma City continued on Wednesday evening as Nashville suffered a 7-2 defeat at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

 

Nashville (20-32) has lost nine of its 10 games against the Houston Astros' top affiliate this season, including each of the last seven meetings between the teams.

 

Oklahoma City plated six of its seven runs in the contest with two outs in an inning.

 

Second baseman Eric Farris went 2-for-5 for the Sounds in the losing effort to extend his season-best hitting streak to nine games. First baseman Jordan Brown extended his own season-best hitting streak to nine games with an eighth-inning double.

 

Sounds leadoff hitter Logan Schafer tied a single-game PCL record by being hit by three pitches in the contest.

 

RedHawks right-hander Brian Bass (1-0) was sharp in his debut for Oklahoma City, scattering five hits over six scoreless innings to earn the win.

 

Oklahoma City third baseman Brett Wallace gave the home team an early 1-0 advantage when he belted the first pitch he saw from Sounds starter Seth McClung over the left field wall for a two-out solo homer, his eighth roundtripper of the year.

 

The RedHawks doubled their lead to 2-0 with a two-out rally in the fourth. After the first two batters were retired, Jimmy Paredes reached on a bunt single and moved to second when McClung's throw towards first was errant and went into the stands. Brandon Barnes followed with an RBI single up the middle to plate Paredes in unearned fashion.

 

The Sounds missed an opportunity to score in the fifth, when they loaded the bases with two outs against Bass. However, Jeff Bianchi grounded sharply to third, where Wallace tagged out Schafer in the basepaths for the final out as Oklahoma City escaped the jam unscathed.

 

McClung (1-5) took the loss after allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits over his five innings of action.

 

Nashville loaded the bases once again in the seventh, this time with one out, but were only able to plate one run on a two-our wild pitch. With the sacks full, RedHawks reliever Adalberto Flores induced a foul popout from Farris before uncorking a two-out wild pitch with Bianchi at the plate to allow Caleb Gindl to race home with the Sounds' first run of the night. The right-hander then retired Bianchi on a flyout, leaving a pair of runners in scoring position as he escaped the jam without further damage.

 

Gindl went 2-for-3 on the night, the outfielder's fifth multi-hit effort in his last 10 contests.

 

Oklahoma City responded to the Sounds' run with a pair of their own in the home half of the seventh, when left fielder Scott Moore's two-out, two-run single off Victor Garate extended the RedHawks' lead to 4-1. Both runs were charged to Rob Wooten, who retired only one of his three batters faced to start the inning for Nashville.

 

The Sounds pulled back with a pair of runs in the eighth as Brown ripped a leadoff double against Flores and later scored on an Andy Gonzalez groundout, reducing the deficit to 4-2.

 

The RedHawks put the game away with a three-spot in the bottom of the eighth against the Sounds bullpen, highlighted by Angel Sanchez's two-out, two-run homer to left off Johnnie Lowe. The blast, the infielder's second of the year, extended the lead to 7-2.

 

The teams continue the series with another 7:05 p.m. meeting on Thursday night. Right-hander Mark Rogers (1-2, 4.93), who notched his first career Triple-A victory in his last outing, will make the start for the Sounds and face Oklahoma City southpaw Wes Musick (0-1, 5.40).

 

Box Score

 

HBP: Schafer (by Bass), Schafer (by Bass), Schafer (by Del Rosario) This kid needs three ice packs, two Spotted Cows, and one full body massage from someone he deems gorgeous.

 

Future MLB Brewers SS Jeff Bianchi hit a 3B and is hitting .314 in AAA. As indicated in the game story, Caleb Gindl is emerging from his funk.

 

Many pitchers came, and many left with hurt feelings. Amaury Rivas, still in good spirits after his perfect inning with 2 K, has not transitioned so well to the relief role. That last arm injury must have sapped some of his stuff. Rivas used to feature a low-90's heater and a plus change-up. I am not totally sure where he is at now.

 

Game Log

 

oof

 

Nashville Top of the 5th

 

Caleb Gindl grounds out to first baseman Mike Hessman.

Jason Jaramillo strikes out swinging.

Seth McClung singles on a ground ball to center fielder Brandon Barnes.

Logan Schafer hit by pitch. Seth McClung to 2nd.

Eric Farris singles on a line drive to center fielder Brandon Barnes. Seth McClung to 3rd. Logan Schafer to 2nd.

Jeff Bianchi grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Brett Wallace. Logan Schafer out at 3rd.

 

Gameday

[Tedaldtada]

Three-run ninth propels Cubs

05/30/2012 11:29 PM ET

By Tyler Murray with Robbie Aaron

 

Viera, FL The Daytona Cubs earned a gritty, come-from-behind victory over the Brevard County Manatees, 6-5, at Space Coast Stadium on Wednesday night. Powered by a three-run ninth inning, Daytona snapped a three-game losing streak, and secured its seventh road with of the season.

 

Trailing by three runs heading into the eighth inning, the Cubs put runners on second and third thanks to an error on 3B Mike Walker and some aggressive base-running from CF Matt Szczur and DH Rubi Silva. With one out, Szczur came in to score when 1B Richard Jones struck out on a wild pitch from RHP Eric Marzec, and Daytona cut the deficit to 5-3.

 

The Cubs continued the momentum against RHP Casey Medlen (BS, L, 2-3) in the ninth as 2B Roni Torreyes reached on an infield single and LF John Andreoli lined a single to left. SS Arismendy Alcantara then popped up to third for the first out, and Szczur moved Torreyes to third with a fly out to deep center. 3B Greg Rohan knocked home Torreyes with a single to left to make it 5-4, and Silva kept the rally alive when he reached on a fielding error by Medlen when he slipped on the rain-soaked surface. RF Nelson Perez then stepped in, replacing Elieser Bonne, who left the game in the eighth with an apparent arm injury. Perez laced the first pitch he saw into right field, scoring Andreoli and Rohan to give the Cubs a 6-5 lead as the rain poured down.

 

After the Cubs took the lead, the game was guaranteed to head to the bottom of the ninth, so the umpires called for the tarp.

 

After an hour and fifteen minute rain delay, LHP Philippe Valiquette came on to strike out 1B Richard Jones to end the frame. RHP Scott Weismann (S, 3) pitched the bottom of ninth, and set down the Manatees in order.

 

RHP Frank Del Valle struggled in the early innings once again, allowing a two-run homer to 1B Cody Hawn in the second frame.

 

The Cubs fought back with two solo homers, one from C Micah Gibbs in the third, his second of the season, and another from 3B Greg Rohan in the fourth to tie the game at 2-2. Rohan's 10th home run moved him into a three-way tie for the Florida State League lead, and his 45 RBIs are a league high as well.

 

Del Valle was chased in the fifth inning, when RF Scott Krieger took him deep for a three-run homer to make it 5-2. He finished after 4.1 innings, allowing five runs on four hits with two walks and three strikeouts.

 

RHP Hayden Simpson came on and limited the damage with 1.2 innings of shutout baseball, working around two hits and a walk. RHP Eduardo Figueroa and RHP Tony Zych (W, 3-3) kept the Manatees hitless through the seventh and eighth innings, setting up the Cubs' rain-soaked comeback.

 

The Cubs and Manatees will play the final game of the four-game series on Thursday at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm.

[Tedaldtada]

Daytona (Cubs) 6 Brevard County 5

 

'Tees let one slip away against Cubs

05/30/2012 11:59 PM ET

By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees

 

http://www.milb.com/images/2012/05/31/3KYZYNmP.jpg

Manatees starting pitcher Jed Bradley allowed two runs in six innings of work as Brevard County fell 6-5 to the Daytona Cubs on Wednesday night at Space Coast Stadium. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

 

VIERA, Fla. - Up 5-3 going into the ninth, the Brevard County Manatees let one slip away on Wednesday night as the Daytona Cubs scored three in the top of the ninth and went on to defeat the 'Tees 6-5 at Space Coast Stadium.

 

Casey Medlen came in to try and earn his eighth save of the season as rain began to fall on the field in Viera. After allowing back-to-back singles by Ronald Torreyes and John Andreoli to start the inning, Medlen recorded back-to-back outs to put the Manatees (21-30) one out away from winning their third game in a row.

 

Greg Rohan then singled to left to plate Torreyes and cut the lead to 5-4. Medlen then got ahead of the next hitter, Rubi Silva with a 0-2 count when Silva hit a dribbler in front of the plate. With rain coming down hard and the wet grass, Medlen couldn't field the ball cleanly which loaded the bases.

 

Daytona (20-30) then took the lead as the next batter Nelson Perez singled to right to score two. The tarp was then finally (I added emphasis) placed on the field and the game went into a one hour and ten minute rain delay.

 

When play resumed, Philippe Valiquette made his Manatee debut recording a strikeout to finally end the top of the ninth. Brevard County went down in order in the bottom of the inning as the Manatees lost for the third time this season when leading after eight innings of play.

 

The 'Tees scored all of its runs via the homer off of Daytona starter Frank Del Valle. Cody Hawn hit a two-run homer in the second inning for the first runs of the game. Scott Krieger then knocked Del Valle out of the game with his three-run shot in the fifth to give the Manatees a 5-2 lead.

 

Jed Bradley (4-4, 3.83) made his second start since being activated from the disabled list with a groin injury and he fared better than his first start back from the DL. The southpaw went six innings and allowed two runs - both on solo home runs - on seven hits. He walked three and struck out two, but did not factor in the decision.

 

Brevard County and Daytona will close out their four-game set on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. with the last game of the series being played at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach.

 

Andy Moye (1-0, 3.38) will take the hill for the Manatees, while the Cubs will counter with lefty Austin Kirk (2-1, 2.34).

 

Box Score

 

No BC game story yet, but this one was pretty unfortunate for the Manatees. I am guessing there was a stink made after the game was delayed about why the delay had not been implemented sooner. Both Mike Walker and Casey Medlen made rain soaked field aided errors, Walker in the 8th and Medlen in the 9th.

 

Cody Hawn hit his 5th homer and was the only 'Tee to reach more than once. T.J. Mittelstaedt went 0-3 with a BB and 3 K.

 

Jedidiah Bradley got the start and was effective but he was not dominant. 6 IP 7 H 2 R 2 ER 3 BB 2 K 2 HR 8:4 GO:FO. Jed has a 12:11 K:BB in 25.0 IP in May. Phillipe Valiquette made his Manatee debut in fine fashion striking out the only hitter he faced.

 

It was a 90 degree day in Florida.

 

Game Log

 

I wonder if both were on the 1st pitch?

 

Daytona Top of the 3rd

 

Micah Gibbs homers (2) on a fly ball to center field.

Ronald Torreyes grounds out, shortstop Nick Shaw to first baseman Cody Hawn.

John Andreoli walks.

Arismendy Alcantara flies out to center fielder Reggie Keen.

With Matthew Szczur batting, John Andreoli steals (15) 2nd base.

Matthew Szczur strikes out swinging.

 

Daytona Top of the 4th

 

Greg Rohan homers (10) on a fly ball to left field.

Rubi Silva lines out to shortstop Nick Shaw.

Elieser Bonne called out on strikes.

Richard Jones singles on a line drive to center fielder Reggie Keen.

Micah Gibbs flies out to center fielder Reggie Keen.

 

The turning point.

 

Daytona Top of the 9th

 

Pitcher Change: Casey Medlen replaces Eric Marzec.

Ronald Torreyes singles on a ground ball to third baseman Mike Walker.

John Andreoli singles on a line drive to right fielder Scott Krieger. Ronald Torreyes to 2nd.

Arismendy Alcantara pops out to third baseman Mike Walker.

Matthew Szczur flies out to left fielder T. J. Mittelstaedt. Ronald Torreyes to 3rd.

Greg Rohan singles on a ground ball to left fielder T. J. Mittelstaedt. Ronald Torreyes scores. John Andreoli to 2nd.

Rubi Silva reaches on fielding error by pitcher Casey Medlen. John Andreoli to 3rd. Greg Rohan to 2nd.

Nelson Perez singles on a line drive to right fielder Scott Krieger. John Andreoli scores. Greg Rohan scores. Rubi Silva to 3rd.

Pitcher Change: Philippe Valiquette replaces Casey Medlen.

With Richard Jones batting, Nelson Perez steals (6) 2nd base.

Richard Jones strikes out swinging.

[TheCrew07]

Final: Huntsville 6, Tennessee 4

 

Huntsville Box Score

My first thought when opening up the box score was the Stars pitchers gave up 4 runs on only 5 hits? Upon closer inspection that's what happens when you give up 2HRs through 5 innings and then a walk and 2 wild pitches in the 7th. Tyler Thornburg was the starter and allowed both HRs plus a double, his control just hasn't been as sharp through May as it was in April, the XBHs and walk totals have skyrocketed, though his season line is still very good. Tyler went 5IP allowing 4H, 3ER, 2HR, and 2BB against only 1SO throwing 50 of 79 pitches for strikes and posting a 5:4 ratio. In Dan Merklinger's 1.1IP he walked 3, had a WP, allowed a hit, and gave up a run on a Mitch Stetter WP. Brandon Kintzler pitched the final 2 innings and should be nearing the end of his rehab assignment with the Stars.

 

Scooter Gennett remains red hot at the plate as he extended his hit streak with a 2-5 effort tonight. Josh Prince and Anderson De La Rosa also went 2-5 while Tommy Manzella and Lee Haydel both went 2-4. Thornburg also collected a hit pushing his AVE to .214 which is higher than a bunch of our position players from MLB down through WI. Haydel and Domnit Bolivar successfully swiped a bag each while Manzella was caught stealing and finally the Stars played clean defense for the duration of this contest.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

The Stars jumped out early plating 3 in the 2nd and would not relinquish the lead.

Huntsville Top of the 2nd

• Kentrail Davis grounds out, second baseman Logan Watkins to first baseman Justin Bour.
  Anderson De La Rosa singles on a ground ball to shortstop Junior Lake.
  Lee Haydel flies out to center fielder James Adduci.
  Tyler Thornburg singles on a line drive to center fielder James Adduci. Anderson De La Rosa to 2nd.
  Josh Prince singles on a line drive to left fielder Rebel Ridling. Anderson De La Rosa scores. Tyler Thornburg to 2nd.
  Tommy Manzella singles on a ground ball to right fielder Michael Burgess. Tyler Thornburg scores. Josh Prince to 2nd.
  Scooter Gennett singles on a line drive to center fielder James Adduci. Josh Prince scores. Tommy Manzella to 3rd.
  Hunter Morris flies out sharply to right fielder Michael Burgess.
  

 

I'm not sure why Domnit Bolivar would be batting 5th, but it's pretty rare when your #5 hitter is asked to lay down a bunt in the 5th inning with your team already ahead.

Huntsville Top of the 5th

• Scooter Gennett singles on a ground ball to right fielder Michael Burgess.
  Hunter Morris walks. Scooter Gennett to 2nd.
  Domnit Bolivar out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Dallas Beeler to second baseman Logan Watkins. Scooter Gennett to 3rd. Hunter Morris to 2nd.
  Kentrail Davis reaches on a fielder's choice out, shortstop Junior Lake to third baseman Matthew Cerda. Scooter Gennett scores. Hunter Morris out at 3rd.
  Anderson De La Rosa reaches on throwing error by third baseman Matthew Cerda. Kentrail Davis to 3rd. Anderson De La Rosa to 2nd.
  Lee Haydel singles on a fly ball to left fielder Rebel Ridling. Kentrail Davis scores. Anderson De La Rosa to 3rd.
  Pitcher Change: Ty'Relle Harris replaces Dallas Beeler, batting 7th.
  Defensive Substitution: Nate Samson replaces pitcher Dallas Beeler, batting 9th, playing third base.
  Tyler Thornburg flies out to right fielder Michael Burgess.

 

Scoring a run with only a single during the frame, boo.

Tennessee Bottom of the 7th

• Michael Brenly walks.
  Nate Samson strikes out on foul tip.
  With Junior Lake batting, wild pitch by Dan Merklinger, Michael Brenly to 2nd.
  Junior Lake singles on a line drive to left fielder Lee Haydel. Michael Brenly to 3rd.
  Logan Watkins walks. Junior Lake to 2nd.
  Pitcher Change: Mitch Stetter replaces Dan Merklinger, batting 9th.
  James Adduci strikes out on foul tip.
  With Justin Bour batting, wild pitch by Mitch Stetter, Michael Brenly scores. Junior Lake to 3rd. Logan Watkins to 2nd.
  Justin Bour strikes out swinging.

[TheCrew07]

Final: Wisconsin 10, Cedar Rapids 2

 

Big first inning paves the way to victory

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers shook off Tuesday's 14-inning loss at Peoria with a 10-2 win over the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Wednesday night at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Wisconsin sent ten men to the plate in the first inning and scored five runs on the way to their sixth win in the first eight games of their thirteen game road trip.

 

The Timber Rattlers (34-19) wasted no time in grabbing a lead in the game. Max Walla walked and Jason Rogers singled with one out. Nick Ramirez followed with a single to right and Walla scored. Greg Hopkins continued his hot streak with a single to center to score Rogers for a 2-0 lead. Then, Rafael Neda singled to load the bases.

 

Kernels starting pitcher Austin Wood walked John Dishon to force in a run and he was taken out of the game after that.

 

Adrian Williams greeted Cedar Rapids reliever Frank DiJiulio with a sharp single to center to score a pair of runs for a 5-0 lead.

 

The Kernels (23-30) got on the board in the second on a two out RBI single by Wendell Soto.

 

Wisconsin pushed back with a solo home run from Walla in the fourth inning and a pair of runs in the fifth. Rafael Neda scored on a balk and Dishon drove in Carlos George with a sacrifice fly.

 

Thompson cruised with the big lead. He allowed one unearned run on five hits over six innings. He walked one and struck out two while setting a professional high for innings pitched in a game.

 

Dishon drove in his third run of the night with a two-out single to right in the top of the seventh to put the Rattlers up 9-1.

 

Mark Williams had a rough eighth inning and allowed a two-out RBI single to Abel Baker, but Hopkins more than made up for that run. The Rattlers second baseman led off the ninth with a home run to left that left the stadium. The homer, the seventh of the season for Hopkins, made it 10-2.

 

The home run was the fourth in the last five games for Hopkins, who is 16-for-35 with 13 RBI in the first eight games of the road trip.

 

Mark Williams would allow a pair of two out hits in the ninth inning, but he finished off his second save of the season with his fourth strikeout of the game.

 

Game two of the series in Cedar Rapids is Thursday night. David Goforth (4-3, 5.59) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. The Kernels have slated Eswarlin Jimenez (1-3, 5.53) as their starting pitcher. Game time is 6:35pm. Tune in for the action on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:15pm.

 

HOME RUNS:

WIS:

Max Walla (2nd, 0 on in 4th inning off Frank DiJiulio, 1 out)

Greg Hopkins (7th, 0 on in 9th inning off Ty Kelley,0 out)

 

WP: Chad Thompson (2-1)

LP: Austin Wood (2-4)

SAVE: Mark Williams (2)

 

TIME: 2:57

ATTN: 2,445

 

Nine after 9 for May 30, 2012

 

Wisconsin Box Score

It's too bad I missed this game as I was out of town, it would have been a fun one to listen to.

 

I'm not sure what to make of Hopkins, Rogers, and McMahan, but they should have been in my top 50 someplace as well, I put that list together in a very hasty manner and I'm regretting even posting it at this point. Nick Ramirez (3-5), Gregory Hopkins (3-5, HR), Carlos George (2-5, 2B), and Adrian Williams (2-5) all had multi-hit games as the T-Rats pounded out 14 hits.

 

Wisconsin Play By Play

Lots to digest if you are willing.

[DHonks]

thecrew, Kintzler was optioned a few weeks ago and it not on a rehab assignment

[Mass Haas]

Stars Beat Smokies in Heated Contest

 

KODAK, Tenn. - Despite having manager Darnell Coles and starting pitcher Tyler Thornburg ejected from the game in the sixth inning, the Huntsville Stars edged out the Tennessee Smokies by a score of 6-4 on Wednesday night at Smokies Park.

 

Fortunately for the Stars, they were able to get on the board for the first time this series thanks to a solid second inning. Following singles from catcher Anderson De La Rosa and Thornburg off of Smokies starter Dallas Beeler, three consecutive two-out, RBI singles by center fielder Josh Prince, shortstop Tommy Manzella and second baseman Scooter Gennett gave Huntsville a 3-0 lead.

 

After Tennessee responded with a two-run home run by catcher Mike Brenly in the bottom half of the inning to cut the Stars lead to 3-2, the game would quiet down until the fifth inning. In the top half of the frame, an RBI groundout from right fielder Kentrail Davis and an RBI single by left fielder Lee Haydel put the lead back at three for the Stars.

 

However, in the bottom half of the fifth, the Smokies gained a run back. On one swing of the bat, a solo home run from Tennessee shortstop Junior Lake off of Thornburg made the score 5-3. This was the first time this season the Stars’ righty gave up more than one home run in an outing.

 

In the sixth inning, Coles was ejected arguing a runners interference call on Manzella after trying to break up a double play at second. Thornburg, continuing the argument from the dugout, was then tossed. Despite his early departure, the 23-year-old improved to 7-0 on the season after giving up three runs four hits in five innings of work.

 

The Smokies continued to come back and cut the Stars lead in the seventh. Brenly scored from third on a wild pitch from Stars reliever Mitch Stetter, putting the score at 5-4. The Stars were able to get back that run in the eighth on another RBI single by Manzella, his second of the game.

 

With a 6-4 lead, RHP Brandon Kintzler held the Smokies scoreless through the final two innings to notch his first save on the season. Kintzler has now not given up a run in his first five outings, spanning 5.2 innings.

 

On offense for Huntsville, Manzella, Prince, Gennett and De La Rosa each had two hits. For Gennett, his 2-for-5 night at the plate increased his hitting streak to 13 games, the longest for a Stars player this year. The Stars offense amassed 12 hits, all singles, tying the record for most singles hit in a game this season.

 

Game four of a five-game series will begin on Thursday as the Stars will send RHP Kyle Heckathorn (2-4, 4.99 ERA) to the mound to square off against LHP Eric Jockish (1-0, 3.60 ERA). First pitch is at 6:15 CT.

[Mass Haas]

With a game in hand, Huntsville once again just one game out in the loss column.

 

***

 

Voice of the Stars Alex on

 

Thornburg's

 

departure.

 

While Tyler was diplomatic...

[Mass Haas]

Greg Hopkins went to high school about 20 miles from me, so you know I'm a fan. I've had fun sending all his big updates this season, including last night's, to the local sports editor.

 

That said, this is his age 23 season repeating the league, and he's drawn all of three walks all season.

 

Love the rakin', though...

[Mass Haas]

From the Cedar Rapids Gazette, details on the amazing catch Chris referred to and that you saw from his linked "Nine after 9" video.

[brewmann04]

Nice to Kintzer doing well he will be a welcomed addition to the Brewers Pen.

and what up with now the Brewers Minor League Hitters getting plunked.

it seems like with Ransom getting the bulk of the SS starts Bianchi will have to wait till the next injury.

[tbbrewers]

I was at the Stars/Smokies game last night and here is my unprofessional opinion of the game.

 

Thornburgs first pitch was 91 and that is where his fastball sat even in the 5th before his early dismissal. I think he hit 92 a few times. The gun at Smokies park is VERY slow and is probably off 4-5 mph. His off speed stuff was 78-81 with a few times dropping to 74. His command was very good considering NO pitches on the black were called for either team. He fielded his position very well and did a very good job with the bat.

 

The home run by Brenly was a fastball that stayed over the plate. The home run by Lake was a 78 mph curve that stayed up. Lake killed that pitch and watched it as he flipped his bat. Every Stars infielder gave him the eye as he rounded the bases.

 

With runners on first and second and a ball hit to second it was payback time for Lake at short. Manzella took Lake out at second base and the very young ump in the field called interference (wrong call) so the double play was turned. Darnell Coles was not happy with that call.... so he goes out and lays down on the ground beside second base towards the right field side of it about an arm’s length away and touches the bag... LOL For demonstration purposes for the ump. It was very funny. I loved it.

 

After Coles was finished I am not sure what Thornburg said to the home plate umpire, but I know the ump dropped the F bomb on him. Then he threw Thornburg out. He was probably not pleased with the strike zone as no one else at the park was either.

 

I thought Lake might take a fastball in the side the next at bat but situation was not good. As Lake struck out to end the game De La Rossa had to tag him on a ball in the dirt. He tagged him in the back and I think there may have been a couple of special words said to Lake at that time. Lake turned around and said something back to De La Rossa. They play 2 more games so we shall see.

 

For comparison of mph Merkinger was 87/73 and Kintzler was 88/73.

Hatley for the Smokies was throwing mostly 92 and his scouting reports say he works 94-96.

 

Scooter can hit. My buddies gave me a hard time as the three man might weigh 165... They came around after a couple of at bats. He has very quick hands and did a good job turning a double play.

[Mass Haas]

Thanks, the first-hand accounts are always welcome!