Link Report for Wed. 6/6 -- Rattlers begin the night two games up, Stars three games down

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: Idle

 

**********

 

Huntsville: RHP Hiram Burgos at home vs. Mississippi (Braves), 6:28 PM pre-game, 6:43 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings

 

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: RHP Andy Moye at Jupiter (Marlins), 5:35 PM gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Jupiter 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 David Goforth at home vs. Clinton (Mariners), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime; expect RHP Chad Pierce to appear in a tandem role

 

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).

 

**********

 

DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Tigers, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until late afternoon at the earliest

[Mass Haas]

Follow Wednesday's action as it happens with box score / game log links:

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

DSL Brewers

[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

 

DSL - Dominican Summer League San Pedro de Macoris

[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]

FYI on the Stars' Khris Davis:

 

Apparently he was removed because of calf "tightness", and he's day-to-day right now. Indications are it was very precautionary, just being careful kind of stuff.

 

Don't be surprised if they err on the side of caution this evening.

[Mass Haas]

Just wanted to let eastern Wisconsin locals know with enough time to set your DVR -- Thursday evening's Timber Rattlers game is a Time Warner Cable Sports32 broadcast. The big league Brewers play a matinee, so a nice treat for minor league diehards...

[Mass Haas]

INF Mike Brownstein, the now-24-year-old 2009 14th round pick released by the Brewers this past spring, has found work with the Grand Prairie (TX) Airhogs of the independent American Association.

[Mass Haas]

Wisconsin Media Notes

[Mass Haas]

Audio:

 

Timber Rattlers Manager Matt Erickson joined Justin Hull on the Home Stretch on 1570 Appleton Wednesday, June 6th to talk Rattlers.

 

Erickson is a real solid interviewee.

[Mass Haas]

Brewers excited about balance in system

Young pitchers developing as club adds offensive depth

By Jeremy Warnemuende / MLB.com

[DHonks]

Reed having a much better debut in Brevard County with 2 hits and a walk

[homer]

Burgos with another very solid outing. Seems to have settled in nicely in AA. Good to see.

[Mass Haas]

Something to watch --

 

Manatees' catcher Parker Berberet left tonight's game after being hit by a pitch in the top of the 9th.

 

Joey Paciorek came in for him; a third catcher on the roster, Brent Dean, was the Brevard DH in the game.

[Mass Haas]

Another something to watch, this one from the DSL --

 

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 1st

Francisco Castillo walks.

Raphachel Colatosti flies out to right fielder Ignacio Valdez.

Carlos Belonis flies out to right fielder Ignacio Valdez.

Sthervin Matos strikes out swinging.

 

DSL Tigers Top of the 2nd

Defensive Substitution: Alejandro Mendoza replaces third baseman Sthervin Matos, batting 4th, playing third base

 

Sthervin Matos posted a nice .274 / .394 / .381 as a 17-year-old in 2011, and has been plopped in the cleanup spot this year.

 

If it was a called strike three, you might look for an ejection (not noted), but on a swinging strike three to end the 1st? Oblique a possibility, one might imagine...

[Mass Haas]

(TC07, the Stars don't post this online, hope this helps out...)

 

***

 

Stars Fall in Pitchers Duel to M-Braves

 

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Mississippi starting pitcher David Hale outdueled Stars righty Hiram Burgos as the Braves shutout the Stars 1-0 in the finale of a six-game series at Joe Davis Stadium on Wednesday night.

 

Throughout the entire game, both pitchers were absolutely spectacular.

 

For Burgos, he earned a no-decision after pitching seven innings of scoreless baseball, giving up just four hits while striking out six batters. The 24-year-old was perfect through three innings. He stranded runners in scoring position in two of the last three innings he pitched to improve his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 12 innings. Burgos has now only given up a run in one of his last 19 innings pitched, dating back to his last three starts.

 

However, Hale was even better. The Marietta, Georgia product improved to 4-3 on the season by throwing eight scoreless innings while giving up just four hits and striking out a career-high 11 batters. Hale also only let two runners past second base and has pitched 14 consecutive scoreless innings against the Stars.

 

Hale was able to earn the win in the bottom of the eighth inning as the M-Braves scored their only run of the ballgame. With reliever Jesus Sanchez in the game for the Stars, shortstop Barrett Kleinknecht singled to begin the frame. After Hale sacrificed Kleinknecht into scoring position, an RBI single by second baseman Phil Gosselin plated the eventual game-winning run.

 

In the ninth, the Stars put the potential game-tying runner on base with a two-out single by first baseman Hunter Morris off of closer Mark Lamm. However, Lamm got shortstop Tommy Manzella to fly out to right field the next at-bat on a diving catch by right fielder Keenan Wiley to end the ballgame. For Lamm, the save was his seventh of the season.

 

For the Stars, Sanchez was tabbed with his first defeat of the season after giving up the run in the eighth, falling to 3-1 on the season. The shutout loss was also the fifth time Huntsville has been blanked in a game this season.

 

On offense, right fielder Kentrail Davis led the way for the Stars with a 2-for-3 night at the plate.

 

The Stars will hit the road on Thursday to begin a five-game series with the Mobile BayBears. Huntsville will send RHP Josh Stinson (7-2, 2.96 ERA) to square off against Mobile LHP Tyler Skaggs (4-3, 2.65 ERA).

[Tedaldtada]

Manatees top Hammerheads, 8-5

06/06/2012 10:36 PM ET

By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees

 

JUPITER, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees jumped out to an early 5-0 lead and held on to defeat the Jupiter Hammerheads 8-5 on Wednesday night at Roger Dean Stadium.

 

The 'Tees pounded out 12 hits with Mike Walker leading the way as he went 3-for-5 with a homer, four RBI and two runs scored. Scott Krieger, Cody Hawn and 19-year-old Michael Reed in his Manatees debut had two hits each.

 

Andy Moye (2-0, 5.89) had his longest start since joining Brevard County as he went 5 1/3 innings and allowed three runs (all earned) on six hits. He walked three and struck out two to earn his first win since May 20.

 

Brevard jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first as Shea Vucinich hit a solo home run, his fourth of the season.

 

The Manatees scored four runs in the third - all with two outs - on three consecutive RBI singles by Walker, Krieger and Hawn.

 

Moye ran into some trouble in the bottom of the third as he allowed a lead-off walk to Ryan Fisher and then a double to Danny Black to put runners on second and third. Fisher then scored on a sacrifice fly for Jupiter's first run of the game.

 

Major league rehabber Austin Kearns was hit by a pitch and then Mark Canha grounded into a force out that Walker took himself at third to get the lead runner. Aaron Dudley then hit a triple to right to clear the bases and cut Brevard County's lead to 5-3.

 

After plating a run in the sixth, the 'Tees put the game out of reach in the top of the seventh on a two-run homer by Walker - his sixth of the season - to take an 8-3 lead.

 

Walker has been a road warrior this season as he is hitting .327 (34-for-104) with four homers and 25 RBI in 27 away game this season. Conversely, Walker is hitting .241 with two homers and 11 RBI in 31 games at Space Coast Stadium in 2012.

 

Brevard County and Jupiter will face-off again on Thursday night at 6:35 p.m. for the third game of their four-game set.

 

Brooks Hall (1-2, 4.40) will get the ball for the 'Tees as he is looking for his second straight victory. He allowed just one run in 5 2/3 innings of work against Bradenton in the second game of last Saturday's doubleheader.

 

For the Hammerheads, it will be Chad James (3-3, 4.53) taking the mound. Strangely, James has pitched better on the road than at home as he is 1-2 with a 6.26 ERA in six starts at Roger Dean Stadium so far this season.

 

Box Score

 

Michael Reed (2-3 BB SB) and Michael Walker (3-5 HR (6) E (10)) starred for the offense tonight. Reed's walk came with the bases loaded. Savvy. The next two guys after the walk struck out. I have to think expectations for Reed are starting to rise. Hopefully he can team with Mitch Haniger, and possibly Clint Coulter, to form a incredibly potent middle of the order for Helena. It's just a shame that Victor Roache and Orlando Arcia are not going to play this season. The Brewers have a lot riding on that rookie ball wave of hitting prospects. Wow, I am pumped for short season!

 

Andy Moye was so-so, but he limited the damage. 5.1 IP 6 H 3 R 3 ER 3 BB 2 K 1 HBP 7:7 GO:FO. So-so is a good way to describe Moye since his promotion. Greg Holle got a 6-out save with 2 scoreless IP.

 

Game Log

 

Baseball cardinal sin #11: Do not make the final out at 3rd base.

Brevard County Top of the 1st

 

Nick Shaw flies out to left fielder Dallas Poulk.

Shea Vucinich homers (4) on a fly ball to left field.

T. J. Mittelstaedt strikes out swinging.

Mike Walker singles on a line drive to center fielder Daniel Pertusati, deflected by pitcher Rob Rasmussen.

Scott Krieger singles on a line drive to left fielder Dallas Poulk. Mike Walker out at 3rd on the throw, left fielder Dallas Poulk to third baseman Ryan Fisher.

Two out magic.

 

Brevard County Top of the 3rd

 

Michael Reed singles on a line drive to center fielder Daniel Pertusati.

Nick Shaw walks. Michael Reed to 2nd.

Shea Vucinich out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Rob Rasmussen to first baseman Mark Canha. Michael Reed to 3rd. Nick Shaw to 2nd.

T. J. Mittelstaedt strikes out swinging.

Mike Walker singles on a ground ball to right fielder Austin Kearns. Michael Reed scores. Nick Shaw scores. Mike Walker to 2nd on the throw.

Scott Krieger singles on a ground ball to center fielder Daniel Pertusati. Mike Walker scores. Scott Krieger to 2nd on the throw.

Cody Hawn singles on a line drive to right fielder Austin Kearns. Scott Krieger scores.

Parker Berberet grounds into a force out, shortstop Danny Black to second baseman Noah Perio. Cody Hawn out at 2nd.

 

Moye's troubles.

Jupiter Bottom of the 3rd

 

Ryan Fisher walks.

Danny Black doubles (5) on a line drive to right fielder Scott Krieger. Ryan Fisher to 3rd.

Jacob Realmuto out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Michael Reed. Ryan Fisher scores.

Austin Kearns hit by pitch.

Mark Canha grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Mike Walker. Danny Black out at 3rd. Austin Kearns to 2nd. Mark Canha to 1st.

Aaron Dudley triples (1) on a line drive to right fielder Scott Krieger. Austin Kearns scores. Mark Canha scores.

Noah Perio grounds out to first baseman Cody Hawn.

 

Garman brings the goods. And I just realized I have been spelling Brian's name with an 'i' at the end instead of an 'a'. You guys can tell me, I can take it.

 

Jupiter Bottom of the 6th

 

Noah Perio grounds out, first baseman Cody Hawn to pitcher Andy Moye.

Dallas Poulk walks.

Daniel Pertusati singles on a line drive to left fielder T. J. Mittelstaedt. Dallas Poulk to 2nd.

Pitcher Change: Brian Garman replaces Andy Moye.

Ryan Fisher strikes out swinging.

Danny Black strikes out swinging.

The 2nd lead off hit for Reed.

Brevard County Top of the 8th

 

Pitcher Change: Arquimedes Caminero replaces Raudel Lazo.

Michael Reed singles on a ground ball to right fielder Marcell Ozuna.

With Nick Shaw batting, Michael Reed steals (1) 2nd base.

Nick Shaw walks.

Shea Vucinich grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Ryan Fisher. Michael Reed out at 3rd. Nick Shaw to 2nd. Shea Vucinich to 1st.

T. J. Mittelstaedt called out on strikes.

Mike Walker flies out to right fielder Marcell Ozuna.

[TooLiveBrew]

DSL Tigers 10, @DSL Brewers 8

 

DSL Box Score

Third baseman Sthervin Matos was pulled from the game after his strikeout to end the bottom half of the first inning. Last year, in his age-17 season, Matos posted a respectable .775 OPS and was 13/16 in stolen base attempts. We'll have to keep an eye on any potential injury update here.

 

As for the game itself, the top of the 3rd inning proved too much to overcome for the Cerveceritos. Two errors, followed by two groundball singles & then two doubles added up to a 5-run frame for the DSL Tigers. All the hits came with two outs, in a rally that shouldn't have had a chance to start.

 

Brewers starter Eduard Reyes (RH) only lasted through that 3rd inning, with a final line of 3 IP, 6 H, 6 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 5 K. Righty Orlando Torrez came on in relief of Reyes and pitched a strong 4 innings -- 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R/ER, 1 BB, 5 K. Righties Melvin Tejada & Angel Ventura combined to allow three runs over the final three frames, after the Cerveceritos had rallied back behind Torrez & tied the game at 7-7.

 

The #6 & #7 hitters for the Crew both knocked out solo HRs -- Juan Ortiz & Yunior Santana. 9-hitter Kevin Martinez accounted for two RBI. Shortstop Carlos Belonis & replacement 3B Alejandro Mendoza added one RBI each.

 

Leadoff man Francisco Castillo accounted nicely for his error in centerfield to lead off the Tigers' big 3rd inning; he singled twice, walked twice, and stole second base twice. The Cerveceritos got offense from up & down their lineup -- Matos was the only DSL Brewer to not record at least one hit. Catcher Carlos Pena, first baseman Elvis Rubio, and shortstop Belonis each doubled once. Castillo, Rubio, & Santana were the only Cerveceritos to have more than one hit, notching two apiece.

 

 

DSL Game Log

After falling behind 7-1 in the visitors' half of the 5th, a pair of big two-out RBI hits got the Cerveceritos back in the hunt

 

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 5th

-Kevin Martinez hit by pitch.

-Francisco Castillo grounds out, second baseman Eurys Felipe to first baseman Lenny Pena. Kevin Martinez to 2nd.

-Raphachel Colatosti strikes out swinging.

-Carlos Belonis doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Samuel Crafort. Kevin Martinez scores.

-Alejandro Mendoza singles on a ground ball to center fielder Samuel Crafort. Carlos Belonis scores.

-Elvis Rubio singles on a ground ball to center fielder Samuel Crafort. Alejandro Mendoza to 2nd.

-Pitcher Change: Jesus Guzman replaces Janry Obispo.

-With Juan Ortiz batting, Alejandro Mendoza caught stealing 3rd base, pitcher Jesus Guzman to third baseman Francisco Contreras.

 

The DSL Crew didn't wait around to get their rally started in the 6th, but they got help from four WPs & one PB, and scored three runs on just two hits...

 

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 6th

-Pitcher Change: Gregory Morillo replaces Jesus Guzman.

-Juan Ortiz homers (1) on a fly ball to right field.

-Yunior Santana singles on a ground ball to center fielder Samuel Crafort.

-Carlos Pena walks. Yunior Santana to 2nd.

-With Kevin Martinez batting, passed ball by Felix A. Santana, Yunior Santana to 3rd. Carlos Pena to 2nd.

-With Kevin Martinez batting, wild pitch by Gregory Morillo, Yunior Santana scores. Carlos Pena to 3rd.

-Kevin Martinez flies out to center fielder Samuel Crafort.

-Francisco Castillo walks.

-Pitcher Change: Juan Falcon replaces Gregory Morillo.

-With Raphachel Colatosti batting, wild pitch by Juan Falcon, Carlos Pena scores. Francisco Castillo to 2nd.

-With Raphachel Colatosti batting, wild pitch by Juan Falcon, Francisco Castillo to 3rd.

-Raphachel Colatosti walks.

-With Carlos Belonis batting, wild pitch by Juan Falcon, Raphachel Colatosti to 2nd.

-Carlos Belonis strikes out swinging.

-Alejandro Mendoza strikes out swinging.

 

The Cerveceritos got one more run in their half of the 7th to tie the game, and then one more run on Santana's solo shot in the 9th. However, the aforementioned back end of the bullpen failed to do its job, and 8 wasn't enough today for the DSL Crew.

[TheCrew07]

Final: Wisconsin 6, Clinton 4

 

Rattlers win third straight and push division lead to three games

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers didn't forget how much they like playing at home. David Goforth tossed five shutout innings and Jason Rogers knocked in three runs as the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers beat the Clinton LumberKings 6-4 on Wednesday night at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The Rattlers, who completed a thirteen game road trip on Monday, won their first home game since May 21 with the victory over the LumberKings. Wisconsin is 21-9 in home games in 2012.

 

A pair of Timber Rattlers All-Stars combined to give the team a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Greg Hopkins doubled with one out and Yadiel Rivera drove in Hopkins with a single to left.

 

Rogers drove in his first run of the night with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the third to score Chadwin Stang from second base.

 

Carlos George stole a run in the bottom of the fourth. He struck out with two away, but reached on a dropped third strike. George took second on a wild pitch, stole third and score on a throwing error for a 3-0 lead.

 

Wisconsin (37-22) went up 6-0 in the fourth inning. Brandon Macias singled in the first run. Rogers struck again later in the inning when his two-run single pushed the Rattlers way in front.

 

Goforth allowed a hit, walked three, and struck out three over five scoreless innings to put him in position for his fifth win of the season.

 

Clinton (21-37) scored three times off reliever Chad Pierce in the top of the seventh inning. Jabari Blash hit a solo homer to center with one out to get the first run. A two-out, two-run single by Anthony Phillips cut Wisconsin's lead to 6-4.

 

The LumberKings cut into the lead again in the top of the ninth inning. Ramon Morla tripled with one out and scored on a grounder to short. Pierce would give up a bloop double to right to the next batter, but struck out Phillips to end the game.

 

Pierce struck out six over four innings and picked up his second save of the season.

 

Wisconsin's lead in the Western Division moved to three games over the Beloit Snappers. Burlington shutout Beloit 5-0 in Burlington on Wednesday night.

 

The Timber Rattlers are closing in on their first Midwest League playoff spot since the 2005 season. The top two teams in the Western Division at the end of the first half qualify for the post-season. The Kane County Cougars are currently in third place and trail the Rattlers by six games. There are eleven games remaining in the first half of the schedule.

 

The Timber Rattlers and LumberKings continue their series on Thursday night at 7:05pm. Will West (1-1, 11.32) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Brett Shankin (1-2, 4.10) is set to start for Clinton.

 

The Miller Summer Kickoff continues on Thursday with $1 Miller products and ticket giveaways to Noah's Ark, Summerfest, Country USA, Rock USA, and the EAA Fly-In.

 

The Timber Rattlers are offers a special ticket discount of $1 off a box or reserved bleacher seat to area educators when they show their school ID at the ticket window as part of Educator Appreciation Night. Plus, the first 1,000 fans to attend this game will receive a rally towel courtesy of Kagen Allergy Clinic.

 

If you can't make it out to the game, there are several ways to catch the action. Sports32 will broadcast the game to Time Warner Cable subscribers. The game will also be available to MiLB.TV subscribers.

 

Fans may also tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:45pm.

 

HOME RUN:

CLN:

Jabari Blash (9th, 0 on in 7th inning off Chad Pierce, 1 out)

 

WP: David Goforth (5-4)

LP: Jordan Shipers (2-2)

SV: Chad Pierce (2)

 

TIME: 2:48

ATTN: 4,792

 

Wisconsin Box Score

Well, well, well David Goforth... quite the interesting line considering he only threw a little more than half his pitches for strikes... 5IP, 1H, 0R, 3BB, and 3SO having thrown 37 of 68 pitches for strikes posting a 6:3 ratio. Chad Pierce had a tough night but still put 6SOs on the board in his 4IP.

 

Rogers night was covered in detail above and Gregory Hopkins had the only other multi-hit game going 2-4 with a double. However I keep forgetting to mention something I've wanted to point out about Yadiel Rivera and with a relatively quiet offensive from a hitting standpoint this is a good place. Yadiel's biggest problem is breaking stuff, specifically breaking stuff low and away. If he can figure out how to lay off that pitch and be more selective he has a legitimate chance to be an impact player. That's a big IF, teams have been exploiting that hole in his swing for a while, but if he figures it out he's worth being excited about. Carlos George, John Dishon, Brandon Macias, and Chadwin Stang all stole a base in the contest.

 

Wisconsin Play By Play

[TheCrew07]

Final: Mississippi 1, Huntsville 0

 

Huntsville Box Score

What an unfortunate waste of a wonderful start by Hiram Burgos. Hiram went 7IP allowing 4H, 1BB, and 0R while striking out 6, throwing 55-83 of pitches for strikes, and posting a 9:4 ratio. Soapbox time here, but why do we keep seeing 85ish pitches for starting pitchers in A+ and AA? I'm all for progressing at a reasonable pace, but aren't we setting the expectations awfully low? I'm guessing that ties into pitching to contact somewhat but 85 pitches just seems unnecessarily brief to me above WI. Jesus Sanchez has been fantastic all year but gave up runs in back to back appearances for the first time all season and it obviously cost the Stars here tonight. Brandon Kintzler pitched an eventful 9th after a lead-off walk moved around to 3rd with less than 2 out but got out of the inning.

 

From the box and the score you would think opposing pitcher David Hale is a pretty good prospect in the Braves system, but he's been incredibly uneven as a professional, nothing about his line screams legitimate prospect at this point. Here's what BA had to say about him this winter:

Hale has experienced Jekyll-and-Hyde seasons during his first two full years as a pro. In 2010, he began the year by going 0-4, 7.99 in six starts at Rome before changing roles and going 5-3, 2.16 with five saves as a reliever. Last year at Lynchburg, he posted a 5.91 ERA out of the Lynchburg bullpen before moving back to the rotation and going 3-4, 3.66 in 13 starts. A two-way player who spent most of his time at Princeton as a center fielder, Hale still is figuring out the cat-and-mouse game that is the duel between pitcher and batter. Scouts rave about his lightning-quick arm, which generates a 92-94 mph fastball that touches 96. He also throws a mid-80s slider that's one of the best in the system, but he's still trying to improve his feel for a changeup. He works behind hitters too often because an inconsistent release point hampers his command. Hale initially preferred working as a reliever because the routine was more similar to being an everyday player. The development of his changeup will determine what role he serves in the future. A promotion to Double-A is next on his agenda.

I'm pretty disappointed that the Stars hitters struggled to do anything against him, I thought this was a winnable game on paper, but that's why they play the games. Kentrail Davis had the only multi-hit day going 2-3 and Anderson De La Rosa had the only XBH, a double. Josh Prince committed his 4th error on a throw and De La Rosa had a PB.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

[TheCrew07]

MiLB.com covers the game from the wrong perspective as far as we are concerned.

 

Hale fans career-high 11 in shutout

Braves prospect has posted 0.47 ERA in three starts vs. Stars

By David Heck / Special to MLB.com

 

http://www.milb.com/images/2012/06/07/GIlYxgws.jpg

David Hale has yielded one run in 19 innings against Huntsville this year. (Tom Priddy/MiLB.com)

 

When David Hale was drafted, he was known for a wipeout slider that was ranked as one of the best in the Braves' system. Though it has come and gone for him this year, it was certainly with him on the mound Wednesday night.

 

The Braves right-hander struck out a career-high 11 over 7 2/3 innings, helping the Double-A Mississippi Braves to a 1-0 shutout of the Huntsville Stars.

 

Coming off an outing in which he allowed six runs on five hits and seven walks over 3 2/3 frames, Hale yielded just five hits and one base on balls.

 

"I'm very happy with that one, I had a real rough one before that," said Hale, who was taken in the third round of the 2009 Draft. "I'm happy I was able to bounce back and focus and have that kind of outcome."

 

Hale struck out two batters in each of his first three innings, then fanned one in each of his subsequent frames. His previous career high for punchouts was nine, which he set on Aug. 31, 2011 for Class A Advanced Lynchburg against Potomac.

 

"My slider was the way it was when I was drafted," Hale said. "It's hit-or-miss right now, but finally I've gotten a better feel for it recently. That was on today, as well as all three of my pitches. I had them off balance, I think."

 

The only scoring came in the eighth after Barrett Kleinknecht led off the inning with a single and Hale moved him over to second on a sacrifice bunt. Two batters later, Philip Gosselin came through with a single to drive in the go-ahead run.

 

Hale (4-3) earned his first win since May 15 -- the last time he faced the Stars. In three starts against Huntsville this year, he has allowed just one run while striking out 20 over 19 innings.

Still the 24-year-old right-hander doesn't think his success against the club is anything more than coincidence.

 

"I just had everything working on the days that I played them," Hale said. "I don't think it's any more detailed than that."

 

The Princeton product lowered his ERA from 4.94 to 4.36 with his most recent performance. He believes the key to maintaining his success is simply executing his pitches.

 

"Just keep hitting my spots and everything after that will work itself out," he said.

[TheCrew07]

Green Bay fans will remember this prospect...

Cal notes: Pearl shines in closer's role

Bakersfield right-hander baffles batters with four-pitch arsenal

By Chris Martinez / Special to MLB.com

 

http://www.milb.com/images/2012/06/05/YIg7KI5r.jpg

Brian Pearl is 1-1 with a 1.21 ERA and 10 saves in 24 appearances. (Ricky Bassman/MiLB.com)

 

Bakersfield closer Brian Pearl is a take-charge kind of guy. He proves it by attacking the zone against hitters in a league that skews against the pitcher, racking up 10 saves and 32 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings. That aggressive persona is essential to a closer's success, but for Pearl, it changed the tide of his career.

 

The University of Washington recruited Pearl as an infielder. He played third base and short for the Huskies while building on his high school pitching experience, which was limited. He described pitching during his senior year as "short bursts -- one inning here and there."

 

In 2008 Pearl headed to the Northwoods League, a wood bat summer circuit for college players, and found his calling in the ninth inning. Pearl got a chance to close games for the Green Bay Bullfrogs and took his new act back to Washington.

 

Pearl pushed the team to install him as closer, and he flashed great velocity. Cincinnati took notice and selected Pearl in the ninth round of the 2009 Draft.

 

He responded by striking out 43 in 28 2/3 innings and saving eight games in his pro debut for the Billings Mustangs. The following year proved to be yet another turning point as the Reds chose to work him out as a starter in Class A Dayton. He pitched well in his first three outings but struggled in his next two.

 

The source of the problem appeared during his fifth start.

 

"All of a sudden I had a burning sensation in my elbow," he said. "Sure enough it turned out to be a torn ligament, and I had Tommy John surgery in July [2010]."

 

Pearl lost 10 months to the surgery and recovery process, but he gained knowledge and experience invaluable to his career. The closer worked with Tom Browning, the Reds' instructional league pitching coach during Pearl's recovery, at the team's complex in Arizona.

 

"[browning] really helped me with the mental side of the game," Pearl said. "He helped me stay mentally strong, because when you get hit around as a closer, it can really beat you up."

 

Pearl claimed the closer's role as his own through his declaration back in college and through his body of work on the mound, particularly this season with the Blaze. The 24-year-old right-hander is 1-1 with a 1.21 ERA and 10 saves in 24 appearances. He has 34 strikeouts and just seven walks in 29 2/3 innings.

 

To maintain his spot in the bullpen and put up such impressive numbers, Pearl has employed tricks he learned as a starter -- like using all four of his pitches to stay ahead of hitters. He throws two fastballs -- a two-seam and a four-seam -- a changeup and a slider.

 

"It's good to have all four [pitches] especially when facing left-handers," he said. "I don't want to leave a slider up in the zone because they'll see it really well. It's good to have the changeup too."

 

In brief

 

Slumping Giants: The San Jose Giants lost their ninth straight game Monday and dropped a full game behind Bakersfield in the North Division. The Blaze, who enjoyed a 6-1 week, avenged a three-game sweep at the hands of the Giants in May by taking three straight in San Jose by a total score of 24-13.

 

Quick rise: Lancaster made a move in the South Division, reeling off a five-game winning streak last week. Though they lost Monday night to Rancho Cucamonga, the JetHawks moved a game behind division leaders High Desert and Lake Elsinore.

 

Ride the hot hand: Visalia shortstop Chris Owings has hit safely in his last six games and blasted a home run May 31 against Lancaster. He's scored 10 runs in his last six games and has shown good power all season with 11 roundtrippers. Owings has already matched his 2011 home run total in less than half the games.

[Mass Haas]

Look for a David Goforth video interview as part of the Post-Crescent's Rattlers coverage at the link.

 

***

 

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers feeling at home again with win against Clinton

Goforth strong on mound in Wisconsin win

by Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent staff writer

 

GRAND CHUTE — Welcome home parties are supposed to be fun and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers didn’t waste their first Grand Chute gig in nearly two weeks.

 

Returning from a four-city, 13-game road trip, the Timber Rattlers opened a six-game home stand with a sharp all-around performance Wednesday night in a 6-4 Midwest League win over the Clinton LumberKings.

 

Wisconsin (36-22) outhit Clinton 9-7, played error-free ball and received a strong outing from starter David Goforth.

 

Goforth, ranked by Baseball America as the Milwaukee Brewers’ 17th-best prospect, allowed just one hit in five shutout innings to raise his season record to 5-4.

 

“We played well in all phases of the game and it was just nice being home again because 13 days is a long time,” said Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson. “You don’t know how long it is until you visit four different cities. We had a good crowd and there was a lot of energy.”

 

Goforth allowed only four base runners and was never in trouble, but insisted he didn’t have his best stuff.

 

“To be honest, I would have liked to have a little better fastball command,” said Goforth. “I feel like I got by on a couple mistakes tonight. But my curveball was working good and my change-up was working well at the end.”

 

Goforth had struggled in his previous start, allowing four runs on seven hits in five innings.

 

“Goforth set the tone tonight for a good team performance,” Erickson said. “He struggled a little early with his command, but regrouped and got hitters out.”

 

Goforth threw 4 1/3 hitless innings until Clinton’s Ramon Moria doubled down the third-base line to produce the LumberKings’ first hit against Timber Rattlers pitching in 20 innings.

 

The hitless streak started in the third inning of a May 4 game in Clinton and was extended the next day when the Timber Rattlers’ Chad Thompson and Mark Williams combined for a no-hitter against the LumberKings.

 

“It was nice pitching at home again,” said Goforth. “That road trip would have seemed a lot longer had we been losing. But we’re playing great ball.”

 

A crowd of 4,792 at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium watched the Timber Rattlers build a 4-0 lead after four innings and hold off the LumberKings in the late innings.

 

Outfielder Jason Rogers and second baseman Greg Hopkins led the Rattlers at the plate with two hits apiece.

 

Hopkins raised his team-high batting average to .329, while Rogers improved his mark to .307.

 

Rogers drilled a run-scoring single in the third inning and added a two-run single in the fifth inning.

 

Both Hopkins and Rogers were recently named to the Western Division team that will play in the Midwest League All-Star Game on June 19.

 

“Greg (Hopkins) has been on a tear lately, but I’d say that Jason (Rogers) has probably been our most consistent run-producer this season,” said Erickson. “He’s just been solid in that three-hole.”

 

Fond du Lac’s Chad Pierce pitched the final four innings and allowed all four Clinton runs on six hits, including a long solo home run to dead center field by outfielder Jabari Blash in the LumberKings’ three-run seventh inning.

 

Wisconsin, which went 8-5 on the road trip, improved its record to 21-9 at home and remained in first place in the West Division of the Midwest League.

 

There are 11 games remaining in the first half of the season and the top two teams in each division will qualify for the playoffs.

 

The Timber Rattlers host division second-place Beloit for three games, starting Saturday at 6:35 p.m.

[Mass Haas]

Rattler Radio Blog -- Nine after 9 includes video highlights

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville falls four back with ten to play, as the Mariners' Jackson club won.