Link Report for Fri. 6/8 -- Rattlers win to maintain two-game lead

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF!

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP's Claudio Vargas and Donovan Hand in a doubleheader at Iowa (Cubs), 4:50 PM pre-game, 5:05 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings

 

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's Josh Stinson and Evan Anundsen in a doubleheader at Mobile (Diamondbacks), 4:50 PM pre-game, 5:05 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 Taylor Jungmann 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 Matt Miller at home vs. Clinton (Mariners), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime

 

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: Idle

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Nashville Game One

 

Nashville Game Two

 

Huntsville Game One

 

Huntsville Game Two

 

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

 

DSL - Dominican Summer League San Pedro de Macoris

[Mass Haas]

Nice -- the Stars gained a game in the loss column when Jackson lost last night.

 

Three back in the loss column, ten games remaining (nine for Jackson).

 

Go Huntsville!

[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]

Nashville Media Notes

 

***

 

Frequent flying affects Sounds' record

by Greg Sullivan, The Tennessean

 

While the Nashville Sounds have been an average team at home this season, road games have been a problem.

 

Nashville was a league-worst 8-23 in road games after Thursday night’s series-opening 5-4 loss at Iowa, compared to 14-14 at home.

 

Sounds outfielder Corey Patterson, who has spent parts of 12 seasons in the major leagues, said the travel realities of the Pacific Coast League could be part of the disparity.

 

Unlike major-league teams that typically use charter flights, Triple-A teams generally fly commercially, and the Sounds are the eastern-most of the PCL’s 16 clubs.

 

“I don’t really like to make excuses because it’s not just our team, it’s all of them,” Patterson said. “But getting up at 3 in the morning and traveling and playing in the same day. ... Sometimes it takes us a day, maybe two days to catch up. And we’re probably one of the teams that is in an unfortunate situation travel-wise (due to distance).”

 

Aside from Memphis, none of Nashville’s opponents is close. The Sounds have already visited Albuquerque, Tucson and Las Vegas this season.

 

Doubleheader times two: The Sounds will play four games in two days beginning with today’s doubleheader at Iowa because of a pair of rainouts in late April. The back-to-back doubleheaders are part of an unusual six-game, four-day series.

 

“We don’t go back to Iowa (this year) and the last time we were there we got rained out twice and they don’t want to lose the games,” Sounds Manager Mike Guerrero said.

 

“I think the starters are going to have to go deeper (over the two days) and we’re going to have to pitch the late games with whoever is left.”

 

Who’s in left? It’s only June, but the Sounds have already used 10 players in left field going into Thursday’s game — Erick Almonte, Jordan Brown, Brooks Conrad, Eric Farris, Jay Gibbons, Caleb Gindl, Edwin Maysonet, Patterson, Logan Schafer and Hainley Statia. All but Statia had started at least one game at the position.

 

Nashville used eight left fielders last season.

[Mass Haas]

It's so obvious, and I'm not the first to suggest this.

 

Look at the PCL standings, and see just how easy it would be to create a third AAA league representing the cross section of the country.

 

Then you could schedule "inter-league" games with International or Pacific Coast League teams to diversify a bit.

 

Is there an ivory tower for the PCL League office that just won't abdicate power or something?

 

Ridiculous, as recently as 1997 we had this, it was called the American Association.

 

C'mon, Bud!

[Mass Haas]

FYI:

 

Helena's season begins Monday June 18th at home vs. Great Falls

 

Maryvale's season begins Thursday June 21st at home vs. the Dodgers' kids

[Mass Haas]

His friends in the organization may want to know that RHP Bradley Blanks, released from the AA Huntsville roster just days ago, found work with the Laredo (TX) Lemurs of the independent American Association (yes, that's been the name of an indy league for a few years now -- see above post on another version of the "AA").

 

I think the best part of any indy update has to be the team name.

[TooLiveBrew]

Lemurs, of course, being indigenous to the rainforests of southern Texas...

[Mass Haas]

Wisconsin Media Notes

[wibadgers23]

Looks like Jimmy Nelson is actually going for BC tonight. He got out of a first inning jam.

[Mass Haas]

Looks like Jimmy Nelson is actually going for BC tonight. He got out of a first inning jam.

 

Jungmann last pitched on the 2nd, Nelson on the 3rd. Could be any reason for the change (illness, extra rest, etc.).

 

Nelson pitches tonight on normal rest.

[TheCrew07]

Damn, the Stars are going to face Tyler Skaggs in game 1, he already dominated the SL as a 19 year old, what's he doing back in AA? They'll bump him at the break just like they did last year, but he's not exactly a guy you want to face when your down 3 games.

[TheCrew07]

BA Hot Sheet

 

No. 2 BILLY HAMILTON, SS

REDS

Team: high Class A Bakersfield (California)

Age: 21

Why He's Here: .333/.500/.458 (8-for-24), 7 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 RBI, 8 BB, 3 SO, 12-for-13 SB

The Scoop: Quick question: If given the chance to see any player in the minors for one night, who would you go see? One could argue for taking in a Dylan Bundy start, or maybe heading out to watch Trevor Bauer or Jurickson Profar. But a pretty convincing case could be made to travel to Bakersfield to see Hamilton. He may not be the top prospect, but he may be the most exciting prospect in years because on any given night he may produce a "can you believe that?" play.

 

If nothing else, one would likely see Hamilton steal a base. He's stolen at least one bag in 41 of the 59 games he's played, and this week he produced his first four-steal game of the year. With 69 steals in 60 Bakersfield games, Hamilton is on pace to finish the year with 161—or 16 more than the pro record of 145 set by Vince Coleman. A better way to contextualize Hamilton's thievery: In the past decade the minors stolen-base leader typically finished with somewhere between 70-79. Along with Hamilton, only Eric Young Jr. (83 in 2006) and Freddy Guzman (90 in 2003) had touched 80 in that time. Hamilton is on pace to top 80 steals before the end of June.

 

Still not impressed? Consider this: the Blue Jays' Anthony Gose finished second in the minors last year with 70 steals. Hamilton may top that total before he goes to bed tonight.

 

No. 8 JAVIER BAEZ, SS

CUBS

Team: low Class A Peoria (Midwest)

Age: 19

Why He's Here: .476/.542/.905 (10-for-21), 4 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBIs, 1 BB, 5 SO, 2-for-2 SB

The Scoop: The Cubs waited until the end of May to unleash their 2011 first-round pick on the Midwest League, and opposing pitchers are wishing the team had kept Baez in extended spring training a little longer. It's only been 10 games, but Baez is hitting .324/.405/.568 with two home runs. He's looking every bit like the potential plus hitter with plus power the Cubs envisioned when they drafted him, with plenty of bat speed and power. Sure he may not end up playing shortstop in the big leagues, but with a bat like this, who cares?

 

No. 10 ALEX DICKERSON, 1B

PIRATES

Team: high Class A Bradenton (Florida State)

Age: 22

Why He's Here: .478/.500/.957 (11-for-23), 3 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 5 R 8 RBIs, 1 BB, 5 SO

The Scoop: Dickerson had a red-hot week at the plate, batting nearly .500 while also hitting two home runs. Both of those homers came on Monday in a game in which Dickerson went 5-for-6 with six RBIs in a win against Brevard County. He's hitting .293 for the season and is tied for second in the Florida State League with 41 RBIs. The Big 10 Conference's triple crown winner as a sophomore back in 2010, Dickerson has yet to unlock the power potential he showed at times in college, but his advanced approach has ensured he piles up plenty of hits and solid on-base percentages. A few more games like Monday will help answer the biggest criticism of his game.

 

Of interest to some I'm sure

In the Team Photo:

The Royals need some of their pitching prospects to step up. Up to now, Mike Mongtomery and Chris Dwyer are falling just as flat this year as they did in the second half of last season, but RHP Jake Odorizzihas given K.C. fans hope that at least one starter isn't far away. Pitching for Triple-A Omaha, Odorizzi struck out 10 in a start against Round Rock this week.

 

Blast from the Past (linked Divine Intervention earlier this week):

Jeff Clement, 1b, Pirates: June used to be Southern California's time to shine. The Trojans have won 12 College World Series championships, with the last coming in 1998. They haven't been to Omaha since Mark Prior led them there in 2001, and Clement led them to their last regional appearance back in 2005, when he was the third player drafted. The Mariners craved his lefthanded power and ability to catch, but they overestimated his defense and his bat. Passing on Troy Tulowitzki for Clement tells part of the story of the Mariners' woes for most of the last decade. Clement has tried to rebuild his career as well. A .223/.281/.383 hitter in 363 big league at-bats, he's become a slugging first baseman/DH as a 28-year-old, with this the eighth year he's spending some time in Triple-A. He mashed two homers this week in an 11-for-21 performance, and his .524/.542/1.048 week—which included a pair of home runs against Syracuse, one coming on draft day June 4—improved him overall to a .319/.400/.560 line. His 17 doubles lead the International League. He'll never be what the Mariners hoped he'd be, but Clement has become a good hitter, as he's improved his selectivity at the plate. It just may have happened too late for him to be a big league regular.

[TheCrew07]

Hot Sheet Chat

 

JB (Iowa): Is Baez already a better hitter than Vitters?

 

J.J. Cooper: As in if you put both in the big leagues right now? No. I think Vitters would hit significantly better than Baez if you put them both in the big leagues. The difference in quality of competition from low A to Triple-A is massive. In low A, if a pitcher misses with his first two pitches, you can feel quite comfortable you're seeing a fastball. In Triple-A, you can't be sure. In low Class A, most pitchers are only capable of consistently locating to one side of the plate. In Triple-A, almost everyone can work armside and gloveside.

Greg (OH): Is it possible Billy Hamilton is stealing too many bases?

 

 

J.J. Cooper: Because of what? He's stealing at an 84 percent clip, so he's way past the break-even point on helping his team.

Ben from Columbus has asked more questions this year than anyone...

Ben (Columbus, OH): What's a realistic ETA in Cincinnati for Billy Hamilton? I don't want the Reds to rush his development, but the 1-2 hitters in front of Joey Votto both have sub-.300 OBPs.

 

J.J. Cooper: Early to mid-2014. At this time last year, Hamilton was struggling to get above .200 in low Class A. He's been much, much better since then, but you would rather err on the side of caution than being too aggressive. I wouldn't be shocked to see him promoted to Double-A after the AS break. Then he could likely return to Double-A to start next year, get a midseason promotion to Triple-A (if he continues to develop) and head to spring training in 2014 with a chance to break camp with the team. That being said, I think it would be worth the Reds while to add him to the 40-man roster to let him serve as a pinch-runner extraordinaire this September and in the playoffs if Cincy gets that far.

Greg (OH): JJ I'm thinking about increased chance of injury to B Hamilton

 

 

J.J. Cooper: I wrote about that in the feature I wrote about him last month. He's been stealing like this all of his life without missing time. In the last two years he hasn't missed a game because of injury. I can't be sure that's entirely true for Billings, but he missed no significant time in Billings because of injury and his high school coach told me he never missed a game or practice because of injury in high school (same for football in high school as well). Sure injuries can happen, but Hamilton shows no signs of it causing problems for him.

Norman (San Jose): early to mid-2014, Billy Hamilton will be called up to play, but at what position?

 

 

J.J. Cooper: Personally I think he's Drew Stubbs replacement in CF for the Reds.

denis (marshall): Ben Badler pretty much wrote off Yorman Rodriguez as a prospect. What are your thoughts? Still very young with physical talent most prospects don't have.

 

J.J. Cooper: I'm not far behind Ben. I wrote about this in the Prospect Handbook where I said "it's fair to say that Rodriguez does almost nothing to help a team win at this point in his career." Six months later I haven't heard anything to reallyu change that assessment. Rodriguez has had trouble staying on the field and when he has been on the field, he's struggled to hit or field in the past year and a half. He's still young and has impressive physical tools but he's no longer the projected five-tool player he once was (especially with his defense) and he's not yet shown the maturity that would let one think that he's going to figure out how to tap into his prodigious tools.

Rory (Mexico): Hello, What type of player do you see Oscar Tavares being in the majors? potential all-star or solid regular? Thank you,

 

J.J. Cooper: All-star. Few players have his feel for hit. Props to Quad Cities manager Johnny Rodriguez. He told me last year Taveras had the best hit tool in the Cardinals farm system, well, he said either him or Patch Adams. Both those guys are looking pretty good these days.

Ben (Miamisburg, OH): Have you talked to a scout recently about Hamilton's defense? He has gone 14 straight games without an error now and I am curious if that is actual improvement or just a nice run. He does have crazy range at SS though, a lot of value if he can stick there.

 

J.J. Cooper: It's not the hands or range that is the question. It's the arm and the arm slot that scouts question.

[Tedaldtada]

Billy Hamilton is unreal.

 

I posed the question on Twitter one day, but is he like Usain Bolt fast? What kind of speed are we talking here?

 

He has scored from 1st on a single a handful of times this season. I can recall one story of him scoring from 2nd on an infield hit. Once he inevitably moves to CF, will the Reds be able to play 5 infielders and 2 outfielders?

[Tedaldtada]

I-Cubs Walk Off In Twinbill Opener, 5-4

06/08/2012 9:03 PM ET

Nashville Sounds

 

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Iowa Cubs scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to hand the Nashville Sounds a 5-4 defeat in the twinbill opener on Friday night at Principal Park.

 

With the Sounds leading by one run entering the bottom of the seventh, the Cubs loaded the bases against reliever Jim Henderson (3-3) before Josh Vitters tied the game with a single. For the second consecutive night, Ty Wight drove in the winning run with a slow-grounding RBI single to left field.

 

The top of the Nashville lineup went a combined 9-for-11 in the loss. Leadoff hitter Caleb Gindl (3-for-4) doubled twice and scored two runs. Shortstop Jeff Bianchi had three hits while centerfielder Logan Schafer went a perfect 3-for-3 with a triple, walk, and a stolen base.

 

The Sounds took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first thanks to three consecutive hits by the Sounds. Gindl led the off the game with a double to left field, moved to third on a single from Bianchi, and scored when Schafer singled to center field.

 

Consecutive doubles from Luis Valbuena and Josh Vitters in the home half of the second inning knotted the contest at 1-1.

 

Both teams traded runs in the fourth inning. Schafer got his second hit on a single to center, stole second base, and scored on a one-out double from third baseman Andy Gonzalez.

 

Valbuena evened the score by leading off the next frame with his seventh homer of the season, a solo shot to center.

 

Nashville did damage with two-outs in the top of the fifth to take 4-3 advantage. Gindl doubled for the second time and scored on the following play as Bianchi singled to center. Schafer then tripled in Bianchi for the final run of the frame.

 

Cubs prospect Anthony Rizzo homered in the next frame to trim the Nashville lead to 5-4. The solo shot was his PCL-leading 18th of the season.

 

Nashville starter Claudio Vargas allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while fanning a season-high six strikeouts in five innings.

 

Cubs starter Rodrigo Lopez scattered 10 hits for four runs in six innings, striking out six and walking zero. Mike McDougal (1-1) worked around two hits in a scoreless inning for the win.

 

Box Score

 

Caleb Gindl (3-4 2 2B) led off today and answered the bell. Let's see if Mike Guerrero actually sticks with him in that spot for a bit. Trying to predict his lineups is akin to solving the Navier-Stokes set of equations in fluid mechanics. SS Jeff Bianchi also had 3 hits and 3-hitter Logan Schafer (3-3 3B BB SB) is driving the ball with authority. 21 XBH in 58 games for Logan.

 

After a decent start from Claudio Vargas, Jim Henderson could not finish his 2 inning save allowing the walk-off.

 

Game Log

 

Whoops.

 

Nashville Top of the 1st

 

Caleb Gindl doubles (9) on a fly ball to left fielder Ty Wright.

Jeff Bianchi singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Josh Vitters. Caleb Gindl to 3rd.

Logan Schafer singles on a line drive to center fielder Brett Jackson. Caleb Gindl scores. Jeff Bianchi to 3rd.

Jordan Brown pops out to shortstop Luis Valbuena.

Andy Gonzalez strikes out swinging and Jeff Bianchi caught stealing home, catcher Juan Apodaca to second baseman Matt Tolbert to first baseman Anthony Rizzo to shortstop Luis Valbuena to catcher Juan Apodaca.

 

Could have used the cush.

 

Nashville Top of the 7th

 

Pitcher Change: Mike MacDougal replaces Rodrigo Lopez, batting 9th.

Eric Farris grounds out, second baseman Matt Tolbert to first baseman Anthony Rizzo.

Caleb Gindl singles on a sharp ground ball to pitcher Mike MacDougal.

Jeff Bianchi singles on a ground ball to shortstop Luis Valbuena. Caleb Gindl to 2nd.

Logan Schafer walks. Caleb Gindl to 3rd. Jeff Bianchi to 2nd.

Jordan Brown grounds into double play, second baseman Matt Tolbert to shortstop Luis Valbuena to first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Logan Schafer out at 2nd.

 

Gameday

[TheCrew07]

Billy Hamilton is unreal.

 

I posed the question on Twitter one day, but is he like Usain Bolt fast? What kind of speed are we talking here?

 

BA from this winter:

The former Mississippi State wide receiver recruit recovered from hitting .195 through late May to bat .316 afterward, and he moved to shortstop after playing second base in 2010. Hamilton's speed is one of the easiest 80 grades a scout will ever hand out. He regularly outruns pitchouts, slide steps and pickoff throws. He still has plenty of work to do on the rest of his game, however.

[Tedaldtada]

'Tees fall late in rain-shortened game

06/08/2012 11:11 PM ET

By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees

 

JUPITER, Fla. - Up 3-2 after five and a half innings, the Brevard County Manatees allowed three runs in the sixth and ended up falling 5-3 to the Jupiter Hammerheads on Friday night in a game that was shortened to seven innings due to rain.

 

Eric Marzec came into the game in the sixth and allowed a lead-off walk to Noah Perio. After getting the first out of the inning, he allowed a double to Ryan Fisher to put runners on second and third. Perio then scored on a sacrifice fly and Fisher would score on a RBI single to give Jupiter a 4-3 lead.

 

Aaron Dudley then walked to put runners on first and second with two outs. Mark Canha then made it a 5-3 game with a RBI single to right.

 

The loss for Marzec came in relief of FSL All-Star Jimmy Nelson (4-4, 2.12) who allowed two runs in five innings of work. Nelson yielded five hits and four walks, while striking out five Jupiter hitters. The Hammerheads scored the two runs off of Nelson in the fifth inning on a RBI groundout and then a two-out RBI single.

 

The Manatees (26-34) had a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the fifth as they scored one run each in the third, fourth and fifth innings. Nick Shaw had a run-scoring single in the third and Michael Reed had a RBI single in the fourth. Brevard's run in the fifth game on a RBI groundout by Mike Walker.

 

Friday night's loss prevented the 'Tees from taking the series from the Hammerheads and dropped Brevard County's road record to 9-20.

 

Brevard will return to Space Coast Stadium for a three-game set with the Lakeland Flying Tigers (30-28), beginning on Saturday night at 6:35 p.m. The Manatees are 5-1 against the Flying Tigers so far in 2012.

 

Box Score

 

A long wait on the game story here. Perhaps waiting on Jungmann injury info before it's finished. No info on Jungmann. Could they be setting up Nelson to start the FSL all-star game or something?

 

Jimmy Nelson started on normal rest and was not his normal elite self. Still, he limited damage very well, and still proved incredibly difficult to square up. 5 IP 5 H 2 R 2 ER 4 BB 5 K 8:2 GO:FO. RHB are hitting .156 against Jimmy with LHB a more respectable .269. After seeing Hiram Burgos transition so well to AA, I am certainly interested to see if Nelson can do the same. Eric Marzec couldn't contain the Hammerheads as he coughed up the lead. Relievers are rarely noticed unless it is going bad. Remember, Eric had 1.69 ERA with 65 in 69.1 IP last your for the T-Rats.

 

Michael Reed went 1-2 with BB and now sports a .990 OPS through 3 games for the Manatees. He has 2 hits of LHP's and 2 off of RHP's. SS Nick Shaw went 1-2 with 2 BB but was CS on a pick off.

 

Game Log

 

T.J. Mittelstaedt book-ended some good with some bad in this inning.

 

Brevard County Top of the 7th

 

Nick Shaw flies out to right fielder Daniel Pertusati.

Shea Vucinich grounds out, shortstop Danny Black to first baseman Mark Canha.

Pitcher Change: Raudel Lazo replaces Michael Ojala.

T. J. Mittelstaedt strikes out swinging. Mittelstaedt advances to 1st, on throwing error by catcher Jacob Realmuto.

With Mike Walker batting, T. J. Mittelstaedt steals (10) 2nd base.

With Mike Walker batting, T. J. Mittelstaedt caught stealing 3rd base, catcher Jacob Realmuto to third baseman Ryan Fisher.

[Mass Haas]

No Game Two for the Stars tonight

 

Jackson won, 1-0, so the Stars are four back now in the loss column with nine to play, pretty bleak. Second half awaits...

[TheCrew07]

Final Game 1: Mobile 4, Huntsville 2 (7 innings)

 

Game 1 Box Score

Josh Stinson wasn't able to out duel Tyler Skaggs in game 1. Josh didn't give up any big innings but allowed 1 run in each of the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 6th innings. Stinson pitched a complete game going 6 innings allowing 8H, 4ER, 1HBP, 1WP, 1HR, and 1BB against 5SO while throwing 53 of 86 pitches for strikes and posting a 6:3 ratio. The 3 hour rain delay didn't seem to really affect either starting pitcher.

 

I wasn't expecting much offense here but the Stars did put up 6 his with Juan Sanchez and his 2-4 effort leading the way. Tommy Manzella recorded the only Stars XBH, a double, the in the 4th. Josh Prince committed his 5th error (fielding) but Stinson did pick off a runner at 1B.

 

Game 1 Play By Play

The 2R 5th was all the Stars could muster, Hunter Morris had a tough game going 0-3 with 3SO.

Huntsville Top of the 5th

• Adam Weisenburger singles on a line drive to right fielder Alfredo Marte.
  Matt Cline singles on a line drive to right fielder Alfredo Marte. Adam Weisenburger to 2nd.
  Josh Stinson reaches on fielding error by second baseman David Nick. Adam Weisenburger to 3rd. Matt Cline to 2nd.
  Josh Prince flies into sacrifice double play, right fielder Alfredo Marte to first baseman Yazy Arbelo to second baseman David Nick. Adam Weisenburger scores. Matt Cline out at 3rd on the throw. Josh Stinson to 2nd.
  Juan Sanchez singles on a line drive to center fielder Evan Frey. Josh Stinson scores. Juan Sanchez to 2nd on the throw.
  With Scooter Gennett batting, wild pitch by Tyler Skaggs, Juan Sanchez to 3rd.
  Scooter Gennett walks.
  Hunter Morris strikes out swinging, catcher Rossmel Perez to first baseman Yazy Arbelo.

[TheCrew07]

Final: Wisconsin 7, Clinton 4

 

Miller time for the Timber Rattlers

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers offense scored six times in the second inning and starting pitcher Matt Miller ran with that lead to a 7-4 victory over the Clinton LumberKings Friday night at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Miller went 8-1/3 innings, struck out five, and sprinkled eight hits in his longest outing as a professional.

 

The Rattlers (38-23) took the lead with an unearned run in the bottom of the first inning. Max Walla struck out, but reached on a dropped third strike. Jason Rogers followed with a double to move Walla to third base. Nick Ramirez drove in Walla with a sacrifice fly to left field.

 

Miller retired the first two batters in the top of the second inning. But, a single by Mike Dowd extended the inning for Clinton (23-38). A passed ball got Dowd into scoring position. Then, Dillon Hazlett drove in Dowd with a single to tie the game.

 

The next two LumberKings batters reached on a single and a walk to load the bases, but Miller escaped without another run scoring when he got Nate Melendres to ground back to the mound to end the inning.

 

Ben McMahan got the Rattlers rolling in the bottom of the second inning. He singled in his first at bat after being activated off the disabled list earlier on Friday night. An errant pickoff throw sent McMahan around to third base. After Clinton starter Trevor Miller got the first out, a walk to Rafael Neda and a bunt single by Chadwin Stang loaded the bases.

 

Brandon Macias put the Rattlers in front with an infield single to score McMahan and keep the bases loaded. Walla was next and his two-run single to left-center put the Rattlers up 4-1. Rogers kept the pressure on with an RBI single. Ramirez finished the scoring in the inning with a two-run double for a 7-1 lead.

 

Miller went into cruise control with the big lead. He retired the side in order in the third and fourth innings. He allowed base runners in the fifth and sixth innings, but both were erased on double plays. Miller was under 90 pitches through eight inning and came back out to try for a complete game.

 

The right-hander out of the University of Michigan retired the first batter of the top of the ninth inning, but gave up a single and a double to the next two hitters and was removed from the game.

 

Dowd greeted Rattlers reliever Stephen Peterson with a home run to left-center to make the score 7-4. Peterson would finish the game without allowing any more runs for the LumberKings.

 

The Timber Rattlers maintained their two game lead atop the Western Division over the Beloit Snappers. Wisconsin also held their five game lead for the second playoff spot in the division over the Kane County Cougars. Kane County beat Quad Cities 4-1 at home and Beloit shutout Burlington 7-0 on the road. There are nine games left in the first half.

 

Wisconsin starts a big three game series with the Beloit Snappers at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Saturday night at 6:35pm. Drew Gagnon (4-1, 2.92) is the scheduled starter for the Timber Rattlers. Beloit has Tyler Jones (0-1, 1.38) as their scheduled starting pitcher.

 

This pitching matchup is a rematch of a game at Pohlman Field in Beloit on June 3. The Rattlers won that game 3-1 as Gagnon allowed one run over eight innings. Jones gave up two runs (one earned) on three hits over six innings.

 

Saturday night is Star Wars ™ Night at the ballpark. Movie characters from the Wisconsin Garrison will be on hand to throw out a first pitch and pose for pictures. A silent auction for the special Star Wars ™ jerseys worn by the players during the game will be held with proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

 

It's also a Fly Away Saturday, which means that one lucky fan will win charter airfare for two from Funjet Vacations and Fox World Travel at this game.

 

There will also be a postgame fireworks display.

 

If you can't make it out to the game, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:15pm. Saturday's game is also available to MiLB.TV subscribers.

 

HOME RUN:

CLN:

Mike Dowd (1st, 2 on in 9th inning off Stephen Peterson, 1 out)

 

WP: Matt Miller (4-5),br> LP: Trevor Miller (3-4)

 

TIME: 2:26

ATTN: 4,291

 

Wisconsin Box Score

Matt Miller's line looked a heck of a lot better before that HR which Stephen Peterson gave up in the 9th but 3 runs over 8+ is still pretty darn good. Apparently young Mr. Peterson was pretty down in the dumps about how badly the Celtics were destroyed yesterday so I blame Boston for the gopher ball Stephen gave up. Matt's final line 8.1IP, 8H, 3ER, 2BB, and a Balk against 5SO. Speaking of the Balk, it's been a bit of an epidemic for lately for Rattler pitchers, most of the balks have been hotly contested like Jacob Barnes' from the other night (which didn't look at all like a balk to me) so I haven't mentioned it because it's tough to get a read on what's going on. I will say that I'm certain the opposing managers are making the T-Rat pick off moves a point of emphasis with the umpires.

 

On the offensive side of the coin the Rattlers pounded out 11 hits with Jason Rogers 2-4 with a double, Ben McMahan 2-4 with a SB, Rafeal Neda 2-3, and Chadwin Stang 2-4 all collecting multiple hits. Nick Ramirez also had that big double to top off the 2nd as mentioned above. Unfortunately Neda had his 3rd PB of the season and I say it's unfortunate because he's done some tremendous work back there given how beat up he's been.

 

Wisconsin Play By Play

The 6R 2nd again because it was so much fun to listen to.

Wisconsin Bottom of the 2nd

• Ben McMahan singles on a line drive to left fielder Nathan Melendres.
  With Yadiel Rivera batting, throwing error by Trevor Miller on the pickoff attempt, Ben McMahan to 3rd.
  Yadiel Rivera grounds out, shortstop Anthony Phillips to first baseman Ji-Man Choi.
  Rafael Neda walks.
  Chadwin Stang singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Trevor Miller. Rafael Neda to 2nd.
  Brandon Macias singles on a ground ball to third baseman Ramon Morla. Ben McMahan scores. Rafael Neda to 3rd. Chadwin Stang to 2nd.
  Max Walla singles on a line drive to center fielder Jamal Austin. Rafael Neda scores. Chadwin Stang scores. Brandon Macias to 3rd.
  Jason Rogers singles on a line drive to center fielder Jamal Austin. Brandon Macias scores. Max Walla to 2nd.
  Nick Ramirez doubles (8) on a line drive to center fielder Jamal Austin. Max Walla scores. Jason Rogers scores.
  Gregory Hopkins flies out to right fielder Jabari Blash.
  Ben McMahan flies out softly to center fielder Jamal Austin.

 

* Star Wars night tomorrow TLB! Unfortunately I'll miss it for the 2nd year in a row because of a lame graduation party.

[Tedaldtada]

Nashville 6 Iowa (Cubs) 0

 

Box Score

 

Logan Schafer probably had his best day as a pro over the course of both games today (5-5 3B 2 BB 2 SB). He is up to .281 on the year. It would not surprise me one bit to see him finish out the year comfortably above .300. Caleb Gindl (2-4) did in fact lead-off again, and he had another big game. Sean Halton hit 4th and smacked a 2B and walked in 4 PA. Hainley Statia had a good day too with 2 hits in G1 and 2 BB's in G2. 8 BB's total for the Sounds.

 

Iowa was baffled by Donovan Hand, Vinnie Chulk and Rob Wooten as the three combined for the 7-inning 4-hit shutout.

 

Game Log

 

A game log littered with BB's. Pick it apart.

Gameday