Link Report for Sat. 6/16

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Saturday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Marco Estrada makes his first rehab start, followed by Mark Rogers in a doubleheader at home vs. Omaha (Royals), 4:50 PM pre-game, 5:05 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 Kyle Heckathorn at home vs. Montgomery (Rays), 6:28 PM pre-game, 6:43 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: Idle until Monday for the weekend All-Star break; RHP's Hiram Burgos and Jimmy Nelson were originally named FSL All-Stars, but are now in Huntsville. RHP Casey Medlen and IF Shea Vucinich will represent the Manatees.

 

The game will be played in Port Charlotte, home of the Rays' club at 6:00 PM Central, and MiLB.com has a preview here.

 

Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Charlotte feed from the MiLB main audio page

 

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Wisconsin: RHP David Goforth at Quad Cities (Cardinals), 6:40 PM pre-game, 7:00 gametime; expect RHP Chad Pierce to appear as the tandem

 

Free Live Audio Link - 1280 AM WNAM

 

Chris Mehring is back to do his customary fantastic work as the Voice of the Rattlers. Follow him on Twitter @CMehring; we'll link to Chris' infamous blog often -- Rattler Radio.

 

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; Wisconsin is one of only two (Great Lakes) Midwest League clubs that have all their home games available via MiLB.TV; Chris' call provides the audio. So for the $39.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sounds games, all Timber Rattlers home games, and 24 Stars' road games (one Helena series this summer, too).

 

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

 

Nashville Game One

 

Nashville Game Two

 

Huntsville

 

Florida State League All-Star Game

 

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]

Not a guarantee, but potentially wonderful news from Helena -- looks like archived audio of Steve Wendt's pre-game interviews may be on the horizon. Always the best way for us to learn about the H-Crew kids, and Steve does a great job conducting the chats.

 

***

 

Speaking of Helena, I'll ask our current Link Reporters to consider how responsibilities will be split when Helena starts on Monday and when Maryvale begins on Thursday. You'll need to be a night owl, as Maryvale returns to night baseball this season (9:00 PM start times Central). If someone (besides me) is a very early riser and can commit to Maryvale, we may need to welcome that person on board, which would be not ideal, but OK.

 

Rather than using this thread, please use this thread from the pre-season to discuss, along with any private messages you need to coordinate things. Consider both your short-term and long-term commitments through August, thanks.

 

We welcome more volunteers -- it's not that we need seven different folks for the seven games, but it'd be great to have an "on-call" list available when our regulars need a day or more off.

 

Thanks again for all your insights and efforts, current linkers and future as well.

[Mass Haas]

Catching up from Friday:

 

Rattler Radio -- Nine after 9

 

Learn how supplemental 1st round pick Mitch Haniger will be indoctrinated to the Midwest League...

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes

[Mass Haas]

Here's the story behind the bobblehead below. How absolutely fantastic is that? LOVE IT!

 

http://espn.go.com/photo/2012/0611/play_hmorrists_400.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Dozens and dozens of great Nashville photos here from our own contributor Brad Krause -- just rest your cursor on any photo for the always appreciated detailed caption.

 

2012 June 9 Nashville Sounds (Brewers) @ Iowa Cubs (Cubs) Game One (112 images)

 

2012 June 10 Nashville Sounds (Brewers) @ Iowa Cubs (Cubs) (102 images)

[Mass Haas]

Wisconsin Media Notes

[Mass Haas]

Rattlers game rained out, will not be made up.

 

Read about Yadiel Rivera instead

[Mass Haas]

Video of Jimmy Nelson in his AA debut -- Click where it says "Stars vs Biscuits 06/15/2012" on the right

 

Stars closer Jesus Sanchez featured in ths article

[DHonks]

I love seeing Josh Prince's OBP creeping towards .370. He's having the offensive season i'd hoped for, only at the wrong position

[TooLiveBrew]

@DSL Brewers 6, DSL Tigers 2

 

DSL Box

Another day, another DSL game, and another strong pitching performance from the Cerveceritos. Today it was RH starter Milton Gomez (5 IP, 4 H, 2 R/ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 6:2 GO:AO) and piggyback partner, LH Juan Santiago (4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K, 3:1 GO:AO). Gomez turned 18 less than two months ago, while Santiago is in his age-21 season. What I wouldn't do for some reliable scouting reports on these DSL arms... but oh well.

 

Also of note, zero WPs, zero HBPs, zero PBs, and zero errors for the Crew. Although this season's Cerveceritos are working hard to make that seem commonplace, it really is impressive.

 

Gomez allowed one run in each of the first two innings, but the Brewers scored twice in their half of the 1st, and the game remained tied 2-2 until the bottom of the 5th. After the new Tigers pitcher retired the first two batters he faced via the groundball, SS Carlos Belonis lined a single into CF. There was a missed catch of some sort by the Tigers CF, because Belonis came all the way around to score on the play. Belonis had doubled in his previous PA, & finished the game 2-3 with the only RBI (via sac fly in the 1st) credited to a Brewers hitter.

 

The score stood at 3-2 until the home half of the 7th -- and it was a vintage DSL inning. One single, three walks, and four wild pitches... and three runs scored for the Crew en route to the 6-2 final score.

 

Leadoff man CF Francisco Castillo (2-4) & 2-hitter 3B Raphachel Colatosti (1-3, 1 BB) were the only other Cerveceritos to tally hits. With Belonis in the 3-hole, the top three spots in the lineup combined to go 5-10. The other six spots in the lineup combined for a shudder-inducing 0-16... although they did produce six BBs and two HBPs.

 

New addition Yunior De La Cruz gave Carlos Pena the day off and made his first start of the season at catcher, going 0-3 with a walk. Other new face Jose Dicent played 1B & went 0-4.

 

Sthervin Matos was once again in at DH. He only got one AB in today's game, but it wasn't due to re-aggravating his inury. He walked once and was HBP in two other PAs. So he finished his day at 0-1, but reached base three times. Ahh, baseball. Matos must be feeling better, too, because he attempted two steals in the game today (1/2 success rate). Hopefully he'll be back manning 3B before long.

 

 

DSL PbP

[Tedaldtada]

2012 FSL All-Star Game

 

FSL South 6 FSL North 3

 

Box Score

 

North squad member Shea Vucinich got an AB and struck out. He faced St. Lucie Met pitcher Adam Kolerak.

 

Casey Medlen pitched a scoreless 5th. He struck out power prospect Marcell Ozuna to get out of a self-induced jam.

 

FSL South All-Stars Bottom of the 5th

 

Defensive Substitution: JR Murphy replaces catcher Cameron Rupp, batting 8th, playing catcher.

Pitcher Change: Casey Medlen replaces Jesse Biddle.

Wilfredo Tovar flies out to center fielder Rob Segedin.

Mike O'Neill walks.

Wilmer Flores walks. Mike O'Neill to 2nd.

Derek Dietrich flies out to right fielder Avisail Garcia. Mike O'Neill to 3rd.

Marcell Ozuna strikes out swinging.

 

Hiram Burgos and Jimmy Nelson were selected, but promoted to AA before the game.

 

Game Log

 

Gameday

[Tedaldtada]

Sounds Blanked By Omaha In Twinbill Opener

06/16/2012 8:36 PM ET

Nashville Sounds

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A trio of Omaha hurlers combined on a three-hitter as the division-leading Storm Chasers hung an 8-0 defeat on the Nashville Sounds in the opener of a doubleheader on Saturday evening at Greer Stadium.

 

Left-hander Everett Teaford (4-0) worked five scoreless frames to earn the victory for the Storm Chasers. He allowed three hits and retired the final nine batters he faced.

 

Francisley Bueno worked a perfect sixth before Brandon Sisk closed out the contest with 1-2-3 seventh.

 

The Omaha pitchers combined to retire the final 15 Nashville batters in succession.

 

The loss was the sixth shutout suffered by Nashville (26-43) this season. Jeff Bianchi, Andy Gonzalez, and Dayton Buller each singled to account for the Sounds' lone hits in the game.

 

Right-hander Marco Estrada made his first rehab start for the Sounds as he recovers from a right quadriceps strain. He allowed one hit over three scoreless frames, walking four batters and striking out two. He threw 59 pitches (34 for strikes) and took a no-decision.

 

The visitors broke a scoreless deadlock in the fourth when Omaha third baseman Irving Falu belted a three-run home run off Sounds reliever Victor Garate (2-4) with two outs. David Lough (single) and Derrick Robinson (walk) both scored on the blast, Falu's fifth roundtripper of the year.

 

The Storm Chasers wrapped up the contest's scoring with a five-run seventh against Sounds right-hander Brian Baker.

 

After Wil Myers opened the frame with a walk, designated hitter Clint Robinson upped the visitors' lead to 5-0 when he crushed a two-run homer to right, the slugger's ninth longball of the season.

 

Omaha continued the rally by loading the bases on a pair of single followed by a fielding error by Sounds second baseman Eric Farris before Derrick Robinson plated the frame's third run with an RBI single to left, which chased Baker from the contest.

 

Johnnie Lowe took over and walked each of the first two batters he faced to force in two more runs to bring the score to its final 8-0 standing.

 

Cesar Izturis (strained left hamstring) also made his first rehabilitation appearance for Nashville and went 0-for-3 with three groundouts as the team's designated hitter.

 

Box Score

 

The offense deployed a stinker and that will not work against Omaha. They are loaded with production from their hitters.

 

Marco Estrada, Cesar Izturis and Travis Ishikawa all made rehab appearances during the double header. Estrada made the G1 start and Cesar started G1 while Ishi started G2, both as DH's.

 

Caleb Gindl lead off and went 0-3. Logan Schafer DNP.

 

Eric Farris made his 4th error of the year. He always has been regarded as a solid fielder so you should not be surprised by that low number.

 

Sadly, none of the pitchers were at their best. Estrada was very effective but very wild with 4 BB in 3 IP. He did allow only 1 H to a very potent lineup however. Expect Marco back in Milwaukee shortly.

 

Game Log

 

Victor Garate roughed up.

 

Omaha Top of the 4th

Pitcher Change: Victor Garate replaces Marco Estrada.

Tony Abreu called out on strikes.

David Lough singles on a line drive to right fielder Jay Gibbons.

Anthony Seratelli strikes out swinging.

With Derrick Robinson batting, wild pitch by Victor Garate, David Lough to 2nd.

Derrick Robinson walks.

With Irving Falu batting, David Lough steals (16) 3rd base. Derrick Robinson steals (11) 2nd base.

Irving Falu homers (5) on a fly ball to left field. David Lough scores. Derrick Robinson scores.

Johnny Giavotella singles on a line drive to center fielder Caleb Gindl.

Wil Myers called out on strikes.

 

Baker and Lowe let it get out of hand.

 

Omaha Top of the 7th

 

Wil Myers walks.

Clint Robinson homers (9) on a fly ball to right field. Wil Myers scores.

Salvador Perez lines out to right fielder Jay Gibbons.

Tony Abreu singles on a line drive to right fielder Jay Gibbons.

David Lough singles on a line drive to left fielder Corey Patterson. Tony Abreu to 2nd.

Anthony Seratelli reaches on fielding error by second baseman Eric Farris. Tony Abreu to 3rd. David Lough to 2nd.

Derrick Robinson singles on a line drive to left fielder Corey Patterson. Tony Abreu scores. David Lough to 3rd. Anthony Seratelli to 2nd.

Pitcher Change: Johnnie Lowe replaces Brian Baker.

Irving Falu walks. David Lough scores. Anthony Seratelli to 3rd. Derrick Robinson to 2nd.

Johnny Giavotella walks. Anthony Seratelli scores. Derrick Robinson to 3rd. Irving Falu to 2nd.

Wil Myers grounds into double play, third baseman Andy Gonzalez to first baseman Jordan Brown. Irving Falu out at 3rd.

 

Gameday

[TheCrew07]

Final: Montgomery 7, Huntsville 2

 

Huntsville Box Score

I know the Rays system just about as well as I know the Brewers system and this Montgomery team isn't exactly prospect laden or performing at high level, it's very similarly constructed team to the Stars so it's disappointing this series has gone the way it has with the Stars losing 3 of 4 thus far.

 

Kyle Heckathorn just didn't throw enough strikes tonight as he threw 101 pitches and only 60 for strikes walking 4 and hitting a batter. The rest of his line was okay, 3 runs, 2 earned, 4 strike outs, posting an 8:2 ratio... he is pitching better than last year but his K rate is in a slow but steady decline as the season progresses and the results in terms of runs allowed haven't been awe inspiring either. He does many things well, his GO:AO ratio and his BB rate in particular are pretty good, but he's giving up more than a hit per inning. He's just kind of a tough prospect to get a good read on considering his not throwing as hard as he did in college and has never really missed enough bats or limited the hits to the point where I would feel comfortable projecting him. Daniel Meadows and Brandon Kintzler both gave up 2 runs a piece in relief and Kintzler's last 4.1 innings have been brutal as he's given up nine runs and his ERA ballooned to an even 6. Is this an after-effect of the forearm surgery or has he just gone ice cold?

 

Josh Prince went 0-2 but did walk twice, he'd by my surprise player for this level so far. He also stole his 23rd base and was caught stealing for the 9th time. No Stars had a multi-hit game though Matt Cline did double in the contest and Tommy Manzella stole his 2nd base of the season while Lee Haydel was caught stealing for the 3rd time and committed his first error (fielding). Opposing baserunners Hak-Ju Lee and Omar Luna victimized Huntsville for 4 stolen bases, 3 by Lee who's the best prospect on this Montgomery team. Hexathorn did PO a base runner at 1st.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

The teams traded runs in the first but it was all Montgomery after that.

 

Montgomery Top of the 1st

• Hak-Ju Lee walks.
  With Ty Morrison batting, Hak-Ju Lee steals (19) 2nd base.
  Ty Morrison strikes out swinging.
  With Omar Luna batting, Hak-Ju Lee steals (20) 3rd base.
  Omar Luna singles on a ground ball to center fielder Josh Prince. Hak-Ju Lee scores.
  Ryan Garko doubles (6) on a line drive to right fielder Kentrail Davis. Omar Luna scores.
  Kyeong Kang grounds out, second baseman Scooter Gennett to first baseman Hunter Morris. Ryan Garko to 3rd.
  Greg Sexton called out on strikes.

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 1st

• Josh Prince walks.
  Tommy Manzella singles on a line drive to right fielder Brett Nommensen. Josh Prince to 2nd.
  With Scooter Gennett batting, Josh Prince steals (23) 3rd base. Tommy Manzella steals (2) 2nd base.
  Scooter Gennett strikes out swinging.
  Hunter Morris singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ty Morrison. Josh Prince scores. Tommy Manzella scores.
  Scott Krieger strikes out swinging.
  Kentrail Davis flies out to right fielder Brett Nommensen.

 

Montgomery Top of the 8th

• Omar Luna singles on a line drive to second baseman Scooter Gennett, deflected by pitcher Daniel Meadows.
  With Ryan Garko batting, wild pitch by Daniel Meadows, Omar Luna to 2nd.
  Ryan Garko strikes out swinging.
  With Kyeong Kang batting, Omar Luna steals (17) 3rd base.
  Kyeong Kang doubles (13) on a fly ball to right fielder Kentrail Davis. Omar Luna scores.
  Greg Sexton singles on a line drive to left fielder Lee Haydel. Kyeong Kang scores.
  Brett Nommensen grounds into double play, second baseman Scooter Gennett to shortstop Tommy Manzella to first baseman Hunter Morris. Greg Sexton out at 2nd.

 

Montgomery Top of the 9th

• Pitcher Change: Brandon Kintzler replaces Daniel Meadows.
  Brad Coon doubles (6) on a fly ball to left fielder Lee Haydel.
  Mayo Acosta doubles (2) on a ground ball to right fielder Kentrail Davis. Brad Coon scores.
  Hak-Ju Lee grounds out, shortstop Tommy Manzella to first baseman Hunter Morris. Mayo Acosta to 3rd.
  Ty Morrison singles on a line drive to right fielder Kentrail Davis. Mayo Acosta scores.
  Omar Luna grounds into double play, shortstop Tommy Manzella to first baseman Hunter Morris. Ty Morrison out at 2nd.
  

[TheCrew07]

avid readers will remember Reds LHP Tony Cingrani making multiple appearances in the Link Report so far this season, here's the Reds top pitching prospect coming into the season 1 upping Cingrani's hot sheet ranking yesterday. I would link BA's report for Corcino but there is a decent scouting report in the story.

Wahoo! Corcino leads combined no-no

Reds prospect fans nine over eight, De La Rosa completes it

By Andrew Pentis / Special to MLB.com

 

http://www.milb.com/images/2012/06/16/zkYlofLX.jpg

Daniel Corcino signed with the Reds out of the Dominican Republic in January 2008. (Chris Nelson)

 

There was Daniel Corcino, a walking, talking -- and pitching -- oxymoron: Dirt stains stretching from his uniform pant leg up to his chest and sweat dripping from his brow. He was finishing the cleanest outing of his pro career on an 84-degree Saturday night in Pensacola, yet he was very, very dirty.

 

That was because Corcino accomplished something earlier in the evening that his opposition failed to: He got a hit.

 

The Reds' top pitching prospect held down the visiting Mobile BayBears for eight innings and lefty reliever Wilkin De La Rosa worked the ninth to seal the 68-game-old franchise's first no-hitter. Oh, and a 6-0 victory.

 

The Corcino-De La Rosa effort marked the eighth no-hitter -- each the work of a tag team -- in the Minors this season. One other fact: The last Southern League no-hitter occurred exactly one year ago when the BayBears were quieted by then-Montgomery ace Matt Moore.

 

After his second hit of the season, a leadoff single in third, Corcino advanced to second and slid into third -- two more small successes that the BayBears didn't sniff. On the mound, Corcino issued two-out walks to Yazy Arbelo and Ed Easley in the second and fifth frames, respectively, but was otherwise perfect. The 21-year-old right-hander had thrown 78 pitches through six frames and required 20 more to pitch around a leadoff walk to Matt Davidson and strike out the side in the seventh.

 

In the eighth, he threw 12 more pitches, bringing his total to 110. The 24th out was pinch-hitter Wladimir Sutil, who worked the count to 3-0 before becoming Corcino's ninth victim on strikes, matching a season high. He also recorded nine outs on the ground and five in the air.

 

Corcino was at his best, and he knew it. He wanted to finish what he started.

 

"It's incredible," Corcino told pnj.com. "It's my first time to throw eight innings, but I know I can keep going and maybe next time, you know, I can finish."

 

That's why he was standing atop the dugout steps -- helmet on -- when his spot in the batting order neared in the bottom of the eighth. When manager Jim Riggleman followed organizational protocol and inserted Josh Fellhauer in Corcino's slot, the vociferous few among the 5,038 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium started to boo.

 

"No, not really, it wasn't hard at all. It's the guidelines," Riggleman told the website, noting Corcino is slated to pitch in next week's Southern League All-Star Game. "Maybe if anything, I should have taken him out after seven. But we were not going to let him go past 110 (pitches)."

 

Fellhauer singled and scored during the ensuing three-run rally.

 

For his part, De La Rosa elicited cheers. He required 26 pitches and issued a fourth Blue Wahoos walk but also struck out the side in the ninth. After striking out Marc Krauss to end the game, De La Rosa threw his glove into the air, then hugged his fellow Dominican Republic native who started the run at history. Corcino came out of the pile of players with the baseball in hand.

 

In his first Double-A season, Corcino (3-4) was 0-3 with a 4.94 ERA in his previous six starts. And in a dozen prior appearances this year, he had not advanced into the seventh inning. He ended up eclipsing his single-game career high in innings after going seven three times with Class A Dayton last season.

 

Still, Corcino features a mid-90s fastball to go with his slider and changeup. And this is the same pitcher who, before his recent slide, went 2-0 while allowing only six hits over 11 1/3 scoreless frames against Jacksonville on April 27 and Jackson on May 3.

 

A non-drafted free agent who signed with Cincinnati in January 2008, Corcino lowered his ERA to 3.34 and has a 69-to-31 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 70 innings with the Blue Wahoos.

 

De La Rosa, too, was right for the assignment. Pitching in his sixth season after five as an outfielder, the 27-year-old entered with a 1.31 ERA in 19 games since an April 23 promotion from Class A Advanced Bakersfield. This is his first year in the Reds organization.

 

The Blue Wahoos scored their lone run off BayBears starter David Holmberg in the fifth when No. 4 Reds prospect Didi Gregorious tripled and came home two batters latter on Joel Guzman's two-out single.

 

David Vidal also plated Gregorious with a two-run homer in the seventh off reliever Bryan Henry.

 

Holmberg, the D-backs' No. 7 prospect, yielded six hits and a walk while striking out six over five innings. After two Double-A starts, he's 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA.

[Tedaldtada]

Sounds Hang Ten On Omaha For Doubleheader Split

06/16/2012 9:59 PM ET

Nashville Sounds

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds batted around and exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 10-3 win over the Omaha Storm Chasers in the doubleheader nightcap on Saturday night at Greer Stadium.

 

The victory gave the Sounds a doubleheader split, which was the third of the season and moved the club to 4-6 in doubleheader action.

 

The seven runs scored in the inning set a season-high for the Sounds while the 10-spot matched a season-high previously set on June 11 at Memphis.

 

Prior to the contest, the Sounds had only scored 18 total runs in the sixth inning all season. (Crazy stat of the week winner)

 

Travis Ishikawa (left oblique strain) made his first rehabilitation appearance for Nashville and went 2-for-4 with a double (Audio) and three RBIs as the team's designated hitter.

 

Shortstop Jeff Bianchi, and outfielders Jordan Brown and Jay Gibbons each added two hits.

 

Nashville starter Mark Rogers recorded a no-decision, giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits and four walks in five innings of work for a no-decision. The 26-year-old also matched a season-high with six strikeouts with 101 pitches (56 strikes).

 

Reliever Mike McClendon (3-3) closed the door with two scoreless frames and the victory.

 

Jordan Brown led off the bottom of the eighth inning with a single and was replaced by pinch runner Corey Patterson. Reliever Jeremy Jeffress then threw 10 straight balls, including a wild pitch that allowed Patterson to score the go-ahead run from third. After another walk to load the bases, shortstop Hainley Statia knocked a weak grounder past the shortstop to score Sean Halton.

 

After a Logan Schafer sacrifice fly and Bianchi single, Ishikawa crushed a three-run double to right -center to clear the bases. The final run of the frame came from an RBI double from Patterson.

 

The two teams traded runs through the first five innings, beginning with Omaha in the top of the first. Royals' prospect Wil Myers worked a two-out walk and came home to score the game's first run on the next play on a two-base fielding error on Brown.

 

The Sounds knotted the contest at 1-1 in the bottom of the second and only managed to score one run. With no outs and the bases loaded, catcher Jason Jaramillo grounded into a double play that scored Brown.

 

In the next inning, Myers uncorked his 11th homer of the season over the right field wall to give the Storm Chasers a 2-1 lead.

 

Nashville again tied the game at 2-2 in the home half of the third. Schafer blooped a double over the third baseman's head and scored two batters later on an Andy Gonzalez sacrifice fly.

 

Gibbons gave the Sounds a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth with a towering homer onto Chestnut Street. (Audio) The long ball was Gibbons' third in his last five games.

 

Omaha came back to score a run in the top of the fifth to knot the game at 3-3. Irving Falu worked a four-pitch walk, stole second base, and came home to score the tying-run on a Clint Robinson RBI single.

 

Omaha starter Will Smith (1-4) took the loss after scattering eight hits for four runs in five plus innings.

 

The teams wrap up the series with a 2:05 p.m. matinee finale on Sunday afternoon. It will be a battle of organizational top prospects as right-hander Wily Peralta (1-8, 6.34) mans the bump for the Sounds to face Omaha southpaw Mike Montgomery (3-2, 4.81).

 

Box Score

 

In a complete turn around from G1, the Sounds matched a season high in runs scored with 10. Logan Schafer led off and went 1-3 with a 2B. Former Storm Chaser Jeff Bianchi hit 2nd and went 2-3 with a BB. Ishikawa hit 3rd and went 2-4 with a 2B. I could on, but I hope you get the point. Everyone contributed. Check the box score and enjoy the prettiness.

 

Mark Rogers got the start and he was pretty good. 5 IP 4 H 3 R 2 ER 4 BB 6 K 1 HR 2:1 GO:FO. He will need to string a couple starts like this together in order to rescue his season line. As usual, even a decent Rogers is tough to hit. Mike McClendon had his best game of recent memory pitching 2 scoreless innings.

 

I absolutly loved the Jeremy Jeffress pick when we made it. He posted an 135.00 ERA on the evening.

 

Game Log

 

The good McClendon

 

Omaha Top of the 6th

 

Pitcher Change: Mike McClendon replaces Mark Rogers.

Derrick Robinson grounds out, pitcher Mike McClendon to first baseman Sean Halton.

Max Ramirez grounds out, shortstop Jeff Bianchi to first baseman Sean Halton.

Jason Bourgeois grounds out, pitcher Mike McClendon to first baseman Sean Halton.

 

Omaha Top of the 7th

 

Corey Patterson remains in the game as the left fielder.

Cody Clark strikes out swinging.

Irving Falu walks.

Johnny Giavotella grounds into a force out, third baseman Andy Gonzalez to second baseman Hainley Statia. Irving Falu out at 2nd. Johnny Giavotella to 1st.

Wil Myers grounds into a force out, third baseman Andy Gonzalez to second baseman Hainley Statia. Johnny Giavotella out at 2nd.

 

Explosion

 

Nashville Bottom of the 6th

 

Jordan Brown singles on a line drive to left fielder Derrick Robinson.

Pitcher Change: Jeremy Jeffress replaces Will Smith.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Corey Patterson replaces Jordan Brown.

With Sean Halton batting, Corey Patterson steals (6) 2nd base, . Corey Patterson advances to 3rd, on throwing error by catcher Cody Clark.

Sean Halton walks.

Jeremy Jeffress intentionally walks Jay Gibbons. Sean Halton to 2nd.

With Jason Jaramillo batting, wild pitch by Jeremy Jeffress, Corey Patterson scores. Sean Halton to 3rd. Jay Gibbons to 2nd.

Jason Jaramillo walks.

Hainley Statia singles on a ground ball to shortstop Tony Abreu. Sean Halton scores. Jay Gibbons to 3rd. Jason Jaramillo to 2nd.

Logan Schafer out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Derrick Robinson. Jay Gibbons scores.

Jeff Bianchi singles on a line drive to right fielder Jason Bourgeois. Jason Jaramillo to 3rd. Hainley Statia to 2nd.

Pitcher Change: Blaine Hardy replaces Jeremy Jeffress.

Travis Ishikawa doubles (1) on a line drive to center fielder Wil Myers. Jason Jaramillo scores. Hainley Statia scores. Jeff Bianchi scores.

Andy Gonzalez strikes out swinging.

Corey Patterson doubles (12) on a line drive to right fielder Jason Bourgeois. Travis Ishikawa scores.

Sean Halton grounds out, third baseman Irving Falu to first baseman Max Ramirez.

 

Gameday

[HiAndTight]

I absolutly loved the Jeremy Jeffress pick when we made it. He posted an 135.00 ERA on the evening.

 

Funny how often people love the picks that work out and hated the ones who didn't. I know one in particular that had written off Jungman as another Jimmy Nelson last year.

But I'm with you. I loved a guy who could throw 100 MPH and was a great athlete. The pot smoking never bothered me either.

I wasn't fan of the Lawrie pick(which is ironic as I think it'll go down as the worst trade we've ever made in about 10-15 years and DO believe he will have peak years as good as Braun's.

 

I also loved the Fredrickson pick, Lintz...Gwynn...

 

I don't get Jeffress though. He seemed ready to go as at least a 7th inning guy several weeks ago.

[Mass Haas]

STARS OFFENSE SILENCED BY BISCUITS

 

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - After plating two runs in the first inning, the Huntsville Stars (34-35) were shutout in their final eight innings on Saturday night, losing to the Montgomery Biscuits (36-31) by a score of 7-2 at Joe Davis Stadium.

 

Following Montgomery plating two runs in the top of the first on a RBI single by Omar Luna and a RBI double by first baseman Ryan Garko off of Stars starter Kyle Heckathorn, the Huntsville offense was up to the challenge to respond.

 

Center fielder Josh Prince walked and shortstop Tommy Manzella followed with a single. They successfully executed a double-steal to begin the inning when a two-run single by first baseman Hunter Morris plated both of them to tie the game.

 

Unfortunately, that was all the offense the Stars would be able to manage. Over the final eight innings, Huntsville was held scoreless by a combination of starter Joseph Cruz, RHP Scott Shuman, RHP Marquis Fleming, and RHP Kirby Yates to roll to a victory. Cruz improved to 4-6 on the season by giving up those two early runs on five hits through five innings pitched.

 

For Montgomery, they got their eventual game-winning run on a RBI single by center fielder Ty Morrison. The Biscuits also got two runs in both the eighth and ninth inning off of Stars relievers Dan Meadows and Brandon Kintzler respectively.

 

Heckathorn fell to 2-6 on the year with the loss. The former supplemental first round draft pick, who turns 24 on Sunday, gave up just three runs (two earned) on six hits through six innings of work. Heckathorn hasn’t won a start since May 8th against Jackson.

 

On offense, the Stars were held to three hits over the last eight innings. Overall, Huntsville has now lost 10 of their last 11 games.

 

The finale of a five-game series with the Biscuits and the first half of the Southern League season will take place on Sunday with a Father's Day special. Huntsville will send RHP Hiram Burgos (1-1, 2.80 ERA) to the mound to square off against Montgomery’s RHP Matt Buschmann (2-2, 3.63 ERA). First pitch is at 1:03 PM.

[Mass Haas]

The Post-Crescent with a stat-line profile for each of the seven Timber Rattlers in the All-Star Game

[Mass Haas]

If you come to the Link Report via Twitter directly only, do remember that our Minor League Forum consists of other detailed threads as well.

 

Make sure you check out Sunday morning's extra-thorough Helena coverage here.

[igor67]

Josh Prince is definitely having his best offensive season ever, though you might be able to make an argument that his performance in the FSL wasn't that bad, since it is the FSL. I've been pretty uninterested in Prince, but is it possible they move him back to SS? His current line would look pretty nice at the big league level right now. As a CFer though there are just too many other bodies to think he can out compete them. One big advantage for him might be as a super utility guy. Get on base, work counts and being able to back-up middle infield and OF is a pretty solid profile even if the team might worry about error totals on a regular basis at SS.