Link Report for Fri. 6/22 -- Logan Schafer Plays Baseball Really Well; So Far the Rookie-Level Clubs Don't

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF!

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Wily Peralta at home vs. Oklahoma City (Astros), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

Jeff Hem is the new play-by-play voice of the Sounds; follow him on Twitter @jeffhempbp; we'll link to his blog updates at On the Air…and Off

 

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; all Nashville games, home and away, will be available to watch via MiLB.TV's $39.99 season-long package ($9.99 to pay for a single month). We imagine the audio feed is from the home team. All MiLB.TV details available at the link.

 

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Huntsville: RHP Evan Anundsen at Jackson (Mariners), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime

 

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

 

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.

 

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Brevard County: RHP Brandon Williamson at home vs. Dunedin (Blue Jays), 5:35 PM gametime

 

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

 

Once again this season, Brevard does not have its own audio coverage. It appears two teams in the Manatees North Division (within which the majority of games are played) have audio, and all six teams in the South Division have audio (at least for their home games), so there will be opportunities to listen to approx. 70% or Brevard's games this season, just all from the opponent's perspective. There are no Florida State League games on MiLB.TV this year.

 

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Wisconsin: RHP Matt Miller at Burlington (Athletics), 6:10 PM pre-game, 6:30 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).

 

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Helena: LHP Brent Suter makes his professional debut at home vs. Billings (Reds), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime

 

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

 

We're lucky to have Steve Wendt back on board for another H-Crew season.

 

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Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at the Athletics' complex in Phoenix; 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league

 

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

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

Maryvale

 

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

 

Rookie Advanced - Pioneer League North Division

 

Rookie - Arizona Summer League

 

DSL - Dominican Summer League San Pedro de Macoris Division

 

***

 

NOTE: AAA Nashville does not play a split schedule. The other leagues, including the rookie leagues, do. When you click on a standings link for Huntsville, Brevard County or Wisconsin, you'll then be able to choose 1st half and/or overall standings in addition to the current 2nd half standings.

[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]

Media note-palooza:

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Wisconsin

 

You'll notice that later this week Rattler RHP's Chad Thompson and Mark Williams, have their own starting assignments, breaking up that tandem. Williams gets Will West's vacated spot (Helena).

[Mass Haas]

Audio from Nashville — “(Dayton) Buller’s Beliefs”

 

Jeff Hem's note -- Tonight’s interview is with Sounds catcher Dayton Buller, who got to celebrate his 31st birthday today by joining me for a chat. Not much of a present for him, unfortunately! One of the great things about interviewing players in baseball is that while I go into the interview with some notes and potential questions prepared, I can never say for sure how and where the interview is going to go. I can say this for certain: I didn’t go into today’s interview with Buller knowing that he was in rehabbing Brewers infielder and current Sound Travis Ishikawa’s wedding a few years ago, let alone that Ishikawa and Buller readily admit they’re horrible dancers. Buller originally came up with the Giants and played with Ishikawa for several years and also has caught pitchers like Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain.

[Mass Haas]

Unfortunately a Brewer in the not-so-hot portion of the Hot Sheet. Did you guess correctly?

[And That]

Wily Peralta does not make it out of the first inning tonight. Good grief.

[brewmann04]

terrible news on Peralta boy he has struggled to say the least.

[bkrause2]

Final: Wisconsin 1, Burlington 2

 

Bees top Rattlers in second half opener

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

BURLINGTON, IA - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers made a pair of uncharacteristic errors on Friday night at Community Field. The errors cost them a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Burlington Bees as both teams got back into action after the four day All-Star Break. Eliezer Mesa had two hits and scored both runs for the Bees to ruin another fine start by Wisconsin pitcher Matt Miller.

 

Yadiel Rivera started a rally for the Timber Rattlers (44-26 overall, 0-1 second half) in the top of the third inning. He singled back through the middle to lead off the frame. A wild pitch by Burlington starter Max Perlman allowed Rivera to scamper all the way to third base. Brandon Macias drove in Rivera with a sacrifice fly to right.

 

Miller struck out eight and allowed two hits in the first five innings. But, he ran into trouble against the top third of the order in the bottom of the sixth. Mesa singled to start the inning. Sean Jamieson tried to sacrifice Mesa to second. He did that and reached first base on an error by Miller. BA Vollmuth was next and his single to left loaded the bases with no outs.

 

Miller and the Rattlers almost pulled a great escape in the inning. Cleanup hitter Rashun Dixon sent a grounder to third. Macias fielded the ball on his backhand about a step from the base. He stepped on third for the force on Jamieson at third and threw to second to get Vollmuth for the second out. But, the relay to first was just a tad late to get Dixon for the triple play and the fielder's choice allowed Mesa to score the tying run.

 

The Rattlers had an opportunity to go in front in the top of the eighth inning. Rafael Neda singled to start the eighth. Lance Roenicke came on to pinch run for the Rattlers catcher. Then, Yadiel Rivera dropped a sacrifice bunt to get Roenicke into scoring position against Bees reliever Jose Macias. The Rattlers could not cash in the chance. Jose Macias got Brandon Macias to fly out to center. Then, lefty Jeff Urlaub came into the game and struck out lefty Max Walla to end the threat.

 

Mesa started the winning rally for the Bees (33-37, 1-0) in the eighth with a one out single. He would steal second with Jamieson at the plate and take third on a wild throw to second base. The Bees called for a suicide squeeze on the next pitch. The offering was low and Jamieson couldn't get the bunt down. But, the ball bounced away from Roberts and Mesa scored the run to make the score 2-1.

 

Urlaub came back out for the top of the ninth and struck out the side in order to nail down the Burlington victory.

 

Wisconsin's two errors in the game gave them 56 in 70 games played, the lowest total of the sixteen teams in the Midwest League. The errors meant that both Burlington runs in the game were unearned

 

Game two of the series is Saturday night at Community Field. Drew Gagnon (6-1, 2.49) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Burlington plans on sending Seth Frankoff (1-5, 5.69) to the mound. Game time is 6:30pm. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280 or timberratlers.com starting with Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:10pm.

 

WP: Jeff Urlaub (5-4)

LP: Tyler Cravy (1-3)

 

TIME: 2:29

ATTN: 864

 

Wisconsin Box Score

Tough loss for the Timber Rattlers to start the second half of the season. Matt Miller pitched really well, going six innings and allowing only one unearned run. He struck out eight and had a 8:0 groundout to flyout ratio. Tyler Cravy was the tough luck loser after allowing just one hit and striking out four in his two innings of work. Tyler Roberts had a rough 8th inning defensively after coming in to catch.

 

Only four hits for the Rattlers offense, all singles. Yadiel Rivera was 1 for 2 with a sacrifice and scored the team's only run. Max Walla, Cameron Garfield and Rafael Neda had the other base hits. Mitch Haniger went 0 for 3 with a walk and a strikeout in his first game of the season. Lance Roenicke made his MWL debut when he came on to pinch run for Neda in the 8th but was stranded at second base. Ben McMahan stole his sixth base of the season.

 

Wisconsin Play By Play

The almost triple play in the sixth

Burlington Bottom of the 6th

Eliezer Mesa singles on a line drive to center fielder Mitch Haniger.

Sean Jamieson hits a sacrifice bunt. Fielding error by pitcher Matthew Miller. Eliezer Mesa to 2nd. Sean Jamieson to 1st.

B. A. Vollmuth singles on a ground ball to left fielder Ben McMahan. Eliezer Mesa to 3rd. Sean Jamieson to 2nd.

Rashun Dixon grounds into double play, third baseman Brandon Macias to second baseman Gregory Hopkins. Eliezer Mesa scores. Sean Jamieson out at 3rd. B. A. Vollmuth out at 2nd. Rashun Dixon to 1st.

Bobby Crocker lines out to center fielder Mitch Haniger.

 

Unearned run in the eighth turned out to be the difference in the game.

Burlington Bottom of the 8th

Defensive Substitution: Tyler Roberts replaces Lance Roenicke, batting 8th, playing catcher.

John Nester strikes out swinging.

Eliezer Mesa singles on a line drive to center fielder Mitch Haniger.

With Sean Jamieson batting, Eliezer Mesa steals (11) 2nd base, . Eliezer Mesa advances to 3rd, on throwing error by catcher Tyler Roberts.

With Sean Jamieson batting, wild pitch by Tyler Cravy, Eliezer Mesa scores.

Sean Jamieson strikes out swinging.

B. A. Vollmuth walks.

Rashun Dixon called out on strikes.

[bkrause2]

Timber Rattlers game story from the Burlington side.

Bees Squeeze Out 2-1 Win

The Bees opened the second half with an exciting win.

By Daniel Trivinos / Burlington Bees

 

BURLINGTON, Iowa - The Burlington Bees (33-37 overall, 1-0 second half) capitalized on great pitching and used aggressive base running to win 2-to-1 over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (44-26, 0-1). They attempted a squeeze play in the eighth, but instead scored on a wild pitch to take a 2-to-1 lead late the first game of the second half.

 

The Bees couldn't have stolen a game in the late innings without a stellar performance from the pitching staff. Max Perlman (1-3) made his third start of the season and match his season-high of five innings pitched for the third consecutive outing. The tall right-hander tossed dealt with a tight, but consistent strike zone and battled through all five innings. He only allowed one run on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Macias that scored Yadiel Rivera in the top of the third.

 

Overall Perlman only allowed two hits, two walks, an earned run, and struck out two batters en route to a no-decision. The Harvard grad also lowered his team leading ERA to an impressive 2.73 mark in 18 appearances this season.

 

The Bees managed to score in bottom of the sixth after loading the bases with no outs. Unfortunately Rashun Dixon grounded into a double play, but Eliezer Mesa scored on the play to tie the game 1-to-1 after six innings. Despite Wisconsin's starter, Matt Miller (5-5) owning an 0-3 record with 7.20 ERA against the Bees this season, the Bees' offense struggled to connect against the tall righty and actually struck out eight times.

 

The Bees turned to Jose Macias who started the season in the rotation, but amassed a 2.05 ERA in seven starts before entering the bullpen. Macias pitched 2.2 innings and only allowed two hits while striking out four members of the Timber Rattlers' lineup.

 

Despite not acquiring one RBI in the game, the Bees still managed to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth. Mesa lined a one-out single into centerfield. Mesa immediately took off for second base and earned more than just his 11th stolen base of the season after the catcher's throw bounced into centerfield.

 

Bees manager Aaron Nieckula wasted no time in ordering a squeeze attempt. Sean Jamieson tried to bunt the ball, but didn't connect on the wild pitch from Tyler Cravy. Because Mesa was running on the pitch, the Bees were able to score despite the ball not travelling far from Wisconsin's catcher, Tyler Roberts.

 

Jeff Urlaub (5-4) retired a batter in the eighth and preserved the win in the top of the ninth by striking out the side. In fact, Urlaub struck out all four batters he faced and earned his fifth win.

 

The Bees play game two with the Timber Rattlers on Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. Those in attendance can enjoy Friends and Family Night at the park, as well Oakland A's night, which will feature the Bees wear A's uniforms. For information on Bees baseball call (319) 754-5705 or visit http://www.gobees.com.

[TheCrew07]

Final: Oklahoma City 10, Nashville 7

 

Sounds Lose Slugfest To RedHawks, 10-7

Packed House Watches Schafer Belt Two Homers For Nashville

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Brett Wallace belted a pair of homers to lead the Oklahoma City RedHawks to a 10-7 victory over the Nashville Sounds in front of 9,047 fans on Friday evening at Greer Stadium.

 

With the slugfest victory, the RedHawks gained a split of the four-game set with Nashville (30-45) and won the season series by a 13-3 margin. The Sounds finished their homestand with a 4-4 record.

 

Center fielder Logan Schafer hit a pair of home runs as part of a 4-for-5 evening for the Sounds, missing the cycle by a double. It marked the first multiple-homer game of his six-year career as well as the first two-homer effort by a Sound this season.

 

Corey Patterson added a season-best 3-for-4 evening for the Sounds, who out-hit Oklahoma City, 13-10, in the losing effort.

 

Sounds starter Wily Peralta endured a rough first inning, giving up four runs and facing eight batters before departing with two outs in the frame after tossing 45 pitches.

 

With the bases full of RedHawks with two outs following a pair of walks sandwiched around a single, Peralta hit Fernando Martinez with a pitch to force home Brandon Barnes (3-for-6) with the game's first run. Catcher Landon Powell followed with a two-run single to center before Jordan Kreke chased the right-hander from the contest with a bloop RBI single to right that gave the visitors a 4-0 lead.

 

Johnnie Lowe followed Peralta with a solid relief effort, working 4 1/3 scoreless frames and allowing only one hit. He worked around five walks and fanned a season-high five batters in his longest outing of the season.

 

Nashville halved the deficit to 4-2 in the home half of the opening frame.

 

Schafer led off the bottom of the first inning with a solo homer to deep right-center off Oklahoma City left-hander Brett Oberholtzer, his sixth homer of the year and the Sounds' third game-opening longball of the season. Jeff Bianchi followed with a double down the left field line and later scored on Andy Gonzalez's two-out bloop single to shallow right.

 

AUDIO: Schafer's 1st HR

 

The Sounds pulled within a run at 4-3 in the third. Schafer led off with a fly ball to right that Brad Snyder lost in the lights. The ball dropped on the warning track, Schafer ended up on third with a triple, and then scored on Bianchi's ensuing groundout to short.

 

Nashville evened the contest with an unearned run off Oberholtzer in the fourth. With one out, Eric Farris hit a grounder to deep short and advanced all the way to second when Kreke fired wide of first. Patterson followed with a game-tying single to right but was thrown out as he attempted to advance to second on the play.

 

Schafer powered the Sounds to a 5-4 lead in the fifth when he led off with his second homer of the night, a line drive shot onto the Family Leisure beyond the wall in the right field corner.

 

AUDIO: Schafer's 2nd HR

 

Oklahoma City jumped right back in front in the top of the sixth with a three-run rally against Sounds reliever Victor Garate. Pinch-hitter Angel Sanchez drew a walk to open the frame and later scored the tying run on a Snyder sacrifice fly before Wallace (2-for-4) gave the RedHawks a 7-5 lead with a mammoth home run to right, a two-run shot that landed on Chestnut Street on the fly, at least 450 feet from home plate. The go-ahead dinger was the third baseman's 11th of the year.

 

The RedHawks extended the lead to 9-5 in the seventh against Garate on Barnes' one-out, two-run single to center.

 

Schafer continued his solid night in the seventh with an RBI single off Jonnathan Aristil to bring in Patterson, who singled to open the frame. After advancing to third on a Bianchi single, Schafer later scored to reduce the Sounds' deficit to 9-7 when Oklahoma City reliever Mickey Storey misfired to first base on a pickoff attempt.

 

Wallace slugged his second home run of the night to lead off the eighth, swatting an opposite-field shot to left-center off Garate to stretch the visitors' lead to 10-7.

 

After Storey worked 1 2/3 scoreless frames of relief for Oklahoma City, Hector Ambriz worked around a leadoff Patterson single to work a scoreless bottom of the ninth to preserve the win and notch his first save of the year.

 

Oberholtzer (1-1) backed into his first career Triple-A victory after departing the game on the short end of a 5-4 deficit before the RedHawks' sixth-inning rally. The southpaw allowed five runs on eight hits over his five frames of action.

 

Garate (2-5) absorbed the loss for the Sounds after suffering a blown save and surrendering six runs in his two innings.

 

First baseman Travis Ishikawa went 0-for-3 in his sixth rehab game for Nashville, during which he has batted .222 (4-for-18).

 

A pair of Sounds had season-best hitting streaks snapped in the contest: catcher Jason Jaramillo had a six-gamer end with an 0-for-4 evening and outfielder Jay Gibbons went 0-for-2 to snap his five-gamer.

 

The Sounds embark upon a seven-game road trip tomorrow that includes stops in Albuquerque (AAA-Dodgers) and Round Rock (AAA-Rangers). Right-hander Mark Rogers (2-4, 5.68) will take the hill for Nashville in Saturday's 8:05 p.m. CT opener of a four-game series at Isotopes Park. Albuquerque will counter with left-hander Michael Antonini (1-5, 5.14).

 

Nashville Box Score

I wonder what kind of athlete Wily Peralta is? How could he possibly screw up his mechanics so bad he's suddenly pitching the way he's pitching? This season has turned out to be way beyond what would have been my worse case for Wily. Hopefully Victor Garate never pitches to Brett Wallace again, 2 bombs in 2 innings, wonderful. At least Johnnie Lowe was clutch and Robert Wooten pitched 2 scoreless.

 

Inquiring minds want to know if Logan Schafer will get a shot to make the big club next year? Maybe they'll keep both Morgan and Schafer so we have 4 CFs on the MLB roster! Schafer's OPS will be more than .780 after today's power barrage, not too shabby for a CF, about all he needs now is a haircut. Jeff Bianchi chipped in a 2-4 effort including the double, as did Andy Gonzalez. Corey Patterson's night detailed above.

 

Nashville Play By Play

Wooten's performance, something positive on the pitching side.

 

Okla. City Top of the 8th

• Sean Halton remains in the game as the first baseman.
  Brett Wallace homers (12) on a fly ball to left field.
  Mike Hessman singles on a ground ball to left fielder Corey Patterson.
  Jake Goebbert reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by pitcher Victor Garate. Mike Hessman to 2nd.
  Pitcher Change: Robert Wooten replaces Victor Garate, batting 4th.
  Defensive Substitution: Hainley Statia replaces pitcher Victor Garate, batting 9th, playing third base.
  J. B. Shuck grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Jeff Bianchi. Mike Hessman to 3rd. Jake Goebbert out at 2nd. Shuck to 1st.
  Landon Powell lines into double play, center fielder Logan Schafer to first baseman Sean Halton. J. B. Shuck doubled off 1st.

 

 

Okla. City Top of the 9th

• Jordan Kreke grounds out, pitcher Robert Wooten to first baseman Sean Halton.
  Angel Sanchez pops out to first baseman Sean Halton in foul territory.
  Brandon Barnes lines out to left fielder Corey Patterson.

[Tedaldtada]

Brevard edges Dunedin, 6-5

06/22/2012 11:04 PM ET

By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees

 

VIERA, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth to erase a 3-0 deficit and held on to defeat the Dunedin Blue Jays, 6-5 on Friday night at Space Coast Stadium.

 

The Manatees' (2-0 second half, 31-39 overall) rally in the sixth started with a lead-off walk by T.J. Mittelstaedt. Jason Rogers and Mike Walker then had back-to-back singles, with Walker's driving in Mittelstaedt and chasing Dunedin (0-2, 42-27) starter Marcus Walden from the game.

 

The new reliever Boomer Potts faced just one batter as he walked Cody Hawn to load the bases. Dustin Antolin came in for the Blue Jays and was rudely greeted by Shea Vucinich who singled to plate Rogers and cut Dunedin's lead to 3-2.

 

Antolin retired the next two hitters but then allowed a bases-loaded, two-out walk to Nick Shaw that tied the game at 3-3. Reggie Keen then stepped in and hit a hot shot to second baseman Ryan Schimpf for an infield single. Schimpf tried throwing out Vucinich at third, but his throw was wild as the Manatees took a 5-3 lead.

 

As quickly as Brevard County took the lead, Dunedin tied the game back up in the seventh as Seth Harvey allowed a two-out, two-run homer to Jake Marisnick. The Blue Jays lead would be short lived though as the 'Tees took a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the seventh on a RBI double to left by Hawn.

 

Brevard was unable to plate any insurance runs in the eighth, despite two hits in the inning. The Manatees ran themselves out of the inning, as Shaw was thrown out stealing second and Keen was caught in a rundown for the final out of the inning.

 

Dunedin made the top of the ninth interesting against Brevard's All-Star closer Casey Medlen. After striking out Michael Crouse, Medlen walked Jonathan Jones and allowed a single to Kevin Nolan, which put the go-ahead run on base. Medlen then settled down and forced a fly out in foul territory and a strike out to seal the game and give the 'Tees their second straight win.

 

Manatees starting pitcher Brandon Williamson (1-4, 5.87) threw five innings and allowed two runs on five hits. He walked one and struck out three as he did not factor in the decision. Walker led the way at the plate for Brevard as he went 3-for-4 with a RBI and two runs scored. Both Hawn and Keen had two hits each as Hawn had two doubles and Keen drove in two runs.

 

Brevard County will be going for the three-game sweep of the first half champion Blue Jays on Saturday night at 6:35 p.m. Andy Moye (2-0, 5.06) will toe the rubber for the 'Tees. He struck out five in three innings of relief in his only other appearance against Dunedin back on May 25.

 

The Blue Jays will send Jesse Hernandez (0-1, 40.50) to the mound for his second start in the Florida State League. In his first start after being called up from Class A Lansing, Hernandez went just 1.1 innings and allowed six runs against the Clearwater Threshers this past Monday.

 

Box Score

 

Very nice game for Brevard County as they look for the sweep of 1st place Dunedin tomorrow. Reggie Keen, the leading base-stealer and the 24th leading hitter in the FSL, went 2-5 but had more trouble on the base paths. T.J. Mittelstaedt, 9th in OPS, 6th in homers, 5th in TB's and t-4th in RBI in the FSL, went 0-3 with a BB. Mike Walker had a huge game going 3-4. Cody Hawn (2-3 2 2B BB) added to his doubles pile with 2 more tonight. Newcomer Jason Rogers went 1-3 with a BB. Rogers played LF tonight.

 

Brandon Williamson (5 IP 5 H 2 R 2 ER 1 BB 3 K 2 HBP 4:6 GO:FO) and four relievers appeared for the Sea Cows tonight. New kid Seth Harvey fared the worst giving up 2 runs in his lone inning on a 2-out HR to top prospect Jake Marisnick. It was actually Jake's first homer since April when he it 3. Naturally, Seth ended up with the win due to the 5-run Sea Cow inning before he entered the game. Greg Holle and Casey Medlen finished in style with 4 K in 2 IP.

 

Check out the FSL hitting leader boards. Tough, tough league to hit. Also makes Mittelstaedt's performance more impressive, and his All-Star snub more egregious.

 

Game Log

 

The big inning.

 

Brevard County Bottom of the 6th

 

T. J. Mittelstaedt walks.

Jason Rogers singles on a ground ball to left fielder Marcus Knecht. T. Mittelstaedt to 2nd.

Mike Walker singles on a line drive to right fielder Jonathan Jones. T. Mittelstaedt scores. Jason Rogers to 2nd.

Pitcher Change: Boomer Potts replaces Marcus Walden.

Cody Hawn walks. Jason Rogers to 3rd. Mike Walker to 2nd.

Pitcher Change: Dustin Antolin replaces Boomer Potts.

Shea Vucinich singles on a ground ball to third baseman Kevin Ahrens. Jason Rogers scores. Mike Walker to 3rd. Cody Hawn to 2nd.

Parker Berberet flies out to left fielder Marcus Knecht.

John Dishon called out on strikes.

Nick Shaw walks. Mike Walker scores. Cody Hawn to 3rd. Shea Vucinich to 2nd.

Reggie Keen singles on a ground ball to second baseman Ryan Schimpf. Cody Hawn scores. Shea Vucinich scores. Reggie Keen to 2nd. Nick Shaw advances to 3rd, on throwing error by second baseman Ryan Schimpf.

T. J. Mittelstaedt flies out to center fielder Jake Marisnick.

[sfl2hnq17]

What am I suppose to say about AZ Crew tonight? Geez

[Tedaldtada]

Billings (Reds) 9 Helena 4

 

Box Score

 

Another ugly game on the ledger for the Brewers farm teams. This game was lost during the 6-run 6th inning for Billings.

 

31st round 2012 Harvard draft pick Brent Suter got the start and was not the best. 3 IP 4 H 2 ER 2 R 0 BB 2 K 1 HR 6:0 GO:FO. He is the de facto #4 SP on this Helena team it appears. 2012 5th rounder Tyler Wagner made his pro debut. He was cruising until he got stuck in his 3rd inning. He was not helped by 2011 draft pick Mike Francisco. Mike recorded 0 outs before being removed for 2010 13th rounder Michael White. White recorded the final 10 outs giving up a single run and recorded 3 K's.

 

The hitters were worse than the pitchers on this night. Only 5 hits and 1 BB in the box. Raul Mondesi Jr. went 1-2 with BB. Chris McFarland went 1-3 with a SF. SS Alfredo Rodriguez went 1-3 with a 3B. C Michael Turay went 1-3. The 3-5 hitters (Reed, Garza, Giacalone) went 0-12.

 

Giacalone and McFarland committed their 1st errors. Garza his 3rd. Mondesi Jr. threw out anther runer. That's 3.

 

Game Log

 

Wagner's early cruise.

 

Billings Top of the 4th

Pitcher Change: Tyler Wagner replaces Brent Suter.

Robert Maddox singles on a ground ball to left fielder Ruben Ozuna.

Gabriel Rosa lines into double play, shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez to first baseman Adam Giacalone. Robert Maddox doubled off 1st.

Robert Ramirez grounds out, catcher Michael Turay to first baseman Adam Giacalone.

 

Billings Top of the 5th

 

Wagner Gomez walks.

Brennan May strikes out swinging.

Sammy Diaz grounds into double play, second baseman Christopher McFarland to shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez to first baseman Adam Giacalone. Wagner Gomez out at 2nd.

 

Wagner deserved better. Everything with 2-outs. Ugh.

 

Billings Top of the 6th

 

Spencer Dickinson grounds out, shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez to first baseman Adam Giacalone.

Carlos Sanchez walks.

Jon Matthews bunt grounds out, catcher Michael Turay to first baseman Adam Giacalone. Carlos Sanchez to 2nd.

Robert Maddox homers (2) on a fly ball to left field. Carlos Sanchez scores.

Gabriel Rosa reaches on fielding error by third baseman Mike Garza.

With Robert Ramirez batting, Gabriel Rosa steals (1) 2nd base.

Robert Ramirez singles on a fly ball to center fielder Michael Reed. Gabriel Rosa scores.

Pitcher Change: Michael Francisco replaces Tyler Wagner.

With Wagner Gomez batting, wild pitch by Michael Francisco, Robert Ramirez to 2nd.

Wagner Gomez doubles (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Ruben Ozuna. Robert Ramirez scores.

Brennan May doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Michael Reed. Wagner Gomez scores.

Sammy Diaz hit by pitch.

Spencer Dickinson walks. Brennan May to 3rd. Sammy Diaz to 2nd.

Carlos Sanchez walks. Brennan May scores. Sammy Diaz to 3rd. Spencer Dickinson to 2nd.

Pitcher Change: Michael White replaces Michael Francisco.

Jon Matthews strikes out swinging.

[Tedaldtada]

What am I suppose to say about AZ Crew tonight? Geez

 

I feel like ranting, but I guess I just tell myself that it is a long season. I am going to be pretty ticked if this Maryvale club is complete garbage all season. It is embarrassing for the organization.

[TheCrew07]

How many good AZ teams have we had? 2? I'm not surprised at all...

[bkrause2]

Rattler Radio Nine After Nine

 

Includes this note on the pitching tandems/rotation for the 2nd half

here is how the pitching rotation (with tandems) sets up for the start of the second half:

RHP Matt Miller

RHP Drew Gagnon

RHP David Goforth w/ RHP Chad Pierce

RHP Mark Williams

RHP Chad Thompson w/ RHP Jacob Barnes

[TheCrew07]

No DSL update yet, I'm off to bed and will get tomorrow before I leave home.

[TooLiveBrew]

@Jackson 7, Huntsville 4

 

Huntsville Box

A slow but steady offensive attack from Jackson tonight saw them score in 5 different innings en route to the win. Stars starter Evan Anundsen battled his way through 5 IP, allowing 11 H and 4 R (all earned)... along with a WP and a balk. The Generals didn't let up once they'd chased Huntsville's starter; reliever Santo Manzanillo issued a walk and a two-run blast in his inning of work, and R.J. Seidel allowed one run on three hits over the final two innings.

 

DH Scott Krieger led the Stars with three hits (all singles), and he finished 3-4. C Anderson De La Rosa went 2-3 with one 2B, two RBI, and a HBP. 1B Hunter Morris tacked on another double (25) to his Southern League-leading tally, and finished 2-5 with one RBI. 2B Scooter Gennett and CF Josh Prince both went 1-5 with singles. LF Lee Haydel added an RBI via sac fly in the 4th inning.

 

 

Huntsville PbP

De La Rosa's double in the 6th inning was the centerpiece of the Stars' best offensive frame:

 

Huntsville Top of the 6th

-Hunter Morris strikes out swinging.

-Scott Krieger singles on a line drive to right fielder Chih-Hsien Chiang.

-Kentrail Davis walks. Scott Krieger to 2nd.

-Pitcher Change: Moises Hernandez replaces Forrest Snow.

-Anderson De La Rosa doubles (6) on a line drive to left fielder Chris Pettit. Scott Krieger scores. Kentrail Davis scores.

-Lee Haydel grounds out, second baseman Stefen Romero to first baseman Eric Campbell. Anderson De La Rosa to 3rd.

-Juan Sanchez pops out to first baseman Eric Campbell in foul territory.

 

 

Huntsville Gameday

[sfl2hnq17]

AZL Athletics 18, AZL Brewers 2

 

Arizona Box Score

The second game of the season down in Arizona didn't really go to plan. I feel like I wrote that last night as well. Daniel Keller and Austin Hall had nothing going on tonight. Their combined final line was 4 IP 16 runs (13 earned) on 16 hits, 4 walks and 5 strikeouts.

 

Offensively, nothing until the 9th inning. Jose Pena and Jalen Harris had an RBI single apiece. In his professional debut Taylor Smith-Brennan got on base twice. Dustin Houle collected his first professional hit. I think Pena and Malcolm Dowell are going to be a pretty intriguing outfield pairing; they both had a base hit.

 

Arizona PbP

The long bright spot of the night.

 

AZL Brewers Top of the 9th

Pitcher Change: Derek Hansen replaces Cody Kurz.

Jose Sermo doubles (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Luis Baez.

Deivi Mejia strikes out swinging.

Jose Garcia singles on a ground ball to left fielder Luis Baez. Jose Sermo scores.

With Jose Pena batting, wild pitch by Derek Hansen, Jose Garcia to 2nd.

Jose Pena grounds out, pitcher Derek Hansen to first baseman Michael Soto. Jose Garcia to 3rd.

Jalen Harris singles on a ground ball to third baseman Luis Osorio. Jose Garcia scores.

With Taylor Smith-Brennan batting, wild pitch by Derek Hansen, Jalen Harris to 2nd.

Taylor Smith-Brennan walks. Wild pitch by pitcher Derek Hansen. Jalen Harris to 3rd.

Alan Sharkey grounds out, pitcher Derek Hansen to first baseman Michael Soto.

[Mass Haas]

Maddox powers Mustangs past Brewers

by Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record

 

No amount of bad memories could deter Robert Maddox on Friday night.

 

The Billings first baseman may have struggled mightily at Kindrick Legion Field a year ago, but he rewrote the past with each swing of his bat in the Mustangs’ 9-4 victory over the Brewers.

 

Maddox took a high curveball from Helena starter Brent Suter and sent it sailing over the right-field wall to tie the game in the second inning. He slammed another home run in the Mustangs’ momentum-changing, six-run sixth inning, that one a two-run blast off of reliever Tyler Wagner.

 

And he was all smiles after the game.

 

“All you can do is laugh about it,” said Maddox, who went 3 for 4 with 3 RBIs in his return to Helena and the ballpark that haunted him last season. He batted below .100 through his first five games at Kindrick last year (2 for 21), and admittedly had it on his mind coming back here this weekend.

 

“I know I struggled here last year and I know it’s cliché, but it’s a new year,” he said. “I have a lot better focus and approach at the plate now and that’s gonna carry over no matter where we play. That said, this is the ballpark I really want to do well in, just because of my previous average.

 

“So yeah, I had a little more focus. I wanted to quiet the crowd today, and we did that as a team overall.”

 

The 879 fans in attendance witnessed some strong Mustangs pitching, as five members of the deep, 20-player staff combined on a five-hitter. Billings starter Drew Cisco gave up two hits and an unearned run, but was pulled after two innings since he is still recovering from Tommy John surgery. Carlos Gonzalez earned the win in relief, striking out four in two innings and not allowing a hit. Tony Amezcua, Carlos Ramos and Nick Routt were also effective, and at one point, 12 straight Brewers batters were retired.

 

“We saw some pretty good arms, they kept bringing them out one after another,” Helena manager Jeff Isom said following his team’s third straight loss. “But we’ve got to do a better job of getting in counts we can get hits out of. I think we swung through a handful of fastballs tonight and we shouldn’t be doing that.”

 

The Brewers (1-4) mustered up some late offense in the eighth, getting two runs off of Alfredo Rodriguez’s triple and Michael Turay’s double. But it was too little too late after digging themselves a big hole in the sixth, when Billings batted through the order. All six Mustangs runs in the frame came with two outs.

 

“That’s what we talked about as a team,” Isom said. “We’ve gotta stay out of that big inning. If tonight we didn’t have that, it would have been a different ballgame. But unfortunately you can’t undo it.”

 

Billings (4-1) entered the game with the worst batting average in the Pioneer League, hitting just .208 as a team. The Mustangs’ victories had come courtesy of their consistent pitching thus far, and Maddox said it was nice to finally be able to give them some run support. The visitors bats came alive for 11 hits Friday, after recording just 26 hits total through the first four games at Dehler Park.

 

“We joked about that in the clubhouse today actually,” he said. “Pitchers were like ‘maybe if you guys gave us more runs the games wouldn’t be so close.’ It’s a good feeling to be able to help our pitchers out. They did a great job back home — we just have a lot more focus this series.”

 

Isom hopes his team can stay focused despite the disappointing start.

 

“Starting out 1-4 is not where we wanted to be,” he said. “There’s a lot of first year players, a lot of heads down, and we’re like ‘hey, you still have a lot of baseball left.’ We’re glad they’re taking it that seriously, but we want them to realize it’s a long season, there’s a lot of baseball left, and it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”

 

NOTES: Tonight’s starting pitchers will be right-hander Wes Mugarian (0-1) for Billings and left-hander Will West (0-1) for the Brewers. ... Helena outfielder Lance Roenicke was called up to Wisconsin (Midwest Low-A) on Thursday.

 

Helena Independent Photo Gallery

[Mass Haas]

Homer the Polecat (skunk) was born in 1995 after skunks were seen coming out from behind the outfield wall and running past the outfielders. The players are very grateful to have Homer close by instead of the skunks that preceeded him!! Homer resides behind the center field wall and loves to participate in his favorite promotion, the BASE RACE. Unfortunately, Homer is 0-585 against the fans here at Joe Davis Stadium in the nightly run around the bases.

 

http://www.celsius1414.com/images/homer_the_polecat.jpg

 

***

 

Now here's why I reminded everyone about Huntsville's mascot.

 

This article from the Jackson Sun includes the following:

 

Thursday night’s game between the Jackson Generals and Huntsville Stars provided one of the more unusual occurrences at Pringles Park in a long time when the game went through a brief “skunk delay” that created a big stink at the ball park.

 

With the Generals batting, the Stars called time for a visit to the mound. During the visit, everybody’s attention turned to left field for a few minutes as a furry woodland creature apparently wanted to get up close and personal to the action.

 

The scene resembled one of the old Looney Toons shorts with Pepe le Pew, the skunk looking for love but never finding it in return, as the Stars’ left-fielder Kentrall Davis quickly avoided being within nose shot of the animal.

 

After about five minutes of the skunk looking for a place to escape in the wall in left field and centerfield, Stars centerfielder Josh Prince shooed the skunk out of the stadium with the help of Carter Capps, the Generals’ closer who’d come over from the bullpen to help.

 

According to Generals radio broadcaster Chris Harris, the skunk was allowed to escape without harm and listen to the game in the safety of the woods behind right field.

 

But the Generals might want to consider allowing the skunk back into the stadium. He or she made its appearance when the Generals were coming back after falling behind 3-0.

 

But soon after the skunk left, the Stars hit a home run in the top of the ninth, and the Generals were rendered unproductive in the bottom half of the inning.

 

I’m wondering if the Generals missed an opportunity with this.

 

***

 

When you click on the link above, the author, Brandon Shields, discusses possible marketing opportunites for the Generals. But the point really is that Homer made the road trip, visited the Huntsville outfielders to say hello, and ensured a Stars victory!

[Mass Haas]

Who needs draft picks on the mound in Maryvale? Undrafted Taylor Mangum brought some sanity to the proceedings.

 

I don't believe I can remember this before.

 

Catcher Deivi Mejia began the bottom of the 8th behind the plate and ended up on the mound (and he stranded the bases loaded for his fellow non-pitcher, IF Andres Martinez).

 

AZL Athletics Bottom of the 8th

Pitcher Change: Andres Martinez replaces Taylor Mangum.

Michael Soto grounds out, second baseman Taylor Smith-Brennan to first baseman Alan Sharkey.

Luis Baez doubles (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Malcolm Dowell.

With Luis Osorio batting, wild pitch by Andres Martinez, Luis Baez to 3rd.

Luis Osorio strikes out on foul tip.

Christopher Wolfe walks.

Shawn Duinkerk singles on a ground ball to first baseman Alan Sharkey. Luis Baez scores. Shawn Duinkerk to 2nd. Christopher Wolfe advances to 3rd, on throwing error by first baseman Alan Sharkey.

Hershcel Powell walks.

Pitcher Change: Deivi Mejia replaces Andres Martinez, batting 2nd.

Defensive Substitution: Jose Garcia replaces designated hitter Dustin Houle, batting 3rd, playing catcher.

Hiram Martinez pops out to catcher Jose Garcia in foul territory.

 

Six errors and two passed balls for the A-Crew, yikes...