Link Report for Sat. 6/23 -- Manatees Sweep to go 3-0; Rookie Clubs' Struggles Continue

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Saturday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Mark Rogers at Albuquerque (Dodgers), 6:50 PM pre-game, 8:05 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 Jackson (Mariners), 5:50 PM pre-game, 6:05 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.

 

**********

 

Brevard County: RHP Andy Moye 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.

 

**********

 

Wisconsin: RHP Drew Gagnon 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).

 

**********

 

Helena: LHP Will West 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.

 

**********

 

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

 

**********

 

DSL Brewers: Idle

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

Maryvale

[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]

DVR Alert!

 

When the Timber Rattlers return home on Monday, they will be on TV on Time Warner Cable Sports 32 (7:05).

 

They will be up against a big Brewers - Reds broadcast (Gallardo / Latos), so kind of an odd scheduling choice. But that's what DVR's are for, so we give you the heads up. RHP Mark Williams is scheduled to start.

[TheCrew07]

Lefty Del Valle unhittable for Daytona

Cuban prospect strikes out career-high 11 over six innings

By Andrew Pentis / Special to MLB.com

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Frank Del Valle signed with the Cubs out of Cuba on June 11, 2011. (Scott Jontes/Four Seam Images)

 

The average pitcher will tell you that the opposing batter's name doesn't change the game. Daytona's Frank Del Valle is no average pitcher.

 

"It was the first time I faced a big leaguer," Del Valle said through an interpreter after facing rehabbing Phillies slugger Chase Utley on Friday night. "It was amazing. I tried my hardest to get him out. I didn't want to hit him that one time."

 

While Del Valle did in fact hit Utley, he also didn't give up a hit to Utley -- or any other member of the Clearwater Threshers for that matter.

 

The Cuba-born prospect recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts over six no-hit innings in the Class A Advanced Cubs' 3-1 victory at Clearwater.

 

Del Valle, a 22-year-old left-hander, retired his final eight batters after plunking the All-Star second baseman in the fourth -- one of two Threshers who were hit by pitches. Over the middle innings, he recorded seven straight outs via strikeouts. He did not walk a batter.

 

"It was my best game," said Del Valle, who also induced Utley's first-inning flyout. "My fastball was good. I tried to throw the first pitch for a strike and then change speeds."

 

Batterymate Micah Gibbs added on the postgame radio broadcast: "He was awesome. Everything I threw down, it was the right thing, and that was because of him."

 

"He was attacking hitters with his fastball like he always does, and that was the best changeup I've seen him have. He pounded the strike zone," Gibbs told MiLB.com. "He was a little bit effectively wild at times and they were swinging at those pitches. This is the second year I've caught him and it is a lot of fun. He's got great stuff."

 

On a 100-pitch limit, Del Valle threw 84 and had been favoring the thumb on his pitching hand when he exited. He said he noticed a blister in the fourth inning, and it broken open in the sixth.

 

"I wanted to stay in," he said. "I wish I could have pitched longer."

 

"He probably could have," Daytona manager Brian Harper said. "But there wasn't any reason to chance anything. He wasn't going to go nine innings. He had already thrown too many pitches. [The blister] is nothing serious, but it's better to be cautious. With his pitch count, it was an easy decision to take him out."

 

The Havana native matched his single-game career high in innings and eclipsed his career best in strikeouts. Del Valle fanned eight over six strong innings in a May 18 win in Palm Beach. He also struck out eight in three no-hit innings in a July 3, 2011 start in the Rookie-level Arizona League.

 

At 5-3 with a 3.63 ERA through 11 games, Del Valle is excelling in his first full pro season. After signing with Chicago on June 11, 2011, he compiled a 3.95 ERA in 14 games across three Minor League levels.

 

"He's thrown some good games, but that was his best by far," Harper said. "He threw a great game. He pitched inside well, changed speeds and it looked like he had a little extra giddy-up on his fastball. It was nice to see."

 

The Cubs' combined no-hit bid ended almost immediately after Del Valle left. After Utley was robbed of extra bases by center fielder Rubi Silva to start the seventh, Jim Murphy homered off right-handed reliever Eduardo Figueroa. Murphy had fanned in both of his at-bats against Del Valle.

 

The longball also ended the Cubs' 23 2/3-inning shutout streak.

 

Scott Weismann allowed the Threshers' second hit -- a double to Cameron Rupp -- in the eighth, before Tony Zych earned his sixth save by pitching a 1-2-3 ninth.

 

Threshers starter Adam Morgan (2-7) gave up all three runs on six hits -- including's Greg Rohan's two-run shot in the first -- and exited with two outs in the fifth.

 

Playing in his eighth rehab game (and fifth in as many days), Utley went 0-for-3 and is batting .172 as he recovers from tendinitis in his knees. He did steal a base.

[TheCrew07]

Hamilton shows depth with career night

Cincy's top prospect ties career highs with four hits, three RBIs

By Sam Dykstra / Special to MLB.com

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Billy Hamilton's .416 OBP ranks second in the California League. (Ricky Bassman/MiLB.com)

 

Everyone wants to talk about Billy Hamilton's stolen-base total this season and with good reason. After swiping two more bags Thursday, the Bakersfield shortstop has 82 steals on the year, or one more than Delino DeShields, Jr. (46) and teammate Theo Bowe (35) combined. And those two rank third and fourth among all Minors Leaguers respectively in the category.

 

But the Reds' top prospect hasn't earned the hype based on his feet alone, and he proved that Thursday night.

 

Hamilton tied career highs with four hits and three RBIs and added a walk, two runs scored and two thefts in Class A Advanced Bakersfield's 12-2 rout of Rancho Cucamonga.

 

He finished the day 4-for-5 -- all singles -- to push his season batting average to .331, its highest level since May 16. His .416 on-base percentage ranks second in the California League behind only Miles Head's .433 for Stockton.

 

Thursday's contest pitted the switch-hitting Hamilton against Quakes starter and Dodgers' No. 1 prospect Zach Lee. After flying out against the righty to kick off the contest, Hamilton lined a base hit to right field in the second and was consequently caught stealing at second -- his Minors-leading 17th capture on the basepaths -- to close the frame.

 

The two would not face each other again as Lee was pulled after allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits through three innings.

 

Hamilton added his second single of the night off Jon Michael Redding in the fourth and then turned to steal second immediately after. He scored his first run of the night in the seventh when he singled, stole second, reached third on a wild pitch and came home on a sacrifice fly. The Mississippi native rounded the bases again in the eighth on Dominic D'Anna's triple before ending his night with a ninth-inning walk.

 

It was the 2009 second-round pick's first four-hit game since he achieved the feat three times last August for Class A Dayton, including in back-to-back games on Aug. 22-23. Thursday marked the third time this season Hamilton drove in three runs, the last occurrence being in a 6-1 win over Stockton on May 15.

 

Thursday's victory marked Hamilton's first game back with the Blaze following the 2012 Carolina-California League All-Star Game. The 22-year-old was 1-for-5 with two stolen bases and earned Cal League MVP honors for his work as the circuit's leadoff hitter.

 

He was also selected Thursday to represent the U.S. team in the 14th All-Star Futures Game on July 8.

 

Steve Selsky homered twice and scored three times in his Class A Advanced debut for the Blaze. The outfielder was batting .281 with three home runs and 26 RBIs in 59 games for Dayton before receiving the callup to Bakersfield.

 

Tucker Barnhart was a triple shy of the cycle, scored three times and drove in two.

[TheCrew07]

Sox's Duarte, Reds' Atilano suspended

Pair of Double-A right-handers to miss 50 games for violations

By Danny Wild / MLB.com

 

http://www.milb.com/images/2012/06/22/8znPv8O3.jpg

Marco Duarte has appeared in 15 games in the Red Sox system this year. (Willl Bentzel/MiLB.com)

NEW YORK -- Reds Minor Leaguer and 2003 first-round Draft pick Luis Atilano and fellow right-hander Marco Duarte of the Red Sox were suspended Friday for violating the Minor League drug program.

 

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced that Atilano received a 50-game suspension after a second violation for a drug of abuse.

 

Duarte also received a 50-game ban after testing positive for an amphetamine.

 

The suspensions are effective immediately.

 

Atilano, who appeared in 16 Major League games for the Nationals in 2010, has pitched in only two games this season. His last appearance came on April 16 with Double-A Pensacola and he also made one start for Triple-A Louisville but has been on the disabled list for much of the year.

 

The 27-year-old was drafted by the Braves, who traded him to Washington for Daryle Ward in 2006. He was a 2005 South Atlantic League All-Star and went 6-7 with a 5.15 ERA in 16 outings with the Nationals in the 2010.

 

Duarte, 25, has bounced around in recent years but was 2-0 with a 2.12 ERA in 15 outings between Double-A Portland and Class A Advanced Salem this season. He was signed by the Rockies in 2007 and loaned to the Mexican League, selected by the Astros in the 2011 Rule 5 Draft and eventually signed with the Red Sox as a free agent in December 2011. This is his first season with Boston.

 

Major League Baseball has suspended 49 players this year for violations of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

[TheCrew07]

Mass linked the Hot Sheet is yesterday's LR. Here it is again with Divisional mentions.

 

BA's Hot Sheet

 

No. 1 DANIEL CORCINO, RHP

REDS

Team: Double-A Pensacola (Southern)

Age: 22

Why He's Here: 1-0, 0.00, 8 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 9 SO

The Scoop: Often what's notable about Corcino is his Rolex-like consistency. He hasn't had many sensational outings this year in his first season at Double-A, but only once in 13 starts has he given up more than three runs. While many young pitchers will show you a great outing followed by an awful one because they're not yet able to consistently repeat their delivery, Corcino has a pretty good idea of what his stuff will be before he takes the mound.

 

And Corcino's stuff is plus, which means he can be spectacular, like he was this week. He threw the first eight innings of a combined no-hitter last Saturday. The Reds pulled Corcino from the game because he hit 110 pitches at the end of eight innings. He told reporters after the game that his goal is to finish his own no-hitter the next time.

 

No. 5 JAMESON TAILLON, RHP

PIRATES

Team: high Class A Bradenton (Florida State)

Age: 20.

Why He's Here: 1-0, 0.00, 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 SO

The Scoop: While his stuff was fine—mid-90s fastball, power breaking ball, improved changeup—Taillon was having a rough stretch until his latest start. From May 27-June 13, he made four outings that lasted just 19 1/3 innings and gave up 28 hits in that stretch. His 19-5 K-BB ratio was fine, but his ERA had ballooned from 2.61 to 4.52 because when he got in trouble, he simply reared back and threw harder. In his latest start, Taillon adjusted, pitching inside more effectively en route to seven scoreless frames, during which he threw 47 of 78 pitches for strikes.

 

"He was just rearing back and throwing 97 (mph) and straight when he was in trouble, (but) that just means it goes further," one Florida State League evaluator said. "He pitched a little meaner last time out, knocked some guys back by pitching inside, and used his changeup, which has gotten a lot better." The son of Canadians, Taillon probably could have been a World teamer for the Futures Game because he has dual U.S.-Canadian citizenship. But since he was born in Florida and raised in Texas, he'll have U.S.A. on his chest when he gets to Kansas City.

 

IN THE TEAM PHOTO

The first two months of the season were ones Cardinals 3B Zack Cox would like to forget. One of the minors' best prospects in terms of pure hitting ability, Cox's average stood at just .209 at the end of May for Triple-A Memphis, but the 23-year-old has started showing signs of life in June. Cox hit .444/.545/.778 (8-for-18) with a homer and three doubles this week, and he also showed more selectivity, walking four times which matched his total from each of the first two months . . .

 

MAN AMONG BOYS

• Hayden Simpson, rhp, Cubs: Any progress is encouraging progress for Simpson, and Thursday night he pitched four innings for short-season Boise, giving up just one unearned run and one hit while walking one. More importantly, he tied a career high with seven strikeouts. Boise manager Mark Johnson told the Idaho Press-Tribune that Simpson pitched great. "I can't picture him throwing any better," the skipper said. No one envisioned that the 23-year-old 2010 first-round pick would still be in short-season ball two years after being drafted, but of course few teams besides the Cubs pictured Simpson as a first-round pick that year. Simpson has endured mono and arm injuries since being a surprise first-rounder, and one game doesn't make his slow progress any easier to stomach for Cubs fans.

[TheCrew07]

BA's Hot Sheet Chat

 

Sizzle (WMass): Does Kolten Wong get a cup of coffee this year? He can't be worse than the Cards' current 2B situation.

 

 

Jim Shonerd: That wouldn't surprise me if he got a call, but my guess is he'll get some Triple-A time first.

@Jaypers413 (IL): Between Shelby Miller, Dellin Betances and Mike Montgomery, who do you remain the most optimistic about going forward?

 

Jim Shonerd: Miller, for me. He's maintaining a robust 9.95 K/9 rate for Memphis, so he's showing he can miss bats at the Triple-A level and he's only 21. Command needs to get better, but he's shown good command at the lower levels, so I'm the most confident in his chances of sorting things out among that group

Itto (Aguadilla PR): What's your opinion on Cubs RHP Dillon Maples? What kind of tools does he have?

 

 

Jim Shonerd: The Cubs gave Maples $2.5 million at the deadline as their 14th round pick out of high school last year, and he's expected to make his pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League in the near future. He's got two electric pitches in his fastball and curveball, though scouts worry about some stiffness in his delivery. High-ceiling guy, but obviously a long way from reaching it.

Mike (Orlando): If Zach Cox continues to hit well can he play some games at 2B for the Cards?

 

 

Jim Shonerd: Cox is a below-average runner and his range and athleticism have been question marks at third base, so can't see that translating to second. And as discussed earlier, the Cardinals have Kolten Wong waiting in the wings (no pun intended) to take over at 2nd.

[TheCrew07]

Cubs’ Jeimer Candelario Hits First Home Run In Boise

 

 

 

Cubs third baseman Jeimer Candelario was born in New York. Had he stayed in the United States, there's a good chance he would have been a first-round pick earlier this month.

 

Instead, Candelario moved to the Dominican Republic and signed with the Cubs two years ago for $500,000, which is already looking like a potential bargain. After crushing the ball in the Dominican Summer League last year, Candelario, 18, has skipped the Rookie-level Arizona League and jumped to short-season Boise, where he hit his first home run of the year yesterday in a 2-for-4 evening, bringing him to .292/.320/.458 through his first six games.

 

Candelario is a switch-hitter with a mature approach to hitting and power from both sides of the plate. He has work to do to remain at third base, but the Cubs have a potential breakout prospect on their hands here.

[Mass Haas]

Media Notes --

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Wisconsin

[Tedaldtada]

Rogers is really injecting some life into the BC offense.

 

Following Jason Rogers' lead, John Dishon gets a hit (2B) in his first AB in A+. BC is on the way towards the sweep. 4-2 'Tees.

[TheCrew07]

News from the AAA broadcast.

 

As I started to type this Rogers actually just went yard, which ties up the game at 2. The more important news is that Thornburg won't be making his start tomorrow because of an undisclosed injury "issue" which is not considered serious per Jeff Hem. Donovan Hand will be making the start instead.

 

edit. Jeff isn't saying if it's an injury or not.

[bkrause2]

Final: Wisconsin 5, Burlington 8

 

Rattlers can't hold lead and drop 8-5 decision in Burlington

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

06/23/2012 10:58 PM ET

 

June 23, 2012 BURLINGTON, IA - In a game of rallies, the Burlington Bees got the last one and beat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 8-5 Saturday night at Community Field. Eliezer Mesa's two-out, three-run double in the bottom of the seventh inning gave the Bees a 6-5 lead and the Burlington bullpen held on for the win. The loss was the fourth straight for Wisconsin.

 

Burlington (35-37 overall, 2-0 second half) grabbed the early lead against Rattlers starting pitcher Drew Gagnon. There were two runners on with one out in the bottom of the first inning when Landaeta struck. The Bees first baseman hit a fly ball down the left field line that just stayed fair for a three-run homer and a 3-0 lead.

 

Wisconsin (44-27, 0-2) got their first run of the game with a home run of their own. Ben McMahan hit a solo homer with one out in the fourth inning for the Rattlers first hit of the game.

 

The Rattlers came out swinging in the fifth inning. Bees starter Seth Frankoff recorded the first out. The next six Wisconsin batters connected with hits. Chadwin Stang singled to start the rally. Wisconsin caught a big break on Greg Hopkins bloop single to right. Stang was running on the pitch and started to head back to first when it looked Bobby Crocker would make the catch. Crocker trapped the ball and should have forced Stang at second. But, the throw was wild and both runners stayed alive.

 

Brandon Macias followed with a single to left field to drive in Stang and send Hopkins to third. However, Macias got caught in a rundown trying to advance to second on the throw to third.

 

Mitch Haniger was at the plate with Hopkins at third base. Before Haniger could take the bat off his shoulder, Hopkins scored on a wild pitch to tie the game 3-3.

 

Haniger restarted the rally with a single to left. That was the first professional hit for Milwaukee's supplemental first round pick in the 2012 draft. Haniger had two hits and a walk in five plate appearances on Saturday night. Nick Ramirez continued the hit parade with a single to knock Frankoff out of the game.

 

McMahan greeted reliever Drew Tyson with a double off the wall in left-center to score a pair of runs and put Wisconsin in front 5-3.

 

Gagnon held the Bees in check until there were two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Burlington had nobody on base when number nine hitter Nick Rickles blooped in a single the barely reached the outfield grass behind first base. Sean Jamieson was next and his single drove Gagnon out of the game.

 

Lefty reliever Stephen Peterson came on to face left-handed batter Chih-Fang Pan. Peterson got a weak grounder on the infield grass to short, but Pan beat the throw to first to load the bases. Mesa was next and hit a double that one-hopped the wall near the line in the right field corner. All three runners scored and the Bees took a 6-5 lead.

 

Cameron Garfield drew a leadoff walk in the top of the eighth inning and pinch runner Lance Roenicke took second on a passed ball. Yadiel Rivera bunted Roenicke to third, but the tying run was left stranded there when the inning ended.

 

Burlington tacked on two more two-out runs in the eighth inning to go up 8-5. The Rattlers could not recover from the late three run deficit.

 

The final game of the three game series is Sunday afternoon. David Goforth (5-4, 5.56) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Burlington plans on Drew Granier (9-3, 3.02) to start for them. Game time is 2:00pm.

 

HOME RUNS:

WIS:

Ben McMahan (5th, 0 on in 4th inning off Seth Frankoff, 1 out)

 

BUR:

Douglas Landaeta (8th, 2 on in 1st inning off Drew Gagnon, 1 out)

 

WP: Drew Tyson (1-0)

LP: Stephen Peterson (1-1)

SAVE: Jonathan Joseph (3)

 

TIME: 2:51

ATTN: 1,457

 

Wisconsin Box Score

Ben McMahan led the way for the Rattlers offense, going 2 for 4 with a double and his fifth home run of the season. He knocked in three of the TRats five runs. Mitch Haniger got his first professional hit and finished the night 2 for 4 with a walk. Chadwin Stang also had a pair of hits and stole a base. Greg Hopkins, Brandon Macias, Nick Ramirez and Max Walla each contributed a base hit as well. Walla was caught stealing for the sixth time in thirteen attempts. Macias committed his 10th error.

 

Drew Gagnon got hit early, giving up three runs in the first inning, but then settled down and pitched pretty well. He struck out five in 6 2/3 innings. He got in trouble again in the seventh, allowing back to back two out singles. Stephen Peterson came on in relief to play the role of Kameron Loe, allowing both inherited runners to score, before surrendering the lead and taking the loss.

 

Wisconsin Play By Play

The Rattlers four run fifth inning saw them string together six straight hits to take the lead

Wisconsin Top of the 5th

Max Walla strikes out swinging.

Chadwin Stang singles on a line drive to right fielder Bobby Crocker.

Gregory Hopkins singles on a line drive to right fielder Bobby Crocker. Chadwin Stang to 2nd.

Brandon Macias singles on a fly ball to left fielder Rashun Dixon. Chadwin Stang scores. Gregory Hopkins to 3rd. Brandon Macias out at 2nd on the throw, left fielder Rashun Dixon to shortstop Sean Jamieson to first baseman Douglas Landaeta.

With Mitch Haniger batting, wild pitch by Seth Frankoff, Gregory Hopkins scores.

Mitch Haniger singles on a line drive to left fielder Rashun Dixon.

Nick Ramirez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Bobby Crocker. Mitch Haniger to 3rd.

Pitcher Change: Drew Tyson replaces Seth Frankoff.

Ben McMahan doubles (10) on a fly ball to left fielder Rashun Dixon. Mitch Haniger scores. Nick Ramirez scores.

Cameron Garfield flies out to right fielder Bobby Crocker.

[TooLiveBrew]

@Jackson 5, Huntsville 1

 

Huntsville Box

Nothing stood out more in this game than the performance from Generals starter Anthony Fernandez in his first-ever AA start. The 22-yo lefty needed just 96 pitches to throw his complete game, and he didn't need much time, either -- the recorded game time was just two hours and eighteen minutes. He allowed only one run on six hits, with one walk issued. Fernandez, a product of Seattle's Dominican academy, completed a strong first half of the season with A+ High Desert. He led the HD Mavericks overall in IP & K, and led all SPs in ERA, & BB allowed. He's listed at 6'4"/180 lbs., and if his raw stuff matches the statistical results thus far in his career, we might be hearing more about Fernandez down the road -- he was a post-season All-Star in both '09 & '10. So by now you're probably wondering if this is a Brewerfan.net writeup or a Marinersfan.net writeup, but honestly Fernandez just dominated the game & the stat lines.

 

LF Scott Krieger came up with the Stars' lone RBI, singling home 3B Hainley Statia after Statia had doubled with one out in the second. CF Josh Prince went 1-3 with a walk, and stole his 24th bag of the season (24/34, 71% rate). SS Tommy Manzella and 2B Scooter Gennett both went 1-4, while 1B Hunter Morris went 1-3. RF Kentrail Davis, C Anderson De La Rosa, and DH Domnit Bolivar were all hitless on the game.

 

Huntsville SP Kyle Heckathorn had a so-so outing, with all of the runs he allowed coming on a pair of longballs -- a three-run shot in the 3rd, and a solo shot in his final inning, the 6th. He finished with a line of 6 IP, 7 H, 4 R/ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 1 WP, 6:3 GO:AO. Dan Meadows worked the 7th and allowed one run on one hit, one HBP, & one walk. Darren Byrd tossed a perfect frame in his only inning.

 

 

Huntsville PbP

Not really anything good to post, so I'll post what looked like the most interesting (read: manager-life-expectancy-shortening) inning for the Stars:

 

Huntsville Top of the 1st

-Josh Prince walks.

-With Tommy Manzella batting, Josh Prince steals (24) 2nd base.

-Tommy Manzella reaches on a fielder's choice out, pitcher Anthony Fernandez to shortstop Gabriel Noriega to third baseman Leury Bonilla to second baseman Stefen Romero. Josh Prince out at 3rd.

-Scooter Gennett pops into double play, shortstop Gabriel Noriega to first baseman Jharmidy De Jesus. Tommy Manzella doubled off 1st.

 

It'd started off looking like a great way to begin to the game... but then... baserunning mistakes.

 

 

Huntsville Gameday

[And That]

Through 2 and 2/3 games, the Maryvale squad has been outscored 41-4.

[Tedaldtada]

Brevard completes sweep of Blue Jays

06/23/2012 10:11 PM ET

By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees

 

VIERA, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees took an early 4-0 lead and held on to defeat the Dunedin Blue Jays, 4-3 on Saturday night at Space Coast Stadium. The victory gave the 'Tees a three-game sweep of the first half North Division champion Blue Jays.

 

The 'Tees (3-0 second half, 32-39) jumped all over Dunedin (0-3, 42-28) starting pitcher Ryan Tepera early as they scored four runs off of him in the first two innings. With two outs in the first, T.J. Mittelstaedt singled and then stole second base. Jason Rogers drove him home with a RBI single to left for the first run of the game.

 

Mike Walker then singled to put two on with two out. Cody Hawn stepped in and cleared the bases with his 18th double of the season to give Brevard a 3-0 lead. He was thrown out trying to take third base to end the first. Hawn was the only Manatee with a multi-hit night as he was 2-for-2 with a walk.

 

With one on and one out in the second, John Dishon doubled to put runners at the corners. Joey Paciorek then scored on a Nick Shaw ground out to give Brevard a 3-0 lead.

 

After the second inning, Brevard did not muster much offense against the Blue Jays. Just four more men reached base for the Manatees in the last seven innings.

 

Dunedin cut the lead in half in the top of the fourth as 'Tees starter Andy Moye (3-0, 4.61) gave up a two-run homer to Ryan Schimpf. Those would be the only two runs that Moye would allow as he yielded four hits in six innings of work.

 

After Eric Arnett pitched a scoreless inning in relief of Moye in the seventh; Eric Marzec entered the game in the eighth. Marzec walked the first two hitters, but then struck out the next two. Schimpf then stepped in and drove in his third run of the game on a single to center to cut Brevard's lead to 4-3.

 

The Blue Jays then called on a pinch hitter - All-Star Jon Talley - to face Marzec, but Joe Ayrault made the call to the bullpen to Greg Holle. It took Holle just two pitches to retire Talley as he grounded out to second to end the threat and the inning.

 

Holle stayed in the game in the ninth and threw a perfect inning for his third save of the season as the 'Tees won their third game in a row.

 

Brevard County will continue their seven-game homestand on Sunday at 5:05 p.m., as they welcome the Charlotte Stone Crabs to Space Coast Stadium for a four-game series. The Manatees took two of three from the Stone Crabs in Port Charlotte back in May.

 

Taylor Jungmann (5-4, 3.83) will take the mound for the Manatees. In a start against Charlotte on May 22, Jungmann went 7.2 innings and struck out a career-high eight hitters.

 

Kyle Farnsworth, who is on a Major League rehab assignment from the Rays, will pitch the first inning of Sunday's game for the Stone Crabs. Albert Suarez (4-3, 3.64) will follow Farnsworth on the hill for Charlotte.

 

Box Score

 

Alright, great sweep!

 

Cody Hawn (2-2 2 2B BB) is inching his season towards respectable, but that process is not complete. Jason Rogers (1-3 BB SB) is feeling to the promotion buzz. T.J. Mittelstaedt (1-4 SB) keeps fillling up box scores in any way possible including when he committed his 8th error on the season.

 

Andy Moye started and was pretty darn good, especially when you consider the lineup he faced. 6 IP 4 H 2 R 2 ER 2 BB 2 K 1 HR 2 WP 9:5 GO:FO. The only reliever to run into trouble was Eric Marzec but Greg Holle bailed him out big (see game story). 2 K's and 2 GO for Holle.

 

Game Log

 

Ducks on the pond XBH's. The best.

 

Brevard County Bottom of the 1st

 

Nick Shaw flies out to center fielder Jake Marisnick.

Reggie Keen grounds out, shortstop Kevin Nolan to first baseman Kevin Ahrens.

T. J. Mittelstaedt singles on a line drive to center fielder Jake Marisnick.

With Jason Rogers batting, T. Mittelstaedt steals (12) 2nd base.

Jason Rogers singles on a line drive to left fielder Marcus Knecht. T. Mittelstaedt scores.

Mike Walker singles on a line drive to left fielder Marcus Knecht. Jason Rogers to 2nd.

Cody Hawn doubles (18) on a line drive to left fielder Marcus Knecht. Jason Rogers scores. Mike Walker scores. Cody Hawn out at 3rd on the throw, left fielder Marcus Knecht to catcher Koby Clemens to third baseman Ryan Schimpf.

[Tedaldtada]

Billings (Reds) 7 Helena 3

 

Box Score

 

Well, tonight was another struggle. Will West got the start and recorded a terrible 1st and 6th inning. The innings in between were peachy keen. 6 IP 11 H 7 R 7 ER 1 BB 6 K 1 HBP 5:1 GO:FO for West. Manny Ruiz was next and got a quick out before a come-backer knocked him out of the game. Hopefully Manny is okay, I had to switch my attention to other things, so I missed any possible updates from Steve or Amber. Joel Pierce finished the horrible 6th recording the final out after giving up a hit. Pierce was lifted after one out, presumably because he is needed for his pitching tandem. Taylor Wall and Martin Viramontes finished the final two frames with 5 K and 0 runs.

 

2-hitter DH Chris McFarland (2-5 SB) keeps producing. Michael Reed (1-3 2B BB) finally poked an XBH. 4-hitter 3B Michael Garza (3-4 SB) is adjusting to pro ball pitching just fine. Adam Giacalone (1-4 2B) rapped out his 1st hit of the season even though he has started every game.

 

C Emmanuel Quiles snap-threw two runners and Raul Mondesi Jr. threw out a guy at third. That's 4.

 

Game Log

 

Nice.

 

Billings Top of the 5th

 

Spencer Dickinson strikes out swinging.

Jesse Winker strikes out swinging.

Carlos Sanchez strikes out swinging, catcher Emmanuel Quiles to first baseman Adam Giacalone.

[sfl2hnq17]

AZL Indians 13, AZL Brewers 2

 

Arizona Box Score

Well to be quite honest the score says it all. The A-Crew took the lead in the first inning on a Jose Sermo triple after 2nd rounder Tyrone Taylor led off the game with a single. Then Dustin Houle flew out and Sermo was thrown out at home and that was the end of that mini threat. Jalen Harris scored in the 7th on a Angel Ortega ground out and that signified the only A-Crew runs.

 

Joel Dicent started his first game in the states and wasn't nearly as effective as he was in the DSL last year; 5 earned runs in 4 innings. 10th round pick Anthony Banda followed him with 5 runs (all earned) on 6 hits and 2 walks in 1.1 innings. Carlos Sosa, the 2011 DSL Brewer closer, came in for his states debut and didn't really stop the bleeding. He gave up the final 6 hits and 3 runs of the night.

 

A-Crew PbP

The run-scoring Brewer innings

 

AZL Brewers Top of the 1st

Tyrone Taylor singles on a ground ball to left fielder Anthony Santander.

Jose Sermo triples (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Joshua McAdams. Tyrone Taylor scores.

Dustin Houle flies into double play, right fielder Joshua McAdams to catcher Martin Cervenka. Jose Sermo out at home on the throw.

Jalen Harris grounds out, shortstop Dorssys Paulino to first baseman Ryan Battaglia.

 

AZL Brewers Top of the 7th

Dustin Houle walks.

Jalen Harris grounds into a force out, shortstop Dorssys Paulino to second baseman Claudio Bautista. Dustin Houle out at 2nd. Jalen Harris to 1st.

Jose Pena doubles (3) on a fly ball to left fielder Anthony Santander. Jalen Harris to 3rd.

Angel Ortega grounds out, shortstop Dorssys Paulino to first baseman Ryan Battaglia. Jalen Harris scores.

Renaldo Jenkins grounds out, third baseman Jorge Martinez to first baseman Ryan Battaglia.

[TooLiveBrew]

Raul Mondesi Jr. threw out a guy at third. That's 4.

Like father, like son, I guess.

 

Can I ask if you mean 'just' 4 OF assists, or has RMJ nailed 4 baserunners at 3B alone so far?

[TheCrew07]

Final: Nashville 8, Albuquerque 4

 

Five Homers Power Sounds To 8-4 Win In Road Trip Opener

Halton Goes Yard Twice For Third Time In Career

 

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Nashville Sounds belted five home runs to beat the Albuquerque Isoptpes, 8-4, on Saturday night in the opener of a four-game series at Isotopes Park.

 

With homers in a season-high seven consecutive games, the five home runs set a season high for Nashville (31-45) and was one long ball shy of a franchise record.

 

The victory was Nashville's (31-45) fifth in the last seven contests overall first to begin a road trip this season (1-6).

 

First baseman Sean Halton hit a pair of home runs as part of a 3-for-5 evening for the Sounds. The two-homer effort by Halton was the third multiple-homer game of his four-year career and second two-homer effort by a Sound this season after outfielder Logan Schafer went yard twice last night against Oklahoma City.

 

Second baseman Eric Farris also had three hits and a run scored while outfielder Corey Patterson recorded his second multi-hit game in a row.

 

Nashville starter Mark Rogers (3-4) picked up the victory, allowing four runs on five hits with three strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. Reliever Donovan Hand ended the contest with 2 1/3 scoreless frames to extend his scoreless streak to 13 1/3 innings in the month of June.

 

Albuquerque took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning on a bases loaded, two-run single by Matt Angle.

 

After Patterson lined a double to right field, Rogers helped his own cause by crushing a two-run homer to left. The long ball was the first of Rogers' professional career and first by a Sounds pitcher since Sam Narron went yard on August 23, 2010 at Iowa.

 

· AUDIO: Mark Rogers Game-Tying Homer

 

Nashville took a 3-2 lead in the top of the fourth inning thanks to an inning-opening walk by third baseman Andy Gonzalez, who moved to second based on the ensuing base hit by Sean Halton. Gonzalez would score two batters later on a Farris RBI base hit down the left field line.

 

Gonzalez extended the Nashville lead to 4-2 on the first pitch of the sixth inning from Albuquerque starter Michael Antonini. The big fly was Gonzalez's seventh of the season, which have all come in the month of June.

 

· AUDIO: Andy Gonzalez Goes Yard

 

Five pitches later, Halton went yard over the left field wall for back-to-back jacks, removing Antonini from the contest. It was the third time in 2012 that the Sounds have hit back-to-back homers and second occurance by the due of Gonzalez and Halton (June 4 vs. New Orleans).

 

· AUDIO: Sean Halton Goes Back-To-Back

 

Three batters later after Farris singled, Patterson lined the third homer of the inning over the right field wall for a 7-2 advantage. The home run was Patterson's fourth of the season.

 

· AUDIO: Corey Patterson Two-Run Home Run

 

Halton's second homer of the game was to the deepest part of the park to straightaway center, extending the lead to 8-2.

 

The Isotopes trimmed the lead to 8-4 in the bottom of the seventh thanks to a two-out, two run rally that spoiled the quality start for Rogers. Angle got things started with a two-out single and was followed by a pinch hit base hit by Brian Cavazos-Galvez that removed Rogers from the game. Former Sound Trent Oeltjen then cranked a two-run triple off the left field wall.

 

Antonini (1-6) was charged five runs on seven hits and three homers in five innings for the loss.

 

The Sounds and Isotopes continue their series at 7:05 pm CT on Sunday evening at Isotopes Park. Right-hander Brian Baker (1-3, 6.39) will start for Nashville against Albuquerque right-hander Fernando Nieve (3-5, 7.05).

 

Nashville Box Score

First a correction from my earlier post as tomorrow's starter will be the uninspiring Brian Baker. Jeff was extremely confused when Donovan Hand started warming up in the bullpen, but apparently in game strategy trumped the plan. The single with 2-out in the 7th didn't exactly chase Mark Rogers, something with his hand did. It looked like Dabney was just coming out for a talk and then Mark was promptly pulled. It's too bad Hand gave up the ensuing triple because Mark's line looked a heck of a lot better without the extra 2 ER. His final line was 6.2 IP, 5H, 4ER, 1BB, and 1HBP against 3SO throwing 58 of 92 pitches for strikes and posting an 8:6 ratio.

 

The offense was covered in the game story but Eric Farris did commit his 5th error of the season (fielding).

 

Nashville Play By Play

Rogers still has too many of these "A Ball" innings (that's been the description in my head forever) where he gives up unnecessary runs... A HBP and a walk to load the bases followed by a gimp single.

Albuquerque Bottom of the 2nd

• Scott Van Slyke singles on a ground ball to center fielder Logan Schafer.
  Luis Cruz pops out to shortstop Jeff Bianchi.
  Jerry Sands hit by pitch. Scott Van Slyke to 2nd.
  Tim Federowicz walks. Scott Van Slyke to 3rd. Jerry Sands to 2nd.
  Matt Angle singles on a ground ball to left fielder Corey Patterson. Scott Van Slyke scores. Jerry Sands scores. Tim Federowicz out at 3rd on the throw, left fielder Corey Patterson to third baseman Andy Gonzalez.
  Michael Antonini grounds out, shortstop Jeff Bianchi to first baseman Sean Halton.
  

 

The Isotopes 7th, I actually felt bad for Mark, outside of 4 hitters he pitched well, but the razor thin margins for error are part of the game.

Albuquerque Bottom of the 7th

• Jerry Sands grounds out, third baseman Andy Gonzalez to first baseman Sean Halton.
  Tim Federowicz flies out to center fielder Logan Schafer.
  Matt Angle singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jordan Brown.
  Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Brian Cavazos-Galvez replaces Blake Johnson.
  Brian Cavazos-Galvez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jordan Brown. Matt Angle to 2nd.
  Pitcher Change: Donovan Hand replaces Mark Rogers, batting 9th.
  Trent Oeltjen triples (4) on a fly ball to left fielder Corey Patterson. Matt Angle scores. Brian Cavazos-Galvez scores.
  Alex Castellanos flies out to right fielder Jordan Brown.

[Mass Haas]

Generals Outshine Stars

 

JACKSON, Tenn. – A complete-game by pitcher Anthony Fernandez in his Double-A debut highlighted a 5-1 loss for the Huntsville Stars over the Jackson Generals on Saturday night at Pringles Park.

 

In the second inning, the Stars managed their only action off of Fernandez in the entire ballgame. After a double by Stars newcomer Hainley Statia, a RBI single by left fielder Scott Krieger gave the Stars an early 1-0 lead. For Krieger, it was his third consecutive game with a run batted in.

 

However, from that point on, the Generals dominated the rest of the game.

 

The Stars lead vanished for good in the third inning with a two-out rally from the Jackson offense off of Huntsville starter Kyle Heckathorn. After a walk by shortstop Gabriel Noriega and a single from third baseman Leury Bonilla, second baseman Stefan Romero hit a three-run home run to put the Generals up 3-1.

 

Jackson would then plate insurance runs in the sixth inning on a solo home run by designated hitter Joe Dunigan and in the seventh inning on a RBI triple by Romero to increase their lead to 5-1.

 

That lead was plenty for Fernandez. The 22-year-old lefty went the distance in his first ever Double-A game, only giving up one run on five hits while striking out five. Prior to his debut, Fernandez was 2-5 with a 3.48 ERA with High-A High Desert this season.

 

After being tabbed with the loss, Heckathorn fell to 2-7 on the season after giving up four runs and seven hits in six innings of work. The 24-year-old has not won a game since May9th.

 

On the pitching side, LHP Dan Meadows gave up a run in an inning of relief and RHP Darren Byrd pitched a scoreless frame.

 

Game four of a five-game series will begin on Sunday as the Stars will send RHP Hiram Burgos (2-1, 2.40 ERA) to the mound to square off against Generals RHP Brandon Maurer (5-1, 3.82 ERA). First pitch is at 6:05 PM.

[Mass Haas]

Mustangs extend win streak vs. Brewers

by Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record

 

Opening night now seems like a distant memory for the Billings Mustangs.

 

Six days removed from a season-starting, blowout loss to Missoula, the Mustangs have won five straight – the latest a 7-3 victory over the Helena Brewers. Billings is in first place in the Pioneer League North Division, and looks like a team that belongs there with quality pitching, timely hitting and a defense that doesn’t let up no matter how big the lead.

 

“We’re on a nice roll,” Mustangs manager Pat Kelly said following Saturday night’s win. “Our pitching and defense have been solid, and the last two nights we’ve been swinging the bat well.”

 

It was déjà vu all over again at Kindrick Legion Field. Billings again broke open the game in a big sixth inning, this time scoring five runs in the frame. Robert Maddox again blistered the Brewers with his hot bat, with his second 3-for-4 performance in as many nights. And once again, Helena managed to muster some late-game drama, only to see the comeback come up short.

 

“It’s been the same story every night it seems like,” said Brewers manager Jeff Isom. “Big innings and comeback chances. We need to make sure we’re getting the same quality at-bats early in the game, because what I’m seeing is guys are dialed in late.

 

“We’ve got to be able to carry that through the whole game.”

 

Billings starter Wes Mugarian was masterful through five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits for the win. Michael Garza put the Brewers on the board in the sixth, with an RBI single off reliever Joel Bender. The hosts would tack on another run in the eighth, but some poor decisions on the base paths prevented them from scoring more. Isom has often praised the Brewers for their aggressiveness in that regard, but admitted that that same mentality didn’t work when trailing by six runs. McFarland was thrown out at the plate after missing the stop sign at third on Michael Reed’s double, and Garza was picked off at second.

 

“We’ve got to understand which situations call for more patience,” Isom said.

 

The Brewers had a chance to rally in the ninth inning against a wild Jesus Adames. The Mustangs right-hander walked Emmanuel Quiles on four pitches, then walked Kevin Berard and Adrian Williams to load the bases with one out. One run scored on a wild pitch. Enter the calm and collected Mo Wiley, the closer who already had one save this season for the Mustangs (5-1). Wiley fanned Raul Mondesi, Jr. on a pitch that just grazed the inside corner of the strike zone, then struck out McFarland to end the threat.

 

“He did a nice job bailing us out of trouble, and that was big,” Kelly said. “It was especially key with the lineup turning over there, we were getting into their best hitters.”

 

Will West was tagged with his second loss of the season, after the Brewers southpaw gave up 11 hits and seven earned runs in just over five innings of work. After striking out the side in the fifth, the 19-year-old starter ran out of gas in the sixth, giving up four base hits and a walk before being pulled.

 

The Mustangs have now scored 11 runs in sixth innings alone this series, and have combined for 26 hits against Helena. In addition to Maddox, Carlos Sanchez tore it up for the visitors Saturday with two doubles, a pair of singles and 3 RBIs.

 

The Brewers will look to end a four-game skid today when they take on Billings at 1 p.m. Right-hander Robert Stephenson, a first-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Reds, gets the nod for Billings this afternoon, while fellow right-hander Michael Schaub takes the mound for Helena.

 

NOTES: Billings catcher Fray Sosa stayed in the game Saturday night after being shaken up on a collision at home plate. Sosa was hit hard while blocking McFarland and making the out in the eighth ... the Mustangs’ pitching staff leads the league in strikeouts with 54 ... Brewers first baseman Adam Giacalone ended an 0-for-16 slump to start the season with his double in the second inning — his first professional hit.