Link Report for Mon. 6/25 -- Wacky Finish in Helena

[brewmann04]

wow Mcclung should not be starting anymore.

[Tedaldtada]

You guys will never believe how this Helena game ended. Just incredible.

[bkrause2]

Final: Quad Cities 4, Wisconsin 1

 

Ratters get a rude welcome home from Bandits

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers were looking forward to some home cooking at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Monday night. But, the Quad Cities River Bandits and Dail Villanueva spoiled the homecoming. The Bandits beat the Timber Rattlers 4-1 in Wisconsin's first home game since June 11. Villanueva was the main culprit as he struck out six over seven shutout innings.

 

Quad Cities (38-35 overall, 3-1 second half) broke the scoreless tie in the fourth inning. But, they needed a couple of cracks at getting that first run. Anthony Garcia doubled with one out. David Medina followed with a sharp single to center. Garcia headed for the plate, but a strong throw from Mitch Haniger caught the River Bandits runner at home.

 

Luis Mateo was next and he doubled off the wall in left field to drive in Medina with the first run of the game.

 

Rattlers starting pitcher Mark Williams walked the first two batters in the top of the fifth inning. Then, Matt Williams hit a three-run home run to left and the River Bandits went up 4-0.

 

Villanueva kept the Rattlers (44-29, 0-4) out of the hit column until the fifth inning. Chadwin Stang broke up the no-hitter with a two-out triple in the fifth. But, Stang was left stranded at third. Villanueva gave up a one out triple to Yadiel Rivera in the sixth and a two out double to Cameron Garfield in the seventh, but he ended each inning without allowing a run. In all, Wisconsin had a runner at third base four times in the game, but they could not get the key hit to score that runner.

 

Cameron Garfield prevented the shutout with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning to drive in Mitch Haniger from second base.

 

The loss was the sixth straight for the Timber Rattlers,

 

Game two of the series is Tuesday night. Chad Thompson (2-1, 5.31) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Willy Paulino (2-4, 5.30) is set to start for the River Bandits. Game time is 7:05pm.

 

The first in a series of four magnets from Lamers Bus Lines will be given away to the first 500 fans to attend this game. Timber Rattlers All-Star pitcher and Brewers prospect Drew Gagnon is on magnet #1. Plus, as part of WVBO, 103.9, American TV Tuesday one fan in attendance will win a 32" flat-screen TV from American TV of Appleton.

 

If you can't make it to the game, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:45pm. Subscribers to MiLB.TV can watch the action, too.

 

HOME RUN:

QC: Matt Williams (3rd, 2 on in 5th inning off Mark Williams, 0 out)

 

WP: Dail Villanueva (4-4)

LP: Mark Williams (4-6)

 

TIME: 2:29

ATTN: 1,765

 

Wisconsin Box Score

Cameron Garfield went 2 for 4 for the Timber Rattlers with a double and the team's lone RBI. Yadiel Rivera and Chadwin Stang each had a triple and Mitch Haniger had the only other hit for the Rattlers. Ben McMahan had a couple of really hard hit outs, including one that he crushed to center that was caught with a leaping grab at the wall by the River Bandits center fielder. Haniger showed off a good arm to gun down a runner at the plate. Rafael Neda threw out the only Quad Cities runner who attempted to steal. Wisconsin was only 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position.

 

Mark Williams started and gave up 4 runs in 4 1/3 innings. He breezed through the lineup the first time but then got hit pretty hard after that. Kevin Shackelford came on in relief and tossed 3 2/3 innings of perfect baseball, striking out three. Stephen Peterson worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

 

Wisconsin Play By Play

The Rattlers only run came in the ninth inning when Garfield knocked in Haniger

Wisconsin Bottom of the 9th

Mitch Haniger singles on a line drive to left fielder Anthony Garcia.

Gregory Hopkins strikes out on foul tip.

Ben McMahan grounds out softly, second baseman Luis Mateo to first baseman Roberto De La Cruz. Mitch Haniger to 2nd.

Cameron Garfield singles on a ground ball to right fielder David Medina. Mitch Haniger scores.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Max Walla replaces Cameron Garfield.

Chadwin Stang grounds out, pitcher Danny Miranda to first baseman Roberto De La Cruz.

[TooLiveBrew]

You guys will never believe how this Helena game ended. Just incredible.

You weren't kidding.

[Tedaldtada]

Missoula (Diamondbacks) 2 Helena 1

 

Box Score

 

I'm sure this was a pleasurable game to listen to. I tuned in with Chris McFarland on 2nd and Adam Giacalone batting in the bottom of the 9th. Everything went downhill from there unfortunately. Giacalone struck out sending the game into extras where a baby D'Back hit a two-run bomb off of Manny Ruiz, who had been overpoweringly wild until then. After Michael White got them out of the 10th, Yonki Hernandez hit a single and took second on defensive indifference. After a couple of line outs to CF, Raul Mondesi Jr. came to the plate and absolutely crushed a game tying 2-run 2-out homerun. Incredibly though, Mondesi Jr. was ruled out for missing home plate after coming around the bases.

 

This game seemed to have been rather testy already, so to lose on a ticky-tacky call like that is pretty lame, and must have really irritated some people. Enjoy your technical victory, Missoula. May you see a barrage of borderline strike calls go against your batters tomorrow.

 

Eric Semmelhack got the start and was brilliant. 7 IP 2 H 0 R 0 BB 5 K 1 WP 7:6 GO:FO. Semmelhack is easily the hottest SP in stateside rookie ball for the Brewers. He had 5 perfect IP tonight, including the first 3, out of 7 total IP. Manny Ruiz was next, and as mentioned, he was overpowering at first. 2.1 IP 1 H 2 R 2 ER 0 BB 5 K 1 HR 1 WP 3 HBP 3:0 GO:FO

 

At the plate, it was Yonki Hernandez (2-4 2 SB (6)) again leading the charge. McFarland and Emmanuel Quiles had the only other hits for the H-Crew besides Mondesi Jr.'s homer-triple-thingy. Adrian Williams walked twice and stole 2 bases.

 

Game Log

 

The strangest end.

 

Helena Bottom of the 10th

 

Yonki Hernandez singles on a ground ball to second baseman Daniel Pulfer.

Kevin Berard flies out to right fielder Breland Almadova.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Michael Nemeth replaces Adrian Williams.

Michael Nemeth flies out to center fielder Socrates Brito.

With Raul Mondesi batting, Yonki Hernandez advances to 2nd on defensive indifference.

Raul Mondesi triples (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Socrates Brito. Yonki Hernandez scores. Raul Mondesi out at home, pitcher Dexter Price to catcher Michael Perez.

[Tedaldtada]

You guys will never believe how this Helena game ended. Just incredible.

You weren't kidding.

 

The PbP doesn't even do it justice. An appeal by Missoula claiming Mondesi Jr. missed home plate at the end of his HR trot "earns" the little tattle-tale D'Backs a win.

 

But for real Raul, make sure you touch home plate!

[bkrause2]

Rattler Radio Nine after 9

[TheCrew07]

Final: Albuquerque 11, Nashville 9

 

Late Sounds Rally Comes Up Short In 11-9 Defeat

Brown, Jaramillo Homer For Nashville In Losing Effort

 

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Nashville Sounds mounted a furious ninth-inning rally in an attempt to come back from a seven-run deficit but ultimately fell short in an 11-9 loss to the Albuquerque Isotopes on Monday evening at Isotopes Park.

 

The defeat marked the tenth time this season that the Sounds (31-47) have surrendered a double-digit run total; Nashville has plated ten runs or more only twice.

 

Trailing 11-4 entering the ninth, Nashville plated five in the inning and got the potential tying run to the plate before Isotopes reliever Wil Ledezma retired pinch-hitter Jay Gibbons on a game-ending flyout to the warning track in right field.

 

Five Albuquerque batters recorded multiple-hit efforts on the night, led by Josh Fields' 3-for-5, four-RBI effort that included a homer and a double.

 

Isotopes starter Will Savage (10-3) became the Pacific Coast League's second 10-game winner (joining Fresno's Eric Hacker). He allowed four runs on eight hits over six frames to earn the victory.

 

Jordan Brown paced the Nashville offense with a 4-for-5, three-RBI night that included a home run and a double, his second four-hit effort of the year.

 

Albuquerque got off to an early start against Sounds starter Seth McClung, grabbing a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Alex Castellanos singled with one out and scored the night's first run on an RBI double off the bat of Fields that sailed just above the reach of Caleb Gindl. Former Sounds MVP Luis Cruz doubled the advantage later in the frame with a two-out RBI single to left after fouling off four two-strike offerings from McClung.

 

Nashville catcher Jason Jaramillo evened the game at 2-2 with one swing of the bat in the second, belting a two-run homer to right off Savage. The backstop's second roundtripper of the year also plated Andy Gonzalez, who preceded him with a one-out single.

 

AUDIO: Jaramillo Two-Run HR

 

The Isotopes pulled back in front in the home half of the frame when their catcher answered Jaramillo's shot with one of his own. Josh Bard drove a 3-2 McClung offering to deep center for his third big fly of the year, giving Albuquerque a 3-2 lead.

 

The Sounds knotted the score once again in the third. McClung drew a five-pitch walk from Savage to open the inning and lumbered all the way around to score from first when Caleb Gindl followed with an RBI double to left-center. Gindl was thrown out attempting to advance to third on the play, however.

 

Brown gave Nashville its first lead of the night at 4-3 when he led off the fourth inning with his fifth home run of the season, a long blast onto the berm in right field.

 

AUDIO: Brown Go-Ahead HR

 

The back-and-forth affair continued in the bottom of the fourth as Albuquerque reclaimed the lead with a five-run outburst against McClung to move ahead, 8-4.

 

Jerry Sands led off with a massive game-tying, solo homer to left on a 1-0 offering. The outfielder's tenth blast of the year even the contest at 4-4. Later in the frame, with runners on second and third, ex-Sound Trent Oeltjen lifted a go-ahead sacrifice fly to center to bring home Matt Angle. Fields capped off the five-run rally with a two-out, three-run homer on the first pitch he saw from the big right-hander, the infielder's eighth longball of the year.

 

McClung (1-9) surrendered eight runs to the Isotopes for the second time in two starts this season and took his PCL-leading ninth loss for Nashville. He gave up the eight runs on nine hits, including three home runs, in his 5 2/3 innings of work.

 

Albuquerque registered three important insurance runs in the seventh inning against Sounds reliever Victor Garate to extend the lead to 11-4.

 

Nashville failed to score in the fifth through eighth innings, despite having a runner on base in each of those frames, before finally getting on the scoreboard again with their ninth-inning rally.

 

Corey Patterson led off with a double against Ramon Troncoso and later scoring on a wild pitch to bring the score to its final 11-5 standing. After an Eric Farris single and a pair of walks loaded the bases, Brown continued his solid night with a bloop hit down the left field line that was ruled a single by the official scorer. All three Nashville baserunners scored on the play as a result of the hit combined with a throwing error by Sands, the left fielder. Brown later scored the frame's fourth and final run on a Jaramillo fielder's choice grounder.

 

The teams conclude the four-game set with a 1:05 p.m. CT finale on Tuesday afternoon. Right-hander Claudio Vargas (2-0, 4.83) will toe the rubber for the Sounds to face Albuquerque right-hander Stephen Fife (5-4, 4.86).

 

Nashville Play By Play

For those history nerds and/or movie buffs like me you'll remember A Bridge Too Far, well this game was like that only it was "A Hole Dug Too Deep"... I had originally written that a different way but upon proofreading I had to add an extra word... well you'll figure out why. Big Seth McClung is a very likable dude, but he's struggled in the rotation and the Nashville offense hasn't exactly set the world on fire for him either. However, it's awesome that he was 1-1 with a walk and scored from first on that double, I hope that play is a video highlight, that had to be a sight to see. Victor Garate was once again Victor Garate, nuff said there. I'm going to beat the drum a little bit for Jim Henderson. What more does have to do to at least earn a shot? He certainly didn't pitch well last year but he's hot now, ride that hot hand and give him a chance! Seriously, what's not to like about his line? Give the man an opportunity.

 

Regardless of the pitching issues, a valiant comeback none the less by the position players, what a 9th inning. The offensive contributions with the bat were covered in the detailed game summary though Jeff Bianchi did steal his 5th base.

 

Nashville Play By Play

Can't argue with this effort...

Nashville Top of the 9th

• Corey Patterson doubles (15) on a fly ball to center fielder Matt Angle.
  Eric Farris singles on a line drive to right fielder Trent Oeltjen. Corey Patterson to 3rd.
  With Caleb Gindl batting, Eric Farris advances to 2nd on defensive indifference.
  With Caleb Gindl batting, wild pitch by Ramon Troncoso, Corey Patterson scores. Eric Farris to 3rd.
  Caleb Gindl grounds out, pitcher Ramon Troncoso to first baseman Scott Van Slyke.
  Jeff Bianchi walks.
  Logan Schafer walks. Jeff Bianchi to 2nd.
  Pitcher Change: Wil Ledezma replaces Ramon Troncoso, batting 9th.
  Jordan Brown singles on a fly ball to left fielder Jerry Sands. Eric Farris scores. Jeff Bianchi scores. Logan Schafer scores. Jordan Brown to 2nd on the throw. Throwing error by left fielder Jerry Sands.
  With Andy Gonzalez batting, wild pitch by Wil Ledezma, Jordan Brown to 3rd.
  Andy Gonzalez walks.
  Jason Jaramillo grounds into a force out, shortstop Luis Cruz to second baseman Alex Castellanos. Jordan Brown scores. Andy Gonzalez out at 2nd. Jason Jaramillo to 1st.
  Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Jay Gibbons replaces Jim Henderson.
  Jay Gibbons flies out to right fielder Trent Oeltjen.
  

[TheCrew07]

Final: DSL Brewers 10, DSL Blue Jays 8 (10 Innings)

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

Quite the offense in my 2 games here tonight, fortunately this one with a better result and a nice come from behind win in extras to boot. 20 year old Eliezer Montano was alright through the first 4 innings allowing 1 run on 4 hits but 3 walks against 3 strike outs. The trouble started with Junior Flores' 2/3 of inning in the 5th and carried through Melvin Tejada's 2 innings. They walked 6 batters, threw 3 wild pitches, and allowed 6 runs between them. Felix Paulino pitched the final 3.1 picking up the win allowing an earned run on 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 4. Overall the young Brewers walked 10 batters in the game but struck out 11.

 

Juan Ortiz busted out of his slump in a big way, he had been batting .105 over his last ten but went 2-3 with a double, HR, and 2 walks today. Jose Dicent went 2-3 with a walk and Yunior De La Cruz went 2-4 to round out the multi-hit games. While there weren't any XBH beyond Ortiz' day, Carlos Pena did go 1-3 with 2 BB and the Brewers walked a total of 8 times in the game. Ortiz and Raphachel Colatosti each stole a base while Pena was caught trying to steal home. De La Cruz had his first passed ball of the season but Montano picked off a runner at 1B.

 

DSL Brewers Play By Play

Fun.

DSL Brewers Top of the 6th

• Elvis Rubio called out on strikes.
  Juan Ortiz doubles (4) on a fly ball to left fielder Cesar Barazarte.
  Jose Dicent hit by pitch.
  Carlos Pena walks. Juan Ortiz to 3rd. Jose Dicent to 2nd.
  Yunior De La Cruz singles on a ground ball to center fielder Luis Martin. Juan Ortiz scores. Jose Dicent scores. Carlos Pena out at 3rd on the throw, center fielder Luis Martin to first baseman Angel Rojas to third baseman Deiferson Barreto. Yunior De La Cruz to 2nd.
  Alejandro Mendoza grounds out, pitcher Wilmin Lara to first baseman Angel Rojas.

 

More Fun.

DSL Brewers Top of the 7th

• Pitcher Change: Gilberto Vielma replaces Wilmin Lara.
  Francisco Castillo singles on a ground ball to third baseman Deiferson Barreto. Francisco Castillo advances to 2nd, on throwing error by third baseman Deiferson Barreto.
  Raphachel Colatosti walks.
  With Carlos Belonis batting, wild pitch by Gilberto Vielma, Francisco Castillo to 3rd.
  With Carlos Belonis batting, Raphachel Colatosti steals (7) 2nd base.
  Carlos Belonis called out on strikes.
  Elvis Rubio singles on a ground ball to center fielder Luis Martin. Francisco Castillo scores. Raphachel Colatosti to 3rd.
  Gilberto Vielma intentionally walks Juan Ortiz. Elvis Rubio to 2nd.
  Defensive Substitution: Andres Sotillo replaces catcher Roberto Vahlis, batting 8th, playing catcher.
  Pitcher Change: Manuel Lopez replaces Gilberto Vielma.
  Jose Dicent singles on a ground ball to shortstop Edwin Fuentes. Raphachel Colatosti scores. Elvis Rubio to 3rd. Juan Ortiz to 2nd.
  Carlos Pena singles on a ground ball to second baseman Ronniel Demorizi. Elvis Rubio scores. Juan Ortiz to 3rd. Jose Dicent to 2nd.
  Yunior De La Cruz singles on a ground ball to left fielder Cesar Barazarte. Juan Ortiz scores. Jose Dicent to 3rd. Carlos Pena to 2nd.
  Alejandro Mendoza grounds into a force out, shortstop Edwin Fuentes to second baseman Ronniel Demorizi. Jose Dicent scores. Carlos Pena to 3rd. Yunior De La Cruz out at 2nd. Alejandro Mendoza to 1st.
  With Francisco Castillo batting, Carlos Pena caught stealing home, catcher Andres Sotillo to second baseman Ronniel Demorizi to catcher Andres Sotillo.
  

 

Most Fun.

DSL Brewers Top of the 10th

• Carlos Pena walks.
  Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Yunior Santana replaces Carlos Pena.
  With Yunior De La Cruz batting, passed ball by Andres Sotillo, Yunior Santana to 2nd.
  Yunior De La Cruz hits a sacrifice bunt. Throwing error by pitcher Manuel Lopez. Yunior Santana to 3rd. Yunior De La Cruz to 1st.
  Alejandro Mendoza hit by pitch. Yunior De La Cruz to 2nd.
  With Francisco Castillo batting, wild pitch by Manuel Lopez, Yunior Santana scores. Yunior De La Cruz to 3rd. Alejandro Mendoza to 2nd.
  Francisco Castillo hit by pitch.
  Pitcher Change: Eyerys Guerrero replaces Manuel Lopez.
  Raphachel Colatosti grounds out, pitcher Eyerys Guerrero to second baseman Ronniel Demorizi to first baseman Angel Rojas. Yunior De La Cruz scores. Alejandro Mendoza to 3rd. Francisco Castillo to 2nd.
  Carlos Belonis called out on strikes.
  Elvis Rubio grounds out, shortstop Edwin Fuentes to first baseman Angel Rojas.

[TheCrew07]

another divisional prospect suspended, when did MiLB start releasing what the positive tests were for?

Cards' Swinson suspended 50 games

St. Louis outfielder, 22, tested positive for Methylhexaneamine

By Danny Wild / MLB.com

http://www.milb.com/images/2012/06/25/MYogFpCf.jpg

Mike Swinson has split the season between Palm Beach and the GCL Cards. (Tony Farlow/MiLB.com)

 

Cardinals outfielder Mike Swinson was suspended for 50 games on Monday after violating the Minor League drug program.

 

Swinson, 22, was banned without pay after testing positive for Methylhexaneamine, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension is effective immediately.

 

The lefty-swinging outfielder was selected by St. Louis out of Coffee High School (Ga.) in the 12th round of the 2008 Draft, but had not reached the Class A Advanced level until this season. He's batting .185 with a homer and five RBIs in 24 games this season between Palm Beach and the Gulf Coast League Cardinals.

 

Methylhexaneamine is a substance originally intended to be used as a nasal decongestant that has gained popularity as a recreational drug which reportedly gives users an adrenaline rush. Side effects include nausea and stroke. The drug was recently linked to several Jamaican track stars in 2009 as well as some Minor Leaguers over the past two years.

 

Swinson is the 50th player suspended this year for violation the Minor League program. Major League Baseball also suspended veteran big leaguer Marlon Myrd on Monday after testing positive for Tamoxifen.

[Mass Haas]

Osprey edge Brewers 2-1 in 10 innings on controversy

By CURT SYNNESS, Helena Independent Record

 

On a night featuring pitching mastery for nine innings at Kindrick Legion Field, culminating with a pair of home runs in the 10th frame, the Pioneer League game’s final outcome was decided by an appeal play.

 

Trailing the Missoula Osprey 2-0 in the bottom of the 10th, with one on and two out, Helena Brewer Raul Mondesi Jr. cranked what would have been a game-tying homer over the left field fence.

 

After Mondesi crossed home plate — or did he — and was greeted by celebratory teammates, Osprey pitcher Dexter Price flipped the ball to catcher Michael Perez, who stepped on home for an appeal.

 

The home plate umpire raised and pumped his right fist, signifying that Mondesi had missed the plate and was out, ending the game in a 2-1 win for Missoula.

 

Mondesi was officially credited with a triple.

 

“Did he miss home plate? You tell me, because I don’t know, I didn’t see it,” said Helena manager Jeff Isom, on his way back to the clubhouse, after a long discussion with the umpire.

 

“On any home run, the umpire has one job, and that’s to watch the plate and make sure the runners touch it. He said he (Mondesi) missed it by eight inches.”

 

Isom said it was one of the craziest endings to a game he’s been a part of, and the first time in his 13 years of managing that’s he’s seen a home run taken away from a batter.

 

“It’s a terrible way to lose a ballgame, but the guys learned a good lesson. From now on, make sure you jump on the plate on a homer,” he added.

 

The majority of the game belonged to the pitchers, who were hotter than the 93 degree temperature at first pitch and the fire that was burning in the Scratchgravels.

 

Fans at Kindrick Legion Field watch the Helena Brewers play the Missoula Osprey on Monday night as smoke from a fire in the Scratchgravel Hills fills the sky. The Osprey beat the Brewers 2-1 in extra innings.

 

Photo by Dylan Brown Independent Record

 

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/22/c2247d36-bf36-11e1-af63-001a4bcf887a/4fe91e8a66a98.image.jpg

 

Missoula starter Andrew Barbosa took a no-hitter into the fifth inning, which was broken up by Emmanuel Quiles’ single on the first pitch of the inning.

 

The 6-foot-8, 205-pound Barbosa, a lefthander who hails from Riverview, Fla., went six innings and allowed one hit, with five strikeouts and one walk.

 

His counterpart, the hosts’ Eric Semmelhack, matched him pitch-for-pitch. Semmelhack worked seven scoreless frames, giving up two hits — both to Pedro Ruiz — while striking out five and walking none.

 

Osprey relievers Michael Rivera and Dexter Price combined for four innings, permitting four hits and fanning five.

 

Yonki Hernandez had the Brewers’ lone multi-hit game, with a pair of singles. He was the man on base ahead of Mondesi’s non-homer.

 

Brewer reliever Manuel Ruiz, who sustained the loss, went 2.1 innings, striking out five and giving up just one hit. But it was a big one — a two-run bomb by Tyler Linton that cleared the left-field fence by about 25 feet.

 

“Our pitchers were throwing brilliantly,” Isom said. “Semmelhack was keeping the ball down, he has three pitches he can throw for strikes.

 

“And Ruiz just made one mistake. He left the pitch in the strike zone, and that’s what happens when you do that against a good hitter.”

 

The game included several defensive gems, markedly by the Osprey’s Ruiz at shortstop, and Helena second sacker Adrian Williams.

 

There was also a near-brawl in the top of the 10th, ironically after the sun went down and a slight breeze actually cooled down the playing field.

 

After Linton’s long ball, Ruiz plunked Daniel Pulfer with a pitch, and when the Osprey batter took several steps towards the mound, the benches and bullpens from both sides charged out on the field.

 

But peace was restored shortly afterwards without any punches being thrown.

 

“We two managers got together with the umpires, and we made it clear that neither of us desired any ill-will; that we wanted to put the incident behind us and get back to the game,” Isom explained.

 

“It was a great comeback by us, to tie it up like that. But then not to get it is a shame. I’m headed for the clubhouse right now, and am going to watch the replay (of the home plate call), and see for myself.”

 

NOTE: Helena has stolen eight bases in the last two games.

[Mass Haas]

Quad Cities 4, Wisconsin 1: The Timber Rattlers Notebook

 

Detailed report and interviews via Kyle's press credentials for BrewCrewBall...

[Mass Haas]

Timber Rattlers struggle to recover their momentum from the first half

by Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent staff writer

 

GRAND CHUTE — The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are discovering that reboots can be a bit tricky.

 

The Rattlers tore it up during a highly successful first half of the Midwest League season, but haven’t been able to get started in the second half.

 

Wisconsin, the first-half champion of the Western Division, has dropped all four of its second-half games and lost its sixth straight Monday night with a 4-1 loss to the Quad Cities River Bandits.

 

It was Wisconsin’s first home game in two weeks, but the return to Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium didn’t change the Rattlers’ fortunes.

 

The Rattlers were held hitless for 4 1/3 innings by Quad Cities left-hander Dail Villanueva and finished with just five hits.

 

“If you look at our numbers the last six games, we’re not getting it done,” Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson said. “But at the same time, we’re playing some competitive games, so there’s no need to panic.”

 

Rosters shift constantly at the minor league level, particularly at midseason, and it’s difficult to maintain momentum with new faces checking in and familiar ones exiting. The Rattlers have experienced considerable change in the past week. Three Wisconsin players, outfielders Jason Rogers and John Dishon and pitcher Seth Harvey, were promoted to Brevard County, while two new players, outfielders Mitch Haniger and Lance Roenicke, have been added to the roster.

 

“We’ll be OK,” Erickson said. “We’ve had some key players move and have a couple new players, but that’s part of the development process. It’s understood. The overall make-up of our team is still pretty much the same and the new guys are all good-character guys.”

 

Cameron Garfield was the lone Timber Rattler to collect two hits and the former second-round draft pick in 2009 helped Wisconsin avoid a shutout by drilling an RBI single in the ninth inning.

 

The 21-year-old Garfield has been hampered with knee injuries the past 1½ seasons and had just 53 at-bats last season. He missed most of the first half of this season while rehabbing a dislocated knee cap, which required surgery, but has swung the bat well upon his return.

 

In 50 at-bats this season, the right-handed-hitting Garfield is hitting .300, with a home run, six RBI and a .435 slugging percentage.

 

“I’m just happy to be healthy again and eager to help this team win,” Garfield said. “The body is feeling good and my knee is feeling good. I’m a little lighter right now, so that shouldn’t put as much pressure on my knee.”

 

Garfield’s position is catcher, but he filled the designated hitter’s role Monday night.

 

“It’s a little different when you’re not in there defensively and are hitting every three innings,” Garfield said. “You have to stay loose and keep your mind in the game. You just have to have a little different approach to things.”

 

“I got a couple of good pitches to hit tonight and made some good contact.”

 

A bright spot on the mound for the Rattlers was the effective relief work of right-hander Kevin Shackelford, who threw 3 2/3 innings of hitless relief. Shackelford struck out three and didn’t allow a walk.

 

Wisconsin starter Mark Williams exited in the fifth after surrendering a three-run homer to the River Bandits’ Matt Williams.

 

The Timber Rattlers might have put a couple more runs on the board had it not been for the defensive expertise of River Bandits center fielder Virgil Hill.

 

Hill made a couple of outstanding catches, including a leaping grab against the fence that robbed the Rattlers’ Ben McMahan of an extra-base hit in the sixth inning.

 

“Their centerfielder made a couple of great plays,” said Erickson. “Those were two big plays.”

 

Article includes a photo gallery

[Tedaldtada]

On my Twitter (@AlfredAugust) timeline from this morning, you can see some of the comments Jim Breen (@JP_Breen) made/relayed to me this morning regarding last nights Helena starter Eric Semmelhack.

 

Semmelhack had the top minor league pitching game score last night.

 

This is certainly one to watch. Needs a change up.

[Mass Haas]

Audio from Albuquerque — “Mondays with Mike (Guerrero)”

 

Jeff Hem's note: Here is this week’s “Mondays with Mike” with Sounds manager Mike Guerrero, who discusses the Sounds’ power surge on Saturday, the status of what has been an illness-ridden Sounds clubhouse, when prospect Tyler Thornburg will take the mound in a game, the return of shortstop Edwin Maysonet from Milwaukee and what that means for the infield and the decision to bring in Donovan Hand in relief on Saturday instead of having him make a spot start on Sunday.

 

Visual from Albuquerque — Photos of Isotopes Park

[olliegjw]

You guys will never believe how this Helena game ended. Just incredible.

You weren't kidding.

 

The PbP doesn't even do it justice. An appeal by Missoula claiming Mondesi Jr. missed home plate at the end of his HR trot "earns" the little tattle-tale D'Backs a win.

 

But for real Raul, make sure you touch home plate!

 

Not sure if you were being sarcastic, but appealing a missed base, or leaving early is far from a ticky tack, or tattle-tale, way to win. It is a part of the game that smart teams pay attention to.

[TooLiveBrew]

Yeah I agree ollie. What I'm trying to wrap my head around is how RMJ missed home plate!

 

I wonder if it was a walkoff celebration/huddle/jumpin'-pile type of situation.

[olliegjw]

Yeah I agree ollie. What I'm trying to wrap my head around is how RMJ missed home plate!

 

I wonder if it was a walkoff celebration/huddle/jumpin'-pile type of situation.

 

I hope not, since it only tied the game. Pretty hard for the defense to miss that. Surprised the on-deck hitter, or none of his teammates saw it before he left the field of play.

[TooLiveBrew]

Oh derp... sorry. Of course it wasn't a walkoff!