Link Report for Tue. 6/26 -- Put a Win on the Board for the Maryvale Men; Stars, Rattlers, H-Crew have nice evenings

[Mass Haas]

Tweet of the night so far! Thank you photographer extraordinaire Bill Mitchell in Arizona...

 

* Maryvale good news *

[Tedaldtada]

Hey, David Otterman's work visa went through! David made his debut for Helena tonight after a solid inning from fellow countrymen Joel Pierce.

[Mass Haas]

The Stars don't publish their summaries online...

 

***

STINSON, MORRIS LEAD STARS OVER BAYBEARS

 

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – After being swept in a five-game series by the Mobile BayBears down at Hank Aaron Stadium two weeks ago, the Huntsville Stars beat the first half Southern League South champs by a score of 4-2 on Tuesday night at Joe Davis Stadium.

 

With both teams being held scoreless through the first three innings, the BayBears got the scoring started in the fourth inning. Right fielder Mark Krauss and second baseman David Nick led off the inning with singles against Stars starter Josh Stinson. A throwing error by Stars third baseman Hainley Statia scored Krauss to make the score 1-0. Later in the inning, another error by Statia on a groundball by left fielder Dan Kaczrowski plated Nick to give Mobile a 2-0 lead.

 

Unlike during their past series in Mobile, the Stars were able to return the favor in the fifth inning. To begin the rally, left fielder Lee Haydel singled and center fielder Josh Prince walked against BayBears starter Gaby Hernandez. With both runners in scoring position after a sacrifice bunt, a wild pitch from Hernandez allowed Haydel to score to cut the Stars deficit in half. The same at-bat, first baseman Hunter Morris crushed a two-run home run over the right field wall to give Huntsville a 3-2 lead.

 

That would be all the run support the Stars pitching staff needed. Stinson improved to 8-4 on the season after giving up those two runs (one earned) on five hits in six innings of work.

 

After Stinson’s exit, Stars RHP Darren Byrd and LHP Mitch Stetter followed with a combined 1.2 innings of scoreless relief. To end the game, RHP Jesus Sanchez notched down his 10th save of the year by recording the final four outs.

 

From an offensive perspective, the Stars got their final run in the seventh inning on a RBI single by Morris. Overall, the Huntsville native was 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs on the night. His home run in the fifth inning was his second round-tripper in as many games and team-leading ninth on the season. Huntsville also got three hits from Haydel and two hits from shortstop Domnit Bolivar.

 

Huntsville will continue a five-game series with Mobile with game two on Wednesday. The Stars will send RHP Evan Anundsen (4-3, 3.61 ERA) to the mound to square off against BayBears RHP Chase Anderson (2-1, 2.47 ERA). First pitch is at 6:43 PM.

[Tedaldtada]

Helena 9 Missoula (D'Backs) 1

 

Box Score

 

Nice blowout win!

 

Fantastic start for soon to be 21 year old RHP Leonard Lorenzo. Lorenzo made steady progress through the DSL starting in 2009 despite serving a 50-game drug suspension last season. He finished tonight with 5 IP 5 H 1 R 1 ER 2 BB 5 K 4:5 GO:FO. The young Dominican was followed by two young Canadians. First, Joel Pierce came on for an inning. He got destroyed his first time out, so a scoreless inning with 2 K's is a step in the right direction. The next northerner was 2012 7th rounder David Otterman. It was David's pro debut and he was impressive. 2 IP 1 H 0 R 2 K 1 WP 2:2 GO:FO. Michael Francisco finished the blow out with a scoreless 9th inning.

 

It was a total team effort with the bats tonight. Leading the way were Alfredo Rodriguez (3-3 BB SB (2)), Raul Mondesi Jr. (2-5 3B), Michael Reed (2-4 BB), Emmanuel Quiles (1-3 2B SAC) and Mike Nemeth (2-3 BB). 8 Brewers had a hit, 8 scored a run, 7 had a RBI, 4 took a walk, and 3 stole a base. None committed an error.

 

The roughed up D'Back pitcher, Karl Triana, was decent in his one year stay in the DSL in 2011. Certainly not Dicentian by any means and certainly was not his best tonight.

 

Game Log

 

Pickled Ozuna.

 

Helena Bottom of the 3rd

 

Alfredo Rodriguez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Breland Almadova.

Ruben Ozuna singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Jake Lamb. Alfredo Rodriguez to 2nd.

With Raul Mondesi batting, Alfredo Rodriguez steals (2) 3rd base. Ruben Ozuna steals (1) 2nd base.

Raul Mondesi grounds out, shortstop Pedro Ruiz to first baseman Kyle Koeneman. Alfredo Rodriguez scores.

With Christopher McFarland batting, Ruben Ozuna caught stealing 3rd base, pitcher Karl Triana to third baseman Jake Lamb to second baseman John Leonard to third baseman Jake Lamb to shortstop Pedro Ruiz.

Christopher McFarland strikes out swinging.

 

Back-to-back sacrifices.

 

Helena Bottom of the 4th

 

Michael Reed singles on a ground ball to center fielder Breland Almadova.

Mike Garza singles on a ground ball to center fielder Breland Almadova. Michael Reed to 3rd. Mike Garza to 2nd on the throw.

Michael Nemeth singles on a fly ball to center fielder Breland Almadova. Michael Reed scores.

Emmanuel Quiles out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Karl Triana to second baseman John Leonard. Mike Garza to 3rd. Michael Nemeth to 2nd.

Paul Eshleman out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Breland Almadova. Mike Garza scores.

Alfredo Rodriguez walks.

Ruben Ozuna strikes out swinging.

 

Get some

 

Helena Bottom of the 5th

 

Raul Mondesi triples (3) on a line drive to right fielder Justin Bianco.

Christopher McFarland singles on a ground ball to left fielder Tyler Linton. Raul Mondesi scores.

With Michael Reed batting, Christopher McFarland steals (3) 2nd base, . Christopher McFarland advances to 3rd, on throwing error by catcher Yosbel Gutierrez.

Michael Reed walks.

Mike Garza grounds out to first baseman Kyle Koeneman. Christopher McFarland scores. Michael Reed to 2nd.

Michael Nemeth singles on a fly ball to left fielder Tyler Linton. Michael Reed to 3rd.

Pitcher Change: Patrick Smith replaces Karl Triana.

Emmanuel Quiles doubles (2) on a line drive to center fielder Breland Almadova. Michael Reed scores. Michael Nemeth scores.

Paul Eshleman walks.

Alfredo Rodriguez singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Jake Lamb. Emmanuel Quiles to 3rd. Paul Eshleman to 2nd.

Ruben Ozuna grounds into a force out, shortstop Pedro Ruiz to second baseman John Leonard. Emmanuel Quiles scores. Paul Eshleman to 3rd. Alfredo Rodriguez out at 2nd. Ruben Ozuna to 1st.

Raul Mondesi singles on a ground ball to center fielder Breland Almadova. Paul Eshleman scores. Ruben Ozuna to 2nd.

Christopher McFarland flies out to center fielder Breland Almadova.

[Mass Haas]

Alumni bonus:

 

The case for Tom Wilhelmsen as the Mariners’ All-Star

[Tedaldtada]

Brevard County 3 Charlotte (Rays) 2 (Suspended in 5th)

 

Box Score

 

Well, I was really hoping I would get to report on both 2011 1st rounders on the same day. Alas, it was not to be.

 

Taylor Jungmann got 4+ good innings in. At least that's what I thought at first. Then you see the balk, and the hit batters and the unearned runs. Makes you wonder if good is the way to describe it. Final line: 4.1 IP 2 H 2 R 0 ER 2 BB 3 K 1 Balk 2 HBP 7:3 GO:FO 1 pickoff.

 

The bats were also off to a decent start against a decent prospect in Rays pitcher Enry Romero. Jason Rogers was on twice via the free pass and stole a base. Mike Walker had 2 hits and drove in all of the Manatee runs.

 

3 errors for the 'Tees through the first half of the game. SS Nick Shaw (13), 3B T.J. Mittelstaedt (9), 1B Cody Hawn (3).

 

Game Log

[TooLiveBrew]

@Huntsville 4, Mobile 2

 

Huntsville Box

Huntsville got more good pitching today, and Hunter Morris drove in three of Huntsville's four runs to lead the way on offense. The only slip-up from starter Josh Sintson came in the 4th, but aside from that he piled up zeros: 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R/1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, WP, 11:3 GO:AO. Darren Byrd came on in relief of Stinson, and struck out three Mobile batters in the scoreless 7th. Mitch Stetter got the first two outs in the 8th, and Jesus Sanchez was brought in to close out the frame. Sanchez got a strikeout to end the 8th, one to start the 9th, and the final two outs via groundball.

 

To say Sanchez has dominated this season would be a gross understatement -- 31 G, 44.1 IP, 1.22 ERA, 6 R/ER, 13 BB, 38 K, 2 HRA, 1:00 GO:AO, .196 BAA. The Venezuelan is in his age-24 season, and listed at 5'11", 202 lbs. Nashville, here he comes?

 

Morris finished 2-4, with 1 1B, 1 HR, and 3 RBI. LF Lee Haydel went 3-3 with 1 BB, and 2 SB (2/2 success rate) out of the leadoff spot. SS Domnit Bolivar went 2-3 with 1 BB. RF Kentrail Davis and 3B Hainley Statia added a single each. CF Josh Prince was 0-1, but drew 2 BBs.

 

In his last six games, Morris has gone 8-24 (.333) with 2 2B, 2 HR, and 8 RBI. Six of his RBI have come via back-to-back three-RBI games. Conveniently, his last six games currently constitute the entire second half so far -- and his second-half slash line sits at .333/.344/.667/1.027 after tonight's game. He wasn't exactly slacking in the season's first half (.814 OPS), and still leads the Southern League in doubles with 25; his 9 HR have him tied for 6th in the league. I think we'll be talking about Hunter Morris the Nashville Sounds player before too much longer.

 

 

Huntsville PbP

Here's that pesky top half of the 4th:

 

Mobile Top of the 4th

-Marc Krauss singles on a line drive to right fielder Kentrail Davis.

-With David Nick batting, wild pitch by Josh Stinson, Marc Krauss to 2nd.

-David Nick singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Hainley Statia. Marc Krauss scores. David Nick to 2nd. Throwing error by third baseman Hainley Statia.

-Yazy Arbelo grounds out, second baseman Scooter Gennett to first baseman Hunter Morris. David Nick to 3rd.

-Daniel Kaczrowski reaches on fielding error by third baseman Hainley Statia. David Nick scores.

-Rossmel Perez grounds into a force out, third baseman Hainley Statia to second baseman Scooter Gennett. Daniel Kaczrowski out at 2nd. Rossmel Perez to 1st.

-Gaby Hernandez grounds into a force out, shortstop Domnit Bolivar to second baseman Scooter Gennett. Rossmel Perez out at 2nd.

 

 

And since I already posted the Stars' 5th earlier in the L.R., here's their tack-on run in the 7th:

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 7th

-Pitcher Change: Bryan Woodall replaces Gaby Hernandez, batting 9th.

-Lee Haydel singles on a ground ball to second baseman David Nick.

-Josh Prince strikes out on foul bunt.

-With Scooter Gennett batting, Lee Haydel steals (6) 2nd base.

-Scooter Gennett strikes out swinging, catcher Rossmel Perez to first baseman Yazy Arbelo.

-Hunter Morris singles on a line drive to right fielder Marc Krauss. Lee Haydel scores. Hunter Morris to 2nd on the throw.

-Hainley Statia grounds out to first baseman Yazy Arbelo.

 

 

Hunstville Gameday

[bkrause2]

Final: Quad Cities 2, Wisconsin 3

 

Rattlers end losing streak with one-run win

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - It wasn't easy, but the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers ended their six game losing streak. The Rattlers edged the Quad Cities River Bandits 3-2 on Tuesday night at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Chad Thompson pitched six strong innings and the Rattlers offense squeaked out just enough runs to defeat the Bandits.

 

River Bandits starting pitcher Willy Paulino made his first start - after 21 relief appearances - of the season and it looked like it. Chadwin Stang singled to start the bottom of the first. Then, Paulino hit Brandon Macias and Ryan Haniger to load the bases with no outs.

 

Nick Ramirez and Greg Hopkins drew back-to-back walks to force in two runs and give the Timber Rattlers (45-29 overall, 1-4 second half) a 2-0 lead. But, Paulino struck out the next two batters and got a force out to hold the Rattlers to a pair of first inning runs.

 

Quad Cities (38-36, 3-2) struck back in the top of the second inning. David Medina hit a solo homer with one out and cut the Rattlers lead to 2-1.

 

Thompson recovered after the homer and didn't allow another hit. The tall right-hander went six innings, walked two, and struck out eight. The eight strikeouts set a single game high as a professional for Thompson.

 

The Rattlers hitters rewarded Thompson with an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. Max Walla's two-out RBI single drove in Ben McMahan and put the Rattlers up 3-1 with Jacob Barnes coming on in relief.

 

Barnes worked two scoreless innings before Tommy Toledo entered for the ninth. Toledo gave up a single to the leadoff hitter, but would get a 6-4-3 double play to bring the Rattlers one out from victory. But, it wasn't easy to slay the six-game losing streak.

 

Juan Castillo singled and gave way to pinch runner Casey Rasmus. Toledo hit the next batter to put the tying run on base and bring Roberto De La Cruz to bat. The River Bandits first baseman lined a 1-0 pitch from Toledo high off the wall in left to score Rasmus. The throw went to third and De La Cruz, who held at first after the long single took second on that throw to move into scoring position with the go ahead run.

 

But, Toledo ended the game - and the losing streak - by striking out Neal Pritchard.

 

Rattlers pitchers combined for twelve strikeouts on the evening.

 

The final game of the three game series between the Western Division rivals is Wednesday evening at 7:05pm. Matt Miller (5-5, 3.87) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Quad Cities had not named a starting pitcher, but it is believed to be Tyrell Jenkins (1-2, 4.74), who needs to be activated from the River Bandits disabled list before the game.

 

Wednesday night is a 105.7, WAPL Bang for Your Buck Night with soda, hot dogs, and beer available for $1. Plus, Hardee's and Happy Star will be at the ballpark with t-shirt giveaways, coupons and more for Hardee's Night.

 

If you can't make it to the ballpark, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:45pm. Wednesday's game is also available to MiLB.TV subscribers.

 

HOME RUN:

QC:<>br> David Medina (5th, 0 on in 2nd inning off Chad Thompson, 1 out)

 

WP: Chad Thompson (3-1)

LP: Willy Paulino (2-5)

SAVE: Tommy Toledo (3)

 

TIME: 2:21

ATTN: 1,987

 

Wisconsin Box Score

The Rattlers managed only four hits, but that was enough to get it done. Nice outing from Chad Thompson who went six and only gave up one run while striking out eight. Jacob Barnes threw two scoreless innings of relief and new closer Tommy Toledo worked an eventful ninth to get the save.

 

Brandon Macias went 1 for 2 with a walk, was hit by a pitch and scored a run. Greg Hopkins was 1 for 3 with a walk. Max Walla and Chadwin Stang had the other two hits for the Timber Rattlers.

 

Wisconsin Play By Play

The Rattlers took the lead in the first inning and wouldn't trail all game

Wisconsin Bottom of the 1st

Chadwin Stang singles on a line drive to center fielder Nick Martini.

Brandon Macias hit by pitch. Chadwin Stang to 2nd.

Mitch Haniger hit by pitch. Chadwin Stang to 3rd. Brandon Macias to 2nd.

Nick Ramirez walks. Chadwin Stang scores. Brandon Macias to 3rd. Mitch Haniger to 2nd.

Gregory Hopkins walks. Brandon Macias scores. Mitch Haniger to 3rd. Nick Ramirez to 2nd.

Ben McMahan strikes out swinging.

Cameron Garfield strikes out swinging.

Max Walla grounds into a force out, third baseman Neal Pritchard to pitcher Willy Paulino. Nick Ramirez out at 3rd.

 

Rattler Radio Nine after 9

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville Video Highlights

[Mass Haas]

Timber Rattlers finally break through with victory over River Bandits

by Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent Staff Writer

 

GRAND CHUTE — At 6-foot-8, Chad Thompson is the tallest player on the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers roster.

 

And when the big man finds a groove on the mound, hitters usually come up short against the towering right-hander.

 

Thompson teamed with Mark Williams for a no-hitter earlier this season and delivered another gem Tuesday night.

 

Thompson allowed just two hits over six innings to help the Timber Rattlers snap a six-game losing streak with a 3-2 Midwest League win over the Quad Cities River Bandits at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

 

“I thought he was much sharper today than he was when he threw the (combined) no-hitter,” Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson said. “He was facing a little better hitting club today.”

 

The River Bandits, a St. Louis Cardinals’ affiliate, are the highest-scoring team in the Midwest League, with 421 runs in 74 games. They are averaging 5.7 runs per game. But aside from a solo homer by outfielder David Medina in the second, the River Bandits did little damage against Thompson.

 

“I just tried to throw strikes down the zone and let my defense play,” Thompson said. “And they made plays for me. It’s just nice to get a ‘W’ and, hopefully, get us going. There were a lot of good vibes in the clubhouse.”

 

In raising his record to 3-1 and lowering his ERA to 4.82, Thompson struck out eight and walked two. He also picked off the River Bandits’ Nick Martini at first base in the opening inning.

 

Thompson, the Brewers’ 27th-round pick out of Orange Coast College in the 2011 first-year player draft, underwent Tommy John surgery in 2010 and isn’t considered to be overpowering. But he has good movement on his fastball and has racked up 51 strikeouts in 46 2/3innings.

 

“He’s a big, long-bodied guy and the ball comes out of his hand nice and effortless,” Erickson said. “His ball kind of jumps on people. When we first got him, there were reports of him throwing mid-90s. He really hasn’t shown that here, but we’re trying to make him more of a pitcher and less of a thrower.”

 

Of Thompson’s 81 pitches, 50 were strikes. He was able to consistently throw his change-up and curveball for strikes. On his last pitch of the night, Thompson froze Quad Cities shortstop Matt Williams with a slow curve for a called third strike and the final out of the sixth inning.

 

“All my pitches were working and my change-up was really sharp,” said Thompson. “I threw that quite often.”

 

Despite Thompson’s stellar outing, Wisconsin had to hang on for the win. Jacob Barnes followed Thompson on the mound and threw two shutout innings before Tommy Toledo took over in the ninth with a 3-1 lead.

 

Toledo was shaky. In addition to hitting a batter, he yielded three hits, including an RBI single by Roberto De La Cruz. But Toledo came up big when he needed to. With runners on second and third and two out, Toledo fanned third baseman Neal Pritchard on three pitches to pick up his third save of the season.

 

There is a vacancy for a closer on the pitching staff following the promotion of Seth Harvey to Brevard County. Erickson feels Toledo, who has a 6-0 record with a 1.48 ERA, will fill that critical role.

 

“In true closer tradition, Tommy made it exciting,” said Erickson. “He’s done a great job in every role that we’ve put him in and he’s going to get more opportunities in this role. He made some decent pitches, but they put some nice swings on him. He kept his composure and got that final out.”

[Mass Haas]

Brewers step on home plate nine times in victory

By CURT SYNNESS, Helena Independent Record

 

The day after one of the more bizarre endings to a local Pioneer League baseball game in recent memory, the Helena Brewers posted an ordinary 9-1 victory over the Missoula Osprey.

 

“But I’ll take a boring 9-1 win any day,” grinned Helena manager Jeff Isom following the contest at Kindrick Legion Field.

 

Boring compared to Monday’s 2-1 loss to the Osprey, when Brewer Raul Mondesi Jr. was denied a game-tying home run in the bottom of the 10th inning on an appeal play for missing home plate.

 

The local squad broke open a 1-all tie in the fourth inning Tuesday on three straight singles by Michael Reed, Mike Garza and Michael Nemeth. A sacrifice bunt by Emmanuel Quiles and a sac fly to centerfield by Paul Eshelman gave the hosts a 3-1 lead.

 

Helena tacked on six more runs in the fifth, while sending 10 men to the plate, to go up 9-1.

 

After Mondesi led off with a triple — a legitimate three-bagger this time, unlike the night before when his home run was reduced to a triple for not touching home — the hosts posted four singles by Chris McFarland, Nemeth, Alfredo Rodriguez and Mondesi, and a double by Quiles.

 

The Brewers finished with 13 hits, led by Alfredo Rodriguez, who went 3 for 3, and two base knocks each by Mondesi (two RBIs), Reed and Nemeth. Quiles chipped in with a pair of RBIs.

 

Yosbel Gutierrez paced Missoula, going 3-3.

 

Brewer starting pitcher Leonard Lorenzo, a 6-foot, 190-pounder from the Dominican Republic, went five innings, giving up five hits and one run. The 20-year old right hander struck out five and walked two.

 

He was relieved by Joel Pierce, David Otterman and Mike Francisco, who gave up a combined four hits between them.

 

Karl Triana started and took the loss for the Osprey.

 

The Brewers stole three bases on the night, bringing their total to 11 in the past three games.

 

Helena closed out the final innings with web gems by Mondesi in center, Otterman and left fielder Ruben Ozuna.

 

Otterman stopped a screaming come-backer that knocked his glove off, retrieved the ball behind the mound and got his man at first.

 

And Ozuna crashed into the left-field fence in foul territory to gather in a tough line drive.

 

“Our bats came alive tonight, we were aggressive, on the base paths, and once again, our pitchers were outstanding,” the Helena skipper said. “If we can keep throwing well and getting timely hits, we’ll be OK.”

[Tedaldtada]

I'll write a Maryvale summary.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Arizona (Maryvale) 8, Arizona Angels 0

 

Box Score

 

Game Log

 

Will fill in the blanks shortly, but if one of our morning crew sees this first, please feel free -- gotta run, thanks!

[Tedaldtada]

Final: Arizona (Maryvale) 8, Arizona Angels 0

 

Box Score

 

Game Log

 

Will fill in the blanks shortly, but if one of our morning crew sees this first, please feel free -- gotta run, thanks!

 

Boy, did we freakin' need that down in Maryvale.

 

Clint Coulter (2-4 3B HR BB) and Dustin Houle (1-5 HR) both hit long homeruns in this one. Jalen Harris (1-3 BB) had a nice game. I was very happy to see him in the middle of the order when the season started. I have always suspected he had one of the better bats in his group. After he finished .234/.311/.322 last season, I expect Jalen to easily best those this season.

 

Many probably thought the same for cleanup hitter Jose Pena (0-4 3 K) last year, but his 2011 DSL campaign (.565 OPS) was considerably worse than his 2010 DSL campaign (.665 OPS). Go figure, now he is hitting 4th in stateside rookie ball.

 

The story of the game was Puerto Rican SP Jorge Lopez. Just 19 years old and a consensus top-10 Brewers prospect, much is expected of this 2011 Suppy 1st round pick. He did not disappoint tonight. 6.1 IP 3 H 0 R 3 BB 4 K 8:6 GO:FO. The 6'4" 165 lb tree branch Lopez is basically on the Brooks Hall/Jake Odorizzi pitching progression path, albeit on the first stop. He has the talent to be better then both of those guys. 2012 33rd round pick Austin Hall finished where Lopez started completing the shut out recording 8 outs. He had 2 K's and 6 GB outs.

 

The box says Hall had 6 GO 2 FO and 2 SO but he only pitched 2.2 innings. Can someone enlighten me? (I figured it out by looking at the box.)

 

Here are the phantom GO's.

 

AZL Angels Bottom of the 9th

 

Jackson Whitley reaches on fielding error by second baseman Renaldo Jenkins.

Joel Capote reaches on force attempt, missed catch error by second baseman Renaldo Jenkins, assist to shortstop Angel Ortega. Jackson Whitley to 2nd.

Zachary Livingston grounds into a force out, shortstop Angel Ortega to second baseman Renaldo Jenkins. Jackson Whitley to 3rd. Joel Capote out at 2nd. Zachary Livingston to 1st.

Landis Ware called out on strikes.

Chance Ross flies out to left fielder Malcolm Dowell.

 

Just 5 errors in this one, including the 2 by Renaldo Jenkins in the bottom of the 9th. Pick your spots better, kid!

[Mass Haas]

Hard to believe, but now up to 94 Brewer farmhands we're following on Twitter.

 

If you don't want to follow them all individually, just favorite this feed and check on it each day to catch up.

 

Nice to see some of the Maryvale men having fun with their first victory -- world domination lies ahead .

[Mass Haas]

Baseball America with quick statistical notes on Jorge Lopez and Clint Coulter

[brewmann04]

why not bring Sanchez and Setter up to Nashville it not like their are prospects blocking their path

[Mass Haas]

Hunter Morris delivers with clutch homer as Huntsville knocks off Mobile

By Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times

 

Photo by The Huntsville Times/Glenn Baeske

Josh Stinson earns his eighth win of the year for Stars

 

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- It has an oxymoronic ring to it, that whole "jumbo shrimp" and "metal woods" kind of deal.

 

Hunter Morris called it "a fun kind of pressure."

 

That's what he faced in the fifth inning Tuesday night, with a teammate on third and the Stars trailing by a run. When he got two strikes on him, "the farthest thing on my mind was hitting a home run," Morris said.

 

Which, of course, is exactly what he did.

 

Morris - it's here where city laws require we remind he is "the former Grissom and Auburn star and the first Huntsville native to play for the Stars" - hit his second homer in as many games, and starter Josh Stinson picked up his eighth victory as the Stars knocked off Mobile 4-2.

 

"I couldn't be prouder of Hunter," said Stars manager Darnell Coles. "He's really turned it around the last year and a half, and that's due to his hard work."

 

This was Huntsville's first win over Mobile in six tries this season. The Stars (3-3 in the second half) host the BayBears again tonight at 6:43.

 

Morris not only had the two-run homer but an RBI single in the seventh. Where Morris has been impressive this season is the ability to shrug off moments of failure. As Coles said, "You've got to be able to separate (each at-bat)."

 

Morris had struck out with the tying run aboard to end Monday's game at Jackson, then whiffed with runners in scoring position in the first inning Tuesday. A three-run homer earlier in Monday's game was a distant memory.

 

"I don't carry it in a negative way," Morris said. "I take it as a learning opportunity.

 

"You've got to have a short-term memory in this game. If you let bad at-bats stick with you, they just snowball and it's the worst feeling in the world. I've been there. But if I can turn the negatives into a positive and learn from it, that's what I try to do."

 

The fifth-inning homer was "a situation that was a huge turning point in the game. Stinson was pitching as well as you can ask from a starter. They're a good team, so the opportunity to score runs are few and far between," Morris said. "Eight other guys in the lineup could have gotten the job done. I'm happy I was able to come through."

 

He's come through more than most the lineup, indeed most of the Southern League.

 

Morris now has 80 hits - that's second in the league behind teammate Scooter Gennett - and 53 RBIs, second in the league to Tennessee's Justin Bour.

 

Mobile nicked Stinson (8-4) for a pair of runs in the fourth on a pair of hits, two Hainley Statia errors and wild pitch. Stinson allowed only five hits and one earned run in his six innings. All-Star reliever Jesus Sanchez closed things with a four-out save, his 10th of the season.

 

Lee Haydel opened the Huntsville fifth with a single, Josh Prince walked and they advanced on a Gennett bunt. Haydel scored on a wild pitch, then Morris blasted the homer, his ninth of the year, to right that seemed to have 30 seconds of hang time.

 

"I was just trying to get the ball in play," he said. "Luckily it went a little farther than I expected. It was a little borderline (whether he thought it was going out). I thought it might be a sacrifice fly or a double off the wall. I knew it could be one of three things, and all of them were good."

 

http://media.al.com/huntsville-times/photo/2012/06/11239887-large.jpg