Link Report for Thurs. 6/28

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Thursday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Mark Rogers at Round Rock (Rangers), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

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

 

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

 

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Huntsville: RHP Kyle Heckathorn at home vs. Mobile (Diamondbacks), 6:28 PM pre-game, 6:43 gametime

 

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

 

Alex Cohen is the new play-by-play voice of the Stars; follow him on Twitter @alexmcohen. It's fantastic that Huntsville is returning to what will be a traditional broadcast format this year. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be broadcast.

 

MiLB.TV subsciption note: Huntsville road games in four locales (Mississippi, Tennessee, Jacksonville and Pensacola) will be broadcast.

 

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Brevard County: RHP Brandon Williamson at Tampa (Yankees), 6:00 PM gametime

 

Sorry, no audio for this series...

 

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

 

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Wisconsin: RHP Chad Pierce at home vs. Peoria (Cubs), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link - 1280 AM WNAM

 

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

 

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

 

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Helena: LHP Will West at Missoula (Diamondbacks), 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 home vs. the little Redlegs; 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league

 

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DSL Brewers: Idle

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

Maryvale

 

***

 

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]

As we've been reminding you this week, Wisconsin gets another prime-time TV gig (and not opposite the big league club this time) on Time Warner Cable Sports 32 this evening.

[Mass Haas]

Jim Henderson Named To PCL All-Star Team

Reliever To Represent Sounds, Pacific Coast League At Triple-A All-Star Game On July 11 In Buffalo

 

http://www.milb.com/images/2012/06/28/63SGDgrm.jpg

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Pitcher Jim Henderson has been named to the Pacific Coast League All-Star team and will represent the Sounds on the 30-man squad that takes on the International League stars in the 25th Annual Triple-A All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 11 at Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo, New York.

 

Henderson was selected as a reserve for the contest by the PCL office.

 

The 29-year-old right-hander has posted a 3-3 record, team-leading six saves, and a 1.93 ERA (8 ER / 37.1 IP) in 24 relief appearances for the Sounds while holding opponents to a .233 average.

 

He has struck out 42 batters in his 37 1/3 innings, ranking 4th among league relievers with a 10.13 strikeouts per nine innings ratio, while issuing only 16 walks.

 

Henderson has allowed a run in only four of his 24 outings this season and opened the year with a PCL-best 24 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings pitched over his first 15 appearances before finally surrendering a run on May 28th.

 

The All-Star nod is the second mid-season honor of Henderson's 10-year pro career. He was previously recognized as a Midwest League All-Star in 2009 during his first year in the Brewers organization.

 

A pair of former Sounds were named as additional participants for the PCL team in the 2012 Triple-A All-Star Game.

 

Shortstop Luis Cruz, who was Nashville's 2010 team MVP after hitting .281 with 10 HR and 68 RBIs in 129 contests, will be a member of the PCL roster as one of three Albuquerque Isotopes participants.

 

Former Sounds player and manager Marty Brown, currently the skipper with the Las Vegas 51s (Blue Jays), will serve as the PCL All-Star manager for the game. Brown played for the Sounds for parts of two seasons in 1988-89, representing the club in the inaugural Triple-A All-Star Classic in 1988, then returned to manage Nashville for two seasons from 2001-02.

 

There are no former Sounds on the International League All-Star roster, which was announced yesterday.

 

The 2012 Triple-A All-Star Game will be broadcast live on television on MLB Network and the Armed Forces Network as well as on the radio on 102.5 FM "The Game" at 6:00 p.m. CDT.

 

The complete Pacific Coast League and International League All-Star rosters are available at the links available when you click on the link at the top of this post.

[Mass Haas]

Pretty unique Arizona League standings in the Brewers' division right now

[Mass Haas]

John Sickels with a Clint Coulter mention note

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes

[Mass Haas]

Audio from Round Rock — “Hear It from (Jim) Henderson”

 

Jeff Hem's note -- Tonight’s interview is with Sounds reliever Jim Henderson, who Thursday was named as the Sounds’ representative for the upcoming Triple-A All-Star Game on July 11 in Buffalo, NY. Henderson’s statistics are solid across the board, and this will be his second all-star game as a pro (2009, Midwest League with Low-A Wisconsin). In the interview Henderson talks about his season so far, the honor of being an all-star, his favorite ballparks and mounds around the Pacific Coast League and pitching in 100-degree heat like he did last night in Round Rouck, Texas.

[Mass Haas]

Wisconsin Media Notes

 

The Chicken Van edition...

[Mass Haas]

Sounds Notebook

by Greg Sullivan, the Tennessean

 

Sounds relief pitcher Jim Henderson got the news on Thursday that he will be representing Nashville in the Triple-A All-Star Game with a message from a familiar source.

 

“My mother texted me right when she found out. She’s pretty on top of things when it comes to my career,” said Henderson.

 

The annual game, which pits the Sounds’ Pacific Coast League against the International League, will be held in Buffalo on July 11.

 

The 29-year-old right-hander from Canada leads the Sounds with six saves going into Thursday’s game at Round Rock and had posted a 3-3 record and 1.93 ERA in 24 appearances. That included a PCL-best 24-1/3 consecutive scoreless innings to start the season before surrendering his first run on May 28.

 

“It’s a big honor. It just shows that I got off to a good start,” said Henderson, who credits better control and a raised arm slot for this year’s improvement. “If I’m going to have a spectacular year, I’m going to have to keep it going, but this is a nice reward. I didn’t want to get off to a bad start like I did last year so that’s why it’s important to me.”

 

Second-place race: The Sounds return home for a four-game series against the Iowa Cubs beginning on Saturday. It’s their last home series before the break.

 

Nashville (32-48) trailed Iowa by one game for second place in the American Northern Division standings going into Thursday night’s games.

 

“The Iowa series is a really important series but not just because of second place. We need to play more consistent, better baseball. We need to play up to our level,” Sounds Manager Mike Guerrero said.

 

The Omaha Storm Chasers held a league-best, 17-game division lead heading into Thursday night.

 

Get well soon: At the beginning of the Sounds’ current road trip, which ends tonight at Round Rock, several with team were exhibiting cold or flu symptoms or had recently gotten over an illness, Guerrero said. However, he said the bug seems to be subsiding.

 

“Some of the guys are still showing the symptoms of it, but I think we’re getting over it,” Guerrero said. “We’ve got to be careful, but that happens everywhere. You have probably 55 people in the clubhouse so if anybody gets sick it’s going to be contagious. You’re traveling on a plane and you don’t know if anybody (outside the team) has a (bug) and you might get it and it can spread real quick. We’ve just got to stay healthy and play better.”

 

Thornburg delayed: Right-handed pitching prospect Tyler Thornburg had been scheduled to make his Sounds debut tonight, but he has been placed on the seven-day disabled list with a wrist issue.

 

Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash told mlb.com on Wednesday that Thornburg will likely make a start for the Sounds on Sunday or Monday. Thornburg, 23, was 8-1 with a 3.00 ERA at Double-A Huntsville before making a surprise spot start for the Brewers on June 19.

 

“He’s going to miss this start and we’ll have to re-evaluate him,” Guerrero said. “We’re not in a hurry. He’s a big talent but he’ll pitch when he feels 100 percent.”

[TheCrew07]

Final: Round Rock 4, Nashville 2

 

Express Even Series With 4-2 Win Over Sounds

Gonzalez Homers For Nashville's Lone Runs In Defeat

 

ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express evened their series with the Nashville Sounds by posting a 4-2 victory on Thursday evening at The Dell Diamond.

 

Third baseman Andy Gonzalez belted a two-run homer to account for Nashville's lone runs on the night, while shortstop Jeff Bianchi went a team-best 2-for-4, his fifth multiple-hit effort in his last eight contests.

 

The loss dropped Nashville (32-49) to just 2-17 in games decided by two runs this season.

 

Catcher Dusty Brown gave the home team a 2-0 lead in the second inning when he slugged his fourth home run of the year, a two-run shot to left off Sounds starter Mark Rogers.

 

Nashville third baseman Andy Gonzalez knotted the contest at 2-2 in the top of the fourth with a longball of his own, a two-out, two-run jack against Derek Hankins (audio). The blast, which also scored Caleb Gindl (single), was the infielder's eighth of the year, all of which have come during the month of June.

 

Round Rock pulled back in front, 3-2, in the bottom of the inning when Joey Butler ripped a double and later scored on a two-out RBI single to right off the bat of Yangervis Solarte (2-for-3).

 

The Express tacked on their final tally in the fifth against Rogers when Luis Hernandez drew a one-out walk and raced around to score when Ryan Spilborghs followed with a double to left.

 

After plating their lone runs in the fourth, the Sounds put runners on base in four of the final five innings but failed to score. Their best chance came in the fifth, when Nashville put runners on the corners with one out before Hankins coaxed an inning-ending double play from Corey Patterson to escape the jam.

 

Hankins (3-4) picked up the win for Round Rock after holding the Sounds to two runs on eight hits over five innings. Four Round Rock relievers each tossed a scoreless frame, capped off by veteran Aaron Heilman, who closed out the contest to earn his sixth save of the year.

 

Rogers (3-5) took the loss for the Sounds after surrendering four runs on six hits and fanning five batters in his six frames of action.

 

The teams conclude the three-game set with a 7:05 p.m. CT finale on Friday night. Right-hander Brian Baker (1-3, 6.00) will make the start for the Sounds. Round Rock will counter with former Nashville hurler Zach Jackson (3-8, 5.09).

 

Nashville Box Score

Mark Rogers wasn't as sharp as his last outing, it sounds like his curve and change have made good progress since I last listened to a start (2 years ago now I think), he just wasn't locating and didn't pitch a single clean frame in the game. Mark's final line 6IP, 6H, 3BB, 4ER, 1HR, 1HPB, and 5SO while throwing 56 of 97 pitches for strikes posting an 8:1 ratio.

 

Nashville has a good shot to take the series tomorrow with Zach Jackson on the mound. My updates will come late as I totally forgot my cousin is getting married tomorrow but they will get done, even if it's early Saturday morning.

 

Nashville Play By Play

Down 1 at the time the Sounds should have tied it here, 3 hits but nothing to show for it.

Nashville Top of the 5th

• Edwin Maysonet singles on a ground ball to center fielder Julio Borbon.
  With Logan Schafer batting, Derek Hankins picks off Edwin Maysonet at 1st on throw to Michael Bianucci.
  Logan Schafer singles on a ground ball to center fielder Julio Borbon.
  Jeff Bianchi singles on a soft fly ball to right fielder Joey Butler. Logan Schafer to 3rd.
  Corey Patterson grounds into double play, second baseman Yangervis Solarte to shortstop Luis Hernandez to first baseman Michael Bianucci. Jeff Bianchi out at 2nd.

 

Rogers had Hernandez down 1-2 and lost him, then gave up the double.

Round Rock Bottom of the 5th

• Julio Borbon bunt grounds out, pitcher Mark Rogers to first baseman Sean Halton.
  Luis Hernandez walks.
  Ryan Spilborghs doubles (12) on a fly ball to left fielder Corey Patterson. Luis Hernandez scores.
  Brad Nelson grounds out, pitcher Mark Rogers to first baseman Sean Halton. Ryan Spilborghs to 3rd.
  Matt Kata strikes out swinging.
  

[Tedaldtada]

'Tees topped by Tampa to open road trip

06/28/2012 10:13 PM ET

By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees

 

TAMPA, Fla. - One day after taking winning two games in a historic "tripleheader", the Brevard County Manatees opened their six-game road trip with a 7-1 loss at the hands of the Tampa Yankees on Thursday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

 

The 'Tees (5-2 second half, 34-41 overall) fell behind 5-0 after two innings and never recovered. Starting pitcher Brandon Williamson (1-5, 6.80) gave up all seven Tampa (4-3 second half, 34-40 overall) runs as he went four-plus innings. All of the runs were earned as he allowed seven hits, while walking three and striking out one.

 

Williamson allowed a two-out, three-run homer to Kyle Roller in the first and then ran into more trouble when Eduardo Sosa led the second inning off with a triple. Sosa scored two batters later on a sacrifice fly to give Tampa a 4-0 lead.

 

Ramon Flores then hit a ground-rule double to center and would score one batter later on a JR Murphy RBI single as the Yankees had a 5-0 advantage. Williamson retired the Yanks in order the third and the fourth, but ran into trouble again in the fifth.

 

He allowed a lead-off walk to Murphy and then a two-run homer Slade Heathcott, which made it a 7-0 game. After walking Rob Segedin, Williamson's night was done.

 

Brevard's bullpen did a stellar job shutting down Tampa the rest of the way as Eric Arnett and Eric Marzec pitched two scoreless innings each and allowed just three hits combined.

 

Offensively, the Manatees couldn't solve Tampa starter Caleb Cotham as he threw six shutout innings and struck out eight Brevard hitters. The 'Tees scored their only run in the seventh inning on a solo homer by Cody Hawn, his seventh of the season.

 

Shea Vucinich was the only Manatee who had a multi-hit effort as he was 2-for-3 with Brevard's only other extra-base hit which was a two-out double in the fifth. Brevard struck out a total of 12 times on the night against Tampa pitching.

 

The Manatees will look to rebound in the second game of their three-game set with the Yankees on Friday night at 7:00 p.m.

 

Andy Moye (3-0, 4.61) will take the hill for the 'Tees and will be looking to improve to 4-0 with Brevard. He is 2-0 with a 3.14 ERA in three June starts. The Yanks will counter with lefty Matt Tracy (2-1, 1.30).

 

Box score

 

The team fell flat today against the Yankees. Tomorrow is a new day.

 

Brandon Williamson got the start for the 'Tees and did not produce the greatest results. The killers for Brandon were 2 homeruns, including one to very well thought of Yankee OF Slade Heathcott. Heathcott has been battling elbow issues for awhile, but he is making his presence known early on in his return. Eric Arnett went multiple innings again. That makes it 7 for his last 10. His innings have gone up every month in 2012 and he is really pitching pretty dang well. Keep it up, Eric! Another Eric, this time Eric Marzec, finished with 2 strong innings of his own. Remember, even though they had a triple header yesterday, the bullpen is actually doing pretty good thanks to a Jed Bradley complete game.

 

Cody Hawn is starting to radiate a bit. .273/.351/.485 5 XBH 4:2 BB:K in his last 10. Of course, Jason Rogers' promotion had nothing to do with that. Sarcasm aside, he is starting to move up the hitting leader boards now in the power categories, namely 2B's ad HR's. Remember, this is the FSL, where a guy with a sub-400 SLG can be among the league leaders in 2B's and HR's. Speaking of Rogers, another SB (3) for him on a 1-4 night. No XBH's in BC for Rogers yet, but he is sporting an ungodly 7:1 BB:K ratio through 7 games. Just a fantastic 2012 for Jason. A lot of 1-4's in the box tonight but Shea Vucinich did have 2 hits, including a 2B, in this one.

 

Reggie Keen nabbed his 1/4 century bag tonight.

 

Game Log

 

Williamson pretty much lost it here. Arnett proceeded to shut it down.

 

Tampa Bottom of the 5th

 

JR Murphy walks.

Slade Heathcott homers (1) on a fly ball to right field. JR Murphy scores.

Rob Segedin walks.

Pitcher Change: Eric Arnett replaces Brandon Williamson.

Kyle Roller flies out to left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard.

Zach Wilson singles on a line drive to left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard. Rob Segedin to 2nd.

Eduardo Sosa flies out to left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard.

Hector Rabago flies out to center fielder Reggie Keen.

[Tedaldtada]

Definitely some crazy R-Ball games going on tonight.

 

Helena just tied it on an Emmanuel Quiles 3-run shot.

 

Edit: On to extras. Reed, Garza, Nemeth

[TooLiveBrew]

Mobile 13, @Huntsville 8

 

Huntsville Box

The Bay Bears beat up on Stars starter Kyle Heckathorn, and then reliever Dan Merklinger en route to the victory. Mobile was up 13-5 heading into the 9th, so while it isn't to be dismissed that the Stars added three runs to their tally, this game really wasn't any kind of close.

 

Hunter Morris just keeps on hitting -- 3-4 tonight, including a HR & two RBI. His torrid start to the second half of the season currently sits at a slash line of .406/.441/.781/1.222. SS Hainley Statia went 3-5 with a double, as did RF Kentrail Davis (who also drove in one RBI). CF Josh Prince was 2-5 with a SB (stole 3B as part of a double-steal); LF Juan Sanchez went 2-5 with a double & one RBI. C Adam Weisenburger singled once. 2B Scooter Gennett was the only hitless Stars player on the game, finishing 0-5.

 

R.J. Seidel worked two scoreless innings of relief of Merklinger.

 

 

Huntsville PbP

I really don't feel like linking any game action, but how about this for an added degree (pun intended) of difficulty for everyone involved in this game tonight:

 

Weather: 101 degrees, clear.

 

 

Huntsville Gameday

[Tedaldtada]

Well that was amazingly only the 2nd stupidest ending to a Helena game this season.

 

Story in a few.

[Tedaldtada]

Missoula (D'Backs) 7 Helena 6 F/11

 

Box Score

 

The walkoff tonight was just crazy. After a bloop infield pop fly just over 6'6" Mike White's head and just short enough that Alfredo Rodriguez's scoop and throw was late put a man on, the next guy got grazed in the knee by a breaking ball putting runners on 1st and 2nd. Next, a bunt attempt succeeds despite White's pitch knocking him down in the box where he remained while the ball went to 1st for the first out. Then, with runners on 2nd and 3rd, the intentional walk sign comes in. White air-mails the first pitch of his attempted intentional walk, bringing home the winning run and ending the game right there.

 

Your 2012 Helena Brewers.

 

Will West gave up 5 runs in 4 IP. Mike White, well, I already told you about his unfortunate inning, which came after three scoreless. Manuel Ruiz threw 2 scoreless innings, but did allow two inherited West runners to score.

 

The hitters were hitting but not power hitting. Only Michael Reed's (2-4 2B BB SB) double and Emmanuel Quiles' (2-5 HR) homer took a runner past 1st base off the bat. Mike Nemeth (1-3 2 BB) got played as he was robbed of extra bases by a baby D'Back. One of Raul Mondesi Jr's (2-4 CS PO) outs came on a smoked line drive to the 2nd baseman. Michael Garza (1-3 2 BB CS) can hit but his fielding is sub par thus far (5th E tonight). Rodriguez made his 4th and West shot himself in the foot for the 1st time this season.

 

Game Log

 

Inning destroyer.

 

Helena Top of the 1st

 

Raul Mondesi singles on a line drive to left fielder Tyler Linton.

Christopher McFarland grounds out, third baseman Jake Lamb to first baseman Tyler Bream. Raul Mondesi to 2nd.

Michael Reed strikes out swinging and Raul Mondesi caught stealing 3rd, catcher Michael Perez to third baseman Jake Lamb.

 

Invisible in the box score. Pierce escaped at least this hard hit.

 

Missoula Bottom of the 7th

 

Pitcher Change: Joel Pierce replaces Manuel Ruiz.

Michael Perez singles on a line drive to right fielder Raul Mondesi.

With Daniel Pulfer batting, wild pitch by Joel Pierce, Michael Perez to 2nd.

Daniel Pulfer walks.

Tyler Linton lines into unassisted double play, second baseman Christopher McFarland. Michael Perez doubled off 2nd.

With Tyler Bream batting, wild pitch by Joel Pierce, Daniel Pulfer to 2nd.

Tyler Bream grounds out, third baseman Mike Garza to first baseman Michael Nemeth.

 

Williams thought it was a ball. He pulled back his bat on a 2-strike bunt attempt.

 

Helena Top of the 11th

 

Alfredo Rodriguez reaches on fielding error by shortstop Pedro Ruiz.

Adrian Williams strikes out swinging.

With Raul Mondesi batting, wild pitch by Chase Stevens, Alfredo Rodriguez to 2nd.

Raul Mondesi strikes out swinging.

Christopher McFarland strikes out swinging.

 

I told ya. But you would not have known unless you came here. Or Twitter.

 

Missoula Bottom of the 11th

 

Socrates Brito singles on a ground ball to shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez.

Jake Lamb hit by pitch. Socrates Brito to 2nd.

Breland Almadova out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Emmanuel Quiles to second baseman Christopher McFarland. Socrates Brito to 3rd. Jake Lamb to 2nd.

With Michael Perez batting, wild pitch by Michael White, Socrates Brito scores. Jake Lamb to 3rd.

[bkrause2]

Final: Peoria 3, Wisconsin 7

 

McMahan has three hits, Pierce wins first start

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers06/28/2012 11:57 PM ET

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - Ben McMahan had three hits and three RBI to lead the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers to a 7-3 win over the Peoria Chiefs Thursday night at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Wisconsin scored four runs in the first inning and pulled away late for their third straight victory.

 

The Timber Rattlers (47-29 overall, 3-4 second half) jumped on Peoria with four runs in the first inning. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases with no outs in the first. Peoria starting pitcher Gerardo Concepcion got the first out, but Nick Ramirez singled to left to score a run. On the play a throw to the infield was wild and allowed Brandon Macias to score for a 2-0 lead. McMahan was the next batter and he singled to drive in two more runs for a 4-0 advantage.

 

Rattlers starting pitcher Chad Pierce allowed a two-out RBI double to Oliver Zapata in the second inning. But, McMahan got that run back in the third inning with a two-out RBI double for a 5-1 lead.

 

Peoria (38-38, 3-4) rallied against Pierce in the fifth inning. The Rattlers right-hander got the first two outs of the inning, but a walk to Zeke DeVoss kept the inning alive for the Chiefs. Taiwan Easterling and Dustin Geiger connected with consecutive RBI doubles and Peoria pulled within two runs.

 

Pierce, a native of Fond du Lac, worked five innings in his first start of the season. He walked two, struck out three, scattered five hits, and turned the lead over to the bullpen.

 

Peoria left the bases loaded in the sixth inning and stranded two more runners in the seventh against reliever Mike Strong. Then, the Rattlers offense added to their lead.

 

Lance Roenicke, who went 2-for-4 on the night, singled in the first run. A pair of walks brought Greg Hopkins to the plate and the All-Star second baseman singled to left-center to drive in one more insurance run for a 7-3 lead.

 

Strong ran into a little trouble in the eighth inning as the Chief had runners at first and second with one out. Strong got a strikeout for the second out and was replaced by Kevin Shackelford.

 

Shackelford walked Easterling to load the bases and bring the potential tying run to the plate in the form of Geiger. Shackelford got the final out of the inning with a strikeout. A scoreless ninth inning allowed Shackelford to nail down his second save of the season.

 

Game two of the series is Friday night at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. David Goforth (5-4, 5.42) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. Michael Jensen (7-3, 3.24) is set to start for the Chiefs. Game time is 7:05pm.

 

The Amazing Spider-Man will be on hand to meet all the webheads and toss out a first pitch for the game. It is also a North Shore Bank Family night and children 12 and under eat free. Settle in after the game to watch a spectacular fireworks display. After the fireworks, children 14 and under may participate in Kids Run the Bases presented by Jernegan's Health Mart.

 

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

 

WP: Chad Pierce (2-2)

LP: Gerardo Concepcion (2-6)

SAVE: Kevin Shackelford (2)

 

TIME: 3:01

ATTN: 3,179

 

Wisconsin Box Score

Lance Roenicke and Ben McMahan led the way with two hits each. McMahan knocked in three runs. Chadwin Stang, Mitch Haniger and McMahan all doubled for the TRats. Haniger was 1 for 2 and drew a pair of walks.

 

Chad Pierce started for the Rattlers. He went 5 innings and gave up three runs. Michael Strong and Kevin Shackelford pitched the final four innings to preserve the victory.

 

Wisconsin Play By Play

Rattlers 4 run first inning

Wisconsin Bottom of the 1st

Lance Roenicke singles on a ground ball to right fielder Oliver Zapata.

Brandon Macias singles on a bunt ground ball to first baseman Paul Hoilman. Lance Roenicke to 2nd.

Mitch Haniger walks. Lance Roenicke to 3rd. Brandon Macias to 2nd.

Gregory Hopkins pops out to shortstop Wes Darvill on the infield fly rule.

Nick Ramirez singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Pin-Chieh Chen. Lance Roenicke scores. Brandon Macias scores. Mitch Haniger to 3rd. Nick Ramirez to 2nd. Throwing error by left fielder Pin-Chieh Chen.

Ben McMahan singles on a line drive to left fielder Pin-Chieh Chen. Mitch Haniger scores. Nick Ramirez scores.

Cameron Garfield grounds into a force out, first baseman Paul Hoilman to shortstop Wes Darvill. Ben McMahan out at 2nd. Cameron Garfield to 1st.

Tyler Roberts pops out to shortstop Wes Darvill.

[bkrause2]

Rattler Radio Highlights

 

"I owed Peoria announcer Nathan Baliva a beer" I can totally see where Chris is coming from with no Nine after 9 tonight. Post game softball made link reporting tough enough for me. Speaking of which, is anyone able to pinch hit for me with the Rattlers on Saturday. I will be down in Milwaukee for the Brewers game and will be in no shape to be link reporting (and may not have access to a computer). Planning on going to the TRats game tomorrow though so should have some pics and a first hand account.

[Mass Haas]

STARS FALL IN BARNBURNER WITH BAYBEARS

 

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – In a game that featured 21 combined runs and 33 combined hits, the Huntsville Stars fell to the Mobile BayBears by a score of 13-8 on Thursday night at Joe Davis Stadium.

 

The scoring began in the top of the third inning as the BayBears got a two-run double by shortstop Chris Owings and pair of RBI singles from center fielder Evan Frey and right fielder Mark Krauss to take a 4-0 lead. The initial burst was the third straight game Mobile was able to score first against the Stars.

 

However, the Stars were able to cut that lead in half in the fourth inning. After a lead-off home run by first baseman Hunter Morris put the Stars on the board, a RBI single by catcher Adam Weisenburger plated right fielder Kentrail Davis to make the score 4-2.

 

Unfortunately for the Stars and their starting pitcher Kyle Heckathorn, the BayBears offense was not ready to let up. With a pair of RBI singles from Owings and second baseman David Nick and then a two-run single by left fielder Wladimir Sutill, Mobile increased their lead to 8-2.

 

In the bottom half of the fifth, the Stars did not go down quietly. To begin the inning, the Stars hit back-to-back singles by center fielder Josh Prince and shortstop Hainley Statia. Then, after a walk by Morris loaded the bases, a two-run single by third baseman Domnit Bolivar plated Prince and Statia to cut the BayBears lead in half. Morris would then score later in the inning on a wild pitch by Mobile starter David Holmberg to make the score 8-5.

 

Three runs was the closest the Stars would get to the BayBears. Mobile scored two runs in the sixth inning and then three more runs in the eighth inning off of Stars LHP Dan Merklinger to go up 13-5.

 

In the ninth inning, the Stars tacked on their final three runs off of BayBears RHP Yonata Ortega. To highlight the inning, Huntsville got a pair of RBI singles from Morris and Davis and a RBI double by left fielder Juan Sanchez.

 

For Mobile, the 13 runs and 18 hits were both season highs. Shortstop Chris Owings lead the way with a 5-for-6 night at the plate that including a home run, a double and four runs batted in.

 

On the pitching side, Heckathorn fell to 2-8 on the season with the loss after giving up eight runs on ten hits in five innings. The 24-year-old has not won a start since May 9th against the Jackson Generals. Over the past two games, the Stars hurlers have given up a combined 21 runs and 33 hits.

 

From an offensive standpoint, Huntsville cranked out 15 hits, including three apiece from Morris, Davis and Statia. For Morris, the multi-hit game was his third straight.

 

Game four of a five-game series will begin on Friday as the Stars will send RHP Hiram Burgos (2-1, 2.42 ERA) to the mound to square off against BayBears RHP Derek Eitel (6-5, 4.37 ERA). First pitch is at 6:43 PM.

[Mass Haas]

Need to shortcut today, but enjoy the links:

 

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers outfielder Lance Roenicke knows game, not name, will get him noticed

That includes video...

 

More Roenicke video from WBAY

 

Native son Semmelhack ready to come home

Brewers' 12th-round pick aims to work his way back to favorite team

[Mass Haas]

Maryvale lost a tough one in ten innings, 8-7

 

Link report "staff" -- please help us out this AM with analysis, thanks...

[Mass Haas]

Friday's Link Report kickoff will be a late afternoon effort today...

[sfl2hnq17]

AZL Reds 8, AZL Brewers 7

 

Arizona Box Score

This game was a little frustrating because it seemed like the pitching was serviceable, however the defense let them down. Joel Dicent had a decent start, going 5 innings giving up 4 hits, 3 walks and 3 runs (2 earned). Anthony Banda had a line you really only see in the AZL or the DSL (2.1 IP, 2 hits, 4R, 0ER, 2 walks, 1 strikeout). Undrafted FA Taylor Mangum came into the game in the top of the 8th was runners on 1st and 2nd and allow both inherited runners to score. 1B Alan Sharkey had 2 errors (giving him five for the season) and SS Renaldo Jenkins had his 3rd of the year.

 

The offense wasn't too bad as every player got on base at least once. Tyrone Taylor had his first professional extra base hit (though he still hasn't taken a walk). Dustin Houle Jose Pena andMalcolm Dowell all had 2 hits.

 

A-Crew PbP

The key inning for the young Reds. A-Crew had a three run lead going into the top of the 8th

AZL Reds Top of the 8th

Jonathan Reynoso singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jose Pena.

With Wilfrel Estevez batting, Jonathan Reynoso steals (3) 2nd base.

Wilfrel Estevez called out on strikes.

Argenis Aldazoro reaches on fielding error by first baseman Alan Sharkey. Jonathan Reynoso scores.

Avain Rachal walks. Argenis Aldazoro to 2nd.

Pitcher Change: Taylor Mangum replaces Anthony Banda.

Julio Morillo flies out to center fielder Dionis Hinojosa.

Ty Washington singles on a ground ball to center fielder Dionis Hinojosa. Argenis Aldazoro scores. Avain Rachal to 2nd.

Ronald Bueno singles on a ground ball to left fielder Malcolm Dowell. Avain Rachal scores. Ty Washington to 2nd.

Tanner Rahier strikes out swinging.