Link Report for Sat. 7/21

[Tedaldtada]

Cardinals Drop Another Game to Manatees, 4-3

07/21/2012 10:11 PM ET

By Juan Dorado/ Palm Beach Cardinals

 

The Palm Beach Cardinals (14-16) could not hold off the Brevard County Manatees (17-12), as they took game three of the fur-game set, 4-3 on Saturday night at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, FL.

 

With the No.12 pick in last yea's First Year Player Draft, Taylor Jungmann on the mound, the Cardinals knew they would be in for a fierce battle.

 

The Cardinals got off to a bad start, as the Manatees jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. Three of the first four hitters in the game connected for hits against starter Scott Schneider (1-2). Jason Rogers would double in Nick Shaw, who singled earlier in the first, while Mike Walker brought on Rogers with an RBI single.

 

The Cardinals would answer with three runs in the fourth. Five consecutive hits would help them take a 3-2 lead. James Ramsey would start the hit parade with a lead off single. He was followed by an RBI triple by Alan Ahmady, while Chris Edmondson would drive in Ahmady to tie it up. Geoff Klein and Rainel Rosario would add back-to-back singles to end the hitting attack. Rosario's single would bring home Edmondson.

 

In the bottom of the fifth, the Cardinals would lose their lead, as the Manatees would score two runs and take a 4-3 lead. The Manatees would use four consecutive hits of their own to score two runs. John Dishon, Reggie Keen, Jason Rogers and Mike Walker would all single, while Dishon and Keen scored the two runs.

 

Schneider would exit the game after the frame, tossing five innings of four run baseball. He would drop his second straight game, as the offense could not come from behind.

 

Manatees' relievers Eric Marzec would collect his third hold of the season, tossing two shutout innings. Casey Medlen would collect his 14th save of the season, tossing two shutout, flawless innings, while striking out three hitters.

 

For the Cardinals, the loss would drop them to third place in the division as the Hammerheads would leap-frog them in the standings.

 

The Cardinals will finish the series tomorrow night before returning to Jupiter to face the Hammerheads on Monday night. The Cardinals will send Ryan Sherriff (5-1) to face the Manatees, as they try and split the series.

[TheCrew07]

Miller records first win since May 15

Cards top prospect allows four hits over six shutout innings

By David Heck / Special to MLB.com

 

http://www.milb.com/images/2012/07/21/ER3wnKfN.jpg

Shelby Miller has not allowed a run in his last 11 innings. (Allison Rhoades/Memphis Redbirds)

 

After analyzing his delivery on video, Shelby Miller made a change to his mechanics. So far, so good.

 

The Cardinals' top prospect allowed four hits over six scoreless innings Friday, registering his first win since May 15, as the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds clipped the Oklahoma City RedHawks, 8-1.

 

Miller (5-8) struck out three and did not issue a walk for the third time this season. He has not given up a run in his last two starts, spanning 11 innings.

 

"I feel like my fasball command has been better," Miller said. "We've been really working -- my pitching coach Blaise Ilsley and I -- on my mechanics. I finally got them down to where I'm a little more comfortable. I want to say a lot more comfortable, but I don't want to exaggerate.

 

"Everything's been working better for me: My fastball command is better, my curveball command is better, my changeup is better. Now that I'm using all my pitches, I hope it stays this way and I can continue to get wins."

 

Against the RedHawks, Miller did not allow a hit until Brandon Barnes led off the fourth with a single. The 21-year-old right-hander scattered three more singles over his final two frames but never allowed a runner past second base.

 

Drafted 19th overall in 2009, Miller had little trouble climbing the Minor League ladder until this year. After posting a 2.77 ERA across two levels in 2011, he compiled a 6.17 ERA through his first 17 Pacific Coast League starts.

 

Miller and the Memphis coaching staff knew he couldn't continue with what he'd been doing. With his last two starts, MLB.com's No. 2 overall prospect has lowered his ERA to 5.40.

 

"It kind of got to a point where I needed to change something," Miller said. "Our pitching coach came in and brought video. We all kind of looked over it. We got a feel for what I needed to do, and I threw a bullpen and everything felt better.

 

"Really, I was throwing across my body. It was taking away from my velocity, my fastball command and really everything in general. I straightened out my foot more towards home plate and it makes me throw not so much across my body. Just keep a good tempo and get in a good rhythm and keep going."

 

Miller has had issues with the longball this season, surrendering 17 over 88 1/3 innings pitched -- already 10 more than he's allowed in any other season. He has not given up any homers in his last three outings, however.

 

The Texas native knows that if he's going to carry over the success of his last two starts, he'll have to remain stingy with both homers and walks.

 

"I know what I've got to do. I know that this league is definitely not easy to pitch in," Miller said. "There are going to be times when things don't go your way, but the only thing I can do is keep the walks and the home runs down, and I think everything is potentially going to fall into place."

 

Cards No. 6 prospect Zack Cox ripped a two-run homer and Ryan Jackson, Steven Hill and pinch-hitter Mark Hamilton also went deep in support of Miller.

[Tedaldtada]

Idaho Falls (Royals) 6 Helena 3

 

Box Score

 

So, Tyrone Taylor left the game in the 4th inning effectively putting me on suicide watch. I was not listening but judging by Twitter, nothing has been indicated one way or another. Taylor was 1-2 before being removed.

 

Michael Reed went 1-2 with 2 BB and 2 SB. Alfredo Rodriguez (2-4) is working back towards .300.

 

Preston Gainey was by far the most effective Brewers pitcher tonight with the only blemish being a solo shot. 3 IP 2 H 1 R 1 ER 0 BB 5 K 1 HR for the formal Naval Academy student. Manny Ruiz was again used in low leverage short relief, so there's that.

 

FIELDING

E: McFarland (8, throw), Giacalone (5, throw).

 

Game Log

 

The Taylor sequence.

 

Helena Bottom of the 3rd

Tyrone Taylor grounds out, shortstop Adalberto Mondesi to first baseman Jared Schlehuber.

Michael Reed walks.

With Christopher McFarland batting, Michael Reed advances to 2nd on a balk.

Christopher McFarland strikes out swinging. Michael Reed steals (5) 3rd base.

Adam Giacalone strikes out swinging, catcher Travis Lane to first baseman Jared Schlehuber.

 

Idaho Falls Top of the 4th

 

Defensive Substitution: Ruben Ozuna replaces center fielder Tyrone Taylor, batting 1st, playing left field.

Defensive switch from right field to center field for Michael Reed.

Defensive switch from left field to right field for Yonki Hernandez.

Carlos Garcia doubles (2) on a fly ball to left fielder Ruben Ozuna.

Travis Lane grounds out, third baseman Andres Martinez to first baseman Adam Giacalone.

Ethan Chapman called out on strikes.

Adalberto Mondesi strikes out swinging.

 

Also, does this indirectly indicate the Ruben Ozuna is a LF only?

[Mass Haas]

Brewers battle but fall 6-3

Helena Brewers

 

The Brewers battled on Saturday night, but would eventually fall to the Idaho Falls Chukars 6-3. The contest drops the Brewers record to 11-21 on the season, while the Chukars hopes for a .500 first half continue to stay alive as they sit at 14-18.

 

Idaho Falls struck quickly scoring one run in the first, but the Brewers offense answered in the bottom half of the inning. After an RBI single by Chris McFarland tied it, Emmanuel Quiles knocked in Michael Reed to give the Brewers the 2-1 advantage entering the second inning of play.

 

The Chukars plated another run in each of the following two innings, but the Brewers would for the second time battle back in the bottom of the fourth. Once again, Quiles was in on the action doubling to left field to lead off the inning. Alfredo Rodriguez was then able to knock him home with a single to right. Rodriguez would finish the evening as the only Brewer with multiple hits going 2-for-4.

 

The Chukars would strike for two runs in the sixth as well as another in the seventh. From there Idaho Falls held on for the 6-3 victory. Chukars starter Clayton Schulz notched his second win of the season, while Helena's Will West saw his record dip to (0-3).

 

The Brewers and Chukars return to action Sunday night at Kindrick Legion Field as the Brewers look to split the series. First pitch is slated for 1:05 (2:05 Central).

[Mass Haas]

Chukars fan 14 Brewers as visitors win 6-3

By Curt Synness, Helena Independent Record

 

The K’s the thing.

 

It was for the Idaho Falls Chukars, anyway, when they downed the Helena Brewers Saturday at Kindrick Legion Field, 6-3.

 

K as in strikeout, as three Idaho Falls pitchers combined to record 14 whiffs on the night.

 

Starter Clayton Shultz went 5.0 innings and struck out seven Brewers. Reliever David Middendorf fanned four, followed by closer Fernando Cruz, who set down three batsmen on strikes.

 

Middendorf and Cruz worked 2.0 innings apiece. The Chukars shut out the home team in the contest’s final five innings.

 

“You just can’t strike out that many times and give yourself a chance to win,” Helena manager Jeff Isom said. “We had that early lead, but you gotta put the ball in play. Over half of our outs were strikeouts, so we need to cut back on those in order to give ourselves a better chance.”

 

The Brewers took a 2-1 advantage in the second stanza, on three straight singles by Tyrone Taylor, Michael Reed and Christopher McFarland; and an RBI-groundout by Emmanuel Quiles.

 

After the Chukars tied the game at 2-all, catcher Quiles fielded a bunt and got a force out on the lead runner at third base. Next, the Brewers turned a 5-4-3 (Andres Martinez to McFarland to Adam Giacalone) double play to kill the visitor’s rally.

 

Idaho Falls pulled ahead 3-2 in the third, but the hosts got even in the next frame, when Quiles led off with a double, and subsequently raced home on Alfredo Rodriguez’s single.

 

The Chukars broke the tie and scored the deciding run of the game in the sixth inning. After Carlos Garcia stroked a double, Travis Lane reached on a base on balls.

 

Ethan Chapman brought home Garcia with a double, and then Lane came in on Aldeberto Mondesi’s ground out to second base.

 

Helena’s top batter for the evening was Rodriguez, who went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

 

Starter Will West was hung with the defeat. He went 5.1 innings, giving up eight hits and five runs.

 

The two clubs end their four-game series today at Kindrick Legion Field, beginning at 1:05 PM (2:05 Central).

[Mass Haas]

FYI -- Steve Wendt indicated he did not see Tyrone Taylor limping after his groundout.

[Mass Haas]

Zephyrs earn split with Nashville Sounds

By Lyons Yellin, The Times-Picayune

 

The Zephyrs didn’t know which Wily Peralta they would see Saturday in the first game of their doubleheader with Nashville. One version of Peralta, the Milwaukee Brewers No.1 pitching prospect, was 4-0 with a 1.88 ERA in his past six starts, and the other version was a pitcher who at one point was winless in nine consecutive decisions.

 

It proved to be the latter.

 

New Orleans hit Peralta early and often, pounding out eight hits en route to a 4-2 seven inning victory in front of 4,978 fans at Zephyr Field. Friday’s series opener was rained out.

 

New Orleans is 41-16 when scoring first and Saturday it continued to have success in the early innings. The Zephyrs have scored first in 26 of their past 31 games, including 15 times in the first inning.

 

After Peralta (5-9) retired the first two Zephyrs hitters, eight of the next nine batters reached base—the lone exception, starting pitcher Tom Koehler.

 

“Our guys really battled and got some big hits,” Zephyrs Manager Ron Hassey said. “That kid (Peralta) really has some great stuff. We got to him early but he really settled down after that.”

 

With two outs in the first, Bryan Petersen ripped a double to right-center, scoring Chris Coghlan from third for the lone run of the inning. On the play, Mike Cervenak attempted to score from first, only to be thrown out at the plate.

 

The Sounds tied the score at 1 in the second when Sean Halton crushed a solo homer to left-center.

 

“That’s what’s going to happen when you throw a fastball down the middle,” Hassey said about the pitch Halton took deep. “Koehler got behind on two breaking balls and (Halton) crushed it.”

 

Koehler (10-8) was in control most of the night, allowing two runs on three hits with five strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings..

 

In their half of the second, the Zephyrs seized the momentum. Gaby Sanchez, who was 2-for-3, and Nick Green, each singled to begin the inning. With runners at the corners, Luke Montz blasted his team leading 20th home run over the wall in left. Montz, who was 1-for-3, also leads the team with 56 RBIs.

 

“We were very fortunate (Peralta) hung that pitch to Montz, or we might still be playing,” Hassey said, referring to the home run. “(Peralta) really settled down after that and was very impressive.”

 

Nashville’s ineffectiveness at the plate continued against reliever Chris Hatcher, who pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing only one hit.

 

SOUNDS 3, ZEPHYRS 1: Pinch-hitter Sean Halton singled home Taylor Green for the first of two seventh inning runs, putting Nashville on top for good in the second game of the doubleheader.

 

It was a bullpen game from the start for the Sounds, whose five pitchers combined to hold the Zephyrs to four hits. Jesus Sanchez (1-0) earned the win, allowing one-hit in his one inning of work.

 

Eric Farris gave Nashville the early advantage, crushing a solo home run to left.

 

The Zephyrs evened the score in the sixth on a Chase Lambin RBI single to right, scoring Coghlan from third.

 

Zephyrs starter J.D. Martin allowed one run on two hits in five innings, earning a no decision. Dan Jennings (1-3) was saddled with loss.

 

UP NEXT: The Zephyrs’ series with the Sounds continues today 6 p.m. New Orleans will start lefty Brad Hand (8-4, 3.80 ERA) against right-hander Brian Baker (2-3, 5.02).

[Mass Haas]

Generals open DH with odd game, get swept by Stars

By Craig Thomas, Jackson Sun

 

A Saturday doubleheader between the Huntsville Stars and the Jackson Generals at Pringles Park promised plenty of baseball for local fans.

 

The first game alone featured just about everything, including nine pitchers, several disputed calls and an ejection.

 

Minor league doubleheaders usually involve a pair of seven-inning games, but that wasn’t near enough for a wild Game One.

 

After 11 innings across three hours and 56 minutes, the Huntsville Stars stole a winnable game from the Jackson Generals, 5-4.

 

The Generals also dropped Game Two of the doubleheader 7-1 to Huntsville.

 

Down two runs, the Stars scored two runs in the seventh inning to force extra innings. The teams traded zeroes on the scoreboard until the 11th inning.

 

In that frame, Huntsville’s Kentrail Davis tripled and eventually scored on a wild pitch by Mauricio Robles, who took the tough loss.

 

The Generals appeared poised for a routine 4-2 win entering the seventh (and what could have been final) inning.

 

James Paxton, Jackson’s starting pitcher, threw well over six innings but he walked his first two batters in the seventh.

 

Yoervis Medina entered and, after a Huntsville sacrifice bunt, gave up a two-run single to right field which tied the game 4-4.

 

Some close calls to follow did not go Jackson’s way. In the bottom of the eighth, Jackson’s Nate Tenbrink was called for interference as he tried to get back to second base on a ground ball. Manager Jim Pankovits argued fruitlessly.

 

Later that inning, Rich Poythress hit a grounder to shortstop. It was fielded deep in the infield, so Stefen Romero tried to score from second base but was thrown out.

 

Pankovits howled that he was safe, arguing for an extended time with the home plate umpire. The crowd loved Pankovits’ spirited reaction, but the umpire did not and ejected him.

 

Denny Almonte had a two-run double for Jackson. Poythress and Joe Dunigan each hit one.

[igor67]

Walla seems to have made some adjustments since their All-star game his BB and strikeout rates have dropped quite a bit (though the BB rate is still above 1-10) his average is higher and there is quite a bit more power as well. Given the numbers it suggests he was too passive earlier in the season and is doing a little bit more swinging earlier at his pitch.

 

Khris Davis has been huge since coming back. If your a double A pitcher Morris and Davis is like facing Braun and Prince. I second the comment that it makes the OF situation for next year interesting. Of note Khris is right handed, and seemingly every other OF/ 1B bat option we have is left handed. Then again he will have seen a lot fewer AA/AAA ABs compared to everyone else, so I'd guess others will get a chance first.

[battlekow]

Kentrail Davis HBP rates:

 

• 2010 Brevard Co: 10 HBP/150 PA = .067
  
• 2010 Wisconsin: 9 HBP/290 PA = .031
  
• 2011 Brevard Co: 18 HBP/565 PA = .032
  
• 2012 Huntsville: 0 HBP/353 PA = .000

 

He's not been hit by a pitch this year. Incredible.

[TooLiveBrew]

FYI -- Steve Wendt indicated he did not see Tyrone Taylor limping after his groundout.

Well two Helena recaps, including one from the club itself, with no mention of any kind about a Taylor injury... guessing that's a good sign ... ?

[Mass Haas]

FYI -- Steve Wendt indicated he did not see Tyrone Taylor limping after his groundout.

Well two Helena recaps, including one from the club itself, with no mention of any kind about a Taylor injury... guessing that's a good sign ... ?

 

I'm not saying this is what happened, but in past years you find out of instances of a player coming back into the dugout, and venting frustration (almost always aimed at himself) in such a way that the manager pulls the player from the game. Just an example of how an abrupt exit may not be injury-related.

[HiAndTight]

I wonder if that is a league rule or a team rule that drew the fine.

 

 

 

I'd highly doubt it's a league rule. This is professional baseball. Probably just at the lower levels to keep them healthy.

 

It's obviously not throughout the organization as you see guys go head first in the big leagues. Well, at least Gomez, Morgan....Braun's usually a feet first guy.