Link Report for Thurs. 7/26

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Thursday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Wily Peralta at home vs. Memphis (Cardinals), 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.

 

**********

 

Huntsville: RHP Josh Stinson at Pensacola (Reds), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:00 gametime

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

**********

 

Brevard County: RHP Brandon Williamson at Fort Myers (Twins), 6:05 PM gametime

 

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

 

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

 

**********

 

Wisconsin: RHP Chad Pierce at Kane County (Royals), 6:10 PM pre-game, 6:30 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link - 1280 AM WNAM

 

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

 

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; Wisconsin is one of only two (Great Lakes) Midwest League clubs that have all their home games available via MiLB.TV; Chris' call provides the audio. So for the $39.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sounds games, all Timber Rattlers home games, and Stars' road games from four Southern League locales, plus one July Helena series (11th-13th).

 

**********

 

Helena: Idle

 

**********

 

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): Idle

 

**********

 

DSL Brewers: at the DSL Angels, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until late afternoon at the earliest

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

DSL Brewers

[Mass Haas]

STANDINGS:

 

AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division

 

AA - Southern League North Division

 

High-A - Florida State League North Division

 

A - Midwest League Western Division

 

Rookie Advanced - Pioneer League North Division

 

Rookie - Arizona Summer League

 

DSL - Dominican Summer League San Pedro de Macoris Division

 

***

 

NOTE: AAA Nashville does not play a split schedule. The other leagues, including the rookie leagues, do. When you click on a standings link for Huntsville, Brevard County or Wisconsin, you'll then be able to choose 1st half and/or overall standings in addition to the current 2nd half standings.

[Mass Haas]

To see tweets as to when the Link Report has been technically "completed" with available links, as well as to know when the new day's Report has been posted, please follow @Mass_Haas on Twitter.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes

[Mass Haas]

Wisconsin Media Notes

[TheCrew07]

Final: DSL Angels 4, DSL Brewers 3

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

Even though the Brewers lost Gian Rizzo was an absolute monster as he builds his pitch count back up. He went an incredibly strong 5 innings allowing just 3 hits without a run or walk while strike out 8. I don't care if he throws 85 mph, get this young man stateside already. Unfortunately Pedro Peguero didn't fare very well in his 2012 debut recording only 1 out before loading the bases and being lifted for Eliezer Montano who gave up the game winning grand slam for the Angels before he could get out of the inning. Montano then cruised the 7th before turning the game over to Joan De La Cruz who set the Angels down in order in the 8th.

 

No Brewers had multiple hits but Juan De Leon (1-4,2B) and Natanael Mejia (1-2,2B,BB) had XBHs in the contest. Juan Ortiz did get on base twice but then was promptly picked off of 1st twice.

 

Carlos Pena did not play after being lifted the other day, nor has Belonis returned the starting line-up.

 

DSL Play By Play

 

The difference...

DSL Angels Bottom of the 6th

• Pitching Change: Pedro Peguero replaces Gian Rizzo.
  Ayendy Perez singles on a fly ball to right fielder Elvis Rubio.
  With Angel Almao batting, wild pitch by Pedro Peguero, Ayendy Perez to 2nd.
  Angel Almao hit by pitch.
  Enyelber Vivas grounds out, second baseman Alejandro Mendoza to first baseman Yunior De La Cruz. Ayendy Perez to 3rd. Angel Almao to 2nd.
  Ismael Dionicio walks.
  Pitching Change: Eliezer Montano replaces Pedro Peguero.
  Ranyelmy Mendoza pops out to shortstop Raphachel Colatosti on the infield fly rule.
  Angel Montilla hits a grand slam (2) to left field. Ayendy Perez scores. Angel Almao scores. Ismael Dionicio scores.
  Jose Herrera strikes out swinging.
  

 

The Brewers had a mini comeback in the 8th but a PO ended the rally.

DSL Brewers Top of the 8th

• Natanael Mejia flies out to left fielder Ayendy Perez.
  Raphachel Colatosti walks.
  With Francisco Castillo batting, wild pitch by Alexander Valdez, Raphachel Colatosti to 2nd.
  Pitching Change: Eduardo Paredes replaces Alexander Valdez.
  Francisco Castillo strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Eduardo Paredes. Francisco Castillo to 1st.
  With Alejandro Mendoza batting, throwing error by Eduardo Paredes on the pickoff attempt, Raphachel Colatosti scores. Francisco Castillo to 3rd.
  Alejandro Mendoza hit by pitch.
  Juan Ortiz grounds into a force out, shortstop Erick Salcedo to second baseman Angel Almao. Francisco Castillo scores. Alejandro Mendoza out at 2nd. Juan Ortiz to 1st.
  With Elvis Rubio batting, Juan Ortiz picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Eduardo Paredes to first baseman Ismael Dionicio.
  

[jjfanec]

So far it is has been the Wily Peralta of last year. 4 IP 2 H, 0 ER, O BB, and 7 K's. In his last 32 innings pitched he has given up 5 ER, with 33 K's, 9 walks, and 32 hits.

[Brewers ST920]

He only got better as the night went on: 6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB's and 11 strikeouts while giving up 0 home runs. It's nice seeing Peralta getting back to his game.

[TooLiveBrew]

Both Davis boys extended their hitting streaks tonight. Kentrail's is up to 7 games, while Khris reached 10 games with a 4th inning HR.

 

Good outing from Josh Stinson, and obviously hometown boy Darren Byrd is plenty comfortable pitching in Pensacola (2 scoreless frames). Brandon Kintzler is on to try for the save in a 3-2 game as I type this.

[Brewers ST920]

Gian Rizzo with another great start for the DSL Brewers. He went 5 innings, gave up only 3 hits, no walks, and 8 strikeouts. I'm curious to see how he is handles the rest of the year and into next. Oddly enough his three best strikeout games came when he only pitched 5-innings (9, 7, 8).

 

The original link that was posted for the DSL Brewers was for the 07/24 game. Here is the 7/26 boxscore: http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2012_07_26_dbwrok_danrok_1

[TheCrew07]

Gian Rizzo with another great start for the DSL Brewers. He went 5 innings, gave up only 3 hits, no walks, and 8 strikeouts. I'm curious to see how he is handles the rest of the year and into next. Oddly enough his three best strikeout games came when he only pitched 5-innings (9, 7, 8).

 

The original link that was posted for the DSL Brewers was for the 07/24 game. Here is the 7/26 boxscore: http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2012_07_26_dbwrok_danrok_1

 

Sweet I'm on ignore.

[Brewers ST920]

Oops, sorry about that! I quickly glanced over everything.

[TooLiveBrew]

Huntsville 3, @Pensacola 2

 

Huntsville Box

The Stars scratched out a one-run win tonight, and have now taken the first three of a five-game set in Pensacola. Starter Josh Stinson turned in a solid outing despite some control issues: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R/1 ER, 5 BB, 2 K, 7:3 GO:AO, 95 TP (50 strikes). The only Pensacola runs came on a Stinson throwing error on a pickoff attempt in the 4th that allowed his 'unearned' run to score, and a solo HR to lead off the 2nd. Stinson was able to pitch around a pair of BBs in the 1st, including walking Billy Hamilton (no SBs tonight) to start the outing. He also got some help from a pair of outfield assists... more on that later.

 

Pensacola-born Darren Byrd threw two perfect innings of relief -- 4 groundouts, a flyout, and one K. Brandon Kintzler worked a perfect 9th for the save (flyout, groundout, groundout).

 

Tommy Manzella and Hainley Statia each singled twice. Leadoff man Josh Prince had a productive game, finishing 1-3 with a 2B, BB, and a successful squeeze bunt sacrifice in the 7th. Hunter Morris went 1-4 with a single; he's had a hit in 9 of his last 10 games.

 

I mentioned above that the Davises extended their hitting streaks, and both "Ke" & "Kh" added big-time outfield assists as well. Khris Davis homered and was 1-3 on the game with a BB. Kentrail Davis went 1-4 with a single. Kentrail's OF assist came as part of an outstanding F9 --> 9-2 double play to end the 4th... right on the heels of Stinson's throwing error on a pickoff attempt that allowed a run to score & Pensacola to tie the game at 2-2. Big time play from Kentrail. Later on, Khris threw out Blue Wahoos leadoff hitter Beau Mills in the 6th, when he tried to extend a single into a double. Two batters later Pensacola got a double, which would have likely plated the run had Mills not gotten greedy. Had Mills scored on the double, Pensacola would've jumped ahead at 3-2. Instead, the Stars kept the tie intact, and Prince's successful squeeze bunt in the next half-inning put them ahead for good.

 

Huntsville faced a pretty good young pitcher in Daniel Corcino tonight (6 IP, 5 H, 2 R/ER, 1 BB, 5 K). Corcino was ranked the Reds #4 prospect pre-2012 by Perfect Game, and their write-up on him notes he was signed for just $25,000 as a teenager out of the D.R. They also note: "He’ll move up to High-A Bakersfield in 2012 where he’ll have a chance to prove he is a legitimate prospect. The transition from the Midwest League to the California League has traditionally been a difficult one, and another strong campaign would prove very encouraging." Well apparently the Reds are pretty high on Corcino -- and he's proving them right to be -- since they skipped him past high-A entirely & sent him straight to Pensacola this season. He sports a 3.25 ERA on the campaign, and although his BB rate has climbed a bit & his K rate has dropped compared to 2011, there's still a lot to like about this young (21) pitcher. Of note is that he appears to be more of a flyball pitcher, which might not play well should he make it all the way to Great American Ballpark... but the Kh. Davis HR tonight was only the 7th he's allowed this year, over 105.1 IP. Man, do the Reds have some good talent in their farm system.

 

 

Huntsville PbP

The 4th inning saw Pensacola tie the game on Stinson's error, but "Ke" put their rally to bed:

 

Pensacola Bottom of the 4th

-Beau Mills grounds out to first baseman Hunter Morris.

-David Vidal doubles (13) on a fly ball to center fielder Josh Prince.

-Donald Lutz singles on a line drive to right fielder Kentrail Davis. David Vidal to 3rd.

-With Tucker Barnhart batting, throwing error by Josh Stinson on the pickoff attempt, David Vidal scores. Donald Lutz to 3rd.

-Tucker Barnhart walks.

-Miguel Rojas flies into a double play, right fielder Kentrail Davis to catcher Adam Weisenburger. Donald Lutz out at home on the throw.

 

And, not to be outdone by his near-namesake, "Kh" cut a rally down before it could get started in the 6th:

 

Pensacola Bottom of the 6th

-Beau Mills singles on a line drive to right fielder Kentrail Davis. Beau Mills out at 2nd, left fielder Khris Davis to second baseman Scooter Gennett.

-David Vidal strikes out swinging.

-Donald Lutz doubles (2) on a line drive to center fielder Josh Prince.

-Tucker Barnhart walks.

-Miguel Rojas grounds out, pitcher Josh Stinson to first baseman Hunter Morris.

 

Since the box score credits Khris with an OF assist at 2B, I'm just assuming that whoever was the stringer for the game tonight simply got his K. Davises mixed up at that spot in the game log.

 

Huntsville Gameday

[TheCrew07]

Sounds Win Third In A Row Over Memphis, 7-3

Wily Peralta Strikes Out a Career High 11 Redbirds

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Wily Peralta struck out a career high 11 batters as the Nashville Sounds handed the cross-state rival Memphis Redbirds a 7-3 defeat on Thursday night at Greer Stadium.

 

The win gave Nashville its third victory of the series and ninth win in the 16-game season series to earn the Tennessee Lottery I-40 Cup Series.

 

With a 48-57 record, the Sounds are less than 10 games under .500 for the first time since May 27 when they were 20-29.

 

In his seventh quality start of the season, Peralta (6-9) gave up two runs on five hits and two walks for the win. His 11 strikeouts set a career high and were also the most by a Sounds starter in a game this season. Peralta has five victories in his last eight starts (5-1, 2.66 ERA, 12er/40.2ip).

 

Third baseman Andy Gonzalez (2-for-4) drove in three while second baseman Eric Farris went 2-for-3 with and RBI and two runs scored to extend his hitting streak to a season-high nine games and match his best effort this season.

 

Nashville took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning as catcher Dayton Buller gave the club their first hit of the contest with a double. The backstop then hustled around to score from second base on a throwing error by the pitcher.

 

The Sounds tacked on two more runs in the next inning to go ahead 3-0. Farris led off with a single and moved to second on a walk by center fielder Caleb Gindl to remove Memphis starter Nick Additon from the contest. Gonzalez then crushed two-run double to left-center off reliever Maikel Cleto.

 

· AUDIO: Gonzalez Two-Run Double

 

Memphis got to Peralta in sixth, plating two runs to cut the lead to 3-2. With no outs and runners on second and third thanks to a walk and double, Lou Montanez hit a double to right-center.

 

Nashville batted around and plated four runs in the next frame for a 7-2 advantage. The rally began with consecutive doubles from right fielder Jordan Brown and shortstop Edwin Maysonet, followed a Farris RBI single over the third baseman's head. The speedy left-fielder later scored from an RBI two-bagger to center by Gindl.

 

· AUDIO: Gindl RBI Double

 

Memphis added a late run in the ninth on a sacrifice fly against reliever Mike McClendon.

 

In his first appearance since joining the Sounds, left-hander Mitch Stetter struck out one and walked one in one inning pitched. Amaury Rivas pitched a perfect eighth.

 

Four Memphis pitchers combined to strike out 16 Sounds on the night, as season-high for both Redbirds pitching and Sounds hitters.

 

Additon allowed three runs (one earned) in four plus innings. The right-hander struck out nine over four plus innings and opened the contest by striking out five of his first six.

 

The Sounds look for a sweep of the division-rival Redbirds in the four-game series finale at 7:05 pm CT Friday night at Greer Stadium. Nashville right-hander Mark Rogers (6-6, 4.72) will toe the rubber against right-hander Brandon Dickson (5-8, 3.82).

 

 

Nashville Box Score

Wily had it goin on through 5 innings but let the 6th get away from him a bit, still he pitched well and that's all we want to see at this point.

 

Quite the defensive change for this game as Farris was in LF, Gindl in CF, Green at 2B, and Brown in RF with Schafer sitting on the bench.

 

Nashville Play By Play

 

The Memphis 6th for the curious, much like Rogers most of Wily's problems have been walk/control related.

Memphis Top of the 6th

• Jason Jaramillo remains in the game as the catcher.
  Mark Hamilton walks.
  Steven Hill doubles (6) on a ground ball to right fielder Jordan Brown. Mark Hamilton to 3rd.
  Eugenio Velez grounds out, second baseman Taylor Green to first baseman Sean Halton. Mark Hamilton scores. Steven Hill to 3rd.
  Lou Montanez doubles (4) on a line drive to center fielder Caleb Gindl. Steven Hill scores.
  Pete Kozma strikes out swinging.
  Nick Derba called out on strikes.

[TheCrew07]

another college reliever having success as a starter for the Reds

Dayton's Allen delivers one-hit outing

Cincinnati pitching prospect dominant in fifth professional start

By Ashley Marshall / Special to MLB.com

 

http://www.milb.com/images/2012/07/26/SUjpvDtc.jpg

James Allen has fanned 62 and walked 25 batters over 78 2/3 innings for the Dragons. (Jeff Murwin)

 

Reds pitching prospect James Allen has done a little bit of everything in his baseball career.

 

He hit .448 while leading Francis Howell High School to conference and district championships in his senior year. Then at Kansas State he blossomed into one of the top closers in the Big 12, recording 31 saves in three seasons.

 

Now in his second year of pro ball, he's excelling as a starting pitcher. The key, he says, is a new conditioning program.

 

Allen allowed one hit over seven innings as the Class A Dayton Dragons beat the Great Lakes Loons, 3-2, on Thursday evening.

 

"The running is a lot different," he said. "I have to prepare to get my body to go multiple innings now. My pitching coach [Major League veteran Tom Browning] and strength coach [brad Hyde] extended my running because they could see I was getting tired.

 

"The start after that I went seven innings [against Clinton on Friday]. It's made me feel better and my endurance is up."

 

The new conditioning program sees Allen lift weights and run for 40 minutes the day after a start. Then he runs foul pole to foul pole 15 times on Day 2, and he runs from the foul pole to the batter's eye 12 times on the third day. On Day 4, he runs eight 60-yard sprints.

 

On Thursday, this new regimen paid off. The 6-foot-1 right-hander retired the first 14 batters he faced before Pratt Maynard drew a two-out walk in the fifth frame.

 

Leading off the sixth, Pedro Guerrero broke up the no-hit bid with a line drive to left field. But Allen induced a ground ball from Jesus Arredondo and he retired Darnell Sweeney to escape unharmed.

 

"The guy is a good hitter," Allen said of Guerrero. "I threw an outside fastball to get ahead in the count, 0-1. Then [i threw] a slider that he checked his swing on, then another slider down and away for a ball for 1-2.

 

"I came in with a fastball, but he lined it to the outfield. It was a good pitch, but sometimes you have to tip your hat."

 

Allen finished up his night by working a 1-2-3 seventh inning before turning things over to the bullpen.

 

"My two-seam fastball had some sink to it and it was working well. I was able to command it pretty good," he said. "The first couple times through the order, I was throwing mostly my fastball and then mixing in my off-speed pitches."

 

Allen also relied on his slider -- his go-to pitch as a closer in college -- and incorporated his changeup, which he has only thrown since instructs last year.

 

The outing lowered the Missouri native's ERA to 3.43 through 27 Midwest League appearances, including five starts.

 

Drafted by the Reds in the seventh round of the 2011 Draft out of Kansas State University, Allen had worked exclusively out of the bullpen until earlier this month.

 

He went 2-0 with a 1.26 ERA and seven saves in 22 relief appearances for the Rookie-level Billings Mustangs last year, and his first 22 games of '12 all came out of the 'pen.

 

Allen made his first pro start in Bowling Green on July 3-- a 5-1 loss in which he allowed three runs), and his next four outings were on regular rest out of the rotation.

 

In 78 2/3 innings, he has struck out 62 and walked 25 batters.

 

"You just have to go with your gut on pitches," Allen said. "If you really want to throw a pitch and you know you can throw it with conviction, shake off your catcher.

 

"If you keep your work ethic and work as hard as you can between outings, everything will fall into place."

 

On Thursday, Michael Dennhardt worked around one hit in the eighth, and Carlos Contreras picked up his 11th save despite allowing a pair of ninth-inning runs.

 

Great Lakes starter Duke von Schamann (2-1) took the hard-luck loss. He surrendered a lone run on four hits and a walk over eight innings.

[TooLiveBrew]

I'm hopeful that Wily will be the one to get the call to fill out the 25-man once ZG is traded. Really great to see him turn his season around & pitch like we all knew he was capable of doing.

[TheCrew07]

Gregorius strikes again with clutch shot

Reds' No. 4 prospect hits walk-off homer in 14th Triple-A game

By Robert Emrich / Special to MLB.com

 

http://www.milb.com/images/2012/07/25/xEhpuw9d.jpg

Shortstop Didi Gregorius has four homers in 14 games for Louisville. (Louisville Bats)

 

Didi Gregorius isn't normally known for hitting balls over the wall, but he's been making a habit of it for the Bats.

 

The Reds' No. 4 prospect was 3-for-5 with a walk-off homer as Triple-A Louisville bested Buffalo, 5-4, on Wednesday.

 

After the Bats rallied to tie the game in the eighth inning, Gregorius took the third pitch of his at-bat against Bisons reliever Pedro Beato over the right-field wall to deliver the win for the Bats.

 

"I was just happy," Gregorius, who scored twice, told the Louisville Bats. "I wasn't looking for any particular pitch. I hit a fastball, I put a good swing on it. As a hitter, you always look for the fastball. If you get a different pitch, you have to adjust. But I got a good pitch I could handle."

 

Since being promoted to the International League on July 12, the 22-year-old shortstop is batting .321 with four homers and nine RBIs in 14 games. To put the power numbers in perspective, Gregorius slugged a career-high seven homers in 84 Minor League games in 2011, after having one longball in 81 games for Double-A Pensacola before his promotion.

 

"They say you have to have power to hit home runs, but for me, if I make a good swing and the pitcher throws hard, the ball can go," Gregorius said. "For me, it's just making contact."

 

Gregorius has a five-game hitting streak with two hits in each of his last three contests for the Bats.

 

Trailing by four entering the eighth, the Bats got RBI singles from Dioner Navarro and Felix Perez before Cody Puckett tied the game with a two-run single.

 

J.J. Hoover allowed one hit and struck out two in one inning to improve to 4-0 for Louisville.

 

Collin McHugh allowed five hits and struck out six over 6 2/3 shutout innings but did not figure into the decision for the Bisons.

[TheCrew07]

having split scouting directors, one international and one domestic, seems to be paying dividends for the Cubs. Baez gets love at the bottom of the article as well

MWL notes: Reed looks to renew rivalry

Peoria reliever hopes to one day oppose brother in Chicago

By Curt Rallo / Special to MLB.com

 

http://www.milb.com/images/2012/07/25/OOnEwAYl.jpg

Austin Reed has not allowed a run in five July appearances. (Dennis Sievers/Peoria Chiefs)

 

It's a sibling rivalry that blossomed on high school fields in Southern California -- one that Austin Reed and Addison Reed hope eventually flourishes in Chicago.

 

Austin, a relief pitcher with the Peoria Chiefs, and his brother Addison, current closer for the Chicago White Sox, were both drafted on the same day in 2010. Addison was taken in the third round by the White Sox; Austin went nine rounds later to the Cubs.

 

"My brother and I have talked about that, pitching against each other in a Cubs-White Sox game," Austin said. "We hope it happens one day. That would be a great rivalry series for us. We were drafted on the same day, two Chicago teams. It couldn't have worked any better."

 

According to Austin, the rivalry with Addison flamed up in high school.

 

"We've always been very competitive," Austin said. "He was a senior in high school when I was a freshman. We actually went to different high schools, just so we could compete against each other. He went to Los Osos High School, and I went to Rancho Cucamonga. I went 0-for-2 against him in my career, so he has me in that edge."

 

Austin is a 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-hander. He's 3-4, with a 3.83 ERA and hasn't given up a run in his last five appearances.

 

Although they are competitive, Austin said he and Addison also help each other out. "After he pitches or I pitch, we send each other texts," Austin said. "We call each other a lot and talk about how it's going. He gives me insights about how to pitch to hitters, and just to go after them. It's an advantage to have a brother in the big leagues. He's a great resource."

 

Addison and Austin were expected to be drafted higher than their final position, but somehow word spread that bothd had plans to attend San Diego State.

 

"Everybody thought I was going to San Diego State," Austin said. "I don't know how that got out there. I guess they thought my brother was going to go back for his senior year, and I was going to go there so we could play together. I never said that. I always wanted to play professional baseball."

 

Each of the Reed brothers is relatively new to pitching.

 

"I didn't start pitching until late in my junior year," Austin said. "My brother didn't start pitching until he was a senior in high school. I think it's an advantage that my arm is fresh, because I haven't pitched my whole life. I've only pitched three and a half years.

 

"I'm learning every day. [Peoria pitching coach] Ron Villone has helped me tremendously, getting the ball in the zone, adding a couple of ticks to my velocity, which is working on my mechanics. He's been a huge help."

 

"Austin is a great young man," Villone said. "He works hard. He's got a great live arm. He's starting to do some things to use him arm positively, which is pitch with command."

 

Austin was a starting pitcher last season, but he hopes he has found a home coming out of the bullpen.

 

"I would one day like to be a closer, just like my brother," Austin said. "That would be perfect for me. Right now, I come in any part of the game -- the sixth, the ninth -- and do my job. "Last year was tough, but I learned a lot from starting. It got my arm in shape. Now I'm in the bullpen, and I'm loving it."

 

Villone said Austin's role hasn't been determined.

 

"I don't think his role is going to be determined so much by his season numbers or how he's throwing -- it's how he progresses in getting the whole game," Villone said. "Here in [Class A], it's a good challenge. It's the first time guys have played for a whole season. You start moving up levels, guys know a little bit more. They understand the game quicker. They understand that you can get a lot more outs by getting ground balls. Austin is buying into that."

 

Austin has already gotten an indication of the intensity of the Cubs-White Sox rivalry.

 

"I went up to Chicago during the Midwest League All-Star break," he recalled. "I stayed with [Addison] in his apartment for three days. That was a pretty cool experience. I went to U.S. Cellular for three games, and they were playing the Cubs. It was crazy."

 

In brief

 

Rare feat: Javier Baez, the Chicago Cubs' No. 1 pick in the 2011 Draft, pulled off an accomplishment that only four Minor Leagues have done in 25 seasons of play at South Bend's Coveleski Stadium: He homered to straightaway center field. At Coveleski Stadium, the center-field batter's backdrop is a structure that houses the batting cages, standing 30-feet tall and 405 feet from home plate. It's been estimated that a ball clearing this center-field "Green Monster" has to travel at least 450 feet. The only other Minor Leaguers to do so were former South Bend players Jeff Leifer (1996), John Adams (1997) and Brad Miller (2007).

 

Power debut: Kennys Vargas put on a power display in his Beloit Snappers debut. Vargas, coming off a 50-day suspension for using a banned substance, belted two homers in a 3-0 victory against Great Lakes. Vargas was with Elizabethton of the Appalachian League when the suspension started. Because a suspension must be served with the team on which the infraction occurred, Vargas had to wait for the short-season league to start before finishing out the final 32 games of his suspension.

 

Marathon game: Pitching dominated Sunday's game between the Burlington Bees and West Michigan WhiteCaps. The Bees eked out a 1-0 victory in 13 innings in a game that lasted four hours. Burlington pitchers combined for 18 strikeouts. West Michigan pitchers had thrown a total of 21 consecutive scoreless innings against Burlington before the Bees scored their game-winner.

[TheCrew07]

only because of the Greinke talk on the transaction forum

Cron extends streaks with walk-off slam

[Tedaldtada]

Fort Myers' big inning dooms 'Tees

07/26/2012 10:04 PM ET

By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees

 

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees allowed four runs in the second inning and were unable to complete a comeback as they were edged 4-3 by the Fort Myers Miracle at Hammond Stadium on Thursday night.

 

Brandon Williamson (2-8, 6.64) got the start for the 'Tees (19-15 second half, 48-54 second half) and yielded five hits in six innings of work, while walking three and striking out four.

 

The trouble for Williamson and Brevard started with one out in the second as Josmil Pinto hit a solo homer to left to put Fort Myers (17-18, 45-57) on the board. After Steven Liddle walked, he preceded to steal second and then advance to third on a throwing error by catcher Brent Dean.

 

Daniel Rams then drew a walk and Liddle would be brought home one batter later on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Anderson Hidalgo. Jonathan Gonclaves kept the inning going with a base hit to left that put runners on first and second with two outs. The big blow then came off the bat of Daniel Santana as he tripled to center to clear the bases and give the Miracle a 4-0 lead.

 

Williamson's biggest troubles have come in the second inning of games with the Manatees. In the second inning this season, he has a 13.14 ERA as he's allowed 18 earned runs in 12.1 innings. Seth Harvey would relieve Williamson and throw two scoreless frames with two strikeouts to keep Brevard in the game.

 

Fort Myers starter Tom Stuifbergen held the 'Tees scoreless through seven innings, while striking out seven. The Manatees though would get to Stuifbergen in the eighth.

 

Cody Hawn and Hector Gomez led off the inning with back-to-back doubles as Gomez's double plated Hawn. Two batters later, John Dishon would bring home Gomez as he singled to center to make it a 4-2 game.

 

Stuifbergen was then lifted for Miguel Munoz and Munoz was able to prevent any other damage as he retired the last two hitters to end the inning.

 

With their last chance in the ninth, the 'Tees didn't go down without a fight as Jason Rogers led off the frame with a double to left. Rogers moved to third on a ground out by Mike Walker and would then score on a ground out by Brock Kjeldgaard to make it a 4-3 game.

 

Hawn then stepped in with two outs, representing the tying run but he was unable to extend the rally as he grounded out to first to end the game.

 

Brevard County and Fort Myers will continue their four-game set on Friday night at 7:05 p.m.

 

Taylor Jungmann (8-5, 3.67) will get the ball for the Manatees, in search of his ninth win of the season and fourth in his last five starts. The 2011 first round pick has been solid so far in the second half of the season as he is 3-1 with a 3.21 ERA in his last five starts.

 

The Miracle will send Madison Boer (4-9, 6.99) to the hill. Boer is winless in his last four starts and in his only other start against the 'Tees this season, he allowed seven runs in 4.1 innings of work.

 

Box Score

 

Almost made it back but not quite. John Dishon was the only guy with 2 hits. Jason Rogers, Cody Hawn and Hector Gomez all hit a 2B.

 

On the mound, Brandon Williamson was again done in by a horrible 2nd inning. Baseball can produce the strangest coincidences. Seth Harvey was very strong over the final 2 innings with 2 K and no runs allowed.

 

BC is now 2 games back of the balanced Yankees and 1.5 behind the pitching-rich Phillies.

 

Game Log

 

1/2 the hits.

 

Brevard County Top of the 8th

 

Cody Hawn doubles (24) on a fly ball to right fielder Daniel Ortiz.

Hector Gomez doubles (3) on a line drive to left fielder Daniel Rams. Cody Hawn scores.

Brent Dean lines out to shortstop Daniel Santana.

John Dishon singles on a ground ball to center fielder Jonathan Goncalves. Hector Gomez scores.

Pitching Change: Miguel Munoz replaces Tom Stuifbergen.

Nick Shaw grounds into a force out, third baseman Anderson Hidalgo to second baseman Levi Michael. John Dishon out at 2nd. Nick Shaw to 1st.

Reggie Keen grounds out, third baseman Anderson Hidalgo to first baseman Steven Liddle.

 

Late....um...rally?

 

Brevard County Top of the 9th

 

Defensive switch from right field to left field for Daniel Ortiz.

Defensive Substitution: Angel Morales replaces left fielder Daniel Rams, batting 7th, playing center field.

Defensive switch from center field to right field for Jonathan Goncalves.

Jason Rogers doubles (7) on a line drive to left fielder Daniel Ortiz.

Mike Walker grounds out, shortstop Daniel Santana to first baseman Steven Liddle. Jason Rogers to 3rd.

Brock Kjeldgaard grounds out, third baseman Anderson Hidalgo to first baseman Steven Liddle. Jason Rogers scores.

Cody Hawn grounds out to first baseman Steven Liddle.

[bkrause2]

Final: Wisconsin 4, Kane County 0

 

Rattlers shutout Kane County, win second straight game

Chad Pierce & Michael Strong combine to K 13 in 6-hit shutout

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

GENEVA, IL - Chad Pierce struck out eight over seven scoreless innings for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in a 4-0 win over the Kane County Cougars at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark on Thursday night. The eight strikeouts sets a professional single game high for the Fond du Lac native and gave the Rattlers their second straight win.

 

Ben McMahan put the Rattlers (59-42 overall, 15-17 second half) in front in the top of the fourth inning. Greg Hopkins doubled with one out and moved to third on a groundball. McMahan singled to left to drive in Hopkins for the 1-0 lead.

 

Kane County (50-52, 16-16) threatened to at least tie the game in the bottom of the seventh against Pierce. Michael Antonio drew a walk and Alex Llanos was hit by a pitch. Both runners were bunted into scoring position. Pierce got the next out on a shallow fly ball to right field, but needed help to get out of the frame with the lead intact.

 

Kevin David sent a ground ball that was headed for centerfield and a two run single. Rattlers shortstop Yadiel Rivera made a diving grab of the ball behind second base, got to his feet, and fired a strike to first to beat the Cougars catcher by a half step to end the inning and keep the Rattlers up 1-0.

 

The game did not stay 1-0 for long. Rivera started the top of the eighth with a single. Chadwin Stang drew a walk. Max Walla was called on to bunt and good things happened for the Rattlers. Cougars reliever Mike Giovenco fielded the ball and fired wide of first base. By the time the ball got back to the infield, Rivera and Stang had scored and Walla was standing on third base. Later in the inning, Nick Ramirez singled to knock in Walla for a 4-0 lead.

 

Pierce was done after the seventh. He surrendered three hits, walked two, and hit a batter over his seven scoreless innings. In his last four starts, Pierce has allowed three runs over 28 innings.

 

Michael Strong finished off the Cougars with five strikeouts over the final two innings.

 

Wisconsin and Kane County conclude their three-game series on Friday night. David Goforth (7-5, 5.12) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. The Cougars have Bryan Brickhouse (2-2, 6.52) as their scheduled starter. Game time is 6:30pm. Tune in for broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:10.

 

WP: Chad Pierce (4-3)

LP: Kyle Zimmer (0-1)

 

TIME: 2:28

ATTN: 7,181

 

Wisconsin Box Score

 

Another strong pitching performance tonight from starter Chad Pierce. He went 7 innings and did not give up a run, allowing just three hits. Pierce struck out 8 Kane County batters. Mike Strong pitched the final two innings of scoreless relief. He struck out five.

 

Greg Hopkins, Nick Ramirez and Yadiel Rivera all had 2 for 4 nights for the T-Rats. Chadwin Stang was 1-3 and drew a walk. Ben McMahan and Mike Garza had the other two Wisconsin hits.

 

Wisconsin Play By Play

 

Wisconsin Top of the 8th

Pitching Change: Michael Giovenco replaces Andrew Triggs.

Yadiel Rivera singles on a ground ball to left fielder Julio Aparicio.

Chadwin Stang walks. Yadiel Rivera to 2nd.

Max Walla hits a sacrifice bunt. Throwing error by pitcher Michael Giovenco. Yadiel Rivera scores. Chadwin Stang scores. Max Walla to 3rd.

Brandon Macias hit by pitch.

Gregory Hopkins strikes out swinging.

Nick Ramirez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jorge Bonifacio. Max Walla scores. Brandon Macias to 2nd.

Ben McMahan strikes out swinging.

Cameron Garfield strikes out swinging.

[bkrause2]

Rattler Radio Nine After 9

[Mass Haas]

Peralta strikes out career-high 11

Top Brewers prospect back in typical form in Nashville victory

By Jonathan Raymond / Special to MLB.com

 

July has far and away been Wily Peralta's best month, and his outing Thursday was just the gem to prove it.

 

Peralta (6-9) struck out a career-high 11, scattering two runs on five hits and two walks over six innings in Triple-A Nashville's 7-3 win over Memphis.

 

The right-hander's 11 punchouts bested his season high of eight from a May 1 win over Omaha. Those two are his only starts this year in which he's struck out more than six, after he fanned at least seven in all five of his outings with the Sounds at the end of last season.

 

Thursday's effort represented the highlight to what's been a turnaround month for the Dominican Republic native. He ended June with a 5.94 ERA and since has managed to lower it just over one full run to 4.92. His 100 strikeouts in 106 innings are seventh-best in the Pacific Coast League.

 

In five July outings, Peralta went 3-1 with a 2.20 ERA and 33 strikeouts while walking eight in 28 2/3 innings. It was his first month averaging at least a strikeout per inning after he struck out 157 in 150 2/3 innings between Nashville and Double-A Huntsville in 2011.

 

This year proved difficult in the early going for Milwaukee's top prospect. He allowed five or more runs in four straight starts from May 17-June 1 and then allowed four in just two-thirds of an inning June 22 against Oklahoma City.

 

But since then, he's thrown 34 1/3 frames across six starts for a 2.10 ERA with 37 strikeouts and 11 walks. That seemed more like the prospect who went 11-7 with a 3.17 ERA across 26 starts and two levels last year -- including a 2.03 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 31 innings after his callup to the Sounds.

 

Overall, Peralta has managed to bring his ERA down from a high of 6.83, where it stood June 1 after he went 1-4 with an 8.78 ERA in May.

 

In his first 13 starts this year, the 23-year-old was 1-8. In his next eight outings, he went 5-1. He also threw one inning of relief in the Majors for the Brewers earlier this year.

 

On Thursday, third baseman Andy Gonzalez powered Nashville offensively, going 2-for-5 with a double and three RBIs. No. 15 Milwaukee prospect Caleb Gindl added a double, two walks and two runs scored.

 

Wily Peralta went 3-1 with a 2.20 ERA in July for the Sounds. (Mike Strasinger/Nashville Sounds)

 

http://www.milb.com/images/2012/07/27/UyrkyIRG.jpg