Link Report for Fri. 4/5 -- Stars Open with Victory

[TooLiveBrew]

Burgos's final line: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K, HBP, 69 TP (42 strikes), 4:2 GO:FO

[bkrause2]

Final: Daytona 8 Brevard County 0

 

A night after pounding out 12 hits, Brevard County was completely shut down by Daytona pitching on Friday night, managing just three hits.

 

Daytona roughed up Manatees starter Drew Gagnon for five runs in 3+ innings. Zeke DeVoss led off the game with a single, stole second and went to third when Cameron Garfield's throw sailed in to center field. Javier Baez then gave the Cubs a lead they would never lose, when he crushed a 3-0 pitch to left center for a two-run home run.

 

The Cubs got two more in the second on a two-run triple by DeVoss, and added another in the third on an RBI triple by Chad Noble. After allowing a double and a walk to start the fourth, Gagnon was relieved by Mark Williams. Williams got out of the fourth inning jam for the Manatees, but surrendered two more runs in the fifth.

 

Greg Hopkins walked to start the fifth and Yadiel Rivera followed with a double, Brevard's first hit of the game, but they were left stranded, following a pop out and two strike outs to end the Manatees threat. Daytona got one more run in the sixth, for the final 8-0 margin.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Drew Gagnon went 3+ innings, allowing five runs on three hits and three walks. He also struck out three. One of the BC announcers (not sure if it was Dave or Andy) mentioned that Gagnon had a good breaking ball going, but that his fastball was getting too much of the plate. Mark Williams allowed three runs in 2.1 innings, walking four. Kevin Shackelford tossed 1.2 innings of scoreless relief. Tommy Toledo and Stephen Peterson each worked a scorless frame.

 

Chadwin Stang was the only Manatee with multiple hits, going 2-3 with a sacrifice. Yadiel Rivera's fifth inning double was the only other hit for BC. John Dishon, Brandon Macias and Greg Hopkins each drew a walk. Hopkins was hit by a pitch as well. Dishon also recorded an outfield assist, gunning down a runner at third base. Cameron Garfield had the previously mentioned throwing error. A night after being the hitting star, Cody Hawn had a rough night, going 0-4 with four strikeouts.

 

On the injury front, it was mentioned on the pregame that Ben McMahan's trip to the DL was for a hand injury. Later in the game it was revealed that McMahan broke his thumb in practice so it will be more than just a 7-day stint on the DL for him.

 

Brevard County Play-By-Play

 

Not much to highlight tonight. The Manatees best scoring chance came in the 5th when they had runners at second and third and nobody out, but they weren't able to push any runs across.

 

Brevard County Bottom of the 5th

Gregory Hopkins walks.

Yadiel Rivera doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Zeke DeVoss. Gregory Hopkins to 3rd.

Pitching Change: Ryan Searle replaces Starlin Peralta.

Lance Roenicke pops out to shortstop Javier Baez.

John Dishon strikes out swinging.

Brandon Macias strikes out swinging.

[TooLiveBrew]

With the bullpen WOAHs in Milwaukee, Mike Olmsted's terrible outing doesn't exactly help his chances at getting called up anytime soon.

[TooLiveBrew]

A couple of slammers & the Sounds would be right back in this thing...

[TheCrew07]

Final: Wisconsin 2, Peoria (Cardinals) 1

 

Rattlers edge Peoria for second straight win

Magnifico & Lorenzo combine for 10K

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

PEORIA, IL - Damien Magnifico and Leonard Lorenzo combined to hold the Peoria Chiefs to a run on three hits as the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers offense squeezed out just enough for a 2-1 victory at Peoria Chiefs Stadium on Friday night. The duo of Rattlers hurlers combined to strike out ten Chiefs batters as the Rattlers won their second straight game to open the 2013 season.

 

Peoria (0-2) took the lead in the second inning and the ball never left the infield for them to score their run. Charlie Tilson beat out a bunt up the third base line for a single with one out. An errant pickoff attempt by Magnifico allowed Tilson to take second. Ildemaro Vargas was next and his chopper to third was turned into an out by Alfredo Rodriguez. But, Tilson broke for third on the throw to first by Rodriguez. Rattlers first baseman Michael Garza tried to throw back to third to get Tilson. However, the throw was wild and Tilson scored to put Peoria up 1-0.

 

The Rattlers (2-0) tied the game in the top of the fourth inning with some situational hitting. Clint Coulter started the inning with a double. Garza sent a grounder to the right side of the infield to move Coulter to third. Chris McFarland knocked in Coulter with the tying run on a sacrifice fly to center.

 

Wisconsin took the lead in the top of the fifth. Michael Reed singled and stole second to start the inning. A bloop single to right by Tyrone Taylor put runners on the corners with no outs. Peoria went to the bullpen and their reliever got the first out. Then, Mitch Haniger came through with a fly ball deep to left that scored Reed with the run that put the Rattlers up 2-1.

 

Magnifico pitched five innings and allowed the one unearned run on three hits. He walked two and struck out five. Rattlers reliever Leonard Lorenzo took over in the bottom of the sixth inning.

 

Lorenzo retired all twelve batters he faced in his four innings of relief to nail down the win. The right hander out of the Dominican Republic struck out five in his four innings to earn his first professional save.

 

Game three of the series is scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Brent Suter is set to be the starting pitcher for the Rattlers. Peoria has named Tyrell Jenkins as their starter. Game time is 1:00pm. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 12:40pm.

 

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Just fantastic pitching in this one, Damien Magnifico only gave up 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5 through his 5 innings. The only run scored on another throwing error (2 throwing errors for the Rattlers again tonight), I hope that's not going to be a theme for this team, because through 2 games they appear to be a very solid team with the glove. Leonard Lorenzo was even better than Magnifico closing it out with a perfect 4 innings and he also struck out 5. I really like tandems in A ball, it gives the pitchers plenty of time to work on their game in addition to stretching out their arms. The only problem with the pitching thus far has been 3 throwing errors in 2 games.

 

It was quiet night offensively with only 6 hits, but Orlando Arcia, Mitch Haniger, and Clint Coulter all doubled in the contest. Micheal Reed easily stole a base but Haniger managed to get picked off of 2B. The team seems to be my kind of athletic bunch by scouting reports and Chris' calls of the game action, I'm itching to see them play next week.

 

Tough test tomorrow for the T-Rat position players as one of STL's top prospects Tyrell Jenkins is taking the mound. Here's the 2012 scouting report for Jenkins:

The Cardinals wooed Jenkins from a football commitment to Baylor by paying him $1.3 million in 2010. They knew his development would require patience and didn’t give him a full-season assignment until 2012. He missed a month with shoulder soreness and two weeks with a strained lat muscle at low Class A Quad Cities, and he was inconsistent when he took the mound. Jenkins has a long, lithe frame that made him a successful quarterback and sprinter in high school. It creates the leverage to unleash 93-96 mph fastballs and the strength to maintain velocity throughout his starts. He’ll develop more power as he matures and more command as he tames his delivery. He has ditched an exaggerated leg kick and has sought to settle on more fluid mechanics that he can repeat. Jenkins gets depth on his curveball, but he doesn’t always throw it with enough power. He’s developing a solid changeup. A spot in the high Class A rotation awaits Jenkins in 2013, when a mix of maturity and pitcher-friendly Florida State League parks could elicit the breakout the Cardinals are hoping for.

Wisconsin Recap

 

For the second straight game the Rattlers loaded the bases in the 1st and got nothing.

 

Wisconsin Top of the 1st

• Tyrone Taylor lines out to second baseman Breyvic Valera.
  Orlando Arcia doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Jordan Walton.
  Mitch Haniger walks.
  Parker Berberet walks. Orlando Arcia to 3rd. Mitch Haniger to 2nd.
  Clint Coulter pops out to second baseman Breyvic Valera.
  Mike Garza strikes out swinging.

[TheCrew07]

A couple of slammers & the Sounds would be right back in this thing...

 

Yep... like 3

[Minigoon]

Final: Huntsville Stars 7 Chattanooga Lookouts 5

 

The Huntsville Stars pounded out 12 hits and received stong pitching performances from starter Jimmy Nelson and 3 relievers to open the 2013 season with a solid 7-5 win in Chattanooga.

 

A shaky 1st inning thanks to a couple fielding errors put the Stars in an early 2-0 hole. The Lookouts added 2 more runs in the third to increase their lead to 4-0. The Stars took over after that. Paced offensively by Brock Kjeldgaard's 3-5 night including a double, triple, 2 RBI's and 2 runs scored, the Stars scored runs in the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th innings to take the game over. Chattanooga scored a run in the 9th off lefty Alan Williams, but Casey Medlen came on to slam the door and record his 1st save of the season.

 

Huntsville Stars Box Score

 

Besides Kjeldgaard, 1st baseman Jason Rogers and center fielder Rene Tosoni each had 2 hit games and right fielder Kentrail Davis was on base 3 times with a hit and 2 walks. Every Stars starter with the exception of shortstop Ozzie Chavez recorded a hit, and catcher Shawn Zarraga also picked up a hit in a pinch hit appearance.

 

Strong pitching tonight from all 4 Stars pitchers. Starter Jimmy Nelson picked up the win, going 5 innings allowing 4 runs, 2 earned on 5 hits and no walks while striking out 8. Greg Holle retired all 6 batters he faced with 3 strike outs. Alan Williams allowed a run on 2 hits and a walk while recording 2 strike outs over 1 2/3 innings and Casey Medlen, after recording 22 saves last season, got the final out to record his 1st save of 2013.

 

Chattanooga contributed to the Stars offense by committing 5 errors, including 3 from 1st basemen Chris Jacobs, who also went 0-4 with 3 strikeouts.

 

Stars Play By Play

 

The 3rd inning was really the only trouble for Jimmy Nelson tonight. Stars 4th had the potential to be even bigger with the 1st 5 hitters reaching base before the next 3 were retired.

 

Huntsville Top of the 4th

 

Jason Rogers reaches on a throwing error by third baseman C. Retherford.

Rene Tosoni reaches on a fielding error by first baseman Chris Jacobs. Jason Rogers to 2nd.

Brock Kjeldgaard triples (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Yasiel Puig. Jason Rogers scores. Rene Tosoni scores.

Mike Walker singles on a line drive to right fielder Yasiel Puig, deflected by pitcher Zach Lee. Brock Kjeldgaard scores.

Adam Weisenburger walks. Mike Walker to 2nd.

Jimmy Nelson called out on strikes.

Nick Shaw flies out to center fielder Joc Pederson.

Ozzie Chavez strikes out swinging.

 

 

Game 2 is tomorrow night. 6:15 central time start. Taylor Jungmann will make his AA debut with the start for Huntsville against Chris Reed for Chattanooga.

[bkrause2]

Brevard blanked in home opener

By Dave Walkovic / Brevard County Manatees

 

VIERA, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees home opener was spoiled on Friday night as the 'Tees were shutout by the Daytona Cubs, 8-0 at Space Coast Stadium.

 

Javier Baez kick started the Daytona (1-1) offense by launching a two-run home run over the left-center field fence in the top of the first inning. Baez's first home run of the season gave the Cubs an early two run cushion and Daytona never looked back.

 

Cubs starting pitcher Starling Peralta (0-0, 0.00) didn't allow a hit until the fifth when 'Tees (1-1) shortstop Yadiel Rivera doubled to dead center field. Center fielder Zeke DeVoss almost made an incredible diving over-the-shoulder catch, but couldn't control the ball when he hit the ground.

 

Peralta's night came to an end with one out in the fifth inning. He allowed no runs on just one hit, walked three and fanned five batters.

 

DeVoss had a huge night at the plate as well. After he singled and scored in the first, DeVoss connected on a two-run triple to right-center field to extend the Daytona lead to 4-0. He doubled down the right field line in his third at bat, but went 0-for-2 with a walk in his final three plate appearances and finished a home run shy of the cycle.

 

The bottom third of the Daytona order - LF John Andreoli, C Chad Noble, and 3B Ben Carhart - combined to go 8-for-13 with four runs scored and two RBI. Andreoli and Carhart each had three hits and Noble crushed an RBI triple off the batters' eye in center field in the third inning to extend the Cubs cushion to five. The Cubs smacked 15 hits in total.

 

Ryan Searle was credited with the win after he tossed 4.2 scoreless innings, gave up just two hits and struck out six.

 

Brevard County's Drew Gagnon (0-1, 15.00) struggled in his first start of the new season. He was tagged for five runs on eight hits in three-plus innings.

 

The lone bright spot in the 'Tees batting order came in the form of Chad Stang who notched his second consecutive two-hit game. Out of the bullpen, Kevin Shackleford, Tommy Toledo and Stephen Peterson all had scoreless outings on the night.

 

The same two teams will square off again tomorrow night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach. Southpaw Austin Kirk (9-3, 3.12 in 2012) will get the call for the Cubs. He will be opposed by righty Brooks Hall (4-3, 4.33 in 2012) for the Manatees.

 

First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. and you can hear all the action live on ManateesBaseball.com starting with the Manatees Pregame Show at 6:35 p.m.

 

The 'Tees return home Sunday evening for a 5:05 p.m. contest to wrap up its four game series with Daytona

[TooLiveBrew]

Sounds Blanked by New Orleans, 12-0

Nashville starter Hiram Burgos extends scoreless streak in loss

Nashville Sounds

 

http://i.imgur.com/1diauhV.jpg

Hiram Burgos (Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds)

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds held the New Orleans Zephyrs scoreless through five innings, but were unable to contain the visitor's hot bats, who scored runs in each of the last four frames en route to shutting out the Sounds, 12-0.

 

The lone bright spot on the night for the Sounds was starting pitcher Hiram Burgos, who picked up where he left off in 2012 by extending his Triple-A scoreless streak to 17 innings across his last three starts, dating back to August 29. The right-handed pitcher limited the Zephyrs to two hits through five innings of work, fanning six and walking three.

 

Unfortunately for the Sounds, the team's bullpen did not see similar success. The Zephyrs broke through for three runs in sixth inning, touching Sounds reliever Michael Olmsted in his Triple-A debut. Ed Lucas led-off with a single to right field and moved to second on a walk to Bryan Petersen. Ben Lasater followed with a shallow RBI-single and scored alongside Petersen on Matt Diaz's single to right.

 

The Z's tacked on four runs in the following inning, which began with shortstop Matt Downs scoring from second on a dropped fly ball charged to left fielder Sean Halton. Downs had reached scoring position with a leadoff single.

 

Olmsted proceeded to issue two walks before being relieved by Jim Hoey, [whose] first pitch as a Nashville Sound left the ballpark on a three-run homer by Lasater, who finished with four RBIs. Olmsted (0-1) was charged with three runs in the inning and six on the night, taking the loss after recording 1 2/3 innings of work.

 

Downs increased New Orleans' lead to nine runs in the eighth with a two-run blast over the left-field wall, scoring Wilson Valdez, who singled to get on. The jack was followed by a walk, ending Hoey's night after 2/3 innings and four earned runs.

 

Also not seeing his Sounds debut go in a positive direction was Kyle Heckathorn, who entered in relief to allow a double to Kevin Mattison and an RBI-single to Lucas, who later scored on a fielder's choice, making it 11-0 in the eighth. The Z's final run came in the ninth, on an RBI-single to right field by Mattison that scored Diaz, who reached first on an missed grounder by Hainley Statia at third base.

 

Offensively the Sounds mustered only five hits, led by second baseman Scooter Gennett, who had two. Also recording hits were right fielder Cole Garner, third baseman Stephen Parker, and catcher Dayton Buller.

 

Netting the win for New Orleans was starting pitcher LHP Brad Hand (1-0), who fanned seven Sounds and walked three in five innings of work. Relievers Scott Maine, Doug Mathis, and A.J. Battisto combined for the shutout.

 

The Sounds will play game three of their four-game series against the Z's Saturday night at Greer Stadium (6:35 p.m.). RHP Johnny Hellweg (0-0, 0.00) gets the nod for Nashville opposite RHP Jacob Turner (0-0, 0.00) for New Orleans.

 

 

Nashville Box

Gennett: 2-4

Hunter Morris: 0-3, BB

Garner: 1-3, BB, OF Assist

Caleb Gindl: 0-3, BB

Parker: 1-3

Buller: 1-2, BB, 1/1 CS

 

Burgos: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K, HBP, 69 TP (42 strikes), 4:2 GO:FO

Olmsted: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 6 R/ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 1:1 GO:FO

Hoey: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R/ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 0:2 GO:FO

Heckathorn: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R/1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 5:0 GO:FO

 

 

Nashville PbP

Burgos was in hot water after surrendering a triple to the game's first batter, and then a one-out walk... but he was able to induce a critical double-play ball to escape unscathed:

 

New Orleans Top of the 1st

-Kevin Mattison triples (1) on a line drive to right fielder Cole Garner.

-Ed Lucas strikes out swinging.

-Bryan Petersen walks.

-Ben Lasater grounds into a double play, shortstop Josh Prince to second baseman Scooter Gennett to first baseman Hunter Morris. Bryan Petersen out at 2nd.

 

Nashville loaded the bases with two outs in the second, but came up empty:

 

Nashville Bottom of the 2nd

-Sean Halton called out on strikes.

-Caleb Gindl walks.

-Cole Garner flies out to center fielder Kevin Mattison.

-Stephen Parker singles on a line drive to center fielder Kevin Mattison. Caleb Gindl to 3rd.

-Dayton Buller walks. Stephen Parker to 2nd.

-Hiram Burgos strikes out swinging.

 

And as I noted earlier in today's thread, the Sounds were then cut down at the plate trying to open the scoring in the 5th:

 

Nashville Bottom of the 5th

-Stephen Parker strikes out swinging.

-Dayton Buller singles on a ground ball to left fielder Matt Diaz.

-Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Anderson De La Rosa replaces Hiram Burgos.

-Anderson De La Rosa walks. Dayton Buller to 2nd.

-Josh Prince called out on strikes.

-Scooter Gennett singles on a line drive to center fielder Kevin Mattison. Dayton Buller out at home on the throw, center fielder Kevin Mattison to catcher Koyie Hill.

 

 

Nashville Gameday

[DHonks]

here's hoping Heckathorn turns it around, but man he's been disappointing to follow since his brief success in Brevard. We've managed to make Kinzler, Axford, and Henderson into good relievers, you'd think we could do that once with our own (former) power arm

[Mass Haas]

Stars Rally to Beat Lookouts on Opening Night

 

A day after having their opening game rained out, the Huntsville Stars rallied from a 4-0 deficit on Friday night to beat the Chattanooga Lookouts by a score of 7-5 at AT&T Field.

 

After two Stars errors in the first inning led to two Chattanooga runs and a two-run double by Lookouts left fielder Blake Smith in the third inning, Stars starting pitching Jimmy Nelson settled into a tremendous first start. A consensus top-10 prospect in the Brewers organization, Nelson went five innings and gave up those four runs (two earned) while fanning eight without walking a batter. The 23-year-old righty also retired eight of the last nine batters he faced to put the exclamation point on his first win of the season.

 

Trailing by four, the Stars started mounting their comeback in the fourth inning, where they scored the first three of seven unanswered runs. To begin the rally, first basemen Jason Rogers and center fielder Rene Tosoni each reached base via an error by the Chattanooga defense. Both runners were then brought home on a two-run triple by left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard off of Lookouts starter Zach Lee that cut the Chattanooga lead in half. Later in the inning, Kjeldgaard scored on a RBI single by Mike Walker to made the score 4-3.

 

Following an RBI single by Tosoni in the fifth inning that tied the game up at four apiece, the Stars took the lead for good against Lookouts reliever Ryan Acosta in the sixth inning. To begin the frame, catcher Adam Weisenburger, pinch-hitter Shawn Zarraga and second basemen Nick Shaw led off with back-to-back-to-back singles. After Weisenburger scored on a run-scoring groundout by shortstop Ozzie Chavez, right fielder Kentrail Davis drove home Zarraga with an RBI single to make the score 6-4.

 

In the seventh inning, Huntsville scored the last of their seven unanswered runs on an RBI single by Weisenburger.

 

Fortunately for the stars, the three-run lead that the Huntsville offense built was plenty for their bullpen. After Nelson exited the ballgame after the fifth, reliever Greg Holle threw two scoreless frames. Holle also struck out the side in seventh and didn't give up a hit in his first ever double-a outing. Righty Casey Medlen notched his first save, retiring the only batter he faced when he relieved lefty Alan Williams and got Lookouts pinch-hitter Omar Luna to ground out to end the game.

 

In regards to offense, the Stars were paced by three hits from Kjeldgaard, in which the 27-year-old outfielder was just a home run away from the cycle. Both Rogers and Tosoni each had two hits as well and Davis reached base four out of the five times he was at-bat.

 

Game two of a five-game series between the two teams will begin at 7:15 ET on Saturday night. A pair of highly-touted prospects will battle it out on the mound as the Stars will send RHP Taylor Jungmann (11-6, 3.53 ERA with Brevard County in 2012) to square off against Lookouts LHP Chris Reed (0-4, 4.84 ERA with Chattanooga in 2012).

 

Following the Series against Chattanooga, the Stars will open up their home slate against the Jacksonville Suns on April 10th for a five-game series immediately followed by a five games against the Tennessee Smokies.

[Mass Haas]

Chattanooga Lookouts right fielder Yasiel Puig safely steals second ahead of a throw to Huntsville shortstop Ozzie Chavez during their season opener Friday at AT&T Field.

Chattanooga Times Free Press Photo by Doug Strickland.

 

http://media.timesfreepress.com/img/photos/2013/04/05/040613_WEB_d_Lookouts_t618.JPG?ba5b5b122dd3d37cc13d83e92a6a0ec0d5bfa32a

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: Nashville Pre-Game with Hunter Morris

[Mass Haas]

Some Wisconsin video via the Peoria blog

 

***

 

Chris Mehring's Rattler Radio blog with several thoughts

[Mass Haas]

Link includes Hiram Burgos and Mike Guerrero video

 

Sounds' bullpen wastes solid start

by Nick Cole, the Tennessean

 

Game two for the Sounds was not nearly as successful as the opener.

 

Unable to build off Thursday’s opening night win, the Sounds lost 12-0 to New Orleans on Friday at Greer Stadium.

 

Hiram Burgos threw five strong innings, but the Sounds’ bullpen allowed all 12 runs in four innings.

 

“We couldn’t get ahead (in the count), and we paid for it,” Sounds manager Mike Guerrero said about his bullpen. “We would try to get ahead, but they were in hitting counts and took advantage of it.”

 

Although he did not factor into the decision, Burgos allowed just two hits and struck out six.

 

“It was good to get the first one out of the way — and it was a good one — but it’s the same feeling because of the loss,” said Burgos, the Brewers’ 2012 minor league pitcher of the year who extended his Triple-A scoreless streak to 17 innings, dating to last season.

 

The Sounds collected just five hits in the scoreless effort, but Guerrero was not overly concerned with the sluggish start to the season offensively.

 

“We have a pretty young ball club,” he said. “It is a different level, and everybody needs adjustment. … It’s going to take a little while, but once we get things going, I think we are going to be in pretty good shape.”

 

After five innings of scoreless baseball, New Orleans broke things open with three runs in the sixth inning off Sounds reliever Michael Olmsted (0-1), who was making his Triple-A debut. Ben Lasater doubled to right field to score Ed Lucas for the first run of the game, and former Atlanta Brave Matt Diaz followed with a two-run single that scored Bryan Petersen and Lasater.

 

New Orleans extended its lead to 7-0 with a four-run seventh inning, highlighted by a two-out, three-run home run by Lasater.

 

The Zephyrs scored four more runs in the eighth inning, including two off a towering home run to left field by Matt Downs.

 

Downs drove in another run for New Orleans in the ninth to give the Zephyrs an even dozen.

 

The Sounds’ best scoring chance came in fifth, when second baseman Scooter Gennett lined a two-out single to center field with runners on first and second. But Zephyrs center fielder Kevin Mattison threw out Dayton Buller at the plate to end the inning.

 

Lefty Brad Hand (1-0) earned the win for New Orleans after logging five innings of shutout ball with seven strikeouts.

 

The Sounds and Zephyrs play the third of a four-game set at 6:35 p.m. today.

[Mass Haas]

Wisconsin shuts down Peoria at the plate in 2-1 win over Chiefs

By KEVIN CAPIE, Peoria Journal Star

 

PEORIA — It can be hard enough hitting in April in the Midwest League. But throw two quality pitchers on the mound and it can make things that much harder on an offense.

 

The Peoria Chiefs bats were as cool as the evening chill after a pair of Wisconsin Timber Rattler pitchers limited them to just three hits on Friday night.

 

That pitching performance was slightly better than the Chiefs' three hurlers and enough for a 2-1 win.

 

Peoria’s Zach Petrick and Michael Aldrete threw five innings of shutout ball in relief of Dail Villanueva, but by then the damage was done.

 

“We pitched the ball really well tonight. Our bullpen did a hell of a job,” Chiefs manager Dann Bilardello said. “Dail struggled a little bit early and worked through his inconsistency, but they had good pitching.”

 

Damien Magnifico allowed all three hits and an unearned run before Leonard Lorenzo worked four perfect innings for the Rattlers.

 

“They were getting ahead (in the count) and then mixing speeds. (Catcher) Parker Berberet did a nice job controlling the tempo,” Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson said. “If you can get that on a nightly basis you’ll have a chance to win.”

 

Only the Chiefs’ first hit, a liner to right by Patrick Wisdom in the first inning, could be considered a solid knock.

 

Still, the Chiefs were able to take a lead in the second inning when Charlie Tilson created a run with his speed after dropping a bunt for a base hit.

 

Preoccupied with the speedy center fielder, Magnifico threw a pickoff attempt into the tarp to move Tilson to second. It was the third throwing error by a Timber Rattlers pitcher this season.

 

“Anybody with speed presents a problem and puts pressure on the defense,” Erickson said. “You start rushing on defense so you end up making mistakes and getting throwing errors.”

 

Tilson came home on a throwing error after waiting out a play to first base on Ildemaro Vargas’ grounder to third base, Wisconsin first baseman Mike Garza hurried the return throw past third.

 

“That was good base running,” Bilardello said of Tilson’s sequence. “We do have a lot of speed we can utilize. But give them a lot of credit right now, they stymied our hitters.”

 

Wisconsin scored both of their runs on sacrifice flies after getting leadoff hits in the fourth and fifth.

 

But then the most semblance of an offense shut down on both sides as the temperatures dipped when the sun went down.

 

Petrick allowed a the fourth inning sac fly after coming on with runners at the corners and no outs. He struck out four.

 

Aldrete allowed one hit and worked around Peoria’s two errors, one each in the eighth and ninth.

 

“We’re a little better than what we’ve shown,” Bilardello said. “We can’t get too down, it’s only two games into the season and we’ve lost one-run games. It could be reversed.”