Link Report for Friday 4/12 - Mother Nature finally to cooperate? Not in Appleton!

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF!

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Johnny Hellweg at Omaha (Royals), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime

 

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

 

Jeff Hem is the 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). The audio feed is from the home team. All MiLB.TV details available at the link.

 

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Huntsville: RHP's Taylor Jungmann and Ariel Pena in a doubleheader at home vs. Jacksonville (Marlins), 4:18 PM pre-game, 4:43 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings

 

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

 

Alex Cohen is the play-by-play voice of the Stars; follow him on Twitter @alexmcohen. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be broadcast. It appears four Southern League teams air their home games on MiLB.TV, and we'll let you know when those dates pop up on the schedule.

 

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Brevard County: RHP David Goforth at home vs. Clearwater (Phillies), 5:05 PM pre-game, 5:35 PM gametime

 

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

 

Manatees audio, hooray! Dave Walkovic is the first play-by-play voice of the 'Tees since 2007, he's joined by Andy Towne; follow the Brevard broadcast booth staff on Twitter @BCManateesRadio. All home games and many road games are scheduled to be broadcast. When road games are only available via the opponents' audio feed, we'll let you know that.

 

NOTE: Dave indicates that he hopes to include a pre-game interview prior to each game; it's a 30-minute pre-game! We'll fill you in if Brevard masters archiving a la Nashville and/or Helena.

 

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Wisconsin: Wow, doubleheader postponed - check out the morning tweet image from Appleton

 

So for the $39.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sounds games, Stars' road games from four Southern League locales, and all Timber Rattlers home games and some road games.

 

NOTE: 32 of the Rattlers' 70 home games will be broadcast on TV this season. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel has seventeen games scheduled and WACY-TV My NEW32 plans to show fifteen games. We'll let you know when, but won't be providing day-before DVR reminders, so regularly check for proper channel and time planning (scroll to the bottom of this link).

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville Game One

 

Huntsville Game Two

 

Brevard County

 

New MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, 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

[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]

Look for Nashville media notes at the link just prior to their game times.

 

Once we're aware of the new online location for Huntsville's Media Notes this season, we'll let you know. (Coming soon, we're told!)

 

New this season: Brevard County has media notes; as of now, it's a unique link each day (we'll post when available), we've asked for a consistent posted link like Nashville uses, we'll see...

[Mass Haas]

NEW FEATURE!

 

Weather.com:

 

Omaha

 

Huntsville

 

Melbourne (Brevard County)

[Mass Haas]

Friday’s doubleheader is snowed out

Weather wipes away fourth straight Timber Rattlers home date

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI – It was snow this time. Cold, ice, and rain caused the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers to call off home games on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Early morning snow forced the Rattlers to postpone Friday’s doubleheader with the Kane County Cougars at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

 

The fourth consecutive home postponement brings the Timber Rattlers closer to a record that no one wants to see broken. Wisconsin lost five consecutive home dates to weather in 2003. All four games of a series against the Beloit Snappers were snowed out from April 3 through April 6 of 2003. The first game of a series with the Clinton LumberKings was rained out on April 8.

 

The Timber Rattlers and Cougars will attempt to get on the field for a doubleheader on Saturday. The first game of the twinbill is set to start at 1:05 pm and is scheduled for seven innings. There will be a break of approximately thirty minutes between the end of the first game and the start of the second seven inning game.

 

Tickets for games that were scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday of this week may be exchanged – based on availability – for any regular season 2013 Timber Rattlers’ home game. Fans who have tickets for Saturday’s game may use their tickets for both games of the doubleheader.

 

If the weather cooperates, Saturday is a Fly Away Saturday. One lucky fan will win charter airfare for two from Funjet Vacations and Fox World Travel.

 

Tickets for Saturday’s doubleheader or any of the remaining games on the home schedule may be purchased over the phone at (920) 733-4152 or 800-WI-TIMBER, on timberrattlers.com, or in person at the Timber Rattlers Box Office.

[TheCrew07]

Geez the Twins were discussed all over this week's Hot Sheet, Cingrani was the only divisional mention.

 

Prospect Hot Sheet: Tony Cingrani Leads The April 12 List

 

1. Tony Cingrani lhp, Reds

Age: 23

Why He’s Here: 1-0, 0.00, 12 1/3 IP, 2 GS, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 21 SO

 

The Scoop: It’s hard to explain just how Tony Cingrani piles up strikeouts. He has a deceptive delivery, but usually deception doesn’t work nearly as well for a pitcher as he climbs the ladder. For a lefthander, Cingrani has plenty of velocity, but he’s not an Arodlis Chapman blowing 100 mph fastball past helpless hitters.

 

Cingrani did show a tick more velocity than he usually has in his first start this year—he was 91-96 mph with his fastball where he usually sits more in the low 90s, but by start two, he was back to a more normal 89-94 mph.

 

But over the first week of the season, no minor league pitcher was harder to square up. He struck out 14 in his first start of the season—a number that will rank among the best strikeout games of the season. He followed it up with seven more in his encore start.

 

Usually when a pitcher is getting swings and misses on his fastball because of a deceptive delivery, he hits a wall as he gets to Double-A or Triple-A. Yusmeiro Petit, a Mets’ prospect of the past decade, is a great example. He dominated Class A with a 90-92 mph fastball that seemed faster because of a deceptive Sid Fernandez-esque delivery. But more advanced hitters could get a better look at Petit’s fastball, which explains why he’s spent most of the past eight seasons in Triple-A.

 

Cingrani is a lefty and he throws a bit harder than Petit, but like Petit, deception (and fastball life) is a big part of his success. But unlike Petit, Cingrani is having no problems baffling more and more experienced hitters. In a short stint in Cincinnati last September, Cingrani struck out nine batters in five innings. He struck out 101 batters in 89 innings at Double-A last year, and now he’s leading Triple-A in strikeouts. Cingrani has improved his slider a bit this year, and more and more it’s looking like he could be a big league starter, although his fallback position as a power reliever is an even safer bet.

 

Be sure to submit questions to the chat!

[Mass Haas]

Brevard County Media Notes

[TooLiveBrew]

Look for Nashville media notes at the link just prior to their game times.

Sounds game notes are up

[TooLiveBrew]

Chris McFarland tweet: Well it's snowing, 4th game cancelled...

 

Trey Martin (Kane County/CHC) response: dude y'all need a dome out here.

[TooLiveBrew]

The glamorous life of a minor leaguer, perfectly captured in one Will West tweet

 

A McCafe from Mickey D's kind of morning #baseballgrind #5:30am

 

http://i.imgur.com/CZMCJ7q.jpg

[TheCrew07]

BA Hot Sheet Chat

 

Greg (ohio): How about Cingrani throwing a cutter if slider still inconsistent?

 

J.J. Cooper: Always an option down the road, but no need to do that yet. He's yet to hit a level where the hitters are telling him he needs to do something different. No real reason yet to change what's been working.

David Yuen (Portland, OR): After Jorge Soler's incident it has been mentioned that he has been dealing with emotional issues. Does he still have family in Cuba? If so, are they, or the family of any recent defectors, facing any repercusions of player defection?

 

J.J. Cooper: I haven't heard about families facing repercussions from a player coming to the U.S., but there is always an understandable feeling of isolation. Travel restrictions for players to go back to Cuba are starting to loosen, but the reality is still that a player coming from Cuba to the U.S. knows he may not see his family for years. That's tough to take.

Peter (Toronto): Was Jorge Soler left off the list due to the incident the other night?

 

J.J. Cooper: Yeah. Good enough week to make the Hot Sheet, but we think the "can't make the Hot Sheet the same week your suspended for a bat wielding incident" is a good rule.

Steve (California): Is Billy Hamilton a boom or bust guy? As in, if he hits enough he'll be a star because of his speed; if he doesn't, he'll be a glorified pinch runner?

 

J.J. Cooper: I think the floor for him is better than that. At worst, he's a useful utility guy who can pinch run, play all 3 OF positions, SS and 2B. That's not nearly as much as what you hope to have from him if you're the Reds, but I think even if he is one of those guys who has the bat knocked out of his hands (and I don't think that will be the case) he'll do enough to earn a roster spot.

Cal Guy (Cal): How would you rank the following as projected pros:

Cole, A. Bradley, and Walker?

 

Bradley=Archie Bradley of the D-Backs and Walker=Taijuan Walker of Seattle

 

J.J. Cooper: As big leaguers? Floor: Cole, Walker, Bradley Ceiling: Cole, Walker, Bradley. Likelihood of reaching ceiling?: Walker, Bradley, Cole.

[Mass Haas]

From Brewers:

 

INF Jeff Bianchi begins a rehab assignment Saturday with Huntsville. He has been on the DL since 3/27 (left hip).

[TooLiveBrew]

Scooter's back in the Sounds lineup tonight:

 

Gennett 2B

Gindl CF

Morris 1B

Halton LF

Parker 3B

Garner RF

Statia DH

Davis SS

Buller C

[Mass Haas]

Jackie Robinson Movie Inspires Huntsville Stars Manager Darnell Coles

 

Video of the report is available on the sidebar of the linked page.

[Minigoon]

Final: Jacksonville 9 Huntsville 4

 

Taylor Jungmann's 2nd AA start did not go as good as his 1st as Jacksonville erupted for 6 runs in the 3rd to take a lead they would not give up. After going 5 strong last week, Jungmann couldn't get out of the 3rd as the Suns took game 1 of the scheduled double header tonight. Jacksonville struck for 2 runs in the 1st in a continuation of an early season theme for Huntsville of falling behind. The Stars put together a 4 run 2nd to take the lead. Unfortunately, it was a short lived lead. Jungmann was only able to get 1 out in third. Newly promoted Eric Marzec came on with the bases loaded and 2 runs already in and walked the 1st batter he faced. A single, ground out, and double later, the Suns had scored 6 and took the game over. An insurance run in the 7th sealed it.

 

Pitching note: During the broadcast tonight, Stars broadcaster Alex Cohen mentioned Jungmann topping out at 92 and Marzec in the upper 80's. Readings were coming from the Stars videographer tonight, not a radar gun behind the outfield.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

Whoa Solvdd!! Catcher Adam Weisenburger is off to a fine start with the bat. Regarded as the best defensive catcher in the Brewers system, Weisenburger has impressed with the bat early on. His 2 run double in the 2nd highlighting the Stars rally. No Stars player with more than 1 hit tonight. Nick Shaw did have a single and 2 walks, T.J. Mittlestaedt and Jason Rogers both with a single and a walk, and Kentrail Davis saw his hitting streak snapped at 6 games, but did manage to draw 2 more walks, including one with the bases loaded.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

 

The Good:

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 2nd

 

Brock Kjeldgaard singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jake Smolinski.

Mike Walker grounds into a force out, second baseman Derek Dietrich to shortstop Danny Black. Brock Kjeldgaard out at 2nd. Mike Walker to 1st.

Rene Tosoni singles on a ground ball to center fielder Michael Main, deflected by shortstop Danny Black. Mike Walker to 3rd.

Adam Weisenburger doubles (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Michael Main. Mike Walker scores. Rene Tosoni scores.

Taylor Jungmann grounds out, shortstop Danny Black to first baseman Mark Canha. Adam Weisenburger to 3rd.

With Nick Shaw batting, passed ball by Taylor Krick, Adam Weisenburger scores.

Nick Shaw walks.

With T. J. Mittelstaedt batting, passed ball by Taylor Krick, Nick Shaw to 2nd.

T. J. Mittelstaedt walks.

Pitching Change: Scott McGough replaces Robert Morey, batting 9th.

Jason Rogers walks. Nick Shaw to 3rd. T. Mittelstaedt to 2nd.

Kentrail Davis walks. Nick Shaw scores. T. J. Mittelstaedt to 3rd. Jason Rogers to 2nd.

Brock Kjeldgaard strikes out swinging.

 

And the bad:

 

Jacksonville Top of the 3rd

 

Derek Dietrich doubles (2) on a fly ball to left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard.

With Kyle Jensen batting, passed ball by Adam Weisenburger, Derek Dietrich to 3rd.

Kyle Jensen walks.

With Jake Smolinski batting, Kyle Jensen steals (1) 2nd base.

Jake Smolinski walks.

Zack Cox singles on a ground ball to right fielder Kentrail Davis. Derek Dietrich scores. Kyle Jensen to 3rd. Jake Smolinski to 2nd.

Mark Canha out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard. Kyle Jensen scores.

With Taylor Krick batting, Jake Smolinski steals (1) 3rd base. Zack Cox steals (1) 2nd base.

Taylor Krick hit by pitch.

Pitching Change: Eric Marzec replaces Taylor Jungmann, batting 9th.

Scott McGough walks. Jake Smolinski scores. Zack Cox to 3rd. Taylor Krick to 2nd.

Danny Black singles on a fly ball to right fielder Kentrail Davis. Zack Cox scores. Taylor Krick to 3rd. Scott McGough to 2nd.

Michael Main grounds into a force out, second baseman T. J. Mittelstaedt to shortstop Nick Shaw. Taylor Krick scores. Scott McGough to 3rd. Danny Black out at 2nd. Michael Main to 1st.

Derek Dietrich doubles (3) on a pop up to shortstop Nick Shaw. Scott McGough scores. Michael Main to 3rd.

Kyle Jensen strikes out swinging.

 

Game 2 will begin around 8 with 40 man roster pitcher Ariel Pena taking the mound for the Stars.

[Minigoon]

Game 2 game note: Shortstop Hector Gomez is in the starting lineup batting 8th. Excited to see what he can do now that he's healthy!

 

Edit: Well...could have started better.

[Minigoon]

Crazy 1st inning. 2 Huntsville errors led to the Suns scoring a run. Not to be out done, the Suns committed 3 errors and Huntsville put up 4 in the bottom of the 1st.

[bkrause2]

Final: Clearwater 9 Brevard Clounty 5

 

Brevard County saw their three game winning streak come to an end on Friday night, falling to Clearwater 9-5.

 

The Manatees got on the board early with two runs in the first inning. Chadwin Stang led off with a walk, and moved to second on a single by Greg Hopkins. Nick Ramirez then singled to center to knock in Stang. Two batters later, Brandon Macias added a base hit to score Hopkins.

 

Clearwater got one run back in the top of the second, but Brevard County added two more runs in their half of the inning. Three straight walks to Lance Roenicke, Dionis Hinojosa and Stang loaded up the bases and Hopkins followed with a two run single to give the Manatees a 4-1 lead. Brevard had a chance to add to their lead on what looked like a sacrifice fly off the bat of Macias. Stang tagged from third and appeared to score but was called out on appeal when it was rulled he left third base early.

 

The Threshers pulled to within 4-2 in the fourth on a solo home run by Chris Serritella, then took the lead with three runs in the fifth. After a walk and a single put runners on first and second, Carlos Alonso homered to left for a 5-4 Clearwater lead.

 

Clearwater stretched their lead to 6-4 in the seventh inning, but Nick Ramirez got Brevard back to within a run with a long opposite field home run, his first of the season, in the bottom of the seventh. The Threshers however, tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the eighth and one more in the ninth for a 9-5 victory

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

David Goforth started for BC and went five innings, allowing five runs, four earned, on five hits. He struck out five and walked two. Stephen Peterson pitched two innings of relief, giving up one run. Kevin Shackelford gave up two runs in one inning of work. Tyler Cravy made his 2013 debut and allowed one run in the ninth.

 

Nick Ramirez led the BC offense going 2 for 5 with a home run and two RBI. Greg Hopkins continued his hot hitting, going 2-5 with two RBI. Brandon Macias and Rafael Neda each had two hits as well. Dionis Hinojosa was 1-2 with two walks. Lance Roenicke had a double and a walk. Cameron Garfield contributed a ninth inning double in five at bats. Chadwin Stang drew a pair of walks and had a sacrifice bunt.

 

Brevard County Play-By-Play

 

Brevard missed a chance for more runs in the second.

Brevard County Bottom of the 2nd

Lance Roenicke walks.

With Dionis Hinojosa batting, wild pitch by Ethan Stewart, Lance Roenicke to 2nd.

Dionis Hinojosa walks.

Chadwin Stang walks. Lance Roenicke to 3rd. Dionis Hinojosa to 2nd.

Gregory Hopkins singles on a ground ball to center fielder Kyrell Hudson. Lance Roenicke scores. Dionis Hinojosa scores. Chadwin Stang to 2nd.

Nick Ramirez grounds out, third baseman Maikel Franco to first baseman Chris Serritella. Chadwin Stang to 3rd. Gregory Hopkins to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Gabriel Arias replaces Ethan Stewart.

Cameron Garfield reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by pitcher Gabriel Arias.

Brandon Macias flies into a double play, center fielder Kyrell Hudson to third baseman Maikel Franco. Chadwin Stang doubled off 3rd.

[TooLiveBrew]

Crazy 1st inning. 2 Huntsville errors led to the Suns scoring a run. Not to be out done, the Suns committed 3 errors and Huntsville put up 4 in the bottom of the 1st.

 

That must've been brutal....ly entertaining to watch unfold

[Mass Haas]

A Mike Walker under-the-glove error at first base (game would have ended) has led to a disastrous 7th (final) inning for the Stars in Game Two.

 

Down to their final three outs, this has the makings of a winless organizational night.

 

* reverse jinx *

[Mass Haas]

In case you're wondering why Frankie De La Cruz pitched in relief, via Jeff Hem --

 

Just a change in the order. With the rainout last night, they wanted Thornburg and Burgos to stay on normal rest, so Frankie went from Sunday to Tuesday, and Fred Dabney didn't want over a week to go by without him seeing game action. Basically had his side session tonight in a game instead.

[Minigoon]

Final: Jacksonville 5 Huntsville 4

 

Huntsville blew a 4-2 lead in the 7th as Jacksonville completed the double header sweep with a 5-4 come-from-behind win tonight at The Joe. The Stars got a good start from Ariel Pena tonight as he allowed only 1 unearned run on 3 hits and no walks while striking out 2. Pena only went 3 innings tonight, throwing 58 pitches, 35 for strikes. Stars broadcaster Alex Cohen mentioned Pena was throwing between 91-93 tonight, per the Stars videographer. R.J. Seidel contributed 2 1/3 innings of good relief. He allowed a run on a solo home run while striking out 4. Casey Medlen came on to get the last 2 outs of the 6 and the first 2 outs of the 7th. Medlen was removed for Alan Williams to set up a lefty/lefty situation. Williams induced a ground ball to Mike Walker, who was playing 1st base as a result of a double switch, but the ball got under Walker's glove for an error. Greg Holle was then brought in to try and get the final out, but after a walk on a questionable ball 4 call, he allowed a 2 strike single (after another questionable ball call) that drove in the tying and winning run for Jacksonville. Huntsville did get 2 on with 2 out in the bottom of the 7th, but pinch hitter Shawn Zarraga flew out to end it.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

Not much offense from the Stars in this one. Only Rene Tosoni and Kentrail Davis reached more than once, both had a single and a hit by pitch. Mike Walker with the only extra base hit tonight, a 1 out double in the 6th.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

 

One of the weirder innings you're going to see.

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 1st

 

Rene Tosoni hit by pitch.

Shea Vucinich flies out to right fielder Daniel Pertusati in foul territory.

Kentrail Davis hit by pitch. Rene Tosoni to 2nd.

Jason Rogers singles on a line drive to center fielder Michael Main. Rene Tosoni scores. Kentrail Davis to 3rd. Jason Rogers advances to 2nd, on a fielding error by center fielder Michael Main.

Brock Kjeldgaard singles on a line drive to center fielder Michael Main. Kentrail Davis scores. Jason Rogers to 3rd.

Mike Walker reaches on a fielding error by pitcher Adam Conley. Jason Rogers scores. Brock Kjeldgaard to 2nd.

Robinzon Diaz grounds into a force out, second baseman Danny Black to shortstop Chris Gutierrez. Brock Kjeldgaard scores. Mike Walker out at 2nd. Robinzon Diaz advances to 2nd, on a throwing error by shortstop Chris Gutierrez.

Hector Gomez grounds out, pitcher Adam Conley to first baseman Audy Ciriaco.

 

That's 4 runs on 2 hits, 2 hit batters, and 3 Suns errors. A big Thank You for those gift runs.

 

How it all came apart.

 

Jacksonville Top of the 7th

 

Chris Gutierrez grounds out, shortstop Hector Gomez to first baseman Mike Walker.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Zack Cox replaces Arquimedes Caminero.

Zack Cox walks.

Danny Black singles on a line drive to center fielder Rene Tosoni. Zack Cox to 2nd.

Michael Main strikes out on a foul tip.

Pitching Change: Alan Williams replaces Casey Medlen, batting 4th.

Derek Dietrich reaches on a fielding error by first baseman Mike Walker. Zack Cox scores. Danny Black to 3rd.

Pitching Change: Greg Holle replaces Alan Williams, batting 4th.

J. T. Realmuto walks. Derek Dietrich to 2nd.

Kyle Jensen singles on a line drive to left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard. Danny Black scores. Derek Dietrich scores. J. T. Realmuto to 3rd. Kyle Jensen advances to 2nd, on a throwing error by left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard.

Audy Ciriaco grounds out, pitcher Greg Holle to first baseman Mike Walker.

 

The Stars are now 5-3 on the season. Game 4 is tomorrow night with Andy Moye starting for Huntsville. Game time scheduled for 6:43.