Link Report for Tue. 4/16 -- Manatees Salvage the Night on Bizarre Walk-Off

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Tuesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Frankie De La Cruz at Iowa (Cubs), 6:20 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

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 Ariel Pena at home vs. Tennessee (Cubs), 6:18 PM pre-game, 6:43 gametime

 

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 Brooks Hall at home vs. Lakeland (Tigers), 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: LHP Brent Suter and RHP Jorge Lopez in a doubleheader at Cedar Rapids (Twins), 4:40 PM pre-game, 5:00 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings

 

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.

 

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]

Even though one of the Rattlers' games tonight in Cedar Rapids is the makeup of a lost home game, it appears that Wisconsin will bat first and be the road team for each game.

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin Game One

 

Wisconsin Game Two

 

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 and Wisconsin media notes at the links just prior to their game times.

 

New this season: Brevard County has media notes; as of now, it's a unique link each day, but look for it just prior to game time each day within the "Stats and Scores" banner here.

 

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!)

[Mass Haas]

NEW FEATURE!

 

Weather.com:

 

Des Moines, Iowa

 

Huntsville

 

Melbourne (Brevard County)

 

Cedar Rapids

[fondybrewfan]

I sure hope Ariel Pena turns into something. Getting Segura makes me feel that the Grienke trade was a win and Hellweg looks very promising. Pena on the other hand has been pretty horrendous in the 9 games he has pitched with MIL. His 2012 with Arkansas was really really good but he has just completely bombed ever since getting traded. I know the Brewers tend to screw up there minor league pitching; but that is some kind of record.

[TooLiveBrew]

I sure hope Ariel Pena turns into something. Getting Segura makes me feel that the Grienke trade was a win and Hellweg looks very promising. Pena on the other hand has been pretty horrendous in the 9 games he has pitched with MIL. His 2012 with Arkansas was really really good but he has just completely bombed ever since getting traded. I know the Brewers tend to screw up there minor league pitching; but that is some kind of record.

I wondered last season if maybe the human element came into play with regards to Pena's performance drop. Not every guy is going to be able to transition smoothly away from the only organization he's known in his then-4.5 MiLB seasons. But who knows, there could be something mechanical that the Angels' coaches knew how to get him to repeat that our coaches haven't been able to do.

 

I'm with you, and really hope he can turn it around.

[TheCrew07]

PG field is a wonderful facility, now the franchise has to get with it and least offer Gameday and/or video, come on Cedar Rapids!

 

The T-Rats are down late 1-0 in game 1... losing on an unearned run to boot. As I'm typing the Kernels load the bases with 1 out in the bottom of 6.

 

edit. Darn, McFarland came up just short of a ball up the middle, knocked it of the tip of his glove enough that Arcia could track it down but the Kernels extend their lead.

[TheCrew07]

Well Lopez is struggling to get anything going in the early part of this season, already a 5 spot in the 1st for the Kernels in game 2. Game 1 story up soon.

[TheCrew07]

Lee shuts down Rattlers offense

Rattlers drop game one 3-0

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - One night after the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers scored 14 runs against the Cedar Rapids Kernels, Brett Lee and Tyler Jones combined to shutout the Rattlers on seven hits. The Kernels took game one of a doubleheader with Wisconsin at Perfect Game Field 3-0.

 

The Kernels (8-3) took the lead with an unearned run in the bottom of the third. JD Williams singled to right with one out and took second on an errant throw behind him at first base. Jorge Polanco got Williams home with a two-out single to right and the Kernels were up 1-0.

 

Wisconsin (4-5) put a two-out rally together in the top of the fifth inning as Chris McFarland and Michael Reed had consecutive singles that put runners on the corners against Lee. But, the Kernels starter escaped the jam by getting a grounder to end the frame.

 

In the top of the sixth, Parker Berberet and Clint Coulter also came up with back-to-back singles with two outs for the Rattlers. But, Lee got out of it again with a chopper back to the mound.

 

Cedar Rapids added to their lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth against reliever Austin Blaski. The right-hander walked the first two batters of the inning and a one out single loaded the bases for the Kernels. Romy Jimenez followed with a single to score the first run of the inning. An error on a two out grounder off the bat of Williams let another insurance run score for the Kernels.

 

Mike Garza doubled to start the Wisconsin seventh, but he was stranded there as Tyler Jones got the final three outs.

 

Lee pitched six innings and scattered six hits to earn his second win of the season. He struck out three and walked none.

 

WP: Brett Lee (2-0)

LP: Brent Suter (0-1)

 

SAVE: Tyler Jones (2)

 

TIME: 1:40

 

Wisconsin Game 1 Boxscore

Brent Suter deserved a better fate, the ill-advised Mitch Haniger throwing error in the 3rd was the difference in the game, the Rattler bats just couldn't string enough hits together. Orlando Arcia is in a mini-slump, he didn't make good contact in game 1 and has been dropped in the order for game 2. Haniger did have another double, his 5th XBH of the season thus far.

 

Buxton left yesterday's game in the 7th, didn't play in game 1, but led off game 2 with a perfectly placed jam shot on the IF for a hit. I have a feeling I'm going to be really tired of that dude by the time he gets promoted.

 

Wisconsin Game 1 Recap

Nothing here worth noting beyond Chris' story.

[TooLiveBrew]

Not going well in Des Moines for Frankie De La Cruz: 4 ER, 4 BB, & 0 K through 5 innings. Sounds trailing 4-0... time for a rally, boys.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Pre-Game Audio: New Brewers Minor League Pitching Coordinator Rick Tomlin

[Minigoon]

Final: Tennessee 4 Huntsville 3

 

The Stars were unable to over come 3 solo home runs as the fell tonight 4-3 to Tennessee at The Joe. Stars starter Ariel Pena had his longest outing of the season, going 5 innings allowing 3 runs, all on solo home runs, on 4 hits and 2 walks with 4 strike outs. Pena's pitch count tonight was 73 with 42 being strikes. Overall, it was a better outing for Pena than some of his earlier starts this season, but still not what he showed prior to coming over last season in the Grienke trade. Left hander Alan Williams followed Pena on the mound tonight and went 1 inning allowing a hit. 40 man roster pitcher Santo Manzanillo pitched the final 3 innings tonight. Manzanillo allowed 1 earned run on 2 hits, a walk, and a hit batter. Stars broadcaster Alex Cohen noted Manzanillo hit 98 a couple times on the radar gun tonight, so the arm strength continues to return after the shoulder injury.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

The Stars fell behind 3-0 before Kentrail Davis hit a solo home run of his own. It was Davis's 1st home run of the season. Jason Rogers and Brock Kjeldgaard both had 2 hits tonight for the Stars. Catcher Adam Weisenburger was back in the line up after missing a game plus after being hit by a pitch on Sunday. Weisenburger went 1-2 with a run scored and 2 walks. 3rd baseman Mike Walker and back up catcher Robinzon Diaz had the Stars other 2 hits.

 

Brewer utility infielder Jeff Bianchi started tonights game at 2nd base. He went 0-3 at the plate and was replaced after 6 innings in the field. So far, on his rehabilitation assignment, Bianchi has started at short, 3rd, and now 2nd.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

 

Team RISP: 2-for-12.

Team LOB: 8.

 

The Stars 4th inning could have been a whole lot bigger:

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 4th

 

Kentrail Davis homers (1) on a fly ball to left field.

Jason Rogers singles on a ground ball to center fielder Matt Szczur.

Brock Kjeldgaard singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Jae-Hoon Ha. Jason Rogers to 3rd.

Mike Walker reaches on a fielder's choice out, first baseman Justin Bour to catcher Jair Fernandez. Jason Rogers out at home. Brock Kjeldgaard to 2nd.

Rene Tosoni grounds into a force out, second baseman Ronald Torreyes to shortstop Arismendy Alcantara. Brock Kjeldgaard to 3rd. Mike Walker out at 2nd. Rene Tosoni to 1st.

With Adam Weisenburger batting, wild pitch by Alberto Cabrera, Rene Tosoni to 2nd.

Alberto Cabrera intentionally walks Adam Weisenburger.

Ariel Pena strikes out swinging.

 

And their 9th inning rally came up 1 run short.

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 9th

 

Pitching Change: Frank Batista replaces A. J. Morris, batting 9th.

Adam Weisenburger walks.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Robinzon Diaz replaces Santo Manzanillo.

Robinzon Diaz singles on a ground ball to shortstop Arismendy Alcantara. Adam Weisenburger to 2nd.

Nick Shaw grounds into a force out, second baseman Ronald Torreyes to shortstop Arismendy Alcantara. Adam Weisenburger to 3rd. Robinzon Diaz out at 2nd. Nick Shaw to 1st.

With Hector Gomez batting, passed ball by Jair Fernandez, Nick Shaw to 2nd.

Hector Gomez grounds out, third baseman Christian Villanueva to first baseman Justin Bour. Adam Weisenburger scores.

Kentrail Davis grounds out to first baseman Justin Bour.

 

The Stars and Smokies will have a quick turn around tomorrow. Game time is 10:43 Central time with Alex Cohen's pregame show starting at 10:30. Brewers # 3 prospect Taylor Jungmann will start for the Stars, looking to have a bounce back game.

[TheCrew07]

Kernels big first inning puts Rattlers behind the 8-ball

Cedar Rapids wins game two 9-1 to sweep doubleheader

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - The Cedar Rapids Kernels scored eight runs in the first inning of the second game of a doubleheader at Perfect Game Field against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Tuesday night. The big inning allowed the Kernels to cruise to a 9-1 victory in the game a twinbill sweep.

 

Cedar Rapids (9-3) sent twelve batters to the plate, cracked six hits, and scored eight runs in the bottom of the first to take immediate control of the game against Rattlers starting pitcher Jorge Lopez. Byron Buxton beat out an infield single to start the barrage. Tyler Grimes followed with a single. Jorge Polanco was next and his double drove in both runners. Dalton Hicks singled to put runners on the corners. Adam Brett Walker grounded into a force play at second that let Polanco score for a 3-0 lead.

 

Then, Travis Harrison homered over the wall in left. His two-run line drive longball made it 5-0.

 

Lopez would load the bases by hitting a batter and walking two before Buxton came to bat for the second time in the inning. Buxton doubled to drive in two runs and knock Lopez out of the game.

 

Ryan Gibbard took over for Lopez with runners at second and third and one out. The second out of the inning came on a sacrifice fly by Tyler Grimes that scored a run to make it 8-0.

 

The Kernels tacked on an unearned run in the bottom of the fifth inning thanks to a pair of errors and a passed ball. That made it 9-0.

 

The Rattlers (4-6), who were shutout on seven hits in the first game of the doubleheader, had three hits through six innings and appeared to be headed to a second straight shutout. But, Michael Reed tripled to start the last inning for Wisconsin. Mitch Haniger got the run home with a grounder to third. But, the Rattlers would get no closer.

 

The final game of the four game series in Cedar Rapids is scheduled for Wednesday. Preston Gainey (0-1, 18.00) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. The Kernels have Taylor Rogers (0-0, 0.00) as their scheduled starter. Game time is 6:35pm. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:15pm.

 

HR:

Travis Harrison (2nd, 1 on in 1st inning off Jorge Lopez, 1 out)

 

WP: Tim Atherton (1-0)

LP: Jorge Lopez (0-2)

 

TIME: 1:51

ATTN: 611

 

Wisconsin Game 2 Boxscore

Other than Michael Reed's triple in the final frame the only other positive on the night was Alfredo Rodriguez' 2-2 effort. The Rattlers pitched poorly, only had 4 hits, and played bad defense, this was as bad a game as they've played all season.

 

Wisconsin Game 2 Recap

 

Jorge Lopez has pitched 4.1 innings this season and has allowed 4 HRs in that span, I was looking forward to watching him pitch but at this rate I might not get the chance. Chris covered this in agonizing detail above but this was truly the game. Jorge made a good pitch to Buxton that turned into a fortunate base hit but the HR seemed to suck the life out of him, look at the all the free bases he allowed... especially after the HR.

 

Cedar Rapids Bottom of the 1st

• Byron Buxton singles on a ground ball to shortstop Orlando Arcia.
  With Tyler Grimes batting, wild pitch by Jorge Lopez, Byron Buxton to 2nd.
  Tyler Grimes singles on a ground ball to left fielder Michael Reed. Byron Buxton to 3rd.
  With Jorge Polanco batting, wild pitch by Jorge Lopez, Tyler Grimes to 2nd.
  Jorge Polanco doubles (3) on a line drive to right fielder Mitch Haniger. Byron Buxton scores. Tyler Grimes scores.
  Dalton Hicks singles on a line drive to right fielder Mitch Haniger. Jorge Polanco to 3rd.
  Adam Walker grounds into a force out, shortstop Orlando Arcia to second baseman Alfredo Rodriguez. Jorge Polanco scores. Dalton Hicks out at 2nd. Adam Walker to 1st.
  Travis Harrison homers (2) on a fly ball to left field. Adam Walker scores.
  Niko Goodrum hit by pitch.
  Jhonatan Arias walks. Niko Goodrum to 2nd.
  Romy Jimenez walks. Niko Goodrum to 3rd. Jhonatan Arias to 2nd.
  Byron Buxton doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Michael Reed. Niko Goodrum scores. Jhonatan Arias scores. Romy Jimenez to 3rd.
  Pitching Change: Ryan Gibbard replaces Jorge Lopez.
  Tyler Grimes out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Tyrone Taylor. Romy Jimenez scores. Byron Buxton to 3rd.
  Jorge Polanco flies out to left fielder Michael Reed.
  

 

Oddly Gameday fired up for Game 2.

Wisconsin Game 2 Gameday

[TooLiveBrew]

Sounds Drop Series Opener In Iowa, 4-1

Nashville Out-Hits Cubs But Suffers Third Consecutive Loss

Nashville Sounds

 

http://i.imgur.com/ylLU3WK.jpg

Frankie De La Cruz (Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds)

 

DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa left-hander Brooks Raley twirled six scoreless innings to lead the Iowa Cubs to a 4-1 victory over the Nashville Sounds on Tuesday evening at Principal Park in the opener of a four-game series.

 

The defeat was the third in a row and the sixth loss in the last seven games for Nashville (4-8).

 

The Sounds out-hit the Cubs, 10-3, in the game and placed a runner into scoring position in seven of the nine innings but finished just 1-for-11 in RBI opportunities. Ozzie Chavez, Cole Garner, and Anderson De La Rosa all turned in two-hit efforts for the Sounds.

 

Raley (1-0) stifled the Nashville offense, tossing six scoreless innings to earn the victory. The southpaw scattered six hits and struck out seven Sounds batters on the night.

 

Sounds starter Frankie De La Cruz struggled with his control during a 26-pitch first inning, issuing three four-pitch walks to Cubs batters to load the bases with one out. Veteran infielder Donnie Murphy put Iowa on the scoreboard with a sharp grounder to third that resulted in an RBI fielder's choice as Logan Watkins raced home for a 1-0 lead. De La Cruz recovered to induce an inning-ending flyout from Darnell McDonald to strand two baserunners and limit the damage.

 

The Sounds missed a chance to even the contest in the fourth after Chavez reached third with only one out. However, Raley struck out Sean Halton and got Stephen Parker to ground out to escape the inning unscathed.

 

The I-Cubs didn't record their first hit against De La Cruz until the bottom of the fourth, when former Sound J.C. Boscan, the number eight hitter in the lineup, drilled a two-run double off the top of the left field wall. Darnell McDonald and ex-Sound Edwin Maysonet scored on the two-bagger, which upped the Iowa lead to 3-0.

 

Nashville had a runner on third with only one out again in the fifth and once again failed to score. De La Cruz dropped a two-strike foul bunt with runners on the corners for the second out before Raley induced an inning-ending grounder from Scooter Gennett.

 

Iowa right fielder Ryan Sweeney made it a 4-0 contest in the home half of the fifth with a one-out RBI triple into the right field corner to plate Ty Wright, who preceded him with a single. De La Rosa, the Sounds' catcher, erased Sweeney from the basepaths with a pickoff during the ensuing at-bat.

 

De La Cruz (1-1) took the loss for Nashville after allowing four runs on three hits in his five innings of action. The veteran walked four batters and fanned none in his 78-pitch effort.

 

The Sounds' bullpen continued its early-season solid work, combining to blank the I-Cubs behind De La Cruz. Chris Jakubauskas, Jesus Sanchez, and Travis Webb each offered a perfect inning of relief for Nashville as the final 10 Iowa batters on the night were retired in order.

 

Nashville finally got onto the scoreboard against Cubs reliever Cory Wade in the top of the ninth to avoid the shutout.

 

Third baseman Stephen Parker led off with a single to extend his hitting streak to seven games, matching Gennett for the longest effort by a Sound this season. Later in the frame, Caleb Gindl snapped an 0-for-19 funk by dropping a one-out RBI double down the right field line to put the Sounds on the board.

 

Wade recovered to strike out De La Rosa and retire pinch-hitter Blake Davis on a game-ending comebacker to close out the Iowa victory.

 

The teams continue the series with a 12:05 p.m. matinee meeting on Wednesday. Right-hander Johnny Hellweg (1-1, 4.00) will make his third start of the year for the Sounds. Iowa will counter with right-hander Nick Struck (0-1, 6.00).

 

 

Nashville Box

Of the 10 Sounds hits, only two were of the extra-base variety; both of those were doubles, and one yielded the only Nashville RBI on the night.

 

Gennett: 1-4, PO

Chavez: 2-4, SB

Morris: 1-3, 2B, HBP, SB

Parker: 1-4

Garner: 2-4

Gindl: 1-4, 2B, RBI

De La Rosa: 2-4, PO (defensive, at 3B)

 

[pre]De La Cruz: 5 IP 3 H 4 R 4 ER 4 BB 0 K HBP 78 TP (41 strikes) 7:4 GO:FO

Jakubauskas: 1 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 1 K

Sanchez: 1 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 0 K

Webb: 1 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 0 K[/pre]

Half of Iowa's position players tonight were former Brewers: J.C. Boscan, Donnie Murphy, Edwin Maysonet, & Brad Nelson.

 

Another item of note in this one was the 1B ump -- Angel Campos. As best I can tell, he umped in MLB from 2007-'12. Interesting to see him demoted(?) to AAA.

 

 

Nashville PbP

The De La Rosa pickoff was a pretty big play, coming right on the heels of Ryan Sweeney's RBI triple that made the score 3-0. Brad Nelson's subsequent groundout could've pushed that deficit to four runs:

 

Iowa Bottom of the 5th

-Logan Watkins grounds out, second baseman Scooter Gennett to first baseman Hunter Morris.

-Ty Wright singles on a ground ball to left fielder Sean Halton.

-Ryan Sweeney triples (1) on a line drive to right fielder Cole Garner. Ty Wright scores.

-With Brad Nelson batting, Anderson De La Rosa picks off Ryan Sweeney at 3rd on throw to Stephen Parker.

-Brad Nelson grounds out to first baseman Hunter Morris.

 

Unfortunately, the most noise Nashville's offense made in any inning was in the 9th:

 

Nashville Top of the 9th

-Pitching Change: Cory Wade replaces Yoanner Negrin, batting 2nd, replacing left fielder Ty Wright.

-Defensive Substitution: Brian Bogusevic replaces pitcher Yoanner Negrin, batting 7th, playing left field.

-Stephen Parker singles on a line drive to right fielder Ryan Sweeney.

-With Cole Garner batting, wild pitch by Cory Wade, Stephen Parker to 2nd.

-Cole Garner strikes out swinging.

-Caleb Gindl doubles (3) on a line drive to right fielder Ryan Sweeney. Stephen Parker scores.

-Anderson De La Rosa called out on strikes.

-Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Blake Davis replaces Travis Webb.

-Blake Davis grounds out, pitcher Cory Wade to first baseman Brad Nelson.

 

 

Nashville Gameday

[TooLiveBrew]

40 man roster pitcher Santo Manzanillo pitched the final 3 innings tonight. Manzanillo allowed 1 earned run on 2 hits, a walk, and a hit batter. Stars broadcaster Alex Cohen noted Manzanillo hit 98 a couple times on the radar gun tonight, so the arm strength continues to return after the shoulder injury.

This news is all kinds of excellent. Keep on truckin', Santo!

[TheCrew07]

Is it too early to suggest that Jesus Sanchez be given a shot at a MLB bullpen role this season?

[homer]

Is it too early to suggest that Jesus Sanchez be given a shot at a MLB bullpen role this season?

 

Mass was suggesting that same thing on twitter earlier this evening.

[Mass Haas]

Is it too early to suggest that Jesus Sanchez be given a shot at a MLB bullpen role this season?

 

My "playing GM" tweet earlier tonight - get Sanchez that initial taste for three days, and welcome him back as needed all season.

[TheCrew07]

Ha... well that's what I get, I look at twitter on the iphone, rarely on the computer, and it's been on the charger all night.

 

Sorry Mass, and thank you for beating me to the punch as usual!

[Mass Haas]

Stars Drop Nailbiter to Smokies

By Alex Cohen / Huntsville Stars

 

With the opportunity to provide late inning heroics for the second night in a row, the Huntsville Stars stranded the potential game-tying run on second in the ninth inning and fell to the Tennessee Smokies by a score of 4-3 on Tuesday night at Joe Davis Stadium.

 

With the wind blowing out during the majority of the evening, the longball was the primary source of offense early on in the game, especially for the Smokies.

 

In the second inning, the Smokies began a stretch of three straight innings with solo home runs as Tennessee first baseman Justin Bour lead off the frame with an opposite-field moonshot over the left field wall off of Stars starter Ariel Pena (L, 0-1). Pena then went on to give up a homer to center fielder Matt Szczur in the third and then a blast from right fielder Rubi Silva (second HR in as many games) in the fourth inning to give the Smokies a 3-0 lead.

 

To get into the swing of things, Stars right fielder Kentrail Davis joined the homer brigade in the bottom of the fourth with a leadoff blast off of Smokies starter Alberto Cabrera (W, 2-1) to cut the Tennessee lead to 3-1.

 

The Stars continued their offensive momentum into the fifth inning, where an RBI double from first baseman Jason Rogers scored second baseman Nick Shaw to cut the Stars deficit to one.

 

Unfortunately, Huntsville would get no closer than that.

 

After a leadoff double in the seventh inning from Silva, an RBI double from Tennessee third baseman Christian Villanueva off of Stars reliever Santo Manzanillo would bring the Smokies lead back to two.

 

In the ninth inning, the Stars provided one last surge off of Tennessee closer Frank Batista to try to continue their recent trend of comeback wins. To start the inning, catcher Adam Weisenburger (walk) and pinch-hitter Robinson Diaz (single) both reached base off of Batista. After Shaw grounded into a fielders choice to put runners at first and third, an RBI groundout by shortstop Hector Gomez plated Weisenburger to put the Stars back down by one.

 

However, with Shaw in scoring position at second base, Batista got Davis to ground out to first to notch his second save of the season and end the ballgame.

 

For the Stars, Tuesday's game was their third straight contest that was decided by one run and the fourth out of their last five.

 

On offense, the Stars were led by Rogers and center fielder Brock Kjeldgaard who had two hits apiece. The two-hit night for Rogers was his second in a row, and his sixth of the season in just 12 games.

 

The Stars and Smokies will have a very quick turnaround as they play game three of a five-game series at Joe Davis Stadium on Wednesday morning for the only "Education Day" of the season. Huntsville will send RHP Taylor Jungmann (1-1, 9.82 ERA) to the hill to square off against Tennessee LHP Eric Jokish (1-0, 1.50 ERA). First pitch is at a special time of 10:43 AM.

[Mass Haas]

Be sure you catch the scouting comments of Perfect Game's Managing Editor (and Emeritus Brewerfan Amateur Scouting Guru) Patrick Ebert, just posted to the tail end of Monday's Link Report. Perfect Game is based in Cedar Rapids, where the Rattlers are residing this week.