Link Report for Tue. 4/23

[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 home vs. Omaha (Royals), 10:45 AM pre-game, 11:05 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.

 

**********

 

Huntsville: RHP Andy Moye at Birmingham (White Sox), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 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.

 

**********

 

Brevard County: RHP Jacob Barnes at Tampa (Yankees), 5:30 PM pre-game, 6:00 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.

 

**********

 

Wisconsin: RHP Ryan Gibbard at home vs. Quad Cities (Astros), 11:45 AM pre-game, 12:05 PM 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 four Midwest League clubs that have all their home games available via MiLB.TV.

 

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

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

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.

[Mass Haas]

Weather.com:

 

Nashville

 

Birmingham

 

Tampa

 

Appleton (Grand Chute)

[Mass Haas]

Via Jeff Hem's Blog --

 

Audio from Nashville — “Show Me the (Don) Money!”

 

Today’s interview is with the always-entertaining Don Money, who managed the Sounds from ’09-’11 and has been with the Brewers as a player or a coach for many years. He is currently a roving instructor for the Brewers, and he joined me to discuss his role, the Sounds’ team so far this season, what he misses most (and least) about managing, the best player he ever managed and the joy of getting to tell a player he’s been called up to the major leagues.

[TheCrew07]

Javier Baez of the Cubs discussed

 

Tuesday Prospect Notebook: Biddle Dominates

[fondybrewfan]

So why did Taylor get taken out after only 1 AB?

[Mass Haas]

So why did Taylor get taken out after only 1 AB?

 

Quick Twitter conversation, Chris may have a post-game update, but to be honest, he may not be at liberty to do so even then.

 

Often we only get injury updates when there's obvious on-field activity, such as a collision, HBP, etc.

 

For all we know, Taylor many not have been feeling well.

 

***

 

By the way, that game log / Gameday, at least at this time, is out-of-whack (technical issues, not baseball issues).

[bkrause2]

So why did Taylor get taken out after only 1 AB?

 

Just got back from the game. Taylor fouled a ball off his leg. He was down for a while and then limped off with the help of the trainer.

[TooLiveBrew]

Sounds Drop Series in 7-1 Loss

Nashville's Hunter Morris Goes Yard For Lone Run

Nashville Sounds

 

http://i.imgur.com/ky2aOji.jpg

Hunter Morris (Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds)

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The visiting Omaha Storm Chasers used strong pitching and 12 hits against the Nashville Sounds in Tuesday morning's day game at Greer Stadium to defeat the home team 7-1, and win the four-game series, 3-1.

 

The Sounds connected for seven hits on the day and only reached scoring position once before Hunter Morris' two-out home run in the ninth. Ozzie Chavez connected for two of Nashville's hits and extending his hitting streak to four games. Catcher Anderson De La Rosa singled to right field to achieve the team's longest hit streak of the year at eight games.

 

Nevertheless, the Sounds were outpaced by the Storm Chasers, who used a steady attack throughout the contest, picking up a pair of runs in the first inning. Johnny Giavotella doubled down the right-field line to get things started, driving in David Lough, who singled from the leadoff spot. Giavotella crossed home plate to make it 2-0 when third baseman Stephen Parker sailed a throw over first base for his third error on the season.

 

Sounds starter Frankie De La Cruz allowed another two runs to the Chasers in the third inning via two hits, two walks and one hit by pitch. Lough, who went 4-for-5 on the day and 12-for-19 in the series, tripled to leadoff the frame and scored on a bases-loaded walk to Max Ramirez. Anthony Seratelli hit a single into right field to plate the inning's second run.

 

De La Cruz was charged with the loss, his second, letting up four runs, three earned, on six hits over 3.1 innings of work. Reliever Donovan Hand entered with runners on the corners in the fourth inning and found two quick outs to prevent further damage.

 

Hand continued to pitch 2.2 innings for Nashville, but watched his scoreless streak come to an end at 9 innings over six appearances, when Brett Hayes homered in the fifth. He allowed one more on the day, as Lough singled home Irving Falu in the same inning. Hayes homered again in the seventh off of Travis Webb, who had not allowed a run in six previous appearances. All four of Hayes' home runs this season have come off Sounds pitchers.

 

Rob Wooten finished the game on the hill for the Sounds, turning in one scoreless inning. Lefty Ryan Verdugo (1-1) picked up the win for Omaha, scattering five hits across five frames of scoreless baseball.

 

After a PCL off day Wednesday, the Sounds welcome cross-state rival Memphis Redbirds to Greer Stadium on Thursday night. Getting the nod for the 7:05 p.m. start is Nashville's RHP Johnny Hellweg against the Redbirds lefty Tyler Lyons.

 

 

Nashville Box

Scooter Gennett had the day off today, likely to get him two days of rest in a row. Hopefully that's just a proactive move from skipper Mike Guerrero, & not related to a nagging injury.

 

Jeff Bianchi: 1-4, E (throw)

Morris: 2-4, HR, RBI

Caleb Gindl: 1-3, 2B

De La Rosa: 1-3

Chavez: 2-3

 

[pre]De La Cruz: 3.1 IP 6 H 4 R 3 ER 3 BB 3 K HBP 85 TP (54 strikes) 6:1 GO:FO

Hand: 2.2 IP 4 H 2 R 2 ER 1 BB 3 K

Webb: 2.0 IP 2 H 1 R 1 ER 1 BB 1 K

Wooten: 1.0 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 0 K[/pre]

 

Nashville PbP

Cole Garner flashed his arm again from right field in the 2nd, picking up his third outfield assist on the young season:

 

Omaha Top of the 2nd

Brett Hayes grounds out, second baseman Hainley Statia to first baseman Hunter Morris.

Irving Falu walks.

Paulo Orlando flies into a double play, right fielder Cole Garner to first baseman Hunter Morris. Irving Falu doubled off 1st.

 

 

Nashville Gameday

[TheCrew07]

Wisconsin bats get a wake-up call

Timber Rattlers bang out 15 hits in 9-1 win over the River Bandits

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - In their first five home games of the 2013 season, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers offense had scored fifteen runs as the team compiled a 1-4 record. The bats woke up on Tuesday afternoon for 15 hits in a 9-1 win over the Quad Cities River Bandits at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Jose Sermo and Mitch Haniger led the way with three hits and two RBI each for the Wisconsin offense.

 

The Rattlers (6-9) scored first. Parker Berberet doubled to start the bottom of the third inning. He scored when Michael Reed's grounder to short snuck under the glove of Carlos Correa.

 

Wisconsin starting pitcher Ryan Gibbard held the River Bandits (11-6) off the scoreboard on two hits through 5-2/3 innings. But, a solo home run by Chase Davidson tied the game 1-1 in the sixth.

 

The Rattlers answered back in a big way in the bottom of the sixth. Haniger and Victor Roache started the inning with consecutive singles off River Bandits reliever Colton Cain. Chris McFarland would follow with a double to right that drove Haniger home for a 2-1 lead. Colton walked Adam Giacalone to load the bases with no outs.

 

But, Cain struck out the next two batters and appeared to be primed to escape the inning with no more damage as he got ahead of Michael Reed. But, Reed smacked the next pitch for a two-run single the give the Rattlers a 4-1 lead. Sermo was next and he extended Wisconsin's cushion to 6-1 on an two-run double.

 

Sermo had entered the game to replace Rattlers centerfielder Tyrone Taylor in the bottom of the third inning. Taylor fouled a pitch off his left leg during his at bat. Taylor was tended to by the training staff for a few moments before walking off the field with a little assistance as he favored his left leg.

 

Gibbard turned the game over to Taylor Mangum for the seventh inning. Gibbard, in his first start of the season, allowed a run on three hits with a walk and five strikeouts to earn his first win of the season.

 

Wisconsin tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Orlando Arcia singled in a run to make it 7-1. Haniger was next and he doubled off the wall in center to drive in two runs for a 9-1 lead.

 

Mangum wrapped up his three scoreless innings by getting a game-ending 5-4-3 double play. Mangum struck out three and earned his first save of the season.

 

Wisconsin is off on Wednesday. They return to Midwest League action on Thursday when they host the West Michigan Whitecaps at 6:35pm.

 

Thursday is an Arty's Old Fashioned Thirsty Thursday presented by 95.9 KISS FM. There is also a Dunkin Donuts Player Poster Giveaway on Thursday night. The first 1,000 fans to attend the game against the Whitecaps will receive a poster of Timber Rattlers pitcher Tyler Wagner courtesy of Dunkin Donuts. All fans can enjoy 16oz soda, beer, or Arty's Old Fashioned drinks for just $2 as part of Thirsty Thursday presented by Arty's Old Fashioned and 95.9 KISS FM.

 

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, the game will be available on television to Time Warner Cable subscribers on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel; on the internet through MiLB.TV, or on the radio beginning with the Miller Lite Pregame Show on AM1280, WNAM at 6:15.

 

HOME RUN:

QC:

Chase Davidson (1st, 0 on in 6th inning off Ryan Gibbard, 2 out)

 

WP: Ryan Gibbard (1-0)

LP: Colton Cain (0-2)

SAVE: Taylor Mangum (1)

 

TIME: 2:34

ATTN: 416

 

In case you haven't watched a game yet Time Warner Cable SportsChannel is the old TWC32... same channel, different name.

 

Mehring's usual assortment of post game fun including pictures, highlights, and a Tyrone Taylor update.

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

I don't have much to add as I didn't get to listen to Chris today and was having a heck of a time trying to follow the game on Gameday as MH noted earlier. For example I looked around 2:45 local time it was supposedly 2-2 in the 9th but came back 5 minutes later and it was 6-1 Ratters in the bottom of the 6th. In the first edition of Field Pass Rattler manager Matt Erickson mentioned that some days in spring training the boys looked awful but then some days they played extremely well. I think that's an accurate assessment of the start of this season as well, lots of inconsistency, though in the team's defense it's been extremely hard to get into a routine when you aren't able to play game on a regular basis. I think this team could make a nice run in the 2nd half pending promotions and health.

 

Wisconsin Recap

 

T-Rats could have added more in the 5th before breaking out in the 6th.

 

Wisconsin Bottom of the 5th

• Parker Berberet singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jordan Scott, deflected by third baseman Rio Ruiz.
  Michael Reed flies out to right fielder Terrell Joyce.
  Jose Sermo singles on a ground ball to right fielder Terrell Joyce. Parker Berberet to 3rd.
  Orlando Arcia grounds into a double play, third baseman Rio Ruiz to second baseman Joe Sclafani to first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki. Jose Sermo out at 2nd.

[Minigoon]

Mark Rogers on his rehab assignment with Huntsville is in pitching in the bottom of the 6th.

[brewmann04]

Any Reports on Rogers will be appreciated.

[Minigoon]

Final: Birmingham 5 Huntsville 1

 

The Stars and Barons were locked up in a pitchers duel until Birmingham broke the game open with a 3 run 8th to take game four of the series 5-1. Stars starter Andy Moye was saddled with the loss. He deserved a better fate. Moye went 5 innings allowing 2 earned runs on 4 hits and no walks while striking out 6. Moye threw 81 pitches, 53 for strikes. The 2 Barons runs scored on a 2nd inning home run. Stars reliever Greg Holle pitched the final 2 innings tonight. After cruising through his 1st inning of relief, Holle ran into trouble in his second inning, allowing 3 runs, 2 earned on 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 1.

 

The big news on the night for the Brewers/Stars was the outing for Mark Rogers on his rehab assignment. Rogers went 1 inning, allowing a hit and a walk. He threw 17 pitches, 10 for strikes. Stars broadcaster Alex Cohen noted Rogers was up to 92 per the Stars videographer. Based on his spring outings, it appears his velocity was better tonight. Hopefully he continues to get stronger and can work his way back to Milwaukee.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

On offense, the story tonight was Jason Rogers, who ended up a single short for the cycle. Rogers tripled in the 2nd, doubled in the 4th, and drove in the Stars lone run with his homer in the 6th. He had a chance in the 8th for the single, but was unintentionally-intentionally walked. Second baseman Nick Shaw, with 2 singles, and designated hitter Shea Vucinich, with 2 walks. were the only other Stars hitters to reach base more than once. Rene Tosoni and Hector Gomez each had a single tonight.

 

Team RISP: 0-for-11.

Team LOB: 9.

 

The Stars had their chances, but just couldn't come up with that timely hit tonight.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

 

One example of Huntsville's missed opportunities tonight:

 

Huntsville Top of the 2nd

 

Jason Rogers triples (2) on a fly ball to left fielder Jared Mitchell.

Brock Kjeldgaard pops out softly to third baseman Daniel Wagner.

Mike Walker strikes out on a foul tip.

Robinzon Diaz pops out to second baseman Tyler Saladino.

 

And again:

 

Huntsville Top of the 4th

 

Jason Rogers doubles (5) on a ground ball to left fielder Jared Mitchell, deflected by third baseman Daniel Wagner.

Brock Kjeldgaard flies out softly to right fielder Keenyn Walker.

Mike Walker called out on strikes.

Robinzon Diaz grounds out, shortstop Marcus Semien to first baseman Andy Wilkins.

 

Birmingham sealing the game with their 8th inning rally

 

Birmingham Bottom of the 8th

 

Daniel Wagner singles on a line drive to left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard.

Keenyn Walker out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Greg Holle to first baseman Jason Rogers. Daniel Wagner to 2nd.

Marcus Semien grounds out, shortstop Hector Gomez to first baseman Jason Rogers.

Trayce Thompson walks.

Andy Wilkins singles on a line drive to right fielder Kentrail Davis. Daniel Wagner scores. Trayce Thompson scores. Andy Wilkins advances to 2nd, on a throwing error by right fielder Kentrail Davis.

Dan Black singles on a ground ball to center fielder Rene Tosoni. Andy Wilkins scores.

Jared Mitchell lines out to left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard

 

Brunch with the Stars tomorrow. Game 5 of this 5 game series will begin at 11:00 with Alex's pregame show starting at 10:45. Lefty Alan Williams, who has been very good for the Stars out of the bullpen, will start in place of the injured Arcenio Leon.

[bkrause2]

Final: Brevard County 2 Tampa 3

 

Manatees edged 3-2 on Yanks' walk-off

Brevard manages just four hits, finishes road trip 3-4

By Dave Walkovic / Brevard County Manatees

 

TAMPA, Fla. - With the game tied at two in the bottom of the ninth inning, Tampa Yankees' right fielder Eduardo Sosa laced an RBI double down the left field line that scored Anderson Feliz and defeated the Brevard County Manatees 3-2 on Tuesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

 

Chad Pierce came out of the bullpen for 'Tees (10-9) in the bottom of the ninth and proceded to walk the leadoff man Feliz on five pitches. A successful sacrifice bunt by Francisco Arcia set up Sosa's heroics. Sosa's game-winning double went right past the diving Brandon Macias at third.

 

The Manatees forced the game to go to the bottom of the ninth by scoring the tying run in the top half of the frame. Cameron Garfield led off the inning with a single up the middle off of Zach Arneson.

 

After Arneson struck out Cody Hawn, Adrian Williams was summoned as a pinch runner for Garfield. With Yadiel Rivera at the plate, Williams stole second before advancing to third base of a wild pitch. Rivera lined a 3-2 pitch through the left side of the infield to drive Williams in and tie the game.

 

Tampa (10-9) took the lead in the eighth inning when Seth Harvey walked Ben Gamel with the bases loaded and one out. Harvey gave up two hits and two walks in succession before avoiding further damage by escaping a bases loaded jam.

 

Brevard County took the initial lead in the top half of the second inning. Hawn walked with one out before advancing to second on a wild pitch. Macias grounded an RBI single to right field that scored Hawn before Macias was tagged out in a rundown.

 

The Yankees tied the game when a wild pitch from Stephen Peterson in the fifth inning allowed Feliz to score with two outs.

 

Manatees starting pitcher Jacob Barnes (2-0, 1.08) left the game with two outs in the fifth inning with an undisclosed injury. The righty was spectacular before being forced to leave. He allowed one unearned run on one hit over 4.2 innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out four.

 

His counterpart, Mikey O'Brien (1-1, 5.60), pitched six innings and gave up one run on two hits and fanned eight batters. Brevard County had just four hits on the night.

 

With the loss, the Manatees finished the seven-game road trip with a 3-4 record, losing four of its last five.

 

Brevard County will return home Thursday after an off day to host the Dunedin Blue Jays for a three-game series at Space Coast Stadium. First pitch for is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Jacob Barnes was pitching well before leaving the game in the fifth inning. He gave up just one unearned run in 4.2 innings. Stephen Peterson pitched 2.1 scoreless innings. Seth Harvey gave up a go ahead run in the eighth, and then after BC tied it up, Chad Pierce gave up the game winning run in the ninth.

 

BC managed just four hits, all singles. Cody Hawn was 1-3 with a walk. Yadiel Rivera and Brandon Macias each had RBI singles. Cameron Garfield singled to lead off the ninth before Adrian Williams ran for him. Williams had a big stolen base and scored the tying run in the ninth. Chadwin Stang, Greg Hopkins and Nick Ramirez each stole a base as well. Rivera was caught stealing and also made his seventh error of the year.

 

Brevard County Play-By-Play

 

Adrian Williams baserunning helped the Manatees tie it up in the ninth

 

Brevard County Top of the 9th

Pitching Change: Zach Arneson replaces Fred Lewis.

Cameron Garfield singles on a ground ball to center fielder Mason Williams.

Cody Hawn strikes out swinging.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Adrian Williams replaces Cameron Garfield.

With Yadiel Rivera batting, Adrian Williams steals (1) 2nd base.

With Yadiel Rivera batting, wild pitch by Zach Arneson, Adrian Williams to 3rd.

Yadiel Rivera singles on a ground ball to left fielder Ben Gamel. Adrian Williams scores.

Brandon Macias flies out to left fielder Ben Gamel.

With Lance Roenicke batting, Yadiel Rivera caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Gary Sanchez to shortstop Dan Fiorito.

[Mass Haas]

Stars Drop Second Straight

By Alex Cohen, Huntsville Stars

 

After winning the first two games of their series against the Birmingham Barons, the Huntsville Stars have now dropped two straight at Regions Field, losing by a score of 5-1 on Tuesday night.

 

For the second night in a row, the Stars were shut down by the Barons starting pitching. Much like on Monday night with Birmingham starting pitcher Erik Johnson, it was righty Scott Snodgress who had his way the Huntsville offense on Tuesday. The 9th ranked prospect in the White Sox organization pitched seven strong innings, giving up just a run and seven hits in the process while striking out five to improve to 3-1 on the year.

 

Barons relievers Santos Rodriguez and Salvador Sanchez combined to shut out the Stars offense through the final two innings of the game.

 

The only blemish on the night for Snodgress was a sixth inning solo homer given up to Stars first baseman Jason Rogers, a run that accounted for the only offense for Huntsville the entire night. Rogers paced the Stars offense by going 3-for-3 with a walk and finishing just a single away from the cycle. Second basemen Nick Shaw also added two hits.

 

In regards to the Stars, starting pitcher Andy Moye took the hard-pressed loss, falling to 1-1 on the year after giving up two runs on four hits over five innings. Moye gave up both runs in the second inning when Barons left fielder Jared Mitchell crushed a two-run homer well over the center field wall. The 25-year-old righty also struck out six batters without walking anybody in a losing effort.

 

After Moye exited the game before the sixth inning, righty Mark Rogers came into the game for his first MLB rehab appearance with the Stars. The Brewer pitched a scoreless frame, giving up a hit and a walk while just throwing 17 pitches (10 strikes).

 

Once Rogers left the game, Birmingham tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning for some insurance off of Stars reliever Greg Holle. The inning was highlighted by a two-run single by first basemen Andy Wilkins and an RBI single from designated hitter Dan Black.

 

The loss for the Stars was their second in a row after winning four straight away from Joe Davis Stadium.

 

With each team winning two games so far in this series, the Stars and Barons will play the rubbermatch of their five-game set at Regions Field on Wednesday. Huntsville will send LHP Alan Williams (0-1, 0.87 ERA) to the bump to square off against Birmingham RHP Stephen McCray (2-1, 3.00 ERA). First pitch is at 11:00 AM.

 

For Williams, the start will be the first ever of his professional career.

 

At the conclusion of their five-game series in Birmingham on Monday, the Stars will immediately return home for five games against the Mississippi Braves.

[Mass Haas]

We don't know how long RHP Arcenio Leon will be out, but with no obvious choice as a 6th starter on the Stars' roster (R.J. Seidel, perhaps), we'll see if this is purely a one-time "bullpen day" or an opportunity for one of the more exciting LH arms in the system in Alan Williams to get stretched out.

 

***

 

Thoughts about Brevard/Tampa --

 

Soon-to-be 21-year-old Yankees OF Ben Gamel (Mat's brother) has posted nice career numbers and is obviously young for high-A.

 

Yikes, SS Yadiel Rivera is in a horrendous fielding slump.

 

No organizational move screams out more than bumping Wisconsin OF Mitch Haniger to Brevard, returning OF John Dishon to a utility OF role with the Manatees. It would also free up Jose Pena to join Wisconsin.

 

***

 

Video of Jeff Bianchi's home run for Nashville in Monday's loss

[Mass Haas]

Manatees starting pitcher Jacob Barnes (2-0, 1.08) left the game with two outs in the fifth inning with an undisclosed injury. The righty was spectacular before being forced to leave. He allowed one unearned run on one hit over 4.2 innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out four.

 

Follow-up tweets:

 

Barnes hurls in a pitch and suffers apparent discomfort on the left side.

 

Jacob Barnes left in the 5th with an apparent left hip/oblique injury. Looked like something tightened up.

[Mass Haas]

Our own Brad with a sweet photo gallery from Tuesday's Rattlers win.

[Mass Haas]

Birmingham newspaper photo gallery includes some nice shots of RHP Andy Moye

[Mass Haas]

Link includes audio interviews with RHP Ryan Gibbard and Manager Matt Erickson

 

Gibbard heats up to lead Timber Rattlers to victory

by Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent Media

 

GRAND CHUTE — One would suspect that chilly Wisconsin would be a nightmarish place for a Florida-born pitcher to work. That’s not the case with Ryan Gibbard.

 

Pitching in America’s refrigerator seems to agree with the 23-year-old right-hander, who has kept opponents bats’ cold all spring and continued to do so Tuesday afternoon in the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers’ 9-1 win over Quad Cities.

 

Gibbard shrugged off temperatures in the mid-30s to go six strong innings in his first start for the Timber Rattlers and pick up his first win in Wisconsin uniform.

 

Gibbard, a 14th-round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2012 Major League Baseball draft, limited the River Bandits to three hits and walked just one, with five strikeouts. Taylor Mangum finished up with three scoreless innings, allowing the Rattlers to avoid getting swept in the three-game series.

 

Gibbard (1-0) is off to a terrific start with the Rattlers. The second-year pro has allowed just two earned runs and nine hits with 11 strikeouts and just three walks in his first 15 2/3 innings. Gibbard was born in Loxahatchee, Fla. and has spent most of his life in the sunshine state, attending college at Lynn University in Boca Raton.

 

“I try and think of pitching in the cold as an advantage,” said Gibbard. “I know the hitters don’t want to be out there hitting in the cold. I just try and stay loose and treat it like any other game. But I’m pretty sure it favors pitchers like myself.”

 

Gibbard isn’t overpowering but has been able to throw strikes consistently and mix his pitches. He throws two- and four-seam fastballs, along with a curve and a change-up.

 

“He was really solid all through spring training and I like what I’m seeing from him,” said Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson. “He does a nice job attacking the bottom of the zone and doesn’t allow those dreaded walks.

 

“He pitches. He’s not a guy who is going to get away with a lot of mistakes in the middle of the plate. We preach to our pitchers to attack early in the count and get ahead of hitters.”

 

Of Gibbard’s 80 pitches, 50 were for strikes.

 

“I was just trying to get ahead with my fastball because I really didn’t have my off-speed stuff working that well today,” said Gibbard. “I was able to compete with my fastball and that’s what usually gets you deep into games.”

 

Gibbard’s only mistake came in the top of the sixth when designated hitter Chase Davidson slammed a towering home run to center. The ball bounced off the second wall behind the fence and traveled an estimated 420 feet.

 

Prior to Tuesday’s initial start, Gibbard had pitched exclusively out of the bullpen. He was a starting pitcher at Lynn University, compiling a 7-2 record in 2012 with a 3.07 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 82 innings. Gibbard started 10 games last season in rookie league play at Helena, going 1-5 with a 5:27 ERA.

 

“It’s a lot easier being a starter,” said Gibbard. “It’s so much easier getting into a routine and knowing what you need to do to compete.”

 

Gibbard received plenty of support. Wisconsin didn’t have an error and drilled a season-high 15 hits. The Rattlers entered the game with a team batting average of just .223.

 

“Feels good to hit like that when it’s a little chilly like this,” said Erickson. “A good way to stay warm is running around the bases. We had some two-out hits today that were huge. Six of our nine runs came with two outs.”

 

The Rattlers broke the game open with a five-run sixth inning. Second baseman Chris McFarland doubled in a run to give Wisconsin a 2-1 lead, then outfielder Michael Reed smacked a two-out, two-run single up the middle. Jose Sermo followed with a two-run double to break open the game.

 

Sermo and outfielder Mitch Haniger both went three-for-four to lead Wisconsin, while Reed, catcher Parker Berberet and shortstop Orlando Arcia added two hits apiece.

 

Semro entered the game for outfielder Tyrone Taylor in the bottom of the third when Taylor fouled a pitch off his knee and had to leave the game. Sermo replaced Taylor at the plate and played the rest of the game in right field, even though he’s usually a third baseman.

 

“When I saw Tyrone on the ground, I felt for him,” said Sermo. “I was a little surprised they put me in the outfield, but I’ve played there before and I’m glad they had the confidence to put me out there. Actually, when I’m playing outfield, it seems like I’m more relaxed as a hitter. I got some good pitches to hit and was able to put a few good swings on them.”

 

Taylor, the Brewers’ second-round pick in the 2012 draft and Milwaukee’s 15th-best prospect according to Baseball America, was initially in considerable pain, but appears to have escaped serious injury.

 

“We’ll see how the swelling is in a couple days, but I don’t think it’s going to be anything that will keep him out for an extended period,” said Erickson. “But he was smarting. He told me it was as much pain as he’s ever felt on the field. He said at first, he didn’t know if he was ever going to play baseball again, but he was giggling when he said it.”

 

Jordan Scott had an RBI single in the 11th to put Quad Cities ahead and a three-run triple by Teoscar Hernandez put the game out of reach.

 

Wisconsin's Orlando Arcia (left) can't make the tag as Quad Cities' Terrell Joyce steals second in Grand Chute on Tuesday. / Dan Powers/Post-Crescent Media

 

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[Mass Haas]

Chris wrote:

 

Settle down, everybody. He’ll be fine. Let’s see your reaction when you foul a ball off your knee in 30° weather.

 

Post-Crescent photo of the Tyrone Taylor painful moment (first photo in gallery)