Link Report for Thurs. 5/2 - Night includes a bigtime Jimmy Nelson / Archie Bradley match-up

[Mass Haas]

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[Mass Haas]

Thursday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: LHP Zach Kroenke at Oklahoma City (Astros), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 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.

 

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Huntsville: RHP's Jimmy Nelson and Ariel Pena in a doubleheader at Mobile (Diamondbacks), 4:50 PM pre-game, 5:05 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 Brooks Hall at Dunedin (Blue Jays), 5:30 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.

 

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Wisconsin: LHP Mike Strong and RHP Tyler Wagner in a doubleheader at Lansing (Blue Jays), 3:45 PM pre-game, 4:05 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]

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

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville Game One

 

Huntsville Game Two

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin Game One

 

Wisconsin Game Two

 

New MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

[Mass Haas]

Initially the Manatees were going to see Ricky Romero again tonight, but Blubird Banter tells us why that's been pushed back by a day, and includes a really bad David Goforth pun.

[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:

 

Oklahoma City

 

Mobile

 

Dunedin

 

Lansing

[Mass Haas]

The Voice of the Sounds, Jeff Hem, was on Nashville radio this AM, and you'll find that interview among those archived at this link.

[Mass Haas]

Happy 26th birthday, Michael Olmsted; Happy 21st birthday, Yadiel Rivera!

[Mass Haas]

Well, here's your office audio for the afternoon and beyond. As they promised, Brevard's Dave and Andy have now posted their audio pre-game interviews from thus far in 2013, and we should see them post consistently now. There are 15 online now, note the date on each to get perspective as to when they were conducted.

 

We've said it before, but fans are going to learn more from little snippets within these interviews than they do from most newspaper article features. We're lucky that Nashville, Helena and now Brevard post these online for us. Great job, guys.

 

Brevard Multimedia Link - Audio Archives (Game Highlights and Pre-Game Interviews)

[Mass Haas]

Via the Brewers' Player Development Twitter feed:

 

Brewers name 2B Scooter Gennett & RHP Jimmy Nelson the April player & pitcher of the month. Congrats to both!

[TheCrew07]

Mike O'Neill of the Cards and our own Drew Gagnon.

 

Thursday Prospect Notebook: Miguel Almonte Freezes Delmarva Hitters

[TheCrew07]

A Link Report stalwart gets some love from MiLB today.

 

Crooked Numbers: Rain, snow and wind

To the rule book! Chris Mehring of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers is the dean of Midwest League broadcasters, but even he was flummoxed by what occurred during April 22's game against the Quad Cities River Bandits. In the top of the sixth, the River Bandits' Austin Elkins was on third with one out and that, as Mehring writes in Rattler Radio, "is when the weirdness started."

 

[Terrell] Joyce swung at a pitch and made contact with the glove of catcher Clint Coulter. The ball trickled to the mound and Elkins broke for the plate. He beat the throw to score the run as Joyce eventually made it to first ahead of the throw.

 

Yes, the ultra-rare instance in which a runner scores on a catcher's interference! Or did he? Read the rest of the post to see how it all played out (spoiler: Rule 608© of the rule book is invoked).

[TheCrew07]

Cards IF prospect Jacob Wilson

 

Walk-off blast caps Wilson's big night

[TheCrew07]

Cubs RHP prospect Pierce Johnson

 

Cougars' Johnson evens out, goes long

[TheCrew07]

Stetson Allie is the only divisional player to make the grade.

 

All-Prospect Team: April Edition

[Minigoon]

Rain delay in Mobile

The @HuntsvilleStars and @Mobile_BayBears will start Game 1 of tonight's doubleheader in, what else, but a rain delay. First pitch time TBA.

[Minigoon]

Rain Delay Update

@HuntsvilleStars: Tarp off the field, and we have a tentative schedule for a 5:35 PM first pitch for game one. Tune in starting NOW on http://media4.aicmail.net:8080/MiLB/GameAudio/LiveStreamFlash/sou_huntsville_stars

[Mass Haas]

Via Jeff Hem's blog --

 

Audio from Bricktown — “Hear It from (Kyle) Heckathorn”

 

Tonight’s interview is with reliever Kyle Heckathorn, who discusses his season so far, the transition from starter to full-time reliever, his expectations for his first year at Triple-A, growing up as a Braves fan in Georgia (he now resides in Ooltewah, TN) and the bullpen’s guitar case that carries top-secret contents for the relievers from city to city.

[TheCrew07]

Final Game 1: Lansing(Toronto) 5, Wisconsin 3 (7 Innings)

 

Late Lansing barrage beats Rattlers

Lansing scores three in the sixth to beat Rattlers in game one

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

LANSING, MI - The Lansing Lugnuts scored three times in the bottom of the sixth inning of game one of a doubleheader to beat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 5-3. The Lugnuts got consecutive homers to start their game winning rally.

 

The Timber Rattlers (8-14) took the lead with three straight two-out hits in the top of the third. Victor Roache had started the inning with a single, but he was still at first with two outs in the frame. Roache would steal second base to get into scoring position. Then, Chris McFarland doubled down the right field line to drive in Roache. Mike Garza followed with an RBI single to make the score 2-0.

 

Garza stole second to get into scoring position. Orlando Arcia grounded a single up the middle that Lansing shortstop Jorge Flores made a diving stop in short center and flipped the ball to second baseman Christian Lopes who tried to throw behind Garza at third base. But, the throw from Lopes sailed to the stands to allow Garza to score for a 3-0 lead.

 

Lansing (8-15) rallied in the bottom of the second with some help from the Rattlers. Chris Hawkins reached on a bunt single and took second on a throwing error to start the inning. Shane Opitz tripled with one out to knock in Hawkins. Rattlers starting pitcher Mike Strong walked the next two batters to load the bases. Strong would get Dwight Smith, Jr. to pop up to short right for an infield fly rule, but the ball was dropped to allow Opitz to score.

 

Strong regrouped and got the final out of the inning to keep the Rattlers up 3-2.

 

The Rattlers lefty made it tough on himself again in the bottom of the fourth. He walked the leadoff batter, got the next two outs, and walked two more to load the bases. Strong would get the final out on a strikeout to escape again with Wisconsin still in front 3-2.

 

Lansing struck in a hurry in the bottom of the sixth inning against reliever Taylor Mangum. Kellen Sweeney and Smith. hit back-to-back homers with one out to put Lansing up 4-3. Flores followed with a double. An RBI single by Dalton Pompey drove in Flores and the Lansing lead was 5-3.

 

Reliever Wil Browning, who worked a 1-2-3 sixth inning, allowed a leadoff double to Mike Garza in the top of the seventh. But, Browning retired the next three batters to end the game.

 

The Lugnuts ended their five game losing streak and sent the Rattlers to their fourth straight setback with the comeback in game one.

 

HOME RUNS:

LAN:

Kellen Sweeney (2nd, 0 on in 6th inning off Taylor Mangum, 1 out)

Dwight Smith, Jr. (1st, 0 on in 6th inning off Taylor Mangum, 1 out)

 

WP: Wil Browning (2-3)

LP: Taylor Mangum (1-2)

 

TIME: 1:56

 

Wisconsin Game 1 Boxscore

Chris played an interview with manager Matt Erickson between games regarding the first month of the season, unfortunately the audio quality very poor initially but it did improve as time went on. Matt said that he expects "drastic" improvement from this club over the course of the season. He talked as he usually does about getting the players into a routine they can be successful with. They also discussed the early promotion of Brent Suter and then Chris and Matt started discussing the 4 OF prospects when the audio crackled on me again. I did catch something about having a good problem to be getting all of those players playing time, and everyone on his roster enough PT. I missed who the player was when Chris asked about someone who started slow but picked it up (Micheal Reed?) and Matt talked about how the player was getting into good hitting counts but not taking advantage, now that player is being more aggressive with his pitch selection and is getting better results.

 

Wisconsin Game 1 Recap

 

From the game story McFarland was the unnamed culprit who allowed the run to score.

Lansing Bottom of the 2nd

• Chris Hawkins singles on a ground ball to third baseman Jose Sermo. Chris Hawkins advances to 2nd, on a throwing error by third baseman Jose Sermo.
  Carlos Ramirez flies out to center fielder Mitch Haniger.
  Shane Opitz triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Mitch Haniger. Chris Hawkins scores.
  Aaron Munoz walks.
  Kellen Sweeney walks. Aaron Munoz to 2nd.
  Dwight Smith pops out to second baseman Christopher McFarland. Shane Opitz scores. Aaron Munoz to 3rd. Kellen Sweeney to 2nd. Fielding error by second baseman Christopher McFarland.
  Jorge Flores flies out to center fielder Mitch Haniger.

 

Sweeney's HR was a bomb but then Smith's homer actually left stadium.

Lansing Bottom of the 6th

• Aaron Munoz flies out to left fielder Victor Roache.
  Kellen Sweeney homers (2) on a fly ball to right field.
  Dwight Smith homers (1) on a fly ball to right field.
  Jorge Flores doubles (6) on a fly ball to right fielder Michael Reed.
  Dalton Pompey singles on a fly ball to center fielder Mitch Haniger. Jorge Flores scores.
  With Christian Lopes batting, Taylor Mangum picks off Dalton Pompey at 1st on throw to Mike Garza.
  Christian Lopes doubles (4) on a fly ball to center fielder Mitch Haniger.
  Chris Hawkins pops out to first baseman Mike Garza.

[Mass Haas]

Jose Prince?

 

Hadn't hear that story before...

[Minigoon]

Final: Mobile 3 Huntsville 1 (Completed after 5 1/2 innings)

 

In a battle of top pitching prospects, Archie Bradley and the Mobile Bay Bears got the better Jimmy Nelson and the Huntsville Stars (9-17) Thursday Night. Bradley, making his AA debut, held the Stars to 1 run on 4 hits. Stars starter Jimmy Nelson pitched strong again, but took his 1st loss of the season. In 5 1/3 innings, Nelson gave up 3 earned runs on 6 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5. It was the 1st time all year he allowed more than 2 earned runs in a game and also surrendered his 1st home run. This was also the 1st time the Stars lost a game that Nelson started. Nelson put the Stars in a position to win, as he has done all season. With all the rain that Mobile has had along with the rain that was falling during the game, it was impressive what Nelson was able to do tonight.

 

Despite the poor weather and field conditions, the Stars did not commit an error.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

The Stars were held to 1 run on 4 hits tonight. They scored their run in the 2nd inning on back-to-back, 2 out doubles by Rene Tosoni and Robinzon Diaz. Kentrail Davis had a nice homecoming game. He reached base twice, on a single and a walk, stole his team leading 6th base, and had an outfield assist by throwing out a runner at home. Nick Shaw had the Stars other hit and Mike Walker was able to reach on a walk.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

 

Huntsville 2nd, where they score their lone run

 

Huntsville Top of the 2nd

 

Mike Walker grounds out, second baseman Mike Freeman to first baseman Jon Griffin.

Brock Kjeldgaard strikes out swinging.

Rene Tosoni doubles (3) on a fly ball to center fielder Ender Inciarte.

Robinzon Diaz doubles (3) on a line drive to center fielder Ender Inciarte. Rene Tosoni scores.

With Jimmy Nelson batting, passed ball by Raywilly Gomez, Robinzon Diaz to 3rd.

Jimmy Nelson called out on strikes.

 

Game 2 of the scheduled double header was postponed due to rain. That's the Stars 5th rainout this season! That game will be made up as part of a double header tomorrow night. Game 1 will begin at 5:05 Central. Ariel Pena and Taylor Jungmann should be the starters for Huntsville. Join Stars broadcaster Alex Cohen at 4:50 for the pregame show.

[TheCrew07]

This comment is not related to the player action in anyway but Chris has been hating been on an annoying fan for about 3 innings now, I don't recall him every laying into a fan like this before... I've found it strangely amusing.

[Mass Haas]

Quite the photo gallery from the Huntsville game