Link Report for Sun. 5/12 - Mothers Day Edition

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Sunday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: LHP Zach Kroenke at home vs. Sacramento (Athletics), 1:45 PM pre-game, 2:05 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 Jimmy Nelson at Mississippi (Braves), 4:45 PM pre-game, 5:00 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: Idle

 

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Wisconsin: RHP Jorge Lopez at home vs. Burlington (Angels), 12:45 PM pre-game, 1:05 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]

Programming note: Mississippi has MiLB.TV coverage, so if you're a subscriber, you can watch the Stars and Jimmy Nelson this evening.

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Wisconsin

 

New MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

[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.

[Mass Haas]

Weather.com:

 

Nashville

 

Pearl, MS

 

Grand Chute (Appleton)

[Hammer]

At the Timber Rattlers game. Windy, cold and perfect for October baseball!

[narwhalattack]

Jorge Lopez's command is pretty erratic so far. 2 walks and a hit in the first inning, 32 pitches.

[Hammer]

That was a "hit". From our vantage point he seems to be getting squeezed. Oh, and its now 1-0 TRats.

[TooLiveBrew]

With Morris on the DL, that opens up 1B for Sean Halton, and LF for Khrush Davis. I have to imagine we'll see more of Davis in RF once Morris returns to action.

[Mass Haas]

Via Jeff Hem's blog --

 

Audio from Nashville — Brewers Pitching Coordinator Rick Tomlin

 

Today’s interview is with Brewers minor league pitching coordinator Rick Tomlin, who shares his thoughts about Tyler Thornburg’s outing last night, the Sounds’ pitching staff so far this season, the development of Johnny Hellweg and what he and the Brewers are looking for in Francisco Rodriguez, who has joined the Sounds as the Brewers evaluate whether or not to call him up to the big leagues later this week.

[Mass Haas]

Via Jeff Hem's blog --

 

Audio from Nashville — Brewers Pitching Coordinator Rick Tomlin

 

Today’s interview is with Brewers minor league pitching coordinator Rick Tomlin, who shares his thoughts about Tyler Thornburg’s outing last night, the Sounds’ pitching staff so far this season, the development of Johnny Hellweg and what he and the Brewers are looking for in Francisco Rodriguez, who has joined the Sounds as the Brewers evaluate whether or not to call him up to the big leagues later this week.

[TURBO]

Jorge Lopez's command is pretty erratic so far. 2 walks and a hit in the first inning, 32 pitches.

 

I was at today's game, and Lopez started by striking out the first 2 hitters of the game. He looked untouchable, then fell apart with control issues until being pulled.

 

This is the first time I have seen him, so I'm hoping for better starts in the near future...

[Hammer]

I was there as well. Lopez was getting squeezed on the outside corner all game...and he and Coulter both seemed frustrated about it (as would I as well).

Other observations: teams will run wild on the TRats until CC gets faster behind the dish. Taylor looks like a player that is a cut above the rest of the guys on the field. Roache also looks like a man among boys (even if the stats aren't showing it right now)...

[TURBO]

I thought the ump was squeezing both starters today, but yeah, that didn't help at all.

 

Haniger looks like a true stud to me so far, and you can just tell that Roache and Taylor will come around. Coulter has looked suspect behind the plate all 4 games I have seen him so far, but it is so early in the season...

 

Arcia hasn't impressed me much either yet.

[Minigoon]

Final: Huntsville 2 Mississippi 1

 

Jimmy Nelson had a big time bounce back game as the Stars defeated the Braves 2-1 in a good pitchers duel Sunday evening. Nelson, who had his 1st bad outing last time out, came out firing tonight. His fastball was consistently 92-95 and touched 96. Nelson (4-2) went 6 innings, allowing 1 unearned run on 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 8 to earn the "W". Early in the game Nelson was being drawn into some long at bats by the Braves hitters. Nelson threw 93 pitches, 54 for strikes and had a 6-2 ground out to fly out ratio.

 

Stars closer Casey Medlen came on in the 7th and pitched 2 scoreless innings. Medlen did not allow a hit but did walk 3. Big Greg Holle worked a clean 9th including a strike out to pick up his 2nd save on the season. For Holle, that was his 4th straight appearance without allowing a run.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

Offensively, the Stars were held to only 4 hits tonight. Centerfielder Rene Tosoni wasted no time in extending his hitting streak to 9 games by homering in the 2nd. Tosoni added a single in the 9th to account for half the Stars hits. Over those 9 games, Tosoni is 11-33 (.333) with a double, 2 home runs and 9 RBI's. Kentrail Davis tripled to lead off the 6th and scored on a Jason Rogers sacrifice fly. That was Rogers's 28th RBI on the season, 2nd most in the Southern League. Second baseman Nick Shaw added a double for the Stars other hit. Shaw also drew 2 walks. So, while being held to 4 hits, the Stars collectively hit for the cycle. Interesting.

 

Team RISP: 0-for-5.

Team LOB: 6.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

 

Rene Tosoni being a 1 man rally.

 

Huntsville Top of the 2nd

 

Mike Walker grounds out to first baseman Christian Marrero.

Brock Kjeldgaard called out on strikes.

Rene Tosoni homers (2) on a fly ball to right field.

Robinzon Diaz pops out to second baseman Tommy La Stella.

 

The Stars winning rally

 

Huntsville Top of the 6th

 

Kentrail Davis triples (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Jose Martinez.

Jason Rogers out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Jose Martinez. Kentrail Davis scores.

Mike Walker walks.

Brock Kjeldgaard strikes out swinging.

Rene Tosoni grounds out, shortstop Barrett Kleinknecht to first baseman Christian Marrero.

 

The Stars and Braves will meet tomorrow night at 7:00 Central for game 2 of this series. Righty Ariel Pena (2-2, 3.48) will look to build on his last stellar outing as he takes the hill for Huntsville. Join Stars radio broadcaster Alex Cohen at 6:45 for his pregame show.

[TheCrew07]

Bees deny Rattlers chance to get above .500

Burlington topped Wisconsin 8-3 on Sunday afternoon

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Burlington Bees and Wisconsin Timber Rattlers threw a lot of opportunities at each other on Sunday afternoon at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The Bees would be the team that cashed in the most chances as they beat the Rattlers 8-3. The loss denied Wisconsin a chance to get above the .500 mark for the first time since they were 2-1 on April 6.

 

The Bees (12-19) did not score early on a two-out rally. Wisconsin's starting pitcher Jorge Lopez struck out the first two Burlington batters he faced. He walked the next two and allowed an infield single to load the bases. Lopez would get a strike out to end the inning and keep the Bees off the scoreboard.

 

It did not take long for the Rattlers (16-17) to take the lead. Tyrone Taylor doubled to left to start the bottom of the first. Michael Reed followed with another double to plate Taylor for a 1-0 lead. Adam Giacalone made it 2-0 with a single to drive in Reed later in the inning.

 

But, that was the last run Burlington starter Jake Boyd would allow. Boyd pitched a total of five innings, allowed one more hit, and let his offense get back into the game.

 

The Bees scored in the top of the second inning. Jonathan Walsh drew a leadoff walk and Sandy Martinez singled. Pedro Toribio would bloop in a single to center, his first of four singles in the game, to drive in Walsh.

 

Burlington took the lead in the top of the fourth inning. Martinez reached on an infield single and took second on a throwing error. Toribio dropped a bunt single to put runners on the corners. Wendell Soto was at the plate and Toribio took off for second. Catcher Clint Coulter bluffed a throw to second and fired to third. The throw glanced off Martinez and bounced into left field. By the time the play was over, Martinez had scored the tying run and Toribio was on third base.

 

Wendell Soto put Burlington in front with a triple to score Toribio. Then, Lopez had a 3-2 pitch on Kyle Johnson and threw a wild pitch on ball for to let Soto score.

 

Taylor Mangum took over for Lopez after that wild pitch and would give up a one out RBI double by Wade Hinkle to make the score 5-2.

 

The Bees added three more runs in the top of the sixth. A two-out, two-run triple by Michael Bolaski put Burlington up by five. A Wisconsin error, their third of the game, allowed Bolaski to score for an 8-2 lead.

 

Wisconsin patched together a rally in the bottom of the eighth against Burlington reliever Reid Scoggins. They had runners on first and second with two outs and Mike Garza's single to right scored Alfredo Rodriguez. A walk to Orlando Arcia, the sixth of the game issued by Scoggins, loaded the bases. But, Scoggins got the final out.

 

The Rattlers would draw a walk off Joseph Krehbiel, their eleventh of the game against Burlington pitching, in the ninth inning. But, Wisconsin did not threaten to score and went down quietly in the ninth.

 

The pitchers for both teams combined to walk twenty in the game. Wisconsin's defense committed four errors.

The final game of the series is Monday night at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Preston Gainey (1-3, 8.82) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Burlington has Aaron Newcomb (1-1, 4.02) as their scheduled starter. Game time is 6:35pm.

 

Monday is a Qdoba Q*Monday. Purchase a lunch entrée at the Qdoba off Calumet on the east side or at the Qdoba by the Fox River Mall on the west side and you will receive a free ticket to any Monday home game during the 2013 regular season.

 

If you can't make it out to the game, My NEW32's Sports Showdown will televise the pregame show starting with the pregame show at 6:00pm. The radio call can be heard on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame at 6:15pm.

 

Monday's game is also available to subscribers of MiLB.TV.

 

WP: Jake Boyd (2-3)

LP: Jorge Lopez (0-3)

 

TIME: 3:03

ATTN: 3,327

 

It could have been that other game – Postgame post for May 12, 2013

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

I only listened to this game through Orlando Arcia's error on the routine grounder. Remember yesterday when I posted that Burlington has the worst offense in the MWL? Well even though every team rises up here and there I still found this performance extremely demoralizing in conjunction with the MLB game.

 

The only positives from this game were Michael Reed's 2 hits plus an OF assist and Mitch Haniger's 2 walks and 2 OF assists. Arcia also walked twice but also committed 2 errors after Chris talked at length about how Orlando has continually made "heady" plays beyond his years.

 

Unfortunately Clint Coulter committed his 6th error and 10th PB during the contest, based on what I've watched on TV and in person, he's miles away from being a MLB catcher today and his defensive play hasn't ascended at all yet. I know we're just a month into the season and there is still plenty of time but combined with his hitting woes maybe WI was just too aggressive a placement for him, he's got so much to work on facing the best competition he's ever played against. It would be a tall order for anyone in a similar position. Clint did nab 1 would be base stealer in the game.

 

Kyle Johnson a 25th round pick of the Angels in 2012 is now 22 for 22 in SB attempts.

 

Wisconsin Recap

 

*sigh* wildly inconsistent even during the same innings...

 

Burlington Top of the 4th

• Sandy Martinez singles on a ground ball to third baseman Mike Garza. Sandy Martinez advances to 2nd, on a throwing error by third baseman Mike Garza.
  Pedro Toribio singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Mike Garza. Sandy Martinez to 3rd.
  With Wendell Soto batting, throwing error by Clint Coulter on the pickoff attempt, Sandy Martinez scores. Pedro Toribio to 2nd.
  Wendell Soto triples (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Tyrone Taylor. Pedro Toribio scores.
  With Kyle Johnson batting, wild pitch by Jorge Lopez, Wendell Soto scores.
  Kyle Johnson walks.
  Pitching Change: Taylor Mangum replaces Jorge Lopez.
  With Sherman Johnson batting, Kyle Johnson steals (22) 2nd base.
  Sherman Johnson grounds out, second baseman Alfredo Rodriguez to first baseman Adam Giacalone. Kyle Johnson to 3rd.
  Wade Hinkle doubles (6) on a line drive to right fielder Mitch Haniger. Kyle Johnson scores.
  Michael Bolaski grounds out, second baseman Alfredo Rodriguez to first baseman Adam Giacalone. Wade Hinkle to 3rd.
  Chevy Clarke strikes out swinging.

 

 

Burlington Top of the 6th

• Pitching Change: Ryan Gibbard replaces Taylor Mangum.
  Wendell Soto walks.
  With Kyle Johnson batting, Wendell Soto steals (3) 2nd base.
  Kyle Johnson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Mitch Haniger. Wendell Soto out at home on the throw, right fielder Mitch Haniger to catcher Clint Coulter. Kyle Johnson to 2nd on the throw.
  Sherman Johnson walks.
  With Wade Hinkle batting, Ryan Gibbard picks off Kyle Johnson at 2nd on throw to Orlando Arcia.
  Wade Hinkle walks. Sherman Johnson to 2nd.
  With Michael Bolaski batting, wild pitch by Ryan Gibbard, Sherman Johnson to 3rd. Wade Hinkle to 2nd.
  Michael Bolaski triples (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Mitch Haniger. Sherman Johnson scores. Wade Hinkle scores.
  Chevy Clarke reaches on a throwing error by shortstop Orlando Arcia. Michael Bolaski scores.
  With Jonathan Walsh batting, Chevy Clarke caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Clint Coulter to shortstop Orlando Arcia.

 

Wisconsin Gameday

[TooLiveBrew]

Sounds Homer Four Times in 6-5 Loss

Nashville's Davis Records Two HR; Pairs With Halton For Back-To-Back Jacks

Nashville Sounds

 

http://i.imgur.com/wKJX0GY.jpg

Khris Davis (Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds)

 

AUDIO: Caleb Gindl Home Run

AUDIO: Khris Davis' First Homer

AUDIO: Davis' Second Jack

AUDIO: Halton Makes It Back-To-Back

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A late-game rally featuring back-to-back home runs by the Nashville Sounds came up short Sunday afternoon at Greer Stadium, allowing the Sacramento River Cats to win 6-5 over the home team.

 

Down 6-2 in the eighth, the Sounds jumped back in the game with Khris Davis' two-run jack to left field that stayed just fair. The home run was the 25-year-old's second of the game, cracking his first in the fourth inning. Davis becomes the second Sound this season to have a two-homer game, matching Hunter Morris' effort from April 12. Davis has six hits with the Sounds this season: three are homers.

 

Outfielder Sean Halton, batting behind Davis, followed by lifting one of Mike Ekstrom's pitches over the left field wall. It is the team's first back-to-back home runs sequence of the season. Unfortunately for the Sounds, Halton's round-tripper was the last of their runs.

 

Nashville had the initial 1-0 lead after Caleb Gindl hit a two-out home run to center field in the first inning, but the River Cats answered in the top of the second with a home run from Michael Choice. Andy Parrino found an RBI-single in the inning to give Sacramento a lead they would never relinquish.

 

Sounds starting pitcher Zach Kroenke (0-6) let in another run in the fourth on three singles to Sacramento hitters. Infielder [Jemile] Weeks had the final hit of the frame to score Jeremy Barfield. Kroenke took the loss, his sixth, after five innings of work, in which he allowed three runs on eight hits with two walks and one strike out.

 

Reliever Donovan Hand also allowed three runs to the R-Cats, all coming with two outs in the eighth inning. Working his third inning with a runner on second, left fielder Scott Moore knocked an RBI-single to center field and was driven home by Jeremy Barfield's homer to make it 6-2. Michael Olmsted allowed Sacramento one hit, pitching a scoreless ninth for Nashville.

 

Picking up the win for Sacramento was starter Andrew Werner (3-5), who held the Sounds to two runs on five hits across six innings with two walks and six strikeouts. Dan Otero picked up his ninth save for Sacramento.

 

With the loss, the Sounds saw two impressive streaks come to an end. Going 0-for-4, second baseman Scooter Gennett failed to reach base for the first time this season, concluding his PCL-best 29 consecutive games of reaching base. Stephen Parker, 0-for-2, wraps his career-best hit streak at 14 games, during which he went .302 (16-for-53).

 

The Sounds play game three against Sacramento Monday night at Greer Stadium. RHP R.J. Seidel (0-0, 4.50) will make his second start with the Sounds against the R-Cats RHP Bruce Billings (2-2, 7.20).

 

 

Nashville Box

Gindl: 2-4, HR, RBI

Davis: 2-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI

Halton: 2-4, HR, RBI, CS, PO

Parker: 0-2, 2 BB, SB

Cole Garner: 1-4, 2B

Anderson De La Rosa: 1-4

Hainley Statia: 1-4

 

 

Nashville PbP

The Sounds were in a perfect situation to score in the 3rd, but couldn't plate anyone:

 

Nashville Bottom of the 3rd

-Anderson De La Rosa singles on a ground ball to center fielder Michael Choice.

-Hainley Statia singles on a fly ball to center fielder Michael Choice. Anderson De La Rosa to 2nd.

-Scooter Gennett out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Andrew Werner to first baseman Shane Peterson. Anderson De La Rosa to 3rd. Hainley Statia to 2nd.

-Josh Prince strikes out swinging.

-Caleb Gindl grounds out to first baseman Shane Peterson.

 

The three-run home half of the 8th:

 

Nashville Bottom of the 8th

-Josh Prince flies out to right fielder Jeremy Barfield.

-Caleb Gindl singles on a ground ball to center fielder Michael Choice.

-Khris Davis homers (3) on a fly ball to left field. Caleb Gindl scores.

-Sean Halton homers (4) on a fly ball to left center field.

-Stephen Parker walks.

-Pitching Change: Brian Gordon replaces Mike Ekstrom.

-Cole Garner strikes out swinging.

-Anderson De La Rosa flies out to center fielder Michael Choice.

 

 

Nashville Gameday

[Mass Haas]

NELSON, PITCHING HURLS STARS TO VICTORY

Alex Cohen, Huntsville Stars

 

In their series opener of a five-game set at Trustmark Park, three Huntsville Stars pitchers held a red-hot Mississippi Braves offense to just four hits en route to a 2-1 victory on Sunday.

 

Headlining the performances from the Stars battery was starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson, who gave up just one run and four hits through six innings while striking out eight batters just six days after his worst start of the season against the Jackson Generals.

 

Following a solo homer from Stars outfielder Rene Tosoni in the second inning off of M-Braves starting pitcher Cody Martin, Nelson gave up his only run in the second, which just so happened to be unearned.

 

With one out, Mississippi left fielder Kyle Russell reached on an error by Nelson on a slow-chopper back to the pitchers mound in which Russell advanced to second on an errant throw. After advancing to third on a groundout from right fielder Jose Martinez, Russell then scored on a wild pitch from Nelson for the M-Braves only run of the game.

 

Nelson was put in line for the win in the sixth inning when the Stars scored their final run of the game to take the lead for good. After right fielder Kentrail Davis began the inning with a triple, he was brought home by a sacrifice fly from first baseman Jason Rogers. For Rogers, the run batted in was his ninth over the last six games.

 

After Nelson exited the game before the seventh, Stars righty Casey Medlen threw two scoreless innings, including one where he stranded the bases loaded in the eighth. Reliever Greg Holle then sent down the M-Braves in order in the ninth for his second save of the season (audio, final out).

 

For Nelson, the win improves his record to 4-2 on the season while dropping his ERA to 2.36.

 

On offense, the Stars were lead by Tosoni, who increased his hit-streak to nine games with a 2-for-4 night at the plate. The nine-game hit streak for Tosoni is the longest for any Stars player this season.

 

Aside from the sixth inning triple from Davis, second basemen Nick Shaw had the only other hit of the night with a double in the third inning.

 

The victory for Huntsville improves their record away from Joe Davis Stadium to 9-7 this season.

 

In game two of a five-game series on Monday, the Stars will send RHP Ariel Pena (3-2, 2.75 ERA) to the bump. Pena is coming off a start where he threw six scoreless innings and struck out a season-high ten batters against the Jackson Generals on May 8th.

 

Pena will square off against M-Braves RHP J.R Graham (1-3, 4.28 ERA). First pitch is at 7:00 PM.

[Mass Haas]

Timber Rattlers moms enjoy watching sons on journey to majors

by Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent Media

 

GRAND CHUTE — Judy Haniger was hit with a wave of emotions as she pulled into the parking lot of Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Sunday morning.

 

Her son, Mitch, was living his childhood dream of playing professional baseball and the proud mother didn’t attempt to fight back the tears streaming down her face.

 

“When I pulled up and saw the stadium and everyone tailgating and cars everywhere, I just started to cry,” said Judy. “It’s what you dream about for your little boy. That’s what he’s always dreamed of, playing pro ball, and he’s on his journey, hopefully to the major leagues.”

 

Judy was one of four mothers of Wisconsin Timber Rattlers players who journeyed to Grand Chute to watch their sons play minor league baseball on Mother’s Day. Judy, a Cudahy native, flew in from Santa Clara, Calif., a night earlier. It was the first time she’s seen Mitch play pro ball.

 

“It’s Mother’s Day weekend. I wanted to see my son and we love baseball,” said Judy, who attended the game with her husband, Walt. “I miss him terribly. It’s very hard. It’s nice being back in Wisconsin, though. I was ecstatic when he was drafted by the Brewers, because I spent the first five years of my life in the Milwaukee area.”

 

Mitch, a slugging right fielder, is one of three No. 1 draft picks on the Timber Rattlers roster. He gave Judy a Mother’s Day present by using his powerful right arm to throw out runners at third base and home plate during the Timber Rattlers’ 8-3 loss to the Burlington Bees.

 

“My mom and dad spent most of their spare time driving my brother and I all around the state of California for travel ball and different tournaments,” said Mitch. “I was really fortunate to have parents like that. My mom always wanted the best for me and was always there for me.”

 

Judy wasn’t the only California resident celebrating Mother’s Day by watching her son play for the Timber Rattlers. Marisa Thompson, the mother of Wisconsin center fielder Tyrone Taylor, had a big smile on her face after watching Tyrone drill a leadoff double off the left-field wall in the bottom of the first inning.

 

Judy Haniger and Thompson were introduced on the field before the game and got to throw out the first pitches.

 

“My husband surprised me on my birthday last week with plane tickets here,” said Thompson, who flew in from Torrance, Calif., and caught Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s games with her mother and Tyrone’s grandmother, Margarita Herrera. “I love it here. It’s a little cold, but I love it here.”

 

Thompson knew she had an athlete to raise just by watching his actions at a young age.

 

“Ever since he could walk, he always wanted to play with a ball,” said Thompson, who played softball in high school. “He’s always been running around playing sports and he always loved baseball, so it’s great to come out here and watch him play.”

 

Taylor was the Brewers’ second-round pick in the 2012 MLB draft and is rated by Baseball America as the Brewers’ 15th best prospect behind Wisconsin teammates Haniger (No. 10), catcher Clint Coulter (No. 9) and outfielder Victor Roache (No. 7).

 

“My mom means everything to me,” said Taylor. “She’s been my main support my whole life. She’s sent me to all the right places and had me working with all the right coaches to get me where I’m at today. I love her.”

 

Coulter’s parents, Cliff and Sherry Coulter, traveled from Camas, Wash., located just north of Portland, Ore, and watched Clint go one-for-three at the plate.

 

“My dad was my baseball coach up until I was about 14,” said Clint. “He wasn’t a negative type, but he’d offer constructive criticism, and my mom would always tell me to just relax, have fun and keep working hard.

 

“They were so excited when I was drafted in the first round by the Brewers. Being adults and being in the real world, they could comprehend and understand the situation better than a kid just out of high school. My mom means the world to me.”

 

While most of the players’ parents were visiting Grand Chute for the first time, Steve and Cindy Blaski, the parents of Rattlers starting pitcher Austin Blaski, were making a repeat trip to Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The Blaskis traveled to the Fox Valley last spring to watch Austin pitch in the Division III World Series for Marietta College.

 

Steve and Cindy were regulars at Marietta College home games and made a majority of the road trips.

 

“Whether we were playing in Florida or Texas, they would travel to support me,” said Austin. “It’s nice to look up in the stands and see that you have support, no matter where you are or what you’re doing.”

 

In addition to having Judy Haniger and Thompson launch the first pitches, the Timber Rattlers observed Mother’s Day by holding their annual Brunch at the Ballpark in their new club level. The team also wore pink and white jerseys during the game to promote breast cancer awareness. Fans were given the opportunity to bid on the jersey of their choice in a silent auction. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Susan G. Komen Fund of Central Wisconsin.

 

As for the game, Wisconsin (16-17) struggled through one of its most forgettable contests of the year. The Timber Rattlers were outhit 15-6, committed four errors and Wisconsin pitchers issued nine walks.

 

“We were not sharp,” said Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson. “We got beat in all facets: on the mound, in the field and at the plate.”

 

(Note - these Post-Crescent videos weren't displaying in my current browser, perhaps they will for you. I'll try an alternate browser later on.)

 

Videos:

 

Timber Rattlers manager Matt Erickson discusses the team's start

 

Timber Rattlers players, moms talk about special day

[TheCrew07]

Redbirds' Taveras injures right ankle

[TheCrew07]

Altoona's Taillon makes mother proud

[TheCrew07]

The players picked around Jungmann and Bradley continue to shine. The top of the 2011 draft may haunt us with "what ifs" for quite some time.

 

Rays' Guerrieri whiffs 10 for Hot Rods

[TheCrew07]

Tyler Glasnow RHP of the Pirates mentioned whom as the article states tends to be overlooked (I'm certainly guilty) and Billy Hamilton of Red discussed.

 

Monday Prospect Notebook: Rafael DePaula Delivers For Yankees