Link Report for Sun. 5/26

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Sunday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Johnny Hellweg at home vs. Albuquerque (Dodgers), 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.

 

**********

 

Huntsville: RHP Andy Moye at Tennessee (Cubs), 12:45 PM pre-game, 1:00 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

 

**********

 

Brevard County: RHP Brooks Hall at home vs. Clearwater (Phillies), 3:35 PM pre-game, 4:05 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link -- Select the link based on listed schedule

 

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.

 

**********

 

Wisconsin: RHP Damien Magnifico at Peoria (Cardinals), 6:10 PM pre-game, 6:30 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.

 

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: Tennessee has MiLB.TV coverage, so if you're a subscriber, you can watch this Stars' series (live and/or archived).

[Mass Haas]

Follow Sunday'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

 

Kodak, TN

 

Viera (Melbourne)

 

Peoria, IL

[Mass Haas]

J.J. Cooper tweet --

 

N.C. State's Carlos Rodon's final line 10 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 14 Ks. Wow.

 

Wolfpack’s Rodon adds to ACC tourney lore … but not his win total

 

Well, he'll be a Marlin or Astro after next summer.

 

***

 

The 2011 Draft History:

 

“Rodon, a left-hander who was chosen MVP of the NCHSAA 4-A state championship series last week, was taken much later than projected, falling to the Milwaukee Brewers in the 16th round (491st overall).

 

One of the major reasons Rodon, who was projected by most outlets as being a top-five-round selection, fell hundreds of picks later was what baseball pundits call “signability.” Rodon and his parents value the college experience and education, and MLB teams knew it would take a signing bonus in the range of supplemental round’s slotted range (about $750,000 to $800,000) to sign him away from his commitment to play at N.C. State next season.

 

The Brewers called Rodon in the fourth round to ask if he would sign for that round’s slot money, which is estimated at about $250,000. He declined and was taken by the team 12 rounds later without a phone call beforehand.

 

“It’s definitely a business. I’ve learned a lot about how people truly are,” Rodon said. “I got drafted a lot later than I expected, but it happens. Being drafted is pretty great, and especially on top of a state championship (last week).”

 

Rodon struck out 135 batters this season, the most in the Triangle, with a 1.40 ERA. Over his past three seasons, he went 23-2 as a starter. During a complete-game two-hit shutout in the first game of the 4-A championship series, his fastball was clocked at 93 mph in the first inning and only trailed off to 90 mph by the seventh.

 

***

 

Rodon is now a near-consensus as the top overall pick of the 2014 draft. He may become Houston's or Miami's David Price, depending on who gets the first pick two summers from now.

 

It'll eventually be known as the worst extra $600,000 the Brewers never spent.

[Mass Haas]

Fun timeline from Donovan Hand's friend -- the pride of Hatton, AL on his way to Milwaukee

[Mass Haas]

The Miami Herald notes the Sounds' season-long futility.

[LouisEly]

Rodon is now a near-consensus as the top overall pick of the 2014 draft. He may become Houston's or Miami's David Price, depending on who gets the first pick two summers from now.

 

It'll eventually be known as the worst extra $600,000 the Brewers never spent.

Mass, what were the rules and penalties at that time as to how that type of signing bonus would have affected the Brewers?

 

People can criticize the Brewers for not ponying up to sign him, but the other 29 teams had 15 rounds to draft him and didn't. There must have been a reason for that.

[TheCrew07]

Cubs' Burke continues conversion

[TheCrew07]

Power's Allie reaching new heights

[TheCrew07]

J.J. Cooper tweet --

 

N.C. State's Carlos Rodon's final line 10 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 14 Ks. Wow.

 

Wolfpack’s Rodon adds to ACC tourney lore … but not his win total

 

Well, he'll be a Marlin or Astro after next summer.

 

***

 

The 2011 Draft History:

 

“Rodon, a left-hander who was chosen MVP of the NCHSAA 4-A state championship series last week, was taken much later than projected, falling to the Milwaukee Brewers in the 16th round (491st overall).

 

One of the major reasons Rodon, who was projected by most outlets as being a top-five-round selection, fell hundreds of picks later was what baseball pundits call “signability.” Rodon and his parents value the college experience and education, and MLB teams knew it would take a signing bonus in the range of supplemental round’s slotted range (about $750,000 to $800,000) to sign him away from his commitment to play at N.C. State next season.

 

The Brewers called Rodon in the fourth round to ask if he would sign for that round’s slot money, which is estimated at about $250,000. He declined and was taken by the team 12 rounds later without a phone call beforehand.

 

“It’s definitely a business. I’ve learned a lot about how people truly are,” Rodon said. “I got drafted a lot later than I expected, but it happens. Being drafted is pretty great, and especially on top of a state championship (last week).”

 

Rodon struck out 135 batters this season, the most in the Triangle, with a 1.40 ERA. Over his past three seasons, he went 23-2 as a starter. During a complete-game two-hit shutout in the first game of the 4-A championship series, his fastball was clocked at 93 mph in the first inning and only trailed off to 90 mph by the seventh.

 

***

 

Rodon is now a near-consensus as the top overall pick of the 2014 draft. He may become Houston's or Miami's David Price, depending on who gets the first pick two summers from now.

 

It'll eventually be known as the worst extra $600,000 the Brewers never spent.

 

They let him throw 130 pitches... what the hell is wrong with these college coaches? I'm sorry but so many are just idiots... they don't correct mechanics, don't care about pitch counts with young players, don't teach catchers and pitchers how to setup hitters and instead call pitches from the dugout because that's easier.

 

I know I've kind of been beating this drum since looking at Arnett's high pitch counts after he was drafted but I'd much rather take HS pitchers when we can so mechanical issues, pitch counts, and all of those minor details which add up over time are corrected from draft day forward.

 

HS coaches aren't any better, but at least their naivety is somewhat forgivable, and some states have instituted weekly innings limits which help protect the players. I'd much rather the abuse stop after HS than be drafting pitchers who were rode into the ground during their college years.

 

Certainly not all college programs are that way but I would look long and hard at the amount of abuse a college arm has been subjected to before drafting him. You can get bye losing a year after you'd draft special talent like a Strasburg or Rondon to TJ surgery... it's not ideal, but that's the just reality of the system. However I'd definitely do my due diligence on any other college arms prior to drafting them and there are programs that I would stay far away from.

[TooLiveBrew]

Hunter Morris with another (solo) HR already tonight.

 

He's been nothing short of white-hot since returning from the 7-day DL trip for concussion symptoms/concerns. In the 8 games he's played since returning to action on the 18th (not counting tonight):

 

11-29 (.379), with 5 HR, 10 RBI, & an OPS north of 1.300

[TooLiveBrew]

Nashville with a nice 3-2 win today. Hellweg gave up just two hits, one solo homer & one single, over six innings. He had a 8:2 GO:FO ratio, and even with four walks allowed this has to go down as a good start.

 

Up 3-1 heading into the top half of the 9th, Rob Wooten took a page from K-Rod's manual but got the job done to secure the win:

 

Albuquerque Top of the 9th

-Pitching Change: Rob Wooten replaces Michael Olmsted, batting 9th, replacing Blake Davis.

-Nick Buss singles on a ground ball to center fielder Josh Prince.

-Rusty Ryal singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Khris Davis. Nick Buss to 2nd.

-Jeremy Moore strikes out swinging.

-Justin Sellers strikes out swinging.

-Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Tony Gwynn replaces Anthony Ortega.

-Tony Gwynn singles on a ground ball to center fielder Josh Prince. Nick Buss scores. Rusty Ryal to 2nd.

-Matt Wallach strikes out swinging.

 

 

I won't be able to get to the L.R. post for this game until later this evening. If anyone else wants to step in & get it posted sooner, be my guest.

[Minigoon]

Final: Tennessee 5 Huntsville 2

 

Despite another quality start from Andy Moye, the Stars fell Sunday afternoon to the Smokies 5-2 in Kodak, Tennessee. Moye (2-6, 4.73) worked 6 innings allowing 3 earned runs on 7 hits and 1 walk while striking out 6. One of the hits was a 2 out, 2 run home run in the 2nd. Moye threw 77 pitches, 56 for strikes and had a 5-4 ground out to fly out ratio. Outside of the home run in the 2nd, Moye really only ran into trouble in the 4th, when the Smokies were able to rally to push a run across. All in all, a decent day for Andy today.

 

Greg Holle was roughed up a bit today in his inning of work. Holle pitched the 7th and allowed 2 runs on 2 hits and a wild pitch. Canton, Ohio native Eric Marzec pitched a scoreless 8th, allowing a hit and striking out 1.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

Offensively, the Stars were held to 8 hits and 2 runs today. They were led by first baseman Jason Rogers and pitcher Andy Moye, both delivering 2 hits and both doubling. Stars pitchers have a total of 3 hits all season. All 3 are Andy Moye's. Rogers also walked, stole a base, and scored one of the 2 runs with Brock Kjeldgaard scoring the other. Catcher Shawn Zarraga doubled and drove in a run. Rene Tosoni had an RBI on a sacrifice fly. Ozzie Chavez and Hector Gomez each contributed a single for Huntsville.

 

Team RISP: 1-for-9.

Team LOB: 8.

 

Coulda, woulda, shoulda.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

 

Some bad luck keeps Stars from cashing in on 2 errors by the Smokies in the 2nd.

 

Huntsville Top of the 2nd

 

Brock Kjeldgaard flies out to center fielder Rubi Silva.

Rene Tosoni reaches on a throwing error by shortstop Arismendy Alcantara.

Shawn Zarraga reaches on a throwing error by third baseman Christian Villanueva. Rene Tosoni to 2nd.

Shea Vucinich lines into a double play, second baseman Ronald Torreyes to shortstop Arismendy Alcantara. Rene Tosoni doubled off 2nd.

 

The Stars rallied in the 6th for their two runs.

 

Huntsville Top of the 6th

 

Kentrail Davis strikes out swinging.

Jason Rogers hits a ground-rule double (14) on a fly ball to center field.

Brock Kjeldgaard singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Ty Wright. Jason Rogers to 3rd.

Rene Tosoni out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Rubi Silva. Jason Rogers scores.

Shawn Zarraga doubles (3) on a fly ball to center fielder Rubi Silva. Brock Kjeldgaard scores.

Pitching Change: Trey McNutt replaces Eric Jokisch, batting 9th.

Shea Vucinich called out on strikes

 

Game 5 is scheduled for tomorrow night. Right hander Arcenio Leon will be on the mound for the stars. Game time is 6:15 with Alex Cohen kicking things off at 6:00 with the pre game show. Winner of this game wins the series. Don't forget, this game is available via MiLB TV.

[trwi7]

Rodon is now a near-consensus as the top overall pick of the 2014 draft. He may become Houston's or Miami's David Price, depending on who gets the first pick two summers from now.

 

It'll eventually be known as the worst extra $600,000 the Brewers never spent.

Mass, what were the rules and penalties at that time as to how that type of signing bonus would have affected the Brewers?

 

People can criticize the Brewers for not ponying up to sign him, but the other 29 teams had 15 rounds to draft him and didn't. There must have been a reason for that.

 

He was drafted before the bonus pool was instituted and he fell in the draft because of signability. The Brewers called him in the 4th round to ask him if he would take slot money in that round ($250K), he declined and then fell to the 16th round.

 

http://blogs.newsobserver.com/prepsnow/rodon-will-not-sign-with-brewers-0

[TooLiveBrew]

Hellweg, Sounds Defeat Isotopes On Sunday Afternoon, 3-2

Morris, Davis Homer For Nashville In Victory

Nashville Sounds

 

http://i.imgur.com/9zFqBuN.jpg

Johnny Hellweg (Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds)

 

AUDIO: Hunter Morris Go-Ahead HR

AUDIO: Khris Davis HR

AUDIO: Rob Wooten Game-Ending Strikeout

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Johnny Hellweg tossed a quality start and was backed by home runs by Hunter Morris and Khris Davis as the Nashville Sounds defeated the Albuquerque Isotopes, 3-2, on Sunday afternoon at Greer Stadium.

 

Hellweg (3-4) earned a victory for the second time in his last three outings for Nashville. The fireballer held the Isotopes to one run on two hits over six innings of work, striking out five batters while walking four during his 94-pitch effort.

 

The 6-foot-9 right-hander combined with a trio of relievers to hold Albuquerque to five hits on the afternoon. Tim Dillard and Michael Olmsted each worked a hitless inning before Rob Wooten closed out the victory in the ninth to notch his sixth save of the year.

 

First baseman Hunter Morris continued his recent power surge when he put the Sounds on the board with a leadoff solo homer to right in the bottom of the second inning.

 

The blast against Albuquerque starter Blake Johnson was Morris' team-leading tenth roundtripper of the year and his sixth in the past nine games since his return from the D.L. The big fly also extended the slugger's longest hitting streak of the year to seven games (9-for-25, .360).

 

Nashville doubled the lead to 2-0 in the third when they loaded the bases against Johnson before Scooter Gennett raced home from third on a Josh Prince groundout.

 

Johnson (4-3) took a hard-luck, quality-start loss for Albuquerque after allowing two runs on eight hits over his six frames of action.

 

The visitors pulled within a run in the fifth with their first hit of the afternoon against Hellweg, a one-out homer to right by catcher Matt Wallach. The backstop's second homer of the year cut the Sounds' lead to 2-1.

 

Left fielder Khris Davis upped the Nashville lead to 3-1 in the seventh with his sixth home run of the year, a one-out shot to left-center off Albuquerque reliever Anthony Ortega. Davis went 3-for-4 for the Sounds for the second day in a row and is hitting .362 over his last 16 games (21-for-58).

 

After having only one baserunner over the previous three frames, the Isotopes put together a rally against Wooten in the ninth.

 

Chili Buss and Rusty Ryal opened the inning with consecutive singles before the Nashville closer struck out Jeremy Moore and Justin Sellers in succession. Ex-Sound Tony Gwynn, Jr. followed with a pinch-hit RBI single to center that reduced the Sounds' lead to 3-2. Wooten then struck out Wallach on a check-swing to close the door and secure the one-run win.

 

The Sounds will go for a series split when the clubs wrap up the four-game set with a 2:05 p.m. Memorial Day finale tomorrow. Right-hander Tyler Thornburg (0-6, 6.99) will start for the Sounds and face Albuquerque southpaw Aaron Laffey (1-2, 7.78).

 

 

Nashville Box

Gennett: 1-4

Davis: 3-4, HR, RBI

Stephen Parker: 2-3, 2B, BB

Prince: 0-3, RBI, BB

Morris: 1-3, HR, RBI, BB

Hainley Statia: 2-4

 

[pre]Hellweg: 6 IP 2 H 1 R 1 ER 4 BB 5 K 94 TP (61 strikes) 8:2 GO:FO[/pre]

Olmsted worked his third straight scoreless relief outing (0 H, 0 BB, 2 K), and Dillard has yet to surrender a run through his first eight appearances with Nashville.

 

 

Nashville PbP

Here's every inning from Hellweg. Aside from the HR, you'll count exactly zero Albuquerque batted balls described as line drives:

 

Albuquerque Top of the 1st

-Matt Angle strikes out swinging.

-Elian Herrera walks.

-Nick Buss flies out to center fielder Josh Prince.

-Rusty Ryal grounds into a force out, shortstop Hainley Statia to second baseman Scooter Gennett. Elian Herrera out at 2nd.

 

Albuquerque Top of the 2nd

-Jeremy Moore grounds out, pitcher Johnny Hellweg to first baseman Hunter Morris.

-Justin Sellers grounds out, third baseman Stephen Parker to first baseman Hunter Morris.

-Brian Barden walks.

-Matt Wallach walks. Brian Barden to 2nd.

-Blake Johnson grounds out, pitcher Johnny Hellweg to first baseman Hunter Morris.

 

Albuquerque Top of the 3rd

-Matt Angle called out on strikes.

-Elian Herrera flies out to right fielder Caleb Gindl.

-Nick Buss strikes out swinging, catcher Anderson De La Rosa to first baseman Hunter Morris.

 

Albuquerque Top of the 4th

-Rusty Ryal strikes out swinging.

-Jeremy Moore walks.

-With Justin Sellers batting, Anderson De La Rosa picks off Jeremy Moore at 1st on throw to Hunter Morris.

-Justin Sellers grounds out, third baseman Stephen Parker to first baseman Hunter Morris.

 

According to Gameday, Wallach hit his HR on the first pitch he saw in this PA in the 5th, which was belt-high & right down the middle. I'm guessing he sat on, got, & ambushed a first-pitch fastball from Hellweg:

 

Albuquerque Top of the 5th

-Brian Barden grounds out, third baseman Stephen Parker to first baseman Hunter Morris.

-Matt Wallach homers (2) on a fly ball to right field.

-Blake Johnson strikes out swinging.

-Matt Angle grounds out, shortstop Hainley Statia to first baseman Hunter Morris.

 

Albuquerque Top of the 6th

-Elian Herrera pops out to shortstop Hainley Statia.

-Nick Buss singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Stephen Parker.

-Rusty Ryal pops out to shortstop Hainley Statia.

-Jeremy Moore grounds out, third baseman Stephen Parker to first baseman Hunter Morris.

 

 

Nashville Gameday

[bkrause2]

Final: Clearwater (Phillies) 7, Brevard County 5

 

Sweep eludes 'Tees in finale with Threshers

By Andy Towne / Brevard County Manatees

 

VIERA, Fla. - Despite a strong start from Brooks Hall, the Clearwater Threshers showed patience against the Brevard County Manatees' bullpen and were able to walk away from Space Coast Stadium with a 7-5 win on Sunday evening.

 

Five walks from Jacob Barnes in 3.1 innings out of the bullpen matched his career high and proved to be the determining factor, as three of the seven men who scored for Clearwater reached on walks and another run scored on a bases loaded walk from Barnes.

 

After back-to-back, one out doubles in the first inning, which scored one run, Hall (2-3, 2.63) settled in to face the minimum number of batters until he was lifted in favor of Barnes after the fifth. Hall finished with three hits allowed and no walks, while striking out four.

 

Each of the first five batters reached against Barnes (4-1, 2.00) in the sixth, though leadoff man Kyrell Hudson was erased at home plate on a fielder's choice force out. After the second out had been recorded, Brock Stassi came up with a single to knock in two runs to give Clearwater a 4-3 lead.

 

Brevard County (27-22) had answered back from the first-inning run allowed by Hall as they took a 2-1 in the bottom of the third on a two-run double from Cameron Garfield. Mitch Haniger, who scored one of those runs, extended that lead to 3-1 with a double of his own to plate Greg Hopkins in the fifth.

 

After the three-run sixth, Clearwater (24-23) added another pair in the seventh despite only recording one hit in the frame. A leadoff walk followed by a single, an error, a sacrifice fly and a fielder's choice accounted for the scoring to give the visitors a 6-3 lead.

 

The Manatees took three straight walks from reliever Colton Murray after the stretch, and two of those runners were able to score on a pair of sacrifice flies from Nick Ramirez and Garfield, bringing the game back to within one run.

 

Another walk by Barnes to start the top of the ninth put an insurance run on base for Clearwater as Logan Moore eventually came around to score on another free pass, a fielder's choice and a single.

 

After the RBI single, Andre Lamontagne entered out of the bullpen and induced two fly balls to get out of the inning with no further damage. Unfortunately for the Manatees, the offense couldn't get anything going in the ninth inning for Luis Garcia, as Brevard County went down in order and were unable to complete the sweep.

 

Following an off day on Monday, the two teams will continue what is essentially a six-game series, with the beginning of a three-game set at Bright House Field in Clearwater on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.

 

http://brevardcounty.manatees.milb.com/assets/images/4/9/2/48724492/cuts/Hall_5.26_1_xoveegtg_e4fpnoks.JPG

Manatees starting pitcher Brooks Hall allowed one run in five innings of work and lowered his ERA to 2.63 but did not factor in the decision as Brevard County dropped Sunday's series finale at Space Coast Stadium to the Clearwater Threshers, 7-5. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

The Manatees managed just five hits in this one. Cameron Garfield had a double and three RBI. Mitch Haniger doubled, walked and was hit by a pitch. He's had at least one hit in each game since being promoted. Greg Hopkins doubled and walked. Brandon Macias singled and walked. Nick Ramirez singled. Cameron Garfield had a throwing error, his fifth of the season. Brooks Hall pitched five good innings, allowing one run on just three hits. Jacob Barnes struggled for the first time this season really. He gave up five hits and five walks in 3.1 innings and took the loss. Andre Lamontagne pitched the final two thirds of an inning.

 

Brevard County Play-By-Play

 

Brevard County Bottom of the 3rd

T. J. Mittelstaedt strikes out swinging.

Gregory Hopkins flies out to left fielder Aaron Altherr.

Mitch Haniger hit by pitch.

Nick Ramirez singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jonathan Roof. Mitch Haniger to 2nd.

Cameron Garfield doubles (10) on a line drive to center fielder Kyrell Hudson. Mitch Haniger scores. Nick Ramirez scores.

Cody Hawn grounds out, first baseman Brock Stassi to pitcher Gabriel Arias.

 

Brevard County Bottom of the 7th

Pitching Change: Colton Murray replaces Gabriel Arias.

T. J. Mittelstaedt walks.

With Gregory Hopkins batting, wild pitch by Colton Murray, T. J. Mittelstaedt to 2nd.

Gregory Hopkins walks.

Mitch Haniger walks. T. J. Mittelstaedt to 3rd. Gregory Hopkins to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Luis Paulino replaces Colton Murray.

Nick Ramirez out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Kyrell Hudson. T. J. Mittelstaedt scores. Gregory Hopkins to 3rd.

Cameron Garfield out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Aaron Altherr. Gregory Hopkins scores.

Cody Hawn grounds out, second baseman Carlos Alonso to first baseman Brock Stassi.

[TheCrew07]

Rodriguez and Magnifico celebrate birthdays with a Rattlers win

Wisconsin beats Peoria 6-3

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

PEORIA, IL - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers infielder Alfredo Rodriguez turned 23 on Sunday. Rattlers pitcher Damien Magnifico turned 22 last Friday. The pair of birthday boys helped Wisconsin beat the Peoria Chiefs 6-3 at Dozer Park on Sunday night.

 

The Timber Rattlers (22-23) loaded the bases with one out in the top of the fourth inning. Max Walla drew a leadoff walk. Adam Giacalone and Alfredo Rodriguez singled with one out to put a Rattler on every base. Orlando Arcia hit a chopper to the second baseman. Peoria got the out at second, but could not double up Arcia. Walla scored on the play and the Rattlers led 1-0.

 

Walla drew a walk to start the top of the sixth inning. He stole second and took third on a throwing error. However, he was still at third base with two outs. Then, Rodriguez lined a home run to left and the Rattlers were up 3-0.

 

Magnifico, pitching for the first time since his birthday on May 24, finished his night with a scoreless sixth inning. The right-hander worked six shutout innings, allowed four hits, walked none, and struck out two.

 

The Rattlers padded their lead in the top of the seventh. Tyrone Taylor and Michael Reed singled to start the inning. Walla tripled to drive both runners in for a 5-0 lead. The Chiefs brought the infield in, but Victor Roache smacked a single to center to send Walla home for a 6-0 advantage.

 

Walla, in just his second game since joining the Rattlers from extended spring training, walked twice, scored three times, and drove in three runs over five plate appearances.

 

Peoria (24-23) got their bats going against Wisconsin reliever Leonard Lorenzo in the bottom of the seventh. They had runners at first and second with two outs and Adam Ehrlich singled down the left field line to knock in Peoria's first run of the night. Breyvic Valera followed with a single to load the bases with two outs.

 

Then, Ildemaro Vargas delivered a two-run single to cut Wisconsin's lead to 6-3.

 

But, Lorenzo got the final out of the seventh, pitched a scoreless eighth, and worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his second save of the season.

 

Rodriguez went 2-for-4 on the evening and extended his current hitting streak to nine games. He is 14-for-37 (.378) during the streak. Magnifico is now 5-0 on the season. He has not allowed an earned run eleven innings against the Chiefs this season.

Related Content

 

The Timber Rattlers and Chiefs play the final game of the series on Monday afternoon. Austin Blaski (2-1, 1.95) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. Peoria sends Hector Hernandez (2-1, 4.31) to the mound. Game time is 1:00pm. Tune in for the Miller Lite Pregame Show on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting at 12:40pm.

 

HOME RUN:

WIS:

Alfredo Rodriguez (1st, 1 on in 6th inning off Joe Cuda, 2 out)

 

WP: Damien Magnifico (5-0)

LP: Joe Cuda (2-3)

SAVE: Leonard Lorenzo (2)

 

TIME: 2:42

ATTN: 2,221

 

Birthday Boys – Postgame Post for May 26, 2013

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Chris covered all the positives between the game story and this pretty solid effort all the way around with the exception of Orlando Arcia's 2 errors though Orlando did have 2 hits.

 

Wisconsin Recap

 

Missed a chance in the 3rd and 8th...

 

Wisconsin Top of the 3rd

• Orlando Arcia doubles (6) on a line drive to right fielder Ildemaro Vargas.
  Brent Dean singles on a ground ball to third baseman Carson Kelly. Orlando Arcia to 3rd.
  Jose Sermo strikes out swinging.
  Tyrone Taylor out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Joe Cuda to first baseman Patrick Wisdom. Brent Dean to 2nd.
  Michael Reed grounds out, shortstop Alex Mejia to first baseman Patrick Wisdom.

 

Wisconsin Top of the 8th

• Pitching Change: Christopher Thomas replaces Samuel Tuivailala.
  Brent Dean doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Nick Martini.
  Jose Sermo strikes out swinging.
  Tyrone Taylor flies out to center fielder Nick Martini.
  Michael Reed called out on strikes.

[TooLiveBrew]

What on earth are the Brewers/'Tees doing only throwing Brooks Hall for five innings when he was in such complete control? In his final three innings, he faced the minimum... could he have possibly been close to 100 pitches? I have the same scrutiny for his last start -- one hit through five innings, and that's his night? I'm aware of piggybacking, but at some point common sense has to come into play. If you drafted Hall as high as you did, there was a scouting-based reason for it, right?

 

I feel like a recurring issue with the Brewers & their MiLB pitchers is guys' starts being cut short for arbitrary/babying reasons. Is this one reason why the farm system doesn't churn out productive big league arms? How is a player supposed to build up the arm strength required to succeed at the MLB level when he's consistently having productive starts cut short in the minors?

 

I mean, Hall turns 23 in a month -- he was a 4th round pick out of high school in '09, and this is his third season in full-season ball. And he's being held back in back-to-back strong starts? I just don't think that's the right gameplan. When a guy is pitching effectively like that, you let him go. That doesn't mean you let him throw 187 pitches in a start, but for freakin' freak's sake, you don't cut him off like this.

 

On top of all that, you consistently hear the message from the front office that a guy should 'master a level' before he's promoted. What that turns into more often than not, for example, is a guy like Hall being at least 2 seasons away from the majors in his age-23 season. Suffice it to say that I'm just not buying what the Brewers' front office is selling, in terms of the minor league gameplan.

[igor67]

Now I'd certainly rather have Condon at this point than not, but at this point he's not in that much different of a place than Manny Parra was when we all did leaps for joy at our shrewd use of the draft and follow. Considering he has another year before even being drafted again let alone getting the the majors I prefer to hold off on being dejected.

[Mass Haas]

You heard Jeff's call earlier, now you can match it up with the video:

 

Khris Davis homers during a three-hit day in Nashville's 3-2 win over Albuquerque