Link Report for Sun. 5/26

[Mass Haas]

Video from Saturday:

 

Nashville's Hunter Morris hits a two-run homer as the Sounds fall to Albuquerque, 3-2

[Mass Haas]

Via Jeff Hem's blog --

 

Audio from Nashville — Bob Miscik (Part 2)

 

Here is Part 2 of a two-part interview with Bob Miscik, the Brewers’ minor league roving infield instructor. In this segment, Miscik discusses Sounds first baseman Hunter Morris, who won a Gold Glove in ’12 as the minor leagues’ top defensive first baseman, how players can learn about defense by watching their teammates and other players in their league, the four major league Gold Glove winners Miscik has worked with in his career and the defensive ability of Brewers shortstop and budding star Jean Segura.

[Mass Haas]

Smokies Even Up Series With Stars

Alex Cohen, Huntsville Stars

 

In a quick turnaround after a 7-2 win on Saturday night, the Huntsville Stars fell to the Tennessee Smokies by a score of 5-2 on Sunday afternoon at Smokies Park to even their series at two games apiece.

 

Starting in the second inning, the Smokies took grasp of the lead, one that they would not relinquish. After Stars starting pitcher Andy Moye retired the first five batters he faced on the game, a pop-up by Smokies third baseman Christian Villanueva fell in between five Huntsville infielders blinded by the sun, giving the 21-year-old an infield double. The next at-bat, first baseman Tim Torres hit a two-run homer to make the score 2-0.

 

Villanueva then came through again with an RBI groundout in the fourth inning to put the Smokies up by three.

 

For the Stars, they were only able put together a string of runs and mount their version of a comeback in the sixth inning. Following five scoreless innings from Tennessee starter Eric Jokisch (W, 4-3), back-to-back hits from first baseman Jason Rogers and Brock Kjeldgaard put runners at the corners with nobody out. After a sacrifice fly from Rene Tosoni (audio) put the Stars on the board, catcher Shawn Zarraga delivered an RBI double to score Kjeldgaard and cut the Smokies lead to 3-2 (audio, Alex's call / video, Smokies call).

 

Unfortunately for the Stars, that's the closest they would get to clinching the series victory on Sunday. The Smokies scored two runs in the seventh off of Stars reliever Greg Holle and three Tennessee relievers combined to shut out the Stars through the final 3.1 innings of the game to cruise to the victory.

 

With the loss, Moye fell to 2-6 on the season after giving up three runs in six innings while striking out six in the process. The quality start for Moye was the 8th straight for the Stars starting rotation.

 

On offense, the Stars were paced by Rogers, who went 2-for-3 with his team leading 14th double of the year. Moye also helped out his own cause with two hits, as the former college third baseman now has all three hits for the Stars pitching staff this season.

 

The Stars and Smokies will play the rubber match of their five-game series at Smokies Park on Monday. Huntsville will send RHP Arcenio Leon (2-5, 4.76 ERA) to the bump to square off against Tennessee RHP Matt Loosen (1-1, 7.99 ERA). First pitch is at 7:15 PM (6:15 Central).

[Mass Haas]

Video from Saturday:

 

Kentrail Davis laces a triple in Huntsvlile's 7-2 win over Tennesee

[Mass Haas]

Brevard County audio:

 

Sunday's game highlights / lowlights

 

***

 

OF Mitch Haniger joins Andy Towne on the Manatees' pregame show

[Mass Haas]

Not a divisional foe, but still, 16 years old, Midwest League debut, wow!

[Mass Haas]

Magnifico start keys Rattlers’ 6-3 victory over Chiefs

Wisconsin starter throws six scoreless, birthday boy homers to spoil Chiefs manager’s B-day

By HAYDEN SHAVER of the Peoria Journal Star

 

PEORIA — Wisconsin’s Alfredo Rodriguez had a better birthday on Sunday than Peoria Chiefs manager Dann Bilardello.

 

The Timber Rattlers second baseman celebrated his 23rd birthday by going 2-for-4 with a home run, his first of the year, and two RBIs in a 6-3 victory at Dozer Park.

 

Timber Rattlers starter Damien Magnifico silenced the Chiefs through six innings, allowing four hits to run his record to 5-0 on the year.

 

“Their starter Magnifico was magnificent. He pitched really well so I have to tip my cap to him,” said Bilardello.

 

Peoria trailed 6-0 when it trimmed its deficit in half with three runs in the seventh.

 

“We had opportunity,” said Bilardello, who was born 31 years before Rodriguez. “We scored three after they scored three. That was a really big inning. You just never know in this game.”

 

In the Chiefs’ three-run seventh, catcher Adam Ehrlich got Peoria on the board with an RBI single, before Ildemaro Vargas singled to right with the bases loaded to bring home a pair of runs. Vargas finished 2-for-4.

 

Chiefs’ righty Joe Cuda struck out 11 Timber Rattlers. He gave up three runs on six hits, including the two-run shot by Rodriguez.

 

“I felt pretty comfortable out there. One pitch, not a terrible pitch, but the guy was on it and hit it out,” said Cuda.” It’s going to happen, but I felt pretty good.”

 

Bilardello was happy with Cuda’s performance, echoing the thoughts of his young starter.

 

“He pitched great, said Bilardello. “He didn’t really struggle. He had one pitch that was up, a breaking ball that was up in the zone and the hitter did what he was supposed to do. Other than that he pitched fantastic.”

 

Cuda’s 11 strikeouts were a new career-high.

 

“It was one of those things, kind of working throughout the game, wasn’t conscious of it, but when it’s all said and done it feels good,” said Cuda “Made some good pitches in good situations and kind of helped myself out a little bit and, of course the defense.

 

“Those guys worked hard back there. It’s nice when you have a team that can make the plays.”

 

The teams meet again at 1 p.m. Monday in the rubber match at Dozer Park.

[The stache]

Good to see Khris Davis and Hunter Morris hitting some bombs!