Link Report for Fri. 5/31 -- Manatees win a "wild" one; Sounds' Hellweg in a groove

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF!

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Johnny Hellweg at home vs. Iowa (Cubs), 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 Andy Moye at Jackson (Mariners), 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

 

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Brevard County: RHP Jacob Barnes at home vs. Daytona (Cubs), 5:05 PM pre-game, 5:35 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.

 

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Wisconsin: RHP Damien Magnifico at home vs. Peoria (Cardinals), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 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 notes: Jackson has MiLB.TV coverage, so if you're a subscriber, you can watch this Stars' series (live and/or archived).

 

***

 

DVR alert: The Wisconsin game is on MyNew32 TV out of Green Bay. "Showdown: Timber Rattlers Pre-Game" airs at 6:00 PM.

[Mass Haas]

Follow Friday'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, TN

 

Jackson, TN

 

Viera (Melbourne)

 

Grand Chute (Appleton)

[Mass Haas]

Update via Alex:

 

Stars Game Postponed in Jackson

 

Due to unplayable field conditions at The Ballpark and Jackson, the Huntsville Stars game with the Jackson Generals on Friday night was postponed.

 

The two teams will play a series-ending doubleheader on Saturday starting at 4:05 CT.

 

Following the conclusion of Saturday's doubleheader, the Stars will return home to start a five-game series at Joe Davis Stadium against the Birmingham Barons on Sunday. First pitch is at 4:03 CT.

[Mass Haas]

Via MLB Trade Rumors --

 

The Indians announced that they have signed right-hander Chris Jakubauskas and assigned him to Triple-A Columbus. The 34-year-old has a 5.58 ERA in 166 big league innings and last saw the Majors with the Orioles in 2011. Jakubauskas spent 2012 in the D-backs and Blue Jays organizations, and he appeared in eight Triple-A games for the Brewers this season. He has a 3.75 ERA in 175 career innings at Triple-A.

[Mass Haas]

Via Jeff Hem's blog --

 

Audio from Nashville — “Side to (R.J.) Seidel”

 

Here is tonight’s pregame interview with Sounds right-hander R.J. Seidel, who picked up his first Sounds and Triple-A victory on Thursday night with a win against Iowa. Seidel discusses his season so far, which began as a reliever at Double-A and has blossomed into a starter at Triple-A; the transition to different levels of the minors; growing up as a Brewers fan in LaCrosse, Wisc., and whether that played a role in his decision to sign with Milwaukee out of high school instead of going to University of Arkansas where he’d committed; and his and his fellow starting pitchers’ efforts at hitting.

 

http://jeffhempbp.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/rj_seidel_502006.jpg?w=225&h=300

 

Photo courtesy of Nashville Sounds / Mike Strasinger

 

***

 

Nice job by Jeff, as always, with his line of questioning -- Jeff's got a polished style that's going to land him an MLB job eventually, it may be in a studio role initially, as it is for several.

[TooLiveBrew]

Johnny Hellweg through 6 innings on just 81 pitches -- 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K... and a GO:FO ratio of 11:1.

 

The Sounds just tied this one up at 1-1 via throwing error on a sac bunt. Blake Davis came around to score on the error after doubling to lead off the home half of the 6th.

[TooLiveBrew]

Jeff Hem on the Sounds' first run:

 

Sounds tie it up, 1-1. Donnie Murphy failed to tag Blake Davis at 3rd on Hellweg sac bunt, then E6 on throw to 1st.

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO from Thursday --

 

Nashville's Scooter Gennett hits his first homer at Triple-A in the third inning of a 6-1 win over Iowa

 

-- tweeted by the Sounds but kudos to the fan

[Eye Black]

Wild game at Space Coast Stadium tonight ends with Brevard County walk-off 10-9 win in the 10th. BC and Daytona combined for 25 hits and 21 walks!

[TooLiveBrew]

Tonight, Hellweg turned in what was likely his best start of the season so far. With the way the big club's rotation hasn't been working, I'm sure Doug Melvin is paying rapt attention.

 

Good pitching by all the Sounds arms tonight, with three relievers combining to hold the I-Cubs hitless over the final two innings.

[bkrause2]

Final: Dayton (Cubs) 9, Brevard County 10 (10 Innings)

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Great come back win for the Manatees. Down 7-1 in the 4th inning, they came back to win it 10-9 in extras. Every BC player had at least one hit except for second baseman Greg Hopkins. Nick Ramirez stayed hot, going 2 for 4 with his 12th home run of the year. It was his third game in the row with a homer and his fifth long ball in his last seven games. More impressively, Ramirez drew a pair of walks and did not strike out in six trips to the plate. Cameron Garfield went 3 for 6 with a pair of doubles. He's hit safely in 9 of his last 10 games now. Ben McMahan was on base five times. He homered, doubled, singled and drew two walks, falling just a double short of a cycle. Mitch Haniger had two doubles and drew a walk. He also had a pair of outfield assists, throwing out a runner at second and another at the plate. Yadiel Rivera had a single, double and two walks. Chadwin Stang had two hits and a walk to go with 3 RBI. Cody Hawn had a single and a walk, but struck out four times.

 

Jacob Barnes struggled for the second straight appearance. He gave up five earned runs in just 2.1 innings. He only allowed four hits, but walked six Daytona batters. Tyler Cravy didn't fare much better, allowing 3 runs in 3.2 innings. He gave up four hits and walked three batters. On a brighter note, Matt Miller pitched two scoreless innings. He did not allow a hit. Tommy Toledo suffered his first blown save of the season after giving up the tying run in the ninth, but got the win when the Manatees scored in the 10th.

 

Brevard County Play-By-Play

 

The Manatees scored two runs in each of the fourth, sixth, seventh, and eighth innings

 

Brevard County Bottom of the 4th

Cameron Garfield strikes out swinging, catcher Chadd Krist to first baseman Dustin Geiger.

Nick Ramirez homers (12) on a fly ball to right field.

Ben McMahan doubles (2) on a line drive to right fielder Jorge Soler.

Cody Hawn strikes out swinging.

Yadiel Rivera walks.

Chadwin Stang singles on a ground ball to left fielder Taiwan Easterling. Ben McMahan scores. Yadiel Rivera to 2nd.

Brandon Macias lines out to center fielder Tim Saunders.

 

Brevard County Bottom of the 6th

Pitching Change: Eduardo Figueroa replaces Kyler Burke.

Ben McMahan walks.

Cody Hawn strikes out swinging.

Yadiel Rivera singles on a line drive to left fielder Taiwan Easterling. Ben McMahan to 2nd.

Chadwin Stang singles on a ground ball to left fielder Taiwan Easterling. Ben McMahan scores. Yadiel Rivera to 2nd.

Brandon Macias singles on a line drive to center fielder Tim Saunders. Yadiel Rivera to 3rd. Chadwin Stang to 2nd.

Gregory Hopkins grounds into a force out, shortstop Javier Baez to second baseman Wes Darvill. Yadiel Rivera scores. Chadwin Stang to 3rd. Brandon Macias out at 2nd. Gregory Hopkins to 1st.

Mitch Haniger grounds into a force out, third baseman Ben Carhart to second baseman Wes Darvill. Gregory Hopkins out at 2nd.

 

Brevard County Bottom of the 7th

Pitching Change: Jeffrey Lorick replaces Eduardo Figueroa.

Cameron Garfield doubles (12) on a line drive to left fielder Taiwan Easterling.

Nick Ramirez walks.

Ben McMahan singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jorge Soler. Cameron Garfield to 3rd. Nick Ramirez to 2nd.

Cody Hawn singles on a line drive to left fielder Taiwan Easterling. Cameron Garfield scores. Nick Ramirez to 3rd. Ben McMahan to 2nd.

Yadiel Rivera strikes out swinging.

Chadwin Stang grounds into a force out, shortstop Javier Baez to second baseman Wes Darvill. Nick Ramirez scores. Ben McMahan to 3rd. Cody Hawn out at 2nd. Chadwin Stang to 1st.

Brandon Macias grounds out, pitcher Jeffrey Lorick to first baseman Dustin Geiger.

 

Brevard County Bottom of the 8th

Pitching Change: Larry Suarez replaces Jeffrey Lorick.

Gregory Hopkins strikes out swinging.

Mitch Haniger walks.

Cameron Garfield singles on a ground ball to left fielder Taiwan Easterling. Mitch Haniger to 2nd.

Nick Ramirez walks. Mitch Haniger to 3rd. Cameron Garfield to 2nd.

Ben McMahan walks. Mitch Haniger scores. Cameron Garfield to 3rd. Nick Ramirez to 2nd.

Cody Hawn strikes out swinging.

Yadiel Rivera walks. Cameron Garfield scores. Nick Ramirez to 3rd. Ben McMahan to 2nd.

Chadwin Stang lines out to center fielder Tim Saunders

 

Yadiel Rivera's 10th inning heroics

 

Brevard County Bottom of the 10th

Nick Ramirez singles on a line drive to right fielder Jorge Soler.

Ben McMahan strikes out swinging.

Cody Hawn walks. Nick Ramirez to 2nd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner T. J. Mittelstaedt replaces Nick Ramirez.

Yadiel Rivera doubles (5) on a line drive to center fielder Tim Saunders. J. Mittelstaedt scores. Cody Hawn to 3rd.

[Mass Haas]

Go to the 22:00 minute mark --

 

Jim Callis of Baseball America talks Brewers on the Bill Michaels Show

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: A link to Doug Melvin's 22 minutes on WSSP today

 

Yeah, it's an important listen, do find the time...

[TooLiveBrew]

Sounds Win Game and Series, 3-1

Hellweg Picks Up Win In Seven-Inning Quality Start; Wooten Saves

Nashville Sounds

 

http://i.imgur.com/zV2mu6W.jpg

Johnny Hellweg (Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds)

 

AUDIO: Josh Prince Drives In Go-Ahead Run

AUDIO: Anderson De La Rosa Singles For Insurance

AUDIO: Sounds Win; Wooten Saves

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds overcame an early deficit Friday night at Greer Stadium to defeat the visiting Iowa Cubs, 3-1, and pick up their first winning series of the year. The victory is Nashville's third consecutive and marks the team's longest streak of the season.

 

Tied 1-1 in the seventh, the Sounds attacked Iowa's starting pitcher Yoanner Negrin (0-2) for two runs, which proved to be the difference. Stephen Parker, 2-for-4, led off the inning with a single into right field and scored the go-ahead run on Josh Prince's double to the left-field corner.

 

Negrin proceeded to walk Hunter Morris, 0-for-2, before catcher Anderson De La Rosa knocked a soft single through the infield to score Prince for the insurance run.

 

Sounds starting pitcher Johnny Hellweg (4-4) kept the Cubs in check through seven innings of work, allowing Iowa just one run on five hits. He picked up his fourth win of the season, fanning five and walking two. Hellweg has picked up the win in three of his last four starts.

 

The seven-inning effort from Hellweg, who entered the game with the third-lowest average against mark among starting PCL pitchers (.198), is a season-best for the hurler and is his fourth quality start of the season.

 

[It really had seemed to me that, lately, teams weren't hitting Hellweg well, and his AVG allowed supports that. It will probably always be a big 'if' for him, but if Hellweg can keep his walks in check, he has a chance to really make an impact. If the Brewers had better SP depth, I could see making Johnny a lights-out reliever... but since they don't, I think a callup at some point this season for a shot in the rotation makes a lot of sense.]

 

Travis Webb and Tim Dillard combined to pitch a scoreless eighth inning and set the stage for Rob Wooten to pick up his eighth save.

 

Sounds shortstop Blake Davis got the Sounds offense going in the sixth inning with a leadoff double, which broke up a stretch of 12 consecutive Nashville batter's retired by Negrin and led to the game-tying run.

 

Hellweg helped his cause on the next play by pushing a bunt to Brad Nelson, who threw the ball to third, but not before Davis got there safely. Covering third and still looking for an out, Donnie Murphy chucked the ball across the diamond over first base, trying to get Hellweg, which scored Davis to make it 1-1 on the error.

 

Negrin, who had only thrown 58 pitches through six innings, delivered 18 in the seventh, and left the inning before recording the first out. Negrin was charged with the loss, his second.

 

The Cubs plated their only run in the third inning via Dave Sappelt's sacrifice-fly. The fly ball to right field scored Logan Watkins, who singled to lead off the inning.

 

The Sounds head south Saturday to begin an eight-game road trip that takes them to Round Rock, Texas for a four-game series against the Express (Rangers affiliate) before heading to Memphis to take on the cross-state rival Redbirds (Cardinals affiliate). Throwing on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. for Nashville will be RHP Tyler Thornburg (0-6, 6.66) opposite Round Rock's LHP Martin Perez (1-1, 3.00). Baseball returns to Greer Stadium on Monday, June 10, when the Sounds host the Omaha Storm Chasers to a four-game series.

 

 

Nashville Box

Gindl: 1-4, 2B (lineout, strikeout, groundout)

Parker: 2-4

Prince: 1-4, 2B, RBI

Morris: 0-2, BB (groundout, lineout)

De La Rosa: 1-3, RBI

Davis: 1-3, 2B

 

[pre]Hellweg: 7 IP 5 H 1 R 1 ER 2 BB 5 K WP 101 TP (62 strikes) 12:1 GO:FO[/pre]

 

Nashville PbP

Hellweg's start:

 

Iowa Top of the 1st

-Logan Watkins grounds out, second baseman Scooter Gennett to first baseman Hunter Morris.

-Brian Bogusevic singles on a ground ball to left fielder Josh Prince.

-Dave Sappelt pops out to second baseman Scooter Gennett.

-Brad Nelson singles on a line drive to center fielder Caleb Gindl. Brian Bogusevic to 3rd.

-Donnie Murphy strikes out swinging.

 

Iowa Top of the 2nd

-Ian Stewart doubles (4) on a line drive to center fielder Caleb Gindl.

-Darnell McDonald grounds out, second baseman Scooter Gennett to first baseman Hunter Morris. Ian Stewart to 3rd.

-Luis Flores reaches on a fielder's choice out, shortstop Blake Davis to catcher Anderson De La Rosa to third baseman Stephen Parker. Ian Stewart out at home. Luis Flores to 2nd.

-Yoanner Negrin grounds out, second baseman Scooter Gennett to first baseman Hunter Morris.

 

Iowa Top of the 3rd

-Logan Watkins singles on a line drive to left fielder Josh Prince.

-Brian Bogusevic singles on a ground ball to right fielder Khris Davis. Logan Watkins to 3rd.

-Dave Sappelt out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Khris Davis. Logan Watkins scores.

-Brad Nelson grounds out, pitcher Johnny Hellweg to first baseman Hunter Morris. Brian Bogusevic to 2nd.

-Donnie Murphy strikes out swinging.

 

Iowa Top of the 4th

-Ian Stewart lines out to right fielder Khris Davis.

-Darnell McDonald grounds out, second baseman Scooter Gennett to first baseman Hunter Morris.

-Luis Flores grounds out, third baseman Stephen Parker to first baseman Hunter Morris.

 

Iowa Top of the 5th

-Yoanner Negrin called out on strikes.

-Logan Watkins walks.

-Brian Bogusevic grounds into a force out, second baseman Scooter Gennett to shortstop Blake Davis. Logan Watkins out at 2nd. Brian Bogusevic to 1st.

-Dave Sappelt grounds into a force out, shortstop Blake Davis to second baseman Scooter Gennett. Brian Bogusevic out at 2nd.

 

Iowa Top of the 6th

-Brad Nelson grounds out to first baseman Hunter Morris.

-Donnie Murphy grounds out, shortstop Blake Davis to first baseman Hunter Morris.

-Ian Stewart strikes out swinging.

 

Iowa Top of the 7th

-Darnell McDonald walks.

-Luis Flores pops out to shortstop Blake Davis.

-With Yoanner Negrin batting, wild pitch by Johnny Hellweg, Darnell McDonald to 2nd.

-Yoanner Negrin reaches on a fielder's choice out, pitcher Johnny Hellweg to third baseman Stephen Parker to shortstop Blake Davis to pitcher Johnny Hellweg. Darnell McDonald out at 3rd. Yoanner Negrin to 2nd.

-Logan Watkins called out on strikes.

 

 

Nashville Gameday

[bkrause2]

Manatees keep the faith, walk-off in ten

Brevard rallies from six-run deficit to top Daytona, 10-9

By Andy Towne / Brevard County Manatees

 

VIERA, Fla. - Faith is exactly what the Brevard County Manatees needed on Faith Night at Space Coast Stadium on Friday night as they rallied from a 7-1 deficit in the fourth inning to come back for a 10-9 win in ten innings over the Daytona Cubs.

 

It was only fitting that the term for a game-ending hit is "walk-off," as the contest featured a total of 21 walks issued by both teams. The nine walks taken by the Brevard County (28-25) offense and the 12 issued by the Manatees' pitching staff both marked season highs, as was the total of five hit batters.

 

Four of the runs scored for Daytona (26-26) were batters who had reached on walks. Tim Saunders scored on Dustin Geiger's three-run homer in the first, Jorge Soler crossed the plate in the third on Taiwan Easterling's bases-loaded walk and then both Javier Baez and Soler came home on Chadd Krist's two-run single in the fourth that put Daytona up 7-1 at that time.

 

Nick Ramirez began Brevard's comeback from the 7-1 deficit with a solo home run in the fourth, which marked his third straight game with a homer and the fifth long ball in his last seven games.

 

Ben McMahan, who homered in the second to get the 'Tees on the board, followed with a double to right-center and then scored on Chadwin Stang's first RBI single to make it a 7-3 game. McMahan finished a triple shy of the cycle, as he went 3-for-4, drew two walks and crossed the plate three times.

 

After another run in the top of the sixth to make the score 8-3 for Daytona, the Manatees benefitted from McMahan's leadoff walk as they would put together a string of three straight, one-out singles in the inning. Stang's was the one that got McMahan home, with Yadiel Rivera scoring on a fielder's choice by Greg Hopkins.

 

Inching closer in the seventh, Brevard County finished the inning with just a one-run deficit at 8-7. Cameron Garfield led off the frame with a double and scored on Cody Hawn's lone hit of the evening.

 

Ramirez walked behind Garfield and after back-to-back singles from McMahan and Hawn, found himself at third base. From there, he scored on a fielder's choice courtesy of Stang, whose drove in three runs on the night.

 

Brevard County took its first lead of the game in the bottom of the eighth, an inning that saw two runs scored on four walks and one single from Garfield. For Garfield it was his third hit of the night, to go along with McMahan's three. Mitch Haniger, Ramirez, Rivera and Stang each had two hits each.

 

Going to the ninth with a 9-8 lead, the Manatees did not make it out of the frame unscathed. Wes Darvill led the inning off with a single and then Tommy Toledo allowed a walk and hit a batter to load the bases with one out.

 

Jorge Soler's fielder's choice knocked in Darvill to tie the game. Rivera had to make a diving grab at the edge of the left field grass to leave all three men stranded and keep the game square at nine.

 

With the 'Tees not scoring in the bottom half of the ninth, Toledo spun a perfect top of the tenth and was credited with the win after Ramirez led off with a single, Hawn walked and Rivera brought in pinch-runner T.J. Mittelstaedt with a game-winning double.

 

Mittelstaedt has now been involved in three of Brevard's four walk-offs this year, also knocking an RBI double against St. Lucie on May 16 and blasting a home run less than a week ago on May 25 against Clearwater.

 

Getting the start for the Manatees was Jacob Barnes, who after tying a career-high five walks issued in a relief appearance on Sunday, topped that number with six on Friday. He lasted 2.1 innings as he scattered four hits with two strikeouts and was charged with five runs.

 

Tyler Cravy was asked to go the longest of the four Brevard hurlers used in the contest, as he was responsible for three runs on four hits and three walks, with one strikeout, in 3.2 innings of work.

 

Matt Miller tossed two hitless and scoreless innings with a strikeout, though he put four men on with a pair of walks and a pair of hit batsmen, before Toledo came on and gave up one run for the blown save in the ninth. Toledo ended up with the win, with a walk and a hit on line.

 

The series shifts to Daytona for game two on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Chad Pierce (2-1, 2.23) will make the start for Brevard County, while the Cubs leave the starting task up to P.J. Francescon (3-4, 5..37). Game three of the series will be back at Space Coast Stadium at 5:05 on Sunday.

[TooLiveBrew]

Two more Nashville thoughts:

 

Hunter Morris had one of the best months of his career in May: .311/.402/.635/1.037, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 12:21 BB:K in 74 AB. Imo right now is the perfect time to get his feet wet in the bigs. Corey will be back soon, but not really soon, and 1B has turned into a complete black hole... and is clearly one main reason why the offense has struggled. Let Hunter come up, make his debut, and play everyday. Bat him in the 5-hole in the lineup, and don't pull him for any reason. Just let him play, regardless of the results -- think he can do any worse than the .600 or so OPS we've currently been getting? Reward a young player's success in the minors with a no- to low-pressure shot at two or three weeks in The Show. When Hart is ready to go, send Morris back to Nashville. But give him a shot for right now.

 

 

I really think Johnny Hellweg deserves a shot in the MLB rotation. In addition to the .198 AVG allowed, he's given up only two HRs over his 56+ IP. His ERA over his past five starts is 2.79, and if you omit his May 21st start (5 ER in 5 IP), that ERA drops to 1.50. Although I really like Figaro's stuff, I think I'd rather see Hellweg in the rotation (& push Alfredo back to an important bullpen role). Johnny's 24 this season, and I think it's important to let him start to acclimate himself to the bigs.

[TheCrew07]

Chiefs rally to top Rattlers 11-5

Peoria erases 5-1 Wisconsin lead with ten runs over final four innings

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers homecoming was going great on Friday night at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The team had a 5-1 lead through five innings against the Peoria Chiefs in their first home game since May 16. But, the Chiefs scored ten runs over the final four innings to defeat the Rattlers 11-5.

 

Wisconsin (23-27) had an opportunity to take the lead in the bottom of the second against Chiefs starter Kyle Helisek. Victor Roache reached on catcher's interference and Adam Giacalone doubled to left to put runners on second and third with no outs. Helisek came back to strike out the next two batters and get a grounder to second to keep the game scoreless.

 

The Chiefs (28-24) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third. Adam Ehrlich doubled to start the inning, but was still at second with two outs. Jacob Wilson put Peoria in front with an RBI single that got through the infield.

 

The Rattlers had plenty of chances in the bottom of the fourth on cashed in for four runs to take the lead. Michael Reed started the inning with a single. Roache followed with a double down the third base line to score Reed with the tying run. Roache moved up to third on a grounder. Then, Parker Berberet was walked intentionally to set up a lefty-lefty match-up between Helisek and Max Walla.

 

Walla foiled the strategy with a single to right-center to score Roache and give the Rattlers a 2-1 lead.

 

Later in the fourth, Wisconsin had the bases loaded with two outs. Orlando Arcia singled to right-center to drive in two more runs for a 4-1 lead.

 

Roache padded the Rattlers lead to 5-1 with a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning. The high fly to left carried out of the ballpark for Roache's sixth homer of the season.

 

Damien Magnifico, Wisconsin's starting pitcher, struck out six and allowed one run over five innings. He was in line for his sixth win of the season.

 

The Chiefs chipped away at the Wisconsin lead after Magnifico left the game. They scored a pair of unearned runs against Leonard Lorenzo in the top of the sixth inning. A single and an error put runners at second and third with one out. Charlie Tilson drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly. Ehrlich singled with two outs to drive in the second run of the frame.

 

Peoria had runners at second and third with one out in the top of the seventh. Patrick Wisdom grounded too short and the runner at second was tagged out in a rundown, but the runner from third scored to cut the Rattlers lead to one run.

 

Rodolfo Fernandez came on in the top of the eighth inning and could not hold off the Chiefs. A leadoff walk, an infield single, and a sacrifice bunt put runners at second and third for the Chiefs. Breyvic Valera had a 1-2 count against him and sent a slow roller to third. The throw to the plate was off target and the tying run scored.

 

Fernandez got the second out and had Wilson 0-2. Valera stole second on a 1-2 pitch. Then, Wilson singled to drive in two runs and the Chiefs were up 7-5.

 

Peoria put the game away with four unearned runs in the top of the ninth. There were two outs and nobody on for the Chiefs in the top of the ninth inning when an error allowed Kelly to reach again and extend the inning. Tilson followed with a single. Then, Ehrlich singled to drive in Kelly. Valera doubled to drive in Tilson. Ildemaro Vargas capped the inning with a two-run single and the Chiefs were up 11-5.

 

Roache went 2-for-2 with two runs, two RBI, and reached base four times in the game. He also took first on catcher's interference in the second and was hit by a pitch in the seventh inning.

 

Game two of the series is Saturday night. Austin Blaski (2-1, 1.67) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Joe Cuda (2-3, 5.80) is set to start for the Chiefs. Game time is 6:35pm.

 

Saturday is a Fly Away Saturday from Funjet Vacations and Fox World Travel. One lucky fan will win airfare for two from Funjet Vacations and Fox World Travel at this game as part of Fly Away Saturday. Stick around after the game for the first FOX 11 fireworks show of the season.

 

If you can't make it out to the stadium, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:15pm. Saturday's game is also available to subscribers of MiLB.TV.

 

HOME RUN:

WIS:

Victor Roache (6th, 0 on in 5th inning off Joe Scanio, 1 out)

 

WP: Thomas Lee (1-0)

LP: Rodolfo Fernandez (1-2)

 

TIME: 3:04

ATTN: 4,665

 

A Tale of Two Games – Postgame post for May 31, 2013

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

I have mixed feelings on unearned runs, on one hand, dammit guys, make the easy defensive plays, convert outs into outs. On the other hand, dig in on the mound stop the bleeding, give up 1 unearned run, not 4. 6 of the 11 runs were unearned but when 3-4 hits are strung together after an error I find it very difficult to let the pitcher off the hook.

 

Chris McFarland was back in the line-up tonight so his recent absences don't appear to be injury related unless it's one of those nagging things.

 

Victor Roache had a perfect night at the plate from a boxscore perspective as the DH which Chris noted above.

 

I had unexpected work trips all over NE WI today and of course I didn't set my DVR before leaving home this morning so I wasn't able to watch the game which is probably a good thing because the last 4 innings would have gotten under my skin.

 

Wisconsin Recap

 

Wisconsin Gameday

[TheCrew07]

Go to the 22:00 minute mark --

 

Jim Callis of Baseball America talks Brewers on the Bill Michaels Show

 

I was hoping for some nuggets of wisdom in this one, it's definitely worth a listen but I was slightly disappointed as I always get excited when people I respect talk Brewer prospects because I'm hoping to learn something I didn't already know. Jim just reiterated many of the points that the majority posters on this forum have made in the past.

[TheCrew07]

Prospect Hot Sheet (May 31): Wil Myers Heats Up

 

No. 2 Robert Stephenson, rhp, Reds

Team: low Class A Dayton (Midwest)

Age: 20

Why He’s Here: 2-0, 0.71, 2 GS, 12 2/3 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 0 HR, 3 BB, 17 SO

 

The Scoop: There’s nothing wrong with a pitcher learning how to manipulate the baseball, but sometimes it can go a little to far. Stephenson spent some of his early-season starts working on his two-seam fastball as he tried to baffle hitters with movement. Six starts into the season he was living with a 5.79 ERA and the realization that he needed to go back to what he does best, blowing away hitters with his 94-97 mph four-seam fastball. In reality, not many hitters can catch up with Stephenson’s best stuff, even if it’s somewhat straight, especially when it’s paired with a changeup and curveball that are both average or better. Since going back to the high-octane approach, Stephenson has given up four runs in five starts, striking out 42 and walking four over 31 2/3 innings.

No. 9 Pierce Johnson, rhp, Cubs

Team: low Class A Kane County (Midwest)

Age: 22

Why He’s Here: 1-1, 1.46, 2 GS, 12 1/3 IP, 10 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 15 SO

 

The Scoop: If you’re looking for a strong candidate for a midseason promotion, Johnson fits the bill. The 43rd overall pick in last year’s draft, he has allowed two runs or fewer in seven of his 10 starts in low Class A. The 22-year-old has the advanced stuff and could’ve started the year in high Class A, and now he’s surged into second in the Midwest League strikeout race with 60 in 53 innings.

 

NOT SO HOT

Jeimer Candelario, 3b, Cubs: The 19-year-old hitting machine ranks second in the Midwest League with 17 doubles, though he endured a rough week with low Class A Kane County, going 2-for-23 (.087) at the dish with two walks (one intentional) and four strikeouts.