Link Report for Fri. 6/21 - Wins, we have some wins!

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF!

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP's R.J. Seidel and Johnnie Lowe in a doubleheader at Iowa (Cubs), 4:40 PM pre-game, 5:00 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings

 

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 Taylor Jungmann at Jacksonville (Marlins), 5:50 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

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 Tampa (Yankees), 6:00 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link - Tampa Broadcast

 

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Wisconsin: RHP Tyler Wagner at home vs. Cedar Rapids (Twins), 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).

 

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Helena: LHP Anthony Banda at Missoula (Diamondbacks), 7:20 PM pre-game, 7:35 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

Voice of the Helena Brewers Steve Wendt is back on board, and this year he's added Twitter to the mix @steve_wendt. We've been treated to Steve's work for many years now (ten!); he is among the very best at the art of the pre-game interview, especially considering how at ease he makes all these first-time professional ballplayers.

 

MiLB.TV -- When the H-Crew makes their way to Idaho Falls (July) and Grand Junction (August), those games will be available for viewing online.

 

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Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at home in an immediate rematch vs. the Dodgers' tykes; 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league

 

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DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Pirates #2 squad, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until later in the day

[Mass Haas]

Programming Notes:

 

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

 

***

 

This Brevard County series is available with the Tampa broadcast crew; Dave and Andy return to the airwaves on Sunday.

 

***

 

DVR Alert!

 

This Timber Rattlers games is available on local TV on MyNew32 TV out of Green Bay. "Showdown: Timber Rattlers Pre-Game" airs at 6:30.

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Nashville Game One

 

Nashville Game Two

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

Maryvale

 

DSL Brewers

 

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.

 

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]

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

 

Rookie Advanced - Pioneer League North Division

 

Rookie - Arizona Summer League

 

DSL - Dominican Summer League San Pedro de Macoris Division

 

***

 

NOTE: To view first half or overall standings for Huntsville, Brevard County, and Wisconsin, you'll notice options at the respective links for that. Otherwise it's second-half standings as the default view for those three leagues.

[Mass Haas]

Weather.com:

 

Des Moines, IA

 

Jacksonville, FL

 

Tampa, FL

 

Grand Chute, WI (Appleton)

 

Missoula, MT

 

Maryvale, AZ

 

San Pedro de Macoris, DR

[Mass Haas]

Previously we linked to Jeff Hem's audio call, here's video from Iowa:

 

Nashville's Sean Halton triples home a run as the Sounds fall to Iowa, 6-4, on Thursday

[Mass Haas]

Via MillerParkProspects.com - The Farm Report: June 21, 2013

[TheCrew07]

Wow shutout this week, though not entirely surprising with so many of the division's prospects off the for the all-star break.

 

Prospect Hot Sheet (June 21): Taijuan Walker Cruises Through The Southern League

 

IN THE TEAM PHOTO

•Stephen Piscotty, rf, Cardinals: Piscotty made the move to right field this year, where his strong arm still plays while his hard hands aren’t nearly as much of an issue. The transition has gone quite smoothly as he doesn’t look out of place in the outfield, and his bat is keeping up with outfield expectations. The 22-year-old hit .368/.400/.947 this week, collecting two homers, three doubles and a triple.

 

NOT HOT

• Brett Jackson, cf, Cubs: With the outfield prospects the Cubs have coming behind him, Jackson, 24, would be well served to make a move on a big league job sooner than later. Instead, he’s hitting .217 and striking out in roughly a third of his at-bats for Triple-A Iowa. His misery this week included 14 strikeouts as part of a 2-for-25 (.080) showing.

[TheCrew07]

Prospect Hot Sheet Chat With Matt Eddy

 

Michael (Dallas): Thanks for the chat. Now that Zunino has been promoted, who are the top 5 C prospects in the minors?

 

 

Matt Eddy: I'd say the conversation begins with the Padres' Austin Hedges (High-A), the Yankees' Gary Sanchez (High-A) and, depending on one's tastes, could include the Braves' Christian Bethancourt (Double-A), the Pirates' Tony Sanchez (Triple-A) or the Phillies' Tommy Joseph (Triple-A). No, the position does not to be at a particularly high tide right now in the minors.

Dave (Portland, OR): How much longer until Brett Jackson goes from Not Hot to not a prospect?

 

 

Matt Eddy: The early returns are not promising, but I'd let Cubs CF Brett Jackson work through his issues with his new swing at Triple-A Iowa before passing final judgment. The Cubs have had some success in this department, having worked some remedial magic with Anthony Rizzo previously.

Ian (OK): Who has the best farm system now, after the draft?

 

 

Matt Eddy: I don't know the answer to your question, but I know which organization's hitting talent I feel the most confident in, and that would be the Cubs with 3B Kris Bryant, SS Javier Baez, CF Albert Almora and RF Jorge Soler. They also have a nice second wave with guys like 1B Dan Vogelbach and 3B Jeimer Candelario. Many organizations have more balance (and thus deserve higher rankings) because of pitching depth, but pitchers are volatile, and this group of hitting assets is fairly stable.

Ben F (California): Thanks for the chat. With SS leagues getting started, are there any players we should pay special attention to?

 

 

Matt Eddy: In addition to Rosario, Lin and Margot from the previous answer, I'd also nominate Boise RHP Paul Blackburn (Cubs) and Missoula C Styker Trahan (D-backs). We'll actually have an entire post about this next week, highlighting one short-season leagues prospect to watch for each organization.

[TheCrew07]

Wagner looks great striking out Buxton. Goes 0-2 to Goodrum and gets a weak grounder, goes 0-2 to Harrison but runs his 2 seam up and in and hits him. Then he goes 0-2 to Hicks before giving up a double off the wall to the deepest part of the park in RCF to score Harrison from first. After the double he walks Grimes on 4 straight pitches.

 

He was way ahead and down to the last strike twice in the inning and still gave up a run.

 

As I finish typing this Reed walks to extend his on-base streak.

 

edit. And then T squared goes ya-ya! Tie game.

[MTBrew]

6:35pm Mountain time start for the Helena game tonight.

After game fireworks in Missoula as per Steve Wendt.

[Mass Haas]

Listening to Steve's Helena call from the start, wild one thus far, love the Pioneer League, has to be the best bang for the buck for the live fan experience baseball-wise. Will pass along anything outside the box score / game log / news article links in the AM.

[bkrause2]

Final: DSL Pirates2 7, DSL Brewers 8

 

Brewers Defeat Pirates2 8-7

 

SAN PEDRO DE MACORÍS- Centerfielder Yunior Santana produced three runs and scored another to help the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates2 by a score of 8-7 on Friday in another game of the DSL summer baseball tournament.

 

Santana hit a triple against Starter Eduardo Veras. Designated hitter Jorge Quiterio drove in two runs and scored one batting 3-4.

 

Reliever Doni Arias, who pitched an inning and two-thirds, earned his first victory.

 

Designated hitter Michel de la Cruz, drove in a run and scored another. De la Cruz received three bases on balls and went 1-3, while centerfielder Eduardo Figueroa drove in a run and scored another hitting 0-3 with a base on balls.

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

Nice walk-off win for the Cerveceros! DH Jorge Quiterio was on base four times with three singles and a walk. He knocked in two and scored a run, pushing his season average up to .326. Yunior Santana went 2 for 4 with a triple and 3RBI. Raphachel Colatosti had two hits and a walk as the Brewers third baseman. Yeraldy Martinez had a single and a walk. Joan De La Cruz was the starting pitcher. He went four innings, allowing four runs, two earned. Angel Ventura, in his third season in the DSL, relieved De La Cruz and worked 3.1 innings. He gave up three runs, two earned. Doni Arias pitched the final 1.2 innings. He did not allow a run and struck out three. The Brewers defense committed six errors. Two each by Gregory Munoz and Colatosti, and one a piece by Leudi Otano and Kevin Martinez.

 

DSL Brewers Play-By-Play

 

The Brewers big six run 7th inning

 

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 7th

Yerald Martinez walks.

Gregory Munoz grounds into a force out, second baseman Gustavo Barrios to shortstop Jesus Ronco. Yerald Martinez out at 2nd. Gregory Munoz to 1st.

Raphachel Colatosti singles on a ground ball to center fielder Edgar Figueroa. Gregory Munoz to 2nd.

Juan Ortiz reaches on a force attempt, fielding error by shortstop Jesus Ronco. Gregory Munoz to 3rd. Raphachel Colatosti to 2nd.

Leudi Otano singles on a ground ball to center fielder Edgar Figueroa. Gregory Munoz scores. Raphachel Colatosti to 3rd. Juan Ortiz to 2nd.

Yunior Santana triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Edgar Figueroa. Raphachel Colatosti scores. Juan Ortiz scores. Leudi Otano scores.

Pitching Change: Horelbin Ramos replaces Luis Brun.

Jorge Quiterio singles on a ground ball to center fielder Edgar Figueroa. Yunior Santana scores.

Juan De Los Santos doubles (4) on a fly ball to left fielder Steven De La Mota. Jorge Quiterio to 3rd.

Kevin Martinez grounds out, third baseman Jhoan Herrera to first baseman Carlos Munoz.

Yerald Martinez reaches on a throwing error by second baseman Gustavo Barrios. Jorge Quiterio scores. Juan De Los Santos to 3rd.

Gregory Munoz strikes out swinging.

 

Daniel Lorenzo making things happen off the bench and Yeraldy Martinez with the game winning heroics.

 

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 9th

Pitching Change: Jesus Paredes replaces Horelbin Ramos.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Daniel Leonardo replaces Kevin Martinez.

Daniel Leonardo hit by pitch.

With Yerald Martinez batting, Daniel Leonardo advances to 2nd on a balk.

With Yerald Martinez batting, wild pitch by Jesus Paredes, Daniel Leonardo to 3rd.

Yerald Martinez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Edgar Figueroa. Daniel Leonardo scores

[And That]

I've been listening on and off the past few days to Steve Wendt, but it really makes my summer as soon as I get to hear him calling baseball games. Aside from Jim Powell, he's the best there is in my book.

 

He's been very complimentary of Taylor Brennan, said he has big time power potential and good bat speed.

[Minigoon]

Final: Huntsville 3 Jacksonville 1 (10 Innings)

 

The Huntsville Stars got their 1st win of the second half of the season, defeating Jacksonville 3-1 in 10 innings on Friday Night. Right hander Taylor Jungmann was real good for the Stars. Jungmann went 7 innings, allowing 1 unearned run on just 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4. Jungmann had a 14-4 ground out to fly out ratio. He threw 89 pitches, 56 for strikes and was clocked at 92 on the stadium gun, which is known to be a couple MPH slow. The only run that scored against Jungmann was a result of a throwing error by Jungmann in the 7th. Jacksonville could have taken the lead in the 7th, if not for some stellar defense after the Suns run had scored. Nick Shaw was able to corral a ground ball with the infield in to prevent a runner from scoring and Hector Gomez made another spectacular play going deep in the hole to flag down a grounder and was able to get just enough on his throw to first to end the inning. Gomez had several big defensive plays to keep Jacksonville runners off the bases. Taylor ended up with his first no decision of the season, but saw his ERA drop to 3.76.

 

Eric Marzec earned his 2nd win on the season tonight. Marzec (2-0, 2.17) pitched a scoreless 8th and 9th inning tonight, allowing a hit, a walk, and hitting a batter, but also striking out 3. Marzec also benefited from some Stars defense as right fielder Kentrail Davis had a "Web Gem of the Year" for the 3rd out in the 8th. Davis caught a fly ball, jumping into the fence, and holding on. It took a few seconds to sort out the confusion as to whether the ball was caught or not. Hopefully this highlight can be located and posted. Santo Manzanillo was called upon to pitch the 10th in a save situation. He gave up a walk, but was able to retire the Suns to close out the game.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

Huntsville scored a run in the first to take an early lead. They then didn't have another base runner until the 9th. Suns pitchers Jay Jackson and Scott McGough retired 23 straight until Rene Tosoni's 9th inning single. The Stars ended up scoring 3 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks. Tosoni and Kentrail Davis each had 2 hits, with one of Davis's hits being his 17th double on the season. Mike Walker executed a perfect hit-and-run play, knocking a single through the hole where the defender had just vacated to cover the bag. Huntsville's biggest hit of the night came from Hector Gomez. Gomez, hitting only .164 on the season, and 3 for his last 32 coming into tonight's game, was able to put down a perfect suicide squeeze bunt in the 10th. So perfect, that he was able to turn it into a hit. Shawn Zarraga then came up as a pinch hitter and delivered an RBI double to give Huntsville an insurance run. Nick Shaw and Brock Kjeldgaard each drew a walk. Jason Rogers got Huntsville on the board in the first with an RBI ground out. It was his league leading 49th RBI.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

 

Huntsville grabs the early lead

 

Huntsville Top of the 1st

 

Nick Shaw walks.

Rene Tosoni singles on a ground ball to right fielder Kyle Jensen. Nick Shaw to 3rd.

Jason Rogers grounds into a force out, shortstop Danny Black to second baseman Noah Perio. Nick Shaw scores. Rene Tosoni out at 2nd. Jason Rogers to 1st.

Kentrail Davis singles on a ground ball to right fielder Kyle Jensen. Jason Rogers to 2nd.

Brock Kjeldgaard grounds into a force out, second baseman Noah Perio to shortstop Danny Black. Jason Rogers to 3rd. Kentrail Davis out at 2nd. Brock Kjeldgaard to 1st.

Mike Walker called out on strikes.

 

Stars nearly break the tie in the 9th.

 

Huntsville Top of the 9th

 

Nick Shaw flies out to right fielder Kyle Jensen.

Rene Tosoni singles on a fly ball to center fielder Michael Main.

Jason Rogers grounds into a force out, first baseman Aaron Dudley to shortstop Danny Black. Rene Tosoni out at 2nd. Jason Rogers to 1st.

Kentrail Davis doubles (17) on a fly ball to center fielder Michael Main. Jason Rogers out at home on the throw, center fielder Michael Main to shortstop Danny Black to catcher J. T. Realmuto.

 

And the winning rally in the 10th

 

Huntsville Top of the 10th

 

Pitching Change: Michael Brady replaces Scott McGough, batting 8th.

Brock Kjeldgaard walks.

Mike Walker singles on a ground ball to left fielder Mark Canha. Brock Kjeldgaard to 2nd.

Adam Weisenburger out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Michael Brady to second baseman Chris Gutierrez. Brock Kjeldgaard to 3rd. Mike Walker to 2nd.

Hector Gomez singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Michael Brady. Brock Kjeldgaard scores. Mike Walker to 3rd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Shawn Zarraga replaces Eric Marzec.

Shawn Zarraga hits a ground-rule double (6) on a line drive to right field. Mike Walker scores. Hector Gomez to 3rd.

Nick Shaw pops out to third baseman Ryan Fisher in foul territory.

Rene Tosoni flies out to center fielder Michael Main.

 

Huntsville (1-2 second half, 30-41 overall) will look to tie up the series tomorrow night. Brooks Hall (0-0, 10.80) will get the start for the Stars. Game time is scheduled for 6:05 Central with Stars radio broadcaster Alex Cohen starting things at 5:50 with the pregame show. This game, and series, is available on MiLB TV for those with a subscription.

[Mass Haas]

Stars Beat Suns in Extra-Inning Thriller

Alex Cohen, Huntsville Stars

 

Despite not having a runner on base from the second inning to the eighth inning, the Huntsville Stars won their first game in the second half of the Southern League season in style with a 3-1 victory over the Jacksonville Suns in 10 innings at Bragan Field on Friday.

 

After getting shutout on Thursday night, things started out well on offense for the Stars.

 

Following a leadoff walk by second baseman Nick Shaw, a single from outfielder Rene Tosoni accompanied by a hit-and-run put runners at the corners with nobody out. The next at-bat, an RBI groundout from first baseman Jason Rogers scored Shaw to put the Stars up 1-0.

 

With a pitcher duel from Suns starter Jay Jackson and Stars starter Taylor Jungmann, the score stayed like that all the way until the bottom of the seventh inning.

 

The downfall for Jungmann began when he gave up a leadoff single to first baseman Kyle Jensen. After allowing Jensen to steal second, Jungmann then walked third baseman Ryan Fisher to put runners on first and second with nobody out. During the next at-bat, Jungmann fielded a grounder from left fielder Mark Canha and threw it into right field, allowing Jensen to score to tie up the game.

 

Fortunately for the Stars, the Brewers second-ranked prospect (per MLB.com) settled down. With runners at second and third and nobody out, Jungmann retired the next three batters he faced to end the Suns threat and close out another strong outing (7 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 K, 2 BB).

 

The lack of offense for both teams would pour over into extra innings, where the Stars bats began to wake up against Suns righty Michael Brady. Following a leadoff walk by outfielder Brock Kjeldgaard, a perfectly executed hit-and-run by third baseman Mike Walker put runners at first and third with nobody out. With the count 1-0, shortstop Hector Gomez then laid down a suicide-squeeze just in front of the pitcher Brady to score Kjeldgaard for the game-winning run.

 

Later in the inning, a pinch-hit RBI double from Shawn Zarraga put the Stars up 3-1.

 

On the pitching side, righty Eric Marzec improved to 2-0 on the season after earning the win in two innings of scoreless relief. Reliever Santo Manzanillo notched his first save of the season with a scoreless bottom of the tenth.

 

The win for the Stars marked just their fifth extra inning game this season, improving their record to 2-3 in those games.

 

On Saturday, the Stars and Suns will play game four of a five-game series at Bragan Field. Huntsville will send RHP Brooks Hall (0-0, 10.80 ERA) to the bump as Jacksonville will counter with RHP Robert Morey (2-4, 5.28 ERA). First pitch is at 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

[Mass Haas]

We really need to find out the Brewers' affiliates record when Mr. Belding (Dennis Haskins) is in town. Amazing that he's made a cottage industry of visiting these minor league sites.

 

Alex and Mr. Belding

[Mass Haas]

Be sure to go back and review the DSL box and game log now that they've been updated by MiLB.com. Trailing 5-0 in the bottom of the 7th, the Cerveceritos put up a six-spot (with lots of Pirate help) only to immediately give up the lead again. Runs in the 8th and 9th led to the walkoff:

 

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 9th

 

Pitching Change: Jesus Paredes replaces Horelbin Ramos.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Daniel Leonardo replaces Kevin Martinez.

Daniel Leonardo hit by pitch.

With Yerald Martinez batting, Daniel Leonardo advances to 2nd on a balk.

With Yerald Martinez batting, wild pitch by Jesus Paredes, Daniel Leonardo to 3rd.

Yerald Martinez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Edgar Figueroa. Daniel Leonardo scores.

 

***

 

I always read into these things way more than I should, but:

 

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 6th

 

Pitching Change: Luis Brun replaces Eduardo Vera.

Juan Ortiz flies out to center fielder Edgar Figueroa.

Leudi Otano pops out to second baseman Gustavo Barrios.

Yunior Santana singles on a ground ball to center fielder Edgar Figueroa.

Jorge Quiterio walks. Yunior Santana to 2nd.

Juan De Leon walks. Yunior Santana to 3rd. Jorge Quiterio to 2nd.

Kevin Martinez grounds into a force out, shortstop Jesus Ronco to second baseman Gustavo Barrios. Juan De Leon out at 2nd.

 

DSL Pirates2 Top of the 7th

 

Defensive Substitution: Juan De Los Santos replaces first baseman Juan De Leon, batting 7th, playing first base.

 

Injured at second base, or, as we've seen, just more job-sharing by JDL and JDLS.

 

***

 

Gotta love Leudi Otano. Check out his fielding section at Baseball Reference, Mr. Everywhere, first game of 2013 at second base tonight.

[battlekow]

Final: Helena 8, @Missoula 6

 

Helena box score

A big six-run 3rd inning carried the H-Crew to victory. Garrett Cooper followed up his two-homer debut with three hits, including a double. Jose Pena went deep for the first time this year; he had three in 21 games with Helena last year. Pena also picked up an outfield kill, gunning down a run at the plate from left field. Omar Garcia collected his first professional hit, a single. Dustin Houle and Jalen Harris, the latter making his first appearance with Helena, each singled but struck out three times.

 

Starter Anthony Banda, drafted in the 10th round last year out of junior college, fared poorly, allowing five runs and nine baserunners in three innings, though he did strike out four--quite similar to his aggregate results last year at Maryvale, actually. Banda was succeeded by a couple of right-handed pitchers from [Midwestern state] State University making their professional debuts, Chris Razo (24th round, Illinois State) and Harvey Martin (undrafted free agent, Minnesota State); each contributed two fairly nondescript but nevertheless shutout innings. Finishing things up was 22-year-old lefty Juan Santiago, making the two-level jump to Helena after three years in the DSL. Santiago allowed a solo home run but nothing else and struck out three to pick up the two-inning save. I don't really know anything about Santiago, but he put up some nice rates last year while pitching mostly as a starter; given that and the promotion he could be a marginally interesting relief prospect.

 

The Ospreys followed up their six-error performance yesterday with three more today--catcher Stryker Trahan and shortstop Joe Munoz each have three apiece already--and starter Blayne Weller also hit three Brewers. Get it together, guys.

 

Helena play-by-play

The big inning, with Garcia committing an Eric Young:

 

Helena Top of the 3rd

Omar Garcia grounds out, shortstop Joe Munoz to first baseman Jacob Mayers.

Angel Ortega reaches on a throwing error by shortstop Joe Munoz.

Garrett Cooper doubles (1) on a line drive to right fielder Yorman Garcia. Angel Ortega scores.

Jose Pena homers (1) on a fly ball to right field. Garrett Cooper scores.

Dustin Houle called out on strikes.

Taylor Brennan walks.

Charlie Markson hit by pitch. Taylor Brennan to 2nd.

Jalen Harris singles on a line drive to center fielder Colin Bray. Taylor Brennan scores. Charlie Markson to 3rd. Jalen Harris to 2nd on the throw.

Renaldo Jenkins strikes out swinging. Charlie Markson scores. Jalen Harris scores. Renaldo Jenkins advances to 1st, on a throwing error by catcher Stryker Trahan.

With Omar Garcia batting, wild pitch by Blayne Weller, Renaldo Jenkins to 2nd.

Omar Garcia lines out to right fielder Yorman Garcia.

 

With Missoula down three in the 7th, Pena helped short-circuit what could have been a rally:

 

Missoula Bottom of the 7th

Joe Munoz singles on a line drive to center fielder Omar Garcia.

Jake Miller grounds into a double play, third baseman Taylor Brennan to second baseman Renaldo Jenkins to first baseman Garrett Cooper. Joe Munoz out at 2nd.

Antonio Alvarez walks.

Chuck Taylor doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Jose Pena. Antonio Alvarez out at home on the throw, left fielder Jose Pena to shortstop Angel Ortega to catcher Dustin Houle.

[Mass Haas]

Fine writeup as always on Helena, Sessile.

 

Picked up by Steve's call, and yes, And That, it feels like summer with his ultra-smooth play-by-play (it is June 21st after all).

 

-- 19-year-old 2012 6th round SS Angel Ortega is really strong in the field, Mr. Wendt was duly impressed. Ortega was charged with a tough throwing error on a simple scoop Garrett Cooper didn't handle after Ortega went to a knee to backhand one in the hole. Ortega made an awesome barehand play to end the 3rd inning, and made a strong relay throw to nail a runner at the plate to end the 7th.

 

-- Steve reminded listeners that Jose Pena's very first swing as a Helena Brewer last year was a HR in Missoula. As noted above, he homered in this one, too.

 

-- Taylor Brennan was robbed by a spectacular diving catch in CF to end the 4th.

 

-- While Jalen Harris did fan three times (all looking), one in particular on a 3-2 pitch in a key spot was a horrendous umpire call. When we look at raw numbers, we miss so many nuance moments like that, must be frustrating for the players as all heck.

 

-- Steve also shared Jalen's hearing loss backstory with all.

 

-- Missoula batters were attacking first pitches all night long, knowing that Brewer pitchers were trying to get ahead in the count early.

 

-- Diamondbacks RHP Geordy Parra is in the same organization as big brother OF Gerardo, and looked good to Steve in the 9th.

 

-- Wow, am I a huge Juan Santiago fan after tonight. As mentioned, the 22-year-old LHP jumped past Maryvale from the DSL, and was snapping wicked curve balls and pulling the string to retire all six batters he faced after he was ambushed on his very first Helena pitch for a home run. Steve was pumped.

 

-- Unfortunately for those listening, the

still exists. Thankfully, undrafted free agent RHP Harvey Martin fanned the side all swinging (around a walk) to make sure there were no free peanuts in this one. He'll always remember his first pro inning was the infamous Peanut Inning.

[LouisEly]

Maybe TheCrew can give us a first-hand scouting report on Martin Viramontes. I'm tempted to sneak him in at #25 of my Power 25. In his last four appearances covering 11 innings he has given up 7 hits, walked four, and struck out 19. For the year he has 34 Ks in 22.2 IP (with 19 BB, 6 of them coming in one outing on 4/22) and last year struck out 53 in 37 IP in Helena.

[TheCrew07]

Kernels hold off Rattlers for 5-3 win

Wisconsin loads bases in bottom of 9th but cannot complete the comeback

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Cedar Rapids Kernels scored in each of the first four innings to take a 5-3 lead against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Friday night at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. They held on to defeat the Rattlers by that same score despite a late scare thrown into them by Wisconsin. Chris McFarland had three hits and Tyrone Taylor homered for Wisconsin to lead Wisconsin's ten-hit attack.

 

The Kernels (42-28 overall, 2-0 second half) took the lead in the first inning on a two-out RBI double by Dalton Hicks. Rattlers starting pitcher Tyler Wagner retired the first two batters he faced, but hit Travis Harrison on an 0-2 pitch to extend the inning. Hicks smacked his double off the wall by the Rattlers bullpen in right-center to drive in his league-leading 64th run of the season.

 

Taylor tied the game for the Timber Rattlers (29-38, 0-2) with a line drive homer to left with two outs in the bottom of the first inning. The homer was his fifth of the season.

 

Wagner ran into control issues in the top of the second inning. He gave up a one out single and walked the next three batters. The third walk was a bases loaded free pass to Niko Goodrum to force in the run that made it 2-1. Harrison followed with a sacrifice fly to drive in the second run of the inning and put the Kernels up 3-1.

 

McFarland brought the Timber Rattlers back to even in the bottom of the second inning. His two-out triple off the middle of the wall in center drove in a pair of runs. There were two outs and none on in the inning when Alfredo Rodriguez singled and Tyler Roberts was hit by a pitch. A wild pitch by Kernels starter Josue Montanez moved both runners into scoring position. McFarland was next and his triple knocked in both runners.

 

But, the game did not remained tied for long. Tyler Grimes led off the top of the third inning with a home run. The Kernels added to their lead in the top of the fourth when Hicks drove in Byron Buxton with a two-out single.

 

Mike Strong, a lefty out of the Rattlers bullpen, came on in the top of the fifth inning and struck out four over two scoreless innings. Martin Viramontes allowed two hits and struck out seven over three scoreless innings to keep the game close.

 

But, the Rattlers struggled against Tim Atherton, who entered the game in the bottom of the fourth. The right-hander out of Australia retired the first ten batters he faced. Rodriguez singled with one out in the seventh and McFarland singled with two outs to bring the lead run to the plated. But, Atherton escaped the inning with a strikeout.

 

Kaleb Merck entered the game in the eighth and pitched around a hit batsman for a scoreless frame. He upped his degree of difficulty in the bottom of the ninth. Mike Garza singled to start the inning. Roberts reached when the Cedar Rapids right fielder missed catching a fly ball. Adrian Williams took over at first base as the pinch runner for Roberts. Then, McFarland loaded the bases with an infield single.

 

That brought Michael Reed to the plate with the winning runs on base. Reed, who had drawn a walk in the first inning to extend his on base streak to 38 consecutive games, struck out on a 2-2 pitch from Merck.

 

Orlando Arcia stepped up and sent a grounder to short. The ball hit Williams before it reached the shortstop. Arcia would be credited with a hit, but the game ended when the ball hit Williams.

 

The Timber Rattlers are 12-22 at home and 1-5 in six games against the Kernels this season.

 

Game three of the series is set for Saturday night. Jorge Lopez (3-5, 6.44) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Brett Lee (4-4, 4.45) is set to go for the Kernels. Game time is 6:35pm.

 

Saturday night is Outdoors Night at the ballpark. The Timber Rattlers will wear woodland camouflage jerseys as part of Outdoors Night. Fans may bid on the jerseys as part of a silent auction during the game. Plus, Ducks Unlimited is giving away duck calls to the first 500 fans into the ballpark and All Things Jerky will have samples of their jerky.

 

One lucky fan will win airfare for two from Funjet Vacations and Fox World Travel at this game as part of Fly Away Saturday and make sure to stick around after the game for a FOX 11 fireworks display.

 

If you can't make it out to the game, tune in for the television broadcast on My NEW32's Sports Showdown starting with their pregame show at 6:00pm. The radio broadcast will be on AM1280, WNAM and timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:15pm. Subscribers to MiLB.TV may also catch the action.

 

HOME RUNS:

CR:

Tyler Grimes (5th, 0 on in 3rd inning off Tyler Wagner, 0 out)

 

WIS:

Tyrone Taylor (5th, 0 on in 1st inning off Josue Montanez, 2 out)

 

WP: Tim Atherton (4-2)

LP: Tyler Wagner (6-6)

SAVE: Kaleb Merck (1)

 

TIME: 2:53

ATTN: 4,046

 

Infinite Striving – Postgame post for June 21

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Tyler Wagner was exactly what you would have expected from his line. The camera work was pretty awful, they were actually changing camera angles mid pitch which made it very difficult to see what Tyler was throwing. It looked like he threw a nice change away to a LH batter as it faded away, but it also looked like he was throwing a curve at times? Or does the slider just get slurvy? It was just too hard to tell because of the a fore mentioned camera work. He worked in the low 90s from what Chris was saying, he works from a 3/4 arm slot, though he doesn't maintain it well which caused most of his control problems. He was downright filthy at times, and then he'd just go off the air. The HR he gave up was belt high right down the middle.

 

I have no idea why the Rattlers struggled so bad with Tim Atherton, but at one point 4 of the first 6 batters had popped up and the ground outs were weakly hit, they just couldn't square him up.

 

Martin Viramontes works in the mid 90s and when he throws strikes he's pretty tough, today the very good Martin showed up.

 

This home losing thing is getting old, the T-Rats actually have a winning record on the road this year but have just been awful at home.

 

Wisconsin Recap

 

Bases loaded, 1 out, a comeback rally in the works, but it wasn't meant to be. I'm not sure why Williams wasn't looking at the ball but Arcia would have been out regardless, too bad.

 

Wisconsin Bottom of the 9th

• Mike Garza singles on a line drive to center fielder Byron Buxton.
  Alfredo Rodriguez flies out to left fielder J. D. Williams.
  Tyler Roberts reaches on a fielding error by right fielder Jeremias Pineda. Mike Garza to 2nd.
  Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Adrian Williams replaces Tyler Roberts.
  Christopher McFarland singles on a ground ball to third baseman Travis Harrison. Mike Garza to 3rd. Adrian Williams to 2nd.
  Michael Reed strikes out swinging.
  Orlando Arcia singles on a ground ball. Adrian Williams out at 3rd, hit by batted ball, shortstop Niko Goodrum unassisted, Christopher McFarland to 2nd.

 

Wisconsin Gameday