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

[Eye Black]

FINAL: Brevard County 7, Tampa 5

 

'Tees hold on to top Tampa, 7-5

Barnes earns win as Rivera drives in three

By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees

 

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Manatees shortstop Yadiel Rivera, seen here in a game from earlier this season, went 3-for-4 with three RBI in Brevard County's 7-5 win over the Tampa Yankees on Friday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. Rivera is hitting .291 (16-for-55) in the month of June. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)[/i][/size]

 

 

TAMPA, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees held a 7-2 lead after seven innings but had to hold on to defeat the Tampa Yankees, 7-5 on Friday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

 

Matt Miller entered the game for the 'Tees (1-1 second half, 38-31 overall) to start the bottom of the eighth and proceded to allow a single to Mason Williams and then walked Robert Refsnyder. Ben Gamel then stepped up and would make Miller and Manatees pay as he homered to right to make it just a two-run game.

 

Tommy Toledo was then brought in for a six-out save and was able to retire Tampa (1-1, 29-41) in order to finish out the eighth. After allowing a lead-off double to Saxon Butler in the bottom of the ninth, Toledo retired the side yet again to earn his 11th save of the season.

 

For Toledo, it was his fourth save of 2013 in which he was asked to get more than three outs. He has also a perfect 6-for-6 in save opportunities on the road with a 0.77 ERA in nine appearances overall away from home.

 

With the game remaining scoreless through three innings, the Manatees got on the board first against Tampa's southpaw starter Dietrich Enns in the top of the fourth.

 

Greg Hopkins led the frame off with a walk and then Mitch Haniger followed with a single. Hopkins and Haniger would each move up 90 feet on a passed ball by catcher Gary Sanchez to put runners on second and third with no outs.

 

After Nick Ramirez struck out, Ben McMahan would bring Hopkins home on a RBI groundout to third that also moved Haniger to third. Yadiel Rivera then stepped up and delivered a two-out RBI single to right to make it a 2-0 game.

 

Brevard County roughed up the first reliever out of the Yankees' bullpen in the sixth as Diego Moreno came in for Enns. Hopkins led off the inning with a single and then Haniger was hit by a pitch.

 

Two batters later with one out, McMahan singled to center to bring home Hopkins and make it 3-0. McMahan was 2-for-4 on the game and drove in two runs.

 

Then with Rivera at the plate, a wild pitch by Moreno moved McMahan and Haniger to second and third, respectively. Rivera would then connect with his second RBI single of the game as he drove one up the middle to bring both men home, to give Brevard County a 5-0 lead.

 

Rivera led the way at the plate for the Manatees as he went 3-for-4 with three RBI. He is hitting .291 (16-for-55) in the month of June.

 

The Manatees provided plenty of run support for starting pitcher Jacob Barnes (5-2, 3.57) who went a season-high six innings. Barnes yielded seven hits and two runs - both in the sixth inning - that allowed Tampa to cut the lead to 5-2.

 

Barnes recorded just two strikeouts but did not walk a batter for the first time since May 16 against St. Lucie. It was his first win in a start since April 18 versus Clearwater.

 

Brevard County picked up two insurance runs in the seventh that proved to be beneficial as Greg Hopkins launched a two-run homer to left.

 

Hopkins was 2-for-4 on the night with three runs scored and homered for the second time in his last four games after having just two all season before that.

 

The rubber match of the three-game set between Brevard County and Tampa will be Saturday night at 6:00 p.m.

 

The Manatees will send lefty Jed Bradley (4-2, 3.94) to the mound as he looks to build on his stellar June, in which he has gone 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA in three starts.

 

Bryan Mitchell (3-7, 4.74) will get the call for the Yankees. Mitchell has pitched much better at home with a 2-1 record with a 2.91 ERA in six appearances, compared to a road mark of 1-6 with a 6.21 ERA in eight appearances.

 

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

BC Hitters

Gregory Hopkins: 2-4, HR, BB

Ben McMahan: 2-4, 2 RBI

Yadiel Rivera: 3-4, 3 RBI

 

BC Pitchers

Jacob Barnes: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO

Stephen Peterson: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 SO

Tommy Toledo (W, 1-0): 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO

 

Brevard County Play-by-Play

 

Three run 6th for the Manatees:

 

Brevard County Top of the 6th

• -Pitching Change: Diego Moreno replaces Dietrich Enns.
  -Gregory Hopkins singles on a line drive to center fielder Mason Williams.
  -Mitch Haniger hit by pitch. Gregory Hopkins to 2nd.
  -Nick Ramirez strikes out swinging.
  -Ben McMahan singles on a fly ball to center fielder Mason Williams. Gregory Hopkins scores. Mitch Haniger to 2nd.
  -With Yadiel Rivera batting, wild pitch by Diego Moreno, Mitch Haniger to 3rd. Ben McMahan to 2nd.
  -Yadiel Rivera singles on a ground ball to center fielder Mason Williams. Mitch Haniger scores. Ben McMahan scores.
  -Lance Roenicke flies out to left fielder Ben Gamel.
  -Rafael Neda grounds out, third baseman Jose Toussen to first baseman Saxon Butler.
  

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO: Taylor Jungmann gets a punchout in Huntsville's 3-1 win over Jacksonville

 

1-2-3...

[Mass Haas]

Final: AZL Dodgers 9, @AZL Brewers 5

 

Arizona Brewers Box Score

 

Welcome back from Tommy John surgery, Austin Ross. The most rewarding run you've ever surrendered:

 

AZL Dodgers Top of the 1st

 

Blake Hennessey walks.

James McDonald singles on a ground ball to right fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. Blake Hennessey to 2nd.

Adam Law reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by first baseman Alan Sharkey. Blake Hennessey to 3rd. James McDonald to 2nd.

Justin Chigbogu strikes out swinging.

Josmar Cordero grounds out, third baseman Tucker Neuhaus to first baseman Alan Sharkey. Blake Hennessey scores. James McDonald to 3rd. Adam Law to 2nd.

Cody Bellinger grounds out, third baseman Tucker Neuhaus to first baseman Alan Sharkey.

 

19-year-old RHP Alex Lavandero was the Brewers' 2012 9th round pick out of a Miami high school, and to say he struggled last season (check that link) would be a huge understatement. To immediately surrender a six-spot (five earned) in his first inning here (followed Ross) must be disheartening. But kudos to the young man for coming back to follow-up with two scoreless innings.

 

2013 18th round LHP Clint Terry (one of the three in the "Lee University Arms Trio" from this year's draft class) tossed three shutout innings in his pro debut (one hit, one HBP, six K's). Undrafted free agent RHP Sean Wardour of Cal State - Dominguez Hills also debuted, allowing a two-run HR in the 9th after a scoreless 8th. Wardour did fan four -- in fact, A-Crew hurlers struck out 15 and only walked two in the 104-degree "dry air".

 

18-year-old SS Luis Aviles, a 30th round pick out of a Miami high school, drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in his pro debut. With Aviles at SS, notice that 2nd round pick Tucker Neuhaus moved over to third base. 13th round pick Tanner Norton, still just 17 years old (18 in July) out of a Kentucky high school, was the DH Thursday, but he was behind the plate for the first time as a pro here.

 

RF D'Vontrey Richardson singled three times, 2B Francisco Castillo continues to find being stateside to his liking with two more singles, and Joe Andrade, an undrafted free agent catcher signed last summer, was the DH here and had both the club's only extra-base hit (a double) and only walk.

 

Arizona Brewers Game Log

[TooLiveBrew]

Nashville Game 1

 

Sounds Drop First Game of Twinbill

Nashville's Sean Halton and Khris Davis Homer In 5-4 Loss

Nashville Sounds

 

http://i.imgur.com/dIrVd1u.jpg

Sean Halton, archive photo (Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds)

 

• AUDIO: Stephen Parker's RBI Single
  
• AUDIO: Sean Halton's 2-Run HR

 

DES MOINES, Iowa - Despite cracking two home runs Friday night, the Nashville Sounds were outslugged by the Iowa Cubs in game one of the clubs' doubleheader at Principal Park, losing the seven-inning contest, 5-4.

 

After Sounds outfielder Khris Davis belted knotted the game in the fifth with his seventh home run of the year, the Cubs pulled back out to a one-run lead with their third homer of the game. Infielder Brad Nelson knocked a deep shot to right field off of reliever Jesus Sanchez (3-1).

 

Sanchez took the loss, his first, allowing just one run on one hit over 1 1/3 innings. Reliever Greg Holle also saw work on the hill for Nashville and served up a scoreless sixth, allowing two hits.

 

Offensively, the Cubs got on the board first when infielder Logan Watkins opened the game with a solo home run. It is the second game-opening home run the Sounds have allowed this season and second in June, having also suffered an opening blast from Round Rock's Engle Beltre on June 1.

 

The Sounds leveled the game in the second on Stephen Parker's RBI-single, which scored Sean Halton from second. Halton singled to reach base and advanced on a walk delivered to Hunter Morris.

 

In the third inning, Nashville took the lead on Halton's two-run homer to right field. The blast, Halton's ninth of the season, scored Khris Davis, who singled to reach base.

 

Halton finished the game two-for-three with two runs and two RBIs. Sounds catcher Blake Lalli also singled prior to Halton's homer, but was picked off at first base by Iowa's catcher.

 

The I-Cubs pulled to within one run in the home half of the third inning when left fielder Dave Sappelt lodged a sharp grounder up the right-field line into the Sounds bullpen for a stand-up triple. The hit scored Logan Watkins to make it 3-2.

 

Iowa tied the game with their second home run of the night: a lead-off dinger off the left-field wall from Junior Lake. The shot came against Sounds starter R.J. Seidel and was the first of Lake's Triple-A career.

 

Donnie Murphy drew a walk off Seidel following the home run, before Iowa outfielder Brett Jackson drove in Murphy with his double to right field to give Iowa the 4-3 advantage. Murphy had reached scoring position on a steal.

 

Seidel allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk across 3 2/3 innings of work. He fanned three Cubs before being relieved by Sanchez.

 

Iowa starting pitcher Guillermo Moscoso (3-5) logged six innings to pick up the win, his third, while reliever Michael Bowden notched his second save.

 

The nightcap, starting 30 minutes after game one, features RHP Johnnie Lowe (0-1, 3.72) against the Cubs' LHP Jeff Antigua (2-1, 2.70).

 

 

Nashville Box

K. Davis: 2-4, HR, RBI

Lalli: 1-4, PO

Halton: 2-3, HR, 2 RBI, SB

Morris: 1-2, 2B, BB

Parker: 1-3, RBI

 

 

Nashville PbP

 

 

Nashville Gameday

[TooLiveBrew]

Nashville Game 2

 

Four Homers Sink Sounds In Game Two

Brian Bogusevic Legs Out Inside-The-Park Homer

Nashville Sounds

 

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Cole Garner, archive photo (Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds)

 

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Nashville Sounds erased a four-run deficit in Friday's nightcap at Principal Park, but the Iowa Cubs prevailed, defeating Nashville 8-6 to sweep the twin billing.

 

The Sounds worked back in the top of the fifth inning with two runs to tie the game at six apiece, using catcher Anderson De La Rosa's RBI double and Sean Halton's sacrifice fly, but much like in game one, the Cubs pulled away to secure the win.

 

Iowa's game-winning blow was delivered by infielder Junior Lake, who lifted Kyle Heckathorn's pitch over the outfield wall for his second home run in as many games.

 

Heckathorn (3-2) took the loss, his second, after allowing one run on two hits over 1 2/3 innings. Reliever Michael Olmsted entered in the sixth to allow a home run to his first batter, Logan Watkins, before retiring the side.

 

The I-Cubs batted around in the first inning for an early 4-0 lead on Nashville. With one out and the bases loaded, Lake hit a single to centerfield to score two for Iowa. A fielding error from Cole Garner on the play allowed Brad Nelson to reach third and Lake to take second. Donnie Murphy recorded a sacrifice fly to score Nelson and make it 3-0 before Tim Torres brought home Lake with a base knock to left field.

 

The runs all came against Sounds starter Johnnie Lowe, but only the first was earned, as a Hainley Statia fielding error put the third runner on base before Iowa had scored a run.

 

Lowe surrendered six runs, three earned, on nine hits in his 3 1/3 innings of work. The right-handed pitcher allowed Donnie Murphy a solo home run in the third inning, while Bogusevic legged out an inside-the-park home run in the fourth to end Lowe's night.

 

Bogusevic's homer was knocked into centerfield and bounced over a sliding Garner, buying Bogusevic enough time to circle the bases. It is the first time the Sounds have had an inside-the-park homer scored against them since Las Vegas' David Cooper did so on May 21, 2012, at Cashman Field.

 

The Sounds, having 10 batters retired in order to open the game, finally connected for hits in the fourth inning. Khris Davis broke up the stretch with a home run to center field, giving him a homer in both games of the doubleheader.

 

Later in the inning with two runners on base, outfielder Cole Garner, 2-for-3, hit a home run to left-center field to pull within one. The shot, Garner's seventh of the year, scored Sean Halton, who reached base on balls, and Hunter Morris, who singled.

 

Marcus Hatley was awarded the win for Iowa, limiting the Sounds to two runs on three hits in 1 1/3 innings of work. Casey Coleman picked up his third save for closing out the game with two scoreless innings.

 

As a result, the Sounds drop their six-game series with the Iowa Cubs by a 5-1 mark. In the 35 innings across the series, Iowa batters were retired 1-2-3 just six times, including just once in the final three games.

 

Nashville continues its road trip on Saturday, traveling to New Orleans to take on the Zephyrs (Marlins affiliate). RHP Johnny Hellweg (6-4, 3.06) will make the start for Nashville against the Z's RHP Doug Mathis (2-5, 3.90). Baseball returns to Greer Stadium Thursday, June 27.

 

 

Nashville Box

Hainley Statia: 1-3, BB

K. Davis: 1-4, HR, RBI

De La Rosa: 1-4, 2B, RBI

Halton: 0-1, RBI, SF, BB

Morris: 1-3

Garner: 2-3, 2B, HR, 3 RBI

 

 

Nashville Pbp

The four-run 4th:

 

Nashville Top of the 4th

-Hainley Statia bunt grounds out to first baseman Brad Nelson.

-Khris Davis homers (8) on a fly ball to center field.

-Anderson De La Rosa strikes out swinging.

-Sean Halton walks.

-Hunter Morris singles on a line drive to second baseman Logan Watkins. Sean Halton to 2nd.

-Cole Garner homers (7) on a fly ball to left field. Sean Halton scores. Hunter Morris scores.

-Pitching Change: Marcus Hatley replaces Jeffry Antigua, batting 9th.

-Stephen Parker singles on a ground ball to center fielder Brian Bogusevic.

-Ozzie Chavez strikes out swinging.

 

Trailing by two runs, the Sounds plated two more in the following inning to tie the game at 6-6:

 

Nashville Top of the 5th

-Blake Davis singles on a line drive to left fielder Darnell McDonald.

-Hainley Statia walks. Blake Davis to 2nd.

-Khris Davis flies out to right fielder Tim Torres. Blake Davis to 3rd.

-Anderson De La Rosa doubles (12) on a fly ball to center fielder Brian Bogusevic. Blake Davis scores. Hainley Statia to 3rd.

-Sean Halton flies into a sacrifice double play, center fielder Brian Bogusevic to third baseman Junior Lake to second baseman Logan Watkins. Hainley Statia scores. Anderson De La Rosa out at 3rd.

 

 

Nashville Gameday

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO: Khris Davis homered in both ends of Nashville's Friday doubleheader, here's the second blast, this one deep to center field

[Mass Haas]

Brewers put first notch in win column

Helena Independent Record

 

Spurred by a big third inning and a strong performance by their bullpen, the Helena Brewers picked up their first win of 2013 Friday night in Missoula.

 

Helena (1-1) earned a split with the Osprey in the short, two-game set and returns to Kindrick Legion Field for its home opener riding a wave of confidence following a well-rounded performance.

 

Garrett Cooper and Jose Pena continued their torrid starts to the season, the Brewers plated six runs in the top of the third to build some cushion, and Helena’s relievers were lights-out in the 8-6 victory. After the Osprey scored five times through the second and third innings, the Brewers’ bullpen gave up just one run on five hits through the final six frames.

 

Right-handed reliever Chris Razo picked up his first professional win after hurling two innings of one-hit ball, and Harvey Martin and Juan Santiago combined for six strikeouts. After giving up a home run to Missoula center fielder Colin Bray in the eighth, Santiago sat down the next six in order to earn the save.

 

Cooper followed up his electrifying pro debut with another monstrous night. The 6-foot-5 first baseman who connected on two bombs Thursday went 3 for 5 on Friday with a double and two RBIs, the only Brewer with a multi-hit game. He’s batting .500.

 

Pena followed up his 3-for-5 performance with a two-run homer, which came during a pivotal third frame. Cooper’s RBI double scored Angel Ortega after Ortega reached on an error, one of two by the Osprey in the inning. Pena followed that with his home run to right field that helped Helena regain the lead, one the Brewers would never relinquish. Jalen Harris and Renaldo Jenkins also had RBIs in the third.

 

The visitors struck first blood in the initial frame on Cooper’s RBI single. But Missoula third basemen Jake Miller answered in the home half of the inning with a three-run bomb to left field that gave the Osprey the lead.

 

Miller, making his first start of the year, would add a two-run triple in the bottom of the third and finished with five RBIs.

 

Missoula starter Blayne Weller was tagged with the loss after giving up seven runs on seven hits through five innings of work. Anthony Banda got the nod for Helena and started strong, striking out the side in the first, but was roughed up after that and finished with a 15.00 ERA.

 

The Osprey (1-1) outhit Helena 11-8 but had trouble producing runs. Missoula left 10 men on base and batted 2 for 7 with runners in scoring position.

 

The Brewers finished with just one error, compared to three by the Osprey. Missoula now has nine errors through the first two contests of the season.

 

Helena returns home tonight to take on the Billings Mustangs. The Brewers’ tall right-hander Danny Keller takes the mound against Billings’ righty Luke Moran. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central).

 

NOTES: Osprey closer Jose Jose’s time in Missoula was short-lived. Jose found out following Friday’s game that he was being promoted to Class A South Bend after just one appearance. He had the save Thursday night. … Cooper is leading the Pioneer League in hits (5) and home runs (2).

 

Helena Brewers pitcher Chris Razo delivers during the fourth inning Friday in a game against the Missoula Osprey at Ogren-Allegiance Park. Arthur Mouratidis Photo For the Independent Record

 

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***

 

Unfortunately the Timber Rattlers don't face South Bend in the 2nd half, so we miss out on Chris Mehring expounding on Jose Jose.

[Mass Haas]

Helena Pre-Game Audio Interviews:

 

Before the Brewers opener in Missoula, Steve Wendt interviewed new Helena manager Tony Diggs

 

***

 

Before the Brewers played Missoula on Friday, Steve interviewed Helena hitting coach Chuck Caufield

 

Helena audio returns, yes!

[Mass Haas]

Link Report Alumni Extra:

 

Donovan Hand's hometown paper spoke with him about the spot start he's making today --

 

Aloha, Mr. Hand

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO quotes from Martin Viramontes included at link -- the Post-Crescent is a pay site, only so many free clicks...

 

***

 

Viramontes finding groove for Rattlers

by Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent Media

 

GRAND CHUTE — It was hard to tell what was launched with more power Friday night at Fox Cities Stadium.

 

The postgame fireworks, or some of the pitches delivered by Martin Viramontes.

 

Viramontes, a hard-throwing Wisconsin relief pitcher, struck out seven of the 12 hitters he faced in a lights-out performance out of the bullpen in a 5-3 Midwest League loss to Cedar Rapids.

 

Viramontes allowed just two hits and walked one in three scoreless innings. He has struggled with his control at times this season, but threw strikes on 31 of the 53 pitches he threw Friday.

 

It was the most dominant relief performance by a Timber Rattlers pitcher this season.

 

“I just pounded the strike zone,” said Viramontes, a right-hander. “I’m just real confident in my stuff right now. I’m getting ahead of hitters and throwing three pitches for strikes.”

 

Viramontes hit 95 mph on the radar gun Friday, but has been clocked higher. He augments a live fastball with an effective curveball and a nasty slider. He was able to fool Kernels hitters at times, registering four of the Ks on called third strikes.

 

“When you get in a groove like that, the ball just comes out real nice and you get outs,” said Viramontes.

 

Viramontes, 23, isn’t a one-game wonder. He has struck out 34 hitters in 22 2/3 innings. However, control and command have been issues and he has walked 19. Viramontes has a 0-1 record with a 5.96 ERA.

 

Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson thinks the Brewers have a legitimate prospect in Viramontes.

 

“His stuff is electric and when he’s got some confidence, that’s what happens,” said Erickson. “Chavvy (pitching coach Dave Chavarria) and I have been trying to let people know what we have here. As far as raw stuff, from what I gather and have seen, there’s nobody with his stuff in our organization.

 

“He struggled early with command, but I think a lot of that was between the ears. He and Chavvy made a little bit of a mechanical adjustment awhile ago and the last four times out, he’s been building confidence.”

 

The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Viramontes could turn out to be a great bargain for the Brewers. He was a mere 28th-round pick out of the University of Southern California in the 2012 first-year player draft. Viramontes spent his first four seasons at Loyola Marymount before transferring to USC, where he became the Trojans’ closer.

 

“He’s someone who I know the organization is very excited about and is paying close attention to,” said Erickson.

 

Viramontes didn’t get a decision in Friday’s loss, which ended in an unusual manner.

 

Wisconsin loaded the bases in the ninth and had the winning run on first. But with two out, Orlando Arcia’s ground ball to short struck Timber Rattlers baserunner Adrian Williams while he was moving from second to third base for a game-ending third out.

 

“It was an unfortunate deal,” said Erickson. “I asked Willie (Williams) if he was trying to blind the shortstop’s vision, but he said he was just trying to get on the other side of it. Chances are the shortstop would get in front of it, make the play and end the game, but you still have to make the play.”

 

Wisconsin (29-38) outhit the Kernels 10-7, getting two hits from center fielder Tyrone Taylor, including a long solo home run in the bottom of the first.

 

Wisconsin starter Tyler Wagner lasted just four innings, allowing five earned runs. Wagner allowed just four hits, but walked six.

[Mass Haas]

It's video from a Missoula perspective, but some of the Helena Brewers may find themselves in their pro debuts in this news report video of the season opener Thursday. RHP Zach Quintana may not want to archive this one.

[Mass Haas]

Here are the Timber Rattler Friday game highlights (and lowlights) from the TV broadcast.

 

TV Video Post-Game Interview with Chris McFarland

[LouisEly]

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

Thanks! What about his breaking stuff? Does he tend to miss with his breaking stuff (like the bad Axford), his fastball (like the bad Peralta), or does he have control issues with everything?

 

With that strikeout rate, working mid-90's, and being 6'5", 225, I hope he will be given every chance to succeed. Could be quite the nugget for a 26th round pick.

[Mass Haas]

-- 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 just indicated they've switched that Ortega error to Cooper.