Link Report for Sat. 6/22 -- AAA and Low Rookie: Hellweg and Rizzo Shine

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Saturday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Johnny Hellweg at New Orleans (Marlins), 5:40 PM pre-game, 6:00 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 Brooks Hall 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: LHP Jed Bradley at Tampa (Yankees), 5:00 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link - Tampa Broadcast

 

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Wisconsin: RHP Jorge Lopez at home vs. Cedar Rapids (Twins), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 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: RHP Danny Keller at home vs. Billings (Reds), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:05 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 the Reds' complex in Goodyear; 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league

 

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DSL Brewers: at the DSL Tigers, 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!

 

Wasn't on the original schedule, but this Timber Rattlers games is available on local TV on MyNew32 TV out of Green Bay. "Showdown: Timber Rattlers Pre-Game" airs at 6:00.

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Nashville

 

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:

 

New Orleans, LA

 

Jacksonville, FL

 

Tampa, FL

 

Grand Chute, WI (Appleton)

 

Helena, MT

 

Goodyear, AZ

 

San Pedro de Macoris, DR

[Mass Haas]

Happy 32nd birthday to Nashville Sounds catcher Dayton Buller!

 

Happy 23rd birthday to a young man who got the win in relief for the Helena Brewers Friday in his pro debut, 24th round RHP Chris Razo out of Illinois State. Nice present!

[TheCrew07]

9 of Lopez' first 11 pitches have been for balls to start 2nd and ball 4 to Buxton went behind him to the screen.

 

edit. And for the second time in 2 innings the T-Rats get jobbed by the 1st base ump. The first was on McFarland's error in the 1st inning and now in the 2nd the Rattlers should have turned 2 as Lopez beat the runner to first base and Arcia's throw was perfect.

 

As I'm typing this another runner gets hit by a batted ball, this time a Kernel player gets hit by a line drive between 1st and 2nd and saves Lopez a run. That's twice in 2 nights, and I don't remember the last time I saw a runner get hit by a batted ball.

[TheCrew07]

Pirates' OF prospect Barrett Barnes

 

Barnes brings lumber in Power win

[markedman5]

Righthanded batters now hitting a cool .123 against Hellweg.......Lefties .273.

 

5 shutout so far....the man is a ground ball machine.

[Mass Haas]

Nice new addition for 2013 -- Helena Media Notes

 

Starting Sunday, we'll provide a daily "where to find" link.

 

FYI -- for now following Quintana - Banda - Keller in the rotation are the U. of Arkansas RHP duo of 17th rounder Brandon Moore and 3rd rounder Barrett Astin.

[82brewcrew11]

Nice, Rizzo on the bump for Maryvale.

[TheCrew07]

Apparently we should be looking for a couple of articles coming out of WI on MilLB and/or MLB.com.

 

Ben Hill (Ben's Biz Blog) is town looking at the food and T-Rat promotions.

 

Jonathan Mayo will be in town tomorrow to watch the top prospects from both teams.

[Minigoon]

Final: Jacksonville 6 Huntsville 2

 

The Stars bats were silenced again as the Jacksonville Suns coasted to a 6-2 win today. Stars starter Brooks Hall (0-1, 10.13) took the loss tonight. Hall worked 4 innings, allowing 4 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4. The real thorn in Hall's side tonight was Suns first baseman Aaron Dudley, who hit 2 home runs and drove in all 4 runs Hall allowed. Coming into the game, Dudley was batting .048 (1-21). Hall threw 73 pitches in his 4 innings of work, 46 for strikes. He also had a 4-4 ground out to fly out ratio.

 

Lefty Brian Garman relieved Hall in the 5th. Garman worked 2 innings, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits and a hit batter while striking out 3. Arcenio Leon worked the final 2 innings, allowing no hits or runs but did walk 2.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

Huntsville was held to 5 hits and 2 runs by Suns pitcher Robert Morey, who pitched a complete game. Offensively, the Stars were led by centerfielder Rene Tosoni. Tosoni went 3-4 with a home run, his 7th on the season for the Stars. The Stars only other base runners tonight were Hector Gomez and Kentrail Davis. Each reached base via singles. Gomez now has hits in 3 of his last 4 games and Davis has his batting average up to .283, good for 10th in the Southern League. The Stars drew no walks tonight.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

 

Rene Tosoni's home run came in the 9th.

 

Huntsville Top of the 9th

 

Nick Shaw grounds out to first baseman Aaron Dudley.

Rene Tosoni homers (7) on a line drive to right field.

Jason Rogers flies out to right fielder Kyle Jensen.

Kentrail Davis grounds out, second baseman Chris Gutierrez to pitcher Robert Morey.

 

The Stars and Suns will wrap up this series tomorrow evening. Huntsville (1-3 2nd half, 30-43 overall) will have right hander Andy Moye (3-7, 4.15)on the mound. Game time is scheduled for 5:05 Central with Stars radio broadcaster Alex Cohen on the air at 4:50 with the pre game show. Don't forget, this series is available on MiLB TV for those with a subscription. Remember to turn the TV sound down and turn up Alex and the Stars Radio Broadcast!

[TooLiveBrew]

Hellweg, Sounds Blank Zephyrs, 1-0

Nashville Right-hander Earns Victory For 5th Straight Start

Nashville Sounds

 

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

Johnny Hellweg, archive photo (Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds)

 

METAIRIE, La. - Right-hander Johnny Hellweg worked six scoreless frames and combined with a pair of relievers on a shutout in the Nashville Sounds' 1-0 victory over the New Orleans Zephyrs on Saturday evening at Zephyr Field in the opener of a four-game series.

 

With its fourth shutout win of the year, Nashville (26-50) snapped a four-game skid despite being out-hit, 8-4, on the evening.

 

Hellweg (7-4) earned a quality-start win for his fifth consecutive outing, firing six scoreless innings at the Zephyrs. The fireballer scattered six hits but induced four double plays and struck out a pair of batters during his efficient 68-pitch effort. In his last seven outings, Hellweg is 6-0 with a 1.64 ERA (8er/44.0ip).

 

Travis Webb worked a scoreless inning of relief for Nashville before Rob Wooten closed out the victory with a six-inning save, the closer's 15th stop of the year.

 

Hellweg and New Orleans' Doug Mathis engaged in a pitchers' duel during the early going, keeping the action scoreless through the first five frames.

 

The Sounds finally broke through in the sixth when cleanup hitter Sean Halton (2-for-4) delivered a two-out RBI single to left to plate Hainley Statia (2-for-3), who had reached on a one-out infield single and moved to second on a Khris Davis walk. Halton's knock chased Mathis (2-6) from the contest.

 

Nashville missed a golden opportunity to tack on an insurance run in the eighth. After Ozzie Chavez reached third with only one out, the Z's pitched around Khris Davis to put runners on the corners and reliever Adam Reifer induced an inning-ending double play from Blake Lalli to escape the jam.

 

New Orleans put the potential tying run on second with one out against Wooten in the home half of the eighth, but the Sounds' closer retired the next two hitters on a popup and a strikeout to keep the 1-0 advantage intact.

 

Wooten had a much easier go in the ninth, retiring the Z's in order to finish the contest.

 

The teams continue the series with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Sunday afternoon. Right-hander Hiram Burgos (0-2, 2.70) will make a rehab start for the Sounds. He is currently on Milwaukee's 15-day disabled list with right shoulder impingement. New Orleans will counter with left-hander Brian Flynn (2-7, 4.11).

 

 

Nashville Box

Statia: 2-3

K. Davis: 0-2, 2 BB

Halton: 2-4, 2B, RBI

Morris: 0-3, BB

Josh Prince: 0-3, BB

 

[pre]Hellweg: 6 IP 6 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 2 K 68 TP (44 strikes) 7:2 GO:FO

Webb: 1 IP 2 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 3 K

Wooten: 2 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 3 K[/pre]

 

Nashville PbP

Hellweg's start:

 

New Orleans Bottom of the 1st

-Kevin Mattison strikes out swinging.

-Donovan Solano singles on a ground ball to pitcher Johnny Hellweg.

-Bryan Petersen grounds into a double play, second baseman Hainley Statia to shortstop Blake Davis to first baseman Hunter Morris. Donovan Solano out at 2nd.

 

New Orleans Bottom of the 2nd

-Joe Mahoney lines out to right fielder Sean Halton.

-Nick Green grounds out, shortstop Blake Davis to first baseman Hunter Morris.

-Jake Smolinski singles on a line drive to left fielder Khris Davis.

-With Matt Downs batting, Jake Smolinski steals (4) 2nd base.

-Matt Downs lines out to right fielder Sean Halton.

 

New Orleans Bottom of the 3rd

-Kyle Skipworth singles on a line drive to center fielder Josh Prince.

-Doug Mathis grounds into a double play, third baseman Stephen Parker to shortstop Blake Davis to first baseman Hunter Morris. Kyle Skipworth out at 2nd.

-Kevin Mattison flies out to center fielder Josh Prince.

 

New Orleans Bottom of the 4th

-Donovan Solano grounds out, shortstop Blake Davis to first baseman Hunter Morris.

-Bryan Petersen singles on a ground ball to right fielder Sean Halton.

-Joe Mahoney grounds into a double play, second baseman Hainley Statia to shortstop Blake Davis to first baseman Hunter Morris. Bryan Petersen out at 2nd.

 

New Orleans Bottom of the 5th

-Nick Green strikes out swinging.

-Jake Smolinski pops out to shortstop Blake Davis.

-Matt Downs singles on a ground ball to right fielder Sean Halton.

-Kyle Skipworth grounds out, pitcher Johnny Hellweg to first baseman Hunter Morris.

 

New Orleans Bottom of the 6th

-Gil Velazquez singles on a line drive to left fielder Khris Davis.

-Kevin Mattison flies out to left fielder Khris Davis.

-Donovan Solano grounds into a double play, second baseman Hainley Statia to shortstop Blake Davis to first baseman Hunter Morris. Gil Velazquez out at 2nd.

 

 

Nashville Gameday

[TooLiveBrew]

Ok, I will admit to this being a pretty reactionary post, but I need someone(s) to tell me why I shouldn't be really, really irritated that Hellweg was lifted after only 68 pitches in what was arguably his best start of the season. He wasn't pinch-hit for, he was removed after the 6th inning... after 68 pitches... of which only 24 had been balls.

 

What the bleep, Mike Guerrero? That's really pissing me off right now. Decisions like this seem to happen at every level of the Brewers' system, and it's hard for me to think that (cumulatively) they don't play a role in the organization's struggles to turn out big-league starters. Beyond cutting Hellweg well short in terms of what he's physically capable of handling in a start, what kind of message does that send to the player? We don't care more about your personal development than we do about winning a stinking, meaningless AAA game?

[82brewcrew11]

Maybe it has something to do with his last start being skipped and not wanting to ramp up his pitch count his first start after being skipped. Or perhaps they are trying to limit innings with a future call up in mind.

 

I can see a case for both. I don't like it, but I can see it.

[Eye Black]

FINAL: Tampa 4, Brevard County 1

 

Manatees slammed in rain-shortened game

Brevard falls to Tampa, 4-1 on first inning grand slam

By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/9/4/6/51495946/cuts/Ramirez_4.14_3_k0xpstsd_bs5zdzi9.JPG

Manatees designated hitter Nick Ramirez, seen here in a game from earlier this season, had the only RBI in Brevard County's 4-1 loss in a rain-shortened, five inning game to the Tampa Yankees on Saturday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

 

TAMPA, Fla. - One pitch ultimately did the Brevard County Manatees in on Saturday night as they fell 4-1 to the Tampa Yankees in a rain-shortened, five inning game at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

 

In the bottom of the first inning with two outs and the bases loaded, Tampa's Peter O'Brien took the 1-2 offering from Brevard County (1-2 second half, 38-32 overall) starting pitcher Jed Bradley and deposited it over the right field wall for a grand slam.

 

It was the first grand slam home run that the Manatees have allowed this year and the first since July 29, 2012.

 

Bradley (4-3, 4.21) was saddled with his first loss since May 23 as he allowed the four runs on four hits, while walking four and striking out three in 4.1 innings of work.

 

The Yankees (2-1, 30-41) had one on with one out against Bradley and the 'Tees in the bottom of the fifth before the tarp was put on the field and then eventually the game was called.

 

Brevard County struck first in the top of the first as a two-out single from Nick Ramirez brought home Greg Hopkins, who also singled, to give the Manatees a 1-0 lead.

 

Yadiel Rivera had his second straight multi-hit night as he went 2-for-2 with a double. Rivera is hitting .412 (7-for-17) in his last five games.

 

The Manatees return home to Space Coast Stadium to begin a three-game set on Sunday at 5:05 PM (4:05 Central), with the FSL North Division first half champion Dunedin Blue Jays (1-2, 38-31).

 

Lefty Brent Suter (5-4, 3.33) will toe the rubber for Brevard County. He is 1-1 with a 1.98 ERA in two starts against Dunedin so far this season.

 

The Blue Jays will send Austin Bibens-Dirkx (3-2, 2.98) to mound. In his only start against the Manatees back on May 17, he threw seven shutout innings and allowed just one hit, while striking out ten.

 

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

BC Hitters

Gregory Hopkins: 1-3, 1 R

Nick Ramirez: 1-2, 1 RBI

Yadiel Rivera: 2-2, 2B

 

BC Pitchers

Jed Bradley: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO, 1 HR

 

 

Brevard County Play-by-Play

 

All of the game scoring took place in the opening frame including a grand slam for Tampa:

 

Brevard County Top of the 1st

• -T. J. Mittelstaedt strikes out swinging.
  -Gregory Hopkins singles on a fly ball to center fielder Mason Williams.
  -Mitch Haniger lines out to second baseman Robert Refsnyder.
  -With Nick Ramirez batting, wild pitch by Bryan Mitchell, Gregory Hopkins to 2nd.
  -Nick Ramirez singles on a fly ball to right fielder Yeral Sanchez. Gregory Hopkins scores.
  -Cameron Garfield strikes out swinging.

 

Tampa Bottom of the 1st

• -Mason Williams singles on a fly ball to center fielder Mitch Haniger.
  -With Robert Refsnyder batting, wild pitch by Jed Bradley, Mason Williams to 2nd.
  -Robert Refsnyder walks.
  -Ben Gamel grounds into a force out, second baseman Gregory Hopkins to shortstop Yadiel Rivera. Mason Williams to 3rd. Robert Refsnyder out at 2nd. Ben Gamel to 1st.
  -Gary Sanchez walks. Ben Gamel to 2nd.
  -Yeral Sanchez strikes out swinging.
  -Peter O'Brien hits a grand slam (1) to right field. Mason Williams scores. Ben Gamel scores. Gary Sanchez scores.
  -Tyson Blaser grounds out to first baseman Cody Hawn.

[narwhalattack]

Now that Gian Rizzo is in Maryvale, hopefully we start seeing some scouting reports.

[82brewcrew11]

I sure hope so 7 innings, two hits, no walks, eight strikeouts. Very nice.

[bkrause2]

Final: DSL Brewers 21, DSL Tigers 19, 11 innings

 

I bet the Brewers never thought that infielder Raphachel Colatosti would be saving games for them. This was a crazy crazy game that saw the Brewers put up three runs in each of the first three innings, only to give up four in the eighth and five in the ninth, allowing the Tigers to tie the game at 15-15. The Brewers put up a six spot in the 11th inning. The Tigers answered back with four in the bottom of the 11th but the Brewers hung on for the win. The Brewers used nine pitchers in all, including position players Leudi Otano and Colatosti.

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

Jorge Quiterio, making his first start at third base, went 4-for-7 with five RBI and fell just a double short of the cycle, belting his first home run of the season. Shortstop Daniel Leonardo continued to impress as well, getting on base five times, with four singles and a walk. Otano went 3-for-7 as the team's DH, prior to entering the game in the 11th to pitch. He also struck out four times. Every Brewers starter except Juan Ortiz had at least one hit.

 

DSL Brewers Play-By-Play

 

You'll want to take a look at the game log and the box score on this one once milb.com has them posted. Lots to take in.

 

DSL BREWERS 21 (5-14)

 

Name (Pos) AB R H RBI BB SO PO A

Leonaldo, Daniel ss....... 6 4 4 3 1 0 6 2

Quiterio, Jorge 3b........ 7 4 4 5 0 1 2 0

Ortiz, Juan lf............ 6 1 0 1 0 2 2 0

Otano, Leudi dh/p......... 7 2 3 1 0 4 0 0

Calatosti, Raphachel p.... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Santana, Yunior rf........ 5 3 1 0 2 1 3 0

De Los Santos, Juan 1b.... 7 1 2 2 0 1 5 1

Martinez, Yeraldy cf...... 5 2 1 1 2 3 3 0

Martinez, Kevin c......... 3 1 1 2 0 1 3 1

Mejia, Natanael c......... 2 1 1 0 0 0 6 0

Munoz, Gregory 2b......... 5 2 1 1 1 1 3 0

 

DSL BREWERS IP H R ER BB SO AB BF

Leal, Yosmer........ 1.2 4 4 4 3 1 8 12

Cordero, Axel....... 2.2 2 2 2 4 2 8 14

Flores, Junior...... 0.2 2 0 0 1 1 3 4

Nova, Boanerges..... 2.1 3 3 3 1 1 10 11

Torres, Orlando..... 0.1 3 1 1 1 1 4 5

Arias, Doni......... 1.0 4 5 5 2 1 6 9

Arguila, Nelson..... 1.1 0 2 2 4 0 3 7

Otano, Leudi........ 0.0 3 2 2 1 0 3 4

Calatosti, Raphachel 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 2 3

[TheCrew07]

Ok, I will admit to this being a pretty reactionary post, but I need someone(s) to tell me why I shouldn't be really, really irritated that Hellweg was lifted after only 68 pitches...

 

Ha, it's a good thing I scrolled down because I was about to quote that exact part of your post to piss and moan. He might have been on an inning limit or pitch limit, but come on, 68 pitches? Why would a pitch count be 70 after getting skipped 1 time mid season? I'd pissed if that was a young man just starting out in A ball, let alone someone we're trying to develop for a MLB starter role this year or next. He's 24, not 21, he's nearing or at physical maturity. Regardless how about we start pushing our pitchers in AA and AAA out to 100 pitches and plant the seed that starting pitchers should aim higher for getting through more than 6 innings?

 

You want an 85 pitch in count in ball... fine... although how come Lopez went 92 pitches then today? Further up the chain starters should expect their pitch counts and innings to escalate. I'm not looking for anything crazy like 120 pitches, but let them hit 100 and go past to 110 or so if they are really going well.

 

Obviously I realize we have a problem developing pitchers but going ultra conservative doesn't prepare them for the rigors of a full MLB season either.

 

I also appreciate the Brewers pushing pitch efficiency but I can't help think that's partly to blame for our pitching issues. Right now it's all about keeping the ball down and ground balls, which is fine, but what happened to pitching 101? Simple stuff that's always worked like moving the ball around all quadrants of the strike zone? The elevated FB just out of the zone that hitters have always had a hard time catching up with? Efficiently pitching to contact shouldn't be about piddling around trying to get hitters to chase and inducing ground balls in 2-2 or 3-2 counts, pitching to contact should be about attacking the hitter through the strike zone getting him to make bad contact on pitchers' pitches. Certainly you can attack out of the zone and look to get a hitter to chase from time to time, but that shouldn't be the approach for every hitter our pitchers get ahead of. In this era of baseball that's just unnecessarily wasting too many pitches, all our guys need to do is waste 1 less pitch per AB and instead of going 6 innings they are going 7 and we're all doing a happy dance.

[TheCrew07]

Kernels batter Rattlers 8-3

Cedar Rapids collect 18 hits to top Rattlers

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers fell behind the Cedar Rapids Kernels early and could not make up the difference on Saturday night. The Kernels beat Wisconsin 8-3 at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Cedar Rapids is 6-1 in seven games with the Timber Rattlers this season.

 

The Kernels (43-28 overall, 3-0) jumped on the Timber Rattlers for three runs in the top of the first inning. Byron Buxton singled, stole second, and moved to third base on a grounder to the right side. The Timber Rattlers brought the infield in to keep Buxton at third on a ground ball. Jorge Polanco hit a grounder, but the throw to first was high and Polanco reached as Buxton held at third. Dalton Hicks followed with an RBI single to right. Travis Harrison made it 3-0 with a two-run double.

 

Victor Roache got Wisconsin (29-39, 0-3) on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first with a triple to right-center that scored Alfredo Rodriguez.

 

But, the Kernels scored single runs in the second and fourth innings to take a 5-1 lead. Jorge Polanco singled in the run in the second. Hicks singled in the run in the fourth.

 

The Rattlers clawed their way back into the game with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Tyrone Taylor doubled and took third on an error to start the fourth inning. Adam Giacalone drove in Taylor with a sacrifice fly.

 

Orlando Arcia and Parker Berberet started the Timber Rattlers half of the fifth inning with singles. Chris McFarland bunted both runners up a base. Michael Reed got Arcia home with an infield single. Reed made the score 5-3 and extended his current on base streak to 38 games with that hit.

 

Cedar Rapids responded in the seventh inning. Buxton tripled with two on and two out to put the Kernels up 7-3. Adam Brett Walker added a sacrifice fly in the top of the eighth and the Kernels pushed their lead to five runs.

 

Kernels reliever Alex Muren retired all nine Rattlers hitters he faced from the sixth through the eighth. Tyler Jones worked a scoreless ninth to close out Wisconsin.

 

The Timber Rattlers fell to a season low ten games under .500 for the first time season with this loss.

 

The final game of the four game series is scheduled for Sunday afternoon. Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Marco Estrada will make a rehabilitation start for the Timber Rattlers. Cedar Rapids has Hudson Boyd (1-4, 6.56) as their scheduled starting pitcher. Game time is 1:05pm.

 

Sunday is a Brewers Sunday presented by 107.5, The Fan. Timber Rattlers players and coaches will be wearing Brewers-themed jerseys during the game. The jerseys will be up for auction after the final Brewers Sunday of the 2013 season on Sunday, August 25.

 

The first in a series of four player magnets sponsored by Lamers Bus Lines will go to the first 500 fans to attend this game. The first player to be featured will be 2013 Midwest League All-Star Pitcher Damien Magnifico.

 

Ed Randall's Fans for the Cure Baseball Road Trip makes its stop at the stadium to educate men and their loved ones about prostate cancer.

 

Time Warner Cable customers may receive up to four half-priced reserved bleacher tickets when showing their TWC bill at time of ticket purchase. Plus, fans may play catch on-field before the game and get autographs from the players in a post-game autograph session.

 

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 12:45pm. Sunday's game is also available to subscribers of MiLB.TV.

 

WP: Brett Lee (5-4)

LP: Jorge Lopez (3-6)

 

TIME: 2:54

ATTN: 3,396

 

Chris' blog post loaded with extras as usual.

Words have no power to impress – Postgame post – June 22, 2013

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

I've watched quite a bit of A ball since the T-Rats became a Brewer affiliate, and I've never seen a team square up every mistake the way this Cedar Rapids club does. Literally every FB up in the zone was drilled some place, this is far and away the most advanced approach I've witnessed from a whole team. Normally you'll have 2-4 guys which stand out in that way, but not most of a line-up, not in A ball. To add insult to injury Chris mentioned the JSO was in town interviewing the Twins' prospects from the Milwaukee area who are all having pretty good years, look for that article in the next couple of days.

 

I've been trying to think of how to put this about Jorge Lopez since he left the game, and I'm still not coming up with the proper adjective so I'll try to describe it. When the camera is behind him you can pretty much tell exactly where the pitch is going by Jorge's release point. While that might sound intuitive and you're thinking to yourself, "of course", what I mean is that nothing about his delivery was consistent, although his arm slot was much better than last time. Sometimes he opens up to far which drags his body down to the side enough that it's noticeable and he's going to be low and away to a RH batter. Other times he doesn't open up enough and he's too tall and the ball is going to be up or up and inside, and so on. When he's going well he's driving to the plate and coming almost over the top. He was working 90-92 today and didn't appear to have his good curve, he hung quite a few.

 

Taylor Mangum looked good until the 7th when he started leaving the ball up, someone either radio or TV mentioned he was working low 90s. I didn't watch much of Leonard Lorenzo's inning, he's a 90-91 guy and nothing has jumped out about him in the past. Jonathan Armold also was working low 90s, the Brewers have at least done a nice job identifying relief candidates out of the last couple of drafts and UDFA signings, hopefully the trend continues with our 2013 crop.

 

Orlando Arcia would be hitting much better if he'd not get so defensive. It's almost like he's so worried about striking out at times that he'll take swings that just look like he's trying to make contact. Kind of 1/2 to 3/4 speed all arm, "I need to make contact" swing which predictably leads to pop ups and rolled over grounders. When he's selective and aggressive Orlando squares up the ball nicely as he did with his line drive hit between SS and 3rd late in the game.

 

Victor Roache stumbled not once but twice on his triple between 2nd and 3rd, thankfully the ball died on the hop and Buxton overran it badly or Victor would have dead. I'm still not sure how he stayed on his feet enough to get there but he managed to beat the throw with a head first slide. Tyrone Taylor had the other XBH for the T-Rats... he's the man.

 

Wisconsin Recap

 

Not much fun from the Brewer perspective.

 

Wisconsin Gameday