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

[battlekow]

Final: Billings 9, @Helena 2

 

Helena box score

Danny Keller turned in a nice start in Helena's home opener, tossing five innings of one-run ball. He allowed just four hits while putting up a 3/0 K/BB and a 9/1 GO/FO. Unfortunately, David Otterman and three Brewers errors conspired to allow four unearned runs over the next two frames, digging the H-Crew a hole they couldn't escape. Following Otterman and each making his first professional appearance were righties Andy Hillis (11th round) and Tristan Archer (21st round).

 

Garrett Cooper continued his fusillade on the Pioneer League, homering for the third time in three games and also reaching base via HBP. Clint Coulter, in his first game with Helena and back from the DL, started at catcher had two hits, including a double; for those of you wondering how playing time would shake out between Coulter and Dustin Houle, Houle did not play. Also doubling, in his pro debut, was 10th-round OF Michael Ratterree. Ratterree also threw out a runner at the plate.

 

Helena play-by-play

The 6th was quite bad defensively:

 

Billings Top of the 6th

Pitching Change: David Otterman replaces Daniel Keller.

Avain Rachal reaches on a fielding error by second baseman Renaldo Jenkins.

With Phillip Ervin batting, wild pitch by David Otterman, Avain Rachal to 2nd.

Phillip Ervin flies out to center fielder Omar Garcia.

Jonathan Reynoso reaches on a fielder's choice out, shortstop Angel Ortega to third baseman Taylor Brennan. Avain Rachal out at 3rd.

With Adam Matthews batting, Jonathan Reynoso steals (2) 2nd base.

With Adam Matthews batting, Jonathan Reynoso steals (3) 3rd base, Jonathan Reynoso scores. Throwing error by catcher Clint Coulter.

Adam Matthews walks.

Humberto Valor grounds out, pitcher David Otterman to first baseman Garrett Cooper.

 

The next inning should have been a 1-2-3 affair but went pear-shaped after another defensive miscue:

 

Billings Top of the 7th

Taylor Terrasas grounds out, second baseman Renaldo Jenkins to first baseman Garrett Cooper.

Jhimmy Lopez grounds out, shortstop Angel Ortega to first baseman Garrett Cooper.

Jose Ortiz reaches on a fielding error by third baseman Taylor Brennan.

Ty Washington singles on a ground ball to center fielder Omar Garcia. Jose Ortiz to 2nd.

Avain Rachal walks. Jose Ortiz to 3rd. Ty Washington to 2nd.

Phillip Ervin singles on a ground ball to right fielder Michael Ratterree. Jose Ortiz scores. Ty Washington scores. Avain Rachal to 2nd.

With Jonathan Reynoso batting, Avain Rachal steals (2) 3rd base.

Jonathan Reynoso singles on a ground ball to catcher Clint Coulter. Avain Rachal scores. Phillip Ervin to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Andy Hillis replaces David Otterman.

Adam Matthews called out on strikes.

[Mass Haas]

Final: AZL Brewers 3, @AZL Reds 0

Yeah, looking back some day, hopefully we'll celebrate this stateside debut for what it was, a grand welcome...

 

AZL Brewers Box Score

RHP Gian Rizzo is from Venezuela. That should excite you right there, it just feels right, just a bit more exotic than a Dominican native (not that there's anything wrong with that, either). Shortstops Alcides Escobar and Orlando Arcia were Brewer Venezuelan finds. Rizzo was signed in March 2011 at the age of 17, and shortly thereafter moved to the Brewers' Dominican complex where he immediately dazzled as a DSL All-Star in his age 17 season (4-1, 1.82 ERA in 64.1 IP, 60 H, 14 BB, 67 K).

 

At age 18, Rizzo returned to the DSL - 1.08 ERA in 50 IP, 46 H, 6 BB, 52 K.

 

Perhaps by design, perhaps not, Rizzo inexplicably began 2013 back in the DSL, but if it was part of a master plan to stretch him out or avoid the extended spring Maryvale season, we may not know. But apparently it's worked out nicely.

 

Saturday night, RHP Gian Rizzo dazzled with seven shutout innings, allowing one double, one single, and nothing else. No walks, no HBP. Eight K's. When he wasn't fanning someone, he was getting pop ups or fly balls, eight of them. Just one ground ball out.

 

Two college arms, LaCrosse's Drew Ghelfi and undrafted free agent Scott Harkin, followed up with scoreless innings for the hold and save, respectively, in their pro debuts. Great for them, but talk about being a possible historic footnote.

 

Rizzo is listed at 6'1", 160, but as we noted in our very first post about him over two years ago, that's what he was listed at then. You'd think he may be an inch taller now, and more importantly, bulked up a bit in those 26 months.

 

Also, Rizzo was absent for over three weeks last June and July, returning with a two-inning outing and slowly building up innings. That was a scary wait for us.

 

Is Rizzo dazzling with Pedro Martinez stuff (wow, talk about hyperbole, the best ever), or the-best-of-Shaun-Marcum RH junk? We need to wait on the reports. If it's anything close to the former, then Saturday's box score will hold an historic place in Brewers history.

 

And that's the bottom line, because Gian Rizzo said so...

 

AZL Brewers Game Log

 

Oh yes, the game...

 

Pro debuts for catcher Jack Cleary out of the University of Maryland and 15th round California high school slugger David Denson (pinch-hit walk, yes, plate discipline, too!). Season debut for LF Yonki Hernandez, down from 2012 Helena.

 

First professional hit for just-turned-18 year old 2nd rounder Tucker Neuhaus, congrats! Positional diversity continues between Neuhaus (SS here), Miami high schooler Luis Aviles (3B here), and Texas high schooler Eric Williams (the wonderfully unique CF/3B combo).

 

Just-turned 20-year-old 2B Francisco Castillo's stateside debut has gone swimmingly, multi-hit games in all three, now 8-for-16, no BB's, but only one K).

 

The A-Crew scored single runs in three innings, each frame with an assist from the Reds via either error or wild pitch.

 

Often rookie league game logs are so ponderous, this one's a breeze, do enjoy it line-by-line, it'll take less than 60 seconds.

[Mass Haas]

Morey, Dudley Too Much For Stars

By Alex Cohen / Huntsville Stars

 

After winning just their second extra-inning game all season on Friday, the Huntsville Stars were doomed by two individuals in a 6-2 loss at the hands of the Jacksonville Suns on Saturday at Bragan Field.

 

Headlining the Suns win on Saturday on the mound was starting pitcher Robert Morey. Carrying a 0-3 record in three June starts coming into the game, the 24-year-old righty stifled the Stars bats all night. Morey improved to 3-5 on the season with a complete-game five-hitter while giving up two runs and striking out four batters (no walks) in the process.

 

Morey became the first pitcher to throw a nine-inning complete-game against the Stars this season.

 

The Virginia Beach, VA native was put in line for the victory early in the ballgame with a tremendous showing from Suns first basemen Aaron Dudley. Just 1-for-21 at the plate in a Suns uniform coming into the game, Dudley hit a solo homer in the bottom of the second inning off Stars starting pitcher Brooks Hall (L, 0-1) to put Jacksonville on the board.

 

Just one inning later, Dudley struck again. After second basemen Chris Gutierrez singled and Hall walked left fielder Mark Canha, the 22-year-old launched a three-run homer off over the right-field wall for his second homer in as many innings, giving the Suns a 4-0 lead.

 

An RBI groundout by Gutierrez and an RBI double from right fielder Kyle Jensen in the eighth inning against Stars reliever Brian Garman gave the Suns their other two insurance runs.

 

On offense, the Stars were limited to four runs or less for the 14th straight game in a row.

 

In the fifth inning, Huntsville took advantage of two errors by the Suns defense with an RBI groundout from shortstop Hector Gomez put the Stars on the board.

 

Down to their final two outs in the ninth inning, outfielder Rene Tosoni hit a solo homer to make the score 6-2. Out of the Stars five hits, Tosoni accounted for three of them.

 

Aside from Tosoni, Gomez and outfielder Kentrail Davis had the only other hits on the night.

 

With the loss, the Stars dropped their fourth consecutive series dating back to the first half of the season.

 

On Sunday, the Stars and Suns will wrap up a five-game series at Bragan Field. Huntsville will send RHP Andy Moye (3-7, 4.15 ERA) to the bump as Jacksonville will counter with a starting pitcher that is yet to be determined. First pitch is at 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

[Mass Haas]

Here's the game story from the Jacksonville newspaper on their unlikely heroes. Tough to accentuate the positive on a daily basis with the Stars. As fans of an organization, the AA level should almost always be the most exciting when that organization is doing things well, keep the pipeline moving and all that. Best if the commentary in this post ends there at this point, I imagine...

[Mass Haas]

Nashville audio:

 

Sean Halton RBI Single

 

Final Out Of The Game

[Mass Haas]

Tyrone Taylor had the other XBH for the T-Rats... he's the man.

 

Be sure to read his feature this AM.

[Mass Haas]

Excellent feature by the J-S on a young Wisconsin umpire working this Timber Rattlers series.

[Mass Haas]

Pregame interview with Helena Brewers pitching coach Elvin Nina

[Mass Haas]

Errors Cost Helena on Opening Night

By Zac Vierra / Helena Brewers

 

Three Errors ended up costing the Helena Brewers on opening night Saturday at Kindrick Legion Field as Helena fell to Billings 9-2.

 

Luke Moran picked up the win for the Mustangs, his first this year, after limiting the Brewers to three hits in five innings. In his first appearance for the Brewers David Otterman was handed a tough-luck loss after allowing four runs, none of which were earned, in 1.2 innings of relief.

 

Things looked promising for Helena early as Garrett Cooper continued his hot start to his professional career in the second inning. Leading off the bottom of the frame Cooper hit a home run to right to give Helena an early 1-0 lead. It was Cooper's third homer in as many games.

 

"Cooper is on right now and that's what you want in a three or four hitter. He is staying on the ball, making every at bat count. He's a big strong kid and he's probably going to hit a few of those this year," said Helena manager Tony Diggs.

 

Helena starter Danny Keller was impressive until the top of the fifth. In that frame Humberto Valor led off with a single followed by a ringing double to left by Taylor Terrasas. After a fly out, Jose Ortiz hit a grounder past the dive of Renaldo Jenkins into right. Valor scored easily on the play but right fielder Michael Ratterree fired home and Clint Coulter got Terrasas with a sweep tag to keep the game tied at one.

 

Keller would be relived by Otterman in the top of the sixth after allowing four hits and one earned run while striking out three. He retired the first 11 batters he face.

 

"Solid night by Danny, he went right after hitters and that's what you look for in your starting pitching. He did a good job mixing up his pitches well and trusted his fastball. A great outing by him. Sorry we had to waste it for him," said Diggs.

 

The Mustangs took the 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth off Otterman. With two outs Jonathan Reynoso reached on a fielders choice. With the lefty Otterman pitching, Reynoso stole second uncontested. He then attempted to swipe third base and the throw by the catcher Coulter was wild going into left field, which allowed Reynoso to score with ease.

 

In the top of the seventh another error came back to bite the Brewers. After Otterman had gotten two quick outs on groundballs to start the inning, Ortiz hit a grounder to third that ate up Taylor Brennan and extended the inning.

 

The Mustangs immediately took advantage of the miscue as Ty Washinton hit a single and Avain Rachel walked to load the bases. The next batter was the Reds' 2013 first round pick Philip Ervin who lined a 2-0 pitch into right field scoring a pair and extending the Billings lead to 4-1.

 

After Rachel stole third, Reynoso hit a swinging bunt in front of the mound that Coulter couldn't corral. The play went as an infield single as Rachel scored the Mustangs' fifth run of the night.

 

The Brewers would get a run back in the bottom of the eighth when Jenkins scored on a fielder's choice by Angel Ortega.

 

But Billings would answer back in a big way in the top of the ninth. Rachel would hit a two run double and Ervin would blast a moonshot to left for his first pro homer and when the ball finally landed the Mustangs were up 9-2. Ervin would finish the day 2 for 5 with four RBI.

 

"They swung the bats well later in the game. It's one of those things where we kept the game close, we did everything we needed to do early we just need to finish it," said Diggs. "This is baseball you are going to have games like this nothing significant stood out and we are going to go back at it tomorrow and hopefully come out with a win."

[Mass Haas]

Mustangs outpace Brewers

by Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record

 

Once the Billings bats got going, they never let up.

 

The visitors pounded 11 hits over the final six innings, Cincinnati Reds first-round pick Phillip Ervin smashed a towering two-run homer as part of a four-run ninth, and the Mustangs made Danny Keller’s sterling start a distant memory in a 9-2 victory over Helena, spoiling the Brewers’ home opener.

 

The 976 fans in attendance Saturday night at Kindrick Legion Field were treated to a pitchers’ duel early, as Helena right-hander Keller and Billings righty Luke Moran were both dealing. The 6-foot-5 Keller was in a zone from the start, retiring the first 11 batters he faced and carrying a perfect game into the fourth frame.

 

He had his infielders to thank for their strong defense — particularly that of third baseman Taylor Brennan, who had six assists in the first four innings.

 

But the Brewers’ no-hit bid was broken up with two outs in the fourth, when center fielder Jonathan Reynoso reached on a bunt base hit. That was just a hint of things to come later for the Mustangs, who failed to score in the inning.

 

The only real damage done to Moran was a solo shot in the second by — who else — Helena first baseman Garrett Cooper. The blast was Cooper’s third home run of the young season and gave the hosts the early 1-0 lead.

 

“Cooper’s on right now, and that’s what you want out of your 3-4 hitter,” said Brewers manager Tony Diggs, who is now 1-2 with Helena.

 

That advantage would hold up until the fifth inning, when the Mustangs were finally able to get to Keller. Humberto Valor led off with a single and Taylor Terrasas followed with a double to left field. That set up Jose Ortiz, whose base hit scored Valor to tie the game. Terrasas was out at home plate on a tag by Clint Coulter, but Keller’s night was done with no chance at a decision.

 

“It was a solid effort by Danny, he went right after hitters,” Diggs said. “He did a good job mixing his pitches and he trusted his fastball. I’m just sorry we had to waste it for him.”

 

The Brewers offense went stagnant after that, as Helena was hitless from the third through seventh innings and Moran retired nine straight before allowing a pair of free passes. Billings’ bats, meanwhile, came to life, as the Mustangs took advantage of a rough night by reliever David Otterman and some costly errors by the Brewers in the sixth and seventh innings. Billings took a 5-1 lead before stretch time and then roughed up reliever Tristan Archer in his pro debut in the ninth, with four runs on four hits to all but guarantee a Mustang win.

 

“We made a few errors, but they (Billings) swung the bats well later in the game,” Diggs said. “This is baseball; you’re going to have games like that. …We just couldn’t come up with hits when we needed them.”

 

Diggs blamed himself for a play in the eighth inning, when he opted to send Angel Ortega home rather than hold him at third. Ortega was out on a relay throw to the plate, leaving the Brewers with just one run scored off of Michael Ratterree’s double. It didn’t end up making a difference, but Diggs said it is all part of the learning experience.

 

“The guys will get a hold of this and so will I,” he said with a smile.

 

Ervin was 2 for 5 with four RBIs and his first professional home run to lead the Mustangs at the plate, while Reynoso added an RBI and a run scored in his 3-for-5 performance. Billings catcher Ortiz also finished with a multi-hit game, going 2 for 4 with an RBI.

 

Coulter was the only player with more than one hit for the Brewers, finishing 2 for 4 with a double in his first action since late May. Milwaukee’s first-round pick from 2012, Coulter began the season in Class A Wisconsin before missing time due to an oblique injury.

 

Moran was awarded the win on the mound, his first as a Mustang. He allowed just one run on three hits while striking out four and walking two. Otterman was tagged with the loss after giving up four runs – none of which were earned – on three hits in just 1 2/3 innings.

 

Diggs was disappointed the team couldn’t escape with a victory in the first home game of the season. He said he saw many familiar faces in his return to Kindrick Legion Field, a venue in which he made many special memories as a player.

 

“You always want to win, and home openers are special,” he said. “It would’ve been nice to come up with a win today.”

 

The Brewers will be back at it against Billings again today, with an afternoon contest beginning at 1:05 PM (2:05 Central). Helena right-hander Brandon Moore will be making his pro debut, while fellow righty Jose Guzman is expected to take the mound for the Mustangs (2-1).

 

NOTES: The Brewers 10th-round draft pick, Michael Ratterree, arrived in Helena on Saturday and was already in the lineup batting third Saturday evening. The right fielder out of Rice University finished the game 1-4 with a double. … The Brewers swiped two bags in the contest and now have at least one stolen base in every game so far this year. One of those players recording a steal Saturday was Michael Turay, who picked up his first theft as a pro after not having any with Helena a year ago.

[Mass Haas]

All photos by Dylan Brown / Independent Record

 

Taylor Brennan throws the ball to first for an out Saturday night, while playing against Billings.

 

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Angel Ortega, left, and Renaldo Jenkins collide, while going for a ground ball Saturday. Jenkins gathered the ball, before forcing an out at second base.

 

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Garrett Cooper celebrates with team manager Tony Diggs Saturday, after hitting a home run.

 

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Danny Keller delivers the ball

 

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Angel Ortega throws the ball to first for an out

 

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Michael Ratterree hits the ball

 

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[Mass Haas]

As of this AM, the traditional DSL box and log from that wild game had still not yet posted. DSL kids with their usual Sunday off to recover (us, too!).

[homer]

Garrett Cooper continued his fusillade on the Pioneer League

 

A) excellent use of the term "fusillade"

2) Free Garrett Cooper

[TheCrew07]

Please Gian, please have great stuff so you are worth getting really excited about.

[TooLiveBrew]

Mass Haas ninja-edited my rant from last night... which was directed at Don Money, former Sounds manager. Mass was kind enough to not shame me, but I deserve shaming. Sorry, Don.

 

It's not like I've been the Sounds link reporter all season or anything...

[Eye Black]

Please Gian, please have great stuff so you are worth getting really excited about.

The anticipation of a scouting report is killing me. We need to arm a BF.netter in the Phoenix area with a video camera and a Stalker II to get this done!