Link Report for Sun. 6/23 - Rehabs cut short by rain (Burgos), ineffectiveness and injury (Estrada)

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Sunday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Hiram Burgos in a rehab start at New Orleans (Marlins), 1:40 PM pre-game, 2:00 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 Andy Moye at Jacksonville (Marlins), 4:50 PM pre-game, 5:05 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 Brent Suter at home vs. Dunedin (Blue Jays), 3:35 PM pre-game, 4:05 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link -- Select the link based on listed schedule

 

Manatees audio, hooray! Dave Walkovic is the first play-by-play voice of the 'Tees since 2007, he's joined by Andy Towne; follow the Brevard broadcast booth staff on Twitter @BCManateesRadio. All home games and many road games are scheduled to be broadcast. When road games are only available via the opponents' audio feed, we'll let you know that.

 

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Wisconsin: RHP Marco Estrada in a rehab start at home vs. Cedar Rapids (Twins), 12:50 PM pre-game, 1:05 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: RHP Brandon Moore (17th rounder out of the University of Arkansas) makes his pro debut at home vs. Billings (Reds), 1:50 PM pre-game, 2:05 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 home vs. the pinkish-hue Redleg kids; 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league

 

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DSL Brewers: Idle

[Mass Haas]

Programming Note:

 

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

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

Maryvale

 

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; 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.

 

Also new this season: Helena has media notes; 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

 

Viera, FL (Melbourne)

 

Grand Chute, WI (Appleton)

 

Helena, MT

 

Goodyear, AZ

[Mass Haas]

I meant to post this Friday because I happened to see it via Gameday Pitch-by-Pitch and it was awesome. This was reliever Greg Holle's inning in his 2nd Nashville outing.

 

Iowa Bottom of the 6th

 

Pitching Change: Greg Holle replaces Jesus Sanchez, batting 9th, replacing Anderson De La Rosa.

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

Brett Jackson singles on a line drive to left fielder Khris Davis.

J. C. Boscan singles on a ground ball to right fielder Sean Halton, deflected by first baseman Hunter Morris. Brett Jackson to 3rd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Darnell McDonald replaces Guillermo Moscoso.

Darnell McDonald grounds into a double play, shortstop Blake Davis to first baseman Hunter Morris. J. C. Boscan out at 2nd.

 

Nice job, right? Scoreless frame.

 

Pitches-strikes: Seidel 66-38, Sanchez, Je 15-8, Holle 5-5

 

Batters faced: Seidel 18, Sanchez, Je 5, Holle 4

 

This wasn't one of those spring training Gameday's either with the abbreviated pitch details. This was legit.

 

So Holle allowed two singles and got three outs on five pitches. The only extra pitch was a swinging strike prior to Boscan's ground ball.

 

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming...

[TheCrew07]

Matt Szcur drawing comparisons to Joc Pederson is not comforting.

 

Szczur stays hot in Smokies' loss

[TheCrew07]

*a sarcastic cheer for another high divisional draft pick hitting the ground running* This time 27th overall from this year's draft Phillip Ervin of the Reds. Garrett Cooper managed a single sentence for his fine work to start the season.

 

Reds' top pick Ervin hits first pro homer

[TheCrew07]

IP (Interest Piece) given the deadline discussions about the Tigers in the transaction forum.

 

'Caps' Thompson fans career-high 10

[WV Brew]

The Midwest League may have to institute a mercy rule the way the T-Rats are going. Baserunner hit by a batted ball is their best defense right now.

[TheCrew07]

The Midwest League may have to institute a mercy rule the way the T-Rats are going. Baserunner hit by a batted ball is their best defense right now.

 

You aren't kidding, 3 in 3 days, and again I'm unable to remember the last time I saw 1 prior to this stretch, even watching High School baseball.

 

So yesterday I said:

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.

 

Guess what happened to Estrada? Chris said, "Estrada left that one up..." on the HR and it just continued from there.

 

Cedar Rapids Top of the 3rd

• J. D. Williams homers (6) on a fly ball to right field.
  Byron Buxton pops out to second baseman Adrian Williams.
  Niko Goodrum flies out to left fielder Michael Reed.
  Jorge Polanco doubles (20) on a line drive to right fielder Max Walla.
  Dalton Hicks singles on a line drive to center fielder Tyrone Taylor. Jorge Polanco scores. Dalton Hicks advances to 2nd, on a fielding error by center fielder Tyrone Taylor.
  Travis Harrison doubles (22) on a fly ball to left fielder Michael Reed. Dalton Hicks scores.
  Max Kepler doubles (2) on a line drive to right fielder Max Walla. Travis Harrison scores.
  Adam Walker singles on a line drive to left fielder Michael Reed. Max Kepler scores.
  With Jhonatan Arias batting, wild pitch by Marco Estrada, Adam Walker to 2nd.
  Jhonatan Arias singles on a line drive to center fielder Tyrone Taylor. Adam Walker scores.
  Pitching Change: Ryan Gibbard replaces Marco Estrada.
  J. D. Williams singles on a line drive to left fielder Michael Reed. Jhonatan Arias to 2nd.
  Byron Buxton walks. Jhonatan Arias to 3rd. D. Williams to 2nd.
  Niko Goodrum singles on a ground ball. Byron Buxton out at 2nd, hit by batted ball, second baseman Adrian Williams unassisted.

 

This is how Estrada started the game:

 

Cedar Rapids Top of the 1st

• Byron Buxton called out on strikes.
  Niko Goodrum strikes out swinging.
  Jorge Polanco singles on a line drive to right fielder Max Walla.
  Dalton Hicks walks. Jorge Polanco to 2nd.
  Travis Harrison called out on strikes.

 

Cedar Rapids Top of the 2nd

• Max Kepler strikes out swinging, catcher Tyler Roberts to first baseman Adam Giacalone.
  Adam Walker strikes out swinging.
  Jhonatan Arias grounds out, shortstop Orlando Arcia to first baseman Adam Giacalone.

 

 

Hey, Chris just mentioned our love of Gian Rizzo on the air, thank you sir!

[homer]

Well Taylor has a double, single, and a walk so I'm satisfied for today. If I was uncouth I would say I have a bigger crush on him than Liberace had for Scott Thorson. But I am couth so I won't say that.

[Mass Haas]

Via Jeff Hem's blog --

 

Audio from NOLA — Sean Halton (and his hair)

 

Here is today’s interview with Sounds outfielder Sean Halton, who discusses his RBI single on Saturday (the only run in the Sounds’ 1-0 win), the confidence the team has when Johnny Hellweg (6-0 in last 7 starts) is on the hill, Halton’s success at Zephyr Field the last two seasons (12-for-29, 3 HRs), the impact the background in center field has on a hitter and the latest on his flowing locks and manicured facial hair (always a topic among his teammates). Beneath Halton’s photo you can see photos of people Halton’s been compared to…

 

***

 

Very funny, check out the link, the photos, and the discussion...

[Mass Haas]

From Saturday --

 

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

 

You'll notice the linescore is incomplete, but the box and log are fine.

 

DSL boys allow 21 hits, 17 walks, hit a batter, throw four wild pitches -- and win.

[TheCrew07]

Chris just mentioned that the Post Crescent writer who went to Marco Estrada's press conference told him that the hamstring started acting up again in the 3rd.

 

edit. I should add that the only velocity report from Chris was an 88 mph, and it was early, in the 1st or 2nd.

[Mass Haas]

DSL photos

[TheCrew07]

Final: Cedar Rapids (Twins) 13, Wisconsin 9

 

Kernels clobber Rattlers to complete sweep

Cedar Rapids wraps up four game sweep with help from a 20-hit attack

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Cedar Rapids Kernels banged out 20 hits and used two big innings to defeat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 13-9 on Sunday afternoon at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The Kernels finished off a four game sweep of the Rattlers behind big offensive days from Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler.

 

Wisconsin (29-40 overall, 0-4 second half) took the lead with single runs in the first and second innings. The Rattlers had the bases loaded with one out in the first and Mike Garza sent a grounder to third. Kernels third baseman Travis Harrison stepped on the bag for a force play and threw to the plate. But, catcher Jhonatan Arias took the throw as a force play instead of tagging Orlando Arica for the third out of the inning. That allowed Arcia to score and give Wisconsin its first lead of the four series.

 

The Rattlers added a run in the bottom of the second inning. Adrian Williams dropped a safety squeeze bunt to get Max Walla home from third for a 2-0 lead.

 

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Marco Estrada was on a rehab assignment with the Timber Rattlers and cruised through the first two innings with five strikeouts and no runs allowed against the Kernels (44-28, 4-0). JD Williams cracked a homer to start the top of the third innings. But, Estrada responded to retire the next two batters on two pitches. Polanco was next and he doubled just fair off the wall in right. That started a streak of six straight hits off Estrada to moved the game from 2-1 in favor of the Timber Rattlers to a 6-2 Cedar Rapids lead.

 

Dalton Hicks followed Polanco's double with a single to tie the game 2-2. Travis Harrison doubled to drive in Hicks. Kepler doubled to drive in Harrison. Adam Brett Walker singled to drive in Kepler. A wild pitch by Estrada allowed Walker to take second base. Arias knocked Estrada out of the game with a single that sent Walker home for the final run of the inning.

 

But, it was not the final hit of the frame. Rattlers reliever Ryan Gibbard came on in relief of Estrada and gave up a hit to Williams. Then, he walked Byron Buxton to load the bases. Niko Goodrum was next and he sent a grounder towards right, but it hit Buxton for the final out of the inning. Goodrum was credited with a hit, the ninth of the inning for the Kernels, but he received no RBI on the play.

 

Wisconsin chipped away at the Kernels lead with two runs in the bottom of the third. They loaded the bases against Cedar Rapids starter Hudson Boyd on walks to Mike Garza and Adam Giacalone and a single by Max Walla. Tyler Roberts drew a bases loaded walk to force in a run. Williams got his second RBI of the game with a slow roller to third that turned into an out at first.

 

Tyrone Taylor extended his hitting streak to eight games with a double in the bottom of the fourth. Victor Roache knocked him in with a single to make the score 6-5.

 

But, the Kernels went off for six more runs in the top of the fifth inning as they sent ten more men to the plate and collected six more hits. Walker started the onslaught with a solo homer to center. Later in the inning, Buxton tripled in a run. He would score on a single by Polanco. Hicks pushed his Midwest League leading RBI total to 69 with a sacrifice fly. Then, Harrison and Kepler had RBI singles to push Cedar Rapids back out to a 12-5 lead.

 

Roache struck big in the bottom of the sixth. Arcia and Taylor singled to start the inning. Then, Roache launched a 2-0 pitch from Caleb Brewer to deep center for a three-run home run. The homer was the seventh of the season for Roache and his first since May 31. It also pulled the Rattlers to within 12-8.

 

Kepler put another run on the board for the Kernels with an RBI single in the top of the seventh.

 

Roberts started the Rattlers half of the seventh with his first home run since July 13th of last year. But, that was the last run of the day.

 

The Kernels completed their first four game sweep of the Rattlers in the Fox Cities with the win on Sunday. Cedar Rapids has won six straight over the Rattlers and is 7-1 against them in 2013.

 

The last time Wisconsin allowed 20 or more hits in a game was on May 21, 2010 when they gave up 22 to the Burlington Bees in a 16-4 loss at home.

 

Wisconsin is now 12-24 at home this season.

 

Rattlers outfielder Michael Reed went 0-for-5 and did not reach base on Sunday. His on base streak ended at 39 games, the second longest in baseball so far this year.

 

Taylor went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs on Sunday. He is 16-for-27 (.593) during his hitting streak. This just a continuation of the month that Taylor has had. He is 33-for-70 (.471) and has scored 19 runs in 19 games during June.

 

The Timber Rattlers are off on Monday. They return to action on Tuesday to start at four game series at Clinton against the LumberKings. Leonard Lorenzo (1-3, 6.52) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Clinton has Victor Sanchez (1-2, 2.63) as their scheduled starting pitcher. Game time is 7:00pm. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:40pm.

 

HOME RUNS:

CR:

JD Williams (6th, 0 on in 3rd inning off Marco Estrada, 0 out)

Adam Brett Walker (11th, 0 on in 5th inning off Ryan Gibbard, 0 out)

 

WIS:

Victor Roache (7th, 2 on in 6th inning off Caleb Brewer, 0 out)

Tyler Robers (1st, 0 on in 7th inning off Caleb Brewer, 0 out)

 

WP: Hudson Boyd (2-4)

LP: Marco Estrada (0-1)

 

TIME: 3:10

ATTN: 3,001

 

Chris just posted the highlights for now, I'm sure he'll cover Victor Roache in more detail later, and I love the quote. Watch the highlights, Roache hit a pretty good pitch for the HR and Michael Reed made a great diving catch.

We are all apprentices – Postgame post for June 23, 2013

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Chris has repeatedly talked about how good the mental break was for Victor Roache who hit the ball hard in each of his first 3 ABs. Apparently Victor went back to Cali to take in some local flava during his time off.

 

Apparently Max Walla isn't going to be facing LHP, or at least Chris mentioned that was the reason he didn't play the last 2 days. The platoon thing makes it easier to get everyone playing time in a crowded OF, but it does give me pause considering he's being given a platoon advantage in A ball.

 

Tyrone Taylor's June before his 2-4, 2B, BB day today.

 

[pre]Split G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB

April 20 84 77 10 19 3 0 2 10 4 2 3 11 .247 .275 .364 .639 28 1 0 4 0 0

May 27 117 106 14 25 10 0 1 11 8 1 7 11 .236 .289 .358 .648 38 1 1 3 0 0

June 18 80 66 17 31 7 1 2 8 2 1 8 6 .470 .544 .697 1.241 46 0 4 1 1 0[/pre]

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Generated 6/23/2013.

 

Orlando Arcia would have to get awfully hot to maintain his #1 overall on my list next time out and that is not a reflection on Arica, but on Taylor's greatness over the last 3 weeks. I initially gave the edge to Arcia because Taylor gets mixed defensive reviews, but unless Arcia ascends at the plate over the next couple of months and starts stinging the ball like he can on a consistent basis the difference in their defensive aptitude won't make up for such a wide separation in offensive production.

 

Wisconsin Recap

 

I already posted the Kernels 6 run 3rd, here's the 6 run 5th.

 

Cedar Rapids Top of the 5th

• Adam Walker homers (11) on a fly ball to center field.
  Jhonatan Arias grounds out, shortstop Orlando Arcia to first baseman Adam Giacalone.
  J. D. Williams singles on a ground ball to pitcher Ryan Gibbard.
  With Byron Buxton batting, J. D. Williams steals (13) 2nd base.
  Byron Buxton triples (10) on a line drive to center fielder Tyrone Taylor. J. D. Williams scores.
  Niko Goodrum walks.
  Jorge Polanco singles on a ground ball to second baseman Adrian Williams. Byron Buxton scores. Jorge Polanco to 2nd. Niko Goodrum advances to 3rd, on a throwing error by second baseman Adrian Williams.
  Dalton Hicks out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Michael Reed. Niko Goodrum scores.
  Travis Harrison singles on a line drive to center fielder Tyrone Taylor. Jorge Polanco scores. Travis Harrison to 2nd on the throw.
  Max Kepler singles on a ground ball to center fielder Tyrone Taylor. Travis Harrison scores.
  Adam Walker grounds out, third baseman Mike Garza to first baseman Adam Giacalone.

 

Wisconsin Gameday

[LouisEly]

Chris just mentioned that the Post Crescent writer who went to Marco Estrada's press conference told him that the hamstring started acting up again in the 3rd.

 

edit. I should add that the only velocity report from Chris was an 88 mph, and it was early, in the 1st or 2nd.

And Burgos only went one inning in his rehab start. That likely ain't good.

[battlekow]

Final: Billings 4, @Helena 2

 

Late Rally Not Enough For Helena

By Zac Vierra / Helena Brewers

 

The Helena Brewers tried to rally late, but could not climb out of a 4-0 hole as Billings picked up a sweep of the two game weekend series at Kindrick Legion Field defeating Helena, 4-2 on Sunday.

 

The Brewers trailed for the duration of the contest and their bats were limited to four hits until the final inning. With one out in the ninth and Helena trailing by four, Garrett Cooper hit a single to extend his hitting streak to four games. With Cooper on first, Jose Pena hit a deep drive to center for his second homer of the season.

 

With the score now 4-2, Billings would bring Abel De Los Santos out of the pen to try and close it out. The right-hander did his job retiring Dustin Houle on a strikeout and Clint Coulter on a fly ball to center, handing Helena its third loss of the season.

 

"You are going to have days like that where you have pitching that beats your hitting but the biggest thing we took out of this [game] was that we continued to compete. Even through the ninth inning we scored two runs and Pena came up with a big two run home run, we just fell short," said Helena manager Tony Diggs.

 

The Mustangs got on the board first in the second inning. With one out Daniel Paula hit a double to right and after a fly out, Ty Washington crushed a double over the head of centerfielder Charlie Markson allowing Paula to score. On the next pitch, Nick Benedetto lined a single up the middle, which hit the second base bag. This misdirection off the base allowed Washington to easily score Billings' second run of the game.

 

That would be the day for Helena starter Brandon Moore who allowed two runs off four hits in his professional debut.

 

"I think [Moore] tried to do a little too much. He tried to show the other team a little too many pitches instead just going right after them but he settled in and did a better job toward the end," said Diggs. "It was good to get him out there and get a start underneath his belt to get him going."

 

Billings would add to the lead in the third off Eduard Reyes. With runners on first and second with no outs, Philip Ervin hit a grounder back to Reyes who threw to the shortstop Angel Ortega to get an out at second, but Ortega's throw to first bounced in and got away from the first baseman Cooper. This allowed Jon Matthews to score giving Billings a 3-0 lead on the error.

 

The Mustangs would add a run in the top of the fourth when Paula hit a fly ball to deep center that just cleared the fence for a solo homer. Paula would finish the afternoon a triple shy of the cycle.

 

Reyes would settle down to pitch five innings in relief allowing just the two runs (one earned) on five hits. He struck out three and walked a pair.

 

"[Reyes] made a couple mistakes and they scored a couple runs off of him but other than that he did a really good job," said Diggs. "Reyes has started before so he understands the dynamics of that part of the game and he threw well."

 

Great Falls will come to town for a two game set at Kindrick Legion Field beginning on Monday night at 7:05.

 

Helena box score

Ortega had two hits, the only Brewer to reach base more than once. Houle was behind the plate (and picked a runner off second) with Coulter DHing; Houle collected the Brewers' only extra-base hit of the day, a double, and Coulter singled once in four trips. Taylor Brennan did not play, which contributed to the lineup's 1/9 BB/K; Brennan has a 5/3 mark in that category so far this season, just one walk shy of the total for the entire rest of the team...against 26 strikeouts. Cooper and Pena, despite their hot starts, own no walks between them and have fanned six and five times, respectively.

 

Helena play-by-play

[homer]

Looking forward to seeing Jose Pena again this summer. I hope he can get the bump to Appleton at some point.

[Minigoon]

Final: Jacksonville 11 Huntsville 2

 

The Stars woes continued Sunday night as the Jacksonville Suns coasted to an easy 11-2 victory. Huntsville starter Andy Moye did not have a happy homecoming as the Suns knocked him out of the game early. Moye (3-8, 4.85) lasted just 3 innings tonight, allowing 7 earned runs on 8 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4. Moye threw 72 pitches in those 3 innings, 41 for strikes. His ground out to fly out ratio was 2-2.

 

The Huntsville bullpen was asked to soak up 5 innings tonight. Dan Meadows was first out of the pen. He allowed 2 earned runs on 3 hits, 1 walk and a wild pitch. Righty Eric Marzec was next up. He also worked 2 innings, allowing 2 unearned runs on 3 hits while striking out 2. He also had a 4-0 ground out to fly out ratio and dropped his ERA to 2.03. Casey Medlen worked a clean 9th inning, striking out 2.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

The Huntsville offense remains in it's funk. Over their last 10 games, the Stars have scored a total of 20 runs. Their record in those 10 games is 3-7. Tonight, the Suns held the Stars to 2 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks. 4 different Stars each collected a hit. Kentrail Davis, Shawn Zarraga, and Hector Gomez each singled for the Stars and catcher Robinzon Diaz had a pinch hit 2 run home run in the 9th to supply the Stars only runs tonight. Davis and Joey Paciorek each drew a walk for the Stars other base runners.

 

Team RISP: 0-for-1.

Team LOB: 4.

 

Pretty much speaks for itself when talking about the Stars offensive troubles.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

 

Robinzon Diaz keeps the Stars from being shut out.

 

Huntsville Top of the 9th

 

Pitching Change: Jordan Conley replaces Edgar Olmos, batting 3rd.

Joey Paciorek walks.

Rene Tosoni flies out to right fielder Daniel Pertusati.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Robinzon Diaz replaces Casey Medlen.

Robinzon Diaz homers (3) on a fly ball to left field. Joey Paciorek scores.

Kentrail Davis walks.

Brock Kjeldgaard strikes out swinging.

Mike Walker strikes out swinging.

 

Huntsville (1-4 second half, 30-43 overall) continue on their current road trip, heading to Birmingham to take on the Barons. Game 1 of the 5 game series will be tomorrow evening, starting at 7:05. Drew Gagnon (1-1, 7.20) will be on the hill for the Stars. Make sure you tune in starting at 6:50 to catch the pre game show with Stars Radio Broadcaster Alex Cohen.

[Mass Haas]

Pre-game audio before Ben's four-hit Sunday --

 

Manatees' outfielder Ben McMahan talks about his recent hot hitting, his personal goals for the second half, and team goals