Link Report for Thurs. 6/27 -- Rookie Squads Rolling...

[battlekow]

Final: Helena 8, @Billings 5

 

Helena box score

Starter David Otterman put Helena in the hole by allowing four runs in the 3rd inning, but the Brewers outscored the Mustangs 8-1 the rest of the way. Nice job by the pen, including 27th-round lefty Tyler Alexander making his pro debut with a perfect inning of work.

 

Michael Ratterree had the big game with three hits, including a double. Clint Coulter, in the 2 slot both in the lineup and in the field, also reached three times (double, single, HBP). Garrett Cooper singled and walked.

 

Helena play-by-play

Five-run 6th to take the lead and then some:

 

Helena Top of the 6th

Taylor Brennan walks.

Michael Ratterree singles on a line drive to right fielder Jonathan Reynoso. Taylor Brennan to 2nd.

Omar Garcia out on a sacrifice bunt, first baseman Carlos Sanchez to second baseman Ty Washington. Taylor Brennan to 3rd. Michael Ratterree to 2nd.

Dionis Hinojosa singles on a ground ball to center fielder Phil Ervin. Taylor Brennan scores. Michael Ratterree to 3rd.

Renaldo Jenkins hits a sacrifice bunt. Michael Ratterree scores. Dionis Hinojosa to 2nd. Renaldo Jenkins to 1st.

With Angel Ortega batting, Dionis Hinojosa steals (1) 3rd base. Renaldo Jenkins steals (3) 2nd base.

Angel Ortega flies out to right fielder Jonathan Reynoso.

Clint Coulter doubles (3) on a fly ball to left fielder Gabriel Rosa. Dionis Hinojosa scores. Renaldo Jenkins scores.

Pitching Change: Werleen Taveras replaces Scott Brattvet.

Garrett Cooper singles on a line drive to center fielder Phil Ervin. Clint Coulter scores.

Jose Pena grounds into a force out, shortstop Humberto Valor to second baseman Ty Washington. Garrett Cooper out at 2nd.

 

Juan Santiago, who piqued our interest in his first game stateside, was wild in the 9th but got it done:

 

Billings Bottom of the 9th

Pitching Change: Juan Santiago replaces Tristan Archer.

Ty Washington singles on a line drive to center fielder Omar Garcia.

With Gabriel Rosa batting, wild pitch by Juan Santiago, Ty Washington to 2nd.

Gabriel Rosa flies out to right fielder Michael Ratterree.

Phil Ervin walks.

With Jonathan Reynoso batting, wild pitch by Juan Santiago, Ty Washington to 3rd. Phil Ervin to 2nd.

Jonathan Reynoso called out on strikes.

Carlos Sanchez pops out to shortstop Angel Ortega.

[82brewcrew11]

Rizzo is certainly tantalizing. I am really hoping for some scouting reports on the guy.

[battlekow]

We have an Edgardo Rivera sighting.

[Eye Black]

Rizzo through his first 10 innings in the AZL...

 

[pre]W L ERA G GS IP H ER HR BB SO AVG

1 0 0.00 2 1 10.0 2 0 0 0 11 .061[/pre]

[TheCrew07]

Rattlers snap losing streak with style

Wisconsin rallies in ninth and eleventh to beat Clinton 5-4

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

CLINTON, IA - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers ended their seven game losing streak with a 5-4 eleven inning win over the Clinton LumberKings Thursday night at Ashford University Field. Michael Reed drove in the go ahead run in the top of the eleventh inning, but there were enough twists and turns in the final two innings to make a writer of fiction blush.

 

Clinton (38-38 overall, 5-2 second half) took a 1-0 lead with an unearned run in the bottom of the first inning. Jabari Henry reached on an error to start the frame. He moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and third on a ground out. Janelfry Zorilla bounced a single through the center of the diamond to drive in Henry with the first run of the game.

 

Wisconsin (30-42, 1-6) tied the game in the top of the third. Alfredo Rodriguez and Tyler Roberts drew walks to lead off the inning. A one out fly ball to right by Michael Reed got Rodriguez to third. Orlando Arcia knocked in Rodriguez with a single to left-center to make it 1-1.

 

The starting pitchers didn't allow anything else. Rattlers starter Tyler Wagner pitched around two walks and six hits over six innings. He only allowed that unearned run in the first. Scott DeCecco allowed just two hits in six innings and struck out four while walking two.

 

Jordy Lara broke the 1-1 tie with a home run on the first pitch thrown by Rattlers reliever Martin Viramontes in the bottom of the seventh inning. Lara has six home runs this season and three have come against the Timber Rattlers.

 

Michael Reed singled with two outs in the top of the eighth and moved to second on a passed ball. Arcia hit a hard shot on a 3-1 pitch, but it was right at the third baseman who made a clean pick and an accurate throw to first base for the final out of the inning.

 

Clinton had a chance to add on to their lead against Viramontes in the bottom of the eighth. Dario Pizzano started the inning with a triple, but Viramontes worked around that with two strikeouts and a fly ball to right.

 

The Rattlers tied the game on the first batter of the top of the ninth, but not without controversy. Tyrone Taylor hit a high line drive on an 0-2 pitch from Richard Vargas down the left field line. The ball appeared to leave the yard in fair territory for a game tying home run. The plate umpire initially called it a foul ball, but after discussion with the base umpire the ball was ruled a fair ball and a game-tying home run.

 

Clinton manager Eddie Menchaca was ejected for arguing after the call was changed.

 

The next two Timber Rattlers struck out, but Wisconsin would load the bases on two out singles by Adam Giacalone and Alfredo Rodriguez. A walk to Tyler Roberts loaded the bases. Chris McFarland lined a single to center to score pinch runner Adrian Williams and Rodriguez for a 4-2 lead.

 

Viramontes walked the leadoff batter in the bottom of the ninth. He got the first out on a popout to short. Then, Henry sent a grounder to short. The Rattlers got the force at second, but Henry barely beat the throw to first for what would have been a game ending double play and the game continued. Ketel Marte was next and he lined a ball right back at Viramontes on the mound.

 

Viramontes could not handle the line drive cleanly, but still had time to get the out at first. He picked the ball up off the mound and tossed underhanded to first base. But, the toss was too high for Max Walla and the ball rolled to the tarp along the fence line. Henry scored all the way from first and Marte wound up on third. Dario Pizzano singled through the left side of the infield to drive in Marte with the run that sent the game to extra innings.

 

Wisconsin regained the lead in the top of the eleventh. Roberts and McFarland each singled with one out to put runners at the corners. Reed singled through the right side of the infield to drive in Roberts with the go ahead run.

 

Jono Armold, who worked through a dicey tenth inning, pitched a 1-2-3 eleventh to nail down a hard earned win for the Timber Rattlers.

 

Taylor's home run, his sixth of the season, extended his hitting streak to eleven games. That is the longest hitting streak by a Wisconsin player this season.

 

Game four of the series is set for Friday night. Jorge Lopez (3-6, 6.46) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Clinton has Tyler Pike (4-3, 2.91) as their scheduled starter. Game time is 7:00pm. Tune in on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:40pm.

 

HOME RUNS:

WIS:

Tyrone Taylor (6th, 0 on in 9th inning off Richard Vargas, 0 out)

 

CLN:

Jordy Lara (6th, 0 on in 7th inning off Martin Viramontes, 0 out)

 

WP: Jono Armold (2-1)

LP: David Holman (1-4)

 

TIME: 3:53

ATTN: 1,439

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Tyler Wagner with just 1 SO in another otherwise stellar start, the low strike out total struck me as a trend so I looked back and sure enough, he hasn't had more than 3 SOs in his last 3 outings.

 

Martin Viramontes remains one of the more interesting yet enigmatic pitchers in the system, as Chris covered in the game story his own error on an underhanded toss did him in today.

 

Johnathan Armold just continues his steady pitching.

 

Michael Reed, Tyrone Taylor, Tyler Robers, and Chris McFarland all had multi-hit games. Victor Roache had a tough game with 3 SOs.

 

 

Wisconsin Recap

 

Covered above, but the highs and lows of the 9th inning.

 

Wisconsin Top of the 9th

• Pitching Change: Richard Vargas replaces Oliver Garcia.
  Tyrone Taylor homers (6) on a fly ball to left field.
  Clinton LumberKings Manager Eddie Menchaca ejected by HP umpire Nate Tomlinson.
  Victor Roache strikes out swinging.
  Mike Garza strikes out swinging.
  Adam Giacalone singles on a ground ball to center fielder Janelfry Zorrilla.
  Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Adrian Williams replaces Adam Giacalone.
  Alfredo Rodriguez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Dario Pizzano. Adrian Williams to 2nd.
  Tyler Roberts walks. Adrian Williams to 3rd. Alfredo Rodriguez to 2nd.
  Christopher McFarland singles on a line drive to center fielder Janelfry Zorrilla. Adrian Williams scores. Alfredo Rodriguez scores. Tyler Roberts to 2nd.
  Michael Reed walks. Tyler Roberts to 3rd. Christopher McFarland to 2nd.
  Pitching Change: David Holman replaces Richard Vargas.
  Orlando Arcia flies out to right fielder Gabriel Guerrero.

 

Clinton Bottom of the 9th

• Defensive Substitution: Max Walla replaces Adrian Williams, batting 6th, playing first base.
  Gabriel Guerrero walks.
  Martin Peguero pops out to shortstop Orlando Arcia.
  Jabari Henry grounds into a force out, shortstop Orlando Arcia to second baseman Christopher McFarland. Gabriel Guerrero out at 2nd. Jabari Henry to 1st.
  Ketel Marte reaches on a throwing error by pitcher Martin Viramontes. Jabari Henry scores. Ketel Marte to 3rd.
  Dario Pizzano singles on a ground ball to shortstop Orlando Arcia. Ketel Marte scores.
  Janelfry Zorrilla pops out to second baseman Christopher McFarland.

 

 

Armold's 10th. The Clinton bench didn't like the call with Guerrero getting tossed. Since Clinton substituted the DH into RF they lost that position, had the game continued a pitcher would have actually had to bat in low A, something that doesn't happen often.

 

Clinton Bottom of the 10th

• Pitching Change: Jonathan Armold replaces Martin Viramontes.
  Taylor Ard singles on a ground ball to third baseman Alfredo Rodriguez.
  Marcus Littlewood out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Tyler Roberts to first baseman Max Walla. Taylor Ard to 2nd.
  Jonathan Armold intentionally walks Jordy Lara.
  Gabriel Guerrero grounds into a double play, second baseman Christopher McFarland to shortstop Orlando Arcia to first baseman Max Walla. Jordy Lara out at 2nd.

 

The winning rally!

 

Wisconsin Top of the 11th

• Clinton LumberKings right fielder Gabriel Guerrero ejected by 1B umpire Clint Vondrak.
  Jabari Henry remains in the game as the right fielder.
  Pitcher David Holman enters the batting order, batting 8th, right fielder Gabriel Guerrero leaves the game.
  Alfredo Rodriguez flies out to center fielder Janelfry Zorrilla.
  Tyler Roberts singles on a line drive to center fielder Janelfry Zorrilla.
  Christopher McFarland singles on a line drive to right fielder Jabari Henry. Tyler Roberts to 3rd.
  Michael Reed singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jabari Henry. Tyler Roberts scores. Christopher McFarland to 2nd.
  Orlando Arcia strikes out swinging.
  Tyrone Taylor grounds into a force out, third baseman Jordy Lara to second baseman Ketel Marte. Michael Reed out at 2nd.

[Mass Haas]

Stars Clinch 5th Straight Series Loss

By Alex Cohen / Huntsville Stars

 

One night after snapping a four-game losing streak overall, the Huntsville Stars clinched their fifth consecutive series loss with a 9-6 defeat at the hands of the Birmingham Barons on Thursday night at Regions Field.

 

After falling behind early on Wednesday afternoon, the Barons offense made sure to jump out to the initial lead against Stars starting pitcher Brooks Hall (L, 0-2).

 

Following an RBI groundout from catcher Mike Blanke in the second inning, Birmingham tacked on two runs in the third on an RBI double by outfielder Trayce Thompson and an RBI single from shortstop Tyler Saladino to take a 3-0 lead.

 

However, the Barons early lead did not last for long.

 

In the top of the fourth inning, the Huntsville offense was finally able to touch up Barons starting pitcher Spencer Arroyo. After hits by third baseman Shea Vucinich and first baseman Jason Rogers began the inning, a two-run single from designated hitter Robinzon Diaz scored both of them to make it a one-run ballgame (audio). Later in the inning, an RBI single from outfielder Rene Tosoni plated Diaz to tie things up at 3-3 (audio).

 

Unfortunately, the momentum swing for Huntsville would be short-lived. In the bottom of the inning, a two-run double from Thompson put the Barons back on top. One inning later, the Barons scored three runs off of Stars reliever Arcenio Leon to take a five-run lead. The inning was highlighted by a bloop RBI double from Barons third baseman Dan Wagner and another RBI groundout from Blanke.

 

Over the course of the rest of the night, the closest the Stars were able to get to the Barons was within three runs. In the sixth inning, an RBI single from outfielder Brock Kjeldgaard and a fielding error by the Barons allowed the Stars offense to bring the score to 8-5.

 

Then, with the score 9-5 in the ninth inning, an RBI groundout from shortstop Hector Gomez made it a three-run game again. The Stars were ultimately able to bring the tying run to the plate when Vucinich flied out to deep left-field to end the ballgame.

 

The defeat for the Stars marks their fifth consecutive series loss.

 

On Friday, the Stars and Barons will wrap up their five-game set at Regions Field. Huntsville will send RHP Andy Moye (3-8, 4.85 ERA) to the bump to try to salvage the series. Birmingham will counter with RHP Michael Nix (0-1, 7.20 ERA). First pitch is at 7:05 PM.

 

The Stars return to Joe Davis Stadium on Saturday to begin a five-game series against the Chattanooga Lookouts.

[Mass Haas]

The Nashville site game story has now been updated with five audio highlights from Jeff.

[Mass Haas]

Helena Pre-Game Audio: Brewers roving hitting instructor Sandy Guerrero talks about teaching players in rookie ball

[Mass Haas]

Final: @AZL Brewers 5, AZL Rangers 4

 

AZL Brewers Box Score

 

The A-Crew jumps over .500 at 4-3 with this win. After the Texas kiddos plated a 7th inning run to tie the game at 3-3, soon-to-be 19-year-old Dominican RF Elvis Rubio struck a big two-out, two-run single to extend the lead to 5-2, and the young Brewers hung on for the win. Although it was Rubio's only hit (1-for-4), he sports a 1.191 OPS after his first week stateside.

 

As Sessile noted earlier, 2012 8th round CF Edgardo Rivero made his 2013 debut. The 19-year-old Puerto Rico native played the first four innings before exiting.

 

A Maryvale game can't be noted without another Francisco Castillo mention. The just-turned 20-year-old Dominican switch-hitting product singled twice, and now has multi-hit games in six of his seven-starts, including his four-hit U.S. debut game. Castillo was thrown out on a stolen base attempt for the first time in four 2013 attempts.

 

On the surface, cleanup hitter 1B David Denson's .250 average (3-for-12) in his first five games seems pedestrian. But mix in seven walks and Thursday's HBP (and 2nd HR on the season), which lifted his line to .250/.524/.750 (1.274 OPS). Fantastic to see the plate discipline thus far from the lefty bat. This young man won't turn 18 until November.

 

Tucker Neuhaus, playing 3B in this one, catcher Paul Eshleman, 1B Alan Sharkey (DH'ing here) and SS Luis Aviles, all reached base twice - nice.

 

LaCrosse native and University of Minnesota product Drew Ghelfi made his 2nd pro appearance (first start), two earned runs in three innings. Two other 22-year-olds like Ghelfi, undrafted free agents Sean Wardour and Scott Harkin, combined to walk three over the final three frames, but Harkin netted the save, stranding two with a K for the final out.

 

AZL Brewers Game Log

 

 

AZL Rangers Top of the 4th

 

Pitching Change: Gian Rizzo replaces Drew Ghelfi.

Jose Gonzalez grounds out, second baseman Francisco Castillo to first baseman David Denson.

Chuck Moorman strikes out swinging.

Smerling Lantigua strikes out swinging.

 

AZL Rangers Top of the 5th

 

Defensive Substitution: Eric Williams replaces center fielder Edgardo Rivera, batting 1st, playing center field.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa flies out to left fielder Yonki Hernandez.

Carlos Garay reaches on a fielding error by right fielder Elvis Rubio.

Diego Cedeno called out on strikes.

Todd McDonald grounds into a force out, second baseman Francisco Castillo to shortstop Luis Aviles. Carlos Garay out at 2nd.

 

AZL Rangers Top of the 6th

 

Luis Mendez grounds out, second baseman Francisco Castillo to first baseman David Denson.

Travis Demeritte flies out to center fielder Eric Williams.

Jose Gonzalez grounds out, shortstop Luis Aviles to first baseman David Denson.

 

[Mass Haas]

Tons of insights via Chris Mehring in his Rattler Radio Blog post-game synopsis.

 

There's a reason Rattler Radio Blog is one of the very most popular in the MLB/MiLB blogosphere -- a small part of it may be the extra clicks we net for Chris here, but the majority of the reason is that it's just fantastically informative and entertaining.

[Mass Haas]

Still no info on the DSL Brewers game, check in later today...

[Mass Haas]

Brewers beat Mustangs twice, take over first place

By MIKE SCHERTING, Billings Gazette

 

The Helena Brewers played 12 innings with the Billings Mustangs and picked up two wins on a night that the Pioneer League's top-ranked pitching staff had enough troubles to go around.

 

The first win took just three innings when the Brewers won 7-3 as the teams picked up the previous night’s suspended game with one out in the top of the ninth and a tie score. Then the Mustangs couldn’t hold a four-run lead as the Brewers won the follow-up regularly scheduled game, 8-5.

 

“The second game two big innings really hurt us,” Mustangs manager Pat Kelly said. “Defensively, we hurt ourselves. Just didn’t make the routine play a couple times and it led to a crooked number rather than trying to minimize the damage and getting out of there with only one” run.

 

Billings pitchers entered the day with a collective league-best 2.19 ERA, and a big reason the team was off to a 4-1 start. But Mo Wiley (0-1) gave up four runs in the top of the 11th of the suspended game and starter Luke Moran and reliever Scott Brattvet (0-1) couldn’t hold on to a 4-0 lead in the second game.

 

Though relievers Werleen Taveras, Nick Fleece and Austin Salter closed the night with 3 1/3 shutout innings, the Mustangs’ ERA rose to 3.46.

 

That still leads the league, one week into the season.

 

Moran was cruising through 3 2/3 before the Brewers figured him out, putting up three runs in the top of the fourth to pull within 4-3.

 

Though the Mustangs maintained their lead at that point, the momentum had seemed to shift, and two innings later the Brewers scored five runs off Brattvet and went on to their second win of the evening.

 

“We let them climb back in with three runs, all with two outs and that changes the whole complexion of the game,” Kelly said. “You preach all the time about shutdown innings. Your team scores a crooked number, you’ve got to shut them down. Unfortunately they got a couple two-out hits to score some runs.

 

“Our pitching’s been good. Today, unfortunately, some balls found some holes and, like I said, we didn’t make some routine plays for them.”

 

Game rewind

 

-- Jalen Harris had the big blow for Helena in the first game, sending a Wiley pitch deep to center field for a bases-clearing triple in the top of the 11th. Ryan Fasano (2-1) threw all three innings for Helena.

 

-- The Mustangs jumped on Helena starter David Otterman with a four-run third inning in the second game. Jonathan Reynoso and Carlos Sanchez had RBIs, and Humberto Valor had a two-run single in the inning.

 

-- Reynoso and Sanchez represented the tying runs in the bottom of the ninth, but with runners on second and third and one out, Juan Santiago struck out Reynoso and got Sanchez to pop up to end the game. It was Santiago’s second save of the season.

 

Notes: The teams close their three-game series tonight at Dehler Park. RHP Jose Guzman (1-0, 0.00) goes for Billings against Helena RHP Brandon Moore (0-1, 9.00). ... ... By winning the suspended game, the Brewers had their first three-game winning streak in two years. They did not win three in a row all of last season.

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO - 'Superman' Catch No. 2 by Jared Mitchell, both vs. Huntsville

 

Impressive...

[LouisEly]

[sarcasm]Alright, who had Josh Prince with only seven home runs before the end of June?[/sarcasm]

[brewmann04]

It nice to see the Rookie levels getting off to a good start something Positive.

[Mass Haas]

No Box Score/Game Log for the DSL game yet. I'll get it in the morning or whenever it becomes available.

 

Turns out the game was postponed. Pretty good chance they will play two at the Blue Jays complex today.