Link Report for Mon. 7/8 -- Stars Sweep as Goforth Shines, Manatees and Haniger Walkoff, & Elvis Leaves the Building (Twice)

[TheCrew07]

Cubs' RHP Matt Loosen

 

D-Cubs' Loosen no-hits Blue Jays

[TheCrew07]

Cubs' 2B Logan Watkins.

 

PCL notes: Watkins quick to shed label

[TheCrew07]

Pirates' relief prospect Vic Black.

 

IL notes: Bullpen suits Indians' Black

[TheCrew07]

Cards' C prospect Audry Perez and SS prospect Cesar Valera the divisional mentions this week.

 

Offensive Players of the Week

[TheCrew07]

Recent demoted Tyler Lyons of the Cards and as MH noted earlier our own Andy Moye.

 

Pitchers of the Week

[Eye Black]

Still no sign of Jed Bradley among the 'Tees projected starters for the week...

 

[pre]Date Opp. Manatees Starter

7/9 CLR RHP Tyler Cravy (1-1, 3.34 ERA)

7/10 CLR RHP Damien Magnifico (0-1, 7.11 ERA)

7/11 CLR RHP Cody Scarpetta (0-3, 5.59 ERA)

7/12 @PMB RHP Chad Pierce (4-3, 3.53 ERA)[/pre]

[Minigoon]

Final: Huntsville 6 Tennessee 3 (8 innings) (Game 2)

 

What started off as a pitchers duel got wild in the 7th and 8th as the Stars won a hard fought victory, sweeping their double header with the Tennessee Smokies Monday evening. a 1-1 tie going into the top of he 7th, the Stars scored 2 to take a 3-1 lead, only to see the Smokies come back and score 2 in the bottom of the 7th. The Smokies nearly won the game in the bottom of the 7th, but Kentrail Davis gunned down a runner at the plate to send it into extra innings. The Stars then scored 3 times in the top of the 8th and hung on to win the game, and in the process, the series with Tennessee.

 

Righty Brooks Hall started the game for the Stars. Hall, making his 5th AA start, pitched 4 shutout innings for Huntsville. He gave up only 2 hits and didn't walk a batter while striking out 1. Hall threw 50 pitches, 36 for strikes and had a 4-2 GO/FO ratio. Kevin Shackelford was in line for his first AA win tonight. He came on to pitch after Hall exited. Shackelford worked 2 innings, allowing a run on 1 hit while striking out 2.

 

Casey Medlen was brought on for the save in the bottom of the 7th. Medlen, who had only been scored on in 1 of his last 11 outings, struggled from the start. He fell behind the first batter he faced 3-0 before working back into the count, but surrendered a home run to Justin Bour. The Smokies tacked on another run to tie it thanks to the speed of Rubi Silva and a throwing error from catcher Joey Paciorek. After a walk and another error, the Smokies had runners on first and third with only 1 out. Pinch hitter Nate Samson hit a fly ball to left. Kentrail Davis caught it and turned it into a double play, getting the runner at the plate to put the game into extra innings. At the end of the inning, Medlen was tossed for arguing with the home plate umpire. He didn't get to see the Stars score 3 times in the top of the 8th, giving Medlen (2-3, 4.37) the win. Right hander Greg Holle came on to pitch a scoreless bottom of the 8th to record his 7th save on the season.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

Center fielder Chadwin Stang led the Stars offensively. Stang went 4-5 with 2 RBI's and a run scored. Stang drove in the go ahead run in the top of the 7th with 2 outs and an insurance run in the top of the 8th with 2 outs. Jason Rogers had a strong game, going 3-4 with a double, a run scored, and an RBI, his team leading 53rd RBI on the season. The 53 RBI's are good enough for 2nd in the Southern League. The Stars also got 2 hit performances from Shea Vucinich and Joey Paciorek with Paciorek adding an RBI and also drawing a walk. Nick Shaw recorded the other hit for the Stars. Besides Paciorek, Mike Walker drew the only other walk for the Stars.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

 

A pretty quiet game got noisy in a hurry, starting in the 7th.

 

Huntsville Top of the 7th

 

Shea Vucinich hits a ground-rule double (7) on a fly ball to left field.

Mike Walker strikes out swinging.

Joey Paciorek singles on a ground ball to shortstop Javier Baez. Shea Vucinich to 3rd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Hector Gomez replaces Kevin Shackelford.

Hector Gomez called out on strikes.

Chadwin Stang singles on a ground ball to right fielder Rubi Silva. Shea Vucinich scores. Joey Paciorek to 2nd.

Nick Shaw reaches on a throwing error by shortstop Javier Baez. Joey Paciorek scores. Chadwin Stang to 3rd.

Kentrail Davis flies out to left fielder John Andreoli.

 

Tennessee Bottom of the 7th

 

Pitching Change: Casey Medlen replaces Kevin Shackelford, batting 9th, replacing Hector Gomez.

Justin Bour homers (8) on a fly ball to right field.

Christian Villanueva strikes out swinging.

Rubi Silva singles on a ground ball to center fielder Chadwin Stang.

With John Andreoli batting, Rubi Silva steals (9) 2nd base.

With John Andreoli batting, Rubi Silva steals (10) 3rd base, Rubi Silva scores. Throwing error by catcher Joey Paciorek.

John Andreoli walks.

Chad Noble reaches on a throwing error by third baseman Mike Walker. John Andreoli to 3rd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Nate Samson replaces Hunter Cervenka.

Nate Samson flies into a double play, left fielder Kentrail Davis to catcher Joey Paciorek. John Andreoli out at home

 

Huntsville Top of the 8th

 

Pitching Change: Frank Batista replaces Hunter Cervenka, batting 9th, replacing Nate Samson.

Huntsville Stars pitcher Casey Medlen ejected by HP umpire Jeremy Riggs.

Jason Rogers doubles (17) on a line drive to left fielder John Andreoli.

Rene Tosoni hits a sacrifice bunt. Jason Rogers to 3rd. Rene Tosoni to 1st.

Shea Vucinich grounds out, shortstop Javier Baez to first baseman Justin Bour. Rene Tosoni to 2nd.

Frank Batista intentionally walks Mike Walker.

Joey Paciorek walks. Jason Rogers scores. Rene Tosoni to 3rd. Mike Walker to 2nd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Adam Weisenburger replaces Casey Medlen.

Adam Weisenburger out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Rubi Silva. Rene Tosoni scores. Mike Walker to 3rd.

Chadwin Stang singles on a ground ball to left fielder John Andreoli. Mike Walker scores. Joey Paciorek to 2nd.

Nick Shaw pops out to shortstop Javier Baez.

 

And Greg Holle shuts the door.

 

Tennessee Bottom of the 8th

 

Pitching Change: Greg Holle replaces Casey Medlen, batting 8th.

Adam Weisenburger remains in the game as the catcher.

Matt Szczur called out on strikes.

Arismendy Alcantara grounds out, shortstop Nick Shaw to first baseman Jason Rogers.

Javier Baez strikes out swinging.

 

So with the double header sweep, Huntsville (8-12 2nd half, 37-51 overall) wins the series against Tennessee. The Stars have tomorrow off before returning to action Wednesday night at The Joe. They will begin a 5 game series against the Birmingham Barons. Righty Drew Gagnon should be on the mound for Huntsville. Game 1 will begin at 6:43 Central. Stars Radio Broadcaster Alex Cohen will be on the air starting at 6:28 with the pregame show. See you then!

[TheCrew07]

Rattlers come back to bite Bees

Wisconsin spots Burlington a 6-2 lead, rallies for 8-6 victory

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

BURLINGTON, IA - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers fell behind the Burlington Bees early on Monday night at Community Field. But, the Rattlers used three home runs and perfect relief from Taylor Mangum to rally for an 8-6 victory.

 

Burlington (31-52 overall, 5-13 second half) scored three runs on four hits in the first inning to grab the lead. Kevin Moesquit and Anthony Bemboom both singled to start the inning. Andrew Ray followed with a double to left to score Moesquit and put Bemboom on third. Wade Hinkle was next. His grounder to second drove in Bemboom and sent Ray to third. Rattlers starting pitcher Jorge Lopez got a strikeout for the second out, but a single by Chance Ross with two outs scored Ray for a 3-0 lead.

 

The Bees tacked on a run in the bottom of the second inning. Garrett Cannizaro doubled to start the inning, but he was still at second with two outs. However, Moesquit singled to left with two outs and Cannizaro scored for a 4-0 Burlington lead.

 

Wisconsin (36-47, 7-11) took advantage of an error in the top of the third inning to get on the scoreboard in the top of the third. Michael Reed reached on the two-out miscue to get on base and Tyrone Taylor was next. The Rattlers centerfielder lined a homer to deep left. The two-run shot was the eighth of the season for Taylor and cut the Bees lead to two runs.

 

But, Burlington responded with two runs in the bottom of the third. Lopez walked the first two batters, but made a nice play on an attempted sacrifice bunt to get the force play at third. But, Lopez would throw a wild pitch with Ross at the plate to move both runners into scoring position. Ross singled in both runners on the next pitch and the Bees were back up by four runs.

 

The Rattlers had several answers for those runs by the Bees. Mike Garza led off the top of the fourth with a single. Parker Berberet smashed the next pitch over the wall in left for a two-run home run. In the fifth, Victor Roache stepped to the plate with one out and an 0-2 pitch due. Roache sent a towering drive to left for his eighth home run of the season to pull the Rattlers to within a run.

 

Wisconsin took the lead in the top of the sixth. Chris McFarland doubled to start the frame. Adam Giacalone pulled a grounder to the right side of the infield to move McFarland to third. There were two outs with McFarland still on third when Alfredo Rodriguez took his turn. Rodriguez sent a grounder to deep short. The ball was bobbled and McFarland scored on the error to tie the game as Rodriguez wound up on first base.

 

Reed was next and he ran the count to 3-1. Rodriguez took off on the next pitch to Reed, who lined the ball to the gap in left-center. Rodriguez scored easily as Reed dove into third ahead of the throw for his ninth triple of the season. That hit gave the Rattlers a 7-6 lead.

 

Wisconsin picked up a little insurance in the top of the eighth. Adrian Williams singled and was sacrificed to second by Rodriguez. Reed's bloop single to right got Williams to third. Taylor surprised the Bees by pushing a bunt single up the first base line to get Williams home for an 8-6 lead.

 

Not that Taylor Mangum needed any insurance. The Timber Rattlers reliever took over for Lopez in the bottom of the fifth inning and proceeded to retire all fifteen batters he faced in the game. Mangum earned his second win of the season and struck out five.

 

The Timber Rattlers are off on Tuesday. They return to action on Wednesday with game one of a six-game homestand at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

 

The opponents on Wednesday are the Fort Wayne TinCaps, Wisconsin's foe from the 2012 Midwest League Championship Series. Preston Gainey (3-5, 6.46) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Fort Wayne will send Zach Eflin (4-5, 3.30) to the mound. Game time on Wednesday is 7:05pm.

 

Wednesday is a Bang for Your Buck Night with WIXX. That means $1 Cher-Make hot dogs, $1 Pepsi Products, and $1 Miller Beers! It's Red Smith Night, too. Come out to see the scholarship winners from the Red Smith Banquet in a pregame presentation. Plus, the first 500 fans to attend the game will receive BamBams from Cars.com.

 

If you can't make it out to the game on Wednesday, Time Warner Cable SportsChannel will have the television broadcast beginning at 7:00pm. You may also tune in for the radio broadcast on AM1280, WNAM on timberrattlers.com, or through IHeartRadio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:45pm. Subscribers to MiLB.TV may catch the action, too.

 

HOME RUNS:

WIS:

Tyrone Taylor (8th, 1 on in 3rd inning off Ryan Crowley, 2 out)

Parker Berberet (4th, 1 on in 4th inning off Ryan Crowley, 0 out)

Victor Roache (8th, 0 on in 5th inning off Ryan Crowley, 1 out)

 

WP: Taylor Mangum (2-4)

LP: Alex Blackford (0-1)

 

TIME: 2:35

ATTN: 872

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Taylor Mangum was fantastic, in case you missed it above his final line was 5IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, and 5K, yes he was perfect.

 

Orlando Arcia has begun taking batting practice, he is not taking ground balls yet, expect to see him on the upcoming homestand if he progresses as he should.

 

Tyrone Taylor was 0 for his last 9 coming into the AB with the HR, he's been up and down on the road trip but comes back home with a .300 AVE. His OPS of .822 coming into today's game wasn't exceedingly impressive but considering where he was coming into June it actually is, his OPS jumped 180 points in month.

 

Even though Victor Roache has hit in 7 of his last 10 games his BA still isn't all that impressive, it's just above .200 during that stretch with only 2 XBH. However he certainly has the ability to crush the ball, he doesn't hit majestic shots, they are line drive bombs that go forever.

 

Michael Reed, Taylor, Parker Berberet, Chris McFarland, and Adrian Williams all had multi-hit games.

 

Wisconsin Recap

 

Mangum's night, just awesome!

 

Burlington Bottom of the 5th

• Pitching Change: Taylor Mangum replaces Jorge Lopez.
  Andrew Ray grounds out, third baseman Alfredo Rodriguez to first baseman Adam Giacalone.
  Wade Hinkle grounds out, second baseman Christopher McFarland to first baseman Adam Giacalone.
  Exicardo Cayones strikes out swinging.

 

Burlington Bottom of the 6th

• Chance Ross grounds out, shortstop Adrian Williams to first baseman Adam Giacalone.
  Garrett Cannizaro pops out to shortstop Adrian Williams.
  Chevy Clarke grounds out, second baseman Christopher McFarland to first baseman Adam Giacalone.

 

Burlington Bottom of the 7th

• Wendell Soto pops out to shortstop Adrian Williams in foul territory.
  Kevin Moesquit strikes out swinging.
  Anthony Bemboom flies out to center fielder Tyrone Taylor.

 

Burlington Bottom of the 8th

• Andrew Ray strikes out swinging.
  Wade Hinkle strikes out swinging.
  Exicardo Cayones grounds out, shortstop Adrian Williams to first baseman Adam Giacalone.

 

Burlington Bottom of the 9th

• Chance Ross flies out to center fielder Tyrone Taylor.
  Garrett Cannizaro grounds out, shortstop Adrian Williams to first baseman Adam Giacalone.
  Chevy Clarke strikes out swinging.
  

[TooLiveBrew]

Sounds in a rain delay in the bottom of the 5th. I won't be able to wait up for this one. If anyone wants to take the reins for Nashville tonight, be my guest.

[Eye Black]

Final: Brevard County 4, Tampa 3

 

'Tees snap four-game skid with seventh walk-off win

Brevard County tops Tampa on Haniger's game-winning double

By Andy Towne / Brevard County Manatees

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/8/4/0/49621840/cuts/Haniger_5.31_cgq4oszn_flud46mw.JPG

Manatees right fielder Mitch Haniger, seen here in a game from earlier this season, went 2-for-5 with two doubles, including the game-winner, in Brevard County's 4-3 walk-off win over the Tampa Yankees on Monday night at Space Coast Stadium in Viera. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

 

AUDIO: Game Highlights

 

VIERA, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees' first lead of the game came at the best possible time, with Mitch Haniger's walk-off double propelling them to a 4-3 win over the Tampa Yankees on Monday night at Space Coast Stadium.

 

The win snapped a four-game losing streak for Brevard County (9-8 second half, 46-38 overall) and also prevented the 'Tees from being swept in a series for just the second time this season.

 

Of the Manatees' 28 home wins, seven have come via walk-offs. T.J. Mittelstaedt has either scored the winning run or provided the final hit in five of those. Monday was no different, after Mittelstaedt reached on a one-out single in the ninth. He was able to score the winning run all the way from first when Mitch Haniger laced a two-out double to the left field corner that fell right at the base of the wall.

 

Until the bottom of the eighth inning, the 'Tees trailed Tampa (7-7, 35-47) the entire way through. A trio of two-out singles from Cameron Garfield, Greg Hopkins and Ben McMahan put the tying run across the plate.

 

Tampa jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning as Taylor Dugas led off the inning by drawing a walk. Ben Gamel then singled and after a fielder's choice put runners at the corners with one out, Gary Sanchez cleared the bases with a two-run double.

 

Brevard County was able to cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the third. Ben McMahan led off with a double, the first of his two hits, and then advanced to third on the first of Bryan Mitchell's two wild pitches in the inning. Four batters later, McMahan was finally able to cross the plate as Yadiel Rivera's sacrifice fly put the Manatees on the board to make it a 2-1 ballgame.

 

Not backing down, the Yankees once again pushed the lead to two runs in the fourth with Saxon Butler's leadoff double, a bunt by Jose Toussen and a sacrifice fly by Dugas.

 

Brevard County starting pitcher Jacob Barnes (6-2, 3.49 ERA) was able to make it through seven innings with just three runs allowed for his third quality start of the season. He worked around a career-high nine hits and struck out five opponents in the no-decision.

 

Yankees' starter Bryan Mitchell also did not factor into the decision as he left the game after 6.2 frames with runners on first and second. He was charged with the first two Brevard County runs, which they put together with a total of six hits and four walks. Mitchell fanned just three batters.

 

The Manatees battled back with a run in the sixth to keep it close. Back-to-back one-out doubles from Haniger and Nick Ramirez cut Tampa's lead to 3-2 and set up the late inning heroics. Brevard County banged out 11 hits, including four doubles on the night. Haniger, Garfield, Hopkins and McMahan each had two hits.

 

Earning the win in just his second appearance for the 'Tees was southpaw Brent Leach, who threw two perfect innings with a pair of strikeouts out of the bullpen.

 

Brevard County will open a three-game series with the Clearwater Threshers at Space Coast Stadium starting on Tuesday with first pitch set for 6:35 p.m.

 

Tyler Cravy (1-1, 3.34) will make just his second start for the Manatees after four innings of one-run ball in his only other start of the season, which ironically enough was against the Threshers, back on June 27. He also held Daytona to just one hit through four frames out of the bullpen this past Friday night.

 

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Some good performances tonight from Manatees hitters, including 4 players with multiple hits (no 3B or HR's however):

 

BC Hitters

[pre]

Player Name AB R H 2B RBI BB SO AVG

Mittelstaedt 3 1 1 0 0 2 0 .221

Yadiel Rivera 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 .250

Mitch Haniger 5 1 2 2 1 0 0 .253

Nick Ramirez 4 0 1 1 1 0 2 .239

Cam Garfield 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 .261

Greg Hopkins 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 .241

Ben McMahan 3 1 2 1 1 1 0 .270

Brandon Macias 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .221

D. Richardson 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .200[/pre]

BC Pitchers

[pre]

Player Name IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA

Jacob Barnes 7.0 9 3 3 1 5 0 3.49

Brent Leach 2.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0.00[/pre]

 

Brevard County Play-by-Play

 

With the game tied at 3-3 in the 9th, Mitch Haniger put an end to the 4 game losing streak:

 

Brevard County Bottom of the 9th

• -D' Vontrey Richardson called out on strikes.
  -T. J. Mittelstaedt singles on a line drive to left fielder Ben Gamel.
  -Yadiel Rivera flies out to right fielder Yeral Sanchez.
  -Mitch Haniger doubles (13) on a fly ball to left fielder Ben Gamel. T. J. Mittelstaedt scores.

[TheCrew07]

It would be nice if Mitch Haniger would get hot.

[TheCrew07]

Final: Albuquerque 6, Nashville 5 (5 innings)

 

Sounds Lose Rain-Shortened Series Opener In Albuquerque

Nashville Blasts Three Homers In Defeat

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/0/0/2/52838002/cuts/statia_red_g09pei14_atckd457.jpg

(Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds)

 

 

 

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Nashville Sounds suffered a rain-shortened one-run loss to Albuquerque on Monday evening, falling 6-5 in five innings at Isotopes Park in the opener of a three-game series.

 

AUDIO: Hainley Statia Go-Ahead Two-Run HR

AUDIO: Caleb Gindl Goes Back-To-Back

AUDIO: Josh Prince Solo HR

AUDIO: Caleb Gindl Game-Tying RBI Single

 

The defeat, Nashville's fourth in a row, was the Sounds' league-leading 18th one-run loss of the year.

 

The Sounds swatted a trio of home runs in the top of the third inning against Jonathan Sanchez to take an early 4-0 lead.

 

After pitcher Jimmy Nelson led off by drawing a four-pitch walk from his counterpart before scoring on Hainley Statia's one-out homer to left, the utilityman's third longball in the last four games following a stretch of 600+ homerless at-bats. Caleb Gindl (2-for-3) went back-to-back with Statia by drilling a solo shot to left, his 10th big fly of the year and Nashville's fourth set of consecutive roundtrippers. Later in the frame, Josh Prince (2-for-2) got into the act by mashing a 400-foot solo shot to left-center. The outfielder's eighth homer of the year upped the Sounds' advantage to 4-0.

 

Albuquerque responded immediately against Nelson, batting around and plating five runs in the home half of the third to pull ahead, 5-4.

 

With the bases jammed following two singles and walk, Nelson hit Ian Stewart with a pitch to force home John Baker. The right-hander then issued a run-scoring walk to Alex Castellanos to reduce the lead to 4-2. Nick Buss followed with a game-tying bloop single to center that evened the score at 4-4. Brian Barden followed with a grounder that plated Castellanos with the go-ahead run.

 

Scooter Gennett extended his season-best hitting streak to 13 games with a leadoff double in the fifth. He is batting .388 (19-for-49) since rejoining the Sounds from Milwaukee. After advancing to third on a groundout, he tied the game at 5-5 when he scored on Gindl's RBI single to right that came on a 3-2 offering from Sanchez.

 

For the second time on the night, Albuquerque answered a Sounds rally with one of its own in the bottom of an inning, pulling back ahead with a run against Nelson in the home half of the sixth.

 

With runners on the corners with one out following a pair of walks followed by a flyout, Buss shot an RBI single to right to give the 'Topes a 6-5 lead.

 

Immediately following the conclusion of the fifth inning, which was played in the rain, the tarp was placed onto the field and the game was called following a 58-minute delay.

 

Nelson (1-3) took the loss for the Sounds after allowing six runs in his five innings of work. He was credited with a complete game in the rain-shortened affair. Sanchez (2-0) got the win for Albuquerque.

 

The teams continue the series with another 8:05 p.m. CT contest on Tuesday. Left-hander Chris Narveson (2-4, 5.35), who twirled eight scoreless frames in his last outing, will man the bump for the Sounds to face Albuquerque right-hander Matt Palmer (4-3, 4.10).

 

Nashville Boxscore

Jimmy Nelson didn't have it today, but a what an offensive performance, and without Hunter Morris who has been so-so from an BA standpoint since his insane hot streak earlier this summer.

 

I admit I have a hard time taking Josh Prince seriously as a prospect, but hit relative power surge late in his MiLB career is at least encouraging, he could maybe make a good utility guy.

 

Nashville Recap

 

Very busy if you are so inclined, only 3 1-2-3 half innings in the contest.

 

Nashville Gameday

[The Boss]

Elvis Rubio left the building twice tonight! Not sure what to make of a guy like him. I wish it was easier to get information about some of our international signings. He struggled in his 300 DSL at bats, but had a nice BB rate. In his first twelve games stateside he has absolutely dominated and is leading the league in OPS and slugging.

 

I tried looking back for a scouting report, but couldn't come up with much. Could someone point me in the direction of one if such information exists? Looks like he is a big kid 6' 3'' 210lbs. Hopefully we will see his power develop.

 

It is nice to see some of our international signings develop and have success stateside. There are some intriguing bats in Jose Pena, Rubio, and of course Arcia. A couple pitchers have hard success too. Of course Gian Rizzo is interesting, do we still not know what he throws? The other player that i have never heard anyone mention is Eduard Reyes. He has topped 9k/9 every year, but I know almost nothing about him.

 

Hopefully the Brewers will continue to invest in this avenue that they neglected for so long. It is fun watching these guys grow and I am hoping a year from now we will have a handful of DSL graduates sprinkled in the power 50 as we learn more about them.

[Mass Haas]

Maryvale OF Elvis Rubio was the DH Monday, his night:

 

AZL Brewers Top of the 1st

 

Elvis Rubio singles on a line drive to center fielder Matt McPhearson. Brandon Diaz scores. Elvis Rubio to 2nd.

 

AZL Brewers Top of the 3rd -- Seven run inning!

 

Elvis Rubio homers (3) on a fly ball to left field. Eric Williams scores.

Elvis Rubio hit by pitch. Eric Williams to 2nd.

 

AZL Brewers Top of the 5th

 

Elvis Rubio hit by pitch.

 

AZL Brewers Top of the 7th

 

Elvis Rubio homers (4) on a fly ball to left field. Yonki Hernandez scores.

 

AZL Brewers Top of the 8th

 

Elvis Rubio flies out to right fielder Dane McFarland.

 

***

 

The A-Crew rolled to a much-needed 14-3 win, more details will follow shortly.

[Mass Haas]

That's already six HBP's for Rubio in 12 games in 2013. Rubio had eight HBP's in each of his two DSL seasons, a total of 16 in 96 games, so it's part of his skill set. What's the elbow armor situation in Maryvale?

[Mass Haas]

Final: AZL Brewers 14, @AZL Diamondbacks 3

The non-Elvis Rubio portion

 

AZL Brewers Box Score

 

Wow, was this needed! Excellent pitching, perfect defense, and an overdue offensive outburst!

 

5th round RHP Josh Uhen out of UW-Milwaukee, and two non-drafted free agents, LHP Chris Matulis out of LSU and RHP Sean Wardour of Cal State-Dominguez Hills, were all effective, as you'll note in their lines. No shame in the "non-drafted" status, just look at what Taylor Mangum is doing in Wisconsin.

 

The A-Crew stranded 12, yet were also 7-for-16 with RISP. 18 base hits included 15 singles, but were welcome. Somehow 2B Francisco Castillo did not score nor drive in a run, despite a 4-for-6 day. He did eliminate himself once with a caught stealing, now just 3-for-6 in that department. Castillo is tied for the Arizona League lead in base hits. 18-year-old Florida high school draft pick Brandon Diaz doubled, singled, walked, and drove in three to continue a solid spring.

 

Youngsters who had previously struggled or had seen very limited playing time filled the numbers at the bottom of the order, please review the box score. Eric Williams and Tucker Neuhaus left the game when the lead was large, allowing for Yonki Hernandez and Joe Andrade to join the fun. Williams, the Texas high schooler, continues to contribute regularly. Neuhaus was 0-for-4 (in four innings), but if you heard Doug Melvin on the Brewers broadcast last night, you know these newbies are just focused on learning to play every day, and any real adjustments will come during instructionals. That's fairly generic (surely Neuhaus is receiving some instruction), and balls in play should start falling for him soon.

 

Arizona Game Log

Bon appetit!

[Mass Haas]

Quite the family night for yours truly last night, hosting the Mrs.' family up from Florida -- got up early to watch the amazing DVR'd Brewers game (wow!), and wanted to get in the Maryvale details.

 

Looks like our Link Reporters did their usual awesome job, haven't reviewed in full and followed up with the post-game and next morning links yet, will do so by mid-morning, at which point we'll send out our daily reminder tweet.

 

As always, thanks for reading along...

[TooLiveBrew]

Thanks for picking me up on the Nashville game, TC07

[TheCrew07]

Chris had internet issue on the bus last night, here's the post game with the usual assortment of goodies covering the HRs, Taylor Mangum, Jorge Lopez, and some defensive gems.

 

In our power – Postgame post for July 8, 2013

[Mass Haas]

Goforth tosses gem for Huntsville

Milwaukee right-hander throws first complete-game shutout

By Robert Emrich / MiLB.com

 

David Goforth learned a valuable lesson in his first Southern League start: Throw strike one. That lesson proved crucial on Monday.

 

The right-handed Brewers prospect allowed two hits over seven innings to notch the first complete-game shutout of his career as Double-A Huntsville blanked Tennessee, 2-0, in the opener of their doubleheader.

 

Goforth fanned four and gave up one walk while throwing 53 of his 83 pitches for strikes. He allowed just one runner, Jonathan Mota, to reach second base, in the sixth inning.

 

"I was just able to get ahead of guys and pretty much just work with my fastball all night," the 24-year-old said. "My secondary pitches weren't as sharp as they have been in the past. I was able to show some breaking pitches, it wasn't like I didn't have any feel for a breaking pitch. I feel like the best pitch in baseball is a well-located fastball."

 

Goforth (2-1) was promoted to Double-A on June 25. In that first start against Birmingham, he allowed six runs on six hits and walked four over 2 2/3 innings. Despite the disheartening numbers, Goforth learned something that day.

 

"I was behind guys that whole start," he said. "At any level, doesn't matter if it's Double-A or Rookie ball, if you get behind guys, these guys are professional hitters. They are going to get hits and hit the ball hard. That was the biggest thing, not getting behind guys and putting the hitters in good counts to make contact.

 

"The one major difference that I realized guys don't chase many pitches out of the zone. They will if you get ahead, but the main thing is making your pitches look like a strike out of your hand. If you can get ahead of guys, it's pretty much the same. That was biggest thing I had to get used to."

 

The Mississippi native went 7-5 with a 3.10 ERA in 14 Florida State League starts for Class A Advanced Brevard County. Since joining the Stars, he is 2-1 with a 4.60 ERA.

 

Mike Walker's two-run double in the fourth inning accounted for the Stars offense. Walker finished with three of the club's five hits.

 

Kyle Hendricks fell to 8-3 after allowing two runs on two hits and striking out five over five innings for the Smokies.

[Mass Haas]

Stars Cruise Past Smokies in Doubleheader

By Matthew Raines / MILB.com

 

Kodak, TN. - The Huntsville Stars might finally be hitting their stride. Pitching performances like those thrown by Drew Goforth and clutch hitting by batters like Chadwin Stang will do that.

 

The Stars won their second series in a row on Monday, sweeping a doubleheader with the Tennessee Smokies 2-0 and 6-3 respectfully. Huntsville has now won five of their last eight games, as well as three in a row.

 

In the first game, the Stars struggled at the plate, only getting five hits for the game. Luckily, Goforth (W 2-1) didn't need much. Goforth cruised through the Smokies hitters, throwing only eighty three pitches over seven innings. He retired twenty one of the twenty three batters he faced, giving up two hits and a walk to go with four strikeouts. Huntsville's winning runs came in the fourth inning when Mike Walker doubled, bringing in Kentrail Davis and Brock Kjeldgaard. Walker went three for three on the day including his ninth double of the year. Smokies pitcher Kyle Hendricks (L 8-3) went five innings, giving up two hits and two runs. He walked three and struck out five.

 

In the second game, the Stars' bats woke up early, scoring quickly in the top of the first. Three of the first four Huntsville batters got a hit, capped by Jason Rogers' single, bringing in Stang and making the score 1-0 Stars. It was the third time that Huntsville had scored in the first inning this half. The score would hold until the fifth, when Christian Villanueva scored on a sacrifice fly by Chad Noble against Stars reliever Kevin Shackelford. This tied the score at one, going to the sixth. This set the table for the top of the seventh. Huntsville managed to scratch another run as Stang singled to right, scoring Shea Vucinich. The Stars would add an insurance run before heading to the bottom of the seventh ahead 3-1. Huntsville closer Casey Medlen though would not be able to hold the lead and the Smokies would tie the score but could not take the lead, sending the game into extra innings.

 

In the eighth inning, the Stars seized the lead back in a big way. Huntsville got three hits, two walks and a sac fly as they scored three runs, the last one driven in by Stang as he finished the night four for five with two RBI's and a run scored. Greg Holle then nailed the sweep down, striking out two of the three batters he faced to earn his seventh save.

 

Huntsville starter Brooks Hall got the no decision despite leaving with the lead. He pitched four innings, giving up two hits, struck out Javier Baez and walked none. Medlen (W 2-3) earned the win despite allowing two runs on two hits and a walk in an inning of work.

 

With the sweep, the Stars record improves to 37-51 on the year, 8-12 in the second half of the season. The Smokies record falls to 44-43, 10-8 in the second half.

 

Huntsville will return home to Joe Davis Stadium on Wednesday after a scheduled off day to open up their final series of the year with their rivals, the Birmingham Barons. Game is set to start at 6:43.

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO: Huntsville's Mike Walker doubles home two runs in the Stars' 2-0 win over the Tennessee Smokies (Play at the plate!)

 

AUDIO: Same play, but with Alex's call

 

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VIDEO: David Goforth strikes out Arismendy Alcantara in the Stars' 2-0 win over Tennessee

 

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Alex has the audio call from the final out of Goforth's Game One shutout

 

Christian Villanueva lines out to shortstop Hector Gomez.

 

(More exciting than it reads...)

 

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Here are audio highlights via Alex from the nightcap 6-3 victory for the doubleheader sweep

[Mass Haas]

Earlier you heard Jeff Hem's audio call, now watch --

 

VIDEO: Caleb Gindl goes yard in Nashville's 6-5 loss to Albuquerque

[Mass Haas]

Via Jeff Hem's blog --

 

Audio from Albuquerque — “Mondays with Mike”

 

Here is this week’s installment of “Mondays with Mike” with Sounds manager Mike Guerrero, who discusses the Sounds’ recent week, which included wins early in the week and losses late; updates on Hiram Burgos, who left last night’s outing in Memphis after just 52 pitches, and outfielder Khris Davis, who has missed the last three games; and coming to hitter-friendly Albuquerque for the first time this season.

 

Also a nice Pedro Cerrano reference regarding "slugger" Hainley Statia...

 

http://jeffhempbp.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/pedro-cerrano.jpg?w=300&h=169

 

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Importantly, we learn in the interview that Hiram Burgos is re-experiencing shoulder discomfort (waiting on word from medical staff) and that Khris Davis is having hamstring issues (may play next on Wednesday).

[Mass Haas]

If you scroll to the bottom of this link, you'll hear some post-doubleheader comments from the Stars' Jason Rogers via the Smokies' broadcast.