Link Report for Thurs. 7/11

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Thursday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP R.J. Seidel at home vs. Memphis (Cardinals), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 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 Ariel Pena at home vs. Birmingham (White Sox), 6:28 PM pre-game, 6:43 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: RHP Cody Scarpetta at home vs. Clearwater (Phillies), 5:05 PM pre-game, 5:35 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 Leonard Lorenzo at home vs. Fort Wayne (Padres), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 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).

 

**********

 

Helena: LHP Tyler Linehan at home vs. Idaho Falls (Royals), 7:45 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

Voice of the Helena Brewers Steve Wendt is back on board, and this year he's added Twitter to the mix @steve_wendt. We've been treated to Steve's work for many years now (ten!); he is among the very best at the art of the pre-game interview, especially considering how at ease he makes all these first-time professional ballplayers.

 

MiLB.TV -- When the H-Crew makes their way to Idaho Falls (July) and Grand Junction (August), those games will be available for viewing online.

 

**********

 

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at home vs. the Mariners' youngsters; 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league

 

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DSL Brewers: at the DSL Braves, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until later in the day

[Mass Haas]

Programming note:

 

DVR ALERT!

 

Thursday's Timber Rattlers game will be broadcast on MyNewTV 32 out of Green Bay at 7:00 PM; "Showdown: Timber Rattlers Pre-Game" airs at 6:30.

 

***

 

The same station will be airing Friday's and Saturday's games as well.

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

Maryvale

 

DSL Brewers

 

New MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

[Mass Haas]

To see tweets as to when the Link Report has been technically "completed" with available links, as well as to know when the new day's Report has been posted, please follow @Mass_Haas on Twitter.

[Mass Haas]

Look for Nashville and Wisconsin media notes at the links just prior to their game times.

 

New this season: Brevard County has media notes; as of now, it's a unique link each day, but look for it just prior to game time each day within the "Stats and Scores" banner here.

 

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]

Weather.com:

 

Nashville, TN

 

Huntsville, AL

 

Viera, FL (Melbourne)

 

Grand Chute, WI (Appleton)

 

Helena, MT

 

Maryvale, AZ

 

San Pedro de Macoris, DR

 

***

 

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]

Here are Brad's photos from last night's Timber Rattlers game.

[Mass Haas]

Newly-signed LHP Aaron Laffey gets the start tomorrow (Friday) for Nashville, so he'll be in the rotation to begin, at least for now.

[Eye Black]

Tonight's Brevard County game has been cancelled...

 

Thursday's Manatees/Threshers game cancelled

 

VIERA, Fla. - The scheduled game on Thursday, July 11 between the Brevard County Manatees and the Clearwater Threshers has been cancelled due to inclement weather.

 

Since the Manatees and the Threshers do not play each other again this season, the game will not be made up.

[Mass Haas]

Looks like LHP Will West will make his 2013 debut in Maryvale in a couple of days (tweet).

[Mass Haas]

Helena's Garrett Cooper back in the lineup tonight (hamstring).

[bkrause2]

Final: DSL Brewers 8, DSL Braves 7 (12 Innings)

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

Tied at 5-5 after nine innings, the Brewers put up two runs in the 12th inning. The Braves rallied for two of their own before the Brewers hung on for the win.

 

Five Brewers hitters had multi-hit games. Left fielder Leudi Otano led the way going 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and three walks. Third baseman Raphachel Colatosti was 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI. Center fielder Yeraldy Martinez went 2-for-6 with a double and two RBI. Gregory Munoz was on base three times with two singles and a walk. He also stole a base. Shortstop Daniel Leonardo was 2-for-5 with a walk. Yunior Santana had the other Brewers base hit, but cut down on the bases trying to steal.

 

Joan De La Cruz started and pitched well, allowing two runs, one earned in six innings of work. He gave up five hits and struck out five. Orlando Torres got touched up for three runs in two innings, allowing three hits and a walk. Doni Arias tossed two scoreless innings. Junior Flores gave up one run in one plus innings. He allowed one hit and two walks but got the win. Axel Cordero got the final three outs to earn the save after giving up a run on three hits.

 

DSL Brewers Play-By-Play

 

DSL BREWERS inning 3

 

- Munoz, G. singled.

- Leonaldo, D. flied out to cf.

- Ortiz, J. flied out to rf.

- Quiterio, J. reached on a fielding error by ss; Munoz, G. advanced to second.

- Otano, L. homered, 3 RBI, unearned; Quiterio, J. scored, unearned; Munoz, G. scored, unearned.

- Santana, Y. fouled out to c.

 

DSL BREWERS inning 6

 

- Otano, L. doubled, advanced to third on a throwing error by lf.

- Santana, Y. popped up to ss.

- Martinez, Y. doubled, RBI; Otano, L. scored.

- Calatosti, R singled, RBI; Martinez, Y. scored.

- Jones, J. to p for Santana, J..

- Mejia, N. hit by pitch; Calatosti, R advanced to second.

- Munoz, G. grounded into double play p to ss to 1b; Mejia, N. out on the play.

 

DSL BREWERS inning 12

 

- Heredia, J. to p for Miranda, L..

- De LosStos,J pinch hit for Ortiz, J.. De LosStos,J struck out looking.

- Quiterio, J. walked.

- Otano, L. walked; Quiterio, J. advanced to second.

- Santana, Y. struck out swinging.

- Martinez, Y. singled, advanced to second on the throw, RBI; Otano, L. advanced to third; Quiterio, J. scored.

- Calatosti, R doubled, 2 RBI; Martinez, Y. scored; Otano, L. scored.

- Mejia, N. flied out to cf.

[Mass Haas]

Via Alex's broadcast, there was no apparent reason for Jason Rogers to leave Huntsville's game after this half-inning:

 

Birmingham Top of the 2nd

 

Michael Earley singles on a fly ball to left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard.

Mike Blanke walks. Michael Earley to 2nd.

Daniel Wagner ground bunts into a force out, third baseman Mike Walker to shortstop Nick Shaw. Michael Earley to 3rd. Mike Blanke out at 2nd. Daniel Wagner to 1st.

With Marcus Semien batting, wild pitch by Ariel Pena, Michael Earley scores.

Marcus Semien grounds out, shortstop Nick Shaw to first baseman Jason Rogers. Daniel Wagner to 2nd.

Keenyn Walker grounds out, second baseman Shea Vucinich to first baseman Jason Rogers.

 

Birmingham Top of the 3rd

 

Defensive switch from shortstop to second base for Nick Shaw.

Defensive Substitution: Hector Gomez replaces first baseman Jason Rogers, batting 3rd, playing shortstop.

Defensive switch from third base to first base for Mike Walker.

Defensive switch from second base to third base for Shea Vucinich.

[Mass Haas]

Gee, what's going on with our hulking first basmen tonight? First Rogers, then:

 

AZL Brewers Bottom of the 6th

 

Cory Scammell remains in the game as the left fielder.

Eric Williams grounds out, pitcher Jeffeson Medina to first baseman Kyle Petty.

Elvis Rubio doubles (3) on a fly ball to right fielder Alexy Palma.

David Denson flies out to left fielder Cory Scammell.

Tucker Neuhaus flies out to center fielder Cavan Cohoes.

 

AZL Mariners Top of the 7th

 

Cavan Cohoes grounds out, second baseman Francisco Castillo to first baseman David Denson.

Defensive Substitution: Alan Sharkey replaces first baseman David Denson, batting 4th, playing first base.

Erick Mejia grounds out, shortstop Tucker Neuhaus to first baseman Alan Sharkey.

Jesus Montero grounds out, third baseman Luis Aviles to first baseman Alan Sharkey.

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: Helena Pre-Game Interview --

 

Outfielder Omar Garcia talks about getting comfortable in the minor leagues

 

Would go on to steal three bases tonight...

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO (from Wednesday):

 

Nashville's Blake Lalli hits a double in the seventh inning of a 9-2 loss to Albuquerque

[TheCrew07]

Final: Wisconsin 6, Fort Wayne (Padres) 3

 

Wisconsin tops TinCaps

Rattlers collect 14 hits in third straight win

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/7/2/6/53501726/cuts/RoacheRuns_myiqqr60_k8ids8uu.jpg

Victor Roache went 3-for-4 with a triple, an RBI, a run, and a walk in the Rattlers 6-3 win over the Fort Wayne TinCaps on July 11, 2013.

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers picked up their third consecutive victory with a 6-3 win over the Fort Wayne TinCaps on Thursday night at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Victor Roache had three hits, scored a run, and drove in a run to pace the Rattlers 14-hit onslaught.

 

Wisconsin (38-47 overall, 9-11 second half) started the scoring with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. Michael Reed and Tyrone Taylor each singled with one out against TinCaps starter Max Fried. Then, Fried attempted a pickoff of Reed at second base and threw the ball into centerfield. Reed went to third. The next pitch was in the dirt and Taylor took off for second base. Catcher Rodney Daal also threw the ball into center. That let Reed score and Taylor take third. Roache was patiently waiting for a pitch to hit and he smacked a single on a full count off the glove of the third baseman for an RBI and a 2-0 lead.

 

Fort Wayne (49-40, 6-14) answered with a run in the second and two more in the third against Rattlers starting pitcher Leonard Lorenzo to take a 3-2 lead. Luis Domoromo drove in Dane Phillips with a sacrifice fly in the second inning. In the third, Tyler Stubblefield started the inning with a double. A throw to second to try to catch Stubblefield rounding the base too far backfired. The throw was wild and by the time it was retrieved, Stubblefield was scoring the tying run. Mallex Smith singled on the next pitch, was balked to second, and went to third on a wild pitch. Phillips drove him in with a sacrifice fly to give Fort Wayne the lead.

 

The Rattlers went back in front with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Parker Berberet singled to start the inning. Orlando Arcia reached on a bunt single. An error on the play let Berberet take third and Arcia to move to second. Tyler Roberts followed with a single down the line in right to knock in both runners. Roberts was out at second as he tried to stretch the hit into a double, but the Rattlers had a 4-3 lead.

 

Alfredo Rodriguez made it 5-3 with a line drive home run over the wall in left later in the fourth inning. The homer was the second of the season for Rodriguez.

 

Lorenzo worked a scoreless fifth inning to protect that lead. Lorenzo allowed three runs on five hits and struck out a pair to put himself in line for his first win since April 27.

 

The Rattlers added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth. Roache battled Fort Wayne reliever Colin Rea in a 14-pitch at bat to start the inning. The Rattlers slugger banged a triple off the wall in left-center on the final pitch of the at bat. Mike Garza was next and he singled through the drawn-in infield to send Roache home for a 6-3 Rattlers lead.

 

Harvey Martin took over for Lorenzo and worked three scoreless innings to maintain the lead.

 

Jono Armold came on in the ninth. He gave up a leadoff single and hit the next batter to bring the tying run to the plate. But, Armold retired the next three hitters to finish off the TinCaps and earn his third save of the season.

 

Game three of the series is Friday night at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Wisconsin has Eric Semmelhack (1-4, 4.68) as their scheduled starting pitcher. Fort Wayne will send Matthew Shepherd (4-1, 2.83) to the mound. Game time is 7:05pm.

 

Paramedics, firemen, police officers, and their families will receive $1 off reserved bleachers and box seating for Emergency Services Night. Plus, the first 1,000 fans to attend this game will receive a baseball courtesy of Baycom. The baseball will feature Clint Coulter, Victor Roache, and Mitch Haniger, the top three picks by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2012 draft.

 

Kids 12 and under receive a free hot dog and soda as part of North Shore Bank Family Night. Children 14 and under may participate in Kids Run the Bases thanks to Molina Healthcare after the postgame fireworks display.

 

If you can't make it out to the ballpark on Friday, there are a myriad of ways to catch the action. My NEW32's Sports Showdown will have the television broadcast starting with their pregame show at 6:30pm. The radio broadcast can be heard on AM1280, WNAM or IHeartRadio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:45pm. Friday's game is also available to subscribers of MiLB.TV.

 

HOME RUN:

WIS:

Alfredo Rodriguez (2nd, 0 on in 4th inning off Max Fried, 2 out)

 

WP: Leonard Lorenzo (2-4)

LP: Max Fried (3-4)

SAVE: Jono Armold (3)

 

TIME: 3:04

ATTN: 3,182

Wisconsin Boxscore

Victor Roache have yourself a night, 3-4 with a BB!

 

Harvey Martin hadn't been all that impressive in previous 2 outings for the T-Rats, but for the most part I liked what I saw from him. His 2 seamer has nice arm side run.

 

The T-Rats pounded out 14 hits, everyone in the line-up had a hit, and in addition to Roache's multi-hit night mentioned earlier Alfredo Rodriguez, Michael Reed, and Tyler Roberts each had multiple hit games.

 

I was very happy with the offensive output given the T-Rats were facing Padres #2 Prospect Max Fried.

 

Wisconsin Recap

 

Arcia's error on an ill advised throw was looking like it was going to loom pretty large, but the 3 run 4th blew the game open, not that Lorenzo helped his own cause at all.

 

Fort Wayne Top of the 3rd

• Tyler Stubblefield doubles (5) on a fly ball to left fielder Victor Roache. Tyler Stubblefield scores. Throwing error by shortstop Orlando Arcia.
  Mallex Smith singles on a line drive to left fielder Victor Roache.
  Maxx Tissenbaum pops out to second baseman Christopher McFarland.
  With Diego Goris batting, Mallex Smith advances to 2nd on a balk.
  With Diego Goris batting, wild pitch by Leonard Lorenzo, Mallex Smith to 3rd.
  Diego Goris walks.
  Dane Phillips out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Tyrone Taylor. Mallex Smith scores. Diego Goris to 2nd.
  Chris Burke flies out to center fielder Tyrone Taylor.

 

Wisconsin Gameday

[Minigoon]

Final: Huntsville 8 Birmingham 6

 

The Huntsville Stars feel behind 3-0 in the first but were able to fight their way back to pull out an 8-6, come from behind win tonight at The Joe. Stars starting pitcher Ariel Pena struggled as Birmingham lead early on. Pena (5-7, 3.47) grinded his way through 6 innings, allowing 5 runs, all earned, on 7 hits and 3 walks while striking out 6. He allowed a home run, his league leading 13th and also uncorked a wild pitch. Pena threw 91 pitches, 62 for strikes and posted a 7-3 ground out to fly out ratio. Pena ended up with a no decision tonight as the Stars were able to overcome several deficits.

 

Frankie De La Cruz (1-1, 2.63) worked the 7th and ended up earning the win in the process. De La Cruz worked 1 inning, allowing an unearned run on 1 hit and 2 walks. Righty Greg Holle worked the 8th and 9th to earn his team leading 8th save on the season. Holle allowed only 1 hit over his 2 innings of work while striking out 2 and posted a 3-1 GO/FO ratio. Despite his size, 6'-8", 240, Holle is more of a ground ball pitcher instead of a power thrower.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

The Huntsville offense never gave up tonight, scoring 8 runs on 10 hits and 6 walks. Several Stars hitters came up big and timely tonight. They were led by Nick Shaw. Shaw was 3-5 with his 2nd home run. He scored once and drove in 1. Rene Tosoni, who was 1 for his last 20 coming into the game, went 2-4 including a 2 run home run in the 5th, which tied the game, at the time, 5-5. It was Tosoni's 9th homer on the season. He also drove in a run in the bottom of the first with a sacrifice fly to finish with 3 RBI's. Chadwin Stang also stayed hot, going 2-4 with a run scored and an RBI. He's 7-12 with 3 runs scored and 3 RBI's in his last 3 games. Catcher Adam Weisenburger came up clutch again tonight. His 2 out 2 run single in the bottom of the 7th proved to be the winning margin. The Stars also got a double from Joey Paciorek and a single from Hector Gomez. Left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard didn't record a hit but drew 2 walks. Gomez and Mike Walker also each drew a walk.

 

The down side of the game tonight was first baseman Jason Rogers leaving the game in the top of the 3rd. He left with an upper body injury. Unknown just how severe at this time. (H/T Alex Cohen)

 

Huntsville Play By Play

 

A pretty full game log for tonight on both sides.

 

The Stars 3 run 5th.

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 5th

 

Joey Paciorek called out on strikes.

Chadwin Stang grounds out, shortstop Tyler Saladino to first baseman Dan Black.

Nick Shaw homers (2) on a fly ball to right field.

Hector Gomez singles on a line drive to center fielder Keenyn Walker.

Rene Tosoni homers (9) on a fly ball to right field. Hector Gomez scores.

Brock Kjeldgaard walks.

Pitching Change: Salvador Sanchez replaces Nick McCully.

Mike Walker grounds out, second baseman Marcus Semien to first baseman Dan Black.

 

The winning rally in the 7th for Huntsville

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 7th

 

Pitching Change: Kevin Vance replaces Salvador Sanchez.

Nick Shaw grounds out, first baseman Dan Black to pitcher Kevin Vance.

Hector Gomez walks.

Rene Tosoni singles on a fly ball to right fielder Trayce Thompson. Hector Gomez to 3rd on the throw.

Brock Kjeldgaard walks. Rene Tosoni to 2nd.

Mike Walker walks. Hector Gomez scores. Rene Tosoni to 3rd. Brock Kjeldgaard to 2nd.

Pitching Change: David Cales replaces Kevin Vance.

Shea Vucinich pops out to first baseman Dan Black in foul territory.

Adam Weisenburger singles on a fly ball to center fielder Keenyn Walker. Rene Tosoni scores. Brock Kjeldgaard scores. Mike Walker to 3rd.

Joey Paciorek strikes out swinging.

 

Huntsville (9-13 second half, 38-52 overall) and Birmingham will face off in game 3 of the series tomorrow night at The Joe. Righty Taylor Jungmann (9-6, 3.53) will be on the mound for the Stars. Game time is scheduled for 6:43 Central with Huntsville Stars Radio Broadcaster Alex Cohen taking the air at 6:28 for the pregame show.

[Mass Haas]

Final: AZL Mariners 3, @AZL Brewers 1

 

AZL Brewers Box Score

 

Come back soon, David Denson (see note earlier in thread).

 

***

 

No errors, just a crisp game the A-Crew happened to lose.

 

It's either double-digits or bust for this squad, no?

 

Elvis Rubio, in LF tonight, doubled and walked, OPS was 1.264 coming in. Catcher Jack Cleary and third baseman Luis Aviles with two hits apiece down the order.

 

LHP Clint Terry, top pick RHP Devin Williams, and RHP Alex Lavandero each surrendered a single run. Williams walked two and fanned one in three innings.

 

AZL Brewers Game Log

 

Wasted chances --

 

2nd and 3rd, nobody out, ugh --

 

AZL Brewers Bottom of the 5th

 

Tanner Norton hit by pitch.

Jack Cleary doubles (2) on a fly ball to left fielder Tyler O'Neill. Tanner Norton to 3rd.

Luis Aviles grounds out, pitcher Jeffeson Medina to first baseman Kyle Petty.

Francisco Castillo reaches on a fielder's choice out, second baseman Jordan Cowan to catcher Georvic Perez. Tanner Norton out at home. Jack Cleary to 3rd.

Edgardo Rivera grounds into a force out, shortstop Erick Mejia to second baseman Jordan Cowan. Francisco Castillo out at 2nd.

 

***

 

Elvis in the house, on 2nd with one out --

 

AZL Brewers Bottom of the 6th

 

Cory Scammell remains in the game as the left fielder.

Eric Williams grounds out, pitcher Jeffeson Medina to first baseman Kyle Petty.

Elvis Rubio doubles (3) on a fly ball to right fielder Alexy Palma.

David Denson flies out to left fielder Cory Scammell.

Tucker Neuhaus flies out to center fielder Cavan Cohoes.

 

***

 

Down by a run in the 8th, a two-out opportunity missed:

 

AZL Brewers Bottom of the 8th

 

Pitching Change: Kevin McCoy replaces Jeffeson Medina.

Edgardo Rivera strikes out swinging.

Eric Williams grounds out, shortstop Erick Mejia to first baseman Kyle Petty.

Elvis Rubio walks.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Johnny Davis replaces Elvis Rubio.

With Alan Sharkey batting, Johnny Davis steals (1) 2nd base.

With Alan Sharkey batting, wild pitch by Kevin McCoy, Johnny Davis to 3rd.

Alan Sharkey strikes out swinging.

[TheCrew07]

I forgot to mention in the game story how Chris gushed about Tyrone Taylor's improved OF play over the course of the season, his routes have become much better. Having watched the majority of their home games on TV that's one thing which is tough to pick-up because by the time the camera gets to the OF he's already tracking the ball. Mehring covered that and more in the post game.

 

 

Energy and Persistence – Postgame Post for July 11, 2013

 

... and a Ben Franklin quote rocks!

[Mass Haas]

In addition to the video highlights from the Rattlers in Chris' post-game entry just above, here are the highlights via the MyNewTV 32 broadcast. The picture quality is excellent, and is worth watching just to see/hear Alfredo Rodriguez' home run. You won't hear Rodriguez' name though, the announcer tells us it's Chris McFarland through the entire home run trot. Sorry, Alfredo...

 

***

 

They make it up to you, Alfredo, by naming your HR "Play of the Game" (video).

 

***

 

VIDEO: Matt Erickson T-Rats Post Game TV Interview (Thanks, Coach!)

[Mass Haas]

Stars Comeback, Beat Barons in Marathon

by Alex Cohen, Huntsville Stars

 

With an hour and eighteen minutes delay to start things off at Joe Davis Stadium, the Huntsville Stars came back from three different deficits of three or more runs to beat the Birmingham Barons by a score 8-6 on Thursday night.

 

For Huntsville, things began to look bleak early on. After Barons second baseman Marcus Semien led off the ballgame with a double against Stars starting pitcher Ariel Pena, an RBI single from outfielder Trayce Thompson two batters later put Birmingham on the board. Thompson then scored on a two-run homer from first baseman Dan Black during the next at-bat to make the score 3-0.

 

At that point, the two teams began to trade runs.

 

In the bottom half of the first inning, a sacrifice fly from Stars outfielder Rene Tosoni put Huntsville on the board. To begin the second inning, the Barons brought their lead back up to three when designated hitter Michael Earley singled, advanced to third after a walk and a fielders choice and then scored on a wild pitch from Pena. Huntsville cut their deficit back to two runs in the bottom of the inning on a sacrifice fly by Chadwin Stang.

 

After Birmingham tacked on a run in the fifth inning on a defensive miscue to make the score 5-2, the momentum turned to the Stars for the rest of the game.

 

With two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, second baseman Nick Shaw lofted a solo homer over the left-field wall against Barons starter Nick McCully to cut the Barons lead back down to two. Following a walk drawn by shortstop Hector Gomez, McCully then served up a two-run blast to Tosoni on a 3-0 fastball that tied the game up at 5-5. For Tosoni, the homer was his ninth on the season.

 

Once Birmingham regained the lead in the top of the seventh on another defensive miscue, the Stars provided their pivotal surge in the bottom half of the inning. With reliever Kevin Vance into the ballgame, the Stars welcomed him to action by loading the bases with one out. Third baseman Mike Walker then drew the third walk of the inning for the Stars, allowing a run to score to tie up the game. Two batters later, a two-run, two-out single from catcher Adam Weisenburger put the Stars up for good.

 

To finish out the game, Stars reliever Greg Holle shut down the Barons offense through the final two innings to notch his eighth save of the season. That total ties him for the team-high with fellow righty Casey Medlen.

 

Aside from Holle, Stars righty Frankie De La Cruz improved to 1-1 on the year after giving up one unearned run in one inning of relief.

 

En route to earning a no-decision, Pena gave up five runs in six innings while striking out six batters and walking three in the process.

 

On offense, the Stars were led with three hits from Shaw and two hits apiece from Tosoni and Stang.

 

The Stars will play game three of a five-game series at Joe Davis Stadium against the Birmingham Barons on Friday. Huntsville will send RHP Taylor Jungmann (9-6, 3.53 ERA) to the bump while Birmingham will counter with RHP Stephen McCray (8-6, 3.84 ERA). First pitch is 6:43 ET.

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: Full highlights from the Stars' game via Alex

OH YEAH!

[Mass Haas]

Early Hole Too Much For Helena

Harris drives in three more, but Crew falls to Chukars

By Zac Vierra / Helena Brewers

 

Jalen Harris drove in three runs for the second consecutive night but the Brewers fell to Idaho Falls 10-6 in front of 1,044 people and 89 dogs on a rain soaked Bark in the Park night at Kindrick Legion Field.

 

For the third consecutive game the Chukars got on the board first against Helena, but unlike the previous two matchups, the Brewers could not rally back, although the Brewers did make the game interesting in the bottom of the ninth.

 

Helena entered the final frame trailing 10-3 but managed to load the bases with one out thanks to a double, a single, and a walk. Jose Pena would then hit a sac fly to center and Harris would follow by lacing a 3-2 pitch to left-center for a two run double.

 

It was Harris' second hit of the night and his third RBI. He is 4 for 8 with six runs batted in in the last two games.

 

Although Harris (photo below) put the game in striking distance, Kyle Bartsch got Angel Ortega to fly out to end the game.

 

Idaho Falls jumped on Helena starter Tyler Linehan in the second inning. With runners on second and third and one out, Carlos Garcia hit a sinking liner to center that Omar Garcia dove and caught but Alexis Rivera tagged up and scored on the play.

 

Humberto Arteaga would then drive home another run on a single, steal second, and advance to third when Linehan bounced a pitch to the plate. Arteaga would score the Chukars' third run of the inning on a single to left by Elier Hernandez.

 

Linehan would get the first out in the third inning but would then walk two straight and that would be the night for him. Estevenson Encarnacion would come out of the pen and he immediately got a groundball to short but when Ortega tried to complete the double play, the throw to first was wild allowing Cody Stubbs to score.

 

Encarnacion would then hit a batter and after a double-steal, Nick Cockovich drove home a pair with a single past the dive of Ortega into left and just like that the Chukars led 6-0.

 

The Brewers would chip away in the bottom of the third when Cody Reed walked a pair to start the inning and Garcia reached on a perfect bunt to third. Charlie Markson would follow with a sac fly to center and when the throw got away from the catcher, Michael Turay would advance to third on the error. The miscue would haunt the Chukars as Turay would come home with Helena's second run when Reed threw a wild pitch through the five hole of the catcher.

 

The Chukars would tack on a run in the fifth off a groundball to make it a 7-2 ballgame.

 

Helena would grab a run with the bases loaded in the fifth as Harris hit a sac fly but that would be all the Brewers would get as they stranded a pair in scoring position.

 

The rain started falling in the final few innings and the Idaho Falls runs kept coming as the Chukars added a run in the seventh and two in the ninth and the deficit was too much for Helena to handle.

 

Tyler Mack picked up the win out of the pen for the Chukars while Linehan was handed the loss for Helena after allowing five runs on three hits with five walks in his start.

 

Garcia had another good game for the Brewers from the leadoff spot going 2 for 5 with a pair of steals and Markson went 2 for 2 to raise his average to .346 in the loss.

 

The Brewers and Chukars will play the final game of the series on Friday night at Kindrick Legion Field. The Brewers will look for their third series win of the season.

 

Jalen Harris (photo by Seth Eikomstead)

 

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