Link Report for Mon. 7/15

[Mass Haas]

Another nice Timber Rattlers photo gallery from the Post-Crescent.

[Mass Haas]

Brewers Win Slugfest With Ogden

Helena gets season-high 12 hits, bullpen closes the door

By Zac Vierra / Helena Brewers

 

It might not have been a home run derby, but Helena and Ogden certainly supplied plenty of offense on Monday night. The teams combined for 16 runs and 25 hits in a wild game that included four lead changes in the first four innings. But in the end it was the Helena bullpen that shut the door for the Brewers.

 

Chris Razo picked up his fifth win in six appearances out of the bullpen after facing just one batter in the game, Taylor Williams was impressive in four innings, and Sean Albury pitched a perfect ninth as Helena held on for a 9-7 victory.

 

The win gave the Brewers their third series win and finished off the homestand with a record of 4-3.

 

But it certainly wasn't easy.

 

The Brewers jumped on Ogden starter Zachary Bird early in this one. Omar Garcia and Charlie Markson hit back-to-back singles to start the game and Michael Ratterree followed hitting a liner in to the gap in left-center. When the ball rolled all the way to the wall both Garcia and Markson would score on Ratterree's 10th double of the season.

 

The Helena lead wouldn't last long as the Raptors got back-to-back singles off Barrett Astin in the top of the third and then Jacob Scavuzzo pulled a three-run homer to left to make it a 3-2 ballgame.

 

After Astin got two outs, Brandon Trinkwon slapped a double to left and Hank Yates followed with a single up the box to give Ogden a 4-2 lead.

 

But as quickly as the Brewers had given up the lead, they got it right back. With the bases loaded and two-outs, Adam Giacalone hit an absolute bullet into the right-center gap that rolled all the way to the wall and cleared the bases. Just like that Helena was up 5-4.

 

"Astin will be the first to tell you he didn't have his greatest game, but he competed and you want to get that. The way the guys performed afterwards swinging the bats, they gave him the pick up. You gotta love that when that happens for your pitcher," said Tony Diggs.

 

After a scoreless frame in the third, the Raptors got right back to the scoring in the top of the fourth. Scavuzzo led off the inning with a double over the head of Garcia in center and after a ground out he advanced to third. Astin would then walk Jesmuel Valentin and Trinkwon would pull a single into right to tie the game.

 

Valentin would then give Ogden the lead when the Brewers couldn't covert a double play on a ground ball by Yates.

 

Astin was then replaced by Razo and it looked like the Raptors were going to pick up another run when Justin Chigbogu hit a single to right but Ratterree fired home and his throw beat Yates who tried to run over the catcher Turay but he hung on to the ball to end the inning.

 

That would be the only batter Razo faced as he picked up yet another win in a Brewers come-from-behind victory.

 

"We call that the buzzard. He just swoops in and picks up the win," said Diggs. "But you know what, he came into a situation where we needed a big out and he gave us a big out so you can't ask for any more out of him."

 

(Well, technically, Razo gets credit for 1/3 of an inning, but yes, that's an "ultra-buzzard" on the base hit/outfield assist - MH.)

 

After Turay saved a run in the top of the inning, Helena would strike back in the bottom of the frame. Nathan Orf led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Garcia would then slap a double to left and Orf beat the throw as it got by the catcher. Garcia advanced to second on the error and Markson would give Helena the lead in the next at bat.

 

Markson hit a grounder that wrapped around the bag at first for a double as Garcia scored the go-ahead run.

 

After a lineout, Giacalone would stroke his second hit of the night, a single to center that drove home Markson to make it an 8-6 game.

 

Giacalone would finish the game 2 for 2 with four RBI in his second game back with Helena.

 

"He swings the bat well. He's got all the confidence in the world on how to swing the bat. He just needs to be able to gather and play more and get his timing underneath him and today you couldn't ask for what he did driving in three runs with a double, coming in later with a big knock to drive in another run. He had a good game," said Diggs.

 

The hit parade would continue as Turay pulled a double down the line to put two in scoring position and Giacalone would later score Helena's ninth run on a groundout.

 

Not only did that give the Brewers the lead, it put Razo in line for his fifth win of the season and he would get it when Williams and Albury pitched the remaining five innings of the game.

 

Williams allowed just one run, the second homer of the night to Scavuzzo, in four innings while striking out six. Albury would pitch a 1-2-3 ninth with a pair of strikeouts to earn the save.

 

"[Williams] went right after hitters. He used his fastball said 'here it is you gotta show me you can hit it,' and when they showed him they couldn't he kept pumping it in there and maybe mixed in a few sliders that were great. Solid job by him and good job by Albury to close the door in the ninth so that's what you want a complete game," said Diggs.

 

The Brewers finished with a season-high 12 hits in the game, four of which belonged to Garcia (photo below) who went 4 for 5 extending his hitting streak to a season-high nine games. He also had an RBI, stole a base, and scored three times.

 

"You always want to have a leadoff hitter that is going to be on base and that sets the tone for your number two, three, four, five hitters to be able to drive guys in. With him being on base as much as he has lately it has been a big pick up for us but you have to look at the guys behind him who are swinging the bats and driving him in," said Diggs.

 

Helena will have Tuesday off before hitting the road for seven games. The next contest at Kindrick Legion Field will be on July 24th against Billings.

 

Omar Garcia Helena Site photo by Seth Eikomstead

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/9/9/6/53884996/cuts/21_Omar_Garcia_batting_hut48sya_52dyekh0.jpg

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO - Helena Brewers catcher Michael Turay talks about his game on Sunday and life as a catcher in rookie ball

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO -- Helena highlights, mainly Adam Giacalone's bases-loaded double

[Mass Haas]

Brewers use four-run fourth to edge Raptors

Helena Independent Record

 

The Helena Brewers entered the bottom of the fourth inning trailing the Ogden Raptors by one but then exploded for four runs in the frame to turn the tables.

 

Then it was up the Brewers’ pitching staff to hold the lead — which it did. The result was a 9-7 hometown victory at Kindrick Legion Field.

 

Helena’s four tallies came on a walk to Nathan Orf, two singles by Omar Garcia and Adam Giacalone, and a pair of doubles by Charlie Markson and Michael Turay.

 

Angel Ortega’s RBI groundout plated the Brewers’ ninth and final score of the game.

 

Helena relievers Chris Razo, Taylor Williams and Sean Albury limited the Raptors to four hits and one run over the final 5 1/3 stanzas. Razo picked up the win — his fifth of the season — despite throwing just a third of an inning.

 

Williams gave up three hits in four innings, while striking out six without issuing a walk.

 

Jordan Hershiser took the loss for Ogden.

 

The starters were Helena’s Barret Astin, and Ogden’s Zachary Bird.

 

Manager Tony Diggs’ Brewers got on the board first, taking a 2-0 lead after an inning of play. But then Ogden (13-12) went up by two, pushing across four markers in the top of the second, only to have the hosts answer with three scores of their own during their at-bat.

 

Next, the visitors scored two in the fourth to creep back ahead by one, but that lead was short-lived.

 

The two teams banged out a combined 25 hits on the night, including nine for extra bases.

 

Helena (14-11) was led by Garcia, who went 4 for 5 and scored three runs, and Giacalone at 2 for 2, with a double and four runs batted in. Markson chipped in with a double and a single, and scored three times.

 

Jacob Scavuzzo swung the big bat for the visitors, going 4 for 4, while powering two home runs and a double. He scored three runs and posted four RBIs for the Utah club.

 

The web gem of the night belonged to left fielder Charlie Markson, whose sliding catch robbed Ogden's Austin Cowen of a sure double.

 

NOTE: Eduard Reyes has been named the Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week. Through 9 1/3 innings of work, he gave up no runs on two hits, striking out 10 and walking only three. Reyes now leads the league among qualifying pitchers with an ERA of 1.74. He also leads the league in batting average against, and opponents are hitting .187 (14-75) against him this season.

[Mass Haas]

Final: @AZL Brewers 5, AZL Reds 4, 11 innings

 

WALKOFF SINGLE!

 

AZL Brewers Box Score

 

After two innings, the game was tied at three, and it stayed that way all the way until the 10th, when each team scored a run, before the A-Crew won it in the 11th.

 

AZL Reds Top of the 10th

 

Yonki Hernandez remains in the game as the right fielder.

Oviel Florentino singles on a fly ball to center fielder Brandon Diaz.

Kevin Garcia out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Scott Lieser to second baseman Francisco Castillo. Oviel Florentino to 2nd.

Aristides Aquino doubles (6) on a fly ball to center fielder Brandon Diaz. Oviel Florentino scores.

Cory Thompson grounds out, shortstop Steven Halcomb to first baseman Alan Sharkey.

Logan Uxa grounds out, second baseman Francisco Castillo to first baseman Alan Sharkey.

 

AZL Brewers Bottom of the 10th

 

Pitching Change: Evan Mitchell replaces Fabian Roman.

Steven Halcomb grounds out, shortstop Cory Thompson to first baseman Logan Uxa.

Johnny Davis singles on a ground ball to left fielder Kevin Garcia.

Francisco Castillo flies out to left fielder Kevin Garcia.

With Brandon Diaz batting, Johnny Davis steals (4) 2nd base.

Brandon Diaz walks.

Eric Williams singles on a line drive to center fielder Jose Fernandez. Johnny Davis scores. Brandon Diaz to 3rd.

Yonki Hernandez strikes out swinging.

 

AZL Reds Top of the 11th

 

Pitching Change: Tyler Spurlin replaces Scott Lieser.

Kevin Franklin strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Tyler Spurlin. Kevin Franklin to 1st.

Alberti Chavez out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Tyler Spurlin to second baseman Francisco Castillo. Kevin Franklin to 2nd.

Jose Fernandez grounds out, second baseman Francisco Castillo to first baseman Alan Sharkey. Kevin Franklin to 3rd.

Jose Duarte grounds out, shortstop Steven Halcomb to first baseman Alan Sharkey.

 

AZL Brewers Bottom of the 11th

 

Pitching Change: Jesus Parra replaces Evan Mitchell.

Tucker Neuhaus singles on a fly ball to center fielder Jose Fernandez.

Paul Eshleman singles on a fly ball to right fielder Aristides Aquino. Tucker Neuhaus to 2nd.

Jesus Parra intentionally walks Alan Sharkey. Tucker Neuhaus to 3rd. Paul Eshleman to 2nd.

Steven Halcomb pops out to third baseman Alberti Chavez in foul territory.

Johnny Davis singles on a fly ball to right fielder Aristides Aquino. Tucker Neuhaus scores. Paul Eshleman to 3rd. Alan Sharkey to 2nd.

 

So Johnny Davis certainly was involved in those final two innings.

 

Catcher Paul Eshleman on base four times (double, two singles, HBP); confidence-boosting game for Tucker Neuhaus, 3-for-5 playing third base in this one; Davis added a sacrifice bunt to his two-hit day; both Eric Williams (LF in this game) and RF Elvis Rubio singled twice; Rubio was pinch-run for late, so maybe he's a "four-tool" guy - in 112 pro games, he is 8-for-10 in SB attempts, however.

 

Elvis' line now up to .360/.484/.660 (OPS 1.144 after his first 50 Maryvale AB's).

 

2B Francisco Castillo has finally cooled off, now 1-for-17 in his last four games.

 

RHP Milton Gomez' 2013 one-inning debut will be covered below, and fine work the rest of the way, as you'll see in the box score lines of RHP's Jorge Ortega (six IP), Scott Lieser (three IP), and Tyler Spurlin (one IP).

 

AZL Brewers Game Log

 

So how did those first two innings look, with six runs combined?

 

AZL Reds Top of the 1st

 

Kevin Garcia strikes out swinging.

Aristides Aquino singles on a line drive to left fielder Eric Williams.

Cory Thompson doubles (4) on a line drive to left fielder Eric Williams. Aristides Aquino scores.

Logan Uxa walks.

Kevin Franklin flies out to left fielder Eric Williams.

Alberti Chavez strikes out swinging.

 

AZL Brewers Bottom of the 1st

 

Francisco Castillo walks.

Brandon Diaz grounds into a force out, shortstop Cory Thompson to second baseman Oviel Florentino. Francisco Castillo out at 2nd. Brandon Diaz to 1st.

Eric Williams grounds into a double play, pitcher Juan Martinez to shortstop Cory Thompson to first baseman Logan Uxa. Brandon Diaz out at 2nd.

 

AZL Reds Top of the 2nd

 

Pitching Change: Jorge Ortega replaces Milton Gomez.

Jose Fernandez doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Brandon Diaz.

Jose Duarte reaches on a fielding error by shortstop Steven Halcomb. Jose Fernandez to 3rd.

Oviel Florentino doubles (2) on a fly ball to left fielder Eric Williams. Jose Fernandez scores. Jose Duarte scores.

Kevin Garcia reaches on a fielder's choice out, pitcher Jorge Ortega to third baseman Tucker Neuhaus to second baseman Francisco Castillo to shortstop Steven Halcomb. Oviel Florentino out at 3rd. Kevin Garcia to 2nd.

Aristides Aquino flies out to center fielder Brandon Diaz.

With Cory Thompson batting, Kevin Garcia steals (1) 3rd base.

Cory Thompson strikes out swinging.

 

AZL Brewers Bottom of the 2nd

 

Elvis Rubio singles on a ground ball to left fielder Kevin Garcia.

Tucker Neuhaus singles on a ground ball to left fielder Kevin Garcia. Elvis Rubio to 2nd.

Paul Eshleman doubles (2) on a fly ball to right fielder Aristides Aquino. Elvis Rubio scores. Tucker Neuhaus scores.

Alan Sharkey walks.

With Steven Halcomb batting, Paul Eshleman advances to 3rd on a balk. Alan Sharkey advances to 2nd on a balk.

Steven Halcomb grounds out, shortstop Cory Thompson to first baseman Logan Uxa. Paul Eshleman scores. Alan Sharkey to 3rd.

Johnny Davis bunt pops into a double play, first baseman Logan Uxa to third baseman Alberti Chavez. Alan Sharkey doubled off 3rd.