Link Report for Wed. 7/24 - Helena Nearing A First-Half Division Title

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Programming note:

 

So, let's start by saying wow, the TV broadcast schedule for the Timber Rattlers has really expanded beyond what was an already ambitious originally scheduled set of telecasts announced back in April.

 

The next four games (Wed. through Sat.) are on TV, and the home games are now broadcast more often than not.

 

Not sure if there is another minor league affiliate anywhere enjoying that level of coverage for the locals. Even if one is always first drawn to the big league club, you've got DVR ability to self-scout later on when they play at the same time.

 

Tonight's game is on MyNew32 TV with "Showdown: Timber Rattlers Pre-Game" airing at 6:30.

 

Of course, if watching live, synch it up with Chris Mehring's audio .

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: LHP Aaron Laffey at home vs. Albuquerque (Dodgers), 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.

 

**********

 

Huntsville: RHP Andy Moye at home vs. Tennessee (Cubs), 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.

 

**********

 

Brevard County: RHP Tyler Cravy at home vs. Fort Myers (Twins), 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.

 

**********

 

Wisconsin: RHP Preston Gainey at home vs. Clinton (Mariners), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime; expect to see RHP Ryan Gibbard in a tandem role

 

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: Many of the Rattlers' 70 home games will be broadcast on TV this season. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel and WACY-TV My NEW32 will split duties. We'll let you know when and who, and will try to provide day-before DVR reminders, so regularly check with us.

 

**********

 

Helena: RHP Tristan Archer at home vs. Billings (Reds), 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 Grand Junction (August), those games will be available for viewing online.

 

**********

 

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

 

**********

 

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

[Mass Haas]

Follow Wednesday'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]

STANDINGS:

 

AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division

 

AA - Southern League North Division

 

High-A - Florida State League North Division

 

A - Midwest League Western Division

 

Rookie Advanced - Pioneer League North Division

 

Rookie - Arizona Summer League

 

DSL - Dominican Summer League San Pedro de Macoris Division

 

***

 

NOTE: To view first half or overall standings for Huntsville, Brevard County, and Wisconsin, you'll notice options at the respective links for that. Otherwise it's second-half standings as the default view for those three leagues.

[Mass Haas]

Weather.com:

 

Nashville, TN

 

Huntsville, AL

 

Viera, FL (Melbourne)

 

Grand Chute, WI (Appleton)

 

Helena, MT

 

Maryvale, AZ

 

San Pedro de Macoris, DR

[Mass Haas]

Lots of good discussion in the K-Rod / Nicky Delmonico thread on the Major League Forum, if you haven't made your way over there.

[Mass Haas]

MLB.com's Bernie Pleskoff on Delmonico

[Mass Haas]

GIDP-mania, living dangerously -- Check out Tyler Cravy's 2nd, 3rd, and 5th innings for the Manatees tonight.

 

EDIT: And 6th!

[82brewcrew11]

Nice to see Coulter back into game action with the Maryvale squad.

 

So is Goforth no longer a starter of this just an innings thing?

[TooLiveBrew]

Guys, I'm already crashing-tired, & won't get to the Nashville game tonight. If anyone can pick me up tonight, I'll owe you one. Otherwise, I'll get to it tomorrow morning... unless Mass Haas beats me to it (likely). Sorry.

[Minigoon]

So is Goforth no longer a starter of this just an innings thing?

 

Alex Cohen mentioned during a broadcast recently about the innings control and also the way Goforth projects, going forward, as a reliever.

[Minigoon]

Final: Tennessee 6 Huntsville 1

 

The Tennessee Smokies used the long ball to build a lead and 5 pitchers held the Stars offense in check as they defeated the Stars 6-1 Wednesday night. Stars starter Andy Moye worked only 4 innings tonight, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. The big problem was 3 of those 5 hits were home runs. That gives him 15 home runs allowed on the season, tops in the Southern League. Moye threw 56 pitches, 33 for strikes and posted a 6-2 GO/FO rate. Moye was pitching on longer than normal rest today as his scheduled start on Monday was rained out. His last outing before tonight was on July 14th and before that was on July 3rd, so there may have been some rust he was working off.

 

The Stars used the short start tonight to get some work in for their bullpen. 4 relievers followed Moye to the mound Wednesday night, starting with Casey Medlen. Casey worked a perfect 5th, striking out 1. Righty Eric Marzec worked the 6th and started the 7th before being replaced without recording an out. Marzec didn't allow a run over his inning plus of work, but did give up a hit. His big issue was control as he allowed 3 walks, including the first 2 batters he faced in the 7th before departing. Big right hander Greg Holle came on and was able to get the Stars out of the jam in the 7th, without allowing a run. Holle worked 1 inning, allowing a walk while striking out 1. David Goforth worked the final 2 innings tonight for Huntsville. Goforth came into the game not having allowed a run in 17 1/3 innings. He got 1 out in the 8th before having that streak snapped. For the game, Goforth worked 2 innings allowing 3 runs on 4 hits while striking out 1.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

The 5 Smokies pitchers limited the Stars offense to 1 run on 7 hits and 5 walks. Second baseman Nick Shaw was the only Stars hitter to record more than 1 hit tonight. Shaw went 2-3 with a double and a run score. Shaw also drew a walk. Center fielder Chadwin Stang extended his hitting streak to 8 games with a 3rd inning double. Jason Rogers drove in the Stars only run tonight in the 6th on a single. That is his 62nd RBI on the season, tying him for the league lead. Rogers also drew a walk. Left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard reached base twice tonight, once on a single, and once on a walk. Shawn Zarraga singled as a pinch hitter in the 9th, his team leading 5th pinch hit. Third baseman Mike Walker recorded the other Stars hit tonight. Rene Tosoni and Eric Patterson each drew a walk for Huntsville.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

 

Slim pickings tonight for Stars highlights.

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 6th

 

Nick Shaw singles on a line drive to left fielder John Andreoli.

Rene Tosoni walks. Nick Shaw to 2nd.

Jason Rogers singles on a ground ball to left fielder John Andreoli. Nick Shaw scores. Rene Tosoni to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Hunter Cervenka replaces Dae-Eun Rhee, batting 9th.

Mike Walker grounds into a double play, second baseman Arismendy Alcantara to shortstop Javier Baez to first baseman Justin Bour. Rene Tosoni to 3rd. Jason Rogers out at 2nd.

Brock Kjeldgaard walks.

Eric Patterson grounds into a force out, shortstop Javier Baez to second baseman Arismendy Alcantara. Brock Kjeldgaard out at 2nd.

 

Huntsville (14-17 second half, 43-56 overall) and Tennessee will play game 3 of this series tomorrow night. Righty Taylor Jungmann (9-6, 3.78) will start for the Stars. Game time is scheduled for 6:43 Central with Stars Radio Broadcaster Alex Cohen taking the air at 6:28 for the pregame show.

[bkrause2]

Final: DSL Brewers 7, DSL Braves 8

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

After the Brewers hung a seven spot in the top of the second inning, they gave it all right back, as the Braves put up eight in the bottom of the second. Yunior Santana led the way with a 3-for-4 performance. He doubled and stole a base. Roosevert Chal was the DH and went 2-for-4 with a triple. He drove in three runs. Sthervin Matos was 2-for-5 with a double. Matos also recorded the rare steal of home on a double steal. Kevin Martinez, Yeraldy Martinez, Jorge Quiterio and Gregory Munoz had the other Brewers base hits.

 

Axel Cordero pitched pretty well after coming on in relief in the second inning, though he did allow all three runners he inherited to score. He worked 6.2 scoreless innings, scattering five hits. Unfortunately, the damage had already been done. Joan De La Cruz was the Brewers starter but went just 1.1 innings, allowing six runs, all earned. He gave up three hits and walked four. Junior Flores pitched to two batters in the second. He walked one and hit the other.

 

DSL Brewers Play-By-Play

 

Here's the positive. The Brewers half of the second. If you want to see the ugly bottom half, check out the game log.

 

DSL BREWERS inning 2

 

- Santana, Y. doubled.

- Martinez, Y. singled; Santana, Y. advanced to third.

- De Leon, J. walked; Martinez, Y. advanced to second.

- Martinez, K. walked, RBI; De Leon, J. advanced to second; Martinez, Y. advanced to third; Santana, Y. scored.

- Chal, R. tripled, 3 RBI; Martinez, K. scored; De Leon, J. scored; Martinez, Y. scored.

- Munoz, G. singled, RBI; Chal, R. scored.

- Gavidia, A. to p for Ledezma, C..

- Munoz, G. stole second.

- Quiterio, J. grounded out to ss.

- Matos, S. singled; Munoz, G. advanced to third.

- Otano, L. struck out looking.

- Santana, Y. singled, RBI; Matos, S. advanced to second; Munoz, G. scored.

- Matos, S. advanced to third on a passed ball.

- Santana, Y. stole second; Matos, S. stole home, unearned.

- Martinez, Y. flied out to lf.

[Eye Black]

Final: Fort Myers 3, Brevard County 2 (11 inn.)

 

'Tees drop finale to Miracle in extras, 3-2

Cravy's great start spoiled in 11-inning loss

By Andy Towne / Brevard County Manatees

 

AUDIO: Game Highlights

 

VIERA, Fla. - The opportunity presented itself to the Brevard County Manatees for the team's ninth walk-off win of the season, but they just couldn't push the winning run across and fell 3-2 to the Fort Myers Miracle in 11 innings on Wednesday night at Space Coast Stadium.

 

Kennys Vargas tied the game with a solo home run off the base of the right field foul pole in the top of the ninth of off Tommy Toledo and then an unearned run ultimately decided the game in the eleventh.

 

Jhon Goncalves smacked a ball over the head of Ben McMahan in left field with two outs, a play on which McMahan was charged with an error. Michael Kvasnicka provided the go-ahead single off of Santo Manzanillo.

 

Brevard County (15-15 second half, 52-45 overall) had opportunities to win the game with runners on second and third in the ninth, then with a two-out walk in the tenth and a one-out error in the eleventh that allowed Yadiel Rivera to reach.

 

All three runs before Vargas' ninth-inning homer came in the first inning, with both starting pitchers settling in for quality starts despite each taking no-decisions.

 

D.J. Hicks had an RBI double to score Aderling Mejia, who had reached on a walk in the top of the first inning, to give the Miracle (16-15, 61-37) a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the frame, Cameron Garfield poked a two-run single to plate D'Vontrey Richardson and Nick Ramirez. Both Richardson and Ramirez had two hits each.

 

Tyler Cravy (3-1, 2.75 ERA) turned in his second consecutive quality start, going seven innings for his longest outing of the season. The righty surrendered just one run and has allowed more than one run in just one of his four starts. Cravy scattered six hits and walked four with five strikeouts on the night.

 

Since June 11, Cravy has a 1.41 ERA covering 35 innings over nine appearances.

 

Matt Tomshaw matched Cravy's seven frames as he held Brevard to four hits. He walked only one, struck out six and was charged with the two first-inning runs.

 

The current eight-game homestand at Space Coast Stadium continues on Thursday night at 6:35 p.m., with the Bradenton Marauders coming to Viera for a four-game set. Chad Pierce (5-3, 3.49) will start for the Manatees against Bradenton's Adrian Sampson (3-6, 6.04) in the series opener.

 

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

 

Brevard County Play-by-Play

[TheCrew07]

Final: Wisconsin 9, Clinton (Mariners) 1

 

Rattlers win big in return home

Gainey tosses seven scoreless as Wisconsin kicks off homestand with a victory

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/1/7/0/54677170/cuts/Gainey_cb4hooo1_5r8bdn3c.jpg

Preston Gainey allowed one hit over seven scoreless innings against the Clinton LumberKings on July 24, 2013 to pick up his fourth win of the season.

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - Preston Gainey allowed one hit over seven scoreless inning as the Wisconsin offense stayed on their roll in a 9-1 defeat over the Clinton LumberKings at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Wednesday night. This was the first game of a six game homestand for the Timber Rattlers after they went 1-5 on a six game road trip.

 

Wisconsin (42-54 overall, 13-18 second half) took the lead in the bottom of the third inning. Max Walla started the inning with a double to right. Tyler Roberts followed with a double to left-center to score Walla. Orlando Arcia was next and he blooped a triple just fair down the line in right to drive in Roberts. Arcia scored later in the inning when Michael Reed grounded into a 5-4-3 double play with runners on the corners and no outs.

 

The Rattlers added on in the fifth inning. Mike Garza doubled with one out and Parker Berberet singled to left to drive in Garza for a 4-0 lead.

 

Arcia singled in the fifth inning, stole second, and went to third on a grounder. He scored on a wild pitch with two outs to make it 5-0.

 

Gainey, walked three and struck out one as he set his professional high for innings pitched. The only hit he gave up was a two-out single by Dario Pizzano in the top of the first. He walked Marcus Littlewood to start the second inning and retired the next twelve batters in a row. Gainey walked Janelfry Zorilla to start the sixth inning, but erased him on a double play. In the seventh, Littlewood walked with two outs. Then, Gainey struck out Taylor Ard to end the inning.

 

Wisconsin added two more runs in the bottom of the seventh. Max Walla scored from third on a wild pitch for the first run. Later in the frame, Victor Roache drew a bases loaded walk to force in a run to make the score 7-0.

 

Clinton (47-53, 14-17) scored an unearned run off Ryan Gibbard in the top of the eighth. Gaby Guerrero reached on an error to start the inning. Jordy Lara followed with a double to right-center. Guerrero scored on the play, but Lara was out trying to stretch his hit into a triple.

 

The Rattlers tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the eighth. Walla scored on an error for the first tally. Tyrone Taylor was at the plate with the bases loaded and was hit by a pitch to force in a run to account for the final score.

 

Wisconsin had ten hits on Wednesday night, their third straight game with ten or more hits.

 

Game two of the series is Thursday night. Eric Semmelhack (1-5, 5.23) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Clinton has Scott DeCecco (7-7, 4.46) as their scheduled starter. Game time is 7:05pm.

 

You won't need eggnog and a Yule Log to stay warm with this Christmas celebration with the annual Christmas in July. The first 1,000 fans to enter the stadium will receive a nutcracker to get them in the holiday spirit from Principal Financial Group. Plus, The Principal Financial Dreams Tour will be making a stop in the parking lot. Stop by to see this traveling interactive display. Fans can enjoy 16oz soda, beer, or Arty's Old Fashioned drinks for just $2 as part of Thirsty Thursday presented by Arty's Old Fashioned and 95.9 KISS FM.

 

Stick around after the game for a special Thursday night fireworks display courtesy of ExxonMobil.

 

If you can't make it out to the stadium, catch the television broadcast on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel. The radio broadcast can be heard on AM1280, WNAM or IHeartRadio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:45pm. Subscribers of MiLB.TV may also catch the action.

 

WP: Preston Gainey (4-5)

LP: Rigoberto Garcia (0-2)

 

TIME: 2:42

ATTN: 5,153

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

This would have been fun to watch, hopefully I have time in the near future to catch up with the game on the DVR. Preston Gainey had his best outing out of the season, the only other time he went scoreless was a 4 inning stint on 5/18. His peripherals aren't going to blow you away, and I'm sure Mehring will talk about pitching to contact with a 10:3 GO:FO ratio. As I've said in the past I don't get the ground ball hype, it's not new, the idea has been to get ground balls forever, that's why middle defense has always been so important. It's not the ratio of the outs that matter, but rather ratio of the balls in play. At any rate, I'm certainly happy for Preston, hopefully he can find some consistency as he finishes out this campaign to jump start him into next year.

 

Ryan Gibbard followed up with 2 good innings of his own, though he did allow an unearned run.

 

I always expect an avalanche of hits when I see 7+ runs in a game, but the Rattlers got 9 runs on just 10 hits. I say "just" in the context of 9 runs, as I'm thrilled with any double digit hit output. Tyrone Taylor was the only T-Rat to go hitless, he's been rather cold lately, his AVE has dropped down to .288, he was hit by 2 pitches in the game though. Tyler Roberts and Orlando Arcia each contributed 2 hits and an XBH, Roberts with a double and Arcia a triple. Michael Garza and Max Walla each added a double.

 

It's been discussed at length in the BA hot sheet, by MiLB.com, and by Mehring on his blog but if somehow you've missed it or don't read any of the links (please read the linked content each day) Victor Roache has been awesome since the break, coming into today's game this was his July:

 

[pre]Split G PA AB H 2B 3B HR BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS

July 20 89 81 26 3 2 7 7 23 .321 .371 .667 1.037[/pre]

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

 

Wisconsin Recap

 

Only the crooked numbers.

 

Wisconsin Bottom of the 3rd

• Max Walla doubles (8) on a fly ball to right fielder Gabriel Guerrero.
  Tyler Roberts doubles (6) on a line drive to center fielder Janelfry Zorrilla. Max Walla scores.
  Orlando Arcia triples (3) on a fly ball to right fielder Gabriel Guerrero. Tyler Roberts scores.
  Alfredo Rodriguez walks.
  Michael Reed grounds into a double play, third baseman Jordy Lara to second baseman Jamodrick McGruder to first baseman Taylor Ard. Orlando Arcia scores. Alfredo Rodriguez out at 2nd.
  Tyrone Taylor pops out to catcher Marcus Littlewood in foul territory.

 

Wisconsin Bottom of the 7th

• Max Walla walks.
  Tyler Roberts strikes out on a foul tip. Max Walla steals (5) 2nd base.
  Orlando Arcia strikes out swinging, catcher Marcus Littlewood to first baseman Taylor Ard.
  Alfredo Rodriguez singles on a ground ball to shortstop Ketel Marte. Max Walla to 3rd.
  With Michael Reed batting, wild pitch by Mark Bordonaro, Max Walla scores. Alfredo Rodriguez to 2nd.
  Michael Reed singles on a ground ball to second baseman Jamodrick McGruder. Alfredo Rodriguez to 3rd.
  Tyrone Taylor hit by pitch. Michael Reed to 2nd.
  Victor Roache walks. Alfredo Rodriguez scores. Michael Reed to 3rd. Tyrone Taylor to 2nd.
  Pitching Change: George Mieses replaces Mark Bordonaro.
  Mike Garza grounds into a force out, shortstop Ketel Marte to second baseman Jamodrick McGruder. Victor Roache out at 2nd.

 

Wisconsin Bottom of the 8th

• Parker Berberet strikes out swinging, catcher Marcus Littlewood to first baseman Taylor Ard.
  Max Walla walks.
  Tyler Roberts singles on a line drive to left fielder Dario Pizzano. Max Walla to 2nd.
  Orlando Arcia strikes out swinging.
  Alfredo Rodriguez walks. Max Walla to 3rd. Tyler Roberts to 2nd.
  Michael Reed reaches on a fielding error by third baseman Jordy Lara. Max Walla scores. Tyler Roberts to 3rd. Alfredo Rodriguez to 2nd.
  Tyrone Taylor hit by pitch. Tyler Roberts scores. Alfredo Rodriguez to 3rd. Michael Reed to 2nd.
  Victor Roache strikes out swinging.

 

Wisconsin Gameday

[battlekow]

Final: @Helena 11, Billings 6

Helena box score

The Brewers scored seven runs in the 6th and hung on as the Mustangs bucked their way back into the game late.

 

The first four hitters in the lineup each had two hits, and everyone except 9th-place Nathan Orf scored a run. Adam Giacalone responded to having his 41-game on-base streak ended his last time out by reaching four times. Michael Ratterree, after a double and a triple tonight, is hitting .429 and slugging .881 in his last ten games.

 

Nice quiet start for Tristan Archer--four shutout innings, no walks, and a 7/2 GO/FO. Most of Billings' damage came off Danny Keller, unfortunately; he pitched only two innings and allowed four runs.

 

Helena play-by-play

Helena Bottom of the 6th

• Adam Giacalone walks.
  
• Taylor Brennan doubles (5) on a fly ball to left fielder Jon Matthews. Adam Giacalone to 3rd.
  
• Dustin Houle singles on a soft fly ball to right fielder Jonathan Reynoso. Adam Giacalone scores. Taylor Brennan scores.
  
• Pitching Change: Zack Weiss replaces Lucas Moran.
  
• Jose Pena strikes out swinging.
  
• Angel Ortega reaches on a fielding error by pitcher Zack Weiss. Dustin Houle to 2nd.
  
• Nathan Orf grounds out, first baseman Jhimmy Lopez to pitcher Zack Weiss. Dustin Houle to 3rd. Angel Ortega to 2nd.
  
• Omar Garcia singles on a fly ball to left fielder Jon Matthews. Dustin Houle scores. Angel Ortega scores.
  
• Charlie Markson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jonathan Reynoso. Omar Garcia to 2nd.
  
• Michael Ratterree doubles (13) on a fly ball to center fielder Phil Ervin. Omar Garcia scores. Charlie Markson scores.
  
• Adam Giacalone singles on a line drive to left fielder Jon Matthews. Michael Ratterree to 3rd.
  
• With Taylor Brennan batting, wild pitch by Zack Weiss, Michael Ratterree scores.
  
• Taylor Brennan strikes out swinging.

[MTBrew]

FWIW ... a lot of Brewer brass, including Reid Nichols, at the game in Helena tonight.

 

Also these daily Game Notes are excellent ...

http://www.milb.com/documents/8/7/0/54613870/Game_Notes_Billings_July_24_w2wmdfnr.pdf

as good as anything I've seen at any level!

[Mass Haas]

Magic Number Down to One

Billings battles back but 6th inning is difference for Helena

By Zac Vierra / Helena Brewers

 

Helena Site Photo of Michael Ratterree by Seth Eikomstead

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/1/2/0/54688120/cuts/Ratterree_poohax3h_aytqs44h.jpg

 

It might not have been pretty at the end, but the Helena Brewers got a huge sixth inning and held on for an 11-6 win over Billings on Wednesday.

 

With the Brewers win and a Great Falls loss on the night, the Helena magic number was cut to one.

 

If the Brewers win on Thursday or Great Falls loses to Missoula, Helena will clinch a playoff spot and be crowned the Pioneer League North first half champions.

 

But on a day when the Brewers arrived home from a road trip in the wee hours of the morning, picking up a victory was not as easy as the final score indicated.

 

The Brewers jumped out to a lead in the bottom of the third doing all of their damage with two outs. After Luke Moran had gotten a pair of groundouts, Omar Garcia slapped a single to right, Charlie Markson was hit with a pitch, and Michael Ratterree walked.

 

With the bases loaded, Adam Giacalone continued to swing a hot bat as he smoked the first pitch he saw to drive in Garcia and Markson and give Helena a 2-0 lead.

 

Helena starter Tristan Archer would shut the Mustangs down through four innings and the game was a pitcher's dual until the Brewers opened things up in the sixth.

 

In that frame Giacalone would walk to leadoff the inning and Taylor Brennan would follow by pulling a double to left. With the infield drawn in, Dustin Houle hit a blooper to shallow left that fell as Giacalone and Brennan scored to make it 4-0.

 

After Moran was replaced by Zack Weiss, Jose Pena struck out and Angel Ortega reached when Weiss couldn't get a grip on a grounder back at him. After Nathan Orf moved the runners into scoring position with a grounder, Garcia hit a blooper to left that fell in as Houle and Ortega both came home on the play.

 

Markson would then slap a single to right and Ratterree would follow by smoking a double into the left-center gap.

 

The double not only drove home a pair but it also extended Ratterree's hitting streak to 14 games.

 

The Brewers would score their seventh run of the inning when Ratterree eventually scored on a wild pitch to make it 9-0.

 

"Bloopers or blasts whatever they are they end up helping out. The guys put up a big inning there and it ended up being the difference in the ballgame so a solid effort on their part," said Helena manager Tony Diggs.

 

After Billings grabbed a run in the seventh off David Otterman (who would eventually pick up the win), Pena would add to the Helena lead when he hit his fourth homer of the season, a solo shot to left.

 

With a 10-1 advantage the game would seem to be well in hand but Billings found a way to battle back off Danny Keller as fatigue seemed to settle in on a tired bunch of Brewers.

 

After getting two quick outs in the seventh, Keller would hit Taylor Terrasas and walk Robert Ramirez. Jhimmy Lopez would then hit a bomb to left for a three-run shot and Jon Matthews would follow with a line drive homer to make it a 10-5 game.

 

That would be it for Keller who was replaced by Sean Albury. Albury would give up a single to Jonathan Reynoso who advanced to second when the throw to the infield by Garcia was wild. After Reynoso advanced to third thanks a passed ball by Houle, Ty Washington would hit an RBI single to make it a four-run game. Albury would allow another double but he would get out of the inning when he retired Daniel Paula on a groundout.

 

Ratterree would give the Brewers an insurance run in the eighth when he smoked an RBI triple into the gap in right-center and although he allowed a leadoff single, Albury would finish things off with a pair of strikeouts in the ninth to preserve the win.

 

"We are coming off a pretty big road trip and we did a lot of things well and especially coming back late last night you want to see the guys come out and play a little bit sharper than what they did, but a W is a W in this case," said Diggs.

 

The series will continue on Thursday night and the scenario will be simple for the Brewers: win and they clinch a spot in the playoffs.

[Mass Haas]

Brewers hang on against Mustangs

By Curt Synness, Helena Independent Record

 

The Helena Brewers built a 10-0 lead over the Billings Mustangs and then held on for an 11-6 Pioneer League victory at Kindrick Legion Field on Wednesday.

 

The visiting Mustangs outhit the Brewers 14-12 as the two clubs combined for 26 hits in what turned out to be a slugfest after Helena pitching held the visitors scoreless for six innings.

 

The Brewers took a 2-0 lead after three innings, as local Tristan Archer pitched four innings of shutout ball before giving way to David Otterman. Archer allowed three hits and struck out two, without issuing a walk.

 

Otterman worked three stanzas, giving up five hits and one run.

 

Helena’s (20-13) big, eight-run sixth inning started with a leadoff base on balls by Adam Giacalone.

 

Then the Brewers’ hit parade began with a double by Taylor Brennan, a two-run single by Dustin Houle and Angel Ortega reaching on a fielding error.

 

Then a two-run single by Omar Garcia was followed by Charlie Markson’s single, preceding a two-run double by Michael Ratterree, which turned out to be the deciding runs.

 

After another single by Giacalone, Ratterree tallied the eighth run of the frame, racing home on a wild pitch.

 

Billings (12-21) finally got on the scoreboard with a run in the seventh, and then rallied for five markers in the eighth to make a game of it.

 

The Mustangs belted back-to-back home runs off reliever Danny Keller; a 3-run shot by Jhimmy Lopez, and a solo tater by Jon Matthews.

 

Ratterree helped the hosts regain a little momentum with a stand-up triple to the right-center fence in the bottom of the eighth, plating Markson for a five-run cushion and the winning margin.

 

Sean Albury pitched the final 1 1/3 stanzas and shut out the visitors in the ninth to seal it.

 

Garcia, Markson, Ratterree (three RBIs) and Giacalone had two hits each for the home team.

 

The Mustangs’ offense was led by Ty Washington (two RBIs), Avain Rachal and Matthews, with three hits apiece. Luke Moran took the mound loss.

 

Helena entered the series with a shot to win the season’s first half and, with it, a spot in the postseason. The team hasn’t made the playoffs since claiming the Pioneer League crown in 2010.

 

The team’s magic number of three was reduced to one after the win on Wednesday, thanks to a Great Falls loss in Missoula. That means the Brewers can snap that postseason skid when the two teams meet again tonight at Kindrick Legion, with the first pitch slated for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central).

 

Photos by Eliza Wiley Independent Record - David Otterman, throws a pitch to Billings Jonathan Reynoso who bunts for a base hit Wednesday night at Kindrick Legion Field.

 

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/9/fe/9fe0c246-f4d9-11e2-9c74-0019bb2963f4/51f09a478b245.preview-620.jpg

 

Helena's Nathan Orf barely makes it back to first base before the ball Wednesday night during their game against the Billings Mustangs.

 

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[Mass Haas]

Helena Pre-Game Audio: First baseman Adam Giacalone talks about his return to Helena

[Mass Haas]

Stars Powered Down By Smokies

By Alex Cohen / Huntsville Stars

 

In game two of a five-game series, a Huntsville Stars team that scored 21 runs in their previous three games was silenced by the Tennessee Smokies by a score of 6-1 on Wednesday night at Joe Davis Stadium.

 

After scoring the final four runs on Tuesday in their 6-4 loss against the Stars, the Smokies continued that momentum early.

 

In the span of three batters during the top of the second inning, both first baseman Justin Bour and catcher Rafael Lopez lofted solo homers against Stars starter Andy Moye (L, 4-11) to put the Smokies on the board.

 

Two innings later, shortstop Javier Baez led things off with a solo blast of his own to make the score 3-0. For Baez, the homer was his second in as many games and third roundtripper in six games against the Stars this season.

 

That run support was plenty for Tennessee starting pitcher Dae-Un Rhee and the rest of the Smokies pitching staff. The 24-year-old righty improved to 2-0 during his injury-plagued 2013 season after giving up a run on five hits in 5.0+ innings while striking out five batters.

 

Four Tennessee pitchers, including RHP Yeiper Castillo, LHP Hunter Cervenka, LHP Zac Rosscup and RHP Tony Zych combined to shutout the Stars through the final four innings to conserve the victory for Rhee and the Smokies.

 

On offense, the only run the Stars were able to manage was an RBI single by first baseman Jason Rogers in the fifth inning. Rogers now has nine runs batted in over his last five games.

 

Aside from Rogers, second baseman Nick Shaw was the only Stars player to record a multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 at the plate with a double.

 

Tennessee scored two runs in the eighth inning and one in the ninth inning off of Stars reliever David Goforth for insurance purposes, highlighted by an RBI single from third baseman Jonathan Mota and a sacrifice fly by outfielder Rubi Silva.

 

The loss for the Stars snaps their four-game winning streak against the Smokies dating back to the series the two teams played against each other at Smokies Park earlier this month.

 

On Thursday, the Stars will play game three of a five-game series at Joe Davis Stadium against Tennessee. Huntsville will send RHP Taylor Jungmann (9-6, 3.78 ERA) to the bump while Tennessee will counter with LHP Austin Kirk (2-3, 36.53 ERA). First pitch is 6:43 ET.

[Mass Haas]

Rattler Radio Blog - Postgame Entry includes video highlights with Chris' calls