Link Report for Tue. 7/30 -- Hellweg and Jungmann Venture Moundward

[Mass Haas]

Ex-Illinois State pitcher Razo acing relief test so far in minors

By Randy Reinhardt, (Bloomington, IL) Pantagraph

 

A magnet for the most coveted statistic in sports, former Illinois State pitcher Chris Razo has had a winning approach to his first professional season.

 

In a mere eight appearances out of the bullpen, Razo sports a 6-0 record for the Milwaukee Brewers organization.

 

“It’s been a lot of luck, I guess, going my way,” said Razo, who was recently promoted from the rookie level Pioneer League to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers of the Class A Midwest League. “A lot of guys are giving me a hard time, calling me a vulture. I come in and somehow get a win.”

 

A 24th-round draft choice in June, Razo was even credited with a victory when giving up a hit on his only pitch of the game.

 

“I gave up a hit and we threw a guy out at the plate,” he said. “Somehow, I got the win.”

 

Razo has adjusted well to a relief role. The Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year as a starter with the Redbirds this spring, Razo has a 1.35 ERA in 13 1/3 innings.

 

“I feel better than I have in a long time. Getting into this type of pattern, I’ve figured out what I need to do to be ready to go,” he said. “I prepared myself all spring to throw basically 120 pitches (at ISU) and be fine with it. My body is rewarding me for all the hard work building stamina.

 

“It’s nice to go out there and pitch one or two innings, sometimes three. That’s all they need out of me that day then I get a couple days’ rest.”

 

After debuting in Helena, Mont., Razo is glad to be back in the Midwest. The right-hander and the rest of the Timber Rattlers will be in Peoria, near his hometown of Chillicothe, on Aug. 7-9.

 

“My goal coming into the summer was to get closer to home so check another goal off the list,” said Razo. “Peoria next week will be pretty exciting. There will be a lot of people there.”

[Mass Haas]

Stars Streak Stopped by Generals

By Alex Cohen / Huntsville Stars

 

After winning the first two games of their series and four straight overall dating back to May at The Ballpark at Jackson, the Huntsville Stars took the loss against the Jackson Generals by a score of 5-1 on Tuesday night.

 

Unlike the first two games of the series, the Generals were able to take the initial lead of the contest. In the bottom of the first inning, an error from shortstop Hector Gomez on a grounder from Jackson shortstop Chris Taylor began a downward spiral against starting pitcher Taylor Jungmann. Two batters later, an RBI triple from Julio Morban scored Taylor to put the Generals on the board. Morban scored later in the inning on an RBI groundout from first baseman Ji-Man Choi to make the score 2-0.

 

However, Jungmann would then settle down. From the second through the seventh inning, Jungmann sent down the Generals in order four times, giving up just two hits during that span without giving up a run.

 

With the score still 2-0 in the top of the eighth inning, the Stars were finally able to chase Generals starting pitcher Anthony Fernandez (W, 5-3) from the game with runners on first and second and two outs. After Fernandez was replaced by righty Dominic Leone, an infield single by Gomez accompanied by a throwing error from Generals second baseman Jack Marder allowed designated hitter Mike Walker to score to make it a one-run game.

 

Unfortunately for the Stars, that's as close that they would get. Against a combination of Jungmann and righty Eric Marzec, Jackson tacked on three runs in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by a pair of RBI singles from Choi and outfielder James Jones in addition to another RBI triple by Morban.

 

In a losing effort, Jungmann fell to 9-7 on the season after giving up five runs (three earned) on five hits while striking out seven batters and walking four. His seven strikeouts tied a season-high and the 7.1 innings pitched marked his longest start of the season.

 

On offense, the Stars were paced from two hits apiece by Gomez and outfielder Rene Tosoni. Aside from those two, a first-inning double from first baseman Jason Rogers extended his season-high hitting streak to 11 games. The hit streak is the longest for any Stars player this season.

 

The Stars will play game four of a five-game series at The Ballpark at Jackson against the Jackson Generals on Wednesday. Huntsville will send RHP Ariel Pena (5-7, 4.06 ERA) to the bump to try to earn a series victory while Jackson will counter with LHP Anthony Vasquez (1-1, 3.09 ERA). First pitch is 7:05 PM.

[Mass Haas]

Video from Monday's game, as we get a parade of Jason Rogers HR videos as of late --

 

Jason Rogers hits a two-run homer in the Stars' 5-3 win over the Jackson Generals

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO: Huntsville's Taylor Jungmann strikes out Joseph Dunigan in the Stars' 5-1 Tuesday loss to Jackson

[Mass Haas]

Sounds Win Water-Logged Opener

Nashville's Johnny Hellweg Picks Up League-Leading 10th Victory

Nashville Sounds

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/4/3/8/55342438/cuts/730_hellweg_gm6a7qy6_tqjkoxwy.jpg

 

Mike Strasinger Photo of Johnny Hellweg

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Following a two-hour and 18-minute pregame rain delay, the Nashville Sounds edged the Las Vegas 51s, 3-1, in a rain-shortened contest Tuesday night at Greer Stadium.

 

In the third inning, infielder Robinzon Diaz, 1-for-3, got the Sounds on the board with an RBI single into centerfield (audio). The hit scored Kentrail Davis from third, who singled and stole second earlier in the frame.

 

The Sounds added to their lead in the sixth on Josh Prince's solo home run to right field (audio). The two-out shot was Prince's 10th dinger of the season.

 

Starting pitcher Johnny Hellweg (10-4) kept the 51s silent over the game's first six innings en route to his ninth consecutive PCL victory. The 6-foot-9 hurler held Vegas to three hits, walking four and fanning three.

 

Hellweg shaves his season-long ERA from 2.44 to a league-leading 2.28. Hellweg has not allowed an earned run in his last 24 innings and has only allowed one earnie over his last 42 frames. Hellweg's win ties Sacramento's Bruce Billings for league-most, at 10 each.

 

Las Vegas worked their lone run off reliever Zach Kroenke with two outs in the top of the eighth inning. Pinch hitter Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit an RBI single off Kyle Heckathorn to score Kroenke's runner on second. Heckathorn had the next batter groundout to end the inning and pick up his first save.

 

Las Vegas starter Rafael Montero (2-3) took the loss after holding Nashville to two runs over six innings of work.

 

The Sounds loaded the bases in the home half of the eighth inning before Josh Prince drew a walk for his second RBI of the night. Before the next batter made it up to bat, the rain had picked up enough to have the umpires call for the tarp. The game ended after a 40-minute delay.

 

The Sounds play game two against Las Vegas Wednesday night at Greer Stadium. Throwing for Nashville will be RHP Jimmy Nelson (2-4, 3.86) opposite the 51s' RHP Chris Schwinden (4-9, 6.03). First pitch is slated for 7:05 PM.

 

Nashville Box Score

Worst team in the league, best PCL pitcher this year. Sure, it helps Hellweg hasn't had to pitch in many of the western parks, but still, 1 ER in 42 IP is utterly remarkable.

 

Robinzon Diaz has doubled his walk rate from Huntsville with the Sounds. Given his catching ability, would love to see Milwaukee entice him to sign a minor league free agent deal again for 2014, but without a 40-man roster addition, he's likely headed elsewhere. Possible September addition, though. Who's a better 3rd catcher on the 40-man roster, Diaz or Blake Lalli?

 

Nashville Game Log

[TheCrew07]

Wacha gets back into win column

[TheCrew07]

Cal notes: Stephenson's stuff 'electric'

[TheCrew07]

Prospect Notebook: Cardinals’ Michael Wacha Dominates With Lively Fastball