Link Report for Sat. 8/3 -- Blowing Past the Century Mark (Not in a Good Way)

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Saturday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: LHP Aaron Laffey at home vs. Tucson (Padres), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 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 Andy Moye at home vs. Mississippi (Braves), 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 Tyler Cravy at Charlotte (Rays), 5:30 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link -- Select the opponent coverage with the Jupiter link

 

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Wisconsin: RHP Preston Gainey at home vs. Beloit (Athletics), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 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: 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.

 

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Helena: RHP Zach Quintana at Great Falls (White Sox), 7:40 PM pre-game, 8:00 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.

 

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Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at home vs. the mighty-morphin' power Rangers, 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league

 

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DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Cubs #1 squad, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until later in the day

[Mass Haas]

Programming notes:

 

Brevard County audio only available via the Charlotte feed until the next homestand begins Wednesday August 7th.

 

***

 

DVR Alert!

 

Today's Timber Rattlers game will be broadcast on MyNewTV 32 at 6:30 PM. The "Showdown" pre-game show airs at 6:00.

 

Here's the page giving you related info on the Time Warner Cable dispute with the station.

[Mass Haas]

Follow Saturday'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, Wisconsin, and Maryvale, 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

 

Port Charlotte, FL

 

Grand Chute, WI (Appleton)

 

Great Falls, MT

 

Maryvale, AZ

 

San Pedro De Macoris, DR

[Mass Haas]

Tonight could be a defining night -- the Brewers' organization, top to bottom, MLB to DSL, is a combined 99 games below .500.

 

MLB 46-63

AAA 43-71

AA 46-62

A+ 54-52

A 45-60

R+ 24-17

R 11-24

DSL 16-35

 

TOT 285-384

[TheCrew07]

Tonight could be a defining night -- the Brewers' organization, top to bottom, MLB to DSL, is a combined 99 games below .500.

 

MLB 46-63

AAA 43-71

AA 46-62

A+ 54-52

A 45-60

R+ 24-17

R 11-24

DSL 16-35

 

TOT 285-384

 

There's not really anything to say about the state of things that isn't incredibly obvious is there?

[Eye Black]

Final: Charlotte 3, Brevard County 2

 

Early lead spoiled in 3-2 loss at Charlotte

By Dave Walkovic / Brevard County Manatees

 

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Tyler Cravy tossed six shutout innings and had a 2-0 lead, but it wasn't enough as the Charlotte Stone Crabs topped the Brevard County Manatees, 3-2, on Saturday night at Charlotte Sports Park.

 

The Stone Crabs (23-16 second half, 52-54 overall) scored three runs in the seventh inning against Taylor Mangum to erase a two-run deficit. An RBI triple by Kes Carter plated Jeff Malm to open the scoring for Charlotte. Lucas Bailey and Jake Hager each delivered run-scoring singles to give the Stone Crabs the lead for good in the seventh.

 

Cravy did not factor into the decision after he allowed three hits and two walks in his six scoreless frames. He fanned five batters.

 

Brevard County (17-23, 54-53) took an early 1-0 lead in the first. After D'Vontrey Richardson led off the game with a single, he stole second. With one out, Nick Ramirez singled to left field, plating Richardson.

 

Richardson finished 3-for-4 on the night, which extended the best hit streak by a Manatee this season to 12 games.

 

With one out in the sixth, Yadiel Rivera smacked his fourth homer of the season, a solo shot, to double the Brevard County lead.

 

Mangum (0-1) was hit with the loss after allowing three runs on five hits and recording two outs in the seventh inning.

 

Jacob Partridge (1-4) earned his first victory of the season. He allowed 1 run over 4.1 innings of relief. Partridge was relieved by Nate Garcia, who retired the final two batters of the game to record his eighth save of the season.

 

The two squads square off again tomorrow in game three of the four game series. First pitch from Port Charlotte is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

 

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

D'Vontrey Richardson went 3-4 (all singles) and extended his hit streak to 12 games. He also added a stolen base. Hopefully at somepoint D'Vo can start to show some doubles power. Yadiel Rivera went 2-4 with an HR. Nick Ramirez had the only other hit for the Manatees. Nicky Delmonico walked three times tonight. Nice line for Tyler Cravy tonight with 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 SO.

 

 

Brevard County Play-by-Play

[Minigoon]

Final: Mississippi 6 Huntsville 5

 

The Huntsville Stars carried a 4-2 lead into the 9th and watched as the Mississippi Braves scored 4 runs and held on to win 6-5 Saturday night at The Joe. The loss extended the Stars losing streak to 5. Stars starter Andy Moye pitched well enough to win. Moye worked 5 innings, allowing 2 runs, both earned, on 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 2. Moye allowed a home run, his Southern League leading 16th. Moye posted a very good 9-1 GO/FO ratio and threw 64 pitches, 37 for strikes.

 

Stars reliever David Goforth relieved Moye in the 6th and put together a real bounce back performance. Goforth, who struggled last time out, worked a perfect 6th inning, striking out 2. Kevin Shackelford worked 2 scoreless innings, but was in and out of trouble all night. He allowed 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 1. It was a key pick off at 2nd base that preceded a base hit that kept his line scoreless.

 

So, with the Stars up 4-2, Greg Holle was called on to close it out. Unfortunately, Holle was unable to. The Braves touched him up for 4 runs to take a 6-4 lead. Holle's (3-3, 4.26) line was 1 inning 4 runs on 5 hits with 1 strike out. This was the 4th blown save on the season for Greg.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

The Huntsville Stars got a huge game from left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard tonight. Kjeldgaard was 2-4, both hits were home runs, and 4 RBI's. The 2 home runs give Brock 18 on the season, one behind teammate Jason Rogers for the league lead. Second baseman Nick Shaw also collected 2 hits and drove in a run in the 9th for the Stars. Shaw also drew a walk, his team leading 52nd. Jason Rogers singled to extend his hitting streak to 16 games, a season high for the Stars. Rogers drew a walk as well. Shawn Zarraga had a pinch hit single tonight. That is his team best 6th pinch hit on the season. The Stars also got singles from Chadwin Stang, Adam Weisenburger, Hector Gomez, and Shea Vucinich. Weisenburger and Rene Tosoni also drew walks.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

 

Brock had a big night.

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 2nd

 

Jason Rogers flies out to left fielder Robby Hefflinger.

Mike Walker grounds out, first baseman Christian Marrero to pitcher Gus Schlosser.

Brock Kjeldgaard homers (17) on a line drive to left field.

Adam Weisenburger walks.

Hector Gomez strikes out swinging

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 6th

 

Pitching Change: Gary Moran replaces Gus Schlosser, batting 4th, replacing left fielder Robby Hefflinger.

Defensive Substitution: Dan Brewer replaces pitcher Gus Schlosser, batting 9th, playing left field.

Nick Shaw singles on a ground ball to center fielder Mycal Jones.

Rene Tosoni flies out to center fielder Mycal Jones.

Jason Rogers singles on a line drive to center fielder Mycal Jones. Nick Shaw to 2nd.

Mike Walker lines out to center fielder Mycal Jones.

Brock Kjeldgaard homers (18) on a fly ball to left center field. Nick Shaw scores. Jason Rogers scores.

Adam Weisenburger flies out to right fielder Jose Martinez.

 

Huntsville (17-24 second half, 46-63 overall) will look to snap their 5 game skid when they take on the Braves tomorrow afternoon. Taylor Jungmann (9-7, 3.76) will look to play the role of stopper for the Stars. Game time is set for 4:03 Central with Stars Radio Broadcaster Alex Cohen kicking things off at 3:50 with the pregame show.

[TheCrew07]

Snappers hold off Rattlers

Beloit builds lead and hangs on for 9-6 win

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Beloit Snappers broke open a close game in the middle innings and held on to defeat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 9-6 on Saturday night at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities. Wisconsin loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the ninth, but couldn't pull off the comeback. Dayton Alexander had four hits, including a pair of home runs, to lead Beloit to the win in game one of a four game series.

 

The Snappers (65-46 overall, 22-19 second half) struck first. Aaron Shipman drew a leadoff walk against Wisconsin starter Preston Gainey. Shipman stole second and went to third on a grounder. A slow chopper up the third base line off the bat of Daniel Robertson led to a play at the plate. Shipman beat the throw and Beloit was up 1-0.

 

Victor Roache tied the game with a line drive home run to left field as the leadoff batter in the second inning. Roache jumped on a 2-0 pitch to hit his sixteenth home run of the season.

 

The teams traded runs in the third inning. Alexander singled and stole second to start the frame for the Snappers. Shipman doubled to right-center to drive in Alexander. Wisconsin (45-61, 16-25) answered in the bottom of the third. Orlando Arcia tripled to left-center with one out. Alfredo Rodriguez drove in Arcia with a sacrifice fly to tie the game.

 

Alexander put the Snappers back in front with a leadoff home run in the top of the fifth. Then, a combination of errors and walks set Beloit up for a bigger inning. Errors on consecutive grounders by Shipman and Brett Vertigan put Snappers on second and third. A walk loaded the bases. Then, a walk to John Wooten forced in a run. Christopher Bostick singled to knock in the third run of the inning. A sacrifice fly from Matt Olson capped the scoring in the inning to put Beloit up 6-2.

 

The Rattlers came back with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Rodriguez singled with two outs and Arcia at first base. The hit put runners on the corners. Michael Reed followed with a single to right to score Arcia. The throw to third to try to get Rodriguez wound up in the stands. That allowed Rodriguez to cross home plate and the Rattlers were down 6-4.

 

Wisconsin went to Ryan Gibbard in the top of the sixth. Alexander welcomed Gibbard to the game with a home run in his second straight at bat. Alexander had hit two homers in his previous 344 professional at bats.

 

Shipman followed Alexander's second home run with a single and he stole second. A two-out single by Wooten drove in Shipman.

 

Beloit made it 9-4 with a run in the top of the seventh. Matt Olson walked and a wild pitch moved him to second base. Ryan Mathews singled to drive in Olson.

 

Reed walked to start the Wisconsin eighth inning, but was at second base with two outs. Garrett Cooper doubled to right-center to knock in Reed. Parker Berberet followed with a single to drive in Cooper and the Rattlers were within 9-6.

 

That single by Berberet also extended his current hitting streak to eighteen games.

 

Stu Pudenz, who came on to get the final out of the eighth inning, made the game interesting in the bottom of the ninth. Tyler Roberts started the inning with an infield single. Arcia and Rodriguez each drew walks to load the bases. That put the tying runs on base and brought the winning run to the plate.

 

Pudenz got the first out with a strikeout. Mike Garza came up and sent a slicing line drive down the right field line on the first pitch of his at bat. But, the ball dove foul and the runners had to reset to their bases. Two pitches later, Pudenz got Garza to ground into a game ending 4-6-3 double play.

 

Game two of the four game series is set for Sunday afternoon. Wisconsin has Eric Semmelhack (1-6, 5.25) as their scheduled starting pitcher. Beloit has Dylan Covey (0-1, 5.68) set to start for them. Game time is 1:05pm.

 

Sunday is a Brewers Sunday presented by 107.5, The Fan. Fans may play catch on the field for thirty minutes starting at noon. Timber Rattlers players will be available for an autograph session on the third base concourse after the game. Time Warner Cable customers can receive up to four half-priced reserved bleacher tickets when showing their TWC bill at time of ticket purchase. Timber Rattlers players and coaches will be wearing Brewers-themed jerseys during the game for the second to last time this season. These jerseys will be up for bid in a live auction after the game on Sunday, August 25.

 

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, tune in for the radio call on AM1280, WNAM or IHeartRadio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 12:45pm. Sunday's game is also available to subscribers of MiLB.tv.

 

HOME RUNS:

BEL:

Dayton Alexander (1st, 0 on in 5th inning off Preston Gainey, 0 out)

Dayton Alexander (2nd, 0 on in 6th inning off Ryan Gibbard, 0 out)

 

WIS:

Victor Roache (16th, 0 on in 2nd inning off Derek De Young, 0 out)

 

WP: Derek De Young (5-4)

LP: Preston Gainey (4-6)

SAVE: Stu Pudenz (3)

 

TIME: 3:06

ATTN: 5,026

 

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Yes that Dylan Covey will be starting against the T-Rats tomorrow.

 

Orlando Arcia, Garrett Cooper, and Michael Reed all had multi-hit efforts.

 

Poor pitching and bad defense generally means a less than desirable result on the scoreboard and this game was no different.

 

Wisconsin Recap

 

The Beloit 5th.

 

Beloit Top of the 5th

• Dayton Alexander homers (1) on a line drive to left field.
  Aaron Shipman reaches on a fielding error by second baseman Alfredo Rodriguez.
  Brett Vertigan reaches on a throwing error by first baseman Parker Berberet. Aaron Shipman to 3rd. Brett Vertigan to 2nd.
  Daniel Robertson walks.
  John Wooten walks. Aaron Shipman scores. Brett Vertigan to 3rd. Daniel Robertson to 2nd.
  Chris Bostick singles on a line drive to center fielder Lance Roenicke. Brett Vertigan scores. Daniel Robertson to 3rd. John Wooten to 2nd.
  Matt Olson out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Victor Roache. Daniel Robertson scores.
  Ryan Mathews pops out to second baseman Alfredo Rodriguez on the infield fly rule.
  Ryan Delgado strikes out swinging.

 

Wisconsin Gameday

[TheCrew07]

Sounds Extend Win Streak To Six With 10-6 Victory Over Tucson

Nashville Cranks Out 16 Hits, Belts Three Homers In Series Opener Triumph

Nashville Sounds

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/9/7/6/55822976/cuts/PrinceStarWars_4xnc6zuj_9c8x8j8h.jpg

(Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds)

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds extended their season-best winning streak to six games with a 10-6 victory over the Tucson Padres in front of 8,731 fans on Saturday evening at Greer Stadium.

 

AUDIO: Blake Lalli HR
AUDIO: Robinzon Diaz HR
AUDIO: Hainley Statia HR

 

The series opener victory on Star Wars Night featured 16 hits by the Sounds (44-71), including one by every member of the starting lineup. Red-hot hitters Robinzon Diaz and Eugenio Velez each went 3-for-4 to pace Nashville, which posted a double-digit run total for the sixth time this season. Blake Lalli, Josh Prince, and Hainley Statia also contributed multi-hit efforts.

 

Tucson grabbed an early lead against Sounds starter Aaron Laffey, plating three runs in the top of the first inning. The T-Pads loaded the bases with one out on a Dan Robertson game-opening walk and a pair of singles by Dean Anna and Mike Wilson before Gregorio Petit put the visitors on the board with a two-run single to left. After re-loading the bases with another single, Tucson plated its third run on a Jesus Merchan grounder.

 

Anna (4-for-4) upped the Tucson advantage to 4-0 in the second when he belted his ninth home run of the year, a one-out solo shot to right off Laffey.

 

Lalli (2-for-4) put the Sounds on the board in the bottom of the second inning with a one-out solo homer to right off Tucson starter Jason Lane, the backstop's ninth big fly of the year.

 

The Sounds pulled within a run at 4-3 in the fourth on Diaz's two-run homer to left off Lane, his third roundtripper of the year. Hunter Morris, who preceded Diaz with a double off the batter's eye to extend the Sounds' longest active hitting streak to six games (8-for-25, .320), also scored on the bomb. On the Morris double, Sean Halton was thrown out at the plate by a perfect Padres relay as he attempted to score from second following his team-leading 24th double of the year.

 

After Tucson tacked on a run in the top of the fifth on a Petit RBI grounder, Nashville squared the contest at 5-5 in the home half of the frame. Statia (2-for-4) led off with a solo homer to left, his fifth tater of the season. Laffey followed with a double down the right field line and scored two batters later on a Baltimore chop infield single off the bat of Velez, who has hit safely in six of his last seven contests at a .458 clip (11-for-24).

 

Nashville took a 6-5 lead in the sixth with a run off T-Pads reliever Ryan Kelly. Diaz -- who is batting .391 (25-for-64) over his last 18 games -- led off with a double to left, moved to third on a Lalli single, and score the go-ahead run on Josh Prince's RBI single to right-center. Prince was thrown out on the play as he tried to extend the knock to a double.

 

Laffey took a no-decision for the Sounds after allowing five runs on six hits over six frames of action. The southpaw walked two batters and struck out four during his 89-pitch outing.

 

Tucson knotted the contest at 6-6 in the top of the seventh against Sounds reliever Tim Dillard. Anna ripped his PCL-leading 37th double of the year, a one-out ground-rule two-bagger to left-center, and scored on Wilson's two-out single.

 

The back-and-forth affair continued in the eighth as Nashville reclaimed a 10-6 lead by sending nine batters to dish to plate four runs against reliever Kevin Quackenbush.

 

Prince had the game-winning RBI with his second go-ahead knock of the night, a single to right that plated Diaz. Pinch-hitter Stephen Parker contributed an RBI fielder's choice before Velez drew a bases-loaded walk to up the lead to three. Halton followed with a fly ball to right that dropped but Velez was forced at second on the play, leaving the Nashville right fielder with only an RBI fielder's choice for his efforts.

 

Dillard (2-2) picked up the win for the Sounds after allowing one run in his two innings of work, while Quackenbush (6-2) was saddled with the loss after giving up four runs in his lone frame of action.

 

The teams continue the series with another 6:35 p.m. meeting on Sunday evening. Right-hander Johnny Hellweg (10-4, 2.28), a winner in his last eight starts, will toe the slab for the Sounds and face Tucson right-hander Anthony Bass (2-5, 6.79).

 

Nashville Boxscore

 

Nashville Recap

 

Nashville Gameday

[battlekow]

Final: Helena 9, @Great Falls 5

 

All-around strong game nets victory for Brewers

Helena Independent Record

 

Michael Ratterree smashed his third home run in two days, six different Brewers recorded multi-hit games and starter Zach Quintana picked up his third win of the season in Helena’s 9-5 road victory over Great Falls on Saturday.

 

The Voyagers led 2-0 after two innings, but then Helena got going. Angel Ortega’s RBI groundout in the third plated Jose Pena for the Brewers’ first run, and the visitors took the lead in the next inning with a four-run fourth.

 

Great Falls starter Andrew Mitchell gave up six straight hits to start the frame before being replaced by Anthony Santiago, who didn’t give up a hit until Ratterree destroyed a 2-0 fastball over the left-field fence at Centene Stadium in the fifth.

 

Great Falls tried to make a game of it in the ninth against a wild Brewers reliever Tyler Linehan, but managed to score just three runs — all too little, too late.

 

Pena led the Brewers at the plate, going 2 for 4 with three RBIs. Also finishing with two hits were Ratterree, Adam Giacalone, Dustin Houle, Taylor Brennan and Jalen Harris, who hit two doubles. Ortega finished with a pair of RBIs in the contest.

 

The Voyagers finished without an extra-base hit in the matchup.

 

Quintana (3-2) allowed two runs on six hits through six innings of work, striking out three and walking four. Linehan earned his first save of the season despite the bumpy ninth frame.

 

Mitchell (0-2) was tagged with five runs — all earned — on eight hits through 3.1 innings.

 

The two teams are back at it this afternoon, with southpaw Anthony Banda (1-3, 5.19 ERA) scheduled to take the mound for Helena against Nick Blount (0-3, 4.00).

 

Helena box score

 

Helena play-by-play

[Mass Haas]

Final: DSL Cubs 16, @DSL Brewers 4

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

Unlike some past years, the Cubs have only one, not two, DSL squads, and it shows -- the combined reduced squad is strong at 36-17. The Brewers are now 16-36 and have dropped their last seven.

 

Soon-to-be 20-year-old RHP Pedro Peguero has the size at 6'6", 215, but my goodness, what a project. Only 8.1 IP over his first two DSL seasons, and this year, with more extended opportunities (11 games, seven starts), Peguero has an 11.22 ERA with 29 walks in 21.2 innings. Facing a strong Cubs starter, I imagine there were rightly no Vegas odds on this one, off the board.

 

Here's how the game started:

 

DSL Cubs Top of the 1st

 

Robert Garcia walks.

Varonex Cuevas walks. Robert Garcia to 2nd.

Adonis Paula hit by pitch. Robert Garcia to 3rd. Varonex Cuevas to 2nd.

Shamil Ubiera walks. Robert Garcia scores. Varonex Cuevas to 3rd. Adonis Paula to 2nd.

Jose Paniagua walks. Varonex Cuevas scores. Adonis Paula to 3rd. Shamil Ubiera to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Orlando Torrez replaces Pedro Peguero.

 

3rd year pro 21-year-old Orlando Torrez followed, all of Peguero's runners scored, but at least Torrez got through four innings, allowing seven runs of his own (five earned). Torrez now sports a 5.88 ERA in 26 relief innings, but he's had the toughest time bailing out his defense, allowing 29 runs (17 earned). 2nd year 18-year-old Junior Flores and rookie Yosmer Leal have combined to walk 54 in 33.2 IP this year, and their four-digit ERA's were used to mop up the final five frames (four earned runs total).

 

On second look, Torrez didn't get the chance to limit the damage, defense was a problem in the 5th:

 

DSL Cubs Top of the 5th

 

Luis Acosta reaches on a fielding error by third baseman Sthervin Matos.

Roberto Caro walks. Luis Acosta to 2nd.

Jenner Emeterio singles on a line drive to left fielder Juan Ortiz. Luis Acosta to 3rd. Roberto Caro to 2nd.

Robert Garcia reaches on a throwing error by second baseman Jorge Quiterio. Luis Acosta scores. Roberto Caro to 3rd. Jenner Emeterio to 2nd.

Varonex Cuevas singles on a line drive to right fielder Leudi Otano. Roberto Caro scores. Jenner Emeterio to 3rd. Robert Garcia to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Junior Flores replaces Orlando Torrez.

 

Flores also allowed all three inherited runners to score, sigh.

 

DSL Brewers Game Log

 

Guess we'll end this on a high note. Trailing 16-0 heading to the bottom of the 9th, the D-Crew put up a 4-spot against a 17-year-old Cub in his 3rd pro game:

 

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 9th

 

Pitching Change: Wagner Disla replaces Enderson Mercedes.

Jorge Quiterio homers (4) on a fly ball to right field.

Sthervin Matos pops out to shortstop Varonex Cuevas.

Yunior Santana walks.

Leudi Otano walks. Yunior Santana to 2nd.

With Juan De Los Santos batting, wild pitch by Wagner Disla, Yunior Santana to 3rd. Leudi Otano to 2nd.

Juan De Los Santos out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Robert Garcia. Yunior Santana scores.

Juan De Leon singles on a line drive to right fielder Shamil Ubiera. Leudi Otano scores.

Daniel Leonardo walks. Juan De Leon to 2nd.

With Gregory Munoz batting, wild pitch by Wagner Disla, Juan De Leon to 3rd. Daniel Leonardo to 2nd.

Gregory Munoz singles on a line drive to right fielder Shamil Ubiera. Juan De Leon scores. Daniel Leonardo to 3rd.

Pitching Change: Gilberto Abreu replaces Wagner Disla.

Juan Ortiz lines out to second baseman Jenner Emeterio.

[Mass Haas]

Final: AZL Rangers 10, @AZL Brewers 8

 

AZL Brewers Box Score

 

Brewers committed four errors, and three different pitchers were victimized, as four Rangers runs were not earned.

 

Down 5-1 in the bottom of the 6th, Mr. Clint Coulter decided to tie things up in a hurry:

 

AZL Brewers Bottom of the 6th

 

Pitching Change: John Niggli replaces Jose Samayoa.

Luis Aviles grounds out, shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa to first baseman Fernando Vivili.

Edgardo Rivera singles on a ground ball to left fielder Diego Cedeno.

Francisco Castillo singles on a ground ball to left fielder Diego Cedeno. Edgardo Rivera to 2nd.

Tucker Neuhaus singles on a ground ball to left fielder Diego Cedeno. Edgardo Rivera to 3rd. Francisco Castillo to 2nd.

Clint Coulter hits a grand slam (1) to left field. Edgardo Rivera scores. Francisco Castillo scores. Tucker Neuhaus scores.

Micah Owings doubles (2) on a line drive to right fielder Royce Bolinger.

David Denson flies out to center fielder Jose Gonzalez.

Tanner Norton grounds out, third baseman Smerling Lantigua to first baseman Fernando Vivili.

 

Coulter would finish 3-for-5 with five RBI. SS Tucker Neuhaus singled and walked twice. Project Micah Owings doubled twice in three trips, playing left field, before departing -- he's been playing partial games when he has started.

 

AZL Brewers Game Log

 

Undrafted rookie RHP's Scott Lieser and Tyler Spurlin allowed a combined five runs in the final two innings (two earned).

 

19-year-old RHP Alex Lavandero (9th round, 2012) has been making strides this season, and he earned his first start (4 IP, 4 R, 2 ER). 2013 5th round RHP Josh Uhen (2 IP, 1 ER) also saw action.

[Mass Haas]

In the Manatee game, it was rehabbing RHP Alex Cobb (concussion, vertigo) going the first four innings for Charlotte. Full story from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune:

 

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Cobb walked two and struck out three, all in the first inning. The right-hander was aided by a 5-4-3 double play in the third inning.

 

“It was a big step for me to be in a game situation with the adrenaline going and atmosphere,” Cobb said. “You get that comfort level again of competing. All the things we were trying to do today went well.”

 

Two of the three hits came in the first inning when Brevard County scored.

 

“Those guys were out there hacking,” Cobb said. “They weren’t up there to take pitches. Anything in the zone they were swinging at. It made it very difficult for me to do what I was looking to do. Once that happened, it brought the competitive nature.”

 

After the second hit, a run-scoring single in the first, Cobb struck out the next two, revving up the velocity on his fastball.

 

“It became attack mode: Get guys out,” Cobb said. “I got that eagerness to win a ballgame back.”

[Mass Haas]

Voyagers fall to Brewers

by Daniel Mediate, Great Falls Tribune Sports Writer

 

Consistent offensive output has been a pillar for the Helena Brewers this season. It was on full display Saturday night at Centene Stadium.

 

The Brewers racked up 14 hits on their way to a 9-5 dispatching of Great Falls, snapping the Voyagers’ three-game winning streak in front of 1,149 fans.

 

“The last two days they have been swinging the bats pretty well,” Brewers manager Tony Diggs said. “They came out and had a big inning in the fourth and got four runs. They are having good approaches at the plate. You can’t ask for more than that.”

 

Helena outfielder Jose Pena went 2-for-4, drove in three runs and scored once.

 

“You know what? Pena, not to say he has been struggling, he’s been hitting the ball hard,” Diggs said. “He just hasn’t had anything fall for him lately. Today, he had some balls fall for him and continued to swing the bat well.”

 

Michael Ratterree, a standout outfielder for the Brewers, went 2-for-4, touching home twice and roped a solo home run to leftfield.

 

The Brewers trailed 2-0 after two innings Saturday. Then, they exploded, consistently. Helena scored one run in the third, four in the fourth, one in the fifth, two in the sixth and one in the seventh.

 

Ratterree led the offensive onslaught in the fourth, starting the inning with a double and then crossing home plate following a single from Adam Giacalone.

 

Ratterree, a 10th round draft pick in June’s draft from Rice University in Texas, belted his deep blast in the fifth inning.

 

“Ratterree, he’s been doing well,” Diggs said. “Hope he stays hot right now. So, that’s the only thing you can ask from him, too.”

 

Helena was 6-for-14 with runners in scoring position.

 

The Voyagers, down 9-2, scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth, but couldn’t bridge the gap any more.

 

For the Voyagers, Adam Engel finished 2-for-4 and recorded a ninth-inning RBI. Rightfielder Jacob Morris ended 2-for-3. Justin Jirschele went 1-for-3, knocking in two runs, including one in the ninth. He also scored on a wild pitch in the final frame.

 

Helena, leading the Pioneer League North Division, improved to 25-17. Great Falls, sitting in second, stumbled to 22-20.

 

Great Falls starter Andrew Mitchell gave up eight hits and five earned runs in three-plus innings, taking the loss. Helena’s hurler Zach Quintana improved to 3-2 on the mound after six innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs.

 

Tyler Linehan earned a three-inning save.

 

The Voyagers pitchers combined to toss 10 strikeouts, including four from Mitchell, four from Joey Wagman and two from Anthony Santiago.

 

Great Falls scored single runs in the first and second innings, before Helena took command.

 

The Brewers won the first-half title for the Pioneer League North Division, clinching a spot in the playoffs. Diggs says there is room for improvement.

 

“Be more consistent,” Diggs said, about what he wants to see from his team in the second half. “Pitching today was good, of course that is part of it. Defense always has to be solid for us. And timely hitting, not necessarily a bunch of hits, but timely hitting, especially with guys in scoring position.

 

“If we can be consistent with that, we can continue to play well.”

 

The Voyagers and Brewers meet again today at 1:00 PM (2:00 Central) at Centene as their series continues.

[Mass Haas]

Here's a couple of Helena pre-game audio chats, conducted by one of the best interviewers in the business, Steve Wendt --

 

Minor League Infield Coordinator Bob Miscik talks about his impressions of the Helena infielders

 

***

 

Shortstop Angel Ortega talks about his defensive ability, his swagger off the field, and his time growing up in Puerto Rico

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO HIGHIGHTS embedded in game story below:

 

***

 

Late-Inning Rally Sinks Stars

By Alex Cohen / Huntsville Stars

 

The Huntsville Stars were unable to survive a four-run ninth inning rally from the Mississippi Braves on Saturday night in a 6-5 defeat at Joe Davis Stadium.

 

After a 13-2 loss on Friday night against the M-Braves, the Stars fell behind early in the top of the first inning. Following a leadoff single and a stolen base from outfielder Mycal Jones, second baseman Tommy LaStella ripped an RBI double down the right-field line against Stars starting pitcher Andy Moye to make the score 1-0. For LaStella, the double increased his hitting streak to 21 games, shattering the Mississipi Braves franchise record set by Carl Loadenthal in 2007.

 

However, the M-Braves lead did not last long. In the bottom of the second inning, Stars outfielder Brock Kjeldgaard launched a solo homer well over the left-field wall against M-Braves starting pitcher Gus Schlosser to tie up the game (audio).

 

From an offensive perspective, that was not nearly the end of the night for Kjeldgaard. After the M-Braves came through with a solo homer of their own from shortstop Jaime Pedroza in the third inning, the table was set for the 27-year-old Canadian-born outfielder in the sixth inning.

 

With the Stars trailing by one and runners on first and third, Kjeldgaard drove a two-out, two-strike pitch out of the park to give the Stars their first lead of the night (audio). The multi-homer game was Kjeldgaard's third of the year, in which his 18 total home runs on the season is second in the Southern League only behind fellow Stars slugger Jason Rogers.

 

Speaking of Rogers, his sixth inning single increased his own personal hitting streak to 16 games. It is the longest hitting streak for a Stars player since current Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy had a 22-game hit streak in 2008.

 

Huntsville held the lead until the top of the ninth inning where the M-Braves mounted their rally against Stars closer Greg Holle (L, 3-3). After Holle retired Pedroza to begin the frame, outfielder Jose Martinez and first baseman Christian Marrero started off the threat with back-to-back singles. After an RBI double from outfielder Dan Brewer cut the Stars lead to one, a two-run single from Jones put the M-Braves back on top. Two batters later, an RBI single from LaStella made the score 6-4.

 

In the bottom of the ninth, an RBI single from second baseman Nick Shaw brought the Stars within one run and put runners at first and third with one out. Unfortunately, M-Braves righty Ryne Harper (W, 5-2) struck out the next two batters he faced to secure the win for Mississippi.

 

The loss for the Stars was their second straight against the M-Braves to start off the series and fifth in a row overall.

 

On Sunday, the Stars will play game three of a five-game series at Joe Davis Stadium against the Mississippi Braves. Huntsville will send RHP Taylor Jungmann (9-7, 3.76 ERA) to the bump while Tennessee will counter with RHP Mitch Atkins (3-1, 2.76 ERA). First pitch is 6:43 ET.

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO: Brief Huntsville game report

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO from Friday:

 

Nashville's Hunter Morris singles in a run as the Sounds beat Las Vegas, 4-2

[Mass Haas]

Rattler Radio Blog -- Chris' postgame entry includes the video highlights

 

Yes, we'll chuckle, too, at Victor Roache's power stroke...

[Mass Haas]

Here are the Wisconsin video highlights from the MyNew32 TV broadcast, which you did not see on Time Warner Cable.