Link Report for Tue. 8/6

[Mass Haas]

Gord still pronounces "Gennett" with a hard "G". Must be a Canadian thing...

[Mass Haas]

Appreciator of classic TV Chris Mehring will love that "Samantha Stephens" - even spelled as in Bewitched, performed the National Anthem in Nashville tonight.

 

I married a Stevens, we still joke about her "skills".

[Mass Haas]

Top 2013 pick Devin Williams starts for Maryvale tonight. He proclaimed himself determined earlier today.

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: Helena outfielder Jose Pena talks about his approach at the plate, his time with Helena last year, & his time growing up in the D.R.

 

Very cool, Jose rocks it! Good for you, young (20 years old) man!

[Mass Haas]

Now posted with the proper link --

 

. You're encouraged to spend four minutes with Jeff here, it's a well-done piece on a talented broadcaster.

[TooLiveBrew]

Now posted with the proper link --

 

. You're encouraged to spend four minutes with Jeff here, it's a well-done piece on a talented broadcaster.

I'll echo those thoughts. Definitely worth the quick watch.

[TooLiveBrew]

Apparently, Chris Narveson had something to 'say' about that possibly open rotation spot with the big club. Pretty nice final line tonight.

[Mass Haas]

You heard it in Monday's Link Report, now watch from Monday's game --

 

Nashville's Sean Halton's fourth hit gives the Sounds a 5-4 walk-off win

[Mass Haas]

From Friday's Link Report --

 

How'd the Brewers let a Canadian kid get away?

 

LH starting pitcher Andrew Albers, drafted in the 12th round out of a Saskatchewan high school by the Brewers in 2004, will make his big league debut with the Twins. Minnesota signed him prior to the 2011 season after Albers had to go the indy league route in 2010 after Tommy John surgery and his release by the Padres, his initial pro organization.

 

Albers is proof that if a player can play, a scout will find him. In 2004, Albers was drafted in the 12th round by the Milwaukee Brewers. Instead of signing, he went to the University of Kentucky. “For me, it was a matter of maturity. I don’t think I was mature enough coming out of high school to go into professional baseball. I knew I had a good situation if I chose to go to the University of Kentucky. I was going to have great coaching and was going to have the opportunity to play in one of the nation’s top baseball conferences. I also knew that I had to get a lot stronger and had never lived on my own, so I thought college would be a better fit for me. It would also allow me to work on getting my degree in case baseball did not end up working out for me. I have never regretted my decision to go to school.”

 

If you have the time, this is a very worthwhile story if you want to lean more about Albers.

 

Wow, what a big league debut Tuesday night! Good for him.

[TooLiveBrew]

Sounds Blank Tucson In Finale, 3-0

Nashville's Narveson Twirls Seven Scoreless; Morris Goes Yard

Nashville Sounds

 

http://i.imgur.com/zqRHCQ0.jpg

Chris Narveson (Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds)

 

• AUDIO: Hunter Morris' 22nd Home Run of Season
  
• AUDIO: Eugenio Velez's RBI Double
  
• AUDIO: Sounds Record Final Out

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds held the visiting Tucson Padres to only three hits in the team's seventh shutout victory of the season: a 3-0 win Tuesday night at Greer Stadium.

 

The Sounds wrap the homestand winning seven of the eight to complete their winningest homestand greater than four games since the 2003 season.

 

In 2003, the Sounds went 6-0 vs. Iowa and Albuquerque in the season-opening homestand with two rainouts from April 3-10 and then went 8-1 from June 17-24 against Iowa and Colorado Springs.

 

First baseman Hunter Morris put the Sounds on the board in the first inning with his two-run homer to the opposite field. The jack was Morris' 22nd of the season, which makes him one off the league leader, Brock Peterson.

 

Eugenio Velez, who singled to reach base, also scored on the play to give Nashville the 2-0 lead.

 

Velez added to Nashville's lead with a two-out double in the fifth inning that landed just fair down the right-field line to score Kentrail Davis for the 3-0 advantage. Davis had reached base with a two-out triple to right-center field.

 

Sounds lefty Chris Narveson (4-6) kept the Padres off the board though seven innings, allowing only two hits for his fourth quality start over his last five games.

 

The 31-year-old fanned eight batters and walked only two en route to his fourth win of the season.

 

Narveson has not allowed a run in his last 16 2/3 innings pitched, stretching back to the final 2 2/3 innings of his July 27 start, the longest scoreless streak by a Sounds starting pitcher this season.

 

Relievers Mike Olmsted and Jesus Sanchez helped combine for the shutout, each logging a scoreless inning. Sanchez notched his fourth save, while Olmsted extended his scoreless streak to seven consecutive appearances.

 

Following a league-wide off day Wednesday, the Sounds will pick back up on Thursday out west to begin a four-game series with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Rockies affiliate). Throwing for Nashville will be RHP R.J. Seidel (2-4, 4.90) opposite the Sky Sox RHP Jeff Manship (6-8, 4.95). Baseball returns to Greer Stadium on Friday, August 16, for Elvis Night and postgame fireworks.

 

 

Nashville Box

 

 

Nashville PbP

 

 

Nashville Gameday

[Mass Haas]

Odd but in a way, encouraging outing for Devin Williams tonight in Arizona -- a manic three-run first inning that included three wild pitches, and then composes himself to pretty much dominate the next three innings, before a bit of madness in the 5th, thankfully another scoreless inning, his fifth and final frame for the night.

 

AZL Royals Bottom of the 1st

 

Amalani Fukofuka singles on a ground ball to second baseman Steven Halcomb.

With Jeckson Flores batting, Amalani Fukofuka steals (8) 2nd base.

Jeckson Flores out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Devin Williams to first baseman David Denson. Amalani Fukofuka to 3rd.

Edinson Rincon doubles (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Brandon Diaz. Amalani Fukofuka scores.

With Brandon Dulin batting, wild pitch by Devin Williams, Edinson Rincon to 3rd.

Brandon Dulin doubles (8) on a line drive to left fielder Brandon Diaz. Edinson Rincon scores.

With Cristian Cano batting, wild pitch by Devin Williams, Brandon Dulin to 3rd.

Cristian Cano reaches on a fielder's choice out, third baseman Tucker Neuhaus to catcher Jack Cleary. Brandon Dulin out at home.

Riley King reaches on a fielding error by third baseman Tucker Neuhaus. Cristian Cano to 2nd.

With Xavier Fernandez batting, Cristian Cano steals (3) 3rd base. Riley King steals (3) 2nd base.

With Xavier Fernandez batting, wild pitch by Devin Williams, Cristian Cano scores.

Xavier Fernandez strikes out swinging.

 

AZL Royals Bottom of the 2nd

 

Ryan Dale strikes out swinging.

Alfredo Patino strikes out swinging.

Amalani Fukofuka grounds out, second baseman Steven Halcomb to first baseman David Denson.

 

AZL Royals Bottom of the 3rd

 

Jeckson Flores lines out to third baseman Tucker Neuhaus.

Edinson Rincon singles on a ground ball to center fielder Eric Williams.

Brandon Dulin grounds into a double play, second baseman Steven Halcomb to shortstop Luis Aviles to first baseman David Denson. Edinson Rincon out at 2nd.

 

AZL Royals Bottom of the 4th

 

Cristian Cano grounds out, shortstop Luis Aviles to first baseman David Denson.

Riley King strikes out swinging.

Xavier Fernandez grounds out, shortstop Luis Aviles to first baseman David Denson.

 

AZL Royals Bottom of the 5th

 

Ryan Dale grounds out, second baseman Steven Halcomb to first baseman David Denson.

Alfredo Patino hit by pitch.

Amalani Fukofuka walks. Alfredo Patino to 2nd.

Jeckson Flores singles on a ground ball. Alfredo Patino out at 3rd, hit by batted ball, shortstop Luis Aviles unassisted, Amalani Fukofuka to 2nd.

With Edinson Rincon batting, Amalani Fukofuka steals (9) 3rd base. Jeckson Flores steals (6) 2nd base.

Edinson Rincon strikes out swinging.

 

***

 

Also, Maryvale MVP for the season RF Elvis Rubio has a two-run double in the early going.

[Minigoon]

Final: Huntsville 2 Mississippi 1

 

It took waiting 2 hours through a rain delay, but the Stars were able to defeat the Braves 2-1 on Tuesday night at The Joe. The Stars got solid pitching and just enough hitting to win. Starter Brooks Hall was able to go 5 innings tonight in securing his first AA win. Hall (1-4, 5.31) allowed no runs on 6 hits and no walks while striking out 1 in his 5 innings of work. Hall was able to go 5 despite being on a pitch count. He threw 56 pitches, 35 for strikes and posted a 6-4 GO/FO ratio. After Hall, Greg Holle came on to pitch. He worked 2 scoreless innings, allowing 1 hit and no walks while striking out 1. Hard throwing right hander Kevin Shackelford pitched the 9th. He allowed an unearned run on 3 hits while striking out 2. So as a team, the Stars did not allow a walk. I wonder how much that was the strike zone being expanded by the umpires and Braves hitters, trying to get through the game as quickly (2:40) as possible after sitting around in a rain delay (2:02)...

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

Huntsville was limited to 3 singles and 4 walks, but were able to push 2 runs across the plate in their win. Chadwin Stang scored both Huntsville runs. He reached base twice, one hit, one walk, in going 1-3. Catcher Anderson De La Rosa, in his first game with the Stars this year, went 1-3 with an RBI. Second baseman Nick Shaw had the Stars other hit. Brock Kjeldgaard didn't have a hit, but walked twice. Shea Vucinich walked and stole a base for the Stars. Jason Rogers had a sacrifice fly to drive in his league leading 74th RBI tonight.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

 

Huntsville's first run tonight

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 4th

 

Chadwin Stang walks.

Nick Shaw flies out to center fielder Mycal Jones.

Jason Rogers lines out to shortstop Omar Luna.

Brock Kjeldgaard walks. Chadwin Stang to 2nd.

Anderson De La Rosa singles on a fly ball to center fielder Mycal Jones. Chadwin Stang scores. Brock Kjeldgaard to 3rd.

Rene Tosoni grounds out, third baseman Edward Salcedo to first baseman Barrett Kleinknecht.

 

And their 2nd run

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 6th

 

Chadwin Stang singles on a line drive to center fielder Mycal Jones.

Nick Shaw singles on a ground ball to center fielder Mycal Jones. Chadwin Stang to 3rd.

Jason Rogers out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Dan Brewer. Chadwin Stang scores.

Brock Kjeldgaard walks. Nick Shaw to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Juan Jaime replaces Ian Thomas, batting 9th.

Anderson De La Rosa grounds into a force out, second baseman Tommy La Stella to shortstop Omar Luna. Nick Shaw to 3rd. Brock Kjeldgaard out at 2nd. Anderson De La Rosa to 1st.

Rene Tosoni pops out to third baseman Edward Salcedo in foul territory.

 

The Huntsville Stars (19-25 second half, 48-64) head out on the road for a 5 game series with the Chattanooga Lookouts starting Wednesday. Right hander Drew Gagnon (4-6, 6.22) is scheduled to start for the Stars. Game time is set for 6:15 Central. Don't forget to join Stars Radio Broadcaster Alex Cohen starting at 6:00 for the pregame show.

[battlekow]

Final: @Great Falls 8, Helena 4

 

Voyagers finish off series sweep of Brewers

Helena Independent Record

 

The Voyagers are now 6-1 to start the second half of the Pioneer League season and have won nine of their last 11.

 

The Brewers were outhit 13-8, but did have some offensive fireworks in the series finale. Taylor Brennan’s three-run homer in the fourth inning gave Helena a 4-3 lead, and Renaldo Jenkins and Jesse Weiss each went 2 for 4 with triples in the contest. The top third of the Brewers lineup struggled, however, as Nathan Orf, Charlie Markson and Michael Ratterree combined to go 0 for 13.

 

Great Falls left fielder Justin Jirschele led the Voyagers at the plate with a 3-for-4 performance, a double and a run batted in. Dillon Haupt and Corey Thompson also had multi-hit games for Great Falls.

 

Brewers starter Eduard Reyes (2-3) was tagged with the loss after giving up eight earned runs on 11 hits through 4 1/3 innings. Helena relievers Sean Albury and Estevenson Encarnacion posted 3 2/3 shutout frames and gave up just two hits while striking out five.

 

Matt Abramson (1-1) got the win out of the bullpen for the Voyagers, hurling a one-hitter through 3 1/3 innings of relief.

 

The first-half North Division champion Brewers, who have dropped three in a row, return home for a three-game set against Missoula beginning tonight.

 

Helena box score

It's not like the Voyagers' offense erupted in the 5th off Reyes--after a scoreless 1st, he allowed runs in each inning.

 

Dustin Houle led the offense by reaching base in three out four plate appearances, including a double and a walk; the walk is notable because it's just his 4th of the year.

 

Helena play-by-play

The Brewers had to try really hard to not score a run here:

 

Helena Top of the 2nd

• Adam Giacalone singles on a fly ball to center fielder Adam Engel. Adam Giacalone out at 2nd, center fielder Adam Engel to second baseman Christian Stringer.
  
• Dustin Houle doubles (7) on a fly ball to center fielder Adam Engel.
  
• With Jose Pena batting, wild pitch by Jose Brito, Dustin Houle to 3rd.
  
• Jose Pena strikes out swinging.
  
• Taylor Brennan walks.
  
• With Jesse Weiss batting, Taylor Brennan steals (4) 2nd base.
  
• Jesse Weiss strikes out swinging.

 

Anyone know what happened here?

 

Helena Top of the 6th

• Jose Pena grounds out, shortstop Tyler Shryock to first baseman Danny Hayes.
  
• Taylor Brennan grounds out, shortstop Tyler Shryock to first baseman Danny Hayes.
  
• Jesse Weiss triples (1) on a line drive to left fielder Justin Jirschele.
  
• Helena Brewers Manager Tony Diggs ejected by HP umpire Derek Gonzales.
  
• Renaldo Jenkins pops out to second baseman Christian Stringer.

[Mass Haas]

Anyone know what happened here?

 

Helena Top of the 6th

• Jose Pena grounds out, shortstop Tyler Shryock to first baseman Danny Hayes.
  
• Taylor Brennan grounds out, shortstop Tyler Shryock to first baseman Danny Hayes.
  
• Jesse Weiss triples (1) on a line drive to left fielder Justin Jirschele.
  
• Helena Brewers Manager Tony Diggs ejected by HP umpire Derek Gonzales.
  
• Renaldo Jenkins pops out to second baseman Christian Stringer.

 

Via the Great Falls Tribune:

 

Brewers manager Tony Diggs was ejected by the home plate umpire in the top of the sixth, arguing a triple by Helena designated hitter Jesse Weiss. Diggs thought the ball hit off the left foul pole, signaling a home run.

[Mass Haas]

Sounds heat up in summer with first long win streak

by Mack Burke, The Tennessean

 

Although they have the worst record in the Pacific Coast League, the Sounds have been one of the more consistent teams in the league lately.

 

After Tuesday’s win over Tucson, the Sounds have won eight of their past nine games and 13 of their past 21.

 

Until the last week of July, the Sounds hadn’t had a winning streak of more than three games this season. Then they captured their first series sweep, and winning homestand, of the season by winning four straight over Las Vegas from July 30-Aug 2.

 

On July 29, the Sounds started a six-game winning streak that ended Sunday. On Monday, the Sounds bounced back with a 5-4 walkoff win over Tucson.

 

There have been a few bright spots for the Sounds over the past couple of months:

 

Nashville is second in the PCL in home runs since July 1 with 32. It also has the most home runs of any PCL team in August (six).

 

• Nashville ranked second in the PCL in batting (.325, 66-for-203) in August.

 

• Since the All-Star break, Nashville starting pitchers had a combined 3.30 ERA entering Tuesday’s game.

 

“Well, pitching sets the tone,” manager Mike Guerrero said. “And, we have guys that have speed and have been able to set the table for the bigger guys to get better pitches to hit.

 

“I believe we have so much energy on the basepaths that that transfers into us being a very aggressive ball club. That’s the way the game should be played.”

 

“The guys have worked really hard,” hitting coach Bob Skube said. “We’ve had some guys that have had some swing changes, and the hitters have really come around and have been diligent about their work; it’s starting to pay off.”

 

The recent surge of offensive production has come from several directions in the Sounds’ lineup. Paired with the improved pitching, Nashville has found its consistency without regulars such as outfielders Caleb Gindl and Khris Davis, who have been spending time in Milwaukee.

 

“I think everyone is adjusting to everyone,” Guerrero said. “I believe that once you have the same lineup for about two weeks, everybody (starts) to feel comfortable and the grind of the way you want to play the game — aggressive and with energy — transmits to everyone in the lineup.”

 

The Sounds signed veteran utility player Eugenio Velez on July 26. He has hit .359 with a .479 on-base percentage and five steals.

 

“You can see the dynamic of (Velez),” Guerrero said. “He’s a switch hitter that you know can be there every day in the lineup somewhere, and he has the talent to help out in (all the areas of the game).”

 

Newcomers Kentrail Davis and Robinzon Diaz, who were both with Double-A Huntsville at one point in June and July, have both made major contributions at the plate.

 

Diaz leads the team in batting average (.363) and is second in slugging percentage (.490). Kentrail Davis has hit .250 with a .330 on-base percentage while providing a solid bat near the top of the lineup.

 

Hunter Morris has a nine-game hitting streak (.333, 12-for-36), and he is second in the PCL with 22 home runs. Josh Prince is hitting .351 (13-for-37) in his last nine games, and Sean Halton continues to provide power with his team leading slugging percentage (.504).

 

Taking back the hill: Leading the surge and accompanying the consistent offense exhibited by the Sounds recently is the effectiveness of the pitching staff, which has been a downfall for Nashville for most of the season.

 

In the past 10 games, Sounds starting pitchers have a 3.00 ERA in 63 innings.

 

“Everything starts with the starting pitchers,” Guerrero said. “Once the starting pitcher can set the table and get us into the dugout (quickly) so we can (get our offense going), I think that’s the point of success.”

 

Said Morris: “The pitching statistics are definitely a big part of our (recent) success. Our pitchers are giving our offense some confidence right now.

 

“Whatever it takes to win at this point. When we pitched well, we didn’t hit, and when he hit well we didn’t pitch, so that was kind of the story for the first 80 games of the season.”

 

The return of top starter Johnny Hellweg (10-4, 2.44 ERA), on July 16 from the Brewers helped. Also, the consistent arm of 2013 Futures Game participant Jimmy Nelson, who is 2-4 with a 3.70 ERA in 10 starts with the team, has been a boost.

 

Starter Chris Narveson delivered seven innings of two-hit shutout pitching on Tuesday. Reliever Kyle Heckathorn hasn’t been scored upon and has given up only three hits in his last four appearances (4.0 innings) while reliever and spot starter Johnnie Lowe has a 2.82 ERA in his last 13 relief appearances.

 

The Sounds have an off day Wednesday before hitting the road for Colorado Springs and starting an eight-game trip that will wrap up against the Reno Aces. The Sounds will return home Aug. 16 to face the Round Rock Express.

 

***

 

Any time the media makes use of the awesome "Giraffe" uniforms, we'll take notice --

 

Sounds pitcher Johnny Hellweg, left, has a 10-4 record and a 2.44 ERA this season. / Mark Zaleski file photo, The Tennessean (Tyler Thornburg on the right)

 

http://cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20130807&Category=SPORTS04&ArtNo=308070073&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0&Nashville-Sounds-heat-up-summer-first-long-win-streak

[Mass Haas]

Stars Snag Series Finale Against M-Braves

Alex Cohen, Huntsville Stars

 

After a two-hour rain delay, the Huntsville Stars were able to wrap up their five-game series against the Mississippi Braves with a 2-1 win on Tuesday night.

 

Despite being outhit by a 10-3 margin, the Stars were able to earn the victory with tremendous pitching, beginning at the start of the game from starting pitcher Brooks Hall.

 

Hall was able to notch the first win of his Double-A win by tossing five scoreless innings while scattering six hits. The 23-year-old righty improved to 1-4 on the year with the victory.

 

To preserve the win for Hall, reliever Greg Holle tossed two innings of scoreless baseball while righty Kevin Shackelford earned his fourth save of the year after giving up one unearned run in two innings. Shackelford stranded runners on first and third when he retired M-Braves catcher Braeden Schelhuber to end the game.

 

While the Stars only were able to manage a season-low three hits on the night, they were able to manufacture them into runs.

 

After outfielders Chadwin Stang and Brock Kjeldgaard drew walks against Mississippi starting pitcher Ian Thomas, an RBI single by catcher Anderson de la Rosa broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning.

 

A similar instance would occur two frames later. Following back-to-back singles from Stang and second baseman Nick Shaw that put runners on first and third with nobody out, a sacrifice fly from Jason Rogers put the Stars up 2-0 and gave them all the run support they needed.

 

With the victory, the Stars improved their record to 6-9 against the M-Braves this season. Five of their six wins have been decided by just one run.

 

The Stars and M-Braves will play five more games this year at Trustmark Park in late August.

 

On Thursday, the Stars will travel to AT&T Park to start up a five-game series against the Chattanooga Lookouts. Huntsville will send a starting pitcher to be determined to the bump while Chattanooga will counter with RHP Garrett Gould (2-2, 3.98 ERA ERA). First pitch is 6:15 CT.

 

***

 

(So perhaps it won't be Drew Gagnon Wednesday, we'll see...)

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO INTERVIEW with Michael Reed at the link (several of his comments included in the story below) --

 

***

 

Reed sparks Wisconsin victory

by Mike Woods, Post-Crescent Media

 

GRAND CHUTE — This is the time of year when many young players hit the wall.

 

In Michael Reed’s case, the only thing he’s hitting is the ball.

 

Reed came up with three more hits Tuesday to push his hitting streak to 12 games and scored three runs to lead the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers to an 8-5 Midwest League victory over Beloit on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

 

Reed has been sizzling, hitting .476 (10-of-21) this month, has had multiple hits in five of his last six games and has seen his team-leading batting average move to .311. This after spending a week on the disabled list in late July with a hamstring injury, which proved to be a good thing.

 

“His body looks refreshed and he looks a little bit hungry,” said Timber Rattlers manager Matt Erickson.

 

Reed said that has played a role, but so has both his off-season and in-season preparation.

 

“There was a lot of stuff I needed to work on last year,” said Reed. “In Helena, I struggled a little bit (.246 average, 58 strikeouts in 48 games).

 

“I knew what I had to work on. I had to find my swing and what kind of player I was going to be. So I really worked hard in the offseason and did everything I could to make myself a better ballplayer.”

 

As for in the in-season work, it’s something Erickson and his staff preach from Day One.

 

“You try to educate them and teach them about preparation throughout the season,” said Erickson, “and the more you stay on it physically the better off you’ll be.

 

“It’s tough for some of these younger players to get into that later season. They’re not used to a full season.”

 

Of his three hits on the day, it was Reed’s bunt single in the first that put runners on first and second with nobody out and helped send the Rattlers on their way to a six-run inning.

 

“I told him before the game that, their third baseman, somebody needs to bunt on him today,” said Erickson. “Because he plays up a little bit, he shows it, then he backs off quite a bit.

 

“With Reed, the short game, the bunting game, has to be a part of his game because he’s the type of player who can put pressure on the defense with his feet and he’s developing well with the bat. Before his at-bat, I told him to look for it and then actually gave him the bunt-for-hit sign in that particular situation and he executed it perfectly and got us rolling there in that first inning.”

 

While Snappers starter Andres Avila didn’t make it out of the first inning, Rattlers starter Jorge Lopez managed to after he was put on the ropes, pitching out of a two-on, no-out jam.

 

“That’s the difference in Lopy from the first half to the second half,” said Erickson. “He did not have command of the strike zone early and got into some deep counts but made some pitches later in those counts to get some ground balls.

 

“He was in trouble a little bit but found a way to get out of it. Earlier in the year, he would struggle in those situations but, the last few times out, we expect him to consistently get out of those situations. He’s not always going to have his best stuff but guys who can find a way to get it done is key.”

 

The same could be said for Reed.

 

“This year, since the start of the season, he’s done a good job of commanding the strike zone,” said Erickson. “He’s a guy who stays inside the ball and makes some contact. He has decent speed and speed rarely goes into a slump so he gives himself a chance when he puts the ball in play.”

 

Wisconsin shortstop Orlando Arcia throws to first against Beloit at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute on Tuesday. / Wm. Glasheen Photo, Post-Crescent Media

 

http://cmsimg.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20130806&Category=APC02060201&ArtNo=308060327&Ref=AR&MaxW=600&Border=0

[Mass Haas]

Final: AZL Brewers 5, @AZL Royals 4

 

AZL Brewers Box Score

 

Consecutive 5-4 wins over the Royals' kids, nice!

 

We detailed Devin Williams' five-inning start earlier, so now we link to season-long stats for two of the Maryvale Crew's better pitchers this summer, 21-year-old 18th round LHP Clint Terry and undrafted free-agent RHP Scott Harkin, who celebrated his 22nd birthday by bailing out Eric Arnett in the 9th for the clutch save.

 

LF Brandon Diaz' 2nd HR of the season in the top of the 9th was the eventual game-winner as it turned out. Diaz had replaced Johnny Davis in the 6th. It was Davis' first game in five days, so perhaps he's part-time coming back from an injury.

 

Like elsewhere in the system tonight, the bottom of the order did well, although everyone but CF Eric Williams, who had a rough offensive night, contributed, as you'll see.

 

Elvis Rubio is only 2-for-5 in SB attempts, the only part of his game hurting (he had been 7-for-9 in two DSL seasons).

 

We love typing "17-year-old", so we'll do it again to say 1B David Denson (single, two walks) now has his OBP up to .404. Seven of his 20 hits have gone for extra bases, but has only one XBH, a double, in his last ten games.

 

AZL Brewers Game Log

 

Nice birthday treat for yourself, Mr. Harkin!

 

AZL Royals Bottom of the 9th

 

Brandon Dulin pops out to third baseman Tucker Neuhaus.

Cristian Cano walks.

Riley King singles on a ground ball to right fielder Elvis Rubio. Cristian Cano to 3rd. Riley King to 2nd on the throw.

Xavier Fernandez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Elvis Rubio. Cristian Cano scores. Riley King to 3rd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Cesar Gonzalez replaces Xavier Fernandez.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Samir Duenez replaces Ryan Dale.

Pitching Change: Scott Harkin replaces Eric Arnett.

Samir Duenez grounds into a double play, shortstop Luis Aviles to second baseman Steven Halcomb to first baseman David Denson. Cesar Gonzalez out at 2nd.

[And That]

Is there any hope that Michael Reed could play CF?

 

Full time? I don't think so based on the incredibly small sample I've watched him play out there, he seems best suited to a corner spot which doesn't fit his skill set with the bat very well.

Is his inability to stick full time in CF due to his speed, ability to track balls/take good paths, arm, or some combination of the three? I wouldn't think speed would be an issue.

[TheCrew07]

Is there any hope that Michael Reed could play CF?

 

Full time? I don't think so based on the incredibly small sample I've watched him play out there, he seems best suited to a corner spot which doesn't fit his skill set with the bat very well.

Is his inability to stick full time in CF due to his speed, ability to track balls/take good paths, arm, or some combination of the three? I wouldn't think speed would be an issue.

 

I'm not sure how to answer that exactly, he just doesn't jump off the field at you defensively, he's not bad, he just doesn't stand out. It's more of a gut feeling from watching him play the corners, I haven't been there in person to see him play CF. It's not necessarily a speed thing, though I'd categorize him in the same manner of Eric Farris, he's above average as a runner, but I don't think he's a + guy. He's just not making plays that stand out like running down balls in the gaps. I don't know how to qualify it exactly other than to say he just doesn't look the part.

 

He's just a really solid baseball player and as I pointed in a LR earlier this year, it's too bad he has no power because with D' Vo coming back CF is absolutely loaded, but he has everything else you'd want in a player... decent arm, speed, good approach at the plate, positional versatility...

 

For what it's worth I actually liked Haniger more than Reed in CF for whatever reason (again small sample based on TV viewing). I also haven't watched him as closely as I have some other prospects like an Arcia or Taylor for example, so maybe that has something to do with it as well.