Link Report for Mon. 8/19 - Helena's romp doesn't quite offset an historic beatdown of Nashville

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Monday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: LHP Aaron Laffey at home vs. Round Rock (Rangers), 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.

 

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Huntsville: RHP Andy Moye and TBD in a doubleheader at home vs. Pensacola (Reds), 4:28 PM pre-game, 4:43 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings

 

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: Idle

 

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Wisconsin: RHP Ryan Gibbard at Beloit (Athletics), 6:40 PM pre-game, 7:00 gametime; expect to see RHP Preston Gainey 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.

 

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Helena: LHP Anthony Banda at home vs. Grand Junction (Rockies), 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.

 

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Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): Idle

 

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

[Mass Haas]

Follow Monday's action as it happens with box score / game log links:

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville Game One

 

Huntsville Game Two

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

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: 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

 

Beloit, WI

 

Helena, MT

 

San Pedro De Macoris, DR

[Mass Haas]

Voting continues through August 29th:

 

Moniker Madness is back, and they've abandoned the bracket format for a different voting look.

 

Rankings as of 7:30 AM Central on Sunday for the four Brewers are Brevard RHP Damien Magnifico (7th of 75), Huntsville RHP David Goforth (39th place), Huntsville OF Chadwin Stang (47th), and Dionis Hinojosa (75th and last ).

 

***

 

Stryker Trahan is still your new leader.

[Mass Haas]

Happy 19th birthday to DSL infielder Carlos Belonis.

 

Hopefully the broken thumb which forced Carlos to miss all but the first two games of this season is healing nicely - coming in to the season, he was the Brewers' most talented DSL farmhand as per those in the know on such matters.

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO from Sunday -- Caleb Gindl belts a three-run homer in Nashville's 8-6 loss to Round Rock

[TheCrew07]

Subscriber content regarding a catching prospect in the Reds' organization.

 

Littler Bat Makes Big Difference For Tucker Barnhart

[TheCrew07]

Just Kris Bryant this week.

 

Offensive Players of the Week

[TheCrew07]

Pirates' Pat Ludwig and the Reds' Ben Lively.

 

Pitchers of the Week

[bkrause2]

Final: DSL Tigers 5, DSL Brewers 7

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

Yosmer Leal had perhaps his best start of the season, pitching five innings and allowing just one run on four hits. He struck out four and walked just two. Axel Cordero relieved him and struggled some, giving up four runs in three innings. Doni Arias worked a scoreless ninth to notch his fifth save of the year. Daniel Leonardo led the offensive attack, going 3-for-3 with a double and a pair of walks. Left fielder Juan Ortiz went 3-for-5 with a double. Designated hitter Juan De Los Santos was 2-for-5 and knocked in two runs.

 

DSL Brewers Play-By-Play

 

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 5th

Pitching Change: Yei Almonte replaces Malvin Martinez.

Kevin Martinez walks.

Yerald Martinez walks. Kevin Martinez to 2nd.

Daniel Leonardo walks. Kevin Martinez to 3rd. Yerald Martinez to 2nd.

Gregory Munoz flies out to right fielder Ignacio Valdez.

Jorge Quiterio walks. Kevin Martinez scores. Yerald Martinez to 3rd. Daniel Leonardo to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Harold Rosario replaces Yei Almonte.

Juan De Los Santos singles on a fly ball to center fielder Manuel Joseph. Yerald Martinez scores. Daniel Leonardo scores. Jorge Quiterio to 2nd.

Leudi Otano pops out to shortstop Willy Adames.

Juan Ortiz grounds out, second baseman Gregoris Hidalgo to first baseman Yerison Pena.

 

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 6th

Juan De Leon called out on strikes.

Kevin Martinez singles on a fly ball to center fielder Manuel Joseph.

Yerald Martinez called out on strikes.

Daniel Leonardo singles on a fly ball to center fielder Manuel Joseph. Kevin Martinez to 2nd.

Gregory Munoz singles on a fly ball to left fielder Felix G. Santana. Kevin Martinez scores. Daniel Leonardo scores. Gregory Munoz to 2nd. Fielding error by left fielder Felix G.

Jorge Quiterio reaches on a throwing error by shortstop Willy Adames. Gregory Munoz scores.

Juan De Los Santos strikes out swinging.

[battlekow]

I lied yesterday. I won't have Internet until Wednesday at least. Sorry guys :/ Blame Cox.

[Mass Haas]

Via Jeff Hem's blog --

 

Audio from Nashville — “Mondays with Mike (Guerrero)”

 

Here is this week’s installment of “Mondays with Mike” with Sounds manager Mike Guerrero, who discusses the team’s recent road trip (4-4 through Colorado Springs and Reno), the first few games of the Round Rock series, updates on Chris Narveson, who was scratched for his start on Saturday after warming up in the bullpen, and Blake Davis, who is on the disabled list with a hamstring strain.

 

***

 

Vague reference to Narveson having a "nerve" issue, unclear we're going to see Chris again in 2013.

[Minigoon]

Final: Pensacola 2 Huntsville 1 (Game 1)

 

Huntsville and Pensacola engaged in a good old fashioned pitchers duel in game 1 of their double header today. The two teams combined for 3 runs and 5 hits. Unfortunately, the Stars came out on the short end of it. Stars starter Andy Moye worked game 1 tonight. Moye (5-14 4.17) was the hard luck loser for the Stars. Andy worked 5 innings, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3. Home runs, which have been an issue for Moye this season, was an issue again tonight as the Blue Wahoos first run was scored on a solo home run. Moye only threw 66 pitches, 40 for strikes. He also posted an 8-3 GO/FO ratio. After Moye departed, righty Eric Marzec came on and retired all 6 Blue Wahoos batters he faced, striking out 1 in the process. Marzec lowered his season ERA to 2.05.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

The Stars offensive woes continued in game 1 tonight. Three Blue Wahoos pitchers combined to hold the Stars to 1 run and 2 hits. The only Stars run scored on wild pitch and throwing error. First baseman Jason Rogers scored that run. He was on base thanks to a walk, the only walk drawn by the Stars. The 2 Stars hits came from a couple Canadians, Chadwin Stang and Rene Tosoni. Catcher Shawn Zarraga reached base in the 4th when he was hit by a pitch.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

 

Huntsville held a brief lead after the 1st.

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 1st

 

Chadwin Stang grounds out, third baseman Ray Chang to first baseman Mike Costanzo.

Nick Shaw pops out to shortstop Devin Lohman.

Jason Rogers walks.

Rene Tosoni singles on a line drive to center fielder Ryan LaMarre. Jason Rogers to 2nd.

With Brock Kjeldgaard batting, wild pitch by Jon Moscot, Jason Rogers scores. Rene Tosoni to 2nd. Throwing error by catcher Tucker Barnhart.

Brock Kjeldgaard strikes out swinging.

 

Game 2 is currently in progress. You can join the Voice of the Stars, Alex Cohen with the radio broadcast by clicking here

[TheCrew07]

Final: Beloit 8, Wisconsin 5

 

Beloit busts Wisconsin

Snappers score five in the third to erase early Rattler lead

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

BELOIT, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers were looking for their third straight win when they took on the Beloit Snappers Monday night at Pohlman Field. Things looked good early as the Rattlers had a 3-1 lead after the top of the second, but the Snappers stormed to the lead with a run in the second and five in the third. Beloit beat Wisconsin 8-5 and the loss dropped the Rattlers another game behind the Wild Card leaders with time running out in the 2013 season.

 

Garrett Cooper put the Rattlers (54-67 overall, 25-31 second half) in front in the top of the first inning. Cooper, who drove in the go-ahead run in the tenth inning on Sunday, sent a towering flyball to left field for a two-run homer with two outs for a 2-0 lead.

 

Christopher Bostick got Beloit (68-58, 25-31) on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first. Bostick homered to right-center with two outs and none on base to make the score 2-1.

 

Wisconsin got that run back in the top of the second. Alfredo Rodriguez drove in Christopher McFarland from second base with a two out single to right and the Rattlers were up 3-1.

 

Matt Olson brought the Snappers back to within a run in the bottom of the second inning with a home run over the wall in center.

 

Beloit charged in front with five runs as they sent nine men to the plate in the third inning. Ryan Mathews started the frame with a double. A one out single by Bostick scored Mathews to tie the game 3-3. Rattlers starting pitcher Ryan Gibbard got the second out of the inning, but walked John Wooten to extend the Snappers turn at bat. Olson delivered a double to drive in Bostick and get Wooten around to third. Brett Vertigan was next and he singled to center to drive in both runners. The throw home missed the cutoff man and allowed Vertigan to take second base. Nick Rickles capped the scoring in the inning with a single to center to drive Vertigan in from second.

 

Max Walla doubled with two outs in the top of the fifth inning to drive in Cooper and Parker Berberet and the Rattlers were within 7-5.

 

But, Beloit added one more run against Gibbard on Olson's RBI double in the bottom of the fifth and the Snappers were up 8-5.

 

Berberet appeared to hit a two-out solo home run off Beloit reliever Vincent Voiro with two outs in the top of the seventh. The line drive to left was initially called a home run by plate umpire Masa Ichiki. Beloit manager Ryan Christenson asked Ichiki to consult with base umpire Sean Allen. There was a discussion between the umpires and the call was overturned. Matt Erickson came down to talk about the call and was eventually ejected by Ichiki.

 

Berberet struck out a few pitches later to end the inning.

 

On Sunday afternoon at Beloit, Wisconsin rallied from a three-run deficit with three runs in the top of the ninth to collect a stirring comeback victory in extra innings. On Monday night, Austin House pitched around a two-out single to Cooper and tossed a scoreless ninth to close out Wisconsin.

 

The Clinton LumberKings, the Western Division Wild Card leader in the second half, defeated Kane County 9-2 on Monday night to move their record for the second half to 29-27. The Timber Rattlers now trail Clinton by four games with fourteen games remaining in the regular season.

 

Game four of the series is Tuesday night at Pohlman Field. Eric Semmelhack (2-6, 4.99) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Beloit has Dylan Covey (0-1, 4.54) as their scheduled starter. Game time is 7:00pm. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or IHeartRadio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:40pm.

 

HOME RUNS:

WIS:

Garrett Cooper (2nd, 1 on in 1st inning off Derek DeYoung, 2 out)

 

BEL:

Christopher Bostick (14th, 0 on in 1st inning off Ryan Gibbard, 2 out)

Matt Olson (18th, 0 on in 2nd inning off Ryan Gibbard, 1 out)

 

WP: Derek DeYoung (6-5)

LP: Ryan Gibbard (4-5)

SAVE: Austin House (8)

 

TIME: 2:26

ATTN: 691

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Unfortunately Ryan Gibbard just didn't have it tonight, fortunately Preston Gainey followed with 3 eventful but clean innings and kept the T-Rats in the game.

 

The Rattlers had a decent game at the dish pounding out 11 hits, but only 2 of those for extra bases. Alfredo Rodriguez (2-3), Garrett Cooper (2-4, HR, BB), Victor Roache (2-5), and Chris McFarland (2-4) had multiple hits. Max Walla added a double for his only hit.

 

Wisconsin Recap

 

With the all the scoring early the T-Rats best chance to even the game was in the 6th, but they came up empty.

 

Wisconsin Top of the 6th

• Pitching Change: Vincent Voiro replaces Derek De Young.
  Orlando Arcia singles on a ground ball to center fielder Brett Vertigan.
  Alfredo Rodriguez singles on a ground ball to right fielder John Wooten. Orlando Arcia to 2nd.
  Michael Reed grounds into a double play, shortstop Sam Roberts to second baseman Chris Bostick to first baseman Matt Olson. Orlando Arcia to 3rd. Alfredo Rodriguez out at 2nd.
  Tyrone Taylor flies out to center fielder Brett Vertigan.
  

[Minigoon]

Final: Pensacola 3 Huntsville 2 (Game 2, Completed Early)

 

Pensacola completed the sweep of the double header, winning the nightcap 3-2. The game was called in the top of the 7th when the rains showed up again. Pensacola now has won the first 3 games of this 6 game series. For the Stars, Frankie De La Cruz was called upon to start. He was only able to work 3 innings. The first 2 innings were 6 up and 6 down. Then he was tagged for 3 runs in the top of the 3rd. De La Cruz (1-4, 5.40) finished with a line of 3 innings, 3 runs, all earned, on 2 hits and 2 walks. De La Cruz uncorked a wild pitch and one of the 2 hit he allowed was a solo home run. De La Cruz threw 46 pitches, 28 for strikes in this spot start.

 

With De La Cruz working 3 innings, the Stars bullpen needed to cover the remaining 4. Arcenio Leon was first out of the pen. He worked 1 scoreless innings, striking out 1. Next up was Casey Medlen. Casey worked 2 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits and striking out 1. Finally, Kevin Shackelford was brought in to pitch the 7th. He was only able to get 1 out before the rains came.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

After being held to 1 run on 2 hits in the opener, the Stars were able to knock out 6 hits but only 2 runs in the night cap. No Stars hitter recorded more than 1 hit. First baseman Jason Rogers did single and draw a walk to reach base twice. He also scored a run. Shortstop Hector Gomez was 1-3 with an RBI. Eric Patterson scored the other Stars run tonight. He finished the game 1-3. Chadwin Stang, Rene Tosoni, and Mike Walker had the other hits for the Stars.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

 

The Stars scored one in the 5th, but it could have been an even bigger inning.

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 5th

 

Pitching Change: Drew Hayes replaces Daniel Renken, batting 9th, replacing Theo Bowe.

Chadwin Stang strikes out swinging.

Eric Patterson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ryan LaMarre.

Rene Tosoni singles on a ground ball to right fielder Yorman Rodriguez. Eric Patterson to 3rd.

Jason Rogers walks. Rene Tosoni to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Parker Frazier replaces Drew Hayes, batting 9th.

With Mike Walker batting, wild pitch by Parker Frazier, Eric Patterson scores. Rene Tosoni to 3rd. Jason Rogers to 2nd.

Mike Walker called out on strikes.

Joey Paciorek grounds out, shortstop Devin Lohman to first baseman Travis Mattair.

 

Huntsville (25-32 second half, 54-71 overall) and Pensacola will play game 4 tomorrow evening. Righty Taylor Jungmann (9-8, 3.95) is scheduled to start for Huntsville. Game time is set for 6:43 Central. Make sure you tune in starting at 6:30 to hear the pregame show with the Voice Of The Stars, Alex Cohen.

[TooLiveBrew]

Sounds Allow Franchise-Most 20 Runs In Loss

Nashville's Caleb Gindl Prevents Shut Out With Two-Out Knock

Nashville Sounds

 

http://i.imgur.com/24mbnvE.jpg

Caleb Gindl (Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds)

 

• AUDIO: Caleb Gindl's Two-Run Single

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds surrendered the most runs in the franchise's 36-year history Monday night at Greer Stadium, losing 20-2 to the visiting Round Rock Express.

 

The Sounds previous high of 19 runs allowed, which happened on four occasions, was surpassed in the eighth inning when Aaron Cunningham hit his second home run of the night, a two-run jack off the clock in the guitar scoreboard.

 

The 20-2 loss is the largest margin of defeat for Nashville since joining the PCL in 1998. The Sounds 18-1 loss to the Memphis Redbirds on July 30, 2000 at Greer Stadium was the previous largest.

 

To begin the record-setting night, the Express batted around in three consecutive innings to go up 14-2 on the Sounds before the fifth inning. Round Rock had four runs in the second and five in both the third and fourth.

 

Sounds starting pitcher Aaron Laffey (6-7) allowed the Express 11 runs in 3 1/3 innings of work, for the most allowed by a Sounds starter this season. The lefty was touched for 11 hits, and issued four walks on the night.

 

Reliever Tim Dillard picked up in the fourth inning, retiring his first batter with a strikeout before surrendering four two-out runs, one of which was charged to Laffey. He finished with three runs on three hits after 1 2/3 innings.

 

Outfielder Engle Beltre, 4-for-7, added to the Express lead in the seventh inning, touching reliever Brent Leach for a grand slam, the first allowed by Nashville pitchers since Adron Chambers hit one in Memphis on July 7.

 

Right-handed pitcher Donovan Hand closed out the final two innings for Nashville, but was on the hill when Cunningham drove in Round Rock's final two runs.

 

Every player in the Express lineup recorded a hit on the night and either scored a run or drove in a run. Seven Express batters recorded multi-hit nights and four had three hits or more. Cunningham and Beltre led the team with five RBIs each, Robinson Chirinos had four.

 

Offensively, the Sounds recorded four hits. Outfielder Caleb Gindl's two-out single plated two runs for the Sounds. The knock scored Stephen Parker, who reached base on balls, and Ozzie Chavez, who singled to right.

 

Gindl's hit extended his season-best hit streak to a 10 games, dating back to July 7 before his big league call-up. It is the sixth time a Sound has logged a 10+ game hit streak this season.

 

Round Rock's starting pitcher Evan Meek (6-7) picked up his sixth win, holding Nashville to two runs across six innings of work.

 

Second baseman Eugenio Velez also recorded a hit in the third inning, extending his streak to eight games, which matches his previous season's best.

 

Robinzon Diaz connected for a double in the ninth inning to snap Round Rock's run of 17 consecutive batters retired.

 

The Sounds wrap their homestand with the Round Rock Express on Tuesday night at Greer Stadium. Throwing for Nashville will be RHP Johnny Hellweg (11-5, 2.77) opposite the Express' LHP Ryan Feierabend (6-4, 3.70).

 

 

Nashville Box

 

 

Nashville PbP

 

 

Nashville Gameday

[Mass Haas]

Rattler Radio Blog - “Sorry, George. But, that had to happen.”

[Mass Haas]

Two-way player Micah Owings now a cool 0-for-18 with 11 K's (one walk for an .053 OPS) since his promotion to the Stars.

 

***

 

Stars Swept in Doubleheader By Blue Wahoos

Alex Cohen, Huntsville Stars

 

In a doubleheader on Monday night, the Huntsville Stars lost game one by a score of 2-1 and the nightcap by a score of 3-2 against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at Joe Davis Stadium.

 

After a 33-minute rain delay to begin the game and another half hour delay in the first inning, the Stars were able to strike first in game one.

 

When play resumed after the rain delay with runners at second and third and two outs, BlueWahoos pitcher Jon Moscot (W, 2-1) threw a wild pitch that plated first baseman Jason Rogers to make the score 1-0.

 

Unfortunately for the Stars, that was the only run they would score and they only had one hit in the game from that point on.

 

In the fourth inning, Pensacola tied up the game with one swing of the bat. With one out, first baseman Mike Costanzo hit a solo homer for his second roundtripper of the series to knot the game up at 1-1.

 

One frame later, The Blue Wahoos were able to mount a two-out rally against Stars starting pitcher Andy Moye (L, 5-14) to provide the eventual game-winning run. Following a double form Moscot, outfielder Ryan LaMarre hit a two-bagger of his own to drive in his starting pitcher and gave Pensacola the lead for good.

 

During the second game, it was Pensacola that would draw first blood.

 

After Stars starting pitcher Frankie De La Cruz (L, 1-4) served up a leadoff homer to outfielder Brandon Short in the third inning, a two-run single from outfielder Yorman Rodriguez later in the frame made the score 3-0.

 

With Mother Nature starting to impact the contest, the Stars used the middle innings to get back into the ballgame.

 

Following an RBI groundout by shortstop Hector Gomez in the fourth inning, second baseman Eric Patterson scored on yet another wild pitch from a Blue Wahoos pitcher to make it a 3-2 game in the bottom of the fifth inning.

 

Unfortunately for Huntsville, that is as close as they would get to Pensacola.

 

In the top of the seventh inning, the game was called due to rain and unplayable field conditions at Joe Davis Stadium. The rain-shortened game marks the second time this season that a contest was called before the seventh-inning stretch due to weather.

 

In eight double dips this season, Monday marks the second time the Stars were swept in a doubleheader. Huntsville has now lost the first three games of their series against Pensacola.

 

On Tuesday, the Stars will play game four of a six-game series against the BlueWahoos. Huntsville will start RHP Taylor Jungmann (9-8, 3.92 ERA) while the Pensacola will counter with RHP Tim Crabbe (6-8, 3.35 ERA)

 

First pitch is at 6:43 CT.

[Mass Haas]

Can Helena save the day for the stateside squads?

 

***

 

Final: @Helena 14, Grand Junction 1

 

Crew Cruises to Sixth Straight Win

Helena scores season-high 14 runs, Banda impressive again

By Zac Vierra / Helena Brewers

 

Usually a broken bat results in a weak out or if the hitter is lucky, a bloop base hit. But when your team is on a winning streak, a broken bat hit can turn into a home run.

 

That's what happened for the Helena Brewers on Monday as Jalen Harris (above, photo by Seth Eikomstead) hit a solo home run in the fifth inning on a 1-1 pitch by Scott Firth that shattered his bat.

 

It was the kind of night where everything seemed to go right for the Brewers as they cruised to a 14-1 victory for a sweep of the Grand Junction Rockies.

 

The win was the sixth straight for the Brew Crew, tying their longest winning streak of the season.

 

"Everything seems to be firing on all cylinders right now. The guys are taking it game by game which is impressive for me. They are not looking too far forward they are not looking behind so I can't ask for anything different than that," said Helena skipper Tony Diggs.

 

Fourteen runs were a season-high for the Brewers and for the second game in a row the offensive attack was led by Jose Pena who went 3 for 4 with four RBI.

 

Omar Garcia added four hits, two RBI, and two runs scored in the win.

 

Anthony Banda was terrific for the third straight outing as he earned his third win of the season. Banda allowed just one unearned run on five hits in six innings. He struck out a pair and didn't issue a walk.

 

It was his team-leading fifth quality start of the season.

 

"He's doing what he is capable of doing and you can't say enough for him because he is throwing strikes, he is being aggressive, he is going right after guys that's all you can ask from him," said Diggs.

 

It seemed evident things were going to go Helena's way in the first inning when a routine fly ball turned into a run.

 

With one out in the first, Dionis Hinojosa hit a towering fly to left field. Terry McClure settled under it and looked like he would make an easy catch, but with the wind howling, the ball popped off of his glove. Hinojosa would get to third on the error and he would score when Michael Ratterree hit a sac fly to center in the next at bat.

 

The Rockies would get the run back in the top of the second when Ryan Garvey led off the inning with a triple off the glove of Garcia in center field and Miguel Delone pulled a single past the dive of Harris at second to tie the game at one.

 

The Brewers would regain the lead in the bottom of the second. Pena led off the frame with a single and Taylor Brennan would follow with a walk. The runners would advance into scoring position on a bunt by Angel Ortega and after a strikeout, Garcia hit a seeing-eye single just past the dive of the second baseman. Pena and Brennan scored on the play as the Brewers took a 3-1 advantage.

 

In the third the Brewers would add to the lead as Pena got an RBI the hard way when he was hit with a pitch in the back with the bases loaded.

 

That would be it for Grand Junction starter Joel Payamps as he was pulled from the game. The new pitcher Daniel Palo would get out of the jam thanks to a double play on a fly ball and a lineout.

 

The Brewers would again load the bases in the fourth but this time they would cash in for more than a run.

 

With one out and the bases juiced, Adam Giacalone would hit a sac fly to left to plate Garcia. After Dustin Houle walked to re-load the bases, Pena would hit a soft single to center to drive in a pair and give Helena a 7-1 lead.

 

Grand Junction would then go to the pen and Brennan greeted Firth to the game with an absolute bullet into the left-center gap as Houle and Pena to give Helena an eight run lead.

 

"We took a couple big swings the inning before and it kind of got us out of the inning. It's always good for them to stay focused on what their job is and put the ball in play and do some damage and they did that [in the fifth inning]," said Diggs.

 

The Brewers would add to the lead in the fifth when Harris hit a fly ball to center that landed beyond the fence for a solo homer. In the process half of his bat shattered and landed just to the left of the mound.

 

"Jalen is a strong kid. He actually barreled it up pretty well so for the bat to break was a surprise and for the ball to go out after the bat broke, that was a surprise, but he is a pretty strong kid," said Diggs.

 

Helena would continue the offensive onslaught in the seventh inning scoring four times highlighted by a RBI single by Pena.

 

The Brewers will have an off day on Tuesday before hitting the road for a seven-game road trip. They will return to Kindrick Legion Field on August 29th.

[Mass Haas]

James Ridle photo, Blackfoot Media Group

 

Brewers pitcher Anthony Banda delivers against the Grand Junction Rockies.

 

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[Mass Haas]

Helena Box Score

 

Helena Game Log

 

Well, with one bad click, I've lost a 20-minute wonderfully crafted post that focused on Adam Giacalone, Michael Ratterree (get ready to polish your Pioneer League MVP award, dude), Jalen Harris, and Anthony Banda, who many might think was a high school pick as a just-turned 20-year-old 2nd year pro, but has a JUCO year under his belt.

 

I'll try and retain all those thoughts for another time, although I will say that given his infield position flexibility, I've figured out that Jalen Harris is in fact Zelous Wheeler, who made his way to the Milwaukee 40-man at one point, so there could be worse comparitives.