Link Report for Thurs. 8/29

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Thursday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: LHP Aaron Laffey at Oklahoma City (Astros), 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 Drew Gagnon at home vs. Jackson (Mariners), 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 Mark Rogers makes his final scheduled rehab start at home vs. Daytona (Cubs), 5:05 PM pre-game, 5:35 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link -- Select the link based on listed schedule

 

Manatees audio, hooray! Dave Walkovic is the first play-by-play voice of the 'Tees since 2007, he's joined by Andy Towne; follow the Brevard broadcast booth staff on Twitter @BCManateesRadio. All home games and many road games are scheduled to be broadcast. When road games are only available via the opponents' audio feed, we'll let you know that.

 

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Wisconsin: RHP Ryan Gibbard at home vs. Quad Cities (Astros), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 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 Tyler Linehan at home vs. Missoula (Diamondbacks), 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): Season complete (23-33), final individual stats found here

 

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DSL Brewers: Season complete (26-45), final individual stats found here

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

New MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

 

***

 

BONUS BOX:

 

Root for Peoria vs. Clinton to aid the Rattlers' playoff push

[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:

 

Oklahoma City, OK

 

Huntsville, AL

 

Viera, FL (Melbourne)

 

Grand Chute, WI (Appleton)

 

Helena, MT

[Mass Haas]

Here's your Moniker Madness winner.

 

Final leaderboard rankings -- Brevard RHP Damien Magnifico (7th of 75, nice), Huntsville RHP David Goforth (39th place), Huntsville OF Chadwin Stang (43rd), and Dionis Hinojosa (nice late run all the way to 63rd from dead last, wow, way to go, Hinojosa family !)

[Mass Haas]

Happy 24th Birthday, Manatee LH starting pitcher Brent Suter!

[MLS1965]

Thursday's Daily Menu:

 

Brevard County: RHP Mark Rogers makes his final scheduled rehab start at home vs. Daytona (Cubs), 5:05 PM pre-game, 5:35 gametime

 

I'm interested to see what happens after tonights game with him..? Call him up, Waivers, Out right release..? What do you do..?

[Mass Haas]

I'm interested to see what happens after tonights game with him..? Call him up, Waivers, Out right release..? What do you do..?

 

I don't think the Brewers are so tight on 40-man roster spots that they wouldn't carry Rogers through the winter.

[dacbrewers]

I'm interested to see what happens after tonights game with him..? Call him up, Waivers, Out right release..? What do you do..?

 

I don't think the Brewers are so tight on 40-man roster spots that they wouldn't carry Rogers through the winter.

 

I agree!

[Mass Haas]

Via Jeff Hem's blog --

 

Audio from OKC — Sounds Infielder Eugenio Velez

 

"Tonight’s interview from Oklahoma City is with Sounds infielder Eugenio Velez, who enters play Thursday having reached safely in 31 consecutive games (one game shy of matching the PCL’s longest streak this year) and hit safely in 17 consecutive games. Velez discusses coming to the Sounds and seeing some familiar faces, including Sounds manager Mike Guerrero; his approach at the plate as a batter that has speed and some power; his time in the major leagues with the Giants, including ’10 when they won the World Series; and what baseball was like for him growing up in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic."

[brewmann04]

I hope that he gets the call to Milwaukee . Use him out of the pen for the rest of the year. I hope they keep him on the 40 and see what he has in the spring.

[Minigoon]

Final: Jackson 5 Huntsville 3

 

The Stars opened their final series of the season with a 5-3 loss to the Jackson Generals Thursday night at The Joe. For the Stars, Drew Gagnon got the start. He didn't have one of his better outings. Gagnon (4-9, 5.57) worked 5 innings, allowing 4 runs, 3 earned, on 5 hits and 4 walks while striking out 4. One of the 5 hits allowed was a solo home run in the 2nd. Gagnon threw 91 pitches, 51 for strikes and posted a 3-4 GO/FO ratio. Behind Gagnon, the Stars bullpen needed to work 4 innings tonight. Greg Holle came on to pitch the 6th. He allowed 1 run on 2 hits and struck out 1. Michael Olmsted worked 2 scoreless innings, giving up 1 hit and striking out 3. Finally Eric Marzec worked a 1-2-3 ninth, striking out 2.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

For the 2nd straight game, the Huntsville Stars were limited to 3 runs. Tonight, all 3 runs scored via the long ball. Centerfielder Chadwin Stang hit his first home run on the season, a solo shot to lead off the game for the Stars. Later, Brock Kjeldgaard hit a 2 run homer, giving him 22 homers on the season and tying him with Jason Rogers for the team and league lead. Rogers singled and scored in front of Kjeldgaard on his home run. Shawn Zarraga, Rene Tosoni, Micah Owings, and Hector Gomez all singled in a losing effort. Second baseman Nick Shaw drew the Stars only walk of the game.

 

Huntsville Play By Play

 

Stang gave the Stars the quick lead

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 1st

 

Chadwin Stang homers (1) on a fly ball to right center field.

Nick Shaw flies out to center fielder Denny Almonte.

Jason Rogers singles on a line drive to left fielder Leon Landry.

Brock Kjeldgaard flies out to right fielder Jabari Blash.

Shawn Zarraga grounds into a force out, shortstop Chris Taylor to second baseman Gabriel Noriega. Jason Rogers out at 2nd.

 

Kjeldgaard gave the Stars their 2nd lead of the night.

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 4th

 

Jason Rogers reaches on a throwing error by shortstop Chris Taylor.

Brock Kjeldgaard homers (22) on a fly ball to left center field. Jason Rogers scores.

Shawn Zarraga singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Ramon Morla.

Rene Tosoni grounds into a double play, second baseman Gabriel Noriega to shortstop Chris Taylor to first baseman Steven Proscia. Shawn Zarraga out at 2nd.

Micah Owings singles on a line drive to left fielder Leon Landry.

Shea Vucinich flies out to left fielder Leon Landry.

 

Huntsville (27-39 second half, 56-78 overall) and Jackson will play game 2 of this season ending 5 game series tomorrow night. Righty Andy Moye (6-14, 4.00)will make his final start of the year. Game time is set for 6:43 Central at The Joe. Don't forget to tune in starting at 6:28 to catch Stars Radio Broadcaster Alex Cohen with the pregame show.

[Eye Black]

Final: Daytona 3, Brevard County 2

 

Manatees edged 3-2 by Cubs

Brevard's comeback falls short against Daytona

By Al Hernandez / Brevard County Manatees

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/8/3/0/58973830/cuts/Rogers_8.29_1_qy1r7owh_ofuatvff.JPG

Manatees starting pitcher Mark Rogers allowed three unearned runs on four hits and three walks over three innings of work in his sixth Major League rehab start with Brevard County in Thursday night's 3-2 loss to the Daytona Cubs at Space Coast Stadium in Viera. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

 

AUDIO: Interview with Craig Counsell

 

VIERA, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, but were unable to complete the comeback as they fell 3-2 to the Daytona Cubs on Thursday night at Space Coast Stadium.

 

Entering the bottom of the ninth, Brevard (28-36 second half, 65-66 overall) trailed Daytona (38-19, 73-50), 3-1. With one out, Mitch Haniger drew a walk and then Cody Hawn singled to put runners at the corners.

 

Greg Hopkins drove in Haniger with a single into right field, cutting the deficit to 3-2. Rafael Neda reached on an infield single that loaded the bases. After T.J. Mittelstaedt struck out looking, Brandon Macias stepped to the plate but bounced out to Anthony Giasanti at second to end the game.

 

The Cubs opened the scoring in the top of the first inning. With one out, Bijan Rademacher singled and then Dustin Geiger reached on a Brandon Macias fielding error. Dan Vogelbach then drew a walk to load the bases.

 

Another walk from Manatees' starting pitcher Mark Rogers (0-2, 3.60 ERA) to Anthony Giansanti, plated the first run of the game. Following a strikeout, Chadd Krist singled into right field to drive in Geiger and Vogelbach to give Daytona a 3-0 lead.

 

Rogers made his sixth rehab start with Brevard County and was ultimately saddled with the loss. He lasted three innings, allowing three runs - all unearned - on four hits and three walks.

 

The Manatees got one run back in the bottom half of the first. D'Vontrey Richardson led the inning off with a double to center. Yadiel Rivera followed with a single, to put runners at the corners. Richardson then scored on a Mitch Haniger groundout to shortstop.

 

Alex Moore relieved Rogers in the fourth and tossed four scoreless innings. Moore surrendered just one hit and one walk, while striking out two. Dan Meadows pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth for the 'Tees.

 

The Manatees will travel to Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach for Friday's game against the Cubs, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. Lefty Brent Suter (7-9, 3.40 ERA) will take the mound for Brevard County. The Cubs will send Ivan Pineryo (3-1, 2.93 ERA) to the hill.

 

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

 

Brevard County Play-by-Play

[TheCrew07]

Bandits put a break on Rattlers playoff hopes

Wisconsin turns six double plays, but loses 6-3

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers stranded fourteen runners against the Quad Cities River Bandits on Thursday night at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium and it cost them a 6-3 loss and another game in the playoff standings. Both teams had ten hits, but the River Bandits did more with their opportunities to beat Wisconsin.

 

Rattlers starting pitcher Ryan Gibbard got the first out of the game, but walked the next two batters. A groundout to first moved both runners into scoring position. Rio Ruiz drove in both runners with a single to center and the River Bandits (78-56 overall, 40-25 second half) were up 2-0.

 

The Rattlers (59-72, 30-36) responded in the bottom of the first. Alfredo Rodriguez doubled and Michael Reed walked to start the inning. Victor Roache drew a one out walk to load the bases. Parker Berberet lined out to center to drive in Rodriguez.

 

Wisconsin tied the game in the bottom of the second inning. Mike Garza singled to start the inning and was at second with two outs. Rodriguez lined a single to left to drive in Garza to even the score 2-2.

 

Quad Cities came back with two more runs in the top of the third. A single and a walk with one out put two runners on base. Danry Vasquez followed with an RBI double. Ruiz knocked in his third run of the game with a single to left and the River Bandits were back up by two runs.

 

Berberet drew a bases loaded walk with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning against reliever Jemaine Cotton to pull Wisconsin to within a run. But, that would be as close as Wisconsin would get in the game.

 

The Wisconsin defense and reliever Preston Gainey kept the game close. Gainey, who came on in the top of the fourth inning got four double plays turned behind him in his first four innings on the mound. Combine those twin killings with the two turned with Gibbard on the mound and the team had six double plays in the game. That missed tying the Midwest League mark by one. The Waterloo Indians turned seven double plays in a game against the South Bend White Sox on July 19, 1988 to set the current record.

 

The Timber Rattlers offense could not get a runner past second base against Cotton, who left with a runner at first and two outs in the bottom of the eighth. Sidearm-tossing, right-hander Patrick Christensen came on to get the final out of the eighth.

 

Gainey, retired the first batter in the top of the ninth inning before he walked the next two batters. Gainey would get ahead of Roberto Pena and was looking for a seventh double play of the game. The River Bandits catcher foiled that plan by lining a 1-2 pitch to the gap in left-center for a two-run double and a 6-3 lead.

 

In the ninth, the Rattlers were hoping to catch another dramatic rally to tie or win the game. The team has won five games when trailing heading into the ninth inning this season. Berberet doubled with one out and Garza singled - his fourth hit of the game - with two outs to put runners on the corners and bring the tying run to the plate. Christensen struck out pinch-hitter Max Walla to end the game.

 

The Clinton LumberKings, the leaders for the Western Division Wild Card in the second half, snapped a seven game losing streak with a 3-2 win at Peoria on Thursday night. Clinton moved their second half record to 32-34 and dropped their magic number over the Timber Rattlers dropped to two. Any combination of two Clinton wins or two Wisconsin losses over the final four games of the regular season allows the LumberKings to clinch the Wild Card. Clinton owns the tie-breaker between the teams by winning the season series and will claim the playoff spot if the teams finish the half tied.

 

The final home game of the regular season is Friday night. Rodolfo Fernandez (4-3, 2.51) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Quad Cities counters with Zach Morton (0-1, 1.98). Game time is 7:05pm.

 

Get a jump start on that landscaping project by coming to the ballpark on Friday. Boldt and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are giving away Colorado Spruce saplings to the first 1,000 fans through the gates.

 

Kids 12 and under receive a free hot dog and soda as part of North Shore Bank Family Night. BioLife Plasma Services presents the final fireworks display of the 2013 season. Children 14 and under may participate in Kids Run the Bases thanks to Molina Healthcare after the fireworks.

 

If you can't make it to the game, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or IHeartRadio.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:45pm. Friday's game is also available to MiLB.TV subscribers.

 

WP: Jemaine Cotton (2-5)

LP: Ryan Gibbard (4-7)

SAVE: Patrick Christensen (1)

 

TIME: 3:15

ATTN: 5,720

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Losing stinks.

 

I watched the last installment of Timber Rattler's Field Pass this evening. I thought the most interesting comments from Matt Erickson were regarding Orlando Arcia and Rodolfo Fernandez.

 

Matt said that Arcia has great passion for the game, his defensive footwork is improving, as is his pitch selection. Matt thinks that with Orlando's excellent hand/eye coordination he could have a bright future. Avid readers right remember that I've hit on that subject a couple of times over the course of the season, Arcia's low strike out total comes at the expense of half swings at bad pitches that he somehow manages to put in play, but still for outs. He squares up the baseball nicely when he's swinging at good pitches.

 

I think my first comment about Fernandez this season was that he wasn't impressive, he worked 90-91 and everything was up in the zone. Erickson discussed how Roldolfo has found a bit more velocity and tilt on his FB, he's always been a strike thrower, but now he's throwing quality strikes down in the zone and that's why he's been finding success. Early on he was throwing strikes, but there wasn't much quality to be had there.

 

Now to the disappointing game, neither Ryan Gibbard or Preston Gainey were particularly sharp as their peripherals were upside down. Ryan Fasano was perfect for his two thirds of an inning.

 

Alfredo Rodriguez (2-5,2B) had a nice night but Michael Garza (4-5) was huge! Parker Berberet added a double, Erickson was also extremely complimentary of Parker's work effort in the weight room during that Field Pass segment, he said that Berberet is in best possible physical shape he could be in and it's made a big difference in his game.

 

Wisconsin Recap

 

Wisconsin Gameday

[battlekow]

Final: @Helena 7, Missoula 5

 

Helena box score

The Osprey tied it at 4 with a three spot in the top of the 7th but the Brewers answered right back with three runs of their own to push ahead for good.

 

The first two hitters in the lineup, Omar Garcia and Charlie Markson, combined to reach in six of eight plate appearances. Garcia did it the more conventional way, with three singles; Markson also singled but was twice hit by a pitch as well. Garcia also stole two bases to run his total to 28. Clint Coulter did not play.

 

Weird start from Tyler Linehan--five innings of one-run ball is good, but five walks against one strikeout is scary. Eduard Reyes and Sean Albury followed and each managed to throw three wild pitches in two innings.

 

Helena play-by-play

This is the opposite of a Rickey Rally--a Rick Ankiel Rally:

 

Missoula Top of the 8th

• Pitching Change: Sean Albury replaces Eduard Reyes.
  
• Stryker Trahan walks.
  
• Jamie Westbrook called out on strikes.
  
• With Jake Miller batting, wild pitch by Sean Albury, Stryker Trahan to 2nd.
  
• With Jake Miller batting, wild pitch by Sean Albury, Stryker Trahan to 3rd.
  
• With Jake Miller batting, wild pitch by Sean Albury, Stryker Trahan scores.
  
• Jake Miller flies out to center fielder Omar Garcia.
  
• Yorman Garcia pops out to third baseman Jalen Harris.

 

Angel Ortega was ejected after popping out to end the 8th. Not sure what he took offense too; maybe he thought he'd earned ball four earlier and was grousing?

[TooLiveBrew]

Sounds Lose Series Finale 5-4 In Extras

Nashville's Eugenio Velez Matches PCL's Season-Best On-Base Streak

Nashville Sounds

 

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

Eugenio Velez, archive photo (Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds)

 

OKLAHOMA CITY - Despite having a lead in extra innings to put the pressure on the home team, the Nashville Sounds were unable to fight off the Oklahoma City RedHawks Thursday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark and lost the series finale 5-4 in the 14th inning. The teams split their final series of the season, 2-2.

 

After tying the game at four runs apiece with two outs in the 12th inning, the RedHawks finished the job in the 14th when Jose Martinez hit the game-winning double down the left-field line to score infielder Raoul Torrez.

 

The 14-inning contest is the deepest game the Sounds have played this season, having previously gone to the 12th inning in three games.

 

Tied 3-3 in the 12th inning, Sounds infielder Eugenio Velez came up with an RBI single up the middle which scored Kentrail Davis, 4-for-7, for the go-ahead run. Unfortunately for Nashville, the RedHawks answered with a run in the bottom of the frame.

 

Velez went 3-for-6 on the night and his single in the first inning extended his hit streak to a team season-best 18 games and improved his consecutive on-base streak to 32, which ties Sacramento's Daric Barton for the league's longest such streak this season.

 

The Sounds jumped out to an early lead courtesy of five hits in the first inning. Outfielder Sean Halton drove in two runs with a ground rule double in center field and came around to score on Hunter Morris' single to shallow center. Morris finished the night 3-for-6.

 

The RedHawks picked up a pair of runs in the home half of the fourth inning. Sounds starting pitcher Aaron Laffey allowed two leadoff singles to put runners on the corners and then chucked a wild pitch to give Oklahoma City their first run.

 

Later Che-Hsuan Lin hit a deep fly ball to centerfield to score Japhet Amador on a sacrifice fly, cutting the Sounds lead to one.

 

Laffey limited the RedHawks to two runs on four hits over six innings of work. His six-inning effort marks only the second time a Sounds starter has pitched that deep over the club's last 14 games. He struck out three and walked none to log his third quality start for Nashville.

 

Reliever Kyle Heckathorn logged one scoreless inning on the bump for Nashville.

 

Donovan Hand surrendered three consecutive singles to RedHawks batters to start the eighth inning; the last a weak grounder by George Springer that slipped into left field to score the game-tying run. Hand stayed in the game to deliver a scoreless ninth inning before Johnnie Lowe picked up in extras.

 

Lowe pitched 2 2/3 innings for the Sounds and left the game in the 12th with a runner on second. Brent Leach (1-3) entered behind Lowe and allowed the runner to score on a base hit to send the game into the 13th inning. Leach finished the game for Nashville and was charged the loss, his third. Leach and Hand each were pegged with blown saves.

 

Jason Stoffel (7-1) picked up the win for Oklahoma City, limiting Nashville to one run on four hits over three innings of relief.

 

The Sounds return to Nashville for their final series of the season at Greer Stadium, where they will host the Iowa Cubs to a four-game set. Throwing for Nashville will be PCL Pitcher of the Year Johnny Hellweg (11-5, 3.16) opposite Iowa's LHP Brooks Raley (8-10, 4.56). The game will be followed by a postgame fireworks extravaganza and one lucky fan will win a pair of tickets to the 2013 SEC Football Championship courtesy of Dr. Pepper.

 

 

Nashville Box

 

 

Nashville PbP

 

 

Nashville Gameday

[Mass Haas]

Brewers Take Sloppy Series Opener

Three-run seventh boosts Crew to ugly win

By Zac Vierra / Helena Brewers

 

It certainly was not pretty, as the Brewers constantly ran into outs on the basepaths and pitchers couldn't find the strike zone, but Helena used a three-run seventh inning to grind out a 7-5 win over Missoula on Thursday night.

 

After the Brewers had given up a 4-1 lead in a sloppy top of the seventh, the team battled back in the bottom of the frame.

 

With the bases loaded and no outs and the game tied at four, Michael Ratterree delivered with a sac fly to right as Renaldo Jenkins scored and Helena regained the lead.

 

Adam Giacalone would follow with an RBI single to left and Jose Pena would add another sac fly and just like that the Brewers were yet again up by three.

 

"For us to come back and do what we did in the bottom half of the inning to get right back on board and score some runs that's always huge because if they put up a zero there it's anyone's ballgame because we scored it puts the pressure right back on them," said Helena manger Tony Diggs.

 

The Osprey would get a run back off Sean Albury in the top of the eighth when Albury walked Stryker Trahan then threw three wild pitches, but he would settle down to toss a 1-2-3 ninth inning to close things out.

 

On a night when the Helena pitching struggled, starter Tyler Linehan (photo below) was a bright spot. Although Linehan issued five free passes of his own, he allowed just one run on three hits and pitched a career-high five innings.

 

"It was the first time that he has been pressed to go five innings this year and he did a good job. I think he ran out of gas a little bit toward the end but he pressed through the fifth inning and got it done," said Diggs.

 

All of the Brewer runs were scored in just two innings, four of which came in the third inning.

 

Trailing 1-0, Jalen Harris led off the frame with a single and he moved to second on a passed ball. Angel Ortega would then reach on an infield single and the Brewers would tie the game when Jenkins hit a groundball to short.

 

On the play Ortega was out at second but Jenkins got all the way to third thanks to errant throws by the second baseman and the first baseman.

 

With Jenkins at third the Osprey brought the infield in and Omar Garcia chopped a ball over the shortstop to give the Brewers the lead.

 

After Garcia stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch, the Osprey pulled the infield in yet again and Charlie Markson hit a grounder to the second baseman. Garcia was off on contact and he beat the throw home sliding under the tag to score the third Helena run.

 

Ratterree would follow with a blooper that dropped in front of the right fielder Yorman Garcia. Garcia would then fire to second in an attempt to get Markson, but his throw was wild and went up the left field line as Markson came around to score on the third Missoula error of the inning.

 

"We looked a little lethargic so it's a good thing we had two big innings to get us through it," said Diggs.

 

The Osprey would finish the night with six errors.

 

Eduard Reyes picked up his fourth win of the season although he gave up three runs in the top of the seventh, an inning in which he allowed two hits, threw three wild pitches, committed a balk, and walked a batter.

 

The top five batters in the Helena lineup each drove in a run and Garcia led the offense going 3 for 4 with a pair of runs scored and two steals.

 

The quick two game series will come to a close on Friday night as the Brewers and Osprey play for the final time this season. First pitch is at 7:05 PM (8:05 Central).

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/0/6/8/58981068/cuts/13_Tyler_Linehan_P_6afbozx4_22y75afs.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Photo by James Ridle, Blackfoot Media Group

 

Helena Brewer Omar Garcia dives back to first base during a pick-off attempt in the third inning against the Missoula Osprey. Garcia would go on to steal second base on the next pitch, and Helena would win the game 7-5.

 

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/cd/3cd7e1c2-113d-11e3-a758-001a4bcf887a/52203b886d47b.preview-620.jpg

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: Helena Brewers Clubhouse Manager Justin Harrington talks about his position and his daily tasks

[Mass Haas]

Stars Outlasted By Generals in Series Opener

By Alex Cohen / Huntsville Stars

 

To begin their final five-game series of the 2013 season, the Huntsville Stars fell to the Jackson Generals by a score of 5-3 on Thursday night at Joe Davis Stadium.

 

Dropping nine of their last 11 contests coming into the game, the Stars got off on the right foot in the bottom of the first inning against Generals starter Anthony Vasquez (W, 2-4). To leadoff the frame, outfielder Chadwin Stang took the second pitch he saw over the centerfield wall to make the score 1-0. For Stang, the homer was the first of his Double-A career.

 

After the Generals scored one run in both the top of the second on a solo homer from third baseman Ramon Morla and fourth inning on a bases-loaded walk drawn by outfielder Denny Almonte, Huntsville was able to regain the lead in the bottom half of the frame. To start things off, first baseman Jason Rogers reached on an error from Generals shortstop Chris Taylor. One batter later, Stars outfielder Brock Kjeldgaard hit a towering two-run blast to put the Stars back up by one.

 

The homer for Kjeldgaard was his 22nd of the season, putting him in a three-way tie for the most roundtrippers in the Southern League this year with Rogers and Chattanooga Lookouts outfielder Joc Pederson.

 

Unfortunately for the Stars, those were the final runs they'd be able to push across against the Generals.

 

In the fifth inning, the Generals got a sacrifice fly by second baseman Gabriel Noriega and an RBI groundout from outfielder Jabari Blash to regain the lead for good against starting pitcher Drew Gagnon and the Stars. Gagnon fell to 4-9 on the season after giving up four runs (three earned) in five innings while striking out and walking four batters each.

 

Jackson tacked on another run in the sixth with an RBI single from outfielder Leon Landry against Huntsville reliever Greg Holle.

 

To ensure the win for the Generals, righty Stephen Shackleford tossed a scoreless inning in relief and closer Carson Smith sent the Stars down in order in the ninth for his 15th save of the season.

 

For the Stars, the loss was their fourth straight overall and fourth in a row against the Generals dating back to their last series at The Ballpark at Jackson in late July.

 

On Friday, the Stars will play game two of a five-game series against the Jackson Generals at Joe Davis Stadium Field. Huntsville will send RHP Andy Moye (6-14, 4.00 ERA) while Jackson will counter with LHP Anthony Fernandez (9-7, 4.26 ERA). First pitch is 6:43 ET.

[Mass Haas]

Rattler Radio Blog Postgame Entry includes video highlights

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO from Wednesday: Nashville's Hunter Morris doubles in a run as the Sounds beat Oklahoma City, 6-1

 

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More VIDEO from Wednesday: Nashville's Eugenio Velez singles in two runs

 

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VIDEO from Thursday: Nashville's Sean Halton hits a two-run, ground-rule double in the first inning of a 5-4 loss to Oklahoma City