Link Report for Thurs. 4/3 - Play Ball! (Except Nashville)

[jimmyjeromehardy7]

The Rattlers game notes indicate the Fernandez and Eshleman were DL'd to get down to 25.

[Mass Haas]

Via Jeff Hem, Voice of the Sounds --

 

Before PPD, Sounds lineup tonight was going to be:

Falu 5

Herrera 4

Diaz 2

Morris 3

Halton DH

Gindl 9

Velez 7

Gomez 6

Mattison 8

 

Hellweg 1

 

***

 

A bit intrigued and gladdened that Hector Gomez may be close to an everyday shortstop, perhaps, despite last year's miserable Huntsville campaign.

[Mass Haas]

If you're able to view Instagram photos, here's an inspiring statement posted by heralded third base prospect Nicky Delmonico (K-Rod trade w/Orioles) on his twitter account. Delmonico is currently idle, as per Gord Ash, for personal reasons.

 

"Strength doesn't come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn't."

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: Voice of the Sounds Jeff Hem interviewed by Nashville Sports Talk Radio 1025 the Game

[Mass Haas]

Yeah, this just happened in Jacksonville:

 

Anthony DeSclafani grounds out, right fielder Mitch Haniger to first baseman Nick Ramirez.

 

Haniger and his gun throws out the opposing pitcher at first base, score it 9-3.

 

***

 

So to open his Brevard career, Nathan Orf was HBP. He's the all-time Baylor leader in that category, and was hit ten times in 175 plate appearances at Helena last season.

[igor67]

Tyrone Taylor off to a nice start this season with a pair of doubles.

[Mass Haas]

Final: @Jacksonville 3, Huntsville 1

 

Really enjoyed Steve Jarnicki's maiden Huntsville call, got to listen to most of the game (brief break in the middle innings).

 

HUNTSVILLE STARS FALL IN SEASON OPENER

 

Jacksonville, FL - The Huntsville Stars, the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers fell 3-1 in the season opener to the Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Stars were held to just three hits as 7,545 showed up at Bragan Field in Jacksonville on Thursday.

 

The Stars never led as the Suns pushed across two runs in the first inning against Huntsville starter RHP Brooks Hall (0-1). Alfredo Silverio had an RBI single and Ryan Rieger tripled over centerfielder D’Vontrey Richardson’s head to extend the Suns lead to 2-0.

 

Richardson provided the Stars their only run on the night as he singled into centerfield in the third inning. Richardson finished 1-4 with an RBI in his Double-A debut. Kentrail Davis led the Stars offense going 2-4.

 

Hall, who suffered the loss for the Stars pitched four innings giving up six hits on two runs. He struck out three while throwing sixty eight pitches, thirty eight for strikes. Tyler Cravy pitched two scoreless innings in his Stars debut out of the bullpen.

 

The Stars and Suns will continue their series Friday night. RHP Drew Gagnon (0-0,0.00) will start for the Stars. LHP Andrew Heaney (0-0, 0-0) will go to the mound for the Suns. The game can be heard starting at 5:50 Central with Steve Jarnicki on 92.9 FM and 1450 AM WTKI and online at http://www.wtkiradio.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

The Stars were outhit, 10-3. Huntsville did draw four walks, but went a painful 1-for-9 with RISP as we'll detail below. They also fanned nine times.

 

RHP Brooks Hall allowed eight baserunners in his four innings, but only allowed two runs. After RHP Tyler Cravy tossed two scoreless, RHP Arcenio Leon allowed a 9th inning insurance run and tossed three wild pitches during his two inning stint. Leon, 28 years old, the former 40-man roster waiver claim via the Astros, is in his 10th pro season. Is it worthwhile that Leon is blocking some deserving 2013 Brevard County arms from moving up? The Brewers must think so.

 

No designated hitter in this matchup of NL teams, so Brock Kjeldgaard was on the bench, as were the two backup catchers, Joey Paciorek and Shawn Zarraga. Going to be tough to parse the playing time between them behind starter Adam Weisenburger.

 

Despite one error, it sounded as though Jacksonville played stellar defense throughout this one.

 

Huntsville Game Log

 

Mr. OBP, SS Nick Shaw, can still draw a walk, and it helped net the Stars' only run --

 

Huntsville Top of the 3rd

 

Nick Shaw walks.

Brooks Hall out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Anthony DeSclafani to first baseman Brady Shoemaker. Nick Shaw to 2nd.

D' Vontrey Richardson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Isaac Galloway. Nick Shaw scores.

Josh Prince walks. D' Vontrey Richardson to 2nd.

Nick Ramirez flies out to left fielder Alfredo Silverio. D' Vontrey Richardson to 3rd.

Jason Rogers grounds into a force out, third baseman Ryan Fisher to second baseman Danny Black. Josh Prince out at 2nd.

 

Steve gushed about Shaw and Josh Prince on this twin-killing --

 

Jacksonville Bottom of the 3rd

 

Alfredo Silverio singles on a line drive to right fielder Mitch Haniger.

Brady Shoemaker grounds into a double play, shortstop Nick Shaw to second baseman Josh Prince to first baseman Nick Ramirez. Alfredo Silverio out at 2nd.

 

Shaw failed here, however, hate the man on 3rd, less than one out no-go --

 

Huntsville Top of the 7th

 

Pitching Change: Grant Dayton replaces Anthony DeSclafani, batting 9th.

Kentrail Davis singles on a ground ball to second baseman Danny Black. Kentrail Davis advances to 2nd, on a fielding error by second baseman Danny Black.

Adam Weisenburger out on a sacrifice bunt, third baseman Ryan Fisher to second baseman Danny Black. Kentrail Davis to 3rd.

Nick Shaw strikes out swinging.

Hainley Statia pops out to third baseman Ryan Fisher.

 

Don't blame Nick Ramirez here in a similar situation, though, he absolutely smoked this ball --

 

Huntsville Top of the 8th

 

Pitching Change: Collin Cargill replaces Grant Dayton, batting 9th, replacing Alex Burg.

D' Vontrey Richardson walks.

Greg Hopkins out on a sacrifice bunt, third baseman Ryan Fisher to second baseman Danny Black. D' Vontrey Richardson to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Nick Wittgren replaces Collin Cargill, batting 9th.

With Nick Ramirez batting, wild pitch by Nick Wittgren, D' Vontrey Richardson to 3rd.

Nick Ramirez lines out sharply to first baseman Brady Shoemaker.

Jason Rogers grounds out, shortstop Austin Nola to first baseman Brady Shoemaker.

[TheCrew07]

Player observations from tonight's T-Rat game, unfortunately I accidentally closed my browser and lost my notes in the middle of the 6th, but I'll recreate them the best I can.

 

Omar Garcia made a great diving play in the left center gap to save multiple bases, I'm sure it will be a video highlight from Mehring later tonight. Omar didn't hit ball all that well all night but found the holes for a multi-hit game.

 

Taylor Williams was done after 5 and he featured 2 pitches, a 89-90 (according the broadcast) FB and a slider. The FB has nice arm side run, he located it well, though both pitchers benefitted from a zone that was wide and low. He did the leave it up on a regular basis, in the upper part of the zone and up out of the zone over the plate. Taylor did a very nice job capitalizing on the fact that the Cards' hitters were allowing him to get ahead with a first pitch FB, he was able to work ahead in the count all night. I'm not sure that will last, you would think teams will start looking to be more aggressive early in the count so he'll likely have to adjust. His slider is a nice pitch, I didn't see him throw it for a strike, it was always low or low and away but it induced many swings and misses. For a 3rd pitch he threw a curve or change, I couldn't tell which, it was pretty loopy but he located it the zone for a strike. I wouldn't read too much into the velocity after just one start in the extreme cold, we'll get a better read on him later in the summer when I get to a game he pitches with a stalker gun. I really liked his pickoff move and after a couple of close calls he got a runner in the 5th. This will read a bit weird but he has excellent range for a pitcher, he knocked down a high chopper all the way over in front of Brennan, had he just let it go through I think Brennan converts that into an out, but he got there to make an attempt. All in all it would be tough to ask for a better debut and there's quite a bit to be intrigued by.

 

Chris McFarland looks noticeably thicker through the core and upper legs, it stood out.

 

Angel Ortega's 3B was misplayed by the RF Castillo who was playing in because Neda had just dumped another blooper in front of him. Ortega hit what would have been a routine line drive but Castillo didn't get any kind of jump going back on it and then failed to field in cleanly. That triple was the hardest hit ball by any T-Rat through the first 5 innings. Ortega has a very nice arm but threw a ball into the dirt for an error. I thought Denson could have scooped it but regardless there's no reason to spike a ball in the dirt when you have the runner by more than 2 steps.

 

Taylor Brennan not get cheated on any swing, if he's pulling the trigger the bat is moving with authority.

 

Clint Coulter was interviewed by the broadcast team and was an extended topic of conversation during the game. It was mostly fluff stuff, Clint said that's just trying to simplify his approach and let the game game come to him, instead of trying to "show" what he is. In his first AB he grounded out on the first pitch, in this 2nd AB he worked the count for a walk, but then got caught stealing 2B for the 3rd Rattler out on the bases in the game and the final out of the inning.

 

David Denson carries his weight well and needs some work defensively. Apparently he's working with Erickson everyday after batting practice on his scoops. His first AB was an "excuse me" roller to 2nd, he made better contact in his second AB but grounded out to 2nd again.

 

Tyler Alexander didn't look good at all, he was all over the place and struggled to find the zone; in, out, and up. When he was in the zone it was mostly up and hitters were able to put decent swings on the ball. I'm not a huge fan of sidearm pitchers to start with so admit to some bias, but he just wasn't sharp. He consistently missed to his arm side with his breaking pitch, the broadcast team called it a curve, it was a 12 to 6 breaker.

 

Chris Razo was up in the zone as well with his FB and it cost him and by extension Alexander in the 7th. He came in to a bases loaded situation and promptly allowed 4 runs to score in 2 swings. His breaking pitch looked to be a curve/slider, and he spiked it regularly, he just didn't have a feel for it in the strike zone. After he was tagged by the first 2 hitters it looked like he started aiming the ball down and even his FB was dropping out of the zone. The 5th run was something up and in and it was hit off the trademark for a looping single over 3rd. Unfortunately the 6th run was another misplay by Denson and McFarland (dropped by Denson) on a pop-up behind first.

 

Michael Ratteree had a real nice AB on his triple in the 7th, he worked the count and fouled off a couple fo tough pitches. Castillo couldn't catch up to it in deep RF and Ratteree made him pay.

 

Trevor Seidenberger struggled out of the gate as well, walking his first hitter, who stole 2nd, moved to 3rd on ground out to Denson, and scored on a double. He left his FB up as well and the double was a FB right down the middle that got crushed. I liked his breaking pitch though it had good movement, but he wasn't locating it in the zone.

 

I didn't get to see the 9th inning as the game ran so long the DVR didn't record it all.

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO - The Voice of the Timber Rattlers, Chris Mehring, was a guest on the Bill Michaels' Show on WSSP today

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO - 'Tees manager Joe Ayrault joins Andrew Luftglass on the Manatees Pregame Show

[bkrause2]

Final: Daytona 0, Brevard County 1

 

Wagner, Taylor shine in 'Tees Opening Day win

By Justin Rocke / Brevard County Manatees

 

VIERA, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees opened up their 2014 campaign at Space Coast Stadium with a tight, 1-0 victory over the Daytona Cubs on Thursday evening, in front of 3,576 fans.

 

Brevard County (1-0 first half, 1-0 overall) grabbed the early lead in the bottom half of the third inning on a two-out, RBI double by center fielder Tyrone Taylor and never looked back.

 

Led by a strong performance by right-hander Tyler Wagner (1-0, 0.00 ERA), Daytona (0-1, 0-1) was only able to muster three hits off the Las Vegas native. Wagner struck out three and walked only two, over his five innings of work.

 

The Cubs attempted to rally in the seventh inning as first baseman Dan Vogelbach and third baseman Jeimer Candelario led off with consecutive singles, but right-handed reliever Martin Viramontes was able to buckle down. The former USC Trojan struck out left fielder Rock Shoulders and got catcher Chadd Krist hit a double play ball to third to end the threat.

 

Viramontes' night was a part of a stout effort by the Manatees' bullpen as he and left-hander Stephen Peterson combined to allow just three base runners over their combined three innings of work.

 

Tommy Toledo, who led the Manatees in saves a year ago, closed the door on the Cubs by getting Candelario to fly out to center - after allowing a two out walk - to end the game.

 

Felix Pena took the loss in his first start with the Cubs, allowing the game's only run on three hits over six innings.

 

The Manatees will travel to Daytona tomorrow evening to play the second game of this four-game opening series. Right-hander Damien Magnifico will take the mound for the Manatees against the Cubs' Jose Rosario. First pitch will be at 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

The Manatees got a great group effort out of their pitching staff, starting with Tyler Wagner. Wagner tossed five scoreless innings, scattering three hits. Martin Viramontes followed with two shutout innings and Stephen Peterson and Tommy Toledo completed the shutout.

 

Brevard's offense didn't do much, but Tyrone Taylor had a nice night out of the leadoff spot, going 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles. Orlando Arcia also added a double and Nathan Orf singled for the 'Tees. Orf also was hit by a pitch. Victor Roache and Michael Reed each recorded an outfield assist.

 

Brevard County Play-By-Play

 

The lone run of the game came with two outs in the third inning.

 

Brevard County Bottom of the 3rd

 

Garrett Cooper strikes out swinging.

Nathan Orf hit by pitch.

Brandon Macias grounds into a force out, shortstop Marco Hernandez to second baseman Gioskar Amaya. Nathan Orf out at 2nd. Brandon Macias to 1st.

Tyrone Taylor doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Rock Shoulders. Brandon Macias scores.

Orlando Arcia grounds out, third baseman Jeimer Candelario to first baseman Dan Vogelbach.

 

Brevard County Audio Highlights

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO - Winning starting pitcher Tyler Wagner joins Justin Rocke after the Manatees 1-0 victory on Opening Night

[Mass Haas]

Manatees open 2014 with a shutout win

Michael Parsons, FLORIDA TODAY

 

Tyrone Taylor introduced himself to the 3,576 Brevard County Manatees fans Thursday night at Space Coast Stadium.

 

The No. 2 prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers organization had two of the team’s four hits and drove in the lone run of a 1-0 Manatee victory over the Daytona Cubs.

 

The center fielder got the Manatees on the board in the third inning with a drive down the left-field line that scored third baseman Brandon Macias from first base.

 

It was Taylor’s first of two doubles on the evening.

 

“Our approach is to get a good pitch to hit. If you are going to be swinging early in the count, it has to be your pitch,” Brevard County Manatees manager Joe Ayrault said.

 

The run was all Manatee starter Tyler Wagner needed as he tossed five strong innings, allowing three hits and striking out three.

 

“He filled the zone, very aggressive. He was confident on the mound,” Ayrault said. “It is what he did all spring and he carried it over into this first start.”

 

The bullpen came in and held the Daytona Cubs, who finished with just five hits.

 

“The pitchers did a great job tonight,” Ayrault said.

 

Tommy Toledo missed on seven straight pitches in the ninth, but regained his composure to lock up his first save of the 2014 season. The former Florida Gator had 20 saves for the Manatees last season.

 

But Ayrault was never worried about his closer, saying he is confident with the way he mixes his pitches.

 

Daytona starter Felix Pena pitched well, giving up one run on three hits in six innings. Highly-touted prospect Arodys Vizcaino made his first appearance since 2011 for the Cubs, pitching a scoreless eighth inning.

 

The Manatees will be in Daytona tonight for the Cubs home opener and Damien Magnifico will take the mound. Then they will return to Space Coast Stadium Saturday night with Jed Bradley starting.

 

And Ayrault is looking for big things from this team.

 

“Just high expectations, always, no matter what team it is, but especially with these guys. They are a hard working bunch,” Ayrault said.

[TheCrew07]

Chiefs beat Rattlers with big seventh inning

Peoria scores six in decisive inning for 8-4 win in 2014 opener

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers were cruising through five innings behind starting pitcher Taylor Williams against the Peoria Chiefs Thursday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. But the Chiefs sent twelve men to the plate and scored six runs off two relievers in the seventh inning to defeat the Rattlers 8-4 in the 2014 opener for both teams.

 

Williams was on immediately for the Rattlers. The right-hander out of Kent State University allowed one hit over five shutout innings and struck out seven to set a professional high for strikeouts in a game.

 

"Taylor came out pounding the zone with early count strikes and was able to put some folks away tonight," said manager Matt Erickson. "He was competitive, had good tempo, got us off the field, and gave us a great chance to win that game."

 

Wisconsin (0-1) grabbed the lead with an RBI triple by Angel Ortega in the bottom of the third inning. Rafael Neda singled with one out and scored when Ortega drove the ball over the head of Ronald Castillo in right field.

 

Williams pitched around an error in the top of the fifth inning to turn the 1-0 lead over to the bullpen.

 

Peoria (1-0) rallied against Tyler Alexander in the top of the sixth. Michael Schulze doubled to start the inning. A pair of one out walks loaded the bases. Castillo's sacrifice fly to foul territory in right was deep enough to score Schulze to tie the game

 

The Rattlers retook the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Ortega drew a walk to start the inning. Then, Omar Garcia singled to right on a hit-and-run to put runners at the corners. The hit was Garcia's third of the night.

 

"He had a really good spring training," Erickson said of Ortega. "In the last week he had hard time making outs and he's carried that over to tonight."

 

Chris McFarland got Ortega home from third base by grounding into a 4-3 double play to put the Rattlers up 2-1. But, the lead didn't last long.

 

Alexander got the first out of the top of the seventh, but loaded the bases on two singles and a walk. Wisconsin called on Chris Razo to get out of the jam.

 

CJ McElroy Jr. greeted Razo with a two-run single. Mason Katz was next and he doubled down the third base line to score two more runs and the Chiefs were up 5-2. Razo walked the next batter. Then, Castillo and Kenny Peoples-Walls followed with RBI singles to pad Peoria's lead out to 7-2.

 

Michael Ratterree tripled to start the Wisconsin seventh. Taylor Brennan drove in Ratterree with a sacrifice fly.

 

The Chiefs tacked on another run in the top of the eighth on a double by Katz to make the score 8-3.

 

The final fun of the game came with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Clint Coulter launched a home run deep to left to give the remaining opening night crowd a thrill on a chilly Wisconsin evening.

 

"You have to be a man to hit the ball out of the ballpark today," Erickson said. "He spent a lot of time in spring training working with Jeremy Reed and Chuckie Caufield on trying to get a better tempo and not swing so hard. He's a guy that doesn't have to create any more power than what his natural swing is. If we can find a way for him to find the barrel more often, you're going to see a lot more balls hit a long way like that."

 

Game two of the series is set for Friday night. Barrett Astin is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Silfredo Garcia is set to start for the Chiefs. Game time is 6:35pm.

 

Friday night is a North Shore Bank Family Night with Y100 featuring a special postgame fireworks display. Children 12 receive a voucher that may be redeemed for a free hotdog and soda. Children 14 and under may run the bases courtesy of Molina Healthcare after the fireworks.

 

Tomorrow is also the first Throwback Game of the 2014 season sponsored by Appvion. Timber Rattlers players and coaches will wear jerseys based on those worn by the 1995 Timber Rattlers and ticket prices are $5 for a box seat, $4 for a reserved seat, and $3 for grass seats.

 

If you can't make it out to the game, tune into to the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:15pm. Friday's game is available on IHeartRadio and MiLB.TV, too.

 

HOME RUN:

WIS:

Clint Coulter (1st, 0 on in 9th inning off Chris Perry, 2 out)

 

WP: Arturo Reyes (1-0)

LP: Tyler Alexander (0-1)

 

TIME: 3:04

ATTN: 3,194

 

This is mostly Chris' transcript of his post game interview with Erickson

Rattler Radio Postgame

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

This was an extremely interesting game until the 7th when it all fell apart in a hurry. See my other post here for additional player information from tonight's game.

 

Wisconsin Recap

 

The Rattlers cost themselves too many outs on the bases tonight, they way things turned it likely wouldn't have made a difference, but a couple of extra runs can do wonders. A trio of good learning experiences here.

 

Wisconsin Bottom of the 1st

• Omar Garcia singles on a line drive to center fielder C. J. McElroy.
  Christopher McFarland grounds out, second baseman Mason Katz to first baseman Jake Stone. Omar Garcia to 2nd.
  With David Denson batting, Omar Garcia steals (1) 3rd base.
  David Denson singles on a bunt ground ball to second baseman Mason Katz. Double play, second baseman Mason Katz to catcher Carson Kelly to third baseman Michael Schulze to pitcher Jimmy Reed to shortstop Juan Herrera to second baseman Mason Katz to catcher Carson Kelly. Omar Garcia out at home. David Denson out at 3rd.

 

Wisconsin Bottom of the 3rd

• Jose Pena grounds out, third baseman Michael Schulze to first baseman Jake Stone.
  Rafael Neda singles on a line drive to right fielder Ronald Castillo.
  Angel Ortega triples (1) on a line drive to right fielder Ronald Castillo. Rafael Neda scores.
  Omar Garcia reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by pitcher Jimmy Reed.
  With Christopher McFarland batting, Omar Garcia picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Jimmy Reed to first baseman Jake Stone to shortstop Juan Herrera.
  Christopher McFarland flies out to center fielder C. J. McElroy.

 

Wisconsin Bottom of the 5th

• Clint Coulter walks.
  Jose Pena lines out to shortstop Juan Herrera.
  Rafael Neda strikes out swinging and Clint Coulter caught stealing 2nd, catcher Carson Kelly to shortstop Juan Herrera.
  

 

 

Wisconsin Gameday

 

edit. Added the Rattler Radio blog post

[TheCrew07]

Bryant starts new year with a bang

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO: Fans brave cold for Timber Rattlers opening day

 

***

 

VIDEO INTERVIEW via Tim Froberg of the Post-Crescent - Wisconsin pitcher Taylor Williams talks about his outstanding performance on the mound in the Timber Rattlers' season opener Thursday night

 

***

 

A Chilly Reception

Williams a bright spot in Rattlers' opening day loss

by Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent Media

 

GRAND CHUTE — There was a definite chill factor Thursday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

 

There was a wow factor, too, courtesy of Taylor Williams.

 

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers started the 2014 Midwest League season on a disappointing note with an 8-4 loss to Peoria, but they couldn’t have received a much sharper outing from an opening-day pitcher.

 

Williams, a fourth-round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2013 first-year player draft, was outstanding in his first Timber Rattlers start. The 22-year-old right-hander from Kent State University allowed just an infield hit in five scoreless innings with one walk and seven strikeouts.

 

“He was dominant,” said Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson. “That’s exactly how you want someone to come out and start the game and the season. He was pounding the zone early and putting people away. He gave us a great chance to win the game.”

 

Williams showed a live arm, topping out at 94 mph on the radar gun. He also mixed and located his pitches well, throwing strikes on 44 of 63 pitches.

 

“It’s your first start, your first outing, and you want to give your team a chance to win,” said Williams. “I just tried to command my fastball, command the zone and let my defense make plays behind me. With the cold weather we had, it’s tough for them to be out there standing around a lot, so you try and throw strikes.”

 

This is Williams’ first full season in professional baseball. In 12 games and six starts for Helena last season, Williams posted a 3-1 record with a 4.25 earned run average. He is rated by Baseball America as the 19th best prospect in the Brewers’ farm system.

 

“In my opinion, the cold weather makes it tough on hitters,” said Williams, who grew up in Vancouver, Wash., and doesn’t mind pitching in the cold. “I don’t know if I tried to overpower anyone. The game plan was to throw strikes. That way I could get ahead of hitters and mix my off-speed stuff in there. For the most part, my location was pretty good.”

 

Erickson uses pitcher tandems early in the season, which is why Williams exited after five innings with a 1-0 lead. The wheels quickly came off following his departure. Wisconsin relievers Tyler Alexander and Chris Razo were rocked for seven runs in the next two innings, six coming in the top of the seventh when the Chiefs seized control of a 1-1 game.

 

Centerfielder C.J. McElroy got the Chiefs rolling in their big six-run seventh with a two-run, bases-loaded single off Razo to give Peoria a 3-2 lead. Mason Katz followed with a two-run double and Ronald Castillo and Kenny Peoples-Walls added RBI singles.

 

“We have four tandems scheduled and tandems can be great,” said Erickson. “But obviously you have to have people do their job. We walked eight people today and it seemed like a lot of them scored. If you can’t be competitive in the zone, they’re going to come back and hurt you every time. There will be better days for Tyler Alexander. He threw a lot of pitches.”

 

Playing before a hearty home crowd of 3,194 on a teeth-chattering 32-degree evening, Wisconsin collected seven hits off a trio of Peoria pitchers, including a long solo homer in the ninth by designated hitter Clint Coulter.

 

Coulter also homered in the Timber Rattlers’ 2013 home opener.

 

“It was my last at bat, so I had time to get the first-game jitters out,” said Coulter. “It was a fastball inside and it was good to hit the ball, find the barrel and get it up in the air. I got a little underneath it, but the wind wasn’t blowing in too hard.”

 

Omar Garcia was the only Rattler to collect two hits. The 20-year-old center fielder also made the defensive play of the game in the third inning when he ran down a fly ball in the left-center gap and made a diving catch to rob Peoria’s Juan Herrera of an extra-base hit.

 

“Unbelievable catch,” said Erickson. “He got a good jump on it, but I didn’t think there was any chance he was going to get it. Just a great catch, the catch of the season so far.”

 

***

 

Thirty-five photos in William Glasheen's Post-Crescent Photo Gallery

[Mass Haas]

Wow -- eleven video/audio reports for you on Opening Night, my how the report has evolved over 14 years - thank you, internet.

[Mass Haas]

Here's Brad's Timber Rattlers Opening Night photo gallery (via Miller Park Prospects)

[TooLiveBrew]

Yeah, this just happened in Jacksonville:

 

Anthony DeSclafani grounds out, right fielder Mitch Haniger to first baseman Nick Ramirez.

 

Haniger and his gun throws out the opposing pitcher at first base, score it 9-3.

Poor guy -- he must've hit the ball pretty hard (albeit on the ground) to give Haniger a shot to throw him out.

[reillymcshane]

Excited to see the link report again!!!

 

Thank you to everyone who helps out. I've been following it for years. It's great. Thanks again.