Link Report for Tue. 4/8 - Southpaw Hobbs Johnson Spectacular in First Pro Start

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Tuesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Mike Fiers at Iowa (Cubs), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

Jeff Hem is the play-by-play voice of the Sounds; follow him on Twitter @jeffhempbp; we'll link to his blog updates at On the Air…and Off

 

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; all Nashville games, home and away, will be available to watch via MiLB.TV's $49.99 season-long package ($12.99 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: Idle

 

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Brevard County: LHP Hobbs Johnson at Lakeland (Tigers), 5:00 PM pre-game, 5:30 gametime

 

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

 

Dave Walkovic returns as the play-by-play voice of the 'Tees; 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 (or not at all), we'll let you know that.

 

No Florida State League games are available via MiLB.TV.

 

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Wisconsin: RHP Zach Quintana (with LHP Tyler Linehan in tandem) at West Michigan (Tigers), 5:15 PM pre-game, 5:35 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link - 1280 AM WNAM

 

Chris Mehring is back to do his customary fantastic work as the Voice of the Rattlers. Follow him on Twitter @CMehring; we'll link to Chris' infamous blog often -- Rattler Radio.

 

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; Wisconsin is one of four Midwest League clubs that have all their home games available via MiLB.TV.

 

West Michigan, tonight's opponent, is an MiLB.TV carrier.

 

So for the $49.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sounds games, Stars' road games from seven Southern League locales, and all Timber Rattlers home games and some road games.

 

NOTE: Thirty-nine (!) of the Rattlers' 70 home games will be broadcast on TV this season. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel (9) and WACY-TV My NEW32 (30) will split duties. We'll let you know when and who, and remember to refer to the Rattlers' full TV schedule so you can coordinate your DVR activity.

 

DVR Alert: Next TV game is Monday 4/14 (My NEW32).

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Nashville

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

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 these just prior to the respective game times --

 

Nashville Media Notes - it's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Roster" banner on the Sounds' site.

 

Brevard County Media Notes - again, it's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Multimedia" banner on the Manatees' site.

 

Wisconsin Media Notes - Linked on the Rattler Radio blog

[Mass Haas]

STANDINGS:

 

AAA - Pacific Coast League American Southern Division

 

AA - Southern League North Division

 

High-A - Florida State League North Division

 

A - Midwest League Western Division

[Mass Haas]

Weather.com:

 

Des Moines, IA

 

Lakeland, FL

 

Comstock Park, MI

[Mass Haas]

Via Jeff Hem's blog --

 

"Tonight’s interview is with Sounds first baseman Hunter Morris, who had three hits Sunday in Omaha and two hits last night in Iowa. He’s 7-for-19 (.368) so far, and trust me when I tell you some of the outs have been hard, loud outs. Morris discusses his hitting thus far, how he feels about his own game and the team early in the season and what feels different compared to last year, his first experience at Triple-A."

[bkrause2]

Final: Brevard County 6, Lakeland 0

 

Johnson untouchable as 'Tees blank Lakeland

By Andrew Luftglass / Brevard County Manatees

 

LAKELAND, Fla. - Brevard County Manatees left-handed pitcher Hobbs Johnson had everything going for him in his first professional start, as he shutout the Lakeland Flying Tigers over six innings and allowed just two hits en route to a 6-0 Brevard County win at Joker Marchant Stadium on Tuesday night.

 

The southpaw did not allow a hit until the third inning; when Lakeland third baseman Tyler Hanover led off with a single. Johnson bounced back, however, and retired the next three men in order.

 

Johnson only allowed two more base runners the rest of his outing and those runners did not stay on the basepaths for long. The 'Tees (4-1) starter erased both a fourth-inning walk and a fifth-inning single with inning-ending double plays. When his day was done, Johnson had faced the minimum number of hitters in five of his six innings pitched.

 

When Johnson exited the game after the sixth inning, Martin Viramontes and Mike Strong shut down the Flying Tigers (3-2) the rest of the way. Their three scoreless innings combined helped Johnson earn his first professional decision. The lefty had made 11 relief appearances in 2013 at Rookie Helena and Class-A Wisconsin, but Tuesday night was his first decision as a pro.

 

The Manatees' offense, of course, had to provide Johnson with some support and it wasted no time. With one out in the first inning, second baseman Orlando Arcia walked and catcher Cameron Garfield hit a screaming line drive that Lakeland shortstop Dixon Machado could not handle. That put runners on first and second for left fielder for Victor Roache and the clean-up hitter sent a towering fly ball over the left field wall. The Manatees' first home run of the season gave them a 3-0 advantage.

 

Brevard County later added insurance and it came on a strange play in the fourth inning. The 'Tees had the bases loaded with first baseman Garrett Cooper on first, third baseman Mike Garza on second and center fielder Tyrone Taylor on first. Garfield came up and hit a single to left field. The single scored Cooper easily from third and Lakeland left fielder Jeff Holm threw home to try to get Garza who was also trying to score.

 

Garza scored easily, as Holm's throw was cut off, but Garfield was rounding first and heading for second. Lakeland forced Garfield into a rundown, but Taylor, who had advanced to third during the play, broke for home. That turned the Tigers' attention toward home, but their throw to get Taylor was not in time and Garfield advanced to second. When the dust settled, the 'Tees had taken a 6-0 lead.

 

Lakeland starting pitcher Yorfrank Lopez was charged with all six runs, though only two of them were earned. He was saddled with his first loss of the season after pitching 3.2 innings, in which he allowed five hits, walked three and struck out four.

 

With the win, the Manatees now sit alone atop the Florida State League North Division. Meanwhile, the Flying Tigers dropped their first game since Opening Day.

 

The 'Tees and Tigers face each other again on Wednesday night at Joker Marchant Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The probable starting pitchers are right-hander Tyler Wagner (1-0, 0.00 ERA) for Brevard County and right-hander Edgar De La Rosa (0-1, 0.00) for Lakeland.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Victor Roache got on the board with his first home run of the year, a three-run shot in the first inning. He was also hit by a pitch and stole a base. Yadiel Rivera had a double for the only other Brevard extra-base hit. Michael Reed and Garrett Cooper each had a pair of hits. Orlando Arcia reached base three times with a single and two walks. He also made his first start of the season at shortstop with Rivera at second as the two rotate series.

 

Hobbs Johnson was fantastic in his first pro start. He worked six scoreless innings and allowed just two hits. Johnson walked only one and struck out four. Martin Viramontes relieved Johnson and gave up just one hit in two innings. Lefty Michael Strong worked a scoreless ninth inning.

 

Brevard County Play-By-Play

 

The Manatees didn't wait long to get on the board, thanks to Victor Roache's big blast.

 

Brevard County Top of the 1st

 

Tyrone Taylor strikes out swinging.

Orlando Arcia walks.

Cameron Garfield reaches on a force attempt, fielding error by shortstop Dixon Machado. Orlando Arcia to 3rd.

Victor Roache homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Orlando Arcia scores. Cameron Garfield scores.

Michael Reed singles on a line drive to left fielder Jeff Holm.

Yadiel Rivera strikes out swinging.

Garrett Cooper singles on a ground ball to right fielder Chad Wright. Michael Reed to 2nd.

With Mike Garza batting, throwing error by Yorfrank Lopez on the pickoff attempt, Michael Reed to 3rd. Garrett Cooper to 2nd.

Mike Garza strikes out swinging.

 

The 'Tees tacked on three more in the fourth inning

 

Brevard County Top of the 4th

 

Garrett Cooper singles on a fly ball to center fielder Connor Harrell.

Mike Garza reaches on a fielding error by shortstop Dixon Machado. Garrett Cooper to 3rd. Mike Garza to 2nd.

Nathan Orf grounds out, third baseman Tyler Hanover to first baseman James Robbins.

Tyrone Taylor walks.

Orlando Arcia strikes out swinging.

Pitching Change: Kevin Eichhorn replaces Yorfrank Lopez.

Cameron Garfield singles on a fly ball to left fielder Jeff Holm. Garrett Cooper scores. Mike Garza scores. Tyrone Taylor scores. Cameron Garfield to 2nd.

Victor Roache grounds out, shortstop Dixon Machado to first baseman James Robbins.

[TheCrew07]

Sounds Burn I-Cubs With Fiers; Win 4-1

Fiers Earns Win With Sharp Debut Start Featuring 9 Strikeouts

Nashville Sounds

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/0/2/2/71416022/cuts/Fiers_Mike_taken_by_Mike_Strasinger_9yotegio_zvpkrx31.jpg

 

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Nashville Sounds bested the Iowa Cubs Tuesday night at Principal Park, riding Mike Fiers' impressive season debut and Eugenio Velez's hot streak to a 4-1 victory.

 

Fiers (1-0) dominated the I-Cubs in his first start of the season, limiting the home team to one run on three hits over six innings of work to pick up his first win. The 28-year-old retired a stretch of 12 consecutive batters in the contest and collected nine strikeouts.

 

Seven of his nine strikeouts on the night came in succession, which was one shy of the Pacific Coast League record of eight consecutive strikeouts set by John Montefusco in 1974 and Vean Gregg in 2010.

 

Fiers delivered 78 pitches with 54 going for strikes. Donovan Hand took over in the seventh and eighth innings, and was followed by closer Rob Wooten, who pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his PCL-leading third save of the young season. The three combined for 13 strikeouts and did not surrender a walk.

 

Offensively, outfielder Eugenio Velez continued his hot start to the season by roping a two-run double to the left-field corner to give the Sounds an early 2-0 advantage in the third inning. The hit scored Elian Herrera and Pete Orr, who both recorded two-out singles.

 

Up 2-1 in the sixth, the Sounds regained a two-run advantage on Kevin Mattison's sacrifice-fly that scored catcher Robinzon Diaz from third base. Diaz initially reached base on a Javier Baez throwing error and moved to third when Hunter Morris crushed a double into right field.

 

Velez, two-for-four, scored the Sounds' final run of the contest in the eighth inning after stealing third base.

 

Both Morris and Velez increased their team-leading hit streaks to five games. Velez, who has a hit in each of his five starts, concluded the 2013 season on a 23-game hit streak.

 

Iowa lefty Chris Rusin (0-2) was charged the loss, allowing three runs, two earned, on seven Nashville hits. Eli Whiteside scored the Cubs' only run in the fifth inning with his RBI single.

 

The Sounds play game three of their four-game set with Iowa on Wednesday at 12:05 p.m. Nashville sends reigning PCL Pitcher of the Year Johnny Hellweg (1-0, 3.38) to the hill opposite the I-Cubs RHP Carlos Pimentel (0-1, 7.20). Sounds broadcaster Jeff Hem has the call on 102.5-FM "The GAME".

 

Nashville Boxscore

Donovan Hand committed the Sounds only error, which is basically the only thing not mentioned by the game story, and of course that doesn't in any diminish what he did on the mound. Mike Fiers return to game action was nothing less than we should have expected, he still has a big league future. The Brewers really need to let some of the older relievers go after this year because we literally have a plethora of relief options down through A+ that need to be allowed to develop.

 

Nashville Recap

 

Nashville Gameday

[TheCrew07]

With the exception of Haniger's slow start the early returns on this season have been everything I would have hoped for up and down the chain.

[TheCrew07]

Rattlers miss opportunities and fall in West Michigan

Wisconsin strands 12 in 3-2 loss to Whitecaps

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers had many opportunities to score on Tuesday night at Fifth Third Ballpark against the West Michigan Whitecaps. But, the Rattlers could not get the hit to break the game in their favor as the Caps picked up a 3-2 victory in their home opener.

 

The teams traded runs in the first inning. Omar Garcia singled, stole second, and took third on a throwing error in the Rattlers half of the inning. Michael Ratterree drove in Garcia with a sacrifice fly.

 

The Whitecaps (3-2) answered with a run in the bottom of the first. They had runners at first and third with two outs. Ben Verlander lined a single through the middle of the diamond to drive in the tying run.

 

West Michigan starting pitcher Jeff Thompson struck out six and pitched around three walks to keep the Rattlers off the scoreboard for the rest of his 3-1/3 innings.

 

Rattlers starter Zach Quintana also kept the Whitecaps off the scoreboard for the rest of his start. Quintana allowed four hits over four innings and left with a the score still even.

 

Garcia doubled, his third hit of the game, to start the top of the fifth off reliever Julio Felix. Then, Ratterree drew a walk to put two on with no outs. But, Felix escaped with a strikeout and a 6-4-3 double play.

 

Tyler Linehan came on to pitch for the Rattlers (2-3) in the bottom of the sixth and got into trouble with one out. An error, an infield single, and a walk loaded the bases. Dominic Ficociello drove in the go ahead run with a single to center. Verlander made the score 3-1 in favor of West Michigan with a sacrifice fly.

 

The Rattlers put the first two runners on base again in the top of the seventh inning. But, a strikeout, a caught stealing, and a ground out to third prevented Wisconsin from scoring in the seventh.

 

West Michigan held a 3-1 lead heading to the ninth inning when they brought hard-throwing Montreal Robertson in to close the game. Chris McFarland started the inning with an infield single. A four-pitch walk to Angel Ortega put the tying runs aboard.

 

Johnny Davis was next and he tried to bunt both runners into scoring position. Davis wound up beating the throw to first base for a hit and the Rattlers had the bases loaded with no outs and their 2-3-4 hitters coming to the plate.

 

Robertson got Garcia to send a weak grounder back to the mound and threw to the plate to force McFarland for the first out. Ratterree coaxed a walk on a 3-2 pitch for drive in Ortega and cut West Michigan's lead to one run. Taylor Brennan popped up an 0-2 pitch to third for the second out. Robertson got the final out by getting Clint Coulter to ground into a force play at second base.

 

Wisconsin stranded twelve runners in the game. They went 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position. The only hit the Rattlers had with runners in scoring position in the game was the bunt single by Davis in the ninth.

 

Game two of the series is set for Wednesday evening. Lefty Tyler Alexander is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Rattlers. West Michigan's Kevin Ziomek is set to go for the Whitecaps. Game time is 5:35pm CDT.

 

Tune into the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM starting with the pregame show at 5:15pm. Wednesday's game is available on IHeartRadio and MiLB.tv.

 

WP: Julio Felix (1-0)

LP: Tyler Linehan (0-1)

SAVE: Montreal Robertson (2)

 

TIME: 2:49

ATTN: 7,128

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Zach Quintana struggled a bit in the first, he was hitting 92-93 on the stadium gun, otherwise it was a real nice debut in A ball. This West Michigan team is loaded with high draft pick pitching so it will be a good test for the youngsters out of the gate. I was disappointed in the 9th, Robertson hit 97 on the gun but wasn't throwing strikes, it was like once the bases were loaded the hitting approaches changed, with the exception of Ratterree who drew the walk to make it a 1 run game.

 

Wisconsin Recap

An incredibly busy recap, the only time the T-Rats went down 1-2-3 was the 8th.

 

Wisconsin Gamday

 

I know the 9 after 9 is quite a bit of work for Chris, but I hope that feature returns as we settle into the season.

[TheCrew07]

Via Jeff Hem's blog --

 

"Tonight’s interview is with Sounds first baseman Hunter Morris, who had three hits Sunday in Omaha and two hits last night in Iowa. He’s 7-for-19 (.368) so far, and trust me when I tell you some of the outs have been hard, loud outs. Morris discusses his hitting thus far, how he feels about his own game and the team early in the season and what feels different compared to last year, his first experience at Triple-A."

 

I know it's been a bit en vogue to hate on Morris but if you take the 8 minutes to listen to that interview you will be better off for it.

[DHonks]

Great to see Fiers throwing well again. He's thoroughly dominated the minors and should re-establish himself as a part of our plans with a strong first half in AAA. I was worried after the fractured arm

[gregmag]

Vintage Fiers. The Brewers' pitching depth is a huge, unsung factor in their prospects this year.

 

Omar Garcia had five extra-base hits in 203 ABs last year at Helena. He now has two in 16 this year. If he can add a little power in his age-20 season to go with his other skills, he could be something.

 

I have to admit, I had totally forgotten about Hobbs Johnson. I'd love to see him keep this up, because he has a great baseball name.

[DHonks]

Given that he's the only OF prospect on the club, I'm curious why Gindl hasn't been playing every day. 3 or 4 games off really is either because of an injury or poor roster management

[Mass Haas]

Manatees audio -- what a leap for us since the Brevard "dead zone" of an online presence early this decade...

 

RHP Jacob Barnes Pregame Interview

 

Game highlights

 

LHP Hobbs Johnson Postgame Interview - He sounds just like you'd expect a North Carolina "Hobbs" to sound, cool. (This coming from a guy with a strong Boston accent...)

[Mass Haas]

It's not even been a week, but a nice little habit for our readers is to check in regularly on the team stat pages -- completely sortable, for instance sort by games to get a sense of who is only seeing limited bench time, etc. Sort by OPS is always helpful, although it'll mean so much more with bigger samples later.

 

We'll make this a convenient daily post in our Link Report open.

 

Individual stat pages:

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Nashville batters have only walked eight times in five games. Eugenio Velez and his 1.541 OPS (!) has three of those walks.

[Mass Haas]

The Whitecaps' closer Montreal Robertson was born in Arkansas, by the way...

[JohnBriggs12]

Hobbs Johnson is a guy to keep an eye on. Brewers seem to have him on a fast track. Fiers finding what he had in 2012 when for a couple months he was the best pitcher on the big club?

[TooLiveBrew]

Via Jeff Hem's blog --

 

"Tonight’s interview is with Sounds first baseman Hunter Morris, who had three hits Sunday in Omaha and two hits last night in Iowa. He’s 7-for-19 (.368) so far, and trust me when I tell you some of the outs have been hard, loud outs. Morris discusses his hitting thus far, how he feels about his own game and the team early in the season and what feels different compared to last year, his first experience at Triple-A."

 

I know it's been a bit en vogue to hate on Morris but if you take the 8 minutes to listen to that interview you will be better off for it.

I still have hope for Morris -- I think he's easily a better bat than Overbay for the RH side of the 1B platoon. Probably has as much raw power in his swing as anyone in the organization not named Braun or Reynolds.

[torts]

I think Hobbs Johnson could be my favorite prospect just on name alone.

[brewmann04]

John Glad they were able to sign Johnson but i agree nice to see a great start and hopefully they will move him up especially him being a Lefty. He one guy i am looking at with along Jungmann and Bradley.

[And That]

LHP Hobbs Johnson Postgame Interview - He sounds just like you'd expect a North Carolina "Hobbs" to sound, cool. (This coming from a guy with a strong Boston accent...)

Pitchin's pitchin'.