Link Report for Wed. 4/9 - Sounds Fan 16 Times in Matinee, Stars Home Opener Tonight

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Johnny Hellweg at Iowa (Cubs), 11:45 AM pre-game, 12:05 PM 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: RHP Brooks Hall at home vs. Pensacola (Reds), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:30 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

Steve Jarnicki is the new play-by-play voice of the Stars - welcome aboard! Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveJarnicki. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be broadcast.

 

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Brevard County: RHP Tyler Wagner 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: LHP Tyler Alexander (with RHP Taylor Williams 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 Wednesday's action as it happens with box score / game log links:

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

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]

Sortable individual stat pages:

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

[Mass Haas]

Weather.com:

 

Des Moines, IA

 

Huntsville, AL

 

Lakeland, FL

 

Comstock Park, MI

 

Looks cozy for the Stars Home Opener!

[Mass Haas]

No clubhouse? No showers? No problem for Timber Rattlers at Fifth Third Ballpark

by Cory Morse, mlive.com

 

COMSTOCK PARK, MI -- When Michael Ratterree finished batting practice, he grabbed his glove and jogged off the field with his Wisconsin Timber Rattlers teammates.

 

But they didn’t head to the dugout.

 

They exited through an open gate in left-centerfield at Fifth Third Ballpark before the home opener on Tuesday, April 8, and headed toward a building that resembles a construction trailer.

 

Since the Jan. 3 ballpark fire damaged the West Michigan Whitecaps clubhouse, the home team has taken over what is normally the visitor’s clubhouse. When the visiting team pulls up to the park in the beginning of the season, the players will see their temporary digs in the parking lot.

 

“We were kind of surprised,” said Ratterree, a 10th round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers last year out of Rice University. “But we understand. They had a tragedy with the fire.”

 

Ratterree has seen the baseball extremes this young season. He played in the Brewers final exhibition on March 29 with the big club and even homered at Miller Park off major league pitcher Jeremy Guthrie.

 

“Their clubhouse was unreal,” said Ratterree, who was the Pioneer League Player of the Year last season at Helena. “It was nice to have my own locker.

 

“But you can’t really compare it to this,” he said as he looked around the temporary facility.

 

There are two rooms in the temporary clubhouse, and it has just one bathroom and no showers. Players sit on folding chairs and are surrounded by their clothes and equipment, which are scattered on the floor.

 

“I heard about the fire back in January,” said Wisconsin pitcher Preston Gainey, who was drafted in the 11th round in 2012 out of the U.S. Naval Academy. “We didn’t know about these facilities, though. It’s tough when you have 30 guys and no showers.”

 

This is Gainey’s second season in the Midwest League with Wisconsin, the Brewers’ Class A team.

 

“You get used to having makeshift workouts sometimes,” said Gainey, who was outside the building doing workouts with a sledge hammer and a tire.

 

Bill Moore, who was a Whitecaps clubhouse guy for seven years, played the role of crossing guard on Tuesday. He was posted in the back parking lot to make sure the Timber Rattlers crossed the lot safely from the field to clubhouse.

 

“My biggest concern is a ballplayer getting hit (by a car),” said Moore, of Stanton. “These are my surrogate kids tonight.”

 

Once the home clubhouse is completed in approximately a month, the Whitecaps will move back into their regular digs.

 

Yes, we have a Timber Rattlers trailer photo gallery.

[Mass Haas]

Worthwhile FanPost over at BrewCrewBall --

 

Making Sense of all these Outfield Prospects

[Mass Haas]

Audio via Jeff Hem's blog --

 

"Today’s interview is with last night’s Sounds starter and winner, Mike Fiers, who discusses his dominant ’14 debut, coming back from an injury-shortened ’13, the Sounds’ formidable starting rotation and playing winter ball in Venezuela where his manager was Rick Sweet."

[Mass Haas]

Sixty-four strikeouts vs. nine walks in seven games thus far for the Nashville offense.

[igor67]

Nice to see Taylor Green off to a solid start. If he were to hit well enough Swapping him for Overbay would help the roster structure quite a bit.

[homer]

Tyrone Taylor is a doubles machine. Two more so far tonight.

[Eye Black]

Tyrone Taylor is a doubles machine. Two more so far tonight.

He now has 8 hits on the season... 7 of which are doubles.

[82brewcrew11]

So when does Tyler Wagner start to get some legit recognition?

[TheCrew07]

Sounds Roughed Up In Iowa, Lose 6-1

Infielder Taylor Green Goes Yard To Record Nashville's Only Run

Nashville Sounds

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/1/9/8/71491198/cuts/Molleken_Dustin_taken_by_Mike_Strasinger_x7hxf9bv_hvobater.jpg

(MIKE STRASINGER)

 

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Nashville Sounds failed to keep up with the Iowa Cubs Wednesday afternoon at Principal Park, losing by a 6-1 margin: the team's largest deficit of the season.

 

Tied 1-1, the I-Cubs took control of the game by scoring two runs off Sounds starter Johnny Hellweg (1-1) in the fifth inning. The 6-foot-9 hurler surrendered a wild pitch to score Arismendy Alcantara, who reached base on balls and moved to third on Javier Baez's double over a leaping Kevin Mattison in centerfield.

 

Iowa's first baseman Chris Coghlan drove a fly ball to right field for the sacrifice to score Baez and put the Cubs up 3-1.

 

Hellweg took the loss, his first, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks over five innings of work. He fanned a total of five I-Cubs before reliever Alfredo Figaro started the sixth inning by allowing Brett Jackson a lead-off home run.

 

Figaro remained in the game and was touched for a two-run homer in the seventh inning off the bat of Josh Vitters. The dinger scored Baez, 2-for-4, who singled into right-field earlier in the frame. Dustin Molleken finished up for the Sounds by striking out the side in the eighth.

 

Nashville scored their only run in the second inning when Taylor Green, 2-for-3, lifted a solo home run over the right-center field wall. Green's two-out bomb is his first and the team's fifth of the young season.

 

I-Cubs starting pitcher Carlos Pimentel (1-1) helped his own cause in the home half of the second inning, slapping a two-out single through the infield to drive home Coghlan and level the game.

 

Pimentel held Sounds batters to three hits en route to his first win of the season, collecting 10 strikeouts along the way. Iowa pitchers combined for 16 strikeouts on the day, the most allowed by Sounds batters this season.

 

Sounds outfielder Eugenio Velez entered as a pinch hitter for Hellweg in the sixth inning and failed to record a hit for the first time at the Triple-A level since August 11, 2013. The utility man ended last season on a 22-game hit streak and began his 2014 campaign with hits in five consecutive games. Hunter Morris, 0-for-4, also saw his five-game streak end today.

 

The Sounds conclude their season-opening road trip on Thursday at 12:05 p.m. in Iowa. Nashville sends RHP Jimmy Nelson (1-0, 1.50) to the hill opposite the I-Cubs RHP Kyle Hendricks (0-1, 11.57). Sounds broadcaster Jeff Hem has the call on 102.5-FM "The GAME". The Sounds home opener, presented by PPG Porter Paints, is scheduled for Friday, April 11 at Greer Stadium against the reigning PCL Champion Omaha Storm Chasers (AAA-Royals).

 

Nashville Boxscore

Johnny Hellweg didn't have a great day walking 4 and uncorking a WP in just 5 innings, he threw 49 of 87 pitches for strikes (56.3%). His walk rate continues to be the primary reason I think he's a reliever at the next level. Alfredo Figaro had a day he'd like back as well.

 

Nashville Recap

With just 5 hits and 1 walk there isn't much to see here.

 

Nashville Gameday

[TheCrew07]

So when does Tyler Wagner start to get some legit recognition?

 

Not sure what you mean, many sites pegged him as a sleeper to watch. He was a college reliever converted to starter, who struggled in Helena that first year, so he's going to be a wait and see guy for many prospect watchers, but his name is consistently out there.

 

He also gets a ton of love on this forum, I talked about and broke him down in great detail over the course of last season.

[TheCrew07]

Six-run third propels Rattlers to win

Rattlers beat Whitecaps 6-1

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers received three clutch two-out hits in the third inning on Wednesday night and three pitchers made the big inning more than enough. The Rattlers beat the West Michigan Whitecaps 6-1 at Fifth Third Ballpark.

 

Wisconsin (3-3) loaded the bases with one out in the top of the first inning. Two walks and a hit batsman by West Michigan starting pitcher Kevin Ziomek put a Rattler on every base. Ziomek got out of the frame with a strikeout and a popup.

 

West Michigan (3-3) took the lead in the bottom of the first inning. Dominic Ficociello came to the plate with runners at first and third with one out in the bottom of the first inning and smacked a single to drive in a run for a 1-0 lead.

 

The Rattlers, who went 1-for-15 and stranded 12 runners in Tuesday's loss to the Whitecaps, looked like they might let another chance go by in the third inning. Omar Garcia walked and Chris McFarland singled to start the inning with runners on first and second. But, they were just on second and third with two outs.

 

Clint Coulter battled from a 1-2 count, fouled off three two-strike pitches, and drew a walk to load the bases. Jose Pena made the work pay off with a sharp single to left that drove in Garcia and McFarland and put the Rattlers up 2-1.

 

West Michigan starting pitcher Kevin Ziomek walked David Denson to reload the bases and was replaced by reliever Jon Maciel.

 

Rafael Neda greeted Maciel with a two-run single and Omar Garcia followed with a two-run double to put the Rattlers up 6-1.

 

Wisconsin starting pitcher Tyler Alexander struggled to get through the first inning, but only allowed one hit and retired the final eight batters he faced before leaving the game with 70 pitches in four inning. He struck out five to set a single game high as a professional.

 

Taylor Williams took over for Alexander in the bottom of the fifth and pitched four scoreless innings.

 

Trevor Seidenberger pitched a scoreless ninth to close out the game.

 

The final game of the three game set at Fifth Third Ballpark is scheduled for Wednesday. Tristan Archer (0-0, 0.00) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. West Michigan will counter with Chad Green (0-0, 9.00). First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 am CDT. Tune in for the broadcast starting with the pregame show at 10:40 am. Wednesday's game is also available on IHeartRadio and MiLB.tv.

 

WP: Taylor Williams (1-0)

LP: Kevin Ziomek (0-1)

 

TIME: 2:39

ATTN: 1,693

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Tyler Alexander started this game much the same way he finished his first appearance. However once the T-Rats put up that 6 run 3rd Mehring must have mentioned 4 or 5 times over the remainder of the game how different Alexander was pitching with the big cushion. Taylor Williams was on his game again, allowing only 2 hits and 1 walk in his 4 innings.

 

The offense had a nice day early against last year's 2nd round pick for Detroit Kevin Ziomek though the party really started after Jonathan Maciel came into the bases loaded jam and allowed all of his inherited runners to score. Unfortunately after the early outburst the T-Rats only had 2 baserunners the rest of the game on Angel Ortega's bunt single and Jose Pena's walk. WI managed just 5 hits in the game and Ortega had the only multi-hit effort, though the Rattlers did take 7 total free passes as a team, including an impressive 9 pitch AB from Clint Coulter talked about above.

 

Wisconsin Recap

The T-Rats could have gotten out to a quick start with bases loaded and 1 out but couldn't make it happen, they didn't even get a ball into play in fair territory.

 

Wisconsin Top of the 1st

• Omar Garcia called out on strikes.
  Christopher McFarland walks.
  Michael Ratterree walks. Christopher McFarland to 2nd.
  Taylor Smith-Brennan hit by pitch. Christopher McFarland to 3rd. Michael Ratterree to 2nd.
  Clint Coulter strikes out swinging.
  Jose Pena pops out to first baseman Dominic Ficociello in foul territory.

 

Wisconsin Gameday

[bkrause2]

Final: Brevard County 4, Lakeland 1

 

'Tees pitching shuts down Lakeland again in 4-1 win

Brevard pounds out 11 hits en route to third straight victory

By Andrew Luftglass / Brevard County Manatees

 

LAKELAND, Fla. - The trio of Tyler Wagner, Austin Ross and Tommy Toledo surrendered just one run, four hits and struck out a season-high 11 men, as the Brevard County Manatees won their third straight game, 4-1 on Wednesday night over the Lakeland Flying Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium.

 

Wagner (2-0, 0.87 ERA) set the tone early by striking out four of the first five men he faced. The starter only allowed three hits and struck out six through his 5.1 innings of work before handing the ball over to Ross.

 

The first man out of the Manatees' (5-1) bullpen entered with a man on and one out in the sixth, but quickly took care of the situation. Ross induced a ground ball back to the mound that he turned into a 1-6-3 double play to end the frame.

 

That grounder was the beginning of a solid outing from Ross. He retired all seven batters he faced in consecutive fashion, including four strikeouts to send the 'Tees to the ninth with a three-run lead.

 

Toledo took the ball in the ninth and effectively recorded his second save of the season. Though he allowed two runners to reach base with one out on a single and a walk, the closer polished off the final two batters to nail down the victory.

 

For the second straight game, the Manatees wasted little time attacking the Flying Tigers' (3-3) pitching staff. Left fielder Victor Roache scored the 'Tees first run in the top of the second inning and he did it on the basepaths.

 

With Roache on third, second baseman Yadiel Rivera took off from first base. When Lakeland catcher Drew Longley threw to second, Roache broke for home. Shortstop Dixon Machado cut off Longley's throw and fired home to try to get Roache, but he slid around the tag and touched home for the game's first run. Rivera scored later in the inning on a single by designated hitter Alfredo Rodriguez.

 

Brevard County needed only one man to score an insurance run in the third inning. Shortstop Orlando Arcia laced a two-out offering from Flying Tigers starter Edgar De La Rosa to the left center field gap. Arcia easily had a double, but tried to stretch the hit into a triple.

 

As Arcia slid into third base, the relay throw slipped under the glove of third baseman Tyler Hanover and rolled toward the third base dugout. That allowed Arcia to sprint home to give the 'Tees a 3-0 lead.

 

The Manatees added an insurance run in the ninth on a single by third baseman Brandon Macias - one of his three hits on the night - before Toledo shut the door in the ninth. With the win, Brevard County improves to 5-1 for the second time in three years.

 

Along with the three-hit night from Macias, Roache, Rivera and Tyrone Taylor had two hits each. For Taylor, his two hits were both doubles as he has already recorded seven two-baggers in just six games.

 

The 'Tees remain atop the Florida State League North Division heading into Thursday's series finale against Lakeland. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. with righty Damien Magnifico (0-0, 1.59) due to pitch for Brevard County and southpaw Jordan John (1-0, 1.80) slated to toe the rubber for the Flying Tigers.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

More strong pitching from the Manatees tonight. Starter Tyler Wagner went 5.1 innings, giving up just one run. He did walk four, but struck out six. Austin Ross went 2.2 innings without allowing a hit and k'd four Lakeland batters. Tommy Toledo gave up a hit and a walk in the ninth, but picked up his second save.

 

Victor Roache had a single and a double in four at bats. He also stole a base. Brandon Macias went 3-for-4 out of the nine spot. As previously noted, Tyrone Taylor added a pair of doubles. Second baseman Yadiel Rivera was 2-for-4 and stole a base. Michael Reed also added his team leading fifth stolen base.

 

Brevard County Play-By-Play

 

Tyler Wagner struck out the side in the first inning.

 

Lakeland Bottom of the 1st

 

Chad Wright strikes out swinging.

Dixon Machado strikes out swinging.

Lance Durham walks.

Jeff Holm called out on strikes.

 

The Manatees got on the board first once again and that would be all they needed

 

Brevard County Top of the 2nd

 

Victor Roache doubles (2) on a fly ball to right fielder Chad Wright.

Michael Reed strikes out swinging.

Yadiel Rivera singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jeff Holm. Victor Roache to 3rd.

Garrett Cooper strikes out swinging. Victor Roache steals (2) home. Yadiel Rivera to 2nd. Yadiel Rivera steals (2) 2nd base.

Alfredo Rodriguez singles on a line drive to center fielder Connor Harrell. Yadiel Rivera scores.

With Brandon Macias batting, Edgar De La Rosa picks off Alfredo Rodriguez at 1st on throw to James Robbins.

[82brewcrew11]

So when does Tyler Wagner start to get some legit recognition?

 

Not sure what you mean, many sites pegged him as a sleeper to watch. He was a college reliever converted to starter, who struggled in Helena that first year, so he's going to be a wait and see guy for many prospect watchers, but his name is consistently out there.

 

He also gets a ton of love on this forum, I talked about and broke him down in great detail over the course of last season.

 

 

One would think, considering the state of the system (particularly in the pitching department), that he would get more than a token nod as a sleeper candidate. I know that we are familiar with him on this board, I was speaking more from a national perspective. Even assuming a wait and see approach, players such as Jungmann, Bradley, and Magnifico are routinely mentioned before him and, in my humble opinion, provide less upside.

[Mass Haas]

Final: @Huntsville 5, Pensacola 4

 

STARS RALLY TO BEAT PENSACOLA

 

Huntsville, AL - The Huntsville Stars rallied late Wednesday night in their home opener and defeated the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, the Double-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, 5-4.

 

Mitch Haniger’s two-out double in the fifth tied the score at 4-4. Haniger drove a 3-2 pitch to left center against Blue Wahoo starter Mikey O’brien.

 

In the bottom of the seventh, Stars first baseman Nick Ramirez drove a Fabian Williamson(0-1) pitch over the right field wall which broke the 4-4 tie. It was Ramirez’s first home run at the Double-A level and proved to be the game winner.

 

The Blue Wahoos built a 3-0 lead against Stars starter Brooks Hall. Hall did not factor into the decision, but did contribute a two-run single in the bottom of the second which cut the deficit to 3-2.

 

Pensacola took a 4-3 lead in the third after Bryan Anderson’s sacrifice fly. Anderson also homered in the loss.

 

The Stars bullpen combined for five shutout innings of baseball. Johnnie Lowe, Kevin Shackleford and David Goforth held the Blue Wahoos off the scoreboard nailing down the Stars fifth straight win. Goforth earned his third save of the season after leaving the tying and go ahead runners on base in the eighth and ninth innings.

 

The Stars improved to 5-1 on the season and are now 21-9 all time in home openers at “The Joe”. Pensacola falls to 4-2 on the year.

 

The Stars and Blue Wahoos continue their series Thursday night. RHP Daniel Corcino (0-1, 4.50) will start for Pensacola while RHP Drew Gagnon (0-0, 3.60) will start for Huntsville. The game can be heard starting at 6:15 PM with Steve Jarnicki on 92.9 FM, 1450 AM WTKI and online at www.wtkiradio.com.

 

VIDEO: Watch game highlights (plus a sighting of normally-absentee owner Miles Prentice)

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

Stars win despite being outhit, 12-6; RHP Brooks Hall (seven hits, four runs, three ER) struck out five and did not walk a batter in four innings, and as you watched, helped himself with the bat. Could the Brewers have waited a year before tying up a 40-man roster spot with the 23-year-old (24 in June), perhaps, but they did not want to chance it. 1B Nick Ramirez (.893 OPS despite not yet taking a walk) is off to a fine start after six games.

 

Huntsville Game Log

 

Tie it up at 4-4:

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 5th

 

Pitching Change: Mikey O'Brien replaces Carlos Contreras, batting 9th.

Josh Prince strikes out swinging.

Nick Ramirez singles on a line drive to center fielder Yorman Rodriguez.

Jason Rogers walks. Nick Ramirez to 2nd.

Kentrail Davis strikes out swinging.

Mitch Haniger doubles (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Yorman Rodriguez. Nick Ramirez scores. Jason Rogers scores.

Adam Weisenburger flies out to left fielder Donald Lutz.

 

The eventual game-winner:

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 7th

 

Josh Prince flies out to center fielder Yorman Rodriguez.

Pitching Change: Fabian Williamson replaces Mikey O'Brien, batting 5th.

Defensive Substitution: Steve Selsky replaces pitcher Mikey O'Brien, batting 9th, playing first base.

Nick Ramirez homers (1) on a fly ball to right field.

Jason Rogers strikes out swinging.

Kentrail Davis flies out to left fielder Donald Lutz.

 

The only two Stars walks issued were by David Goforth in his two hold-your-breath but scoreless innings to close things out --

 

Pensacola Top of the 8th

 

Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Kevin Shackelford, batting 5th, replacing left fielder Kentrail Davis.

Bryan Anderson grounds out, second baseman Josh Prince to first baseman Nick Ramirez.

Juan Silverio singles on a line drive to center fielder Mitch Haniger.

Brodie Greene grounds into a force out, shortstop Nick Shaw to second baseman Josh Prince. Juan Silverio out at 2nd. Brodie Greene to 1st.

Steve Selsky walks. Brodie Greene to 2nd.

Devin Lohman strikes out swinging.

 

Pensacola Top of the 9th

 

Bryson Smith grounds out, pitcher David Goforth to first baseman Nick Ramirez.

Yorman Rodriguez singles on a soft fly ball to right fielder D' Vontrey Richardson.

Donald Lutz flies out to center fielder Mitch Haniger.

Rey Navarro walks. Yorman Rodriguez to 2nd.

Bryan Anderson lines out to center fielder Mitch Haniger.

[Mass Haas]

Photo gallery included at the link --

 

Big crowd, big win, good vibes for Huntsville Stars in home opener

by Mark McCarter, Huntsville Times

 

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - A terrific crowd. A semi-dramatic home run. A win for the home team. Fireworks.

 

If you have to have the beginning of the end, this wasn't a bad way to do it.

 

The Huntsville Stars' final home season - for the foreseeable future - opened Wednesday night, with a win and some electricity.

 

Then there was this symbolic moment:

 

As the air hung heavy with the smoke from fireworks and cars oozed out of the parking lot, there went Miles Prentice, the team's erstwhile majority owner, wheeling carry-on luggage from the stadium and into a waiting rental car.

 

The Stars went off and stretched their winning streak to five, one shy of the longest streak from all of 2013. They got a tie-breaking seventh-inning home run from Nick Ramirez, one of the few players who no previous Huntsville tenure.

 

And they drew an announced crowd of 5,297.

 

Tell me again why they're moving to Biloxi in 2015???

 

"You could feel a little presence behind our players," said manager Carlos Subero, in his first home game as Stars manager. "They had a good vibe going."

 

Opening night attendance is never a perfect barometer, but when cars are still waiting to turn off the Memorial Parkway access road and onto Don Mincher Drive into the stadium at the game's first pitch, it's an encouraging sight.

 

"I'm hoping it wasn't just an opening day thing. We got a lot of good feedback tonight," said general manager Buck Rogers, who related a conversation with a long-time resident who admitted he hadn't been to a game in six years - "guilty as charged," the fan said - but promised to return.

 

It's something a potential new owner might notice, should somebody be willing to relocate to Huntsville to a ballpark more appealing and modern than the current digs.

 

"The cause is good and I hope everybody rallies behind it," Rogers said.

 

It's something the former owner couldn't help see.

 

Prentice, who never attended a single home game in 2013 when he was the team's majority owner, was planted in the box seats Wednesday night for this opener, though he is but a minority partner these days.

 

Go figure.

 

Prentice sold the club to Ken Young - previously noted as the owner you wish had galloped in on a white horse for Huntsville eight or 10 years ago - as part of the process to move the franchise to Biloxi for next year.

 

Prentice's lack of involvement and investment in the franchise has been negligible - he'll remind you he purchased the scoreboard, but it hasn't worked properly since the Clinton Administration - and much of the franchise's downfall and now departure can be blamed for that.

 

Prentice was joined in the stands by Gord Ash, the Brewers' vice president, and Scott Martens, the director of business operations for Milwaukee's minor league system.

 

Gentlemen, start your pandering.

 

Biloxi could be an attractive spot for Milwaukee to have its Double-A team, but this is the season for working agreements to be renewed or changed throughout baseball, and could be Biloxi doesn't think the Brewers would be attractive enough for its new park.

 

It was Ash who famously observed in a July 2009 interview after watching a game attended by 660 fans:

 

"This is a very apathetic baseball town, and something's going to have to change. They're going to be sorry in a couple of years when they don't have baseball. I don't know if they're going to lose the team, but they're going to lose our interest in being here because there's no enthusiasm."

 

It wasn't inaccurate then, and certainly recent history has proved him right. Ash actually served a valuable purpose to begin the conversation about baseball's future and a potential new park, forcing a community's introspective look at its interests.

 

For one glorious night, the enthusiasm was back.

 

How many of the fans will be back?

 

And will it be enough to bring baseball back?

[Mass Haas]

MEDIA:

 

From Tuesday's 4-1 Nashville win in Iowa --

 

AUDIO: LF Eugenio Velez drives a double to the outfield corner to put the Sounds up 2-0 in the 3rd

 

AUDIO: SS Hector Gomez hits a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning to give the Sounds a two-run lead

 

VIDEO: Nashville's Pete Orr legs out a triple in the Sounds' 4-1 win over the Iowa Cubs

 

From Wednesday's 6-1 Nashville loss --

 

VIDEO: Nashville's Taylor Green belts a solo homer in the Sounds' 6-1 loss to Iowa

 

AUDIO: Jeff Hem's call of the Taylor Green home run

 

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More "end of an era" fan VIDEO from Huntsville

 

VIDEO: Loyal Fans - Final Huntsville Star’s Home Season Opener Is “Bittersweet”

 

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From Wednesday night's Brevard game --

 

AUDIO: Game highlights - The 'Tees win 4-1 over Lakeland to improve to 5-1

 

AUDIO: Victor Roache joins Andrew Luftglass on the Manatees Pregame Show

 

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Rattler Radio Blog (now reinforced with AUDIO) -- Wednesday's Postgame Entry

[Mass Haas]

The second Huntsvile VIDEO story on this page includes a Jason Rogers interview