Link Report for Thurs. 4/10 - Go, Stars, Go!

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Thursday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Jimmy Nelson 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 Drew Gagnon 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 Damien Magnifico 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 Tristan Archer (with RHP Barrett Astin in tandem) at West Michigan (Tigers), 10:40 AM pre-game, 11:00 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 Thursday'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

 

Stars and Manatees a combined 10-2!

[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

[Mass Haas]

Audio via Jeff Hem's blog --

 

Today’s interview is with Sounds third baseman Taylor Green, who is on the comeback trail after missing all of 2013 with a torn labrum in his hip that required surgical repair. As you can hear in the interview, Green feels great and wants to and feels he can play every day. He homered yesterday as part of a 2-for-3 day at the plate. He discusses coming back from the injury, what he had to get used to doing again after missing a year and how feels so far this season.

[And That]

The Sounds have walked 10 times against 72 strikeouts in their first 8 games. Least number of walks in the PCL, second most strikeouts. Did Yuni sneak down there?

[TheCrew07]

Rattlers shutout West Michigan to win second straight game

Pena & Coulter deliver RBI hits in ninth for 3-0 victory

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattler

 

COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Thursday's game between the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and West Michigan Whitecaps at Fifth Third Ballpark moved at a quick pace and the Rattlers had the finishing kick. Wisconsin scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to break a scoreless tie and pick up a 3-0 win over the Whitecaps. Jose Pena and Clint Coulter had the big hits for the Rattlers. Tristan Archer and Barrett Astin combined on the three-hit shutout.

 

Archer tossed five scoreless innings as the starting pitcher and allowed just two hits while walking three and striking out four.

 

But, West Michigan starter Chad Green also kept the Timber Rattlers off the scoreboard. Francisco Castillo singled with one out in the first inning. Then, Green retired the next 14 batters he faced.

 

The Rattlers (4-3) almost got to Green in the top of the seventh. Pena singled with two outs. Coulter was next and he lined a deep drive to left-center. The ball hit on the warning track and bounce over the wall for a ground rule double. Pena, who would have scored easily, was sent back to third base. Then, Green got the final out of the seventh inning to keep the game scoreless.

 

The Rattlers broke through against the West Michigan bullpen in the ninth. Francisco Castillo started the frame with a single. One out later, Taylor Brennan reached on an error and that chased reliever Matt Davenport.

 

The Whitecaps (3-4) brought in closer Montreal Robertson to face Pena with the game on the line. Pena dropped the first pitch from Robertson down the line in left for a double to score Castillo with the game's first run.

 

Coulter followed with a line drive double down the line in left on the very next pitch to score Brennan and pinch runner Michael Ratterree. The knock by Coulter put the Rattlers up 3-0.

 

Astin, who came on in the bottom of the sixth to relieve Archer, tossed a 1-2-3 ninth to close out the Caps. Astin allowed one hit and struck out three over his four scoreless inning to earn his second win of the season.

 

The victory was the second straight for the Rattlers, who are 2-1 in the first three games of their current six-game road swing.

 

Wisconsin continues their road trip with a three-game series at South Bend. Game one of the set with the Silver Hawks at Four Winds Field is Friday night. The Timber Rattlers send Victor Diaz (0-0, 3.00) to the mound as their scheduled starting pitcher. The Hawks plan to counter with Adam Miller (1-0, 0.00). Game time is 6:35pm CDT. Catch the action on AM1280, WNAM starting with the pregame show at 6:15pm.

 

WP: Barrett Astin (2-0)

LP: Matt Davenport (0-1)

 

TIME: 2:01

ATTN: 1,931

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

I really like this team, what a victory this was. Tristan Archer walked too many batters, but the overall pitching line from the game was excellent with just 6 baserunners in 9 innings. Barrett Astin has had a nice start to the season, he's yet to walk a batter and has struck out 7 in his first 9 innings.

 

Francisco Castillo, Jose Pena, and Clint Coulter, all had multi-hit games. Pena (1), Angel Ortega (1), and Coulter (2) provided the XBHs, all were doubles.

 

To cap it off the team played excellent defense with no errors and turning 3 double plays.

 

So I'm not sure how discuss this topic, but it's been on my mind all season as Chris has been regularly talking about it. The T-Rats aren't exactly knocking the cover off the ball thus far, and part of that course has been the pitching they've faced, and to come away with a series win against the Whitecaps was huge. However there has been at least 1 bunt single in every game, that in itself isn't an issue, every player should know how to bunt and handle the fundamentals of the game and they need to generate offense somehow, but when the Rattlers are only getting 5-6 hits per game that's a significant portion of the actual offensive production.

 

The problem I have is that since it's kind of a focus for Garcia, Davis, and Castillo, the production won't translate as the hitters move up the chain towards MLB. Even for special runners which 2 of those guys are, can they really speed their way into a MLB career in the modern era of baseball? I look at a guy like Hamilton who wasn't bunting even with his speed, he was swinging away, and focusing on becoming a hitter instead of focusing on using his speed. In A ball the "bunt your way on philosophy" can bump up a player's average and OBP enough to make it worthwhile, maybe even through A+, but is it really going to help the player on a regular basis once they get to AA, AAA, or MLB? How well will it translate moving forward? I hope everyone understands what I'm getting at, I'm not trying to belittle the talent or skill it takes to bunt for a hit or Erickson trying to manufacture baserunners and victories, I'm just not sure that production will translate as the players advance through the system.

 

I guess maybe the best way to say this is that I'm offering a word of caution when evaluating some of the guys on this WI roster.

 

Wisconsin Recap

 

Good work all the way around here on the inning ending double play.

 

West Michigan Bottom of the 3rd

• Harold Castro walks.
  Curt Powell grounds out, third baseman Steven Halcomb to shortstop Angel Ortega to first baseman David Denson. Harold Castro to 2nd.
  Javier Betancourt walks.
  Raph Rhymes strikes out swinging and Javier Betancourt caught stealing 2nd, catcher Clint Coulter to first baseman David Denson to third baseman Steven Halcomb to second baseman Francisco Castillo to pitcher Tristan Archer to second baseman Francisco Castillo.

 

The T-Rats should have broken through in the 7th, the Ground Rule Double cost them a run.

 

Wisconsin Top of the 7th

• David Denson grounds out, shortstop Javier Betancourt to first baseman Dominic Ficociello.
  Taylor Smith-Brennan strikes out swinging.
  Jose Pena singles on a line drive to left fielder Raph Rhymes.
  Clint Coulter hits a ground-rule double (2) on a line drive to left-center field. Jose Pena to 3rd.
  Steven Halcomb grounds out, third baseman Brett Harrison to first baseman Dominic Ficociello.

 

What a 9th inning against one of the strongest arms in all of A ball.

 

Wisconsin Top of the 9th

• Francisco Castillo singles on a fly ball to center fielder Tyler Gibson.
  David Denson lines out to center fielder Tyler Gibson.
  Taylor Smith-Brennan reaches on a fielding error by first baseman Dominic Ficociello. Francisco Castillo to 2nd.
  Pitching Change: Montreal Robertson replaces Matt Davenport.
  Jose Pena doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Raph Rhymes. Francisco Castillo scores. Taylor Smith-Brennan to 3rd.
  Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Michael Ratterree replaces Jose Pena.
  Clint Coulter doubles (3) on a line drive to left fielder Raph Rhymes. Taylor Smith-Brennan scores. Michael Ratterree scores.
  Steven Halcomb singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Montreal Robertson. Clint Coulter to 3rd.
  Angel Ortega grounds into a double play, shortstop Javier Betancourt to first baseman Dominic Ficociello. Steven Halcomb out at 2nd.

 

Wisconsin Gameday

[Mass Haas]

Just posted an update on Huntsville RHP Andy Moye in the transaction thread.

 

No surprise, looks like RHP Tyler Cravy is slotting into Moye's rotation spot for now, scheduled to pitch Sunday.

 

***

 

Speaking of Cravy, Voice of the Stars Steve Jarnicki passes aong the following notes:

 

"In Jacksonville, Tyler Cravy got his first at bat in over 116 games and nearly hit a home run. He drove a ball to deep right center. Had it not been for the wind blowing in, he may have had a home run."

 

BUSY STRETCH OF BASEBALL: Last night the Stars began a stretch where they are playing twenty five games in a row without an off day. The busy stretch will conclude with a 10 game road trip (at Tennessee, at Montgomery). The next off day will not be until Sunday May 4th.

[TheCrew07]

Sounds Drop Series Finale, 5-1

Nashville Concludes Road Trip With 3-5 Record

Nashville Sounds

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/5/2/6/71611526/cuts/Nelson_Jimmy_taken_by_Mike_Strasinger_3cztte6f_0omddvao.JPG

(MIKE STRASINGER )

 

DES MOINES, Iowa - Despite a quality start Thursday afternoon from Sounds starter Jimmy Nelson (1-1), the Nashville Sounds were on the losing side of 5-1 game against the Iowa Cubs at Principal Park.

 

After cruising through five scoreless innings and finding a big double-play in the fourth, Nelson ran into trouble in the sixth inning. Shortstop Javier Baez provided the big hit for Iowa: a two-run home run over the 18-foot wall in right field. The homer scored Matt Szczur, who reached on an infield single to lead off the frame.

 

Nelson followed the home run by giving Josh Vitters a free pass and surrendered his third run to Iowa on Chris Valaika's RBI-double to the left field wall. Nelson took the loss, his first, allowing three runs on five hits over six innings of work. He struck out six and walked three.

 

First baseman Hunter Morris gave Nashville the initial 1-0 lead with his RBI single in the fourth inning, but the Sounds failed to score again, going 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. The two-out drive into left-field scored Eugenio Velez, who reached base on a ground-rule double and stole third.

 

Velez, two-for-three, has recorded a hit in each of his six starts this season, while Morris continues to contribute as well with hits in six of his last seven.

 

Outfielder Elian Herrera provided two of Nashville's seven hits in the contest; both singles. He also swiped a pair of bases.

 

Reliever Brad Mills pitched a scoreless seventh inning, before Michael Blazek entered in the eighth to allow Iowa their final two runs via two hits and two walks.

 

I-Cubs right-handed pitcher Kyle Hendricks (1-1) scattered five Nashville hits over seven innings, allowing one run en route to his first victory of the season.

 

The loss in the series finale concludes the Sounds' season-opening road trip, in which they went 3-5.

 

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 sends RHP Hiram Burgos (0-1, 6.23) to the hill opposite the Chasers LHP Danny Duffy (1-0, 3.00). Sounds broadcaster Jeff Hem has the call on 102.5-FM "The GAME".

 

Nashville Boxscore

Jimmy Nelson was very efficient through the first 3 innings but the game started to tilt on him in the 4th. I had just tuned in at the conclusion of the T-Rats game and that opposite field HR Baez hit was into a very stiff wind... it was an absolute blast, I have a feeling we're not going to like facing him much at the big league level. Micheal Blazek just didn't have it in his inning, he must have been leaving FBs up as he was inducing swings and misses but still getting hit hard.

 

No prospects had a multi-hit day.

 

Nashville Recap

 

The Sounds had an opportunity to land a big punch out of the gate...

 

Nashville Top of the 1st

• Elian Herrera singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brett Jackson.
  With Eugenio Velez batting, Elian Herrera steals (1) 2nd base.
  Eugenio Velez walks.
  Caleb Gindl grounds into a force out, third baseman Christian Villanueva to second baseman Arismendy Alcantara. Elian Herrera to 3rd. Eugenio Velez out at 2nd. Caleb Gindl to 1st.
  Robinzon Diaz grounds into a double play, pitcher Kyle Hendricks to shortstop Javier Baez to first baseman Chris Valaika. Caleb Gindl out at 2nd.

 

Another double play killed the mini rally in the 6th.

 

Nashville Top of the 6th

• Elian Herrera grounds out, second baseman Arismendy Alcantara to pitcher Kyle Hendricks.
  Eugenio Velez singles on a ground ball to shortstop Javier Baez.
  Caleb Gindl singles on a line drive to right fielder Brett Jackson. Eugenio Velez to 2nd.
  Robinzon Diaz grounds into a double play, shortstop Javier Baez to second baseman Arismendy Alcantara to first baseman Chris Valaika. Caleb Gindl out at 2nd.

 

Nashville Gameday

[TheCrew07]

I forgot something else, I've actually forgotten about it everyday since he first played, but Johnny Davis has the best walk up music ever. This is not safe for work, but bringing back old school gangsta rap for the walk up music is just straight up awesome. MH posted Chris' blog post with the walk up music but I missed it and was caught totally by surprise when he came to the plate. Ive been on an old school rap/hip-hop trip on the iPod ever since, thanks Johnny!

 

[bkrause2]

Final: Brevard County 5, Lakeland 6

 

Tough breaks doom 'Tees in Lakeland finale

Brevard unable to complete sweep as they fall 6-5 in ninth

By Andrew Luftglass / Brevard County Manatees

 

LAKELAND, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees narrowly missed out on a sweep of the Lakeland Flying Tigers, but it was not for lack of trying. After a starting pitcher Damien Magnifico battled for five innings and a strong relief outing by lefty Stephen Peterson, the 'Tees fell to Lakeland in walk-off fashion on Thursday night, 6-5 at Joker Marchant Stadium.

 

The teams entered the bottom of the ninth knotted at 5-5, with Peterson beginning his fourth inning of relief work. Chad Wright led off with a walk and then a broken bat flair off the bat of Dixon Machado found its way into left field. That moved Wright up to third and the 'Tees (5-2) elected to intentionally walk Jeff McVaney to load the bases with nobody out.

 

Brevard went to the bullpen to try to save the game with Mike Strong. With Lance Durham coming to the plate, the Manatees brought the infield in. Durham, however, shot a ground ball passed first baseman Garrett Cooper to score Wright from third with the game-winning run.

 

Lakeland (4-3) had tied the game in the sixth inning. In Peterson's first inning on the hill, the Tigers loaded the bases on a broken bat single and a pair of well-placed bunts. That opened the door for Wright, who lifted a sacrifice fly to left that scored Austin Green and evened the score at 5-5.

 

Prior to the sixth, the 'Tees and Tigers exchanged big offensive innings. Lakeland's explosion came in the bottom of the first. The Flying Tigers scored four runs on three hits, as they received RBI singles from Durham and Green, a RBI ground out by Connor Harrell and a run-scoring double by McVaney.

 

To his credit, Magnifico bounced back from the rocky first. The starter did not allow a run through his final four innings of work and only surrendered two more hits. After a five-run third inning by Brevard County, Magnifico left the game with the lead.

 

The Manatees manufactured their offensive third inning with station-to-station baseball. Cooper and catcher Parker Berberet led off with singles and then third baseman Brandon Macias walked to load the bases. That brought up center fielder Tyrone Taylor who delivered a single that scored two runs in a roundabout way.

 

Taylor's single easily scored Cooper from third, but Berberet was about to stop at third when the throw came in from center field. Macias, however, was rounding second and heading for third. With the trail runner stuck between second and third, Berberet broke for home and scored with no throw from the cut-off man.

 

Later in the frame, the 'Tees scored three more runs to tie the game and eventually take the lead. After an RBI single by second baseman Orlando Arcia, right fielder Michael Reed beat out a would-be double play ball that allowed Taylor to cross the plate and even the score.

 

Reed then stole second base, which brought up left fielder Victor Roache with a chance to give Brevard County its first lead. Roache did just that, as he delivered a run-scoring single up the middle. He was quickly retired, however, when the throw from center was cut off on its way home by first baseman James Robbins, who threw to second baseman Brandon Loy. Loy had come over to cover first base and tagged Roache out rounding the bag to end the inning.

 

The 'Tees did not score after the third inning, which allowed the Tigers to come back for the win. Lakeland's Guido Knudson earned the win in relief. He struck out four and held Brevard scoreless in the eighth and ninth innings. Peterson took the loss for the Manatees. He allowed just two runs on four hits, over four innings in relief.

 

The Manatees continue their road trip as they begin a three-game series on Friday night against the Dunedin Blue Jays (6-1). Brevard is expected to throw lefty Jed Bradley (0-1, 14.54) against right-hander Jesse Hernandez in the series opener, which is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

The Manatees came up with seven hits on the night, but none went for extra bases. Garrett Cooper led the way, going 2-for-4. Tyrone Taylor singled, drew a walk and stole his first base of the season. Michael Reed swiped two more and upped his FSL leading total to seven. Damien Magnifico struggled in his first inning, but settled down nicely after that, managing to get through five innings. Stephen Peterson was the tough luck loser, as mentioned in the game story.

 

Brevard County Play-By-Play

 

The Manatees did a nice job of coming back after falling behind early

 

Brevard County Top of the 3rd

 

Garrett Cooper singles on a fly ball to right fielder Jeff McVaney.

Parker Berberet singles on a fly ball to right fielder Jeff McVaney. Garrett Cooper to 3rd.

Brandon Macias walks. Parker Berberet to 2nd.

Tyrone Taylor singles on a line drive to left fielder Chad Wright. Garrett Cooper scores. Parker Berberet scores on the throw. Brandon Macias to 3rd.

Orlando Arcia singles on a line drive to right fielder Jeff McVaney. Brandon Macias scores. Tyrone Taylor to 3rd.

Michael Reed grounds into a force out, third baseman Tyler Hanover to second baseman Brandon Loy. Tyrone Taylor scores. Orlando Arcia out at 2nd. Michael Reed to 1st.

With Victor Roache batting, Michael Reed steals (6) 2nd base.

Victor Roache singles on a fly ball to center fielder Connor Harrell. Michael Reed scores. Victor Roache out at 2nd on the throw, center fielder Connor Harrell to first baseman James Robbins to second baseman Brandon Loy.

Yadiel Rivera lines out to second baseman Brandon Loy.

 

With the game tied at 5-5 in the eighth, Brevard missed a golden opportunity to take the lead. Runners on second and third with one out, but couldn't get him in.

 

Brevard County Top of the 8th

 

Pitching Change: Guido Knudson replaces Jordan John.

Tyrone Taylor walks.

Orlando Arcia out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Guido Knudson to first baseman James Robbins. Tyrone Taylor to 2nd.

Michael Reed walks.

With Victor Roache batting, Tyrone Taylor steals (1) 3rd base. Michael Reed steals (7) 2nd base.

Victor Roache strikes out swinging.

Yadiel Rivera strikes out swinging.

[Mass Haas]

Brevard County AUDIO --

 

Catching up from Wednesday - RHP Austin Ross joins Andrew Luftglass after the 4-1 'Tees victory over Lakeland

 

Dave Walkovic, the Director of Broadcasting for the Manatees, joins the Mark Moses Show (99.1 WSJZ) to talk about the club's 5-1 start

 

Game highlights -- Lakeland walks off and defeats Brevard County, 6-5

[Mass Haas]

As discussed earlier in this thread --

 

VIDEO: Iowa's Javier Baez hits a two-run homer off Jimmy Nelson in the sixth inning of the I-Cubs' 5-1 win over visiting Nashville

[Mass Haas]

From the home team coverage of the Timber Rattlers' shutout win --

 

Whitecaps first baseman Dominic Ficociello, who had one of the four Whitecaps hits, credited RHP's Tristan Archer and Barrett Astin, who struck out seven and walked three.

 

"(Archer) was pretty deceptive," Ficociello said. "You don't think they're throwing that hard, but they had kind of sneaky fastballs. They didn't throw anything straight. A lot of their pitches had sink to them."

[Mass Haas]

Rattlers Radio Blog -- Postgame Entry

 

That link includes --

 

AUDIO: Some game highlights and a pre-game interview with catcher Rafael Neda

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO: Wisconsin's Clint Coulter doubles in two runs in ninth inning of the Timber Rattlers' 3-0 win at West Michigan

 

Nice! (even without sound...although Chris Mehring did provide his own call at the prior link via his blog)

[Mass Haas]

Final: @Huntsville 6, Pensacola 3

 

STARS WIN 6TH IN A ROW

 

Huntsville, AL - The Huntsville Stars won their sixth straight game with a 6-3 win Thursday at “The Joe” over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, the Double-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.

 

The Stars received a quality start from starting pitcher Drew Gagnon (1-0). Gagnon pitched six innings giving up three hits on two earned runs. Gagnon didn’t allow a hit until two outs into the fourth inning.

 

The Stars jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first against Blue Wahoo starter Daniel Corcino (0-2). Greg Hopkins launched a solo home run to left, his first of the season, which gave the Stars a 1-0 lead. Jason Rogers also added an RBI single in the first.

 

In the second inning, D’Vontrey Richardson grounded a ball under second baseman Rey Navarro’s glove. It was an error on Navarro and Hainley Statia scored making it 3-0.

 

Pensacola got on the board in the fourth on a Ross Perez RBI single scoring Donald Lutz cutting the deficit to 3-1.

 

The Stars put the game away for good though in the bottom of the fourth. Seven batters came to the plate which ultimately knocked Corcino out of the game. Gagnon helped himself out by singling into center and Richardson added a two-run double.

Reliever Kevin Shackelford earned his first save in the ninth when he got Steve Selsky to ground out to shortstop Nick Shaw.

 

The Stars are now 6-1 on the season. It’s the first time in franchise history that the Stars have begun a season 6-1.

 

The Stars and Blue Wahoos will play game three of their five game series Friday night. RHP Robert Stephenson (1-0, 0.00) will start for Pensacola while RHP Taylor Jungmann (1-0, 1.50) 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

 

***

 

Huge challenge Friday - Stephenson is a stud within the Reds' system and is sure to face big league Brewers sooner rather than later -- MH

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

Drew Gagnon has only fanned four in 11 innings (five walks), but K's aren't a big part of his game. The .167 BAA works so far. Stars batters drew six walks in addition to their eight hits, five of which went for extra bases, sweet. Don't have the numbers, but the Huntsville roster is likely one of the oldest at the AA level, but winning is fun (and a welcome change at this level), and the six new guys (see article we just linked to elsewhere on this forum) are all contributing nicely.

 

Huntsville Game Log

 

Three runs after the first two retired -- oh, yeah...

 

Huntsville Bottom of the 4th

 

Kentrail Davis flies out to left fielder Donald Lutz.

Mitch Haniger flies out to left fielder Donald Lutz.

Hainley Statia walks.

With Adam Weisenburger batting, Hainley Statia steals (1) 2nd base.

Daniel Corcino intentionally walks Adam Weisenburger.

Drew Gagnon singles on a line drive to center fielder Yorman Rodriguez. Hainley Statia scores. Adam Weisenburger to 3rd. Drew Gagnon to 2nd on the throw.

D' Vontrey Richardson doubles (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Yorman Rodriguez. Adam Weisenburger scores. Drew Gagnon scores.

Greg Hopkins walks.

Nick Ramirez lines out to first baseman Steve Selsky.

 

Looking for a huge year from power arm (and 40-man roster member) Kevin Shackelford -- leadoff HBP? No problem...

 

Pensacola Top of the 9th

 

Pitching Change: Kevin Shackelford replaces Brent Leach, batting 2nd.

Travis Mattair hit by pitch.

Rossmel Perez flies out to center fielder Mitch Haniger.

Juan Duran grounds into a force out, third baseman Jason Rogers to second baseman Hainley Statia. Travis Mattair out at 2nd. Juan Duran to 1st.

Steve Selsky grounds out, shortstop Nick Shaw to first baseman Nick Ramirez.