Link Report for Fri. 5/2

[Mass Haas]

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[Mass Haas]

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF!

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Jimmy Nelson at home vs. Iowa (Cubs), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

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

 

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; all Nashville games, home and away, will be available to watch via MiLB.TV's $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 Taylor Jungmann at Montgomery (Rays), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 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.

 

MiLB.TV - It appears seven of the ten Southern League teams telecast their home games (not the Stars). Montgomery does host MiLB.TV broadcasts - be among those hoping Steve's audio link synchs up nicely with your MiLB.TV investment.

 

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Brevard County: First, it's the completion of Thursday's suspended nine-inning game (Manatees lead 4-0 after three innings) at home vs. Tampa (Yankees), 3:35 PM pre-game, 4:05 gametime, followed by Friday's regularly-scheduled game, now shortened to seven innings. LHP Jed Bradley is scheduled to start in the nightcap.

 

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 at home vs. Clinton (Mariners), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 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.

 

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.

[Mass Haas]

DVR ALERT: As we've been reminding you, Friday night's Timber Rattlers game is available on local TV on MyNew32 TV, 6:00 pregame show.

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County Competion of Suspended Game

 

Brevard County Regularly Scheduled Game

 

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:

 

Nashville, TN

 

Montgomery, AL

 

Viera, FL (Melbourne)

 

Grand Chute, WI (Appleton)

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO via WSSP: Timber Rattler Clint Coulter joined Bill Michaels on the air today

[Mass Haas]

Several sources tweeted this news, Adam McCalvy included some numbers, so we copy his tweets here:

 

Mike Fiers named Brewers Minor League Pitcher of the Month (5 GS, 5-0, 0.80 ERA, 33.2 IP, 3 ER, 3 BB, 47 K .160 opponent batting average).

 

Clint Coulter named Brewers Minor League Player of the Month (.324, 24-74, 4 HR, 17 RBI).

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO via WSSP: Timber Rattler Clint Coulter joined Bill Michaels on the air today

 

AUDIO - Voice of the Timber Rattlers, Chris Mehring, was on as well

[Mass Haas]

It has now been coordinated that brewerfan.net now automatically redirects to forum.brewerfan.net.

 

Here's Google as an example.

 

If for some reason, you want to reach the old home page, you just need to click on the Brewerfan banner at the top of any forum page.

 

So you can now tell your friends and family you're a big Brewerfan.net guy (or gal), send them the link, and they won't see the four-year-old Shea Vucinich article first thing (nothing personal, Shea).

 

***

 

This all came about because of concern about the outdated home page content.

 

I posted this in our issues forum over a year ago:

 

The 12-year-old coding served its purpose in 2001, but is now tired and certain site functions are now corrupt or obsolete.

 

"Brewerfan.net, in its 2013 and future form, really exists solely as an outstanding, well-moderated forum discussing all things Brewers by some of the most dedicated and knowledgeable fans around. We'd love for you to join in the conversation..."

[bkrause2]

Brevard County was rained out once again. They will make up the games with doubleheaders tomorrow and on May 24th.

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO via Jeff Hem's blog --

 

"Tonight’s interview is with Rick Tomlin, the minor league pitching coordinator for the Sounds’ parent-club Milwaukee Brewers. He discusses Mike Fiers’ dominance so far this season and the “Tommy John” elbow surgery for Johnny Hellweg and what the Brewers as an organization try to do to minimize and prevent such injuries."

 

Another worthwhile listen, I've said it before, but there is certainly a future role on the major league broadcast level for Jeff. His eight-to-ten minute interviews never seem drawn out unnecessarily, always move along nicely.

[fondybrewfan]

Both Jungmann and Nelson looking good so far today

[brewmann04]

Good news on the Pitching Front today.

[Mass Haas]

Wrapping up the Bill Michaels audio from the stadium today, here's player/coach Lance Roenicke.

[TheCrew07]

Clinton clubs Rattlers

LumberKings score early, Withstand Wisconsin rally

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Clinton LumberKings were up 4-0 early in Friday's game against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Wisconsin rallied back to within a run, but the LumberKings got a key hit late in the game and went on to an 8-4 victory.

 

Clinton (13-13) scored three times in the first inning and once more in the second to build an early lead.

 

The first run scored on a passed ball. Austin Wilson made it 2-0 with an RBI single. Joe DeCarlo singled in Wilson later in the inning and Clinton was up 3-0.

 

Marcus Littlewood pushed the lead to 4-0 with a sacrifice fly in the second inning.

 

Wisconsin (12-15) got on the board in the bottom of the second inning. David Denson doubled and Jose Pena reached on an infield single to third. Omar Garcia bunted the runners up a base. Angel Ortega grounded out to second and Denson scored.

 

Clinton added an unearned run in the top of the seventh inning. They had a runner at second with two outs. Wisconsin reliever Taylor Williams got Tyler O'Neill to send a grounder to short, but the ball was misplayed and rolled into left field. That allowed the run to score and the LumberKings were up 5-1.

 

Clinton starting pitcher Lars Huijer struck out six over six innings and allowed four hits. Wisconsin had better luck against reliever Thyago Vieira in the seventh.

 

Garcia walked, Ortega singled, and Johnny Davis singled to load the bases with one out. Viera hit Michael Ratterree to force in Garcia from third. Clint Coulter followed with a single to left to drive in Ortega and Davis to cut the lead to 5-4. The throw to the plate missed the cutoff man to let Ratterree take third and Coulter to take second.

 

Vieira stranded the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position with a strikeout and a flyout to right.

 

The LumberKings had a runner at first with no outs in the top of the eighth when Williams walked consecutive Clinton batters to load the bases. Williams got a strikeout - his sixth of the game - for the second out. But, Marcus Littlewood, the leading hitter in the Midwest League, doubled down the line in left to drive in three runs and give the LumberKings an 8-4 lead.

 

Wisconsin would get a pair of runners on base in the bottom of the eighth and one in the bottom of the ninth, but the Rattlers could not score as they dropped the first game of the series to the LumberKings.

 

Friday was the fifth game of the homestand for the Timber Rattlers. The opponents have scored first in all five games.

 

Game two of the series is Saturday afternoon at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Barrett Astin (3-2, 3.62) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Clinton will send Edwin Diaz (1-1, 2.78) to the mound. Game time is 1:05pm.

 

The first 500 fans to enter the ballpark on Saturday will receive a Timber Rattlers baseball cap courtesy of North Shore Bank. State-wide sports talk show host Bill Michaels will be on hand to meet fans and throw out a first pitch. Plus, the Big Unit Cruiser will be in front of the stadium.

 

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, the radio broadcast can be heard on AM1280, WNAM or IHeartRadio starting with the pregame show at 12:45pm. Saturday's game is also available to subscribers of MiLB.TV.

 

WP: Lars Huijer (1-1)

LP: Tyler Alexander (1-3)

 

TIME: 2:46

ATTN: 2,674

 

Mehring's postgame includes the links to the Bill Michaels audio which MH already posted, The Big Mother, some game observations and awesome pics, postgame interviews with Coulter, Williams, and Erickson, and of course the video highlights.

Postgame Post – May 2, 2014

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

I've watched Tyler Alexander pitch 3 times thus far and he's done nothing to impress me. Today he was mostly thigh to waist high FBs on the left side (arm side) of the plate (away to a RH batter), but he wasn't locating the pitch at all. Even with my affinity for lefties I'm just not really seeing anything to hang my hat on, he didn't really challenge a single hitter he faced.

 

Taylor Williams was alright but giving back that 3 spot in the top of the 8th by walking back to back hitters was self induced. He struggled with the strike zone once the rain started coming down.

 

I finally got to see Clint Coulter catch! He's better than last year but I'm not sure I'd qualify him as league average for A ball yet and I do understand this might have been his worst defensive game of the season to this point. He dropped a couple of balls through out the course of the game and had a costly passed ball in the 1st. He's getting down better on balls in the dirt but still has work to do, however he remains extremely heady. He rarely makes a mental error with the ball in his hand and consistently makes the heads-up plays saving baserunners and possible runs like he did in the 2nd. Taylor Brennan couldn't barehand the ball but Coulter was backing up the play and saw the runner at 2nd take too big a turn, he immediately ran at him, bluffed a throw to 2nd, and got an easy tag out to get the lead runner. He made many of those same plays last year as he seems to have very good instincts, he's been a joy to watch at the plate all season.

 

Johnny Davis (2-5,3B) and David Denson (2-4,2B) had the multi-hit game for the T-Rats.

 

When Chris McFarland slumps, he really slumps, he's only had 2 hits since April 22nd, 2-28 over that stretch. Just like last year when he goes bad the strike outs start to pile up as well.

 

It won't get any easier tomorrow when Edwin Diaz who is Seattle's #5 prospect toes the rubber:

The fastball had sneaky velocity, usually sitting 90-94 mph, and he'll occasionally ramp it up to 96. Diaz has strong command for such a young pitcher, locating his fastball to both sides of the plate. The slider became a plus pitch when the Mariners had him raise his three-quarters arm slot, which allowed him to throw on more of a downhill plane. Like most young pitchers, Diaz needs to work on his changeup because he still is learning how to throw it at the same arm speed as his fastball.

 

Wisconsin Recap

 

Honestly the T-Rats should have had more here, Brennan swung through 3 95 MPH FBs that were waist high, 2 down the middle and 1 middle-in. McFarland's out was a routine FB to the RF, he had to move maybe 5 steps.

 

Wisconsin Bottom of the 7th

• Pitching Change: Thyago Vieira replaces Lars Huijer.
  Jose Pena strikes out swinging.
  Omar Garcia walks.
  Angel Ortega singles on a ground ball to center fielder Burt Reynolds. Omar Garcia to 2nd.
  Johnny Davis singles on a bunt ground ball to first baseman Justin Seager. Omar Garcia to 3rd. Angel Ortega to 2nd.
  Michael Ratterree hit by pitch. Omar Garcia scores. Angel Ortega to 3rd. Johnny Davis to 2nd.
  Clint Coulter singles on a line drive to left fielder Corey Simpson. Angel Ortega scores. Johnny Davis scores. Michael Ratterree to 3rd. Clint Coulter to 2nd on the throw.
  Taylor Smith-Brennan strikes out swinging.
  Christopher McFarland flies out to right fielder Austin Wilson.

 

Wisconsin Gameday

[TheCrew07]

Sounds Win Series Opener, 4-3

Nelson Works Seven Innings For 4th Win And 6th Quality Start

Nashville Sounds

 

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds won their series opener against the Iowa Cubs Friday night at Greer Stadium, edging the visitors by a 4-3 margin. The win is Nashville's fourth consecutive; the team's longest win streak of the season.

 

Brewers top prospect Jimmy Nelson (4-1) guided the Sounds defensively from the hill, retiring his first 12 batters before running into a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning. He surrendered his first hit to Lars Anderson, a single, and walked a pair to load the bases.

 

The 24-year-old remained in control though and found three quick outs by way of an infield pop-up and an inning-ending 6-4-3 double-play. In the following inning, Nelson stranded another Iowa runner by striking out Cubs top-prospect Javy Baez to end his sixth scoreless frame.

 

The Sounds broke the scoreless tie in the home half of the sixth inning with RBI-knocks from Hector Gomez and Hainley Statia off Iowa starter Chris Rusin (1-4). Gomez, 2-for-3 brought in two runs with a bases-loaded single to the left-field corner, which was followed by a double from Statia to make it 3-0.

 

Nelson allowed Iowa two runs on four hits in the seventh inning. He finished the game after seven innings of work, picking up his fourth win and his sixth consecutive quality start. He fanned five batters and walked two.

 

His 12 batters retired to start the game, combined with the five he finished with on April 27 at Oklahoma City, gives him the team's best for the season at 17 consecutive.

 

Reliever Dustin Molleken worked a scoreless eighth inning before Donovan Hand entered in the ninth. With one out and a runner on first and second, Hand got Logan Watkins to ground to short, but the ball caught a bad bounce and caromed off Gomez for an RBI-double. Hand earned his sixth save though by striking out the side.

 

Catcher Lucas May recorded his first hits of the season, rapping a pair of doubles for Nashville to help keep Nashville's streak of 28 consecutive games with an extra-bases knock intact.

 

Pinch-hitter Jeremy Hermida doubled Nashville's lead with a infield RBI-groundout in the eighth inning to score the Sounds' final run, which proved to be the difference.

 

Gomez, Statia, May, and Hermida, batting in spots six through nine, combined to go 6-for-10 for Nashville to produce all four of the team's RBIs.

 

The win is Nashville's fourth consecutive one-run victory.

 

The Sounds play game two of their four-game series against the I-Cubs on Saturday night at 6:35 p.m. Right-handed pitcher Johnnie Lowe (0-0, 2.95) will make the start for Nashville, opposite New Orleans's right-hander Kyle Hendricks (0-0, 0.00). Broadcaster Jeff Hem has the call on 102.5 The Game. A fireworks show presented by Nashville's NEWS 2 will follow the game.

 

Nashville Boxscore

Whomever came up with the quality start stat needs a kick in the pants, 6 innings with 3 earned runs is so very average why is it worth celebrating? Regardless Jimmy Nelson was better than that, his full line was 7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO, and 1 WP while throwing 58 of 93 (62%) pitches for strikes.

 

The prospects had a tough day at the plate and Logan Schafer was 0-5 in what was likely his last rehab start.

 

Nashville Recap

 

Nashville Gameday

[Mass Haas]

Final: Huntsville 9, @Montgomery 1

 

STARS RUN AWAY FROM BISCUITS LATE

 

Montgomery, AL - Huntsville Stars righty Taylor Jungmann and Montgomery RHP Michael Colla were locked in a pitcher’s duel Friday night until the Stars pulled away late for a 9-1 victory at Riverwalk Stadium. The Stars guaranteed themselves a series victory over the Biscuits. It’s their fifth series win in the first six series of the season.

 

With the game scoreless going into the fifth, the Stars got on the board first on a Kentrail Davis RBI single into right field scoring Jason Rogers.

 

With the Stars leading 1-0, Huntsville took advantage of a costly Montgomery error in the sixth inning. With D’Vontrey Richardson at first base and with one out, Shawn Zarraga hit a groundball to shortstop Jake Hager. Hager threw to second baseman Ryan Brett to get the force out, however Brett dropped the ball. Rogers would then follow with an RBI single making it a 2-0 Stars lead.

 

The Stars added to that lead with a Davis RBI triple and Zarraga also was able to score on a wild pitch.

 

With the Stars leading 4-0 going into the bottom of the sixth, Jungmann allowed his only run of the night. Richie Shaffer produced an RBI double breaking up the shutout.

 

Jungmann, who had lost his last three decisions, earned the victory by pitching six strong innings. He allowed just three hits with seven strikeouts. Jungmann improved to 2-3 on the year.

 

The Stars added some extra run support late in the game. In the eighth, they took advantage of control issues by the Biscuits bullpen. With the bases loaded and one out, Greg Hopkins reached base on a fielder’s choice scoring Rogers.

 

The Stars then got back to back bases loaded walks to Josh Prince and Richardson. With the Stars leading 7-1, Nick Ramirez followed with a two-run single giving the Stars a 9-1 advantage.

 

Colla (1-4), who suffered the loss, went six innings giving up seven hits on two earned runs with five strikeouts.

 

Rogers finished 3-4 with an RBI with Davis going 2-4 with 2 RBI. The Stars improved to 18-11 with the win.

 

The Stars lead the Biscuits 3-1 in their five game series and wrap it up Saturday night. LHP Brent Suter (3-1, 1.80) goes for the Stars. Montgomery will start RHP Matt Neil(1-0, 4.76) The game can be heard starting at 6:20 PM CT with Steve Jarnicki on 92.9 FM, 1450 AM, and wtkiradio.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

Click on Taylor Jungmann's MiLB Player Page, and you'll see that only one of his six starts has been poor, it'd be nice to see truly dominant (work past the 6th inning, limit the walks), though.

 

Four Stars had multiple hits, including D'Vontrey Richardson, who reached base four times, and Jason Rogers, who doubled twice among his three base knocks. Kentrail Davis drove in two with two singles and a walk, and Mitch Haniger singled twice.

 

Manager Carlos Subero threw blowout pinch-hitting bones to two minor league vets, Brock Kjeldgaard and Joey Paciorek, each who re-signed with Milwaukee as minor league free agents. Each has seen extremely limited action in the Brewers' quest to maximize wins at the upper levels in 2014.

 

Huntsville Game Log

 

Welcome back (we guess), Tim Dillard, ground ball inducement still working...

 

Montgomery Bottom of the 8th

 

Pitching Change: Tim Dillard replaces Casey Medlen.

Taylor Motter grounds out, second baseman Josh Prince to first baseman Nick Ramirez.

Curt Casali grounds out, third baseman Greg Hopkins to first baseman Nick Ramirez.

Cameron Seitzer singles on a line drive to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson.

Richie Shaffer grounds out, shortstop Shea Vucinich to first baseman Nick Ramirez.

 

Montgomery Bottom of the 9th

 

Jake Hager grounds out to first baseman Nick Ramirez.

Willie Argo grounds out, third baseman Greg Hopkins to first baseman Nick Ramirez.

Luke Maile grounds out, third baseman Greg Hopkins to first baseman Nick Ramirez.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville --

 

VIDEO: Hunter Morris doubles in a run in Nashville's 6-5 win Thursday over New Orleans

 

AUDIO: Hector Gomez hit an RBI single, breaking up the scoreless game, to help the Sounds beat the Cubs on Friday

 

***

 

Huntsville (from Thursday's doubleheader) --

 

VIDEO: Nick Ramirez collects his second triple of Huntsville's 7-3 loss to Montgomery

 

VIDEO: Greg Hopkins brings a run in with a double in Huntsville's 5-2 win over Montgomery

[Mass Haas]

Wrapping up the Bill Michaels audio from the stadium today, here's player/coach Lance Roenicke.

 

And here's a video report from WBAY on Lance.

[igor67]

Johnny Davis is starting to draw my interest. Given his background he could easily take a bit longer to develop all of the other parts of his game, but speed and the ability to hit over .300 certainly seems worth watching and seeing how much he can develop his secondary skills.