Link Report for Fri. 5/23

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF!

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Jimmy Nelson at New Orleans (Marlins), 6:40 PM pre-game, 7:00 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.

 

**********

 

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 place their games on MiLB.TV.

 

**********

 

Brevard County: RHP Tyler Wagner at Palm Beach (Cardinals), 5:05 PM pre-game, 5:35 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.

 

**********

 

Wisconsin: RHP Preston Gainey at Beloit (Athletics), 6:10 PM pre-game, 6:30 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.

 

DVR Alert: The next Wisconsin game scheduled for local TV is Saturday evening, May 31st (MyNew32 TV).

[Mass Haas]

Follow Friday'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:

 

New Orleans, LA

 

Montgomery, AL

 

Jupiter, FL

 

Beloit, WI

[Mass Haas]

In the "Team Photo" of today's Baseball America Hot Sheet --

 

Barrett Astin, rhp, Brewers. The 2013 third-round pick from Arkansas has adapted to low Class A Wisconsin after a middling start at Rookie-level Helena a year ago. This past week the 22-year-old hurled seven, two-hit innings with no walks and seven strikeouts in a no-decision against Kane County and did it with just 72 pitches. Overall, Astin has gone 4-2, 3.65, but has an outstanding 7.0 SO/BB ratio. He keeps the ball in the park and doesn’t walk anyone and could move quickly through the system, thanks to command and a heavy fastball that flashes 94-95 mph.

[Mass Haas]

From our Sounds' thread -- so exciting to read about the change-up development, the velocity, the command, oh yeah, Jimmy Nelson.

[jvrocksaz]

Word is Jimmy Nelson won't be starting tonight. He will be held off for a possible start in Miami for the Brewers if Yo can"t go.

 

Per JS Online

[jvrocksaz]

Also, Taylor Jungmann will be starting in Jimmy Nelson's spot tonight. Just promoted.

 

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/260471731.html

 

 

Edit: I must have understood the report wrong. Kyle Heckathorn gets the start in Nashville tonight. My apologies.

[TooLiveBrew]

Hopefully a corresponding Jed Bradley-to-Huntsville move will be coming shortly as well.

[brewmann04]

You read my Mind Conor time to Test him at Double A

[homer]

Coulter goes yard for the 9th time. His previous career high was 8 home runs in a season.

[igor67]

Taylor is still pitching I wonder if it was a travel issue for him tonight?

[brewmann04]

I wonder if the smartest thing to rush Jungman into tonight game.

[bkrause2]

Final: Brevard County 2, Palm Beach 4

 

Sixth inning dooms 'Tees again as Cards complete sweep

By Justin Rocke / Brevard County Manatees

 

JUPITER, Fla. - For the second straight game, the Palm Beach Cardinals exploded offensively in the sixth inning as the Brevard County Manatees fell 4-2 on Friday night at Roger Dean Stadium and were subsequently swept in the four-game set.

 

Already up 1-0 entering the inning, Luke Voit stepped up to the plate against Manatees' starter Tyler Wagner (3-3, 2.05 ERA) with one out. Voit, who delivered the walk-off base hit against Brevard on Tuesday, slammed the first pitch he saw from Wagner to deep left-center field. Voit's solo shot cleared the wall just to the left of the videoboard, to extend the Cardinals' (22-26) lead to 2-0.

 

After striking out Starlin Rodriguez for the second out, Wagner issued a walk to Bruce Caldwell to continue the bottom of the sixth. Casey Rasmus stepped up to the dish and on the very first pitch, cranked a line drive down the right field line. Caldwell hustled around third to score as Rasmus' triple pushed Palm Beach's advantage to three.

 

The RBI base knock by the Rasmus brought home the third earned run against Wagner, making it the first time any team had done that against the right-hander this year. Wagner, who has not won a start since April 14, allowed those three runs on five hits, walked three and struck out five.

 

Brevard rallied in the top of the seventh, but could not tie it up. Back-to-back singles by Tyrone Taylor and Cameron Garfield, neither of which left the infield, put two runners on for Nicky Delmonico. The third baseman sliced a ball into left field to load the bases for Alfredo Rodriguez.

 

The catcher, Rasmus, was unable to corral the first pitch from Cardinals' starter Silfredo Garcia and the ball trickled towards the backstop. Taylor broke from third to score the Manatees' (23-23) first run and made it a 3-1 game.

 

The next three pitches to Rodriguez were also outside the zone to load the bases, yet again. That spelled the end for Garcia as reliever Sam Tuivailala was called upon to get the Cards out of the jam.

 

The first batter Tuivailala faced - Yadiel Rivera - skied one to center field, but it was tracked down by Charlie Tilson, who made a shoestring grab for the first out. Garfield tagged and scored easily from third, but the same did not hold true for Delmonico. He was gunned down for the second out, while trying to advance to third on the play, thus ending the rally.

 

Those were the only runs Brevard County would push across as Garcia picked up the win in his second Florida State League start. The right-hander carried a one-hitter into the sixth and finished the night by allowing two runs on five hits, one walk and fanning five.

 

Palm Beach tacked on an insurance run off Brevard County reliever Mike Strong in the seventh inning. After retiring the first two batters of the frame with ease, Nick Martini slapped a double to left-center to get a runner in scoring position. Breyvic Valera, a .342 hitter, followed that with a single lined into right to score Martini.

 

Chris Thomas, who had picked up six saves with Class-A Peoria before being called up, recorded his first save with Palm Beach by retiring Brevard County in order in the top of the ninth.

 

Orlando Arcia was one of the bright spots for the Manatees offensively. The shortstop finished up the series with another multi-hit performance, including a double in the first inning. Arcia recorded a hit in all four games against Palm Beach, as he went 7-for-16 in the series.

 

For the second straight game, Brevard County was missing a couple of key players in their lineup. Victor Roache and Garrett Cooper were not in the lineup, as both players have been under the weather with flu-like symptoms.

 

The Manatees will look to end their four-game skid on Saturday night as they return home to host a doubleheader against the Tampa Yankees (25-22) at Space Coast Stadium. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 5:05 p.m., with the second game starting 30 minutes after the first game's completion.

 

Damien Magnifico (3-3, 2.37), who threw a complete game, two-hit shutout against Jupiter in his last start on Monday, gets the start for Brevard in game one. Lefty Dan Camarena (3-3, 2.47) will get the start in the first matchup for Tampa.

 

Right-hander Austin Ross (2-0, 3.38) is slated to go for the Manatees in the second game. Tampa has yet to name a starter for game two.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Orlando Arcia has been one of the lone bright spots offensively the past few games for Brevard. His 2-for-4 tonight gives him seven hits in the last four games. For a team loaded with prospects, the Manatees offense has really struggled to get going this year. They rank near the bottom of the Florida State League in most offensive categories and have a team batting average of just .239. Tyler Wagner's three runs over six innings will go down as another quality start for him, but he was charged with the loss and is now 3-3 despite an ERA of just 2.05.

 

Brevard County Play-By-Play

 

The Manatees had a chance to tie the game up in the seventh, but ran themselves out of what could have been a bigger inning.

 

Brevard County Top of the 7th

Tyrone Taylor singles on a ground ball to third baseman Bruce Caldwell.

Cameron Garfield singles on a ground ball to second baseman Breyvic Valera. Tyrone Taylor to 2nd.

Nick Delmonico singles on a line drive to left fielder Starlin Rodriguez. Tyrone Taylor to 3rd. Cameron Garfield to 2nd.

With Alfredo Rodriguez batting, passed ball by Casey Rasmus, Tyrone Taylor scores. Cameron Garfield to 3rd. Nick Delmonico to 2nd.

Alfredo Rodriguez walks.

Pitching Change: Samuel Tuivailala replaces Silfredo Garcia.

Yadiel Rivera flies into a sacrifice double play, center fielder Charlie Tilson to third baseman Bruce Caldwell. Cameron Garfield scores. Nick Delmonico out at 3rd.

Mike Garza lines out to second baseman Breyvic Valera.

[guylanderfridancies]

I was surprised they let Jungman back out in the 7th, after it was clear his command was a little off 37 Balls to 41 strikes, even though he worked out of a couple jams and pitched a decent first 3 Innings why not pinch hit for him in the top of the inning and let the pen seal the win. Heckathorn was getting hit fairly hard and they pulled the string at 3 IP so why not TJ on a fresh call-up day. But I don't think he was really rushed, he was scheduled to start in Montgomery for the Stars and that's not far from New Orleans.

 

Suter with a tough go a day early of his schedule, if anyone was rushed I'd say it was him. ERA ballooned from sub 2.0 to a 2.70 #weneedlefties.

[TheCrew07]

Rattlers edge Beloit with ninth inning run

Pena's sacrifice fly provides winning run in 5-4 decision

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

BELOIT, WI - The last three times the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers had lost on the road, they were beaten by a single run on a walkoff hit by their opponents. Wisconsin turned the tables on their recent history with a ninth inning rally for a 5-4 win over the Beloit Snappers Friday night at Pohlman Field.

 

Clint Coulter put the Rattlers (22-25) in front in the top of the first inning. Coulter launched his ninth home run of the season, a two-run shot to left-center, to give Wisconsin a 2-0 lead. The lead did not last long.

 

The first two Beloit batters in the bottom of the first reached on a single and a walk against Wisconsin starter Preston Gainey. A grounder off the bat of Tyler Marincov was booted for an error and the first run of the inning scored. A single by BA Vollmuth loaded the bases for the Snappers (21-26) with no outs.

 

Luis Baez sent a fly ball to center that was caught by Johnny Davis. The runner at third tagged and scored, but Marincov was going to hold at second. But, Johnny Davis dropped the ball getting it out of his glove. Marincov took off for third after the drop and scored when the throw was wild. Vollmuth wound up at third base on the play. Sam Roberts drove in Vollmuth with another sacrifice fly to give Beloit a 4-2 lead.

 

Angel Ortega pulled the Rattlers back to within a run in the top of the second. His two-out bunt single drove in Jose Pena from third base.

 

Wisconsin had runners at the corners with no outs in the top of the third after a leadoff double by David Denson and a single by Michael Ratterree. But, Beloit starter Bobby Wahl got out of the inning with the 4-3 still intact.

 

The Rattlers had runners at the corners with one out in the sixth inning and cashed in this opportunity to tie the game. Francisco Castillo walked and was sacrificed to second by Steve Halcomb to start the inning. Johnny Davis reached on an infield single to set up Ortega. The Rattlers shortstop bunted on a safety squeeze up the first base line and Castillo scored the tying run.

 

Beloit nearly took the lead in the bottom of the seventh. Vollmuth doubled with one out against reliever Harvey Martin. Then, Baez sent a hard grounder down the third base line. Taylor Brennan made a diving stop in fair territory behind the bag and got to his feet. He had no play at first, but Vollmuth had taken off for third on grounder. Brennan raced for Vollmuth, dove at the runner, and tagged him out just before he reached third base.

 

Trevor Seidenberger relieved Martin and appeared to get the third out when he got Roberts to pop up a 3-2 pitch on the infield. But, the ball dropped untouched in fair territory about 15 feet from home plate up the first base line. Seidenberger got the final out of the seventh without incident.

 

Castillo doubled to lead off the Wisconsin eighth inning and Halcomb bunted him to third base. But, Castillo was stranded at third when the inning ended.

 

Coulter and Rafael Neda started the top of the ninth with consecutive singles against Andres Avila, the fourth Beloit pitcher of the night. Brennan drew a one out walk to load the bases. Jose Pena lined the first pitch he saw from Avila to deep left for a sacrifice fly to score Coulter with the go ahead run.

 

Seidenberger pitched 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth, the first perfect inning by a Wisconsin pitcher in the game, to close out Beloit. Seidenberger has not allowed an earned run in his last 15 innings and is now 3-1 on the season.

 

The victory ended a three-game losing streak for Wisconsin.

 

The Timber Rattlers and Snappers will conclude their series with a game at Miller Park on Saturday night. Tickets start at just $5 and are available from Brewers.com, by calling (414) 902-4000 or (800) 933-7890, or at the ticket windows on Saturday. Game time is 6:10pm. Tyler Alexander (4-3, 3.69) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. Beloit has named Ronald Herrera (2-4, 3.50) as their starter.

 

If you can't make it out to Miller Park, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or IHeartRadio.

 

HOME RUN:

WIS:

Clint Coulter (9th, 1 on in 1st inning off Bobby Wahl, 1 out)

 

WP: Trevor Seidenberger (3-1)

LP: Andres Avila (0-3)

 

TIME: 3:14

ATTN: 557

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

I was at the DIII World Series so I didn't get to listen to the game at all, but I was following along on the First Pitch on my iPhone. Unfortunately I don't have any idea why Rafael Neda replaced David Denson in the 5th.

 

Taylor Brennan had a game of extremes, he had 2 fielding errors but then made that play to save an out mentioned in the game story.

 

Preston Gainey continues to pitch well in his second time through the Midwest League, his velocity is up to 91 MPH now and his peripherals support his ERA.

 

Johnny Davis (2-5), Clint Coulter (2-5,HR), and Michael Ratterree (2-5) had the multi-hit game for the T-Rats. Ratteree has 4 multi-hit games in his last 10 and during that span has hit .297, his best stretch of the season.

 

Too bad the game at Miller Park tomorrow is not going to be televised.

 

Wisconsin Recap

[TheCrew07]

Sounds Taken By Z's In Opener, 6-3

Nashville's Taylor Jungmann Makes Triple-A Debut

Nashville Sounds

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/1/5/6/76595156/cuts/Diaz_Robinzon_taken_by_Mike_Strasinger_Large_33kk7y8y_8f5pwgve.jpg

(MIKE STRASINGER)

 

METAIRIE, La. - Despite battling back to lead twice in Friday night's contest at Zephyr Field, the Nashville Sounds suffered a 6-3 loss to the New Orleans Zephyrs, who took control with a four-run seventh inning.

 

The Zephyrs opened their big inning with three base-knocks off the Brewers No. 6-rated prospect, Taylor Jungmann (0-1), in his Triple-A debut. Kyle Jensen's hit tied the game 3-3 and ended Jungmann's night.

 

With reliever Brent Leach on the hill, Juan Diaz hit a sacrifice fly and Jake Marisnick picked up a pinch-hit single to score two more for New Orleans, both of which were charged to Jungmann, who took the loss in his debut.

 

The Z's were gifted their final run, as Marisnick moved around the bases on a walk from Leach and a balk from Eric Marzek, before scoring on Robinzon Diaz's passed ball.

 

Diaz (2-for-4) recorded the Sounds' first hit of the game in the top of the fifth inning with a two-run home run to left field off of Zephyrs starting pitcher Elih Villanueva, to give Nashville a 2-1 advantage.

 

Villanueva had retired his first 14 batters before a two-out fielding error by shortstop Juan Diaz allowed Taylor Green to get aboard and brought the go-ahead run to the plate. The homer was Robinzon Diaz's second of the season.

 

Kyle Heckathorn made the spot start for Nashville due to Jungmann's late arrival in New Orleans, allowing one run on four hits over three innings of work; his lone blemish a solo homer to Jordany Valdespin in the third inning.

 

Jungmann, filling in for Sounds pitcher Jimmy Nelson, who was scheduled to start the game but was instead called up by Milwaukee, entered the game in the fourth inning where he fanned two Zephyrs and allowed one hit in the scoreless frame.

 

The right-hander continued with a scoreless fifth despite three walks and a wild pitch, but let up his first run in the sixth to conclude his scoreless streak at 16 1/3 innings pitched, which dated back to a May 12 start with Huntsville.

 

Josh Rodriguez hit an RBI-single off Jungmann to tie the game at two runs apiece, before the game-deciding seventh inning. Jungmann finished with four runs on six hits in three innings of work. He collected four strikeouts and four walks.

 

The Sounds recorded six hits, which included Jungmann's single in his first Triple-A at-bat.

 

Tied 2-2 in the seventh inning, Nashville first baseman Hunter Morris launched a solo home run over the right-field wall for the team's second one-run lead.

 

The Sounds have now led in 10 of their 14 road losses this season

 

The Sounds will take on New Orleans again Saturday at 6:00 p.m. at Zephyr Field. LHP Brad Mills (2-0, 2.05) takes the hill for Nashville, opposite RHP Alex Sanabia (1-1, 6.67). Broadcaster Jeff Hem has the call on 102.5 The Game.

 

Nashville Boxscore

Taylor Jungmann is a starting pitcher so I don't have any problem with how he was handled regardless of his performance or pitch count. He should be able to go 100 pitches being 24 years old and from AA, he only threw 78 pitches so it's not like was overly tasked tonight. He's simply going to have to adjust to AAA just like any pitcher not named Gallardo that we've had. He wasn't sharp from the start and was fortunate to only have 4 runs charged against him even though Leach allowed 2 of his inherited runners to score.

 

Hunter Morris pushed his AVE up to .293 and his OPS to .826, but yea he's still only walked 9 times on the season so his OBP is just .335.

 

Nashville Recap

 

Jungmann's debut...

 

New Orleans Bottom of the 4th

• Pitching Change: Taylor Jungmann replaces Kyle Heckathorn, batting 9th.
  Juan Diaz strikes out swinging.
  Kyle Skipworth singles on a sharp line drive to right fielder Sean Halton.
  Elih Villanueva strikes out on a foul bunt.
  Jordany Valdespin grounds out softly, pitcher Taylor Jungmann to first baseman Hunter Morris.

 

New Orleans Bottom of the 5th

• Josh Rodriguez walks.
  Brian Bogusevic strikes out swinging.
  With Justin Bour batting, Josh Rodriguez caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Robinzon Diaz to shortstop Hector Gomez.
  Justin Bour walks.
  With Mark Canha batting, wild pitch by Taylor Jungmann, Justin Bour to 2nd.
  Mark Canha walks.
  Kyle Jensen called out on strikes.

 

New Orleans Bottom of the 6th

• Juan Diaz singles on a line drive to left fielder Caleb Gindl.
  With Kyle Skipworth batting, wild pitch by Taylor Jungmann, Juan Diaz to 2nd.
  Kyle Skipworth grounds out, second baseman Pete Orr to first baseman Hunter Morris. Juan Diaz to 3rd.
  Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Matt Angle replaces Elih Villanueva.
  Matt Angle walks.
  Jordany Valdespin pops out to third baseman Taylor Green in foul territory.
  Josh Rodriguez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Kevin Mattison. Juan Diaz scores. Matt Angle to 2nd.
  Brian Bogusevic grounds into a force out, second baseman Pete Orr to shortstop Hector Gomez. Josh Rodriguez out at 2nd.

 

New Orleans Bottom of the 7th

• Justin Bour singles on a ground ball to center fielder Kevin Mattison.
  Mark Canha doubles (8) on a sharp line drive to left fielder Caleb Gindl. Justin Bour to 3rd.
  Kyle Jensen singles on a line drive to center fielder Kevin Mattison. Justin Bour scores. Mark Canha to 3rd.
  Pitching Change: Brent Leach replaces Taylor Jungmann, batting 9th.
  Juan Diaz out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Caleb Gindl. Mark Canha scores. Kyle Jensen to 2nd.
  Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Jake Marisnick replaces Kyle Skipworth.
  Jake Marisnick singles on a line drive to center fielder Kevin Mattison. Kyle Jensen scores.
  With Matt Angle batting, Jake Marisnick steals (7) 2nd base.
  Matt Angle walks.
  Pitching Change: Eric Marzec replaces Brent Leach, batting 9th.
  With Jordany Valdespin batting, Jake Marisnick advances to 3rd on a balk. Matt Angle advances to 2nd on a balk.
  Jordany Valdespin pops out to catcher Robinzon Diaz in foul territory.
  With Josh Rodriguez batting, passed ball by Robinzon Diaz, Jake Marisnick scores. Matt Angle to 3rd.
  Josh Rodriguez called out on strikes.
  

 

Nashville Gameday

[Mass Haas]

Final: @Montgomery 6, Huntsville 1

 

Stars Fall In Montgomery

 

Montgomery, AL - The Montgomery Biscuits hit a pair of home runs against Huntsville Stars lefty Brent Suter early on Friday night as they went on to defeat the Stars 6-1 Friday night at Riverwalk Stadium.

 

Taylor Motter led off the first inning with a solo home run against Suter. It was Motter's third home run of the year. Later in the first inning, Luke Maile doubled off the right field wall scoring Jake Hager giving the Biscuits a 2-0 lead.

 

In the fourth Maile launched a two-run home run scoring Richie Shaffer who hit a ground-rule double before him. It was Maile's second home run of the year and his third RBI of the game.

 

The Biscuits made it 6-0 in the fifth. Cameron Seitzer reached on a fielder's choice scoring Willie Argo. Shaffer then reached on an infield RBI hit capping off the scoring for the Biscuits.

 

Suter, who fell to 6-3, worked five innings giving up eight hits on a season high six runs.

 

Jim Henderson, who is on a major league rehab assignment with the Milwaukee Brewers, pitched a scoreless sixth inning. He threw eleven pitches and struck out two.

 

The Stars scored their lone run of the night in the ninth inning. Jason Rogers tripled and was brought home on a Shawn Zarraga groundout to second base.

 

Dylan Floro (4-4) pitched eight shutout innings for the Biscuits. He held the Stars to six hits and struck out four.

 

Montgomery improves to 26-21, while the Stars are now 31-17.

 

The Biscuits lead the Stars 2-1 in their five game series. Game four will be Saturday night at Riverwalk Stadium. The Stars will feature RHP Jacob Barnes (0-2, 7.59). Montgomery will have RHP Roberto Gomez (1-1, 3.60) on the hill. Saturday's game can be heard with Steve Jarnicki starting at 6:20 pm CDT on 92.9 FM, 1450 AM, and wtkiradio.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

LHP Brent Suter was on normal rest, but one wonders exactly when he learned he'd be starting here. Nice job, Jim Henderson. This was his first appearance in a Stars uniform since 2011.

 

Shawn Zarraga reached base twice and drove in the Stars' sole run, he did not play in the prior two games even though Montgomery is an American League affiliate, and there has been a DH.

 

Huntsville Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Former Milwaukee farmhand RHP Jesus Sanchez notched the save against Nashville, but he has struggled in his first year in the Marlins' system (stats).

[Mass Haas]

Miller Park seen as big opportunity

by Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent Media

 

Playing home games at Miller Park is the primary goal of every player on the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers’ roster.

 

Timber Rattlers players are about to get that coveted big-league experience.

 

The Rattlers return to Miller Park tonight following a one-year absence and will face the Beloit Snappers in a 6:10 p.m. Midwest League game.

 

“It’s a huge opportunity,” said Wisconsin catcher Clint Coulter. “Not everyone will get a chance to play in a big-league stadium like this again. So, we’re really going to soak it in and enjoy it. A lot of us hope to get there one day.”

 

It will be the seventh time that the Rattlers — the low Class A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers — have played at Miller Park. The Rattlers’ first game at Miller was on Aug. 14, 2003, against a Snappers team that was then the Class A affiliate of the Brewers and featured future major leaguers like Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks, Manny Parra and Tony Gwynn Jr. The Snappers are now the Midwest League affiliate of the Oakland A’s.

 

“It’s a great day for our players,” said Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson. “It’s no secret that most of the guys in our clubhouse aren’t going to get to the big leagues. But there’s going to be a few of them. We don’t exactly know who that’s going to be, but on this particular day, they’re going to get a big league experience on a major league field.”

 

Current Brewers who have played in the game as Timber Rattlers include Scooter Gennett, Jim Henderson, Khris Davis and Wily Peralta.

 

“The Brewers do a great job of setting up the day,” said Erickson. “We stay in the visiting clubhouse, which is top-notch, and it’s just a great experience. Last year, things just didn’t work out to have the game and I’m glad they brought it back. The Brewers and Miller Park are the pinnacle of our organization. Whenever you can give your young prospects a chance to taste that, it’s always a good thing.”

 

It won’t be the first trip to Miller Park for Coulter — a first-round draft pick of the Brewers in 2012 — and it probably won’t be the last. Coulter worked out for the Brewers at Miller Park prior to being taken by Milwaukee with the 27th overall selection.

 

“This is going to be a lot of fun,” said Coulter. “It’s a beautiful ballpark, one of the best I’ve ever seen.”

 

Beloit will be designated as the home team for tonight’s game. Ticket prices are $10 for field diamond box seats and $5 for all other seat locations. Tickets can be purchased at the Miller Park box office, online at Brewers.com, or by calling the Brewers ticket office at 414-902-4000 or 1-800-933-7890.

 

“We’re excited to be returning to Miller Park,” said Timber Rattlers president Rob Zerjav. “It has been a fan favorite and allows our fans in the Milwaukee area the opportunity to see some of the top prospects in the Brewers organization right in their own back yard. We also know it’s a day our players mark on their calenders. It gives them the chance to get a taste of what they are striving to achieve.”

[Mass Haas]

Robinzon Diaz (2-for-4) recorded the Sounds' first hit of the game in the top of the fifth inning with a two-run home run to left field off of Zephyrs starting pitcher Elih Villanueva, to give Nashville a 2-1 advantage. Villanueva had retired his first 14 batters before a two-out fielding error by shortstop Juan Diaz allowed Taylor Green to get aboard and brought the go-ahead run to the plate. The homer was Diaz's second of the season.

 

AUDIO: Robinzon Diaz Belts Go-Ahead Homer

 

Tied 2-2 in the seventh inning, Nashville first baseman Hunter Morris launched a solo home run over the right-field wall for the team's second one-run lead.

 

AUDIO: Hunter Morris Goes Yard