Link Report for Fri. 6/6 - Nelson being Nelson; Rattlers Roll; A Promising DSL Debut

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF!

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: LHP Tom Gorzelanny makes a rehab appearance, then RHP Jimmy Nelson follows up at Memphis (Cardinals), 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's Tyler Cravy and Drew Gagnon in a doubleheader at home vs. Mobile (Diamondbacks), 5:15 PM pre-game, 5:30 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings

 

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).

 

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Brevard County: RHP Chad Pierce at home vs. Bradenton (Pirates), 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.

 

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Wisconsin: RHP Zach Quintana at home vs. Cedar Rapids (Twins), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 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.

 

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DSL Brewers: at the DSL Blue Jays, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until later in the day

 

We're going to lock in the link to Brad Krause's fantastic Miller Park Prospects - Dominican Summer League primer right here, at least for the first couple of months of the DSL campaign, for your easy review. Brad will also be adding DSL Link Report duties to his Brevard coverage for us here. Thanks, Brad!

[Mass Haas]

As we've been indicating this week --

 

DVR Alert: Tonight's Wisconsin game is scheduled for local broadcast on MyNew32 TV, 7:00 PM airtime.

 

NOTE: After tonight, next up is Tuesday, June 10th, but that one will be on TimeWarnerCable SportsChannel, with the "Timber Rattlers Field Pass" show airing as a pre-game at 6:30 PM.

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville Game One

 

Huntsville Game Two

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

DSL Brewers

 

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

 

DSL - Dominican Summer League San Pedro de Macoris

[Mass Haas]

Sortable individual stat pages:

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Dominican Summer League Brewers

[Mass Haas]

Weather.com:

 

Memphis, TN

 

Huntsville, AL

 

Viera, FL (Melbourne)

 

Grand Chute, WI (Appleton)

 

Santo Domingo, DR

[Mass Haas]

Baseball America's HITTER OF THE DAY: Orlando Arcia, ss — high Class A Brevard County (Brewers)

 

"Oswaldo's little brother had himself a mighty fine Thursday, going 4-for-4 with a double, two runs, two RBIs, a walk and a stolen base. He's a contacted oriented hitter who rarely strikes out and has the capability to make dazzling plays at shortstop. He had a slow start this April but ticked up in May and has had a good first few games of June."

[Mass Haas]

A Brewer makes an appearance on Baseball America' Hot Sheet this week - Guess and Click (unless you saw my tweet earlier)

[Mass Haas]

Adam Mcalvy's blog -- Interesting insights specific to possible Nashville call-ups from Gord Ash

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO via Jeff Hem's blog --

 

"Tonight’s interview is with Sounds shortstop Hector Gomez, who belted a pair of home runs last night, his third career two-homer game. Gomez talks about his season so far, his time in the Brewers system since being claimed off waivers from the Rockies in ’12, his major league debut (2 games in September ’11) with Colorado following a full season at Double-A, and what it was like for him years ago coming from the Dominican Republic and trying to get comfortable with life in the United States."

[bkrause2]

Final: DSL Brewers 4, DSL Blue Jays 3 (10th Inning)

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

Down 3-0 in the ninth, the Brewers rallied back to tie the game, then scored a run in the top of the tenth and held on for a 4-3 win. Nelson Hernandez started for the Brewers and went five innings, allowing two runs. Jesus Brea followed and gave up one run in an inning of work. Boanerges Nova then tossed two shutout innings, and Doni Arias pitched the final two innings without allowing a run to earn the win. Kevin Martinez continued to hammer DSL pitching, going 3-for-5 with a double to raise his season average to .476. Nicolas Pierre also extended his hot start, going 3-for-6 with a double and has a hit in each of his first six games this season. Franly Mallen singled and walked twice in five plate appearances.

 

DSL Brewers Play-By-Play

 

The 9th inning rally

 

DSL Brewers Top of the 9th

Juan De Los Santos walks.

Raphachel Colatosti hit by pitch. Juan De Los Santos to 2nd.

Kevin Martinez singles on a fly ball to right fielder Leudy Garcia. Juan De Los Santos to 3rd. Raphachel Colatosti to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Luis Gomez replaces Manuel Cordova.

Henry Correa strikes out swinging.

Nicolas Pierre flies out to right fielder Leudy Garcia.

Franly Mallen walks. Juan De Los Santos scores. Raphachel Colatosti to 3rd. Kevin Martinez to 2nd.

Yerald Martinez singles on a fly ball to left fielder Francisco Rodriguez. Raphachel Colatosti scores. Kevin Martinez scores. Franly Mallen to 3rd. Yerald Martinez to 2nd on the throw.

Nicol Valderrey grounds out, second baseman Junior Vasquez to first baseman Luis Dominguez.

 

And the 10th inning winner

 

DSL Brewers Top of the 10th

Pitching Change: William Zambrano replaces Luis Gomez.

Johel Atencio singles on a ground ball to second baseman Junior Vasquez. Johel Atencio advances to 2nd, on a throwing error by second baseman Junior Vasquez.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Julio Mendez replaces Johel Atencio.

Juan De Los Santos grounds out, second baseman Junior Vasquez to first baseman Luis Dominguez. Julio Mendez to 3rd.

Raphachel Colatosti grounds out, second baseman Junior Vasquez to first baseman Luis Dominguez.

Kevin Martinez doubles (2) on a fly ball to right fielder Leudy Garcia. Julio Mendez scores.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Franmy Pena replaces Henry Correa.

Franmy Pena walks.

Nicolas Pierre flies out to right fielder Leudy Garcia.

[bkrause2]

Final: Bradenton 5, Brevard County 4 (12 Innings)

 

Bullpen falters in 12-inning loss

Pierce throws six scoreless, Orf goes 4-for-6 in 5-4 loss to Marauders

By Justin Rocke / Brevard County Manatees

 

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Brevard County starting pitcher Chad Pierce threw six shutout innings, but did not factor in the decision as the Manatees were defeated by the Bradenton Marauders, 5-4 in 12 innings on Friday night at Space Coast Stadium in Viera. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

 

VIERA, Fla. - After giving up just three runs in their last 29 innings of work entering the night, the Brevard County Manatees could not hold a four-run lead in a 12-inning, 5-4 loss to the Bradenton Marauders on Friday night at Space Coast Stadium in front of a crowd of 2,604.

 

With the game deadlocked at four in the top of the 12th, Josh Bell stepped in against Manatees' reliever Mike Strong. On a 0-1 pitch, Bell smashed a fly ball to deep left field. Orf tracked it all the way back to the wall, but the ball carried into the Marauders' bullpen to give Bradenton (31-30) its first and only lead of the night, 5-4.

 

The Marauders rally began once Manatees' starter Chad Pierce (1-2, 3.25 ERA) was lifted from the game after the sixth inning. Trailing 4-0, Jose Osuna greeted reliever Scott Lieser rudely to start the seventh. On the second pitch of the at-bat, Osuna drove one over the wall in left-center field for a solo home run - his second of the year - to cut the lead to three.

 

Bradenton trimmed the lead further against Lieser in the eighth. With one out, Walker Gourley poked a single to center and Bell reached base on an error by second baseman Yadiel Rivera. On the seventh pitch of the at-bat, Jordan Steranka slapped a single to center to score Gourley to trim the Brevard County (31-29) lead to 4-2.

 

That was the final pitch Lieser would throw as Mark Williams came out of the bullpen to try and stop the bleeding. With runners at the corners, Osuna lifted a sacrifice fly to left to cut the lead down to one. Williams ended the rally there as he struck out Max Moroff swinging to end the threat.

 

With the score 4-3 going to the ninth, the Marauders tied the game thanks to a Brevard defensive miscue. Leading off the frame, Jeff Roy hit a chopper to Orlando Arcia. The shortstop, who had already committed a throwing error earlier in the night, made another errant throw to first which allowed Roy to go to second.

 

Roy advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Jacob Stallings. With the infield drawn in to cut off the run, Raul Fortunato grounded a ball just past the outstretched glove of Arcia into left field. Roy scampered home easily to score and tie the game up, 4-4.

 

The Marauders had a chance to grab the lead in the 11th, but could not do so. With two outs, Fortunato ended up at second base on a wild throw from third baseman Nicky Delmonico. The next batter, Adam Frazier squirted a ball back up the box into center field. Fortunato motored around third to try and score the go-ahead run, but was gunned down at the plate on an excellent throw by center fielder Tyrone Taylor.

 

Brevard County grabbed the initial lead in the bottom of the first against Bradenton starter Jason Creasy (3-2, 3.50). Nathan Orf led off the frame with a single back up the box and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Arcia. Taylor followed with a lazy fly ball to left field, but Fortunato could not make the catch to put runners on the corners.

 

Michael Reed, who was recently activated from the disabled list, responded with the big base knock. Reed lined a double down the right field line to score both Orf and Taylor to give Brevard the lead, 2-0. Two batters later, Cameron Garfield drilled a single to center to score Reed to push the advantage to three.

 

The Manatees added their final run with Garfield at the plate in the sixth. After a Delmonico double, Garfield hit a hard grounder to short. Frazier tried making a backhanded stop, but the ball ricocheted off the shortstop's leg and into left field. That allowed Delmonico, who initially slid feet first into third base, to score and give Brevard a 4-0 lead.

 

The extra-inning contest resulted in both starters being saddled with no-decisions. Despite some early troubles, Creasy allowed four runs - one earned - on eight hits in seven innings of work. He did not walk a batter and struck out three.

 

The extra-inning loss cost Pierce, who was fantastic in a spot start, his second victory of the year. The former Wisconsin-Milwaukee star did not allow a run and surrendered just two hits over six innings. He walked three and struck out two. Pierce has allowed just five hits in 10.1 shutout innings in his two starts this season.

 

The loss also spoiled a fantastic night for Orf. The Manatees' left fielder tied both a season and career-high by recording four hits and he also scored a run. Orf is now 8-for-13 in the series, all with his mother and other family members in attendance. Delmonico and Garfield also had two hits each.

 

With Saturday's loss, the Manatees are now officially eliminated from first-half playoff contention as they remain ten games behind Dunedin with nine games left to play.

 

Brevard County will look to get back on track on Saturday night as they wrap up their series with Bradenton at Space Coast Stadium, with first pitch slated for 6:35 p.m. Winner of his last five decisions, Jorge Lopez (6-2, 3.00) will get the call for the 'Tees. Fellow righty and number three prospect in the Pirates' organization, according to Baseball America, Tyler Glasnow (2-3, 2.15) will oppose him.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Brevard County Play-By-Play

 

Brevard County Bottom of the 1st

Nathan Orf singles on a line drive to center fielder Jeff Roy.

Orlando Arcia out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Jason Creasy to first baseman Jose Osuna. Nathan Orf to 2nd.

Tyrone Taylor reaches on a fielding error by left fielder Raul Fortunato. Nathan Orf to 3rd.

Michael Reed doubles (10) on a line drive to right fielder Josh Bell. Nathan Orf scores. Tyrone Taylor scores.

Nick Delmonico grounds out, second baseman Max Moroff to first baseman Jose Osuna. Michael Reed to 3rd.

Cameron Garfield singles on a line drive to center fielder Jeff Roy. Michael Reed scores.

Victor Roache grounds out, pitcher Jason Creasy to first baseman Jose Osuna.

[TheCrew07]

Huge home crowd sees Rattlers beat Kernels 12-8

Wisconsin wins fourth straight game

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

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Angel Ortega stands at third after his first inning triple on Friday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers gave their largest home crowd since 2008 a lot to cheer in a 12-8 victory over the Cedar Rapids Kernels Friday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Wisconsin set a season high for hits in a game with fourteen to win their fourth straight game and they did it in front of 7,009 fans.

 

The Kernels (27-34) started the scoring with a run in the first inning. Chad Christensen lined a double off the top of the wall in left field to score Ryan Walker from second base for a 1-0 lead.

 

Wisconsin (29-31) loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the first inning against Kernels starter Ryan Eades. It appeared the Kernels would get out of the frame with the lead intact as Eades got a force play at the plate and a strikeout. Then, he hit Jose Pena to force in a run. Francisco Castillo followed with a two-run single to right-center and the Rattlers were up 3-1.

 

Rafael Neda added to the lead with an RBI single. Angel Ortega, the ninth man to bat in the inning, tripled to right to score both Castillo and Neda and Wisconsin had a 6-1 lead.

 

The Kernels would storm back to tie the game as they scored five runs on two hits in the top of the second. Timber Rattlers starting pitcher Zach Quintana hit the first batter and walked the next two to load the bases to start the inning. Quintana issued a free pass to Jonathan Murphy to force in a run and he was pulled from the game.

 

Walker greeted reliever Chris Razo with an RBI single. Christensen singled in another run with one out. Then, a wild pitch by Razo let in one more run. Bryan Haar's grounder to short scored the fifth run of the inning and that tied the game 6-6.

 

Wisconsin went back in front almost immediately in their half of the second. Michael Ratterree tripled to right with one out. Clint Coulter doubled to left to drive in the go ahead run. Coulter took third on an error and scored an RBI grounder by Pena. Castillo knocked in his third run of the game with a two-out single and Wisconsin was back up 9-6.

 

The Rattlers reached double digits in runs in the third inning. Johnny Davis singled with two out and stole second. Omar Garcia drove in Davis with a single that made it 10-6.

 

Christensen knocked in another run, his third of the game, with a single in the top of the fourth to cut into the Wisconsin lead.

 

Neda walked, Ortega singled, and Davis singled to load the bases with one out in the fifth. Garcia got Neda home with a sacrifice fly. An errant pickoff throw to first let Ortega score from third and the Rattlers were up 12-7.

 

Tristan Archer came out of the bullpen and only had one rough inning. He gave up a single to Walker, walked Engelb Vielma, and allowed a single to Christensen to load the bases. A walk to Garver forced in a run and made it 12-8. Archer regrouped and retired the final nine batters he faced to earn his third save of the season.

 

The last time the Timber Rattlers had a home crowd of over 7,000 was on August 2, 2008. They drew 7,190 to that game against the Great Lakes Loons.

 

Davis and Ortega each had three hits and Castillo drove in three runs to pace the Rattlers attack.

 

The Timber Rattlers have matched their season high winning streak of four straight games. But, the Rattlers stayed three games behind the Peoria Chiefs in the Western Division Wild Card race. Peoria won 1-0 at Beloit on Friday night. There are nine games remaining in the first half.

 

Wisconsin hits the road on Saturday to begin a three-game series with the Clinton LumberKings. Anthony Banda (1-5, 5.01) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. Eddie Campbell (4-3, 5.13) is set to start for the LumberKings. Game time is 6:30pm. Tune in for the radio broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or IHeartRadio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:10pm.

 

WP: Chris Razo (1-0)

LP: Ryan Eades (3-7)

SAVE: Tristan Archer (3)

 

TIME: 2:52

ATTN: 7,009

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

What awesome attendance! Kudos to the Fox Valley, 7k+ for an A ball game is tremendous! Not to mention 4 wins in a row, this was certainly an entertaining game.

 

I watched the first 6 innings and listened to the last 3 because Mehring is the man and I had some draft research to do on the division. Zach Quintana just isn't able to find the strike zone with any consistently and I don't really understand his placement in WI? I guess it could be sink or swim, but he's sinking... He continues to miss to all sides of the plate and of course up and down. Usually pitchers in A ball have something to hang their hat on, but the only positive I can see in Zach is that he works very fast which I personally really enjoy. Here's his draft scouting report:

Some teams won't have Quintana high on their draft boards simply because of his size: 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds. Teams that look past that will see a pitcher who throws his fastball in the 90-95 mph range with an easy delivery. His stuff has been inconsistent this year, in part because of a heavy workload. After throwing 129 pitches to beat local power Bishop Gorman High, Quintana was asked to start against them again on just two days rest. He has a hard breaking ball that can meander between a curveball and a slider, and a developing changeup. Quintana is a good athlete who plays shortstop when he's not pitching. He is committed to Nevada-Las Vegas, but is expected to sign if he's drafted between the fourth and sixth rounds.

His stuff is still very inconsistent and his command must have taken a step backwards. He was maybe a #3 on draft day... today he should probably be back in R ball, he's just not ready... he only faced 9 batters but didn't get ahead of a single one throwing just 14 of 39 pitches for strikes. Evin Nina went out to the mound in both innings and was fairly demonstrative in his discussions with Zach. It helped it in the 1st, not so much in the 2nd.

 

Chris Razo wasn't sharp in the 2nd, he left balls up to allow all of his inherited runners to score, but was better the rest of the way. Tristan Archer on the other hand had one of his better outings after a tough 6th where he walked in a run.

 

Thankfully the bats were awesome, especially in the 1st doing almost all of the damage with 2 outs and putting a up a season high 14 hits even though they didn't record a hit after the 5th inning. Johnny Davis (3-5), Omar Garcia (2-4), Francisco Castillo (2-4), and Angel Ortega (3-4,3B) had the multi hit games. Ortega posted back to back multi-hit games for the 2nd time this season, maybe a sign of better times ahead?

 

Wisconsin Recap

 

This how Quintana's day ended. The "wild pitch" charged to Razo towards the end of the inning... it was a breaking ball that bounced right behind home plate, then almost straight up and a bit to Coulter's right and but went to the screen. It should have been an easy block but Clint dropped his left knee, which turned his hips so he wasn't square to the ball, and it just glanced off him instead of getting smothered.

 

Cedar Rapids Top of the 2nd

• Michael Quesada hit by pitch.
  Bo Altobelli walks. Michael Quesada to 2nd.
  Ivory Thomas walks. Michael Quesada to 3rd. Bo Altobelli to 2nd.
  Jon Murphy walks. Michael Quesada scores. Bo Altobelli to 3rd. Ivory Thomas to 2nd.
  Pitching Change: Chris Razo replaces Zach Quintana.
  Ryan Walker singles on a line drive to left fielder Omar Garcia. Bo Altobelli scores. Ivory Thomas to 3rd. Jon Murphy to 2nd.
  Engelb Vielma strikes out swinging.
  Chad Christensen singles on a line drive to center fielder Johnny Davis. Ivory Thomas scores. Jon Murphy to 3rd. Ryan Walker to 2nd.
  With Mitch Garver batting, wild pitch by Chris Razo, Jon Murphy scores. Ryan Walker to 3rd. Chad Christensen to 2nd.
  Mitch Garver grounds out, shortstop Angel Ortega to first baseman Rafael Neda. Ryan Walker scores.
  Bryan Haar grounds out to first baseman Rafael Neda.
  

 

Wisconsin Gameday

[TheCrew07]

Sounds Blank 'Birds In 1-0 Shutout

Nashville's Gomez Goes 2-for-5 with Homer in 5th Inning

Nashville Sounds

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/8/3/0/78648830/cuts/Jimmy_Nelson_805_2_Large_oivj6akn_x7xrw46m.jpg

(MIKE STRASINGER )

 

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The first-place Nashville Sounds (33-29) edged the Memphis Redbirds Friday night at AutoZone Park in a 1-0 shutout victory behind right-handed pitcher Jimmy Nelson and shortstop Hector Gomez.

 

Gomez, 2-for-5, picked up where he left off last night to give Nashville its only run of the game in the fifth inning with a home run over the left field wall.

 

The solo shot marked Gomez's eighth long ball of the season and his third over his last five at-bats, spanning back to his two-homer night on Thursday.

 

Gomez has come on strong recently, with hits in 12 of his last 15 games at a .339 clip (20-for-59).

 

Nashville saw many opportunities to score earlier in the contest, but a stingy Memphis defense stranded Sounds runners in each of the first five innings.

 

The game began after a 57-minute-long rain delay with rehabbing Brewers lefty Tom Gorzelanny making the start for Nashville. He completed 2 1/3 scoreless innings on his 35-pitch limit.

 

The 31-year-old allowed one hit and picked up a strikeout, throwing a total of 34 pitches and 22 for strikes. Reliever Dustin Molleken completed the third inning for the Sounds before the team's regularly scheduled starter, Jimmy Nelson (7-1), took the hill.

 

Even out of the bullpen, Nelson looked every bit like the Pacific Coast League's ERA leader and delivered six scoreless frames for the Sounds to complete the shutout and lower his season average to 1.51.

 

Nelson fought off an inning-opening double in the seventh and a bases-loaded jam in the eighth to pick up the victory: his seventh of the season and team-best sixth in a row.

 

Nashville recorded seven hits to Memphis' four in the team's fourth shutout victory of the year. It is the Sounds' first nine-inning 1-0 win since blanking Oklahoma City at Greer Stadium on April 8, 2013.

 

The Sounds will play game three against the Memphis Redbirds on Saturday night at 6:05. RHP Mike Fiers (6-3, 2.53) will start for Nashville opposite Redbirds lefty Nick Greenwood (3-2, 2.29) Broadcaster Jeff Hem has the call on 102.5 The Game.

 

Nashville Boxscore

Hector Gomez' instant offense was the difference in another fantastic appearance by Jimmy Nelson. Nelson allowed just 4 baserunners in his 6 innings (2 hits and 2 walks) though he didn't exactly pound the zone with 53 of 88 pitches going for strikes (60.2%).

 

Tom Gorzelanny started and went 2.1 IP and while he's been effective at AAA the organization hasn't been enamored with his performance. Did everyone check out MH's very informative link earlier today on the Gorzelanny subject? I hope so, if he shares it then read it, it's always worth the time.

 

Nashville Recap

 

After the Sounds missed an opportunity in the first Gomez just took matters into his own hands... why rely on your teammates!?

 

Nashville Top of the 1st

• Jeff Bianchi walks.
  Hector Gomez doubles (12) on a ground ball to left fielder Thomas Pham. Jeff Bianchi to 3rd.
  Caleb Gindl flies out to right fielder Stephen Piscotty.
  Hunter Morris strikes out swinging.
  Eugenio Velez grounds out, third baseman Scott Moore to first baseman Xavier Scruggs.

 

Nashville Gameday

[HiAndTight]

Adam Mcalvy's blog -- Interesting insights specific to possible Nashville call-ups from Gord Ash

 

It'd be really nice to see Jeffress not only back with the big league club, but truly contributing to it. His command has been the only thing holding him back. He's still walking guys too much, but 5 of his 12 BB's in his 21 IP came in his first three outings. He could be a real boost. Throw him, Henderson and Nelson into the equation....somehow and that could be some really nice added firepower for the pen and or rotation.

 

Also really interested to see how Leon does in AAA. It's just nice to have a lot of power pitchers as options in the upper levels of the minors to supplement a already pretty good staff. K-Rod/Smith/Thornburg/Henderson/Jeffress/Duke or Gorz/Nelson or Fiers(I'd like to see Nelson in the rotation, but it'd be hard to argue against him pitching out of the pen down the stretch if we're making a push and potentially into the playoffs).

[Mass Haas]

The Huntsville Stars and Mobile BayBears game on Friday night was suspended due to rain.

 

The BayBears and Stars were getting ready to go to the bottom of the fifth when the rain started to fall at Joe Davis Stadium.

 

Huntsville Partial Box Score

 

RHP Tyler Cravy (2 H, 1 BB, 1 HBP) stranded all four men - what a huge 2014 for the Southern League All-Star Game starting pitcher (Tue. June 17th in Chattanooga).

 

Huntsville Partial Game Log

 

After enduring a rain delay that lasted nearly an hour and thirty minutes the umpires decided to suspend the game until Saturday.

 

The BayBears and Stars are scoreless and will resume play Saturday night at 5:30 with the Stars batting.

 

***

 

So, we imagine Saturday's nightcap will be reduced to a seven-inning game, but that's not definitive.

 

At this moment, it's not clear if there will be another doubleheader on Sunday or Monday to allow for the completion of the five-game series. We would think so.

[Mass Haas]

Nelson stellar out of Sounds' bullpen

Brewers prospect fans seven, secures PCL-best seventh win

By Josh Jackson / MiLB.com

 

It's been clear for some time that Jimmy Nelson is a highly skilled pitcher. It turns out he's also good at make-believe.

 

"I pretended the fourth inning was the first inning and I did all the usual pregame stuff I usually do," Nelson said after entering Friday night's game in relief. "I just tried to treat it like a start."

 

The top Brewers prospect came in from the bullpen after Tom Gorzelanny went 2 1/3 innings in a rehab start and Dustin Molleken recorded the final two outs in the third. Nelson struck out seven and allowed two hits over six innings in Triple-A Nashville's 1-0 win at Memphis.

 

"All game, I was focused on keeping guys off the bases and if somebody did get on, keeping them from scoring," he said.

 

Nelson (7-1) shares the Pacific Coast League lead in wins, and the scoreless outing lowered his league-best ERA to 1.51.

 

He made three relief appearances with Milwaukee last season but hadn't worked out of the bullpen in the Minor Leagues since doing it once in the Class A Midwest League in 2011.

 

In 2010, after the Brewers drafted him out of the University of Alabama, MLB.com's No. 69 overall prospect worked exclusively in relief in the Pioneer League, although he routinely threw several innings.

 

"I feel like it's an easy adjustment. It's just one of those things you've got to deal with in the Minor Leagues. Big league guys come all the time and have rehab assignments and they have to get their pitches in," Nelson said. "I had to deal with it in [Class] A, and in Rookie-ball we had tandems, two guys starting on the same day."

 

The 25-year-old right-hander was perfect his first time through the Redbirds lineup and worked around a leadoff double by Scott Moore in the seventh by inducing a fly ball and notching back-to-back strikeouts.

 

In the eighth, Memphis' Audry Perez reached on a one-out throwing error by shortstop Hector Gomez and, after a walk, a strikeout and a single, Nelson was working with the bases loaded.

 

"It's not something you really focus on," he said. "I think that's something everybody here in Nashville does a good job of, blocking out the little distractions like that."

 

Nelson fanned Moore to end the threat and had no trouble after a four-pitch walk to Luis Mateo with one out in the ninth.

 

"I tried to guide those four pitches a little bit too much," he said. "After that at-bat, I went back to my same approach."

 

Nelson threw 88 pitches -- 53 for strikes -- and enjoyed being on the hill for the end of the game.

 

"It's always fun to throw the last inning or two because you get a good adrenaline boost," he said. "And it's nice to be on the field to finish the game, when everybody comes out of the dugout and gives high-fives. We got the one run and the defense held it tight. It was good win all-around."

 

The Sounds' lone run came on a fifth-inning homer from Gomez, who also went yard twice on Thursday.

 

"The ones he hits aren't wall-scrapers, you know it off the bat," Nelson said. "It's fun to see anybody go on a hot streak, especially when he's on your team. Hitting is such a hard thing, the hardest thing in all of sports, so it's good when you see a guy get into a groove."

 

Gorzelanny gave up a hit and struck out one while throwing 34 pitches. The 31-year-old southpaw is on the mend from off-season shoulder surgery.

 

Jimmy Nelson ranks second in the PCL behind teammate Mike Fiers with 76 strikeouts. (Mike Strasinger/Nashville Sounds)

 

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[Mass Haas]

Rattler Radio Blog- Postgame Entry

 

Interviews, photos, video highlights -- yeah, that'll do us nicely...

[Mass Haas]

Brevard County -

 

AUDIO: Justin Rocke is joined by Tyrone Taylor to talk about Taylor's experience on draft day in 2012 and his defensive abilities

 

AUDIO, Game Highlights: The Marauders defeat the Manatees in 12 innings, 5-4

[Mass Haas]

Quite the matchup scheduled Saturday evening --

 

Tomorrow's stars, here for you today

Mike Parsons, Florida Today

 

There is nothing like saying you saw Major League Baseball's biggest stars before everyone else.

 

It is one of the beautiful things about having Single A baseball in town. Tomorrow's stars are on the fields every night.

 

Right about this time last season we saw young Noah Syndergaard pitch at Space Coast Stadium. Now New York Mets fans are waiting for him to be called up and help the Mets win games.

 

And tonight we will get a chance to see another top prospect in the game take the mound.

 

Tyler Glasnow (Pirates) is scheduled to take the hill for Bradenton tonight at Space Coast Stadium and he has all the tools to be pitching in the Majors very soon.

 

Glasnow is rated as the 23rd prospect in the game and can throw hard — upper 90s hard. He stands 6-foot-7 and has a good curveball and a changeup.

 

He has the kind of stuff that makes you run to the ballpark to witness it. This season, Glasnow has made eight starts for the Marauders and has a 2.15 ERA, striking out 41 in 37 2/3 innings pitched.

 

But he will be tested tonight as the Manatees have a few big-time prospects in their lineup.

 

Center fielder Tyrone Taylor is the No. 2 prospect in the Brewers system. Victor Roache is a power-hitting outfielder, leading the team with seven homers this season, and Orlando Arcia can do it all — the slick-fielding shortstop is also one of the team's best hitters.

 

All three are worth the price of admission on any given night.

 

But Bradenton also brings a pretty big offensive weapon that I got to see for the first time Thursday night — Josh Bell.

 

The outfielder was the DH Thursday so I did not get to see him in the field, but what he did with the bat made up for it. Boy did he put on a show, going 5-for-5 and making it look easy with a nice swing.

 

He is hitting .315 with five home runs.

 

He will be a tough task for Jorge Lopez, who will take the hill for the Manatees. Lopez features a nice curveball to go with his low-90s fastball. He has given up just two runs in the past 14 innings, striking out nine.

 

And just in case the game does not produce much fireworks, there will be a pyrotechnics show after the game.

 

It should be a fun night to be at the ballpark, that's for sure.

[Mass Haas]

Here's a second set of Wisconsin video highlights, this time from the MyNew32 TV broadcast.

[Mass Haas]

Love, love, love that pro debut for Venezuelan native RHP Nelson Hernandez in the DSL.

 

From last July, Baseball America: At 6-foot-2, 170 pounds, Hernandez is a 16-year-old with a thin frame, an 85-88 mph fastball and good feel for spinning a breaking ball. He trains with Jose Carrasquel.

 

The kid only turned 17 in March, the Brewers gave him a start in his debut game, and he went five innings without a walk. I hope I can link back to this exact post years from now with joy.