Link Report for Sat. 6/28 - Wonderful Day Throughout the Chain

[jvrocksaz]

think De Muth should get a promotion?

 

Most definitely. I would like to see him get some time in Wisconsin and BC this season and possibly start AA next year.

[brewmann04]

its seems it takes jungmann a few starts to get used to each level.

I wonder if De Muth will play 1ST OR 3RD BASE MOVING FORWARD

[LouisEly]

Didn't someone say that some publication/person had Brandon Diaz as a top prospect? They may know what they are talking about.

 

Nathan Orf in his last 11 games has had only one game with less than two hits, and he had one hit in that game. No power, but have to love that OBP. The jump to AA next year is really going to be big. Can he be the future RH platoon with Gennett?

 

Have a game Taylor Jungmann. His best start as a pro? Nice to see his K rate up this year while maintaining a good GO:AO ratio.

[And That]

Andy Hillis making his 2014 debut in Arizona tonight. Good to see the big guy back.

 

Devin Williams with the best outing of his pro career so far tonight in Billings.

[Eye Black]

Final: Helena 8, Billings 1

 

Pitching and hitting both top notch, Helena cruises to 8-1 win

By Dustin Daniel / Helena Brewers

 

The Helena Brewers (6-6) pulled back to .500 with an 8-1 victory over the Billings Mustangs (5-7).

 

The win puts the Brewers in sole possession of second place in the Pioneer League North Division.

 

Helena once again scored early, as four runs crossed the plate in the top of the first. Elvis Rubio came up with his second double of the season to score Brandon Diaz and Tucker Neuhaus and Mitch Meyer made it a 4-0 lead with a solo homerun later in the inning off of Billings starter Jeremy Kivel (0-1). Kivel gave up five runs in three innings, striking out three and giving up five hits. It would be Kivel's third start since missing 2013 after ACL surgery.

 

Dustin DeMuth added to the tally in the fifth when he hit his first professional homer, a solo shot off of Brian Hunter. DeMuth was 2-for-3 on the night and extended his multi-hit streak to eight consecutive games. He leads the Pioneer league in batting average.

 

Devin Williams (1-1) pitched five excellent innings of relief, striking out seven batters and giving up only three hits. At one point in his outing, he had retired seven consecutive Billings batters while striking out six of them.

 

Drew Ghelfi closed out the game, pitching the ninth cleanly and recording a strikeout.

 

The Brewers are now 5-1 on the road and set a season best by allowing just one run on Saturday. They have collected 27 hits over the first two contests.

 

The Brewers and Mustangs will face off in game three of their four-game series at Dehler Park on Sunday. First pitch from Billings is set for 2:05 p.m.

 

Helena Box Score

With two more hits including a homerun, Dustin DeMuth is now 19-for-41 to start his professional career and making a case that the Pioneer League pitching isn't much of a challenge. Brandon Diaz adds a hit and four walks as well as a stolen base. Both Greg McCall and Tucker Neuhaus added two hits each for the H-Crew and Neuhaus also had two walks. Mitch Meyer hit his second homerun this week. As chronicled above, Devin Williams with a very solid pitching performance tonight.

 

Helena Game Log

[TheCrew07]

Sounds Blow Away Zephyrs, 13-0

Nashville's Halton Goes 4-for-5; Jungmann Delivers 7 Scoreless Innings

Nashville Sounds

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/0/1/0/82177010/cuts/MPS_0285_Large_dnau8el0_81fxmtu1.jpg

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds (42-41) offense exploded for 13 runs before 7,879 fans at Greer Stadium in Saturday night's 13-0 shutout victory over the first-place New Orleans Zephyrs.

 

The 13 runs by Sounds batters matches a season-high and the 13-run deficit is the largest since a 19-0 shutout at Colorado Springs in game one of doubleheader on August 4, 2011.

 

Hunter Morris, 2-for-4, got Nashville on the board in the 1st inning with a two-out single into left field. Later, the 25-year-old slugger connected for a two-run triple in the Sounds' five-run 5th inning to give Nashville a 4-0 advantage.

 

Sean Halton, who matched a career-best four-hit night with two doubles and two singles, drove in Morris with a base-knock into left field. The Sounds continued for five runs in the fifth inning to make it 7-0 in favor of the home team.

 

Starting pitcher Taylor Jungmann (4-4) helped keep the Zephyrs off the board by delivering seven scoreless innings to secure his fourth win with the Sounds. The 24-year-old right-hander limited the Z's to two hits on the night, struck out eight batters, and escaped a bases-loaded one-out jam in the 4th inning with a strikeout followed by a groundout.

 

Jungmann has worked quality starts in each of his last two outings and improves his Greer Stadium record to 3-1 with a 2.59 ERA (7er/24.1ip). He helped his own cause by plating two Nashville runners with a single to right field in the 5th.

 

Pinch hitter Kevin Mattison batted for Jungmann in the 7th inning and drove a three-run triple to dead centerfield to give Nashville a 10-run advantage. Mattison came in to score via a Pete Orr infield single.

 

Newcomer Jason Rogers kept the six-run inning alive with a monster home run to dead center field, which scored two. In his first two Triple-A games, Rogers has a home run, triple, double and four RBIs.

 

Outfielder Caleb Gindl also contributed to the Sounds run column with his RBI single in the 4th inning, scoring Halton.

 

Relievers Arcenio Leon and Donovan Hand each pitched an inning of relief work to preserve the Sounds' PCL-leading 7th shutout of the year. It is the first time Nashville has recorded back-to-back shut out victories since June 2009.

 

The Sounds will look to win the series against New Orleans in Sunday's finale at 6:35 p.m. RHP Michael Blazek (0-3, 4.75) will take the hill for Nashville opposite the Z's LHP Brad Hand (2-0, 2.33). Broadcaster Jeff Hem has the call on 102.5 The Game.

 

Nashville Boxscore

 

Nashville Recap

 

Nashville Gameday

[TheCrew07]

Rattlers sprint past Bees with five-run sixth inning

Brennan & Coulter homer as Williams earns sixth win

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/3/0/4/82176304/cuts/Taylor_Williams_Star_Wars_re0wkozf_cnr25go8.jpg

Taylor Williams picked up his sixth win of the season for the Timber Rattlers with his win on Saturday at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers broke a 1-1 tie with five runs in the sixth inning and went on to defeat the Burlington Bees 6-1 Saturday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Wisconsin pitcher Taylor Williams allowed a run over six innings to earn his fifth straight victory.

 

Taylor Brennan hit the first pitch of the bottom of the second inning over the wall in left for a home run. The homer, Brennan's eighth of the season, gave Wisconsin (42-36 overall, 6-3 second half) a 1-0 lead. That was the only run the Rattlers would get against Burlington starter Victor Alcantara, who went five innings and allowed just two hits while striking out six.

 

Burlington (42-36, 4-5) had two hits off Williams through five innings and hadn't threatened to score. Then, Angel Rosa launched a home run to left to start the top of the sixth inning and the game was tied. Mike Fish followed with a single. Williams got the first out of the inning on a force play at second and escaped the frame when he got Brandon Bayardi to ground into a 4-6-3 double play.

 

Wisconsin responded in a big way in the bottom of the sixth against reliever Grant Gordon. Omar Garcia started the inning with a single and stole second. Michael Ratterree worked the count to 3-2 and drove an offering from Gordon to the left-center field game to drive in Garcia for a 2-1 lead.

 

Clint Coulter jumped on the next pitch and hammered his thirteenth home run of the season well over the wall in left. The homer snapped an 0-for-14 streak for Coulter and put Wisconsin up 4-1.

 

The inning continued as Gordon walked Brennan and Rafael Neda before being replaced by Alex Blackford with runners at first and second with no outs.

 

Blackford would get out of the inning, but not before he threw three wild pitches to eventually score both Brennan and Neda for a 6-1 lead.

 

Tyler Alexander took over for Taylor Williams and struck out four over two perfect innings.

 

Trevor Seidenberger came on to pitch the top of the ninth and he worked around a leadoff single with a double play and a strikeout to close out the game.

 

Game three of the series is Sunday afternoon at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Game time is 1:05pm. Preston Gainey (2-4, 4.03) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Harrison Cooney (5-3, 2.20) is set to take the mound for the Bees.

 

Bernie Carbo, a former Milwaukee Brewer and one of Boston's heroes from Game Six of the 1975 World Series, will be on hand as part of Faith Day and Brewers Sunday. The gates to the ballpark will open at 10:00am for a special on field service from 10:30am to 11:30am. Brakebush Chicken, The Family 91.9 and Lifefest present a postgame concert by The Neverclaim in the Fox Communities Credit Union Fox Club. Timber Rattlers players and coaches will be wearing gold Rattlers jerseys based on the design of the Milwaukee Brewers for Brewers Sunday presented by 107.5, The Fan.

 

Fans can play catch on-field courtesy of Rasmussen College before the Rattlers game and all Timber Rattlers players will be available for an autograph session after the game.

 

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or IHeartRadio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 12:45pm. Sunday's game is also available to subscribers of MiLB.TV.

 

HOME RUNS:

BUR:

Angel Rosa (5th, 0 on in 6th inning off Taylor Williams, 0 out)

 

WIS:

Taylor Brennan (8th, 0 on in 2nd inning off Victor Alcantara, 0 out)

Clint Coulter (13th, 1 on in 6th inning off Grant Gordon, 0 out)

 

WP: Taylor Williams (6-1)

LP: Grant Gordon (1-2)

 

TIME: 2:42

ATTN: 5,880

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

 

Wisconsin Recap

 

Wisconsin Gameday

[bkrause2]

Final: Brevard County 6, Clearwater 4 (12 Innings)

 

Arcia, Rodriguez Shock Threshers in 12

By Andrew Luftglass / Brevard County Manatees

 

CLEARWATER, Fla - Alfredo Rodriguez and Orlando Arcia shocked a crowd of 4,032 at Bright House Field, as the Brevard County Manatees won in 12 innings against the Clearwater Threshers, 6-4.

 

The game looked in hand for Clearwater after J.P. Crawford and Art Charles hit solo shots in the bottom of the eighth to take a 4-2 lead into the ninth. Brevard County (7-3 second half, 43-33 overall), however, refused to die.

 

With one out, Brandon Macias hit a fly ball to straight away center that should have been out number two. Roman Quinn, though, dropped the routine fly ball to bring the tying run to the plate. After the break, Nathan Orf popped out in foul territory to third and the 'Tees were down to their final out.

 

Cue Arcia.

 

The Manatees' shortstop launched a two-out, two run home run well over the left field wall. Arcia's clutch drive tied the score at 4-4.

 

Clearwater (4-6, 21-57) went down 1-2-3 in the ninth, but had a pair of golden chances to win the game in extra innings. In the 10th, Crawford and Serna hit back-to-back singles to put the winning run on third base.

 

Stephen Peterson, however, rolled a big double play ball to Macias. The third baseman turned the 5-3 twin-killing to get the 'Tees out of the inning.

 

The game advanced to the 11th and again Clearwater had a chance to win it. Brian Pointer hit a two-out single off of Peterson and the 'Tees decided to go to the bullpen, as Scott Lieser came in to face a pinch-hitter, Gabriel Lino.

 

As soon as Lieser came in, Pointer took off for second base in an effort to advance the winning run into scoring position. Brevard County catcher Cameron Garfield unleashed a throw, but the ball hit Lieser en route to second. Pointer moved up to second with the stolen base and the Threshers were a base hit away from winning the game.

 

In a pressure-packed spot, Lieser came up big. He struck out Lino with a high fastball to get out of the inning and send the game to the 12th.

 

After Lieser's heroics, Michael Reed gave the 'Tees a chance to win the game in the 12th. Reed lined a shot into the right-centerfield gap and raced around to third. The Threshers executed a perfect relay, but Reed made a miraculous slide around the tag of Harold Martinez for his first triple of the year.

 

With that three-bagger, the 'Tees had the go-ahead run on third base with just one out. Clearwater opted to intentionally walk Garfield to set up a double play situation and face Victor Roache. Before Roache strode into the box, however, the Threshers made a call to the bullpen.

 

Kevin Walter came on for Lino Martinez, who had been in the game since the eighth. Walter walked Roache to load the bases, but then struck out Garza for the second out. That brought Rodriguez to the plate.

 

Facing a two-strike count, Rodriguez took a hanging slider and slammed a double down the left field line. Both Reed and Garfield came around to score and give the Manatees a 6-4 lead.

 

Mark Williams came in for the bottom of the 12th and sealed a wild win. He issued a one-out walk, but then struck out Crawford and K.C. Serna to end the game and nail down his sixth save.

 

Lieser (1-0, 2.57 ERA) took home his first career win after getting the big strikeout to keep the 'Tees alive in the 11th. Martinez (0-4, 3.89 ERA), who had given up the homer to Arcia and was charged with the winning runs, took the loss.

 

In addition to the game-tying home run, Arcia also had a double and a single. For the second straight night, he finished just a triple away from hitting for the cycle. He was also one of five Manatees to record multiple hits.

 

Brevard County has won both games of this series and will go for the sweep of the Threshers on Sunday afternoon. Damien Magnifico (4-4, 3.24 ERA) will start for the 'Tees against Miguel Nunez (2-5, 6.11 ERA). First pitch at Bright House Field is scheduled for 1 p.m.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Once again, every player in the Manatees lineup came up with at least one hit tonight. Orlando Arcia and Tyrone Taylor led the way with Arcia belting his third home run. Have to thing Arcia's got a pretty decent shot at winning FSL Player of the Week. As impressive as his recent hot streak has been, what's even more exciting is that he's showing some power over the past week as well. Nice job by the BC bullpen tonight with Stephen Peterson, Scott Lieser and Mark Williams combined to go the final four innings without allowing a run. Nicky Delmonico was out of the lineup again tonight and has played in just two of the team's last six games.

 

Brevard County Play-By-Play

 

Arcia's big blast to tie the game came with two outs in the ninth

 

Brevard County Top of the 9th

Defensive Substitution: Nick Ferdinand replaces left fielder Angelo Mora, batting 9th, playing left field.

Alfredo Rodriguez grounds out, shortstop J. P. Crawford to first baseman Art Charles.

Brandon Macias reaches on a fielding error by center fielder Roman Quinn. Brandon Macias to 2nd.

Nathan Orf pops out to third baseman Harold Martinez in foul territory.

Orlando Arcia homers (3) on a fly ball to left field. Brandon Macias scores.

Tyrone Taylor flies out to left fielder Nick Ferdinand.

 

And Rodriguez came through with a two-run double with two outs in the twelfth.

 

Brevard County Top of the 12th

Gabriel Lino remains in the game as the catcher.

Tyrone Taylor flies out to right fielder Brian Pointer.

Michael Reed triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Roman Quinn.

Lino Martinez intentionally walks Cameron Garfield.

Pitching Change: Kevin Walter replaces Lino Martinez.

Victor Roache walks. Cameron Garfield to 2nd.

Mike Garza strikes out swinging.

Alfredo Rodriguez doubles (5) on a line drive to left fielder Nick Ferdinand. Michael Reed scores. Cameron Garfield scores. Victor Roache to 3rd.

Brandon Macias grounds out, catcher Gabriel Lino to first baseman Art Charles.

[gregmag]

What a great day up and down the system.

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO via Jeff Hem's blog --

 

"Tonight’s interview is with Sounds third baseman Jason Rogers, who made his Sounds and Triple-A debut last night by going 2-for-3 with two RBIs after coming up from Double-A Huntsville. He discusses his Sounds debut, his start to the year at Huntsville, his transition back to third base where he played in college and his great and long 2013 after which he was named Brewers Minor League Player of the Year."

 

Fun interview - things have been "crazy" for Jason...

[Mass Haas]

Small mind -- I'm entertained that the Rattler pitchers were Taylor, Tyler, and Trevor...

[Mass Haas]

From Friday, you heard this earlier, now watch --

 

VIDEO: Nashville's Jason Rogers hits an RBI double as the Sounds top New Orleans, 5-0.

 

***

 

Now on to Saturday's game --

 

Hunter Morris, 2-for-4, got Nashville on the board in the 1st inning with a two-out single into left field. Later, the 25-year-old slugger connected for a two-run triple in the Sounds' five-run 5th inning to give Nashville a 4-0 advantage.

 

AUDIO: Hunter Morris RBI Triple

 

Starting pitcher Taylor Jungmann (4-4) helped keep the Zephyrs off the board by delivering seven scoreless innings to secure his fourth win with the Sounds. The 24-year-old right-hander limited the Z's to two hits on the night, struck out eight batters, and escaped a bases-loaded one-out jam in the 4th inning with a strikeout followed by a groundout.

 

VIDEO: Taylor Jungmann strikes out Jordanny Valdespin to whiff the side in the third inning of Nashville's 13-0 win over New Orleans

 

Pinch hitter Kevin Mattison batted for Jungmann in the 7th inning and drove a three-run triple to dead centerfield to give Nashville a 10-run advantage. Mattison came in to score via a Pete Orr infield single.

 

AUDIO: Kevin Mattison's Pinch-Hit Triple

 

Newcomer Jason Rogers kept the six-run inning alive with a monster home run to dead center field, which scored two. In his first two Triple-A games, Rogers has a home run, triple, double and four RBIs.

 

VIDEO: Jason Rogers homers for the first time in a Nashville uniform, as the Sounds take on the New Orleans Zephyrs

[Mass Haas]

Brevard County --

 

AUDIO: RHP Mark Williams joins Andrew Luftglass on the Manatees Radio Network to talk about his success in the closer's role

 

AUDIO, Game Highlights: Brevard County wins the most dramatic game of the 2014 season, 6-4

 

AUDIO: Dave Walkovic chats with Alfredo Rodriguez after he drilled a game-winning, two-run double in the 12th inning

[Mass Haas]

Rattler Radio Blog - Postgame entry

 

Audio interviews with the Taylors (Brennan and Williams), along with Manager Matt Erickson, Star Wars Night photos, and video highlights

 

***

 

Here's a different perspective on the Wisconsin game highlights via the MyNew32 TV broadcast.

[Mass Haas]

Via Adam McCalvy's story on Carlos Gomez' injury scare:

 

Logan Schafer was absent from the Triple-A Nashville Sounds' starting lineup on Saturday for a game that began after Milwaukee's game ended.

[Mass Haas]

Final: @Huntsville 7, Montgomery 4

 

Stars Claim Rubber Match

Steve Jarnicki, Huntsville Stars

 

Huntsville, AL - The Huntsville Stars recorded a season high eighteen hits leading them to a 7-4 win over the Montgomery Biscuits Saturday night at Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville. With the win, Huntsville claimed three out of five from Montgomery.

 

Montgomery got on the board in the first inning to take an early lead against Huntsville starter Andy Moye (4-0), who ended up earning the win. Cameron Seitzer produced a sacrifice fly scoring Ryan Brett for an early 1-0 lead.

 

The Stars took the lead for good in the bottom of the first inning against Montgomery starter Michael Colla (4-9). With two outs, Nick Ramirez and Taylor Green singled. Josh Prince brought Ramirez and Green home on a two-run single giving the Stars a 2-1 lead. Prince finished the game going 4-5 with 3 RBI.

 

The Stars knocked Colla out of the game in the third. D'Vontrey Richardson hit a two-run homer to make it 4-1 Stars. It was Richardson's fourth home run of the season. Kentrail Davis added an RBI double in the inning to give the Stars a 5-1 advantage.

 

Colla, who took the loss, lasted only 2.2 innings allowing five runs on nine hits.

 

Montgomery attempted to make a comeback against Moye and the Stars. In the top of the fifth inning, Jake Hager hit a two-run double over the head of Richardson in centerfield making it 5-3.

 

Seitzer led off the top of the sixth inning for the Biscuits with a solo home run. It was his third home run in the last two games and his ninth of the year.

 

Moye left the game with a 5-4 lead and with two runners on base in the sixth. RHP Greg Holle was able to bail Moye out. Joey Rickard grounded out to shortstop ending the inning.

 

Moye remained undefeated on the year after pitching 5.2 innings allowing four runs on eight hits. He walked two and struck out three.

 

The Stars added some insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh. Prince and Joey Paciorek each had RBI singles making it 7-4.

 

Jose De La Torre pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth innings for his second save of the season. It was De La Torre's second two inning save of the series.

 

Prince and Davis each had four hits for the Stars. Paciorek finished 3-5 in the Stars win.

 

The Stars (6-4, 52-28) will travel to Pearl, Mississippi Sunday to start a five-game series with the Mississippi Braves, the Double-A Affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. RHP Jacob Barnes (1-3, 5.18) will start for the Stars. Mississippi will have RHP Jason Hursh (6-5, 3.83) on the mound. The game can be heard starting at 4:45 pm CDT on 92.9 FM, 1450 AM and wtkiradio.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

You can promote, demote, doesn't matter, put on a Huntsville uniform in 2014 and the team will win.

 

Pad your numbers, guys!

 

Eighteen hits and six walks! Kentrail Davis wakes up on his 26th birthday Sunday after a four-hit night. Josh Prince stole his 25th base in 31 attempts amidst his four-hit night. Joey Paciorek added three base knocks of his own. Nick Ramirez, D'Vontrey Richardson and Taylor Green (DH'ing in this one) each reached base three times.

 

Huntsville Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Final: @AZL Brewers 10, AZL Padres 6

 

A six-run 5th inning gave the A-Crew an 8-2 lead, they'd hold on for the victory to move to 6-2 on the young season...

 

Maryvale Box Score

 

With the exception of a shaky 3rd rehab outing for RHP Seth Harvey (Tommy John), the pitchers (RHP's Angel Ventura, Andy Hillis, and Caleb Smith) excelled. Smith lived dangerously, but stranded two of Harvey's three baserunners he inherited, and then closed things out for his first professional save. Ventura has yet to walk a batter in his two starts, covering ten innings. Huge (pun intended for the 6'6" Willis) to see Andy in action coming off his stellar 2013 Helena numbers.

 

Despite fanning 13 times, the Maryvale offense put up their ten spot behind Dominican Summer League products. Six of the starting nine in the lineup have DSL roots, and note the games that LF Juan Ortiz and catcher Leudi Otano had.

 

Clean defense, nice job, guys!

 

Maryvale Game Log

 

AZL Brewers Bottom of the 5th

 

Pitching Change: Malcom Diaz replaces T. J. Weir.

Carlos Belonis strikes out swinging, catcher Zach Risedorf to first baseman Jonas Lantigua.

Juan Ortiz doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Michael Gettys.

Sthervin Matos strikes out swinging.

Tanner Norton reaches on a fielding error by third baseman Carlos Belen. Juan Ortiz scores.

Yunior Santana singles on a line drive to left fielder Jordan Paroubeck. Tanner Norton to 2nd.

Matt Martin hit by pitch. Tanner Norton to 3rd. Yunior Santana to 2nd.

Leudi Otano singles on a fly ball to right fielder Mason Smith. Tanner Norton scores. Yunior Santana scores. Matt Martin to 3rd.

Daniel Leonardo singles on a line drive to right fielder Mason Smith. Matt Martin scores. Leudi Otano to 2nd.

Jonathan Oquendo reaches on a throwing error by pitcher Malcom Diaz. Leudi Otano scores. Daniel Leonardo scores. Jonathan Oquendo to 3rd.

Carlos Belonis grounds out, third baseman Carlos Belen to first baseman Jonas Lantigua.

 

***

 

Monte Harrison was bored.

[Mass Haas]

Brewers do it again, top Mustangs 8-1

By Mike Scherting, Billings Gazette

 

The mantra from first-year Mustangs manager Dick Schofield is that consistency will come and go for his team.

 

They’ve have shown consistency the past two nights. It’s just not the kind he or the team want.

 

“Let’s hope not,” Schofield said after Saturday’s 8-1 loss to the Helena Brewers, when asked if his team was settling into what it’s going to be. “I say the same thing every day or night, but it is developing the young players. There’s maybe one, two, maybe three, four, five guys who will play in the big leagues in that room, and you don’t know who it is. It could be the guy sitting on the bench and all of a sudden he shows up at spring training next year and takes off. And you’re, ‘Well, where was that?’

 

“It’s just the continuing learning process and it’s hard to really know that. You’ll look up in four or five years and they’ll be in the big leagues and you’re, ‘Wow, how did that happen?’ That’s why you just have to have patience.”

 

Those of the 3,441 fans at Dehler Park who stuck it out to the end showed plenty of that, as for the second straight night the Mustangs found themselves down early.

 

Helena scored four times in the top off the first off starter Jeremy Kivel (0-1) and that turned out to be plenty. The Brewers, who moved past the Mustangs into second place in the North division, had an eight-run inning in Friday’s series opener. For a team that entered this four-game stint as the seventh-ranked offense, the Brewers have battered the Mustangs’ pitching, which was ranked second.

 

The Brewers have outscored Billings 21-3 in the first two games of this series.

 

“We’re starting early and we’re swinging the bats well,” said Brewers catcher Greg McCall, who is batting .394 after going 2 for 5 on Saturday night. “We’re finally finding some consistency, and putting together some complete games with our pitching, which has been great all year.”

 

The Mustangs began the series with a 3.40 ERA. It stood at 4.36 after their latest loss.

 

“As frustrating as it is, that’s what it is,” Schofield said. “We’ll come back and we’ll try to whip them tomorrow.”

 

KEY MOMENT: The way Helena’s pitching staff performed, Elvis Rubio’s two-run double, just three batters into the game, was all the Brewers needed. When Dustin DeMuth tacked on an RBI groundout and Mitch Meyer belted a solo home run in the first, the Brewers had more than enough.

 

ON THE MOUND: While Mustangs pitchers combined for 10 base on balls, Devin Williams (1-1) was spectacular in relief for the Brewers, throwing five shutout innings and striking out seven. Helena’s pitchers allowed just five hits, and the one run scored by the Mustangs was unearned. “You do have to at some point in time give the opposing team credit,” Schofield said. “Even if you’re stinking it up, they still have to go out there and get us out.”

 

AT THE PLATE: The Brewers reached double-digits in hits for the second game in a row. They finished with 12, led by two each from Tucker Neuhaus, DeMuth and McCall. Rubio finished with three RBIs, and DeMuth, who raised his batting average to .463, drove in two. Brian O’Grady had the lone Mustangs’ RBI.

[Mass Haas]

Photos by Hannah Potes / Billings Gazette Staff

 

Helena’s Mitch Meyer rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the first inning off Billings pitcher Jeremy Kivel during Saturday’s game at Dehler Park. The Brewers beat the Mustangs, 8-1.

 

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/billingsgazette.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/67/c677fb43-b872-5a16-9a65-7fbf29560b3d/53afa89da1519.preview-620.jpg

 

Tucker Neuhaus watches a foul ball fly during the Billings Mustangs game against the Helena Brewers on Saturday at Dehler Park.

 

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/billingsgazette.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/0e/60ea23b4-51ce-514b-9471-4495ade214df/53af8d60f0dae.preview-620.jpg

 

***

 

There are other photos from the game at the Gazette article link.

[Mass Haas]

What a great day up and down the system.

 

The big league club and the stateside farm clubs combined to go 7-0 on Saturday!

[Mass Haas]

Final: @DSL Braves 8, DSL Brewers 5

 

DSL men fall to 13-12...

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

Outside of a big night from 20-year-old 4th year DSL pro and former Nationals property Juan de Los Santos, not a lot to highlight here.

 

This game was the only blemish on an otherwise stellar day for the organization.

 

DSL Brewers Game Log

 

The good guys scored two in the top of the 8th, and then fell apart with four (of their seven) errors in the bottom of the inning, ugh...

 

Sigh...

 

DSL Braves Bottom of the 8th

 

Defensive switch from left field to right field for Joantgel Segovia.

Defensive Substitution: Geuris Santana replaces right fielder Nicolas Pierre, batting 3rd, playing third base.

Defensive switch from third base to left field for Juan De Los Santos.

Alejandro Salazar singles on a ground ball to center fielder Yerald Martinez.

Mattia Mercuri hits a sacrifice bunt. Throwing error by pitcher Melvin Tejada. Alejandro Salazar to 2nd. Mattia Mercuri to 1st.

Bryan Philips hits a sacrifice bunt. Throwing error by third baseman Geuris Santana. Alejandro Salazar to 3rd. Mattia Mercuri to 2nd. Bryan Philips to 1st.

Elias Arias grounds out, second baseman Julio Mendez to first baseman Nicol Valderrey. Alejandro Salazar scores. Mattia Mercuri to 3rd. Bryan Philips to 2nd.

Jeyson Cabrera reaches on a fielding error by shortstop Franly Mallen. Mattia Mercuri scores. Bryan Philips to 3rd.

With Ruben Perez batting, wild pitch by Melvin Tejada, Bryan Philips scores. Jeyson Cabrera to 2nd.

Ruben Perez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Yerald Martinez. Jeyson Cabrera to 3rd.

With Reangelo Willems batting, Ruben Perez steals (3) 2nd base, Jeyson Cabrera scores. Throwing error by catcher Kevin Martinez.

Reangelo Willems strikes out swinging.

Carlos Castro lines out to first baseman Nicol Valderrey.

[Mass Haas]

Jungmann dominates in Sounds' shutout

Brewers prospect fans eight, gives up two hits over seven innings

By Josh Jackson / MiLB.com

 

Taylor Jungmann's outing on Saturday night paved the way for Triple-A Nashville to record its second straight shutout, but the 24-year-old right-hander and his teammates weren't dwelling on that factoid.

 

"We're in a race for first place in our division. We take it game by game and forget about yesterday," Jungmann said. "Guys try to play with momentum, but we don't think about what we did the day before."

 

The Brewers' eighth-ranked prospect collected eight strikeouts and allowed two hits and two walks over seven innings in the Sounds' 13-0 rout of visiting New Orleans.

 

"I was able to get the sinker down in the zone, and that was the best that's felt [this season]," he said. "It was definitely my best start since I've been up here, and it might have been might best start all year."

 

Jungmann, who was selected out of the University of Texas in the first round of the 2011 Draft, made the jump to Triple-A in late May after putting up a 2.77 ERA in nine Southern League starts.

 

"I've been trying to get back to where I was last year and in college, so I've made a few adjustments," he said.

 

"The adjustments were to my mechanics in general. They help the [sinker], but they help the other pitches, too, obviously. When I'm able to throw the [sinker] down and then I come with a tight curveball down, guys have to think about it. That allowed the breaking pitches to be better tonight."

 

In lowering his Pacific Coast League ERA to 5.14, Jungmann (4-4) worked around a walk in the first, pitched a 1-2-3 second and struck out the side in the third, although those punchouts didn't come easily.

 

"To be honest, I was still a little erratic with my fastball that inning," he said. "I threw a good breaking ball and got guys to swing at some bad pitches, but I wasn't really locked in all the way."

 

In the fourth, he gave up a one-out double to Mark Canha and a single to Justin Bour before walking Kyle Jensen on six pitches to load the bases.

 

"After I had bases loaded, I made six really good pitches in a row," he said. "I think that was a mental thing. I [bore] down and made sure to hit my spots. Sometimes guys get lazy. I think I did get a little lazy early in that inning to put those guys on."

 

Jungmann struck out Juan Diaz and retired Danny Black on a grounder to second base to get out of the inning.

 

"I got those two guys out and went into the next inning, and at that point, I was starting to feel like I was in a little bit of a groove," he said.

 

After hitting Kyle Skipworth to start the fifth, he retired nine in a row.

 

"I always have confidence in my stuff. I got in a groove and just relaxed and was throwing strikes," the Southern League midseason All-Star said.

 

Arcenio Leon and Donovan Hand each pitched a hitless frame as Nashville recorded its PCL-best seventh shutout.

 

Jason Rogers, playing his second game with the Sounds, hit his first Triple-A homer.

 

Kevin Mattison batted for Jungmann in the seventh and delivered a bases-loaded triple to highlight a six-run inning. Hunter Morris, ranked 10th in the Milwaukee system, tripled, singled, collected three RBIs and scored twice.

[igor67]

I think the biggest argument for DeMuth not being challenged is the paltry 2 Ks in 41 ABs.

[JohnBriggs12]

Via Adam McCalvy's story on Carlos Gomez' injury scare:

 

Logan Schafer was absent from the Triple-A Nashville Sounds' starting lineup on Saturday for a game that began after Milwaukee's game ended.

 

Has to be almost a given that Schafer will be in Milwaukee Sunday, and Figaro will get optioned back doesn't it especially with schedule lightening up a bit.

[igor67]

I would think so even if you think Gomez and Segura will be ready after the off day you can't plan to play tomorrow with Braun as your CF the full game. I will say that Melvin has seemed far more willing to shuffle guys around this year and not just sit back and wait for injuries to make roster moves. Some of that maybe because of Wang, but if you have a stable of guys with options it is a good way to try and maximize your roster.