Link Report for Thurs. 7/3

[MTBrew]

Great story!!

Couldn't have happened for a better cat, the ever humble Zelous.

Thanks for posting Mass

[TheCrew07]

Packed House Watches Sounds Drop Series Finale, 7-5

First-Place Nashville Completes Homestand With 6-2 Mark

Nashville Sounds

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/8/8/2/82977882/cuts/Gomez_July3_4h4ay8lz_p52wqb6x.jpg

(Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds)

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds suffered a 7-5 loss to the cross-state rival Memphis Redbirds in front of a season-high crowd of 10,251 fans on Thursday evening at Greer Stadium.

 

The series finale defeat snapped the first-place Sounds' season-best six-game winning streak. Nashville (46-42) finished its homestand with a 6-2 record.

 

Memphis jumped out a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning against Sounds starter Taylor Jungmann. The right-hander walked the bases loaded with two outs before giving up a two-run single to center by Pete Kozma.

 

The Sounds got a run back in the bottom of the first when Hector Gomez and Logan Schafer opened the frame with back-to-back doubles off John Gast.

 

The teams combined for seven runs during the third inning as the Redbirds moved their lead to 6-4.

 

Memphis used five hits and a Sounds error to plate four runs in the top of the frame against Jungmann. Sounds right fielder Jeremy Hermida (2-for-3) responded in the home half of the frame by slugging a two-out, three-run homer to right off Gast, the outfielder's second longball of the series and tenth of the year (tying Hunter Morris for the team lead).

 

Jungmann (4-5) drew the loss after giving up six runs (five earned) on six hits in his five innings of work.

 

Redbirds All-Star right fielder Stephen Piscotty increased the visitors' lead to 7-4 in the top of the seventh when he smashed a solo homer to center off Johnnie Lowe, his sixth big fly of the year.

 

The Sounds pulled within a pair in the bottom of the seventh. Pinch-hitter Eugenio Velez legged out a one-out triple and scored on a Hector Gomez groundout to make it a 7-5 contest.

 

Reliever Jose De La Torre, making his Greer Stadium debut, worked into and out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth, fanning Greg Garcia to escape the jam to work a scoreless inning.

 

Nashville didn't go down without a fight in the ninth against Memphis reliever Jorge Rondon. Matt Pagnozzi and Pete Orr opened the inning with consecutive singles. After Donovan Hand's sacrifice attempt resulted in a forceout at third, Rondon fanned Gomez and retired Logan Schafer on a game-ending groundout to notch his first save of the year.

 

The Sounds embark on a seven-game road trip tomorrow, beginning with the 7:05 p.m. opener of a four-game series at Round Rock (AAA-Rangers). It will be the first of 16 meetings between the division rivals over the next two months. Right-hander Michael Blazek (0-3, 4.96) will make the start for Nashville and face Express left-hander Robbie Ross (0-0, 0.00).

 

Nashville Boxscore

Taylor Jungmann didn't have a great day. Jose De La Torre and Donovan Hand pitched scoreless frames.

 

Nashville Recap

 

The 3rd got away from Taylor as he added an error to an already difficult series of events.

 

Memphis Top of the 3rd

Randal Grichuk singles on a ground ball to left fielder Caleb Gindl.

Stephen Piscotty flies out to center fielder Logan Schafer.

Xavier Scruggs flies out to center fielder Logan Schafer.

Thomas Pham triples (3) on a line drive to right fielder Jeremy Hermida. Randal Grichuk scores.

Pete Kozma singles on a line drive to left fielder Caleb Gindl. Thomas Pham scores.

Audry Perez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Logan Schafer. Pete Kozma to 2nd.

With Jermaine Curtis batting, wild pitch by Taylor Jungmann, Pete Kozma to 3rd. Audry Perez to 2nd.

Jermaine Curtis singles on a ground ball to first baseman Sean Halton. Pete Kozma scores. Audry Perez scores. Missed catch error by pitcher Taylor Jungmann.

John Gast grounds out, second baseman Pete Orr to first baseman Sean Halton.

 

Nashville Gameday

[TheCrew07]

Wisconsin closes out homestand with 5-3 over Cedar Rapids

Alexander & Williams make four-run second inning stand

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/0/3/0/82991030/cuts/Tyler_Alexander_July_3_icf4eznw_keqg3n9f.jpg

Tyler Alexander pitched five innings, allowed one earned run, and struck out four to earn his fifth win of the season for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. (Ann Mollica/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers)

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers scored four times in the bottom of the second inning and beat the Cedar Rapids Kernels 5-3 Thursday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Tyler Alexander tossed five innings for the win and Taylor Williams went four innings for the save as the Rattlers closed out a homestand with a win.

 

Cedar Rapids (35-48 overall, 4-9 second half) took the lead with an unearned run in the top of the second. Jason Kanzler drew a walk with one out. An errant pickoff throw by catcher Clint Coulter allowed Kanzler to go around to third base. JD Williams knocked in Kanzler with a sacrifice fly.

 

The Timber Rattlers (44-39, 8-6) responded in the bottom of the second by loading the bases with no outs against Kernels starter Ryan Eades. Taylor Brennan singled, Rafael Neda doubled, and Omar Garcia walked. Eades got the first out. Then, Angel Ortega doubled to right to knock in Brennan and Neda for a 2-1 lead.

 

Eades walked Johnny Davis to reload the bases and Chris McFarland's sacrifice fly to right was deep enough to score Garcia for a 3-1 lead.

 

Michael Ratterree drew the third walk of the inning to load the bases one more time. Clint Coulter cashed in a run with a single to left.

 

Alexander allowed one more run in his outing. The Kernels loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the fifth on a pair of singles and an error. Chad Christensen's sacrifice fly scored a run to make it 4-2. Alexander, who has won four straight decisions, closed out his evening by striking out the next two batters.

 

Brennan extended the Wisconsin lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the fifth when he launched his ninth home run of the season. Brennan's ninth home run of the season was a solo shot to left.

 

Taylor Williams allowed three hits and had an error committed in the field when he came on in the top of the sixth inning. Ryan Walker singled to right with one out to drive in a run, but Ratterree threw him out at second base as Walker tried to stretch his hit into a double. Williams struck out Zack Granite for the final out of the inning.

 

Williams, who is now 5-0 with two saves in his last seven appearances, closed out the game with a 1-2-3 seventh and a 1-2-3 eighth. In the ninth, the Kernels had two on with two out and the lead run at the plate in the person of Christensen. Williams won the battle by striking out Christensen on three pitches. The Rattlers righty struck out six over his four innings and is 3-for-3 in save opportunities this season.

 

The Timber Rattlers begin a road trip on Friday night with a game against the Quad Cities River Bandits. Preston Gainey (2-5, 4.29) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. The River Bandits have named Adrian Houser (4-3, 4.40) as their starter. Game time is 7:00pm. Tune into the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or IHeartRadio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:40pm. Friday's game is also available on MiLB.TV.

 

HOME RUN:

WIS:

Taylor Brennan (9th, 0 on in 5th inning off Ryan Eades, 1 out)

 

WP: Tyler Alexander (5-3)

LP: Ryan Eades (5-8)

SAVE: Taylor Williams (3)

 

TIME: 2:46

ATTN: 4,214

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Tyler Alexander did what he does, he's not flashy, doesn't have awesome stuff, but just keeps gettings results. Taylor Williams was sharp, he made 1 really bad pitch on an 0-2 count which turned into the J.D. Williams double and ended up costing him a run. Williams was working 93-94 according to the TV broadcast.

 

Taylor Brennan's (2-4) HR was a no doubter, the only question was if it would hit the scoreboard or not. Rafael Neda (2-3, 2 2B, HBP) continues his recent hot streak and had the other multi-hit game for the T-Rats.

 

It was another tough day defensively with Clint Coulter committing his 7th error, Angel Ortega his 23rd, and Brennan his 18th. You wouldn't guess it by their error totals but both Ortega and Brennan have the potential to be plus defenders. On the plus side Michael Ratterree gunned another runner and picked up his 9th OF assist.

 

Wisconsin Recap

 

Wisconsin Gameday

[Eye Black]

Final: Great Falls 3, Helena 2

 

Mistakes doom Helena, Great Falls wins 3-2

By Dustin Daniel / Helena Brewers

 

The Great Falls Voyagers (10-8) topped the Helena Brewers (7-10) with a 3-2 win on Thursday night from Centene Stadium in Great Falls.

 

The Brewers took the first lead, scoring one run in the top of the first. Tucker Neuhaus lined a one-out double to left off Matt Ball (1-0) and scored on an RBI single from Elvis Rubio. Ball pitched five innings in the start, giving up two runs on four hits and striking out three.

 

The Voyagers responded with two runs in the bottom of the second when Louie Lechich hit a two-run homer to center off Devin Williams (1-2). Williams allowed seven hits and three runs in his five innings of work.

 

Helena then tied it up at 2-2 in the top of the fifth when Gregory Munoz scored on a Neuhaus sacrifice.

 

Great Falls immediately responded with the final run of the game in the bottom of the frame. Jake Peter hit a one-out single and scored on a combination of two errors and a wild pitch.

 

Charlie Sharrer picked up his first save of 2014 by pitching a clean ninth and recording a strikeout. The Voyagers pitching combined for 10 strikeouts and only two walks.

 

The Brewers and Voyagers will face off in the second of their two-game series on Friday from Centene Stadium. First pitch from Great Falls is set for 7:00 p.m.

 

Helena Box Score

The final line for Devin Williams, 5.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 4 SO.

 

Helena Game Log

[bkrause2]

Final: DSL Tigers 12, DSL Brewers 3

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

It was a rough day for Brewers pitching in the Dominican. Joan De La Cruz started and went five innings, allowing four runs on eight hits. Carlos Luna followed and got rocked for seven runs in an inning and two-thirds. Axel Cordero allowed one run in 1.1 innings before Jesus Brea finally turned in a scoreless inning in the ninth. Yerald Martinez had two singles and a walk in five plate appearances and Johel Atencio added two singles. Nicol Valderrey doubled and walked while Raphachel Colatosti walked twice and recorded an outfield assist.

 

DSL Brewers Play-By-Play

 

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 4th

Johel Atencio singles on a pop up to catcher Mario Sanjur.

Yerald Martinez walks. Johel Atencio to 2nd.

Kevin Martinez reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by third baseman Randel Alcantara. Johel Atencio to 3rd. Yerald Martinez to 2nd.

Raphachel Colatosti grounds into a force out, third baseman Randel Alcantara to catcher Mario Sanjur. Johel Atencio out at home. Yerald Martinez to 3rd. Kevin Martinez to 2nd. Raphachel Colatosti to 1st.

Nicol Valderrey doubles (4) on a line drive to right fielder Ignacio Valdez. Yerald Martinez scores. Kevin Martinez scores. Raphachel Colatosti to 3rd.

Pitching Change: Vijandrick Jacobs replaces Yei Almonte.

Henry Correa strikes out swinging.

Julio Mendez pops out to first baseman Yerison Pena.

[Mass Haas]

Love the .919 OPS, but 17-year-old DSL OF Joantgel Segovia is really negating that on the basepaths.

[Mass Haas]

Final: @Mississippi 7, Huntsville 3

 

Braves Topple Stars In Series Finale

Steve Jarnicki, Huntsville Stars

 

Pearl, MS - The Mississippi Braves erased an early 2-0 deficit to come back and beat the Huntsville Stars 7-3 Thursday night at Trustmark Park in Pearl.

 

The Stars jumped on Mississippi starter Mitch Atkins (W,3-0) for two first inning runs. Nick Ramirez blooped an RBI double to left field scoring Kentrail Davis. Erik Komatsu singled through the left side of the infield bringing home Ramirez to make it 2-0 Stars.

 

The Braves got to work in the bottom of the first against Huntsville starter Andy Moye (4-1), who suffered his first loss of the year.

 

With the bases loaded and one out, Kyle Kubitza cleared the bases on a three-run triple over D'Vontrey Richardson's head giving the Braves a 3-2 lead. The next batter, David Rohm, contributed an RBI single to right extending the lead to 4-2.

 

The Braves busted the game wide open in the bottom of the second. Cedric Hunter and Seth Loman provided back to back RBI singles. Rohm, who finished 3-4 with 2 RBI, capped off the scoring with an RBI single making it 7-2.

 

The Stars scored their final run in the fourth on a Yadiel Rivera groundout to shortstop.

 

Atkins tossed six innings allowing three runs on eight hits for the Braves.

 

Moye, gave up a season high seven runs on ten hits in his 5.2 innings.

 

The Braves won four out of five from the Stars, who dropped their fourth straight game.

 

The Stars return to Huntsville Friday night to begin a five game series with the Jackson Generals, the Double-A Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars will feature RHP Jacob Barnes (1-3, 5.09) on the mound. Jackson will have LHP Tyler Olson (3-4, 4.13). The game can be heard starting at 6:15 pm CDT on 92.9 FM, 1450 AM and wtkiradio.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

Nick Shaw, slugging .291 (yikes), doubled twice here.

 

Taylor Green just having a miserable time, 4-for-24 since his demotion, all singles.

 

Huntsville Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Voyagers top Helena Brewers

 

The Great Falls Voyagers continue to find themselves in one-run games.

 

Much of that can be attributed to less than stellar numbers at the plate; the Voyagers rank last in the Pioneer League in nearly every offensive category.

 

But they continue to find ways to win, as the Voyagers squeaked by the Helena Brewers 3-2 at Centene Stadium Thursday night in front of 1,223 fans on a scorching hot day in the Electric City.

 

The win improved the Voyagers' record to 10-8, their second straight win after losing five in a row. Great Falls now owns sole possession of first place in the North Division.

 

Helena broke open the scoring in the first, when Elvis Rubio singled to left field, which scored Tucker Neuhaus from third, to take a 1-0 lead.

 

A two-run homer by Louie Lechich in the home half of the second gave the Voyagers a 2-1 advantage. It was Lechich's first home run of the year. Great Falls, with two outs, loaded the bases following the homer, but stranded three after Jake Peter lined out to the shortstop, Gregory Munoz.

 

The Brewers tied the game in the top of the fifth. Neuhaus grounded out with the bases loaded and no outs, driving Munoz in from third. But Helena only managed one, as Matt Ball — who earned the win, striking out three, allowing four hits and just one earned run — struck out Dustin DeMuth and Rubio to end the inning.

 

Great Falls gained the lead again the top of the fifth, when Peter reached base on a line-drive single to center field, and a combination of a throwing error on a pickoff attempt and a wild pitch from Helena pitcher Devin Williams – and a throwing error by catcher Natanael Mejia — eventually allowed Peter, the game-winning run, to score.

 

Similar to Wednesday night's game in Helena where both teams went scoreless in the game's final six innings, the Voyagers and Brewers did the same in the final four innings Thursday night. Charlie Sharrer earned the save for Great Falls.

 

The Voyagers play the second of their two-game home series with Helena Saturday night at Centene Stadium.

[Mass Haas]

Rattler Radio Blog - Postgame Entry

 

Always a busy link after home games in particular with the audio and video links provided...awesome photo jerseys, too.

 

***

 

Here's a second look at the video highlights via the MyNew32 TV broadcast.

[Mass Haas]

We won't be doing this every day, but here are your best three Zelous Wheeler links for Thursday articles.

[Mass Haas]

The Sounds got a run back in the bottom of the first when Hector Gomez and Logan Schafer opened the frame with back-to-back doubles off John Gast.

 

AUDIO: Logan Schafer RBI Double

 

VIDEO: Jeremy Hermida hits a home run in Nashville's 7-5 loss to Memphis

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's game --

 

VIDEO: Huntsville's Josh Prince hits an RBI single as the Stars fall, 5-1, to Mississippi.

 

And from Thursday --

 

VIDEO: Huntsville's Nick Ramirez hits an RBI double in the Stars' 7-3 loss to the Mississippi Braves

[Mass Haas]

Helena video via Great Falls local sports report

[Mass Haas]

Padres' Interview Former Brewers Cross-Checker Ray Montgomery For Open GM Postion