Link Report for Fri. 7/11 - Kodi Medeiros debuts in Maryvale

[Mass Haas]

McFarland sharp in Rattlers' loss

Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent Media

 

GRAND CHUTE - Five weeks on the disabled list seemed more like five years for Chris McFarland.

 

McFarland's impatience was understandable. The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers' second baseman is a grinder, who loves coming to the ballpark every day.

 

McFarland is healthy these days and making up for the 30-plus days of lost diamond time.

 

The 21-year-old second baseman collected three hits Friday night to lead a 13-hit attack, which wasn't enough for the Rattlers in a 10-5 loss to visiting Quad Cities.

 

McFarland has hit the ball well since coming off the disabled list a few weeks ago and has raised his batting average to .282, second best among Rattlers starters.

 

"That was tough, missing that much baseball," said McFarland. "It makes you appreciate the game that much more. It's a blessing to be back.

 

McFarland went on the disabled list with a bad ankle sprain following a collision in the outfield with center fielder Omar Garcia.

 

"You never know, I could have ended up rehabbing in Arizona the rest of the year," said McFarland. "To be back here finishing up the season, I feel fortunate. I spent a lot of time working with Pax (trainer Jeff Paxson) to build strength back in that ankle. He's a great trainer and it's gotten a lot better."

 

McFarland has some pop (six home runs) for his position and can run. He's third on the team in stolen bases with 15.

 

"Chris does a lot of things well," said Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson. "He swings the bat well, gives you production out of that two-hole and he runs well. It's good having him back in the lineup."

 

With Johnny Davis and Garcia adding two hits apiece and newcomer Dustin DeMuth knocking in two runs, the Rattlers had plenty of offensive production. But their bullpen continued to struggle and was the difference in the game.

 

The River Bandits rocked Wisconsin relievers Harvin Martin and Luke Curtis for five runs in the top of the eighth inning to erase a 3-2 Rattlers lead and seize control of the opener of a four-game series at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

 

A night earlier in Cedar Rapids, Wisconsin took a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the eighth, only to see the Kernels batter the Rattlers' bullpen for five runs in a 7-5 win over the Rattlers.

 

The Rattlers bullpen has been weakened significantly in recent days with the promotion of stellar left-hander Trevor Seidenberger to high Class A Brevard County and the trade of right-hander Rodolfo Fernandez to the Oakland Athletics.

 

"That's three times in the last five days that we've had leads in the eighth inning and have given up big innings," said Erickson. "We lost our best two guys, at least numbers-wise, and that opens spots for others. We've got to have some guys step up, whether it's the back end of our tandem or those four guys in the bullpen. Those guys are going to get more opportunities in pressure situations with the game on the line. And we have to find a way to get it done if we're going to have some success."

 

Timber Rattlers starter Preston Gainey pitched a solid game, allowing two runs on six hits in six innings of work.

 

Gainey had a shutout going until the top of the sixth when he loaded the bases on two walks and an infield hit and allowed a two-run single to Jake Rodriguez.

 

"That's his second straight start against these guys (Quad Cities) where he's kept it close and has given us a chance to win," said Erickson.

 

A two-out double by Michael Ratterree in the bottom of the seventh broke the 2-2 tie and gave Wisconsin a temporary lead, before the bullpen collapsed in the eighth."

 

"We've got to find a way to come out of that bullpen with guys wanting the baseball and figuring out how to get guys out," said Erickson.

[Mass Haas]

By the way, RHP Rodolfo Fernandez was not surprisingly bumped to High-A by the Athletics, and has made two appearances for Stockton in the California League.

[Mass Haas]

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

 

They include the lowlights, too...

[Mass Haas]

The Sounds grabbed a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning by posting three straight two-out doubles against Express starter Scott Richmond. Eugenio Velez (2-for-5) got things started when he bounced a ground-rule two-bagger over the wall in left-center before Elian Herrera and Jason Rogers (2-for-4) ripped back-to-back RBI doubles.

 

AUDIO: Elian Herrera RBI Double

 

Matt Clark belted his first home run as a Sound to make it a 4-1 game in the home half of the sixth, smacking a two-out solo shot to right off Round Rock reliever Lisalverto Bonilla. The big fly extended the first baseman's hitting streak to six games (8-for-22, .364).

 

AUDIO: Matt Clark Solo HR

 

Kevin Mattison (2-for-4) got into the longball act an inning later, cranking the first offering he saw from Bonilla over the right field wall for a two-run home that stretched the lead to 6-1. Hector Gomez, who preceded Mattison with a single, also scored on the outfielder's seventh roundtripper of the year.

 

AUDIO: Kevin Mattison Two-Run HR

[Mass Haas]

Brevard County --

 

AUDIO: INF Alfredo Rodriguez joins Justin Rocke on the Manatees Radio Network to talk about his move to first base

 

AUDIO, Game Highlights: Charlotte defeats Brevard County in the opening game of the series, 6-2

[Mass Haas]

MiLB.com with more on the Helena game here (Orem-focused).

 

Rough night, 3rd round RHP Cy Sneed...

[Mass Haas]

Final: Huntsville 11, @Chattanooga 3

 

Stars Hammer Lookouts

Steve Jarnicki, Huntsville Stars

 

Chattanooga, TN - The Huntsville Stars scored a run in the first six innings Friday night leading them to an 11-3 win over the Chattanooga Lookouts at AT&T Field in Chattanooga.

 

The Stars scored a first inning run for their sixth straight game. Nick Ramirez blasted his 16th home run with two outs in the first inning giving the Stars a 1-0 lead against Chattanooga starter Matt Shelton (2-3).

 

The Stars added to their lead in the top of the second. With two outs and the bases loaded, Nick Shaw drove a two-run single to right center scoring D'Vontrey Richardson and Josh Prince making it 3-0.

 

The Lookouts got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second against Huntsville starter Jacob Barnes. Angel Sanchez singled into right field which scored two runs, one of which was on a throwing error by the first baseman Ramirez.

 

With the Stars leading 3-2 going into the third inning, the Stars then put eight unanswered runs on the board to blow the game wide open.

 

Richardson clubbed a two-run homer to left to make it 5-2. It was Richardson's fifth home run of the season. Yadiel Rivera also chipped in with an RBI single giving the Stars a 6-2 advantage. In the top of the fourth, Hainley Statia produced a two-run double down the right field line giving the Stars an 8-2 lead.

 

The Stars kept pouring it on in the top of the fifth. With runners on the corners, Barnes executed a sacrifice bunt in front of the pitcher's mound. Jarrett Martin, the pitcher, could not field cleanly as Prince scored. Kentrail Davis also added an RBI on a groundout to second bringing the Stars lead to 10-2.

 

Statia capped off his impressive game with a one-out solo home run in the top of the sixth.

 

The Lookouts finally ended their scoring drought with a run in the bottom of the sixth. O'Koeya Dickson grounded out to third scoring Daniel Mayora making it 11-3.

 

Barnes improved to 2-3 with the win. The righty, went 5 innings allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits.

 

Jim Henderson, pitching with the Stars on a major league rehab assignment for the Milwaukee Brewers, pitched two innings allowing one unearned run on one hit.

 

Statia led the Stars offense going 2-4 with 3 RBI.

 

Shelton, who took the loss, lasted just three innings allowing six runs on six hits.

 

The Stars (10-12, 56-36) and Lookouts (9-13,35-57) are tied at 1-1 in their five game series. Game three will be Saturday night. The Stars will have LHP Jed Bradley (1-4, 4.91) on the hill. Chattanooga will feature LHP Chris Reed (4-6, 3.13) on the mound. The game can be heard starting at 6:00 pm CDT on 92.9 FM, 1450 AM and wtkiradio.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

Nice to see SS Yadiel Rivera has not been overmatched in his AA debut...

 

Huntsville Game Log

 

Jim Henderson's night --

 

Chattanooga Bottom of the 6th

 

Erik Komatsu remains in the game as the center fielder.

Pitching Change: Jim Henderson replaces Jacob Barnes, batting 9th, replacing Shea Vucinich.

Scott Schebler lines out to center fielder Erik Komatsu.

Daniel Mayora singles on a ground ball to right fielder Kentrail Davis.

With O'Koyea Dickson batting, wild pitch by Jim Henderson, . Daniel Mayora advances to 3rd, on a throwing error by catcher Robinzon Diaz.

O'Koyea Dickson grounds out softly, third baseman Hainley Statia to first baseman Nick Ramirez. Daniel Mayora scores.

Alex Liddi flies out to right fielder Kentrail Davis.

 

Chattanooga Bottom of the 7th

 

J. C. Boscan grounds out, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to first baseman Nick Ramirez.

Angel Sanchez lines out to center fielder Erik Komatsu.

Noel Cuevas flies out to center fielder Erik Komatsu.

[Mass Haas]

Final: @AZL Brewers 6, AZL White Sox 4

 

Maryvale Box Score

 

19-year-old 3rd-year pro and 1st-year statesider Miguel Diaz followed up Kodi Medeiros' debut (detailed earlier) with four scoreless innings. It helped that Lamar University LHP David Carver stranded three of Diaz' baserunners with a big groundout in Miguel's final frame.

 

18-year-old 4th round CF Troy Stokes reached base four times, double, single, two walks, stolen base (but was also thrown out for the first time in 14 attempts). Stokes OBP at .382 now.

 

Maryvale Game Log

 

Bases-clearing doubles are fun --

 

AZL Brewers Bottom of the 1st

 

Troy Stokes walks.

With Jake Gatewood batting, Troy Stokes steals (13) 2nd base.

Jake Gatewood pops out to second baseman Eddy Alvarez.

Monte Harrison flies out to right fielder Micker Adolfo.

David Denson walks.

Garrett Cooper walks. Troy Stokes to 3rd. David Denson to 2nd.

Connor Narron doubles (1) on a line drive to right fielder Micker Adolfo. Troy Stokes scores. David Denson scores. Garrett Cooper scores.

Juan Ortiz singles on a ground ball to right fielder Micker Adolfo. Connor Narron scores.

Milan Post called out on strikes.

[Mass Haas]

How is this not posted on this Twitter account yet?

[LouisEly]

Look at the top of that Maryvale lineup:

 

Stokes

Gatewood

Harrison

Denson

 

Hope those four can progress through the system together at the top of the lineup for the next five years.

 

Remember when people were talking about Gian F Rizzo as a prospect? The 6 BB and 53 K in 48 innings in Maryvale last year is encouraging, even if the hits given up are not. Still only 20, but turns 21 soon and is still in Maryvale.

 

Ariel Pena has to be one of the most maddening prospects in quite some time.

[Eye Black]

90 seconds of video from the 2nd inning of Kodi Medeiros professional debut from this YouTube Channel. Also includes a nice backhanded play from Jake Gatewood at the end of the video.