Link Report for Wed. 7/30

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP's Mike Fiers and Taylor Jungmann in a doubleheader at Colorado Springs (Rockies), 1:15 PM pre-game, 1:35 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings

 

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: LHP Brent Suter at home vs. Chattanooga (Dodgers), 6:10 PM pre-game, 6:30 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

Steve Jarnicki is the new play-by-play voice of the Stars - welcome aboard! Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveJarnicki. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be broadcast.

 

MiLB.TV - It appears seven of the ten Southern League teams telecast their home games (not the Stars).

 

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Brevard County: RHP Damien Magnifico at home vs. Jupiter (Marlins), 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, as all games are scheduled to be broadcast in 2014.

 

No Florida State League games are available via MiLB.TV.

 

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Wisconsin: RHP Tristan Archer at home vs. Kane County (Cubs), 6:45 AM 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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Helena: RHP Brandon Woodruff at home vs. Billings (Reds), 7:45 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

There's a new Voice of the Helena Brewers in 2014, as Dustin Daniel (@dustin__daniel on Twitter) takes over for legendary Steve Wendt. We look forward to Dustin building his own legacy moving forward.

 

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Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): Idle

 

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

 

We're also 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]

No big league game tonight, so...

 

DVR Alert!

 

The Timber Rattlers are on local TV the next four nights.

 

Thursday's game is on TWC SportsChannel, the other nights, including this evening, are on MyNew32 TV.

 

Refer to this handy chart to confirm channel and game time as you plan your viewing.

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Nashville Game One

 

Nashville Game Two

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

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.

 

***

 

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

 

***

 

STANDINGS: (For split-season leagues, 2nd half standings are shown as the default, although overall standings are also available at the link.)

 

AAA - Pacific Coast League American Southern Division

 

AA - Southern League North Division

 

High-A - Florida State League North Division

 

A - Midwest League Western Division

 

Rookie Advanced - Pioneer League North Division

 

Rookie - Arizona Summer League Central Division

 

DSL - Dominican Summer League San Pedro de Macoris

 

***

 

Sortable individual stat pages:

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

Maryvale

 

Dominican Summer League Brewers

 

***

 

Weather.com:

 

Colorado Springs, CO

 

Huntsville, AL

 

Viera, FL (Melbourne)

 

Grand Chute, WI (Appleton)

 

Helena, MT

 

Santo Domingo, DR

[Mass Haas]

Birthday boys!

 

Clint Coulter - 21

Dustin DeMuth - 23

D'Vontrey Richardson - 26

 

Enjoy that very first beer after the game tonight, Clint...

[Mass Haas]

These two Sounds find solace in fishing and baseball

Megan Grindstaff, The Tennessean

 

Caleb Gindl and hitting coach Bob Skube...

[BrewersAA]

It looks like Kyle Heckathorn is starting game 1 in Nashville...

 

Everything okay with fiers and Jungmann?

[jvrocksaz]

It looks like Kyle Heckathorn is starting game 1 in Nashville...

 

Everything okay with fiers and Jungmann?

 

 

Being that the game is delayed they probably held them back. They also wanted to get Henderson some work so they most likely wanted a situation where he could pitch early if they thought the game wouldn't finish.

[bkrause2]

Final: DSL Blue Jays 12, DSL Brewers 11

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

The Brewers lost a wild one as they gave up ten runs in the top of the eighth then battled back with five runs in the bottom of the ninth, only to strand the tying run at second base as they fell 12-11. Yeraldy Martinez went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and four runs batted in for the Brewers. Nicol Valderrrey also homered and Raphachel Colatosti went 3-for-5. Kevin Martinez and Nicolas Pierre each added two hits with Martinez doubling twice and Pierre collecting a single and a double. Yosmer Leal started and went six innings, allowing just two runs. Juan Diaz followed and took the loss after giving up four runs in an inning of work.

 

DSL Brewers Play-By-Play

 

The Brewers almost comeback in the ninth that fell just short.

 

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 9th

Pitching Change: Thony Vinicio replaces Luis Gomez.

Franly Mallen walks.

Joantgel Segovia walks. Franly Mallen to 2nd.

Raphachel Colatosti strikes out swinging.

Yerald Martinez doubles (8) on a fly ball to center fielder Rodrigo Orozco. Franly Mallen scores. Joantgel Segovia scores.

Johel Atencio singles on a fly ball to center fielder Rodrigo Orozco. Yerald Martinez to 3rd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Henry Correa replaces Johel Atencio.

Pitching Change: William Zambrano replaces Thony Vinicio.

Juan De Los Santos walks. Henry Correa to 2nd.

Kevin Martinez strikes out swinging.

Nicolas Pierre doubles (11) on a fly ball to center fielder Rodrigo Orozco. Yerald Martinez scores. Henry Correa scores. Juan De Los Santos to 3rd.

With Nicol Valderrey batting, wild pitch by William Zambrano, Juan De Los Santos scores. Nicolas Pierre to 3rd.

Nicol Valderrey walks.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Julio Mendez replaces Nicol Valderrey.

Pitching Change: Pedro Diaz replaces William Zambrano.

With Franly Mallen batting, Julio Mendez steals (7) 2nd base.

Franly Mallen called out on strikes.

[TheCrew07]

Wednesday's Doubleheader Suspended Due To Rain

Sounds, Sky Sox To Play Doubleheaders On Thursday and Friday

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The first game of Wednesday's doubleheader between the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (45-64) and the Nashville Sounds (59-51) has been suspended because of rain, while game two of the twin bill has been postponed.

 

On Thursday, July 31 a doubleheader will take place with the continuation of Wednesday's suspended game beginning at 6:00 p.m. (CT). The game will resume in the top of the third inning with one out and a runner on first and the Sky Sox leading 2-0. Once the seven-inning suspended game is concluded, the regularly scheduled game will be begin approximately 30 minutes later. The second game will also be a seven-inning contest.

 

On Friday, August 1, another doubleheader will take place to make up for game two of Wednesday's twin bill. Both games will be scheduled for seven innings with the first game beginning at 5:30 p.m. (CT).

 

Pitching matchups for the doubleheaders have yet to be determined.

[bkrause2]

Final: Jupiter 5, Brevard County 0

 

Manatees shutout by Jupiter, 5-0

By Andrew Luftglass / Brevard County Manatees

 

VIERA, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees had trouble manufacturing offense against Austin Brice and the Jupiter Hammerheads in a 5-0 loss on Wednesday night at Space Coast Stadium.

 

Brice (7-7, 3.92 ERA) held the Manatees (19-16 second half, 55-46 overall) to just three hits in 5.1 innings. The starting pitcher exhibited some control problems with four walks, but struck out three and did not allow a run in the winning effort.

 

Brevard County threatened a handful of times, but never got a runner to third base. The best chance for the 'Tees came in the fifth when Alfredo Rodriguez hit a one out single. Rodriguez was thrown out trying to steal second, but Brandon Macias worked a two out walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. Nathan Orf then got a hold of a pitch from Brice, but it fell into the glove of left fielder Matt Juengel a couple of feet in front of the wall.

 

The 'Tees had another opportunity to score in the sixth, as Brice issued back-to-back one-out walks to Tyrone Taylor and Michael Reed. The Manatees' threat was short lived, however.

 

Righty Blake Logan came into the game for Jupiter (11-27, 38-69) and retired the next two 'Tees to end the frame. He and Sean Donatello combined for 3.2 hitless and scoreless innings to seal the win for the Hammerheads.

 

Jupiter scored early against Manatees starter Damien Magnifico. The Hammerheads had Avery Romero on third base with one out in the second inning and Cody Keefer at the plate. Brevard County pulled the infield in and Keefer hit a slow grounder to third. Macias fielded the ball, but his only play was to first base. Romero scored on the RBI ground out to put Jupiter ahead, 1-0.

 

Sharif Othman added to the Hammerheads' lead in the fifth. After Magnifico (7-6, 3.90 ERA) gave up a one out walk to Noah Perio, Othman lifted a high fly ball over the right field wall to extend the Hammerheads' advantage to 3-0.

 

Colin Moran made Brevard's deficit worse in the sixth. The left-handed hitter led off with a deep drive that cleared the yellow line on the right-center field wall. Romero added a run later in the inning when he ripped an RBI single to left that brought Juengel home and put Jupiter up, 5-0.

 

Magnifico took his first loss since July 7. The righty gave up all five Jupiter runs over 5.1 innings. Magnifico surrendered six hits, walked two and did not strike out a batter.

 

The Manatees are 2-1 in the first three games of this series against Jupiter and will go for the series win on Thursday night at Space Coast Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Jorge Lopez (8-6, 4.29 ERA) is slated to start for Brevard County against Scott Lyman (4-8, 3.06 ERA).

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Brevard County Play-By-Play

[TheCrew07]

Archer on target in Wisconsin's 2-0 win over Kane County

Rattlers starter strikes out eleven in seven innings

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/9/2/6/87176926/cuts/Archer_7_30_2014_ir9pnkef_jjg38fp6.jpg

Tristan Archer struck out 11 over seven shutout innings to pick up the win against the Kane County Cougars on Wednesday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. (Ann Mollica/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers)

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - Tristan Archer struck out eleven Kane County Cougars in seven innings to lead the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers to a 2-0 victory on Wednesday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Omar Garcia had two hits and scored both Wisconsin runs to provide all the offense Archer needed.

 

Wisconsin (57-50 overall, 21-17 second half) took the lead with a run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Garcia doubled off the base of the wall in left field with one out and stole third. Jose Pena's chopper to third was enough to get Garcia home for a 1-0 lead.

 

The Cougars (67-41, 22-16) had one good threat against Archer in the game. Jacob Rogers singled with one out in the seventh. Kevin Brown singled with two outs to put runners at first and second. Archer struck out Jeffrey Baez on a 2-2 pitch to end the threat on his 100th pitch of the night.

 

Archer allowed five hits and walked none in his seven innings. He set a new single game high as a professional for innings pitched and strikeouts to put himself in line for his fourth win of the season.

 

The Rattlers tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth against the Kane County bullpen. Garcia singled to start the inning and stole second against James Pugliese. Then, Pena drew a walk and Pugliese left with an injury. David Garner took over on the hill to face Angel Ortega.

 

Kane County was expecting a bunt from Ortega and the defensive alignment played with the third baseman in on the grass. Garcia and Pena pulled a double steal instead and the throw to third was late. Garner struck out Ortega, but threw a wild pitch with Taylor Brennan at the plate to allow Garcia score for a 2-0 lead.

 

Zach Quintana, who worked a 1-2-3 eighth inning, gave up back-to-back singles to Chesny Young and Ben Carhart to start the ninth. Quintana struck out Rogers for the first out, but threw a wild pitch with Jeimer Candelario at the plate to move the tying runs in scoring position. Quintana got the second out by striking out Candelario. He got the final out when Jeffrey Baez hit a hard grounder to short for a 6-3 putout.

 

The Timber Rattlers have matched their best record of the season at seven games over .500. The Cougars, the team with the best record in the Midwest League, have lost a season-high five straight games.

 

The final game of the series between the Rattlers and Cougars is Thursday night at 7:05pm. Barrett Astin (6-5, 4.79) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. Kane County has Ben Wells (0-0, 0.00) as their scheduled starter.

 

The first 1,000 fans to attend this game will receive a poster featuring Timber Rattlers All-Star Third Baseman Taylor Brennan from Dunkin Donuts. This is poster number eight in a series of ten that are being given away this season.

 

You are going to want to lookout for the Tadpole Splash! Dylan Postl (aka WWE Superstar Hornswoggle) will be at the ballpark to meet fans, sign autographs, and throw out a first pitch before the game.

 

Thirsty Thursday presented by Arty's Old Fashioned and 95.9 KISS FM means 21-oz Pepsi products, 16-oz Miller products, or Arty's Old Fashioned drinks for just $2.

 

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, there are several ways to catch the action. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel will have the television broadcast starting at 7:00pm. The radio broadcast is available on AM1280, WNAM or IHeartRadio.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:45pm. This game is also available to MiLB.TV subscribers.

 

WP: Tristan Archer (4-5)

LP: Jen-Ho Tseng (6-1)

SAVE: Zach Quintana (1)

 

TIME: 2:25

ATTN: 4,854

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Tristan Archer with far and away his best game as a pro, we couldn't have asked for more in this one.

 

The T-Rats managed just 2 other hits besides Omar Garcia's night discussed above.

 

Wisconsin Recap

 

Wisconsin Gameday

[Mass Haas]

Rattler Radio Blog - Postgame entry

 

Postgame audio interview with RHP Tristan Archer, who posted one of the best, if not the best, pitching lines the Link Report has seen this season - also pregame with red-hot LHP Anthony Banda ("it's properly pronounced 'Bonda'") and Manager Matt Erickson.

 

When the gane highlight video is available, we'll embed it here.

[Mass Haas]

Tristan Archer hits targets for Rattlers

Wisconsin pitcher strikes out 11 in seven innings in win over Kane County

Mike Woods, Post-Crescent Media

 

GRAND CHUTE – It was a night when Tristan Archer showed what could be.

 

The Wisconsin starter turned in a masterful performance Wednesday in what otherwise has been a pedestrian season, striking out a season-high 11 over seven innings, allowing no runs, no walks and scattering five hits in the Timber Rattlers’ 2-0 Midwest League victory over Kane County before 4,854 fans on Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

 

Archer, a 21st-round pick by the Brewers in the 2013 draft out of Tennessee Tech, entered the game with a 3-5 record and 4.15 ERA. He left with a 4-5 mark, a 3.81 ERA and a higher degree of self-assurance.

 

“It’s definitely a confidence builder,” said Archer, whose previous best strikeout total this season was five. “I feel I’ve had a few starts lately that haven’t been what I know I’m capable of when I feel like this. Hopefully I can continue this and keep rolling with the way I’ve been throwing.”

 

It’s about consistency for every player at every level, and Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson said this was the kind of game that can lead to even bigger things.

 

“I think quite a bit,” said Erickson. “It becomes contagious. Building momentum and belief. You see that in some of our other young pitchers.”

 

Archer’s fastball topped out at 92 mph and his off-speed pitches checked in at 76 mph. With his ability to get ahead in the count the majority of the night, it allowed him to dictate the at-bats.

 

That was vital as he was going up against the Cougars’ Jen-Ho Tseng, who entered the game with a 6-0 mark, 2.68 ERA and had given up just 11 walks on the season.

 

“I’m sure Archer had a little bit of that in him tonight, knowing he had to match up against that,” said Erickson. “He was going to have to be good for us to have a chance and he was very good. He did a nice job, getting ahead early and then start spinning his slider over early in counts to get them off the sinker. He was awesome.”

 

While Archer was stellar on the mound, Taylor Brennan was his equal at third base with a pair of picks that allowed him to escape damage.

 

“Tonight, fortunately, I was able to have command of all four of my pitches which I guess doesn’t happen every single time,” said Archer. “When it does, it’s actually a very good thing to have going for you.

 

“And I had Brennan at third base. I know he made plays left and right for me, so that’s another thing that really helps.”

 

So does having enough offense to carry you through the night. Omar Garcia provided that with a pair of hits, two runs scored and three stolen bases.

 

And as was the case Tuesday, the Cougars had the tying runs in scoring position in the ninth, but it was the Rattlers who came up with the big plays.

 

“The game ended on a gutsy play by our shortstop (Angel Ortega),” said Erickson. “A sharp-hit ball; there wasn’t much he could do footwork-wise to get in fielding position. Basically he had to barrel it up and he did, threw himself in front of it and knocked it down, picked it up and made a strong throw. If we can get those kinds of plays in those situations, it creates belief in our clubhouse.”

[Mass Haas]

Final: Chattanooga 4, @Huntsville 1

 

Lookouts End Stars Winning Streak

Steve Jarnicki, Huntsville Stars

 

Huntsville, AL - The Chattanooga Lookouts ended the Huntsville Stars three game winning streak Wednesday night by salvaging the final game of their five game series with a 4-1 win at Joe Davis Stadium.

 

The game was tied at 1-1 in the top of the ninth and the Lookouts broke the tie against Stars reliever Kevin Shackelford (1-3) who allowed back to back singles to Scott Schebler and O-Koyeah Dickson to start the inning.

 

With runners on the corners and nobody out, Corey Seager hit a deep fly ball to left. Schebler tagged and scored from third on the sacrifice fly giving the Lookouts a 2-1 lead.

 

Later in the inning, Dickson was able to score on a wild pitch by Shackelford making it 3-1 Lookouts.

 

Shackelford, who took the loss ended up pitching 1.1 innings and allowed three runs (one earned) on three hits.

 

Manny Barreda came into the game to relieve Shackelford and he issued a wild pitch with Noel Cuevas batting allowing Daniel Mayora to score from third base extending the lead to 4-1.

 

The only run of the game that the Stars scored was in the bottom of the fourth inning. Stars first baseman Nick Ramirez hit his 17th home run of the season to right field to tie the game at 1-1.

 

Brent Suter, who started for Huntsville, took a no-decision as he pitched six innings allowing one run on six hits. Suter also struck out eight.

 

Chattanooga's Jhan Marinez (6-1) earned the win out of the bullpen with Jarrett Martin collecting his fourth save.

 

The Stars (19-21, 65-45) still won the series 3-2 over the Lookouts (14-24, 40-68). The Stars will continue their ten-game homestand Thursday night with the first of five games against the Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A Affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Stars will have RHP Drew Gagnon (7-5, 3.50) start. Jacksonville will send RHP Jose Urena (9-7, 3.38) to the mound. The game can be heard starting at 6:15 CDT on 92.9 FM, 1450 AM and wtkiradio.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

Eleven errors for Yadiel Rivera in 31 AA games is out of character. This one hurt in the 9th...

 

Huntsville Game Log

[Eye Black]

Final: Helena 8, Billings 6

 

Brewers come back to win 8-6

By Dustin Daniel / Helena Brewers

 

The Helena Brewers (3-2) pulled back into a tie for first place in the Pioneer League North Division with an 8-6 comeback win against the Billings Mustangs (3-2) on Wednesday night.

 

Helena took the first lead, scoring one run in the bottom of the second. Mitch Meyer would lead off the inning with a single and score later on a wild pitch from Soid Marquez. Marquez left the game with a 5-1 advantage, in position for the win, but would not pick up a decision.

 

Billings scored five runs over the fourth and fifth to take a short-lived lead. Kevin Franklin hit a solo home run in the fourth, his second of the season, off Brandon Woodruff. Woodruff went four and two-thirds, giving up five runs on six hits and striking out three.

 

The Brewers then rallied to overcome their largest deficit in a win this season. Five runs crossed the plate on five hits in the fifth including RBI base hits from Meyer, Luis Aviles and Francisco Castillo.

 

Armed with an 8-6 lead going to the top of the ninth, Tyler Linehan picked up his first save of the year. He walked Taylor Sparks to lead off the inning, but would then strike out the next three batters to finish off the game.

 

The Brewers and Mustangs will face off in the finale of their two-game series Thursday at Kindrick Field. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

 

Helena Box Score

 

Helena had 13 hits from eight Brewers starters including three extra base hits (all doubles) in the comeback win. A night after his 15-game hit streak came to an end, Sthervin Matos went 3-for-5 with a double. Matos has now hit safely in 18 of his 20 Pioneer League games. Other multi-hit games included Mitch Meyer (2-for-5, double), Francisco Castillo (2-for-5), and Edgardo Rivera (2-for-3, double). Tucker Neuhaus was 1-for-3. Devin Williams had another decent outing, finishing with 3.0 innings pitched, allowing 1 earned run on 4 hits while walking 1, hitting a batter, and striking out 5.

 

Helena Game Log

 

Down 5-1 entering the 6th, Helena rallies for 5 runs in the inning.

 

Helena Bottom of the 6th

• Pitching Change: Mike Saunders replaces Soid Marquez.
  Sthervin Matos singles on a line drive to center fielder Alex Greer.
  With Connor Narron batting, wild pitch by Mike Saunders, Sthervin Matos to 2nd.
  Connor Narron walks. Wild pitch by pitcher Mike Saunders. Sthervin Matos scores. Connor Narron to 2nd. Throwing error by catcher Jose Duarte.
  Mitch Meyer doubles (7) on a ground ball to right fielder Aristides Aquino. Connor Narron scores.
  Eric Williams walks.
  Tucker Neuhaus out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Mike Saunders to first baseman Kevin Franklin. Mitch Meyer to 3rd. Eric Williams to 2nd.
  Luis Aviles singles on a ground ball to center fielder Alex Greer. Mitch Meyer scores. Eric Williams scores. Luis Aviles to 2nd. Throwing error by catcher Jose Duarte.
  Pitching Change: Fabian Roman replaces Mike Saunders.
  Edgardo Rivera strikes out swinging.
  Francisco Castillo singles on a ground ball to second baseman Ty Washington. Luis Aviles scores.
  Brandon Diaz singles on a line drive to left fielder Argenis Aldazoro. Francisco Castillo to 2nd.
  Sthervin Matos flies out to center fielder Alex Greer.

[Eye Black]

Brewers rally past Mustangs

By Amber Kuehn / Helena Independent Record

 

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/c3/bc354b70-1877-11e4-862a-0019bb2963f4/53d9db4e0989a.preview-620.jpg

 

Helena Brewers third baseman Tucker Neuhaus fires a throw to Sthervin Matos at first for an out Wednesday in a home game against the Billings Mustangs at Kindrick Legion Field. The Brewers won 8-6, snapping Billings’ three-game winning streak.

 

After Brewers reliever Tyler Linehan walked the leadoff batter in the ninth inning then threw a wild pitch, manager Tony Diggs came in to calm his left-hander down.

 

Helena was clinging to two-run lead over Billings and the tying run was at the plate.

 

“I told him, ‘Come on, let’s go, you’ve got this. This is what you get paid to do,’” Diggs said. “It’s tough for a reliever to come into a situation like that.”

 

But Tyler Linehan settled in and threw back-to-back strikes, then proceeded to strike out the side for the save. With a full count to Jose Duarte and the 1,011 fans in attendance stomping their feet and clapping their hands, the big lefty blocked it all out to help Helena win 8-6 and move into a tie for first place.

 

“You’ve gotta make sure not to have too much adrenaline,” said Linehan, who effectively worked the fastball and curveball in his lone inning of relief. “You’ve just gotta make sure you stay relaxed and not put too much pressure on.”

 

It looked as though the game belonged to Billings early on, as the Mustangs led 5-1 heading into the sixth. But the Brewers, who have been victims of big innings all season long, finally put together one of their own.

 

Mustangs pitcher Mike Saunders relieved Soid Marquez to start the sixth, and Helena took advantage of the change. Sthervin Matos led off with a single, Connor Narron walked and Mitch Meyer laced an RBI double to start the comeback. Saunders then walked his second batter of the inning, Luis Aviles hit an RBI base hit, and the Brewers took advantage of a pair of throwing errors by the catcher Duarte to tie the game.

 

The go-ahead run scored on Francisco Castillo's infield single, and Helena never trailed again despite numerous chances by Billings to regain the lead. The Mustangs stranded four runners in scoring position in the final three innings.

 

“That was the biggest difference in the game,” Diggs said of the five-run sixth. “They threw the ball around and made a few errors, and it turned into a big inning for us. That was huge.”

 

Kevin Franklin was 3 for 5 for Billings and finished a triple shy of the cycle. The first baseman hit a home run in the fourth frame to give the Mustangs their first lead, 2-1.

 

Devin Williams (3-5) came on in relief of Brandon Woodruff and earned the win. The second-round pick of the 2013 draft struck out five in three innings, allowing just one run on four hits.

 

“Devin did a good job in that tandem role,” Diggs said. “(Pitching coach) Rollando Valles has been doing a good job with him in preparation.”

 

The Helena pitchers have had to get used to a new catcher the past two games with Connor Narron at the backstop. He was promoted from the Arizona League after Greg McCall had season-ending knee surgery, and already seems to be on the same page with Brewers pitchers.

 

“They’re getting used to him, but it will take time to get acclimated,” Diggs said.

 

Narron joins catchers Jack Cleary and Natanael Mejia on the Helena roster. Wednesday was his home debut after going 2 for 3 in his Pioneer League debut the previous night in the Magic City.

 

Helena and Billings meet again tonight at Kindrick Legion Field for the finale of the two-game set. First pitch is slated for 7:05.

[Mass Haas]

Brevard County --

 

After Tuesday's victory:

 

VIDEO: After throwing 8+ innings and picking up his 10th victory of the season, LHP Hobbs Johnson joins Justin Rocke

 

***

 

Wednesday:

 

AUDIO: RHP Scott Lieser joins Andrew Luftglass on the Manatees Radio Network to discuss his save last night

 

AUDIO, Game High(Low)lights: Jupiter snaps Brevard County's three game winning streak with a 5-0 victory

[Mass Haas]

Now available: