Link Report for Tue. 8/5

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Tuesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Donovan Hand at New Orleans (Marlins), 6:40 PM pre-game, 7:00 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

Jeff Hem is the play-by-play voice of the Sounds; follow him on Twitter @jeffhempbp; we'll link to his blog updates at On the Air…and Off

 

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; all Nashville games, home and away, will be available to watch via MiLB.TV's $49.99 season-long package ($12.99 to pay for a single month). The audio feed is from the home team. All MiLB.TV details available at the link.

 

**********

 

Huntsville: Idle

 

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Brevard County: RHP Jorge Lopez at Tampa (Yankees), 5:30 PM pre-game, 6:00 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 Barrett Astin at Cedar Rapids (Twins), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 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 Devin Williams at Idaho Falls (Royals), 7:55 PM pre-game, 8:15 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): at the Mariners' complex in Peoria, 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league

 

Miller Park Prospects - Arizona League Primer

 

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DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Braves, 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]

Reminder that these four Helena games in Idaho Falls are available (live and archived) for MiLB.TV subscribers ($12.99 gets you the month of August, all you friends and family out there).

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Nashville

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

Maryvale

 

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:

 

New Orleans, LA

 

Tampa, FL

 

Cedar Rapids, IA

 

Idaho Falls, ID

 

Peoria, AZ

 

Santo Domingo, DR

[Mass Haas]

Brewers announced today:

 

Brevard County RHP Tyler Wagner was named Brewers Minor League Pitcher of the Month for July. Brevard OF Tyrone Taylor and Helena 3B Sthervin Matos were co-winners of the Player award.

[Mass Haas]

John Sickels with an Ariel Pena write-up.

[Mass Haas]

Via the Brewers:

 

RHP Austin Ross has been transferred from Brevard County to Huntsville; RHP Taylor Williams transferred to Brevard County.

 

***

 

Much deserved for Williams, and for Austin Ross, too. While some may wonder about a lack of a bump for Brevard's Tyler Wagner to Huntsville, Ross has been very solid, turns 26 next week, and has made a productive systematic return from Tommy John surgery in 2012. Congrats, guys.

 

The only thing these moves hurt is Wisconsin's playoff chances. Step up, boys, you're playing well, but the losses of Anthony Banda and Williams are tough to overlook.

 

Taylor Williams will start Game One of Wednesday's Manatee doubleheader, as per their media notes.

[TheCrew07]

Wow awfully late in the season to be promoting players up the chain but it's hard to argue, I agree with MH that this really hurts the Rattlers' playoff chances but Williams was certainly deserving of a bump. A rotation with Lopez, Wagner, and Williams has the potential to be pretty interesting next season.

[Eye Black]

Tonight's Helena game has been postponed until tomorrow night due to rain. Helena and Idaho Falls will play a double header tomorrow. Here is the announcement from the teams Twitter account:

 

@helenabrewers: Brewers and Chukars will play a double-header tomorrow. There will be two 7-inning games with the first starting at 5 MT.

Alas, all is not lost as we can still get our nightly Sthervin Matos fix by enjoying this VIDEO of his 2-Run Homer from last evenings game.

[narwhalattack]

Gatewood is finally hitting above the Mendoza line!

[fondybrewfan]

Roache seems like he has had a really solid couple of weeks. If the guy could even hit 240 he could be a valuable player; he has got to start making more consistent contact.

[bkrause2]

Final: Brevard County 2, Tampa 5

 

'Tees eight hits not enough in 5-2 loss to Tampa

Orlando Arcia and Victor Roache each tally two hits in defeat

By Justin Rocke / Brevard County Manatees

 

TAMPA, Fla. - Orlando Arcia and Victor Roache each tallied two hits, but the Brevard County Manatees came up short in a 5-2 loss to the Tampa Yankees on Tuesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

 

Both Arcia and Roache played an integral role in each of the two Manatees' (20-21 second half, 56-51 overall) runs. Arcia went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two stolen bases, while Roache did the same, with a triple and a run scored.

 

However, with the game tied at two, it was Eric Jagielo's colossal blast in the bottom of the eighth that put the Yankees (22-22, 54-59) over the top.

 

After setting down the side in order in the seventh, reliever Martin Viramontes came back out to work the eighth. With one out, Viramontes walked Cito Culver on five pitches to bring up Jagielo.

 

On a 1-0 pitch, Jagielo sat dead red and slammed a fastball into deep right-center field. Tyrone Taylor and Michael Reed chased it to the wall, but ran out of room. Jagielo's 13th home run of the year put the Yankees in front for good, 4-2.

 

This came after Brevard County rallied in the top of the seventh to tie the game. Roache got it all started when he crushed a ball into deep left-center field.

 

With the wind at a standstill, the ball died at the warning track and bounced off the wall. Roache hustled all the way and slid in head-first with a lead-off triple.

 

Shortly after Culver robbed Mike Garza of the game-tying hit with a diving play up the middle, Alfredo Rodriguez came through.

 

With the infield still in, the former Maryland Terrapin snuck a ball underneath the diving glove of Dante Bichette, Jr. and into left field. Roache came home to score and tie the game at two.

 

Initially, the lead went back-and-forth over between the bottom of the second and third.

 

Tampa jumped in front thanks to another power-hitter, Aaron Judge. On a payoff pitch from Brevard County starter Jorge Lopez (8-7, 4.03 ERA), the Yankees first round pick from a year ago hammered a ball into deep right-center.

 

Much like Jagielo's blast, the ball carried well over the wall for a home run. The solo jack was Judge's sixth since being called up to the Florida State League and it gave Tampa its first lead, 1-0.

 

The Manatees came right back with a run of their own in the top of the third. Parker Berberet kick started the rally with a single to right.

 

Yankees starter Brett Gerritse (3-6, 4.03) then uncorked a wild pitch, which allowed Berberet to move into scoring position. Following a strike out and ground out, Arcia delivered the game-tying blow.

 

On the first pitch of his plate appearance, Arcia poked a ball past Gerritse and into center field for a base-hit. Berberet motored home from second to tie the game at one.

 

However, the tie game was short lived, as Tampa grabbed the lead right back in the following frame. Reymond Nunez started it all off with a ground ball that snuck over the third base bag and down the line for a lead-off double.

 

Much like in the top of the inning, with two outs, Tampa got the go-ahead knock. Culver poked a single into shallow left field, in front of a charging Roache. Nunez came across to put Tampa back in front, 2-1.

 

Neither starter factored into the decision, despite solid outings.

 

Lopez pieced together his second straight quality start with six innings of two-run baseball. He yielded six hits, walked one and struck out five.

 

His counterpart, Gerritse, left in line for the victory, but his bullpen could not hold the lead for him. The right-hander allowed only one run on five hits over his six frames. Gerritse also walked two and struck out three.

 

Brevard stayed hot on the base paths with another three stolen bases. In their last nine games, Brevard County has stolen 24 bases on 32 attempts for a resounding success rate of 75 percent.

 

Brevard County and Tampa will battle in doubleheader tomorrow at George M. Steinbrenner Field. First pitch of game one is slated for 5 p.m. with game two scheduled to start a half-hour after the first game's completion.

 

Right-hander Taylor Williams (0-0, -.--), who was added to the roster today from Class-A Wisconsin, will make his Manatees debut in game one against Tampa's talented left-hander Miguel Sulbaran (2-2, 2.85). In game two, Brevard will call on lefty Mike Strong (1-1, 2.39) to make a spot start against the Yankees' righty Taylor Garrison (0-0, 2.00).

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Jorge Lopez started and went six innings, allowing two runs. Martin Viramontes followed and was tagged with the loss after giving up three runs in an inning and a third. Michael Reed singled, doubled and drew two walks. Victor Roache went 2-for-4 with a triple and Orlando Arcia added a single and a double.

 

Brevard County Play-By-Play

 

The Yankees pulled away with a three run eighth

 

Tampa Bottom of the 8th

Mark Payton flies out to left fielder Victor Roache.

Cito Culver walks.

Eric Jagielo homers (13) on a fly ball to right center field. Cito Culver scores.

Dante Bichette walks.

Aaron Judge walks. Dante Bichette to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Chad Pierce replaces Martin Viramontes.

Trent Garrison walks. Dante Bichette to 3rd. Aaron Judge to 2nd.

Angelo Gumbs called out on strikes.

With Reymond Nunez batting, wild pitch by Chad Pierce, Dante Bichette scores. Aaron Judge to 3rd. Trent Garrison to 2nd.

Reymond Nunez pops out to first baseman Alfredo Rodriguez.

[bkrause2]

Final: DSL Braves 0, DSL Brewers 2

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

The Brewers scored a run in the seventh and another in the eighth and Orlando Torres tossed seven scoreless innings as the Brewers beat the Braves 2-0. Melvin Tejada worked the final two innings to preserve the shutout and pick up the save. Joantgel Segovia collected two hits in four at bats. Kevin Martinez and Juan De Los Santos each singled and walked. Raphachel Colatosti and Roosevert Chal singled for the other Brewers base hits.

 

DSL Brewers Play-By-Play

 

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 7th

Kevin Martinez singles on a line drive to shortstop Alejandro Salazar.

Franly Mallen out on a sacrifice bunt to pitcher Dilmer Mejia. Kevin Martinez to 2nd.

Juan De Los Santos singles on a line drive to left fielder Reangelo Willems. Kevin Martinez to 3rd.

Nicol Valderrey out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Reangelo Willems. Kevin Martinez scores.

Roosevert Chal grounds out, second baseman Mattia Mercuri to first baseman Jan Guerrero.

 

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 8th

Pitching Change: Jesus Jones replaces Dilmer Mejia.

Joantgel Segovia singles on a pop up to catcher Carlos Castro.

Raphachel Colatosti out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Carlos Castro to second baseman Mattia Mercuri. Joantgel Segovia to 2nd.

Julio Mendez walks.

Johel Atencio pops out to shortstop Alejandro Salazar on the infield fly rule.

Kevin Martinez walks. Joantgel Segovia to 3rd. Julio Mendez to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Gabriel Henry replaces Jesus Jones.

Franly Mallen strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Gabriel Henry. Joantgel Segovia scores.

[Mass Haas]

Catching up from Monday with Brevard County:

 

AUDIO: 3B Brandon Macias joins Justin Rocke on the Manatees Pregame Show to talk about Brevard County's comeback mentality.

 

AUDIO, Game Highlights: Jordan Steranka's late home run sinks Brevard County in Bradenton.

 

***

 

Tuesday:

 

AUDIO, Game Highlights: Tampa defeats Brevard County in the opening game of the series, 5-2

[Mass Haas]

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 4th

 

Raphachel Colatosti singles on a line drive to first baseman Jan Guerrero.

Yerald Martinez called out on strikes.

Johel Atencio grounds into a force out, fielded by second baseman Mattia Mercuri. Raphachel Colatosti out at 2nd. Johel Atencio to 1st.

Kevin Martinez grounds into a force out, shortstop Alejandro Salazar to second baseman Mattia Mercuri. Johel Atencio out at 2nd.

 

DSL Braves Top of the 5th

 

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

Defensive Substitution: Julio Mendez replaces center fielder Yerald Martinez, batting 3rd, playing third base.

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

Jan Guerrero lines out to pitcher Orlando Torrez.

Ledernin Tejada pops out to catcher Kevin Martinez.

Reangelo Willems singles on a line drive to right fielder Juan De Los Santos.

With Mattia Mercuri batting, Reangelo Willems caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Kevin Martinez to second baseman Roosevert Chal.

 

***

 

There was no ejection, but as a student of the early game departure , there's been at least a half-dozen similar removals this season, you wonder if a player doesn't react well to an at-bat, whether the pullout isn't an automatic at that level by the Brewers coaching staff.

[Eye Black]

Gatewood is finally hitting above the Mendoza line!

As he gets more at-bats and improves his approach hopefully he will begin to make more contact. Coming into tonight he was striking out in 38% of his plate appearances. When he does put it in play however, he is getting hits at a decent rate, his BABIP was .311 before today's game (and he is 2-for-2 so far tonight which will add a few percentage points). More consistent contact next season should hopefully lead to a more respectable stat line.

[TheCrew07]

Gatewood's contact rate is going to be the issue just like it is with Roache. I'm thrilled we got him where we did but I'm even more thrilled we got Harrison with the next pick... it was a pretty awesome draft from an upside perspective, hopefully the results reach talent level of a couple of those first 3 picks for us.

[TheCrew07]

Kernels shutout Rattlers 9-0

Wisconsin drops game in Cedar Rapids

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - The Cedar Rapids Kernels defeated the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 9-0 on Tuesday night at Perfect Game Field. Cedar Rapids scored six times in the bottom of the fourth inning to take the 9-0 lead and held the Rattlers to just five hits in the game.

 

The Kernels (57-57 overall, 26-18 second half) had runners at the corners with no outs in the bottom of the first inning after an infield single and an error allowed the first two batters of the frame reach. Joe Mauer, on a rehab assignment for the Minnesota Twins, stepped in as the Kernels designated hitter and grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to score the runner from third for a 1-0 lead.

 

Cedar Rapids added to their lead in the third inning and Mauer started the rally with a one out single. A wild pitch by Barrett Astin allowed Mauer to take second and he scored when Bryan Haar lined a single to left. Haar would take second as the throw came through to the plate. Alex Swim followed with another single to score Haar for a 3-0 lead.

 

Mauer wasn't the only Minnesota Twin in town on Tuesday night. Ricky Nolasco made the start for the Kernels and went 3-2/3 innings before running into his pitch limit. Nolasco didn't allow any runs and struck out a pair. He gave up a pair of hits - both to Taylor Brennan. Brennan lead off the game with a single and lead off the third inning with a double.

 

The Kernels would score six times in the bottom of the fourth inning to break open the game. Michael Quesada reached on an error to start the inning. Tanner Vavra followed with a double. Engelb Vielma would single to drive in both runners. Chad Christensen followed with a two-run home run that barely cleared the wall in left for a 7-0 lead.

 

Astin retired Mauer on a grounder back to the mound, but back-to-back singles and a wild pitch put two more runners in scoring position. Logan Wade, the ninth man to bat in the inning, singled to knock in both runners and the Kernels were up 9-0.

 

Ryan Eades, who took over for Nolasco in the fourth inning, tossed 4-1/3 scoreless innings and allowed two hits to pick up the win.

 

Wisconsin reliever Clint Terry started his night in the bottom of the fifth inning and retired all twelve batters he faced. Terry struck out a pair of Kernels hitters in the game.

 

The shutout loss was just the fourth of the season for the Timber Rattlers (60-52, 24-19). The loss also knocked the Timber Rattlers back to 1-1/2 games behind the Kernels for the top second half playoff spot in the Western Division.

 

The final game of the series between the Rattlers and Kernels is Wednesday night. Chad Thompson (1-0, 1.29) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. Cedar Rapids sends Chih-Wei Hu (4-0, 1.50) to the mound. Game time is 6:35pm. Tune in for the radio broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or IHeartRadio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:15pm.

 

HOME RUN:

CR:

Chad Christensen (9th, 1 on in 4th inning off Barrett Astin, 0 out)

 

WP: Ryan Eades (7-11)

LP: Barrett Astin (7-6)

 

TIME: 2:36

ATTN: 4,401

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Well this one did sucketh, but at least Clint Terry kept up his studly ways, he's Suter 2.0 at this point.

 

I don't believe I've mentioned this but I have a man crush on Taylor Brennan, I have all season as anyone who's been to a T-Rats game with me will attest, and he made me happy once again tonight with a (2-4,2B,BB) effort. His error was costly as it directly led to a run but he's like a 3rd base version of our recent SS past... lots of flashy to incredible plays with poor/ill advised throws in between which pads the error count. I also like that he's a total sabermetric lead-off guy... low BA, averagish speed, but huge OBP.

 

Wisconsin Recap

[TheCrew07]

Sounds Suffer 7-1 Defeat In Series Finale

Nashville Sounds

 

METAIRIE, La. - The Nashville Sounds (62-56) fell victim to a 15-hit attack from the New Orleans Zephyrs in Tuesday night's series finale to lose 7-1 at Zephyr Field.

 

The Sounds drop the series with New Orleans, 1-3, which is only the team's second losing series in their last 10 sets.

 

The Zephyrs broke through for three runs on six consecutive hits against Sounds starter Donovan Hand (1-7) in the 2nd inning. Outfielder Logan Schafer helped prevent the Zephyrs from adding another run in the frame by throwing out Rob Brantley at home plate.

 

After the three-run 2nd inning, Hand allowed home runs in each of the next two innings: a solo shot by Kyle Jensen in the 3rd and Brian Bogusevic's three-run blast in the 4th. It marks the first time Sounds pitchers have allowed two home runs in a single game since Round Rock hit two off the Sounds on July 13, a stretch of 19 games.

 

Hand allowed 11 hits, the most by a starter this season, and was charged the loss after surrendering seven runs over four innings of work. He also becomes the fifth Sounds pitcher to allow multiple homers in a single game and the first since Michael Blazek on June 17.

 

Sounds reliever Arcenio Leon took over in the 5th to record two scoreless innings for Nashville before Dustin Molleken stepped in for a spotless 7th inning and Alfredo Figaro recorded a scoreless 8th.

 

The 15 hits allowed by Sounds pitchers matches the team's season high, previously set at Memphis on June 8.

 

The Sounds finished with four hits offensively and picked up their lone run in the top of the 3rd inning, when Schafer lifted a double to the outfield that scored catcher Matt Pagnozzi.

 

Following a league-wide off day, the Sounds will return for their second-to-last homestand as they host the Round Rock Express to a five-game series at Greer Stadium. The Sounds will send RHP Taylor Jungmann (5-5, 4.90) to the hill opposite the Express' RHP Luke Jackson (1-0, 6.58). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

 

Nashville Boxscore

 

 

Nashville Recap

 

Nashville Gameday

[Mass Haas]

Final: @AZL Mariners 5, AZL Brewers 3

 

Maryvale Box Score

 

Brewers scored three in the 5th to tie the game, but RHP Brock Hudgens (UNC-Charlotte) was touched for his first two earned runs of the summer in the 6th. JUCO signee and Puerto Rico-born RHP Carlos Leal kept it close late with two scorless; he has been used very sparingly, this was only his 4th outing as he didn't debut until July 16th. Starter Milton Gomez walked three, threw three wild pitches, and hit a batter in his four innings, but also fanned seven.

 

Offensively, just five singles, three walks, two HBP (and 13 K's).

 

Maryvale Game Log

 

Here's the quick Maryvale really, note how another player left the game after a strikeout -- either players are tweaking muscles on these at-bats, or some discipline is being handed out --

 

AZL Brewers Top of the 5th

 

Jorge Quiterio walks.

Jonathan Oquendo singles on a ground ball to shortstop Rayder Ascanio. Jorge Quiterio to 2nd.

With Monte Harrison batting, Jorge Quiterio advances to 3rd on a balk. Jonathan Oquendo advances to 2nd on a balk.

Monte Harrison reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by third baseman Lachlan Fontaine. Jorge Quiterio scores. Jonathan Oquendo to 3rd.

Jake Gatewood walks. Monte Harrison to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Ronald Dominguez replaces Jefferson Arias.

Carlos Belonis strikes out swinging.

Juan Ortiz grounds into a force out, first baseman Kavin Keyes to shortstop Rayder Ascanio. Jonathan Oquendo scores. Monte Harrison scores. Jake Gatewood out at 2nd. Juan Ortiz advances to 2nd, on a throwing error by shortstop Rayder Ascanio.

Troy Stokes pops out to first baseman Kavin Keyes.

 

AZL Mariners Bottom of the 5th

 

Defensive switch from first base to left field for Juan Ortiz.

Defensive switch from left field to center field for Troy Stokes.

Pitching Change: Brock Hudgens replaces Milton Gomez.

Defensive Substitution: Tanner Norton replaces center fielder Carlos Belonis, batting 3rd, playing first base.

[Mass Haas]

The Sounds finished with four hits offensively and picked up their lone run in the top of the 3rd inning, when Logan Schafer lifted a double to the outfield that scored catcher Matt Pagnozzi.

 

AUDIO: Logan Schafer's RBI Double

[Mass Haas]

Brevard County --

 

AUDIO: After being named Brewers Minor League Co-Player of the Month and Pitcher of the Month, Tyrone Taylor and Tyler Wagner join Justin Rocke

[Mass Haas]

Taylor Brennan caught Ricky Nolasco's attention in Cedar Rapids --

 

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa --- Ricky Nolasco's first pitch sailed past him Tuesday night and into center field for a single. It was a rocky start for a rehabilitation assignment designed to build strength, stamina and confidence against players a handful of levels below the major leagues.

 

Hitting the whistler was Wisconsin's Taylor Brennan, who got the only two hits off the right-hander, who has been sidelined with an elbow injury.

 

"I might have to check to see who that was,'' Nolasco said after throwing just more than three innings for the Cedar Rapids Kernels, the Twins' Class A affiliate in the Midwest League.

 

Nolasco, on the disabled list since July 7, threw 51 pitches, 30 for strikes. He struck out two.

 

***

 

In an interesting twist, when Nolasco pitched Tuesday, he was allowed to use a major league baseball. The baseball used in Midwest League games are typically softer. There was some concern initially, Nolasco said, if major league baseballs were going to be available.

 

"I was going to pitch either way,'' he said. "There was some confusion, but we scrounged some up.''

 

Nolasco liked the way that the Timber Rattlers came right at him.

 

"I know these guys are hackers,'' he said. "It is kind of like when you are in spring training and you face the kids. You try to get some work in. That's OK.''

 

Full article at link above.

[Mass Haas]

Mauer and Coulter, the old guard and future guard - the Brewers can hope, right?

 

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site569/2014/0805/20140805__140806_twins_mauer_score.jpg

 

Minnesota Twins' Joe Mauer scores on a single as Wisconsin Timber Rattlers catcher Clint Coulter can't handle the throw in the bottom of the third inning at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, August 5, 2014. (Stephen Mally/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)