Link Report for Wed. 8/6

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: Idle

 

**********

 

Huntsville: RHP Drew Gagnon at Birmingham (White Sox), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 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).

 

NOTE: Birmingham is among the Southern League squads to offer MiLB.TV broadcasts.

 

**********

 

Brevard County: RHP Taylor Williams and LHP Mike Strong in a doubleheader at Tampa (Yankees), 3:30 PM pre-game, 4:00 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings

 

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.

 

**********

 

Wisconsin: RHP Chad Thompson 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.

 

**********

 

Helena: RHP's Devin Williams and Jorge Ortega in a doubleheader at Idaho Falls (Royals), 5:55 PM pre-game, 6:15 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings

 

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.

 

**********

 

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at home vs. the mini-Mariners, 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league

 

Miller Park Prospects - Arizona League Primer

 

**********

 

DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Marlins, 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 this Helena series in Idaho Falls is 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 Wednesday's action as it happens with box score / game log links:

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County Game One

 

Brevard County Game Two

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena Game One

 

Helena Game Two

 

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 --

 

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:

 

Birmingham, AL

 

Tampa, FL

 

Cedar Rapids, IA

 

Idaho Falls, ID

 

Maryvale, AZ

 

Santo Domingo, DR

[Mass Haas]

Former Brewers Draft Pick Collapses During Indy Ball Game

 

Thankfully first baseman John Alonso (2005-07) is fine (professional stats).

 

He's had a very productive independent league career. Now 28, not sure how players such as he are able to maintain a financial lifestyle after six+ such seasons.

[TheCrew07]

He's had a very productive independent league career. Now 28, not sure how players such as he are able to maintain a financial lifestyle after six+ such seasons.

 

I'm glad he's alright but 6 seasons of Indy ball? I can't even imagine...

[Mass Haas]

Eshleman has been a taxi squad guy for some time now...

 

At Nashville, catcher Lucas May DL'd (for the 5th time this year, like Eshleman) to make room for Logan Schafer's return.

 

What are May and Eshlemen even doing this for? They don't get paid squat; barely get to play, and have no chance whatsoever of making the Brewers. They must really love baseball I guess.

 

Above from the transaction thread --

 

You know what they say, as long as you have a uniform on your back....

 

You have to feel that way, you have to have the confidence in yourself that you're going to embark on a 30-game hitting streak or 30-inning scoreless stretch that's going to catch the attention of your organization or another.

 

If you say to yourself, the best I have a chance to be is to peak at High-A or the like, then you're likely to walk away. Few do, few end up on that "voluntarily retired" restricted list.

[FVBrewerFan]

I agree. If I had enough talent to play A ball, I would have milked it for every AB I could get. I do think most of these guys who aren't prospects realize they'll never achieve their dream of playing in MLB. But walking up the plate with 6,000 people cheering for you doesn't suck.

[TheCrew07]

So I was just thinking about Clint Coulter again today. WI has played 112 games so far this season, he's caught parts of 53 games which is 47.3%.

 

Originally I thought the Brewers were just being cautious through the first couple of months and his playing time at C would pick up over the course of the season. They have to know how defensively deficient he is as a C but his playing time hasn't picked up at all. I could see if Charlie Greene was there continually working with Clint but with 6 teams rolling now I don't think that's realistic.

 

The catch22 here is that with Denson at 1B, Brennan/DeMuth at 3B, and Ratterree in RF where does Coulter play if not C? I'd rather this not turn into another Michael Brantley situation where they DH a guy just to get his bat in the line-up but he's not playing his ultimate MLB position every day. I would think DeMuth could start in WI next year and I wouldn't mind Coulter rotating between 3B and C or Garcia could repeat WI and Coulter get OF/C time, but I hope the Brewers put an end to the C/DH scenario of this season. He didn't get enough enough time behind the dish to make significant improvement over the course of the season, he's pretty much the same guy now that he was in April. His errors (8) and PBs (12) are down relative to last year's numbers (12E and 20PB in just 49 games) but a guy like Cameron Garfield who isn't a defensive wizard either has 8 errors and 3 PBs in 77 games. A healthy Garfield has never caught fewer than 93 games in a season, and he was much more seasoned as a C coming into pro ball than Coulter was. I understand there's a huge difference in age and experience between the 2 players but my point here is that with Clint's lack of experience it would stand to reason he needs more development time than someone like Garfield who came in with much more C experience.

 

If they want to stick with him behind the dish fine, but then play him 2/3+ of the time or give him another position in the field so he has some flexibility. I can get behind the DH thing from a health standpoint for this season given Clint's injury plagued 2013 but we don't have a DH in the NL, he needs to be a competent defender some place. I've said before that since he won't get down and block a ball I don't think he'll be even an average MLB C, but he was a HS SS and is a decent athlete so there's a chance he could be a plus defender elsewhere. However, he has to be given the reps, coaching, and time to become proficient, which won't happen as a DH.

[WV Brew]

I agree with you Crew. They need to start Coulter in at other positions. Maybe they will just wait until next year so they can work with him without the pressure of games at the new position? Not sure why they promoted DeMuth. I agree that he was too good for Helena but this is holding players up. Someone has to sit every game or be the DH or play out of position.

 

Hope Taylor Williams doesn't think he will get this type of support every game. Tees up 6 with quite a bit of help from their friends on the Yankees. Also 6 up 6 down for Taylor Williams so far. It's all systems go, at least for now.

 

I jinxed them. Now going to rain delay in the top of the 3rd. Hopefully short so Williams can continue.

[igor67]

I'm inclined to agree, though I do not take any issue with how they handled this year. His bat has always been the ticket and they put him in a position to let that get to a point he had success. Given that things had been somewhat rocky for him in pro-ball so far I think that is a legitimate thing to do, too much failure is not good.

[WV Brew]

Brevard back under way. The Yankees are changing pitchers after an hour delay. We'll see if Taylor Williams continues when the Tees go in the field.

 

Taylor Williams will not be back in this game. Rough on the staff since this is a double header. Hopefully, Peterson can go 4 innings or so.

[bkrause2]

Final: DSL Marlins 10, DSL Brewers 3

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

The Marlins knocked off the Brewers 10-3. Yosmer Leal started and took the loss after going five innings and giving up six runs, though only two were earned. Jesus Brea followed Leal with a pair of scoreless innings. Nicolas Pierre hit his fifth home run of the season. Raphachel Colatosti singled and walked while Franly Mallen and Julio Mendez each went 1-for-3 with a double.

 

DSL Brewers Play-By-Play

 

Pierre's fifth home run of the season tied him with Yerald Martinez for the team lead.

 

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 6th

Joantgel Segovia pops out to first baseman Ermel Pena.

Raphachel Colatosti strikes out swinging.

Nicolas Pierre homers (5) on a fly ball to left field.

Johel Atencio grounds out to first baseman Ermel Pena.

[Mass Haas]

Nicolas Pierre hit his fifth home run of the season. Pierre's home run tied him with Yerald Martinez for the team lead.

 

Since the DSL Brewers began play in 2010, the season record for home runs is six, set by a 16/17-year-old Orlando Arcia in 2011. Pierre won't turn 18 until November.

[TheCrew07]

Six-run fourth inning leads to Wisconsin win at Cedar Rapids

Timber Rattlers top Kernels 6-1

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers only needed one big inning to defeat the Cedar Rapids Kernels 6-1 on Wednesday night at Perfect Game Field. The six runs in the fourth inning was more than enough for Chad Thompson and a pair of relievers. Chris McFarland had a pair of hits, including a two-run double in the decisive inning.

 

Wisconsin's offense sent ten men to the plate in the top of the fourth inning as they scored six runs on seven hits against Cedar Rapids starting pitcher Chih-Wei Hu. The Kernels right-hander had allowed a total of six hits over 18 innings in his previous three starts.

 

Michael Ratterree started the outburst with a leadoff double. Clint Coulter singled to drive in Ratterree for a 1-0 lead. Taylor Brennan followed with a single that put runners on the corners. Dustin DeMuth delivered a double to left-center that scored both runners on base to make it 3-0 in favor of the Rattlers (61-52 overall, 25-19 second half).

 

Hu retired the next two batters, but Jose Pena singled to keep the inning alive. Johnny Davis would single to center and DeMuth scored. McFarland capped the inning with a double off the wall in left to knock in both Pena and Davis for a 6-0 lead.

 

Thompson kept the Kernels off the scoreboard through 6-2/3 innings. Cedar Rapids (57-58, 26-19) would get to Thompson in the seventh. They had runners at the corners with two outs and Engelb Vielma drove in a run with a single. Seth Harvey came on to get the final out of the seventh.

 

Thompson went 6-2/3 innings and scattered seven hits while allowing one run and striking out four.

 

The Kernels mounted a rally against Harvey in the eighth as they loaded the bases with two outs. But, Harvey stopped the rally by striking out Michael Quesada for the final out.

 

Chris Razo came on in the bottom of the ninth and the Wisconsin reliever tossed a 1-2-3 inning to close out the Kernels.

 

Wisconsin won this series two games to one and won the season series 11-7 over the Kernels. Wisconsin holds the tiebreaker over the Kernels should the teams end the regular season tied for a playoff spot.

 

The Timber Rattlers continue their road trip with a series that begins on Thursday night at Peoria. Wisconsin and the Chiefs will restart the game that was suspended by rain on Sunday at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium with the score tied 1-1 after nine innings at 5:00pm at Dozer Park. That game will be played to its conclusion and the regularly scheduled game will start no earlier than 7:00pm. The scheduled starting pitchers in the regularly scheduled game are Preston Gainey (3-7, 4.36) for the Timber Rattlers and Luis Perdomo (2-2, 3.97) for the Chiefs.

 

The broadcast on AM1280, WNAM and IHeartRadio begins at 4:40pm with the Miller Lite Pregame Show.

 

WP: Chad Thompson (2-0)

LP: Chih-Wei Hu (4-1)

 

TIME: 2:54

ATTN: 2,162

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

 

Wisconsin Recap

[bkrause2]

Final: Brevard County 6, Tampa 5 (Game One)

 

Five-run second gives 'Tees edge in 6-5 win over Tampa

Manatees' fight off late surge by Yankees to snap three-game losing streak

By Justin Rocke / Brevard County Manatees

 

TAMPA, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees tallied all the runs they needed in the first two innings, as they knocked off the Tampa Yankees, 6-5 in game one of Wednesday's doubleheader at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

 

After grabbing the lead in the first on a two-base error and an RBI groundout by Tyrone Taylor, the Manatees (21-21 second half, 57-51 overall) exploded against Tampa starter Miguel Sulbaran (2-3, 3.05 ERA) in the second.

 

With one out, Parker Berberet kick started the onslaught with a ground-rule double that ended up in the Yankees' (22-23, 55-60) bullpen down the right field line. His extra-base hit started a series of three straight doubles by Manatees' hitters.

 

Garrett Cooper roped a run-scoring double to center, while Brandon Macias followed by doing the same to left-center. Two runs were able to come across to give the Manatees a 3-0 edge.

 

However, the rally was not over. Nathan Orf poked a single into center field to chase home Macias and extend the lead to four.

 

After a fly out and an infield single by Taylor, the Manatees got some help courtesy of the Yankees' defense. After a passed ball advanced both runners to second and third, Michael Reed hit a ground ball to short that should have ended the inning. However, Cito Culver's throw was low and first baseman Matt Snyder could not pick it.

 

Orf and Taylor, who hustled all the way, came home to score on the throwing error by Culver. That was one of four defensive miscues made by Tampa in the first three frames and the 'Tees had a 6-0 lead.

 

With the score still 6-0, the rain, which was not on the radar, began to fall heavily. With a runner at first, two outs and a 0-2 count on Macias, the umpiring crew called for the tarp to be placed on the field.

 

The game was delayed for 54 minutes due to the inclement weather and caused both starters to be removed early.

 

Sulbaran, who took his third loss of the year, went just 2.2 innings and allowed six runs - three earned - for the third consecutive outing. He yielded five hits and struck out one without walking a batter.

 

The rain put a big damper on Taylor Williams' (0-0, 0.00) Florida State League debut. After being transferred from Class-A Wisconsin a day prior, the right-hander was stellar in his two innings of work. Williams did not allow a single baserunner and struck out three in his rain-shortened outing.

 

Stephen Peterson came out of the bullpen after the delay and gave the Manatees some much needed length. The left-hander threw three straight scoreless frames before the Yankees' bats came alive in the sixth.

 

With one out and a runner on first, Peterson left a pitch over the plate to Culver. The former first-round pick did not miss it, as he crushed the ball over the left field wall and off an advertisement to the left of the jumbotron for a two-run home run. The blast was Culver's third of the year and it trimmed the 'Tees lead to 5-2.

 

In the seventh, Tampa threatened again. Peterson, now into his fifth inning of work, allowed a lead-off single and then a two-out walk, which ended his night.

 

After making his Manatees debut on Monday night, Tyler Spurlin came on to try and close out the game. On a full count, Anderson Feliz cranked a ball over the wall in right-center for a three-run homer. The shot was his second of the season and all of a sudden the Manatees' lead was down to one.

 

Spurlin would bend, but not break, as he struck out the next batter - Mark Payton - to end the ball game. Despite only recording one out, the side-arming right-hander recorded his first save in the FSL.

 

Even though he allowed four runs, Peterson was a savior for the Manatees bullpen. The left-hander set a career-high in innings pitched - 4.2 - and strikeouts - six - in his third victory of the season.

 

With the win, the 'Tees snapped a three-game losing streak and pulled a half-game ahead of Tampa for second place in the FSL North Division.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Brevard County Play-By-Play

 

 

 

Final: Brevard County 2, Tampa 3 (Game Two/8 Innings)

 

'Tees walked-off again in 3-2 loss to Yankees

Mike Strong dominates over six innings in no-decision

By Justin Rocke / Brevard County Manatees

 

TAMPA, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees late-inning lead, but could not emerge victorious, as Aaron Judge hit a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the eighth in the Tampa Yankees' 3-2 win in game two of Wednesday's doubleheader at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

 

With the game knotted up at two, Tampa (23-23 second half, 56-60 overall) loaded the bases on a walk, hit-by-pitch and an intentional walk to bring up the power-hitting Judge.

 

Joe Ayrault then called on left fielder Jose Sermo to serve as a fifth infielder to try and cut off the run at the plate. With Sermo now at third and Greg Hopkins, who was playing third base, stationed up the middle, reliever Chad Pierce jumped ahead of Judge, 0-2.

 

Despite being behind in the count, Judge was able to sneak the next pitch past a diving Sermo into left field. Danny Oh came across to score the winning to give the Yankees the victory, 3-2.

 

The extra-inning, walk-off loss overshadowed a tremendous night by left-hander Mike Strong. Making just his third start of the season, the Brevard County (21-22, 57-52) left-hander carried a perfect game until one out in the bottom of the sixth.

 

After retiring the first 16 he faced and the Manatees in front 2-0, Kyle Higashioka ripped a ground ball to third. Hopkins tried to make a backhand play, but the ball trickled off the tip of his mitt. Higashioka was safe at first and tying run was now at the plate.

 

As the no-hit bid vanished, things got worse for Brevard. The following hitter - Oh - hit a slow roller to the first base side. Both Strong and first baseman Mike Garza converged on the ball, but neither could decide who was to take charge.

 

By the time the ball was fielded, no one was covering first and everyone was safe. The tying runs were now on board for Jose Rosario.

 

After getting ahead in the count 2-0, Rosario made Strong pay by hammering a ball to deep left-center field. The ball bounced off the wall and both Higashioka and Oh came home to tie the game up at two.

 

Strong would strand the go-ahead run in scoring position to end his evening and keep the game tied.

 

Making a spot start, the Oklahoma State product was phenomenal. In a season-high six innings, Strong also tallied a season-best nine strikeouts. The lefty allowed just those two runs on three hits in a no-decision.

 

Brevard County had jumped out in front with a run in the third and another run in the fifth.

 

In the third, Nathan Orf laced a two-out triple to right-center field. On the next pitch, Orlando Arcia lined a base-hit into right. Orf scored to give the 'Tees the lead, 1-0.

 

Two innings later, Garza singled and advanced to second on a stolen base. Hopkins then flipped a ball into center field for a single. Garza raced around to score to increase the Brevard advantage to 2-0.

 

Tampa's spot starter Taylor Garrison (0-0, 2.25) left in line for the loss, but did not factor into the decision. The right-hander went only three innings and allowed just one run on two hits.

 

Garrison did not allow a hit the first time through the lineup, allowing just one walk. The Fresno State product also struck out six in the effort.

 

Cesar Vargas picked up his third win of the year in relief. The right-hander allowed just one hit - a lead-off single to Cameron Garfield - in the seventh. After Alfredo Rodriguez came in to pinch-run, Vargas stranded him at second with three straight strikeouts to end the frame.

 

Pierce was saddled with the loss, his seventh of the season, which ties him for the team-lead. With Judge's game-winner, the Wisconsin native has now surrendered four walk-off hits on the year.

 

The Manatees will send ace Tyler Wagner (11-4, 1.54) to the mound tomorrow night to try and earn a series split. First pitch at George M. Steinbrenner Field is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tampa will counter with the Yankees' second first round pick from 2013 - Ian Clarkin (0-0, -.-- ERA) - who will make his Florida State League debut.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Brevard County Play-By-Play

[WV Brew]

Combined 3 hitter for the baby Brewers with Kodi Medeiros getting the two inning save.

[Eye Black]

Final: Helena 4, Idaho Falls 3 (Game One)

 

Brewers take opener of road doubleheader

By Helena Independent Record

 

After weather wiped out Tuesday’s series opener at Idaho Falls, rain again forced a delay on Wednesday to what turned into a Pioneer League doubleheader for the Helena Brewers.

 

But, in the opener, Helena made up for lost time with a 4-3 win, spearheaded by the performances of Jack Cleary and Francisco Castillo.

 

Cleary went 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI and Castillo hit his first home run of the season in the win.

 

Helena led 1-0 following Castillo’s solo shot in the first, and led 2-0 after 4 1/2 frames. Brewers starter Devin Williams kept the host Chukars off the board for four innings before giving up a run in the fifth.

 

Williams earned the win, his fourth of the season. Milwaukee’s top draft pick of 2013 went five frames, giving up five hits and just the one earned run while striking out three. Wesley Cox came in for two innings of relief to pick up his first save, and neither pitcher walked a batter in the contest. By comparison, the Idaho Falls staff issued four walks to Brewers batters.

 

Sugar Ray Marimon (0-1) got the start for the Chukars and took the loss. He allowed three hits through four innings, one of which was the homer. Reliever Austin Fairchild saw his ERA soar to 11.57 after allowing three earned runs in just 1 1/3 innings, as the Brewers took advantage of the pitching change. Fairchild also threw two wild pitches and hit a batter.

 

Both teams had seven hits in the contest. Helena swiped three bases and played a clean game, while Idaho Falls had an error.

 

The second game of the doubleheader was not completed by press time, though the Brewers were holding a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the seventh.

 

Helena Box Score

Devin Williams faced one over the minimum through his first four innings, before giving up 1 run on 3 hits in the 5th inning.

 

Helena Game Log

 

 

Final: Idaho Falls 7, Helena 6 (Game Two / 8 innings)

 

Another Chukars Walk Off Caps Doubleheader

By Idaho Falls Chukars

 

Another day of rain in Idaho Falls threatened another day of baseball. After an hour delay, the Chukars and Brewers began the doubleheader. After dropping game one, the Greybirds were down to their last at-bat twice in game two. Ryan O'Hearn ended the gloomy day on a sunny note, with a two run blast to give the Chukars a 7-6 win over Helena.

 

Helena (18-31, 5-6) took a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the final seventh inning, but Idaho Falls tied it up to send it to extra innings. The Chukars (24-24, 4-6) welcomed Donnie Hissa to the game by getting back to back singles off of him, by Robert Pehl and Brandon Thomasson. Michael Hill grounded out to bring in the first Greybirds run. Samir Duenez doubled home Brandon Thomasson to tie the game at five a piece.

 

The Brewers regathered the lead in the eighth. Alan Sharkey's double off of Sam Lewis (2-0) scored Mitch Meyer to give Helena the one run lead. The Chukars bounced right back off of Hissa (0-2) in the bottom half. With one out, Corey Toups walked and his Sam Houston State teammate Ryan O'Hearn hit a line drive home run the opposite way to left field. It's the third straight game Idaho Falls won at home via a walkoff hit.

 

Helena took game one of the series 4-3, hopping in front immediately with a leadoff home run by Francisco Castillo. The Brewers added another run in the fifth, thanks to a bases loaded hit by pitch. Samir Duenez shines for the Chukars with a pair of doubles en route to scoring two of the Greybirds three runs. Brandon Downes launched his first professional home run in the eighth.

 

The Chukars continue the seven game homestand at Melaleuca Field on Thursday. Idaho Falls takes on Helena in game four of the four game set.

 

Helena Box Score

 

Helena Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Combined 3 hitter for the baby Brewers with Kodi Medeiros getting the two inning save.

 

Final: @AZL Brewers 1, AZL Mariners 0

 

Maryvale Box Score

 

Three days after pitching 1.1 innings, LHP Wei-Chung Wang got the start and only one baserunner reached (via error) in 2.1 innings. RHP Miguel Diaz and LHP Kodi Medeiros followed up sweetly - Medeiros has 11 walks and 12 K's now in nine pro innings.

 

Just-turned 19-year-old first baseman Tanner Norton (2 singles, 2 BB's) reached all four times up (OBP .381 for the LH bat, but only two XBH's).

 

Maryvale Game Log

 

AZL Brewers Bottom of the 6th

 

Pitching Change: Miguel Sanchez replaces Freddy Peralta.

Matt Martin doubles (4) on a line drive to left fielder Luis Liberato.

With Tanner Norton batting, Matt Martin advances to 3rd on a balk.

Tanner Norton singles on a ground ball to center fielder Gareth Morgan. Matt Martin scores.

Troy Stokes hits a sacrifice bunt. Fielding error by pitcher Miguel Sanchez. Tanner Norton to 2nd. Troy Stokes to 1st.

Yunior Santana strikes out swinging.

Leudi Otano strikes out swinging.

Jorge Quiterio flies out to center fielder Gareth Morgan.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Huntsville 10, @Birmingham 5

 

Stars Offense Shines In Birmingham

Steve Jarnicki, Huntsville Stars

 

Birmingham, AL - The Huntsville Stars busted out for fifteen hits Wednesday night as they defeated the Birmingham Barons 10-5 at Regions Field.

 

All nine starters for the Stars had at least one hit, led by 2B Nick Shaw's 3-5 performance.

 

The Stars took a 3-0 lead in the third inning, all with two outs against Birmingham RHP Tony Bucciferro (1-1). Hector Gimenez lined a two-run double down the right field line. Hainley Statia followed with an RBI double to right center.

 

The Barons came back against Huntsville starter Drew Gagnon (8-6), who ended up picking up the win.

 

Jeremy Farrell hit a home run to left center, his second of the season. Dan Black also added an RBI single to cut the deficit to 3-2.

 

Chris Curley tied the game at 3-3 when the Birmingham shortstop doubled to deep center scoring Joey DeMichael.

 

The Stars recaptured the lead when Gimenez hit his first home run as a member of the Stars over the right center field wall for a 4-3 Stars lead.

 

The Barons then went back on top in the bottom of the fifth inning. Josh Richmond tripled to deep center scoring Trayce Thompson. Gagnon attempted to pick off Richmond from third base when Gagnon's throw got past the third baseman Statia. Richmond scored giving the Barons a 5-4 lead.

 

The Stars then responded with a huge six run sixth inning to put away the game.

 

Yadiel Rivera's RBI single to left tied the game at 5-5. Shaw then gave the Stars the lead for good on his RBI single into right.

 

Nick Ramirez added an RBI single for a 7-5 Stars lead. LHP Nelvin Fuentez, the Barons reliever, then struggled to find the strikezone. Fuentez hit Adam Weisenburger and walked Kentrail Davis, both with the bases loaded, adding to the Stars 9-5 lead.

 

Josh Prince topped off the Stars huge inning with an RBI single of his own.

 

Bucciferro, who suffered the loss, pitched five innings and gave up six runs on ten hits.

 

Gagnon went five innings and allowed five runs on eight hits.

 

The trio of Tim Dillard, Kevin Shackelford and Manny Barreda combined for four scoreless innings out of the Stars bullpen.

 

The Stars (21-25, 67-49) lead the Barons (22-23, 51-64) 1-0 in their five game series. Game two will be Thursday night at Regions Field. The Stars will have RHP Jacob Barnes (2-5, 4.63) on the mound. Birmingham will send RHP Mike Recchia(5-3, 3.39) to the hill. The game can be heard starting at 7:50 CDT on 92.9 FM, 1450 AM and wtkiradio.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

Fifteen hits (five XBH's), five walks, an HBP, 9-for-20 with RISP, fun box score to review, click away...

 

Huntsville Game Log

 

Offense picked up Drew Gagnon for his win (five IP, five runs).

[Mass Haas]

That's all the game summaries, but much more in the way of tidbits / features / audio / video to be posted later this AM. Come on back then...

[Eye Black]

Some great "extra" coverage courtesy of the Helena Independent Record this morning.

 

Aggressive Diaz is key for Brewers

By Amber Kuehn / Helena Independent Record

 

It’s no secret that speedy Brandon Diaz has been a key cog for the Helena Brewers this season.

 

He’s a blur on the base paths, as is evidenced by his team-high 17 stolen bases — second only to Billings’ Ty Washington (18 thefts) in the Pioneer League. Diaz is also an extremely athletic center fielder, the type who can run down practically every ball hit in his general vicinity.

 

“He’s the leader on our team in stolen bases, and it’s not by accident,” Brewers skipper Tony Diggs said. “Speed is a very good tool for him.

 

“But he pays attention to the little details, which allows him to use his speed better.”

 

Diggs said Diaz pays close attention to what an opposing pitcher is doing, times him, see what throws a catcher is calling for and makes his judgements based on that. He’s only been caught stealing four times in 21 attempts this season.

 

“I’ve always been aggressive on the bases,” said Diaz, who was drafted by Milwaukee in the eighth round in 2013 out of high school. “Sometimes I get thrown out, but that’s going to happen (when you’re aggressive).”

 

Diaz said he believes aggression on the base paths is a team mentality, and something they’ve been able to improve on as the season’s progressed. With so many guys with good speed on the roster, he said, why not take advantage of that? Teammates Edgardo Rivera and Gregory Munoz also have reached double-digits in stolen bases, with 11 and 10, respectively. Rivera, impressively, has never been caught.

 

“Diggs has helped me out a lot,” Diaz said. “Coming from the AZL, I was kind of scared to run and get thrown out. Now I’m more comfortable and more relaxed. I just pick it up and just go.”

 

Diaz is an intelligent 19-year-old, with a high baseball IQ, and the Brewers are happy to have him here in Helena. The Coral Springs, Florida, native leads the team with 39 runs scored, a byproduct of smart decision making once he gets on base. Diaz is batting .291 with four home runs and 15 RBIs this season. Last year in the Arizona League he had just three homers, but swiped 21 bags in 45 games.

 

He’s impressed as much in the outfield as he has on the diamond, often making acrobatic plays to rob players of extra bases. No particular play stands out in Diaz’s mind as a web gem this year — as long as the ball ends up in his glove, he’s happy.

 

In his time in Helena, Diaz said his most significant defensive improvements have come on balls over his head. Knowing he can track those down, he’s not afraid to play a bit shallow. He said taking reps on live balls in batting practice has helped him get better in that area.

 

“I especially like the plays over my head because I feel like those are challenging,” Diaz said. “A guy thinks he has extra bases and then I come out of nowhere and take it away.”

 

Making an impact

 

Third baseman Sthervin Matos has made his mark since arriving in Helena — and even getting to the Capital City was a triumph in itself.

 

On the day he was promoted from the AZL to replace Dustin DeMuth in the lineup, Matos mistakenly got off his Alaska Airlines flight in Great Falls during a scheduled stop. An airlines employee drove Matos the 90 miles from Great Falls to Helena and he arrived just in time for the game. That night, the 20-year-old from the Dominican Republic batted cleanup and smacked a home run that sailed about 415 feet and appeared to hit a house across the street from Kindrick Legion Field. His bat has been big ever since, and he leads the team with a .369 average.

 

It seems as though Helena has been the perfect fit for Matos, who struggled to a .196 average through 11 games in the AZL to start the season.

 

“There’s a lot of things Matos has been working on as far as his swing goes,” Diggs said. “Every now and then he gets a little big with his swing, but his hand-eye coordination is so good that he can make physical mistakes with his swing and still make contact. He’s a big bat in our lineup.”

 

Lately, Matos has been batting in the third hole in the lineup. He has 38 hits, five home runs and a team-best 27 RBIs, despite playing just 24 games. Since his arrival, he’s been a mainstay in the lineup, whether as an infielder or designated hitter. He’s too good to not play.

 

He’s also the type of guy you want at the plate with men on base, as his average soars to .404 in that situation.

 

Diggs believes the difference between Matos’ time in Arizona and his time here in Helena has been his approach at the plate. Hitting coach Jason Dubois has worked plenty with Matos on that, and Diggs said he has begun to mature more as a player.

 

“The focus with him as been on staying up the middle or even taking the ball opposite field,” Diggs said. “He has a tendency to let the ball travel deeper and do more damage with it then. When guys get into pull mode, they become more succeptible to offspeed pitches. So mainly for him, we’ve been working on being in a good position to hit the ball and stay up the middle.”

 

Injury report

 

Helena Brewers right fielder Elvis Rubio has been out since getting hurt while sliding into second base on July 19. Diggs said Rubio has been rehabbing the injury at the team’s facility in Maryvale, Arizona, and the team believes it’s possible he’ll be back with Helena as soon as next week’s homestand.

 

Former Brewers catcher Greg McCall is also in Maryvale after having season-ending knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Diggs said he’s thankful players have the chance to get one-on-one attention in Arizona when injury strikes. The facility is open year-round.

 

“The ability to send them down there and get them healthy, then to have them send them back out to teams has been a pretty good option for us in year’s past and this year is no different,” Diggs said.

 

Rubio was batting .270 through 29 games in Helena prior to getting hurt.

 

Second-half strides

 

The Brewers have made improvements after finishing in the North Division cellar for the first half. Diggs believes it can be traced back to errors, and the fact that Helena has cut down on them this half.

 

“It all comes back to taking care of the baseball,” he said. “... Hopefully we’ll continue to get better. It’s something we really stressed and talked about. I think it’s a big part of winning baseball games.”

 

Editor’s note: All stats in this story are current as of Tuesday evening.

[TooLiveBrew]

Some great "extra" coverage courtesy of the Helena Independent Record this morning

You weren't kidding. Great read!

[Mass Haas]

Completely non-baseball, but for your review if you'd like:

 

Sounds' Taylor Jungmann finds fish a hit