Link Report for Mon. 8/18 -- Yeah, Tyler Wagner's Good

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Monday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Donovan Hand at Albuquerque (Dodgers), 7:15 PM pre-game, 7:35 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: RHP Jacob Barnes at home vs. Jackson (Mariners), 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 Tyler Wagner at home vs. Tampa (Yankees), 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 Chad Thompson at Clinton (Mariners), 6:10 PM pre-game, 6:30 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 Jorge Ortega at home vs. Ogden (Dodgers), 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): at the Rangers' complex in Surprise, 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 Tigers, 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]

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

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

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

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

Maryvale

 

Dominican Summer League Brewers

 

***

 

Weather.com:

 

Albuquerque, NM

 

Huntsville, AL

 

Viera, FL (Melbourne)

 

Grand Chute, WI (Appleton)

 

Helena, MT

 

Surprise, AZ

 

Santo Domingo, DR

[Mass Haas]

Miller Park Prospects - Helena RHP Jorge Ortega Named Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week

 

21-year-old Venezuelan native...

[Mass Haas]

Good news for those waiting for RHP Tyler Cravy to return to a box score after a serious oblique injury - his tweet

[Mass Haas]

Some of Steve's Huntsville notes --

 

The Stars pulled off their biggest comeback win of the season after trailing by six runs after the top of the third inning. Before yesterday’s comeback, the Stars biggest comeback win was trailing by three runs. The Stars came back from a three run deficit to win a ballgame on five different occasions this year, most recently on July 27th against Chattanooga…The Stars ended a four game losing streak to Jackson and a four game losing streak overall…

 

Nick Ramirez hit his second grand slam of the season with the other coming on June 20th in Pensacola. His two grand slams lead the Southern League. It was the Stars fifth grand slam this season, which ties Jackson and Mobile for the most grand slams in the Southern League. The Stars are hitting a Southern League best .354 with the bases loaded this season. Ramirez in his last 12 games is batting only .152 (6-46, HR, 7 RBI). Ramirez, who now has 18 home runs, hit his first homer against Jackson. He has now homered against six of the other nine teams in the Southern League. He has not homered against Jacksonville, Mobile or Mississippi. ..

 

The Stars scored eight runs Sunday but have only scored 113 runs in their last 30 games. In their last 30 games they are 13-17 and averaging a meager 3.8 runs per game… C/INF/OF Hector Gimenez went 2-4 with a home run. He has now homered in back to back games and has homered three times in his last ten with 14 RBI. He continues to climb out of his early slump since joining the Stars. He started just 1 for 16 in his first five games. In his last 23 games, he is now 23 for 92 (.250) with four home runs and 21 RBI… C Shawn Zarraga went 3-4. It was his fourth three hit game of the season. Since he returned to the Stars from Triple-A Nashville on August 8th, he is 8-25 (.320)… 2B Nick Shaw went 0-4 but continues to be one of the best hitters in the Southern League during the second half of the season. Entering today, he is batting .325, the 4th best average in the Southern League in the second half of the season. In the first half of the season, Shaw only hit .229. When Shaw plays 2B, he is hitting .345 compared to just .228 when he plays SS. …

 

OF Josh Fellhauer went 1-4 with an RBI. He has also hit safely in 15 out of his last 17 games. In the month of August, Fellhauer is the 4th best hitter in the Southern League with his .377 batting average. In 25 games with the Stars, Fellhauer already has nine multiple hit games and has eight outfield assists… SS Yadiel Rivera batted leadoff for the second time this season and went 0-3. He is now 0-7 in the leadoff spot and is 0 for his last 9 overall at the plate. In his last 32 games, Rivera is batting .324 (35-108) with two home runs and 10 RBI. Eleven of his 12 RBI have come on the road…INF/OF Josh Prince went 1-3 with an RBI. It was his second straight game with an RBI. He has performed well since returning off the DL on August 2nd. Since returning from the DL, Prince is 12-37 (.324) with six RBI and five stolen bases…INF Hainley Statia did not play yesterday but went 1-3 with a single on Saturday to extend his hitting streak to six straight games…. OF Kentrail Davis did not play but went 1-3 with a walk on Wednesday. He has drawn six walks in his last five games. He is now 11 for his 81 (.136 ) in his last 29 games. After Davis produced the 11th best batting average in the entire Southern League in June with a .340 batting average, Davis turned in the lowest batting average amongst all players in the Southern League in July with a .143 batting average with just six RBI…..

 

The Stars struck out five times last night. The Stars have struck out 90 times in the last 10 games… Since the Stars clinched the 1st half championship on June 2nd, they’ve gone 31-36.

[WV Brew]

Woo hoo. Grand Slam by Alfredo Rodriguez. I thought sure it will be knocked down by the wind but no. 6-0. Tyler Wagner should be able to hold that lead.

 

 

The interesting thing is that they worked very carefully to Victor Roache with the bases loaded, eventually walking in a run. Then the unexpected slam. Heh.

[TheCrew07]

Normally I would post this in the game story but I'm so irked at the way this T-Rats game has gone... Clint Coulter has 3 passed balls in the game and Rattler pitchers also have 3 WPs, some of which a competent catcher could have prevented. 2 of the PB directly led to immediate runs and Taylor Brennan has booted 2 balls as well which extended innings. That's 8 extra bases best case just given away with the Rattlers now losing 10-5.

 

Clinton has scored in 6 of their 8 innings at the plate in this game and out of those 10 runs, 6 have been earned.

[The Boss]

Monte Harrison HBP in the first inning and was removed from the game.

[Noche]

Hector Gomez has 15 homers. All this season.

[TheCrew07]

Clinton sends Rattlers to fifth straight loss

LumberKings win game one of series 10-5

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

CLINTON, IA - The Clinton LumberKings jumped out to an early 4-0 lead and never looked back as they defeated the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 10-5 Monday night at Ashford University Field. The loss was the fifth straight for Wisconsin and allowed Clinton to creep closer in the second half playoff race.

 

The LumberKings (56-68 overall, 26-30 second half) scored three runs with two outs in the bottom of the first inning off Wisconsin starter Chad Thompson. Justin Seager singled to drive in Aaron Barbosa from third base with the first run. Jeff Zimmerman was next and he drove a pitch deep center field. Johnny Davis appeared to make a leaping catch just before he stumbled and crashed into the wall. The ball popped free at some point and the play was ruled no catch. Seagers scored on the play and Zimmerman pulled into second with a double. Joe DeCarlo was next and he singled to drive in Zimmerman for a 3-0 lead.

 

Clinton added to their lead with an unearned run in the bottom of the second inning. Luis Caballero reached on an error with one out and scored on a single by Brett Thomas.

 

Wisconsin (65-60, 29-27) pulled to within 4-1 in the top of the fourth inning with a two-out rally. Michael Ratterree singled with two away and David Denson walked. Clint Coulter followed with an RBI single to get the Rattlers on the scoreboard. The run snapped a scoreless streak of 22-1/3 innings for Wisconsin.

 

But, the LumberKings scored an unearned run in the bottom fourth inning. Aaron Barbosa walked against Wisconsin reliever Seth Harvey. He stole second and went to third on a passed ball with no out. Harvey struck out the next two batters, but a grounder to third was misplayed for an error to let Barbosa score.

 

Clinton loaded the bases against Harvey in the fifth inning on a pair of hit batsmen and an infield single. Luis Caballero knocked in one run with a sacrifice fly. Barbosa followed with an RBI single and Thomas made it 8-1 with an RBI grounder.

 

Coulter tripled with one out in the top of the seventh inning and Steve Halcomb knocked him in with a two out single. But, the LumberKings answered in the bottom of the seventh when Martin Peguero scored from third on a passed ball with two outs to push the lead back to 9-2.

 

Wisconsin rallied for three runs in the top of the eighth inning. Ratterree singled with runners at first and second with one out to drive in a run. Then, David Denson doubled to right-center to drive in two more.

 

The LumberKings had the bases loaded and one out against Zach Quintana in the bottom of the eighth. Quintana got the second out on a strikeout, but a two out passed ball let another Clinton run cross the plate for a 10-5 lead.

 

The Rattlers went down in order in the top of the ninth.

 

There was some good news on Monday night. The Peoria Chiefs and Quad Cities River Bandits both lost their games. That allowed the Rattlers to maintain their two-game lead over the Chiefs and three-game lead over the River Bandits in the second half Western Division Wild Card race. Clinton has moved to within three games of the Rattlers for the Wild Card with their win on Monday. There are fourteen games left in the regular season.

 

Game two of this series is Tuesday night at Ashford University Field. Preston Gainey (5-7, 3.96) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Clinton counters with Eddie Campbell (9-8, 4.88). Game time is 6:30pm. Tune in for the action on AM1280, WNAM or IHeartRadio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:10pm

 

WP: Edwin Diaz (5-7)

LP: Chad Thompson (2-2)

 

TIME: 2:45

ATTN: 471

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Mehring said that Chad Thompson was consistently missing up during his stint on the mound. Seth Harvey probably deserved a better fate as he continues his injury comeback but it's very difficult to excuse away back to back hit by a pitch which I forgot to include in my earlier rant:

 

Clinton Bottom of the 5th

• Joseph DeCarlo hit by pitch.
  With Christian Carmichael batting, wild pitch by Seth Harvey, Joseph DeCarlo to 2nd.
  Christian Carmichael hit by pitch.
  Martin Peguero singles on a ground ball to shortstop Angel Ortega. Joseph DeCarlo to 3rd. Christian Carmichael to 2nd.
  Luis Caballero out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Omar Garcia. Joseph DeCarlo scores.
  Aaron Barbosa singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Johnny Davis. Christian Carmichael scores. Martin Peguero to 3rd.
  Brett Thomas grounds out, second baseman Steven Halcomb to first baseman David Denson. Martin Peguero scores. Aaron Barbosa to 2nd.
  Tyler O'Neill strikes out swinging.
  

 

Zach Quintana topped out at 93, worked 91-92 and had a fantastic bottom of the 6th:

 

Clinton Bottom of the 6th

• Pitching Change: Zach Quintana replaces Seth Harvey.
  Justin Seager strikes out swinging.
  Jeff Zimmerman strikes out swinging.
  Joseph DeCarlo strikes out swinging.

 

Michael Ratterree (2-4), Clint Coulter (2-4,3B), and Angel Ortega (2-4) had the multi-hit games for the T-Rats.

 

I mentioned the horrible defense in my earlier post but Omar Garcia did save a run with an OF assist at home.

 

Wisconsin Recap

[bkrause2]

Final: Tampa 0, Brevard County 8

 

Rodriguez belts grand slam in 'Tees win

By Andrew Luftglass / Brevard County Manatees

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/9/3/2/86664932/cuts/Rodriguez_Alfredo_covse9o4_pdzxn0ki.JPG

Alfredo Rodriguez, pictured here from a game earlier this year, blasted the first grand slam of the Manatees' season on Monday night in an 8-0 win over the Tampa Yankees at Space Coast Stadium. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

 

VIERA, Fla. - Alfredo Rodriguez blasted the first grand slam of the season for the Brevard County Manatees, as they went on to shutout the Tampa Yankees on Monday night at Space Coast Stadium, 8-0.

 

Rodriguez's clout came during a big third inning for the Manatees. With the game scoreless, Nathan Orf was hit by a pitch for a Florida State League-leading 21st time and Orlando Arcia singled. Tyrone Taylor then tried to sacrifice bunt the runners over, but he raced to first base and beat out the throw from Yankees starting pitcher Miguel Sulbaran for a bunt single to load the bases.

 

Michael Reed took advantage of the opportunity. He blooped a single into right that scored Orf with the first run of the game. Victor Roache then waited out Sulbaran (3-4, 3.52 ERA) and worked a walk to drive home another run and give Brevard County (28-27 second half, 64-57 overall) a 2-0 lead. That brought up Rodriguez.

 

On a 1-0 count, Rodriguez drilled a Sulbaran offering over the left field wall to cap a six-run third inning and give the 'Tees a 6-0 lead. It was Rodriguez's first grand slam since his first career long ball on August 28, 2012 with the Helena Brewers in the Rookie Pioneer League. The grand slam was also the first by the Manatees since Nick Ramirez went deep with the bases loaded last year on June 23.

 

Brevard added a pair of runs in the seventh inning on a single by Cameron Garfield and a defensive miscue in the Tampa outfield. With runners on first and second, Garfield hit a line drive to right field that easily scored Taylor. Yankees centerfielder Mark Payton ranged over to cut the ball off, but ran past it and the ball rolled into the gap. The error allowed Reed to motor home from first and the 'Tees grabbed an 8-0 advantage. Garfield was credited with one RBI and a single on the two-run play.

 

On the mound, Tyler Wagner and Jon Huizinga combined to shut out the Yanks. Wagner (13-5, 1.60 ERA) pitched seven innings and fell one strikeout short of a season-high with eight. The right-hander gave up five hits and walked a pair to earn his second straight win and his fourth victory in five starts.

 

Huizinga followed Wagner and shut the door in his first appearance in affiliated professional baseball since 2003. The 34-year old, who had spent the previous nine seasons pitching in various independent leagues, hurled two scoreless innings. Huizinga gave up two hits, but rolled a double play ball to get out of the eighth and induced another twin-killing for the first two outs of the ninth. Finally, the right-hander put the game away with another groundout to seal the win for Brevard County.

 

Sulbaran took the loss for Tampa (30-27, 63-64). The left-hander gave up six of Brevard County's runs over three innings. Sulbaran surrendered six hits, walked two and struck out two, as he fell to the 'Tees for the second time.

 

Brevard County has now won each of its last three games and will look to extend that winning streak on Tuesday night against Tampa. First pitch at Space Coast Stadium is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Hobbs Johnson (11-8, 3.21 ERA) will get the ball for the Manatees against Brady Lail (1-1, 6.05 ERA).

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Tyler Wagner went seven scoreless, scattering five hits while striking out eight to pick up the win. Jon Huizinga, making his Manatees debut, worked two scoreless innings. Tyrone Taylor collected three hits in five at bats while Alfredo Rodriguez had two hits, including the grand slam, and Victor Roache drew three walks in four plate appearances.

 

Brevard County Play-By-Play

 

All six Brevard runs in the third inning came before an out was even recorded

 

Brevard County Bottom of the 3rd

Nathan Orf hit by pitch.

Orlando Arcia singles on a line drive to right fielder Danny Oh. Nathan Orf to 2nd.

Tyrone Taylor singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Miguel Sulbaran. Nathan Orf to 3rd. Orlando Arcia to 2nd.

Michael Reed singles on a fly ball to right fielder Danny Oh. Nathan Orf scores. Orlando Arcia to 3rd. Tyrone Taylor to 2nd.

Victor Roache walks. Orlando Arcia scores. Tyrone Taylor to 3rd. Michael Reed to 2nd.

Alfredo Rodriguez hits a grand slam (2) to left field. Tyrone Taylor scores. Michael Reed scores. Victor Roache scores.

Cameron Garfield grounds out, second baseman Angelo Gumbs to first baseman Reymond Nunez.

Garrett Cooper grounds out, shortstop Cito Culver to first baseman Reymond Nunez.

Greg Hopkins grounds out, pitcher Miguel Sulbaran to first baseman Reymond Nunez.

[TheCrew07]

Sounds Win Big In Albuquerque, 9-3

Rogers Paces Nashville Offense With Career-Best Four Hits

Nashville Sounds

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/4/8/2/85814482/cuts/Jason_Rogers_627_3_z19d4h17_r7bqhtsh.jpg

(Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds)

 

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Nashville Sounds pounded out 16 hits, including 11 for extra bases, during their 9-3 victory over Albuquerque on Monday evening at Isotopes Park.

 

With the win, Nashville (70-59) remained one game behind first-place Memphis with 15 to play.

 

Third baseman Jason Rogers went 4-for-5 to pace the Nashville offensive attack, matching his career high for hits in a game (fifth occurrence). Hector Gomez, Sean Halton, and Matt Clark each plated a pair of runs for the Sounds in the win.

 

Gomez finished a single short of the cycle for Nashville during his 3-for-5 night. The shortstop is batting .385 (20-for-52) over his last 15 games.

 

Rogers gave the Sounds a 1-0 lead when he led off the second inning with a first-pitch rocket to left off Albuquerque starter Barry Enright, the infielder's eighth home run of the year.

 

The Isotopes rallied for three runs against Donovan Hand in the bottom of the third to grab a 3-1 lead.

 

Former Vanderbilt Commodore Mike Baxter (3-for-4) knotted the contest when he swatted his seventh longball of the season, a leadoff solo shot to right. PCL home run leader Joc Pederson followed with a solo shot of his own, his 30th big fly of the year, to put the home team in front by a run.

 

Tim Federowicz then hit a laser to center that caromed off the wall located 428 feet from home plate, ending up at third on the play. The Albuquerque catcher later scored the frame's third run on a double play grounder.

 

The Sounds reclaimed the lead a half-inning later, plating three of their own off Enright using three consecutive extra-base hits off the right-hander.

 

Clark upped his season-best hitting streak to eight games with a one-out double for Nashville in the fourth. Halton followed with a two-bagger of his own to cut the Sounds' deficit to 3-2. Gomez staked the visitors to a 4-3 lead by belting his team-leading 15th home run of the campaign, a two-run shot to left.

 

Nashville upped its lead to 5-3 in the fifth when four consecutive batters reached base after two batters were retired. With two down, Pete Orr singled up the middle and Rogers slapped a single to left-center to place runners on the corners for Clark, who walked to load the bases. Halton ripped an RBI single to left to increase the visitors' lead to two. Enright fanned Gomez with the bags full to end the frame and prevent any further damage.

 

Hand (3-7) won his second straight outing for the Sounds and finished one out shy of a quality start. The right-hander allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits over 5 2/3 frames, striking out six batters.

 

The Sounds tacked on three more runs in the seventh when Orr coaxed a walk from reliever Red Patterson and raced home to score on a Rogers double before Clark continued his recent hot hitting by slammed a two-run homer, his 11th of the year.

 

Clark is hitting .464 (13-for-28) with six home runs and 10 RBIs during the club's current seven-game road trip.

 

Rogers closed out the Nashville scoring in the eighth with his second RBI double of the evening, a two-out two-bagger off Fabio Martinez.

 

Brent Leach (0.2 IP) and Dustin Molleken (2.2 IP) closed out the contest with scoreless relief efforts for Nashville.

 

The teams wrap up their four-game series with a 7:35 p.m. CT finale on Tuesday evening. Right-hander Michael Blazek (3-4, 3.61), a winner in two of his last three trips to the hill, will toe the slab for the Sounds to face Albuquerque southpaw Chris Reed (0-2, 11.05).

 

Nashville Boxscore

Donovan Hand continues to give up more hits than IP which is disconcerting even though he only gave up 2 ER in his 5.2 innings.

 

Jason Rogers and Matt Clark are definitely making a push for a September call-up and could make Spring Training interesting next season.

 

Nashville Recap

 

Nashville Gameday

[Mass Haas]

BTW, MiLB.com's new stat pages are just fantastic.

 

Really? The reduction in splits information is drastic. Where are the monthly stats? And just raw batting average or batting average against for splits? No clue as to sample size for any split line, such as vs. LHP or RHB. A big step down, and I was going to contact MiLB to voice concerns, they've always been good about getting back to us in the past. Maybe I'm missing something, but I really dislike the new format and find it lacking big-time compared to the past.

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO via Jeff Hem's blog --

 

"Tonight’s interview is our weekly chat with Sounds manager Rick Sweet, who discusses the eight-game road trip to this point (3-3), the hot hitting from first baseman Matt Clark and recent additions to the team such as catcher Adam Weisenburger and pitchers Jay Jackson and Billy Buckner."

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville rained out; doubleheader at 5:30 Tuesday.

[Mass Haas]

Final: AZL Brewers 10, @AZL Rangers 5

 

Three-run top of the 6th broke a 3-3 tie, nice add-on runs with two each in the 8th and 9th...

 

Maryvale Box Score

 

The Monte Harrison HBP removal was noted earlier in the thread, thanks. Harrison actually stayed in the game and stole second base, eventually scored, and then was pulled prior to the bottom of the 1st.

 

Big, big game for SS Jake Gatewood, 3-for-5 with four RBI, including a three-run HR, a blast to center field, his 3rd HR of the summer.

 

Maryvale Game Log

 

15th round RHP Caleb Smith (Rice) got the start and walked five in two innings, giving him 22 walks in 23.2 innings on the summer.

 

Otherwise, RHP's Angel Ventura, Jordan Yamamoto, and Kaleb Earls fared well over the final seven frames.

[Eye Black]

Final: Ogden 7, Helena 1

 

Raptors battle back to split series

By Dustin Daniel / Helena Brewers

 

The Ogden Raptors (11-10) pitched their way to a 7-1 victory on Monday to split their four-game series with the Helena Brewers (9-13).

 

The Brewers would set a season-low with just three hits in the game, two of which belonged to Alan Sharkey. Sharkey went 2-for-2 with two walks, reaching in all four of his plate appearances. He has now reached safely in eight straight at-bats.

 

The Raptors hit two home runs in the first inning off Jorge Ortega (3-4), both of which were solo shots. They came back-to-back from Julian Leon and Justin Chigbogu, the third and fourth hitters in the lineup. Chigbogu hit two in the game, putting him two homers ahead of Aristedes Aquino for the Pioneer League lead.

 

The lone Helena run came in the sixth. Sharkey hit a one-out double and scored two batters later on an RBI double from Tucker Neuhaus. Neuhaus is responsible for hitting in every run in the last two Brewers games.

 

The Brewers will now head to Great Falls for a two-game series with the Voyagers. First pitch on Wednesday from Centene Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m.

 

Helena Box Score

With only three Helena hits, not much on the offensive side to discuss. The only batters to record hits for Helena, Alan Sharkey and Tucker Neuhaus, each had doubles. Starting pitcher Luis Ortega went 6 innings allowing 5 hits and 3 runs all on solo home runs. Ortega also walked none and struck out 2.

 

Helena Game Log

[Mass Haas]

What did Brewers scouts see in 22-year-old Helena RHP Junior Rincon after his release by the Marlins?

 

That was a whiff.

 

Rincon can also thank RHP Ryan Deeter for stranding three of his baserunners Monday.

[SoupTown]

Normally I would post this in the game story but I'm so irked at the way this T-Rats game has gone... Clint Coulter has 3 passed balls in the game and Rattler pitchers also have 3 WPs, some of which a competent catcher could have prevented. 2 of the PB directly led to immediate runs and Taylor Brennan has booted 2 balls as well which extended innings. That's 8 extra bases best case just given away with the Rattlers now losing 10-5.

 

Clinton has scored in 6 of their 8 innings at the plate in this game and out of those 10 runs, 6 have been earned.

 

 

The guy is such a professional batter - and such a not-so-professional catcher. And we are so desperate for a 3rd baseman or 1st baseman down the line. Hello, 2+2

[Eye Black]

Raptors’ Chigbogu goes yard twice to beat Brewers

By Curt Synness / Helena Independent Record

 

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/7f/47f22a70-2755-11e4-bbb7-001a4bcf887a/53f2cbbc9c304.preview-620.jpg

Eliza Wiley Independent Record - Alan Sharkey makes a quick turn back to first while Gregory Munoz assists for final out of the fourth inning against Ogden.

 

Big Justin Chigbogu blasted a pair of home runs, powering the Ogden Raptors to a 7-1 win over the Helena Brewers in the final contest of their four-game series at Kindrick Legion Field on Monday.

 

The two teams split the series, with Helena winning the first two games, and Ogden taking the next two.

 

Chigbogu, a 20-year old, left-handed batter from Raytown, Missouri, belted solo shots in the first and fourth innings, extending his Pioneer League homer lead to 16 home runs.

 

The 6-foot-1, 240-pound designated hitter’s second bomb came on an 0-1 pitch, when he powdered the ball to the deepest part of the ballpark, well over the 20-foot fence in center field at the 400-foot mark.

 

At that point, the Raptors had three hits, all of which were home runs, as Julian Leon also went yard in the opening frame.

 

Helena’s lone marker came in the bottom of the sixth inning, when the hosts banged a couple of doubles by Alan Sharkey and Tucker Neuhaus. Sharkey also singled for the Brewer’s third hit, which was their lowest output of the season.

 

Ogden scored three runs in the seventh stanza, and one more in the eighth to attain the final 7-1 margin.

 

The Raptors rapped out 12 base hits, led by Chgbogu, Jimmy Allen (3 for 4, triple, two RBIs) and Jacob Scavuzzo (2 for 4, double, two runs).

 

J.D. Underwood started on the bump for the visitors, and went six innings for the victory. He allowed three hits and struck out three batsmen. Reliever Joe Broussard pitched the final three innings of hitless ball, fanning six Brewers and walking just one.

 

Brewer starter Jorge Ortega was hung with the defeat, giving up five hits and three runs in six frames.

 

Ogden improves to 26-33 overall, and 11-10 in the second half.

 

Helena slips to 22-38, 9-13.

 

NOTE: Ogden is managed by former major league pitcher Jack McDowell. McDowell’s 13-year big league career included stints with the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Anaheim Angels. He was a three-time All-Star, and the 1993 Cy Young Award recipient.

[Mass Haas]

Sunday's Game --

 

VIDEO: Nashville's Eugenio Velez lines an RBI double in the Sounds' 4-2 loss at Albuquerque

 

***

 

Monday --

 

Third baseman Jason Rogers went 4-for-5 to pace the Nashville offensive attack, matching his career high for hits in a game (fifth occurrence). Rogers gave the Sounds a 1-0 lead when he led off the second inning with a first-pitch rocket to left off Albuquerque starter Barry Enright, the infielder's eighth AAA home run of the year, and 15th overall.

 

AUDIO: Jason Rogers HR

 

Hector Gomez, Sean Halton, and Matt Clark each plated a pair of runs for the Sounds in the win. Gomez finished a single short of the cycle for Nashville during his 3-for-5 night. The shortstop is batting .385 (20-for-52) over his last 15 games. Gomez staked the visitors to a 4-3 lead by belting his team-leading 15th home run of the campaign, a two-run shot to left, in the 4th.

 

AUDIO: Hector Gomez 2-Run HR

 

The Sounds tacked on three more runs in the seventh when Pete Orr coaxed a walk from reliever Red Patterson and raced home to score on a Jason Rogers double before Matt Clark continued his recent hot hitting by slammed a two-run homer, his 11th of the year. Clark is hitting .464 (13-for-28) with six home runs and 10 RBIs during the club's current seven-game road trip.

 

AUDIO: Matt Clark 2-Run HR

[Eye Black]

The Helena Independent Record Photo Gallery provides eight photos from Monday's game. Here is just a sampling...

 

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/05/5053ba62-2755-11e4-a758-001a4bcf887a/53f2cbca9505d.preview-620.jpg

Eliza Wiley Independent Record - Brewers first baseman Alan Sharkey keeps his eye on the ball as an Ogden player scrambles safely back to first.

 

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/aa/3aa56396-2755-11e4-aa9d-001a4bcf887a/53f2cba6418d4.preview-620.jpg

Eliza Wiley Independent Record - Brandon Diaz gets a piece of the ball Monday night at Kindrick Legion Field.

[Mass Haas]

My goodness, how can the Brewers not add SS Hector Gomez to the 40-man roster immediately after the Nashville season to prevent him from leaving via minor league free agency? The former cup-fo-coffee big league Rockie will be entering his prime at age 27 in 2015. What an awesome breakout season.

 

By the way, our always-thorough analysis of which Brewer farmhands will be eligible for minor league free agency after the season will be out later this week, so do look forward to that, thanks.