Link Report for Fri. 8/22 - Exciting Brevard, Huntsville, and Maryvale Wins

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF!

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Jay Jackson at home vs. Fresno (Giants), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 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 Drew Gagnon at Mobile (Diamondbacks), 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).

 

**********

 

Brevard County: RHP's Taylor Williams and Chad Pierce in a doubleheader at Clearwater (Phillies), 3:30 PM pre-game, 4:00 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings; the Manatees are the "home team" in Game Two

 

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: LHP Wei-Chung Wang in a rehab start at Peoria (Cardinals), 6:40 PM pre-game, 7:00 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: LHP Zach Hirsch at home vs. Great Falls (White Sox), 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.

 

**********

 

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at the Cubs' complex in Mesa, 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league

 

Miller Park Prospects - Arizona League Primer

 

**********

 

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]

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

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County Game One

 

Brevard County Game Two

 

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:

 

Nashville, TN

 

Mobile, AL

 

Clearwater, FL

 

Peoria, IL

 

Helena, MT

 

Mesa, AZ

 

Santo Domingo, DR

[Mass Haas]

Also posted in our Manatees thread --

 

Eleven years worth wait for Huizinga

34-year-old right-hander returns to Minors for first time since 2003

By Sam Dykstra / MiLB.com

 

Great take on the signing; even if you've reviewed our prior links, give this a read...

[WV Brew]

Taylor Williams taking a terrible beating in the 1st inning. This team is in deep trouble.

[Mass Haas]

Crusty Reflections About the Greatest Game on Earth (By Tim Dillard)

 

h/t BrewCrewBall

[Mass Haas]

Pretty impressive Manatees jersey auction underway, ending in a week

[WV Brew]

'Tees have come back from the 6-0 deficit to tie the game. They did have quite a bit of help from Clearwater though. This is a wild one folks.

 

'Tees win. Orlando Arcia does it again against Clearwater. You'd think they'd have learned by now. This is also the team he was suspended for in that beaning incident earlier this year.

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: OF Logan Schafer interviewed on Nashville Sports Talk Radio

[Mass Haas]

Forbes Magazine: The Renaissance Of Baseball's Ivy League Control Pitchers

 

Huntsville LHP Brent Suter included...

[Mass Haas]

See who's hot in the latest Brewers Farm Report via Brad at Miller Park Prospects.

[Mass Haas]

Rattlers are walked off -- that may leave a postseason tiebreaker mark, ouch. Darn Cardinals kids...

[LouisEly]

Rattlers are walked off -- that may leave a postseason tiebreaker mark, ouch. Darn Cardinals kids...

But quite the performance from Mr. Wang. Only 74 pitches to get through 6.1, with 54 of them strikes.

[bkrause2]

Final: Brevard County 7, Clearwater 6 (Game One)

 

Brevard rallies back to stun Clearwater in extras

Manatees erase six-run deficit to take game one

By Justin Rocke / Brevard County Manatees

 

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees erased a six-run first inning deficit to defeat the Clearwater Threshers, 7-6 in extra innings in game one of Friday's doubleheader at Bright House Field.

 

With the game tied at six in the top of the eighth, Mike Garza grounded a single to center to lead off the inning. Brandon Macias then pushed him to second with a sacrifice bunt to first.

 

Following a walk to Nathan Orf, Garza was removed and Jose Sermo came in to pinch-run. That set up a matchup between Clearwater reliever Lee Ridenhour and Orlando Arcia.

 

The Manatees shortstop wasted no time in delivering the go-ahead blow. On the first pitch, Arcia grounded a single through the hole between short and third base. Herlis Rodriguez's throw to the plate was high and Sermo slid in safely to give Brevard County (30-29 second half, 66-59 overall) its first lead of the game, 7-6.

 

Manatees reliever Stephen Peterson, who had already thrown two scoreless innings to this point, retired the side in order in the bottom of the inning to close out the come-from-behind victory.

 

The victory marked the Manatees largest comeback of the year. Clearwater (27-34, 44-85) jumped out to a 6-0 lead against starter Taylor Williams (1-1, 4.05 ERA) thanks to a pair of three-run home runs by Art Charles and Chris Serritella.

 

Brevard County started its comeback trail right away by scoring a run in each of the next three innings. After a lead-off triple to right-center field by Michael Reed in the second, Victor Roache drove him home with an RBI single to left to trim the advantage to 6-1.

 

In the third, Macias started the inning with a double down the left field line. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, Orf scored him with a sacrifice fly to center to cut the deficit to 6-2. Roache did all the damage for the 'Tees in the fourth with a solo blast onto the berm in left-center for his team-leading 16th home run of the year. All of a sudden, the Threshers six run lead was down to three.

 

After bending for three straight frames, the 'Tees finally got Clearwater starter Colin Kleven (6-9, 4.55) to break in the fifth thanks to some defensive miscues.

 

Macias got hit by a pitch to begin the inning and Orf followed with tapper to second. Jesmuel Valentin's throw to second base to get the force was a tad short. Shortstop J.P. Crawford could not hold the bag when he lunged for the ball and everyone was safe on the fielder's choice.

 

The next play resulted in a similar outcome when Arcia hit a ground ball to third. Harold Martinez fielded and threw on to second base to try and start a double play, but his throw was way wide and Valentin had to range for off the base to make sure the ball did not go into the outfield. Arcia was on board on the fielder's choice and the throwing error by Martinez and the bases were loaded.

 

Kleven lasted just one more batter. The 6-foot-5 right-hander walked Tyrone Taylor to bring a run across and which cut the lead to 6-4.

 

Left-hander Cody Forsythe emerged from the bullpen, but had trouble with his location. On a 1-2 pitch to Reed, the southpaw spiked a pitch in the dirt and it squirted away from catcher Gabriel Lino. Orf raced home from third and the other two runners moved up a base and Manatees were now behind, 6-5.

 

After Reed struck out, Roache came through with the game-tying knock. On a 1-0 pitch, Roache slapped a ball into shallow center field. Roman Quinn broke in, but had to field the ball on a hop. Roache's third RBI of the game scored Arcia and Brevard had rallied all the way back to knot the game up at six.

 

With game still tied, Clearwater had a chance to go out in front against Peterson in the sixth, but the savvy veteran put an end to the threat. After a pair of singles by Rodriguez and Quinn put runners at the corners with one out, the Danvers, Mass. native struck out both Valentin and Crawford to end the inning.

 

Peterson came away with his fourth victory of the year after three innings of shutout relief. The left-hander did not allow a run on two hits and punched out three without walking a batter.

 

Ridenhour allowed just one run on two hits and walked one over two innings, as he took his seventh loss of the season.

 

Kleven did not factor into the decision. He allowed six runs - four earned - on four hits and two walks in four-plus frames. The right-hander also struck out five.

 

Despite a six-run first inning, Williams held down the fort for Brevard County and kept them in the game. The 2013 draftee did not allow a run and prevented Clearwater from putting a runner in scoring position over his final four innings of work. The righty finished with six runs allowed on a career-high nine hits, walked two and whiffed five in the no-decision.

 

Three Brevard hitters recorded multi-hit games in the victory. Roache led the charge with a season-high-tying three hits, while Arcia and Macias each picked up a pair. Macias had four productive at-bats with a double, a single, a hit-by-pitch and a sacrifice bunt.

 

The extra-inning victory was Brevard County's third of the season. All three wins have come at Bright House Field against the Threshers. The first came on April 30, when Macias delivered the go-ahead base-hit in a 7-6 victory in 11 innings. Arcia hit a game-tying two run shot in the ninth and Alfredo Rodriguez drove home two in the 12th to lead the Manatees to victory in the second win on June 28.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Brevard County Play-By-Play

 

Final: Brevard County 7, Clearwater 2 (Game Two)

 

Berberet goes deep twice, as Brevard sweeps twinbill

Brevard County picks up a half-game in the standings with the doubleheader sweep

By Justin Rocke / Brevard County Manatees

 

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Brevard County catcher Parker Berberet collected his first career multi-home run game, as the Manatees defeated the Clearwater Threshers, 7-2 in game two of Friday's doubleheader at Bright House Field.

 

After a thrilling comeback in game one, the Manatees' (31-29 second half, 67-59 overall) offense exploded early in the nightcap. Brevard County tallied a run in the first and five more in the second to jump out to a 6-0 advantage.

 

Orlando Arcia incited the first inning rally against Threshers starter Jeb Stefan (6-12, 6.57 ERA) with a one out single to center. After he advanced to second on a ground out to short by Tyrone Taylor, the Venezuelan native came across to score on an RBI single to center by Michael Reed to give the 'Tees the early lead, 1-0.

 

Berberet got things started in the next inning. On a 1-1 pitch, he ripped a line drive down the left field line. The ball stayed fair and carried over the wall for a solo home run - Berberet's first of the season - to give Brevard County a two-run cushion.

 

It only got worse from there for Stefan, Garrett Cooper and Greg Hopkins followed the Berberet blast with a pair of singles. Jose Sermo then walked on four pitches to load the bases for Nathan Orf. The former Baylor Bear cranked a ball into the left-center field gap that got down for extra bases. Both Cooper and Hopkins scored, while Sermo ended up at third. Orf was in at second with a stand-up double and the 'Tees were now in front, 4-0.

 

Brevard County picked up its final two runs of the frame on a pair of productive outs. Arcia grounded out to short and Taylor hit a sacrifice fly to center to score both Sermo and Orf to make it 6-0 Manatees.

 

With the score now 6-1, Berberet utilized the long ball again the sixth. Stefan left a 3-2 pitch over the plate and the former 25th-round pick crushed over the wall in right. The clout was Berberet's second home run of the game - and the season - extended the lead to, 7-1.

 

J.P. Crawford drove home Clearwater's (27-35, 44-86) first run with a ground out to short in the third, while Art Charles clobbered his second home run of the doubleheader - and his 18th of the season - with a solo shot to right in the sixth.

 

Manatees starter Chad Pierce (3-8, 4.60) threw well, but did not pitch long enough to factor into the decision. The right-hander left the game with one out in the top of the third inning with what appeared to be tightness in his lower back.

 

The Wisconsin native yielded just one run on one hit over 2.1 innings. He walked three and struck out two.

 

With the bullpen taxed after a rough series in Tampa, Martin Viramontes saved the day by giving the Manatees four innings of dominant relief. After allowing one of Pierce's inherited runners to score, the right-hander shut down the Clearwater attack by allowing just one run on three hits. Viramontes walked two and struck out a season-high seven to pick up his second win of 2014.

 

Left-hander Trevor Seidenberger came on to relieve Viramontes with one out in the seventh to record the final two outs of the game.

 

After a rocky first two innings, Stefan settled in and gave the Threshers some length. He allowed seven runs on seven hits, but retired 13 in a row at one point, from the second until the sixth. Stefan issued one walk and punched out six in his league-leading 12th loss of the year.

 

By sweeping Friday's doubleheader, the Manatees are now an incredible 8-0 at Bright House Field this season. In all eight games, Brevard County has scored five or more runs. When the 'Tees score five or more they usually come out on top, as they have posted a 39-6 record when they do such this year.

 

Brevard County and Clearwater will battle again tomorrow with first pitch at Bright House Field scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tyler Wagner (13-5, 1.60) will go for his league-leading 14th victory of the season against right-hander Kevin Walter (1-3, 4.83).

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Brevard County Play-By-Play

[TheCrew07]

Peoria's walkoff win over Rattlers tightens Wild Card race

Chiefs beat Wisconsin 3-2 with two runs in ninth, pull to within a game of Rattlers

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

PEORIA, IL - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers needed two more outs to grab control of the Midwest League's second half Western Division Wild Card race on Friday night at Dozer Park, but the Peoria Chiefs scored twice in the bottom of the ninth inning for a 3-2 win. Peoria's win spoiled a strong start by Rattlers pitcher Wei-Chung Wang and allowed them to pull to within a game of the Rattlers with ten games remaining in the season.

 

Michael Ratterree drew a one out walk in the second inning. He moved to second on an infield single by Taylor Brennan. Rafael Neda was next and he singled through the middle to knock in Ratterree and the Rattlers (67-62 overall, 31-29 second half) had a 1-0 lead.

 

Wisconsin had chances to add to that lead against Peoria starter Arturo Reyes. They had runners at first and second with one out after the Neda single in the second and didn't score. Wisconsin also had runners at first and second with one out in the third and fourth innings, but didn't pad their lead.

 

Wang, who was making his third rehabilitation start for the Timber Rattlers, retired the first ten batters he faced before walking Richy Pedroza with one out in the fourth. Carson Kelly was at the plate when Pedroza took off for second. Wang's pitch was wild and Pedroza wound up at third base on the play. Kelly chopped a single over the drawn-in infield to tie the game.

 

Clint Coulter drew a walk with two outs in the top of the fifth to get the inning to Ratterree, who lined a double to left-center. The ball was bobbled in left-center and that was the only opening that Coulter needed to race home with the go-ahead run. That double by Ratterree would be the final hit of the game for the Rattlers.

 

Wang went 6-1/3 innings in the game for his longest outing as a professional. He allowed three hits, walked one, and struck out three before turning the ball over to Clint Terry with one out in the seventh inning. Wang tossed 74 pitches with 52 for strikes and was in position for the win.

 

Terry got the final two outs in the bottom of the seventh and worked a 1-2-3 eighth to bring the Rattlers to the brink.

 

CJ McElroy, Jr singled to start the bottom of the ninth for Peoria (67-62, 30-30). Pedroza would sacrifice the tying run to second base and Terry walked Kelly on a 3-2 pitch.

 

Terry got ahead of Justin Ringo and jammed the Chiefs first baseman on a 1-2 pitch. But, Ringo's blooper dropped into shallow center to load the bases. Ronald Castillo lined out to center to knock in McElroy with a sacrifice fly and the score was 2-2.

 

Left-hand hitting slugger Rowan Wick fell behind Terry 0-2. He lined the next pitch off the wall in left-center for a game-winning double to score pinch-runner Michael Schulze from second base.

 

Instead of being up three games on the Chiefs, Wisconsin's Wild Card lead has been cut to one game with the loss on Friday. The win also gave the Chiefs a 9-8 edge in the season series and the tie-breaker between the teams. Wisconsin can still leave town up two games and with the tie-breaker over Peoria if the win the final game of the season between the teams.

 

The final game of the season between the teams is Saturday night at Dozer Park. Zach Quintana (3-5, 5.12) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Kyle Helisek (1-0, 6.57) is set to start for the Chiefs. Game time is 6:30pm. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280 or IHeartRadio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:10pm.

 

WP: Robert Stock (1-2)

LP: Clint Terry (3-4)

 

TIME: 2:47

ATTN: 3,277

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Wei-Chung Wang was filling the zone with 91-92 MPH FBs, I would have liked him to have more strike outs and the 1 run he did give up was completely unnecessary; a walk to a .225 hitter, a WP on a steal, and then the chopper over Brennan to score the run. Clint Terry kept getting ahead of hitters in the 9th but it didn't work ount and was a pretty deflating loss in the end, at least for me personally.

 

As Chris noted the game story the batters didn't do anything after the 5th and missed plenty of opportunities early but Rafeal Neda (2-4) did manage a multi-hit game.

 

 

Wisconsin Recap

 

Wisconsin Gameday

[TheCrew07]

Sounds Bested By Grizzlies, 3-0

Nashville's Clark Extends Hit Streak

Nashville Sounds

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Jay Jackson (0-3) rebounded from a pair of rocky outings by allowing just one run in five innings on three hits while striking out six. He exited the game after issuing a leadoff walk to begin the top of the sixth, which would come around to score after Jose De La Torre allowed an RBI single to Jarrett Parker.

 

Fresno added one more run off of De La Torre in the inning add to its lead. The Grizzlies would get a final insurance run in the top of the seventh off of Dustin Molleken, snapping his string of six consecutive appearances without allowing a run.

 

Grizzlies starter Chris Heston (11-8) stymied the Sounds offense that has been rolling in recent games, limiting Nashville to just four hits in a complete game shutout while striking out four. The Sounds were only able to put runners in scoring on two occurrences, with neither runner getting past second base.

 

Despite the loss, Matt Clark was able to continue his hot hitting at the plate, going 2-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. During his streak, he's posted a .489 average with multiple hits in 9 contests.

 

Reliever Brent Leach continued his recent stretch of stellar work out of the bullpen, pitching 1.2 innings of scoreless relief to keep the score close. Leach has allowed only one run in his last eight games pitched.

 

The Sounds and Grizzlies will conclude their four-game series on Saturday at 6:35 p.m. Sounds RHP Donovan Hand (3-7, 5.22) will take to the hill opposite LHP Kelvin Marte (1-1, 5:04).

 

Nashville Boxscore

Both of my games were offense deficient on the evening... blah.

 

Nashville Recap

 

Nashville Gameday

[Eye Black]

Final: Great Falls 12, Helena 11

 

Brewers lost 4th straight

By Dustin Daniel / Helena Brewers

 

The Helena Brewers (9-15) lost their fourth straight on Friday, falling to the Great Falls Voyagers (10-14) 12-11 at Kindrick Field.

 

It was back and forth the whole way, with the two teams combining for 30 hits. There were seven lead changes or ties in the game, which included five home runs.

 

The Voyagers struck in the first with an RBI single from Mason Robbins to score Hunter Jones.

 

Alan Sharkey then lifted the Brewers into the lead in the bottom of the first with a two-RBI triple. It was Sharkey's second triple of the season. He would go 1-for-3 in the game with two walks.

 

The two teams combined for ten runs in the fourth, six of which belonged to Great Falls. Their scoring started with back-to-back home runs, solo shots from Mason Robbins and Zach Fisher. Fisher had two homers in the game, going 2-for-4.

 

Helena had two homers of their own, a three-run homer for Dionis Hinojosa and a two-run blast for Dustin DeMuth. DeMuth went 4-for-5 in just his third game back in the Pioneer League.

 

Trailing 12-11 going to the ninth, the Brewers would come up just short. Alan Sharkey led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a bunt from Natanael Mejia. With one out and the tying run in scoring position, Helena would be unable to convert. Jon Bengard struck out the next two batters to end the game.

 

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

 

Helena Box Score

Both teams finished with 15 hits in the contest. With his 4-for-5 effort (including a double and home run), Dustin DeMuth is now hitting .423 in 17 Pioneer League games. Four other Helena players also registered multi-hit nights including leadoff batter Edgardo Rivera (2-for-4), Mitch Meyer (2-for-5 with a double), Luis Aviles (2-for 5), Gregory Munoz (3-for-4 with a double). Rivera also stole his 12th base of the season while Munoz increased his stolen base total to 16.

 

Helena Game Log

[Eye Black]

Brewers drop rainy game to Voyagers, 12-11

By Amber Kuehn / Helena Independent Record

 

You couldn't blame them for continuing to play, despite the heavy rain at Kindrick Legion Field.

 

The Helena Brewers entered the bottom of the ninth trailing Great Falls 12-11, itching for their first walk-off win of the season. But as has happened so many times this season, the Brewers saw their comeback attempt come up short.

 

Helena shortstop Luis Aviles ripped one down the third-base line with two outs and the tying run at second. But home plate umpire Craig Struble ruled it a foul ball, much to manager Tony Diggs' dismay. Voyagers reliever Jon Bengard got Aviles to strike out swinging, giving the right-hander back-to-back strikeouts to end the game and give Great Falls the 12-11 win.

 

For Helena, it was the fourth straight defeat and dropped the team into fourth place in the Pioneer League's North Division.

 

It was a back-and-forth contest that featured a roller-coaster fourth inning. Helena entered the frame clinging to a 3-1 lead, but the Voyagers batted around and scored six runs in the top half. Helena answered in the home half, with a Gregory Munoz RBI single and a game-tying, three-run homer by Dionis Hinojosa. The Brewers had two game-tying home runs Friday evening, as Dustin DeMuth -- in his return to Kindrick Legion Field -- crushed a two-run shot in the sixth to make it 9-all.

 

DeMuth finished with four hits in just his second game back with the Brewers after being demoted from the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in place of Sthervin Matos' call up. DeMuth finished a triple shy of the cycle and made a couple of nice defensive plays at third base.

 

Great Falls designated hitter Zach Fisher hit his second home run of the game in the eighth inning to give the Voyagers the lead. This one the visitors wouldn't relinquish. Helena scored a couple of runs in the eighth against Bengard, but Edgardo Rivera -- the potential tying run for the Brewers -- was gunned down at the plate by left fielder Mason Robbins.

 

Robbins had a solid game offensively for the Voyagers, too. He finished with four hits, three RBIs and a solo shot.

 

David Carver took the loss for Helena, while Matt Cooper earned the win for Great Falls. Brewers starter Zach Hirsch gave up five runs on six hits through 3 1/3 innings, and lefty Tyler Linehan struggled mightily in relief. The southpaw walked five batters and allowed four runs in 1 1/3 innings.

 

The two teams meet again at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at Kindrick Legion Field.

[Mass Haas]

Mitch Haniger debuts for Mobile vs. his old club

Nick Piecoro, azcentral sports

 

Nick Piecoro, Diamondbacks beat writer for azcentral sports, is in Mobile, Ala., to report on the club's Double-A affiliate, which is home to several of the organizations top prospects.

 

MOBILE, Ala. – The Milwaukee Brewers outfield is productive and stable, its three primary occupants either locked up on long-term deals or under club control for years to come.

 

This did not escape the notice of Mitch Haniger, and it's part of the reason the outfielder was excited by the events of July 31, when he was traded to the Diamondbacks in the deal that sent outfielder Gerardo Parra to the Brewers.

 

"When a minor-leaguer gets traded, it's usually a good thing," Haniger said. "Usually, the other team wants you. That's what I was excited about. Other than leaving close friends and a couple coaches I liked over the past few years, it was a good opportunity here, so I'm happy to be here."

 

Haniger played his first game on Friday night with the Diamondbacks' Double-A Mobile affiliate after missing more than a month of Southern League action due to a hamstring injury. Oddly enough, his debut came against his old Huntsville team. His evening was fairly uneventful; he was 0 for 3, twice getting hit by a pitch.

 

The Diamondbacks see a lot to like in the athletic 23-year-old. Selected 38th overall in the 2012 draft, he has a compact, right-handed swing that produces easy power; he launched several balls out to left field during batting practice on Friday afternoon.

 

"He's got plus power to the pull side," Mobile manager Andy Green said. "We're going to run him out there every day and see what he does with the opportunity. Obviously, the organization is pretty high on him."

 

He has shown flashes of the potential scouts see in him. In 41 games in the Low-A Midwest League last season, he hit .297 with a .909 OPS. His numbers in High-A and Double-A haven't approached that, but the Diamondbacks believe there's room for improvement. Haniger does, too, though he's not disappointed with the way he's played.

 

"I'm the type of guy who always wants to do better," he said. "I'm content with where I'm at but I'm eager to have more success."

 

After a slow start to the season with Huntsville, Haniger was starting to heat up before the hamstring injury. He had six home runs in his final 12 games and was hitting .310 with a .905 OPS in his final 27 games before going down on July 24.

 

"Those numbers were on the upswing," Green said. "It's bad timing to have to come out of the lineup when you're raking."

 

With the Brewers in contention and rumored to be looking for upgrades, Haniger knew there was a chance he could get traded. He wasn't disappointed with where he ended up.

 

"Once I found out," he said, "and especially since it was the Diamondbacks and being in Arizona – I'm from California, so it's pretty close for me - I was pumped. It was a good situation for me."

 

The Diamondbacks had targeted outfielders in trades, looking to replenish their depth in that area in their system.

[Mass Haas]

By the way, here's Anthony Banda's fourth start with the D'Backs Midwest League South Bend club earlier this week. Strong again.

 

That's 26 K's and just four walks over 24 innings in those four starts since the trade. Combined with his Timber Rattlers work prior, Banda has allowed just five earned runs in his last 39 innings (1.15 ERA). The southpaw turned 21 recently.

[Mass Haas]

Final: @Huntsville 7, Mobile 6

 

Stars Edge Mobile

Steve Jarnicki, Huntsville Stars

 

Mobile, AL - The Huntsville Stars hit three home runs and just got past the Mobile BayBears 7-6 Friday night at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile.

 

Josh Prince and Hector Gimenez each homered in the Stars third inning against Mobile starter Bryan Woodall (0-4).

 

Prince hit a three-run homer, his fifth home run of the season, which gave Huntsville a 3-0 lead. Gimenez later hit a two-run homer to right field extending the lead to 5-0. It was Gimenez's sixth home run of the season.

 

Huntsville starter Drew Gagnon (10-6) struck out a career high eleven batters in his five innings of work. Gagnon allowed three hits and three runs.

 

With the Stars leading 5-4 in the seventh, Nick Ramirez hit a clutch two-run homer against Alex Sogard putting the Stars ahead 7-4. It was Ramirez's 19th home run of the season. Ramirez now has 82 RBI on the season, which is a career high.

 

The Stars had a 7-4 lead late in the game as Mobile kept chipping away at the deficit.

 

Brandon Drury had a sacrifice fly against Tim Dillard in the seventh to cut the lead to 7-5.

 

In the bottom of the eighth, Tom Belza stroked an RBI double against Stars closer David Goforth making it 7-6.

 

Goforth, who retired the BayBears 1-2-3 in the ninth, notched his Southern League best 27th save of the season.

 

The Stars (29-32,75-56) lead the BayBears (33-26,75-53) 1-0 in their series. The series resumes Saturday. Huntsville will have RHP Eric Marzec (1-3, 3.07) on the mound. Mobile will send RHP Braden Shipley (0-1, 3.60) to the hill. The game can be heard starting at 6:50 CDT on the internet only at wtkiradio.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score

 

Fun game, no?

 

Drew Gagnon and Tim Dillard each hit Mitch Haniger with pitches.

 

Gagnon's 11 K's in his 26th start of the season easily bettered his May 22nd high of eight.

 

Every position player, including the two pinch hitters (except for starting catcher Shawn Zarraga), contributed, so a fun box score to review, enjoy. Ten hits, six for extra bases, along with eight walks, certainly makes that review worthwhile.

 

Huntsville Game Log

[Mass Haas]

The Dominican Summer League Brewers were rained out.

 

Their season ends Saturday, and it's likely they will play two vs. the Braves' squad.

 

100% chance of rain, Saturday though --

 

Santo Domingo, DR

[Mass Haas]

Final: AZL Brewers 6, @AZL Cubs 5

 

Nice win! Five-run 7th erased a 4-1 deficit.

 

Maryvale Box Score

 

AZL Brewers Top of the 7th

 

Pitching Change: Austyn Willis replaces Tanner Griggs.

Jorge Quiterio walks.

Daniel Leonardo hit by pitch. Jorge Quiterio to 2nd.

Monte Harrison doubles (4) on a ground ball to left fielder Ricardo Marcano. Jorge Quiterio scores. Daniel Leonardo to 3rd.

Jake Gatewood out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Kevonte Mitchell. Daniel Leonardo scores. Monte Harrison to 3rd.

Carlos Belonis singles on a ground ball to third baseman Adonis Paula. Monte Harrison scores.

Pitching Change: Pedro Araujo replaces Austyn Willis.

Elvis Rubio homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Carlos Belonis scores.

Juan Ortiz walks.

With Yunior Santana batting, Juan Ortiz caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Alberto Mineo to second baseman Ho-young Son.

Yunior Santana strikes out swinging.

 

Nice when a big rookie league inning is completely earned, no gift errors or wild pitch runs.

 

Lineup spots three through nine were all originally DSL products -- most have really struggled this season, just thought it was worth noting. On the current roster, only five position players are US-born.

 

Monte Harrison's solid if not spectacular season continues, and yes, 27-of-28 in stolen bases is impressive, even against rookie league batteries.

 

Carlos Belonis singled three times in five trips.

 

Brewers turned four double plays.

 

Maryvale Game Log

 

Recent high schooler and 6th round RHP David Burkhalter, RHP Joshua Torres, and LHP Tyler Alexander all pitched well enough for you to review their lines. 20-year-old Torres, the 3rd-year pro who went undrafted out of Puerto Rico, continues to impress.

 

30th round RHP Taylor Stark struggled, but it was his first appearance since July 28th, so welcome back.

[Mass Haas]

Montana Braces for Snow

 

Yes, it's the higher elevations, but still, it's August!