Link Report for Sun. 8/31

[Mass Haas]

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[Mass Haas]

Sunday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Nashville: RHP Taylor Jungmann at Round Rock (Rangers), 5:45 PM pre-game, 6:05 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.

 

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Huntsville: RHP Austin Ross and LHP Jed Bradley in a doubleheader at home vs. Mississippi (Braves), 3:40 PM pre-game, 4:00 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings

 

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 Jorge Lopez at home vs. Dunedin (Blue Jays), 1:35 PM pre-game, 2:05 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link -- Select the proper link based on listed schedule

 

Dave Walkovic returns as the play-by-play voice of the 'Tees; follow the Brevard broadcast booth staff on Twitter @BCManateesRadio, as all games are scheduled to be broadcast in 2014.

 

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

 

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Wisconsin: RHP Tristan Archer at Beloit (Athletics), 1:40 PM pre-game, 2:00 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.

 

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Helena: LHP Luis Ortega at home vs. Great Falls (White Sox), 1:45 PM pre-game, 2:05 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): Season complete - Finished 24-31, out of the postseason

 

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DSL Brewers: Season complete - summary post here

[Mass Haas]

Definitely a down year, but happy 26th birthday to Caleb Gindl...

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville Game One

 

Huntsville Game Two

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

[Mass Haas]

To see tweets as to when the Link Report has been technically "completed" with available links, as well as to know when the new day's Report has been posted, please follow @Mass_Haas on Twitter.

 

***

 

Look for these just prior to the respective game times --

 

Nashville Media Notes - it's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Roster" banner on the Sounds' site.

 

Brevard County Media Notes - again, it's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Multimedia" banner on the Manatees' site.

 

Wisconsin Media Notes - Linked on the Rattler Radio blog

 

***

 

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

 

AAA - Pacific Coast League American Southern Division

 

AA - Southern League North Division

 

High-A - Florida State League North Division

 

A - Midwest League Western Division

 

Rookie Advanced - Pioneer League North Division

 

Rookie - Arizona Summer League Central Division

 

DSL - Dominican Summer League San Pedro de Macoris

 

***

 

Sortable individual stat pages:

 

Nashville

 

Huntsville

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

Maryvale

 

Dominican Summer League Brewers

 

***

 

Weather.com:

 

Round Rock, TX

 

Huntsville, AL

 

Viera, FL (Melbourne)

 

Beloit, WI

 

Helena, MT

[Mass Haas]

Via Huntsville GM Buck Rogers --

 

Stars fans, today’s doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 4:00 PM. Gates will open at 3:00 PM. Both games will be seven innings in length.

 

We have three regular season games to complete in the next 32 hours , give or take. When this 30th season concludes tomorrow afternoon there will have been 4,210 regular season games played in 30 seasons. Just because you were wondering, the Stars have posted a 2111-2096 record, or a .5018 winning percentage. That’s 15 games over .500 after 30 seasons. Who knew?

 

Tomorrow’s game will begin at 1:00 PM, gates will open at noon. The weather gurus assure us that all the nasty stuff that has passed thru the area yesterday should be out of here by game time today.

 

The playoff picture is still undecided, but not complicated.

 

In the North Division the Chattanooga Lookouts and Tennessee Smokies play a DH today and single game tomorrow. Whichever team wins two of those three games will be declared the 2nd half champion and make the trip to Huntsville for Thursday and Friday’s opening playoff games.

 

In the South Division Jacksonville has a ½ game lead on Mississippi. The Suns have single games today and tomorrow. The M-Braves have a DH today and a single game tomorrow here in Huntsville. Jacksonville must win the division outright as the Braves own the tie-breaker (Braves defeated the Suns four of the five games that they played this half). So, the Suns (43-25) need to stay one game ahead of the Braves and that means at least one loss by the Braves to the Stars today. For the Braves (42-25) to clinch they simply need to remain tied with the Suns. The Braves are going to have to win at least one of the three remianing games to knot it back up, but then they only need to keep pace with Jacksonville.

 

Our guys will factor in determining who will win the South Division.

 

Looking ahead to the playoffs…the Stars are 40-27 at home and 36-34 on the road, so these two home playoff games are critical.

 

Our home record against both the Chattanooga Lookouts and Tennessee Smokies is 8-2 & 8-2. Our road record against the Chattanooga Lookouts and Tennessee Smokies is 6-4 & 4-6 respectively. The home games are extremely important for the playoffs for all parties involved, so we’re going to need to spread the word for this Thursday and Friday’s playoff games and get some extra bodies out to the ballpark.

 

Come on out and join the excitement of the Southern League’s pennant race which could be decided today here (if the Braves win two games and the Suns lose, or vice versa). And if either Chattanooga or Tennessee wins their DH today, they would clinch as well. Whatever happens, there’ll be a lot of people checking their phones fopr league scores today and two teams making travel plans for Thursday.

 

Have a great day, everybody. See you at the yard this afternoon.

 

Rock On!

[TheCrew07]

T-Rats win an easy one and will clinch if Kane County (Cubs) can beat Peoria (Cards) tonight... it's too bad both teams can't lose in that series.

[TheCrew07]

Rattlers inch closer to a clinch with 13-2 win at Beloit

Pena drives in four, Ratterree, Brennan, & Neda homer

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

BELOIT, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers aren't in the playoffs yet, but their 13-2 win over the Beloit Snappers Sunday afternoon at Pohlman Field moved them in the right direction. Tristan Archer hurled six scoreless innings as the Timber Rattlers offense clubbed fourteen hits in the victory.

 

The Wisconsin hitters were silent in their first 3-2/3 innings on Sunday. Beloit starting pitcher Hunter Adkins retired the first eleven batters he faced. Clint Coulter broke that streak with a two-out single to center in the fourth. David Denson was next and he hit a high fly ball to center that looked like a routine play for the final out. But, BJ Boyd lost the ball in the Sun at the last moment and the ball dropped in behind him. Coulter hustled all the way around from first to score on the play, which was ruled an error on Boyd, for a 1-0 lead.

 

The Timber Rattlers (72-66 overall, 36-33 second half) started to pour in on offensively in the fifth inning. Taylor Brennan and Rafael Neda drew walks to start the inning. Angel Ortega sacrificed them into scoring position. Jose Pena followed with a line drive double to the gap in left-center to drive in both runners for a 3-0 advantage. Chris McFarland padded the lead with a two-out RBI single and the Rattlers were up 4-0.

 

In the sixth, Denson singled and Michael Ratterree doubled to put runners on second and third with no outs. Brennan rifled a single through the center of the diamond to drive in both runners. Neda would reach on an error against Adkins and that was all for the Beloit starting pitcher.

 

Snappers reliever Lee Soto got the first out, but Pena came through with a double to almost the exact spot of his hit in the fifth inning. This two-run double gave Pena four runs batted in for the game and the Rattlers an 8-0 lead.

 

Wisconsin starting pitcher Tristan Archer tossed six scoreless innings, allowed four hits, walked one, and struck out six. Oakland Athletics first baseman Nate Freiman, who went 3-for-5 with a double and home run against the Timber Rattlers on Saturday night, was 1-for-3 with a double and two strikeouts against Archer on Sunday and 1-for-4 in the game.

 

Ratterree struck again for the Timber Ratters in the top of the seventh when he launched a three-run home run to right-center. The blast, Ratterree's eighteenth of the season, made it 11-0.

 

Beloit (54-84, 24-44) got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the seventh inning against reliever Barrett Astin. Justin Higley walked to start the inning and went to second on a grounder. Branden Cogswell singled to drive in Higley. Later in the inning, Boyd doubled to knock in Cogswell.

 

The Rattlers scored their final runs of the game on back-to-back solo home runs by Brennan and Neda in the top of the ninth inning. Brennan's homer was his third in the last four games to give him sixteen home runs this season. Neda's homer was his third of the year.

 

Astin walked a pair in the bottom of the ninth, but he induced a game-ending 4-6-3 double play to seal the victory.

 

The Quad Cities River Bandits won their game on Sunday afternoon by a 9-4 score at Burlington to prevent the Timber Rattlers from clinching the second half Western Division Wild Card. However, Quad Cities was eliminated from the playoffs with the Wisconsin victory.

 

The Rattlers can still clinch on Sunday if the Peoria Chiefs lose their game at Kane County. That game is scheduled to start at 6:30pm. If Peoria wins tonight, the playoff spot will go down to the final day of the 2014 regular season on Monday.

 

Wisconsin is at Beloit on Monday afternoon. Clint Terry (3-5, 2.49) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers on Sunday if they are not in the playoffs. If the Rattlers are in the playoffs, they will name another starting pitcher for the game on Labor Day. Beloit will send Kyle Finnegan (7-9, 3.69) to the mound on Monday. Game time is 2:00pm. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or IHeartRadio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 1:40pm.

 

HOME RUNS:

WIS:

Michael Ratterree (18th, 2 on in 7th inning off Lee Sosa, 0 out)

Taylor Brennan (16th, 0 on in 9th inning off Trevor Bayless, 1 out)

Rafael Neda (3rd, 0 on in 9th inning off Trevor Bayless, 1 out)

 

WP: Tristan Archer (7-6)

LP: Hunter Adkins (1-6)

SAVE: Barrett Astin (4)

 

TIME: 2:51

ATTN: 1,520

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Tristan Archer was pretty darn good in August pitching a 2.35 ERA, in 28 IP allowing 7 runs, on 23 hits, 9 walks, and 3 hit batsmen against 25 strike outs. He pitched to a 2.28 ERA in the second half including action from June and July. On the other hand Barrett Astin continues to struggle effectively locating his pitches on a consistent basis, he allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks with no strike outs in 3 IP.

 

Once the score got ridiculous I was hoping the Rattlers would save some of those XBH hits for tomorrow but maybe Kane County will make it a moot tonight later tonight. The T-Rats erupted for 14 hits, 7 of which went for extra bases. Clint Coulter (2-4), Michael Ratterree (2-5,2B,HR), Taylor Brennan (3-4,HR), and Jose Pena (2-5,2 2B) all had multi hit games, in fact poor Johnny Davis was the only Wisconsin starter without a hit. Manager Matt Erickson subbed pretty freely at the end of the game to get as many players ABs as possible which is why there are so many defensive replacements in the boxscore and game log.

 

Wisconsin Recap

[Eye Black]

Final: Great Falls 6, Helena 2

 

Voyagers claim final meeting with Brewers

By Dustin Daniel / Helena Brewers

 

The Great Falls Voyagers (15-19) came out victorious in their final meeting of the year with the Helena Brewers (12-22) by a score of 6-2 on Sunday from Kindrick Field.

 

All the scoring would come early for both sides as pitching dominated the second half of the game.

 

The Voyagers would score three runs in the first and never trail in the game. Hunter Jones and Ethan Gross were both walked to start the game and both came in to score. Dillon Haupt and Zach Fish would each pick up RBI in the first to give Great Falls an early advantage.

 

The Brewers responded with all of their scoring in the bottom of the first. Brandon Diaz tripled for the second time in as many days and scored on an RBI grounder from Jack Cleary. Cleary would then score when Eric Williams singled to right.

 

The Great Falls pitching staff took over late, at one point retiring 19 Helena Batters in a row. David Trexler was one out away in the ninth from retiring the final 20 batters of the game for the Voyagers when Alan Sharkey came up with a two-out single to extend the game.

 

The Brewers will now host the Missoula Osprey in a two-game series beginning Monday at Kindrick Field. First pitch is set for 4:05 p.m.

 

Helena Box Score

 

Dustin DeMuth was in today's lineup at 3B after an early exit yesterday (reportedly a managers decision as detailed by MTBrew in Saturday's Link Report), and DeMuth went 1-for-3. Donnie Hissa threw the final three innings for Helena only allowing one hit, one walk, and striking out two.

 

Helena Game Log

[bkrause2]

Final: Dunedin 7, Brevard County 3

 

Orf plays all nine positions in 'Tees finale

By Andrew Luftglass / Brevard County Manatees

 

VIERA, Fla. - Even though the Brevard County Manatees lost their season finale to the Dunedin Blue Jays by a final score of 7-3 on Sunday at Space Coast Stadium, the afternoon was a memorable one for Nathan Orf. The Manatees infielder played every position on the field in the final ballgame of the 2014 season.

 

Orf began the game in as the team's catcher, a position he has not played since his collegiate career at the University of Illinois-Chicago. From there, he changed positions every inning: first base in the second, second base in the third, third base in the fourth, shortstop in the fifth, left field in the sixth, center field in the seventh and right field in the eighth.

 

Finally, in the ninth inning, Orf took the mound for the first time in his professional career. Orf faced one batter, Nick Baligod, and retired him on a ground out to third baseman Greg Hopkins.

 

After the out was recorded, Manatees manager Joe Ayrault came out of the dugout and pulled Orf from the ballgame to end his historic afternoon. As he left the field, the Space Coast Stadium crowd gave Orf a standing ovation, to which the utility man doffed his cap.

 

Orf finished the game 0-for-2 at the plate with a walk. He made four defensive plays at three different positions.

 

Outside of the monumental display by Orf, the Manatees (37-32 second half, 73-62 overall) had a tough time against the Blue Jays (31-38, 77-61). Dunedin scored five runs in the first inning off of Brevard County starter Jorge Lopez. The D-Jays slammed five hits in the inning, including a two-run single by Marcus Knecht and a two-run double by L.B. Dantzler. Jorge Saez later tacked on another with an RBI single.

 

Dunedin added a run in the third on an RBI single by Mitch Nay and plated one final run against the 'Tees bullpen. Dantzler capped the scoring for the D-Jays when he hit his third Florida State League home run, a solo shot against Tyler Spurlin in the seventh.

 

Brevard County scored its first two runs in the third inning. With Orlando Arcia on third base and two outs, Alfredo Rodriguez surprised the Blue Jays defense with a bunt toward third. Arcia scored easily and Jays third baseman Mitch Nay made a wild throw to first that helped Rodriguez move up to second base. Rodriguez was credited with an RBI bunt single and advanced an extra base on the throwing error. One batter later, Parker Berberet sent Rodriguez home with an RBI single.

 

The 'Tees scored their only other run in the eighth and once again Rodriguez played a hand. After Victor Roache doubled to start the inning, Rodriguez drove him home with a two-out, run-scoring double. Rodriguez finished the game 3-for-4 with a team-best two RBI and a run scored.

 

Dunedin reliever Kramer Champlin earned the win. Champlin (4-2, 2.70 ERA) was the first man out of the bullpen for the Blue Jays. He allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits over two innings.

 

Lopez (10-10, 4.58 ERA) took the loss. He gave up six of the Blue Jays' runs on nine hits through four innings of work. Lopez struck out four men and walked three.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

As highlighted in the game story, Joe Ayrault had some fun with his lineup in the Manatees final game of the year. In addition to Orf's exploits, Victor Roache was inserted as the team's leadoff hitter. With 18 home runs he entered the game just one behind the Manatees team record of 19, set by Hunter Morris in 2011 and tied by Nick Ramirez last season. Roache finished the game 1-for-4 with a double. Alfredo Rodriguez saw action at first and second base and went 3-for-4 with a double. Greg Hopkins played first, second and third and went 2-for-4 with a double and Parker Berberet added a pair of hits.

 

Brevard County Play-By-Play

 

Lots of this in today's game log

 

Dunedin Top of the 6th

Defensive switch from left field to right field for Victor Roache.

Defensive switch from second base to shortstop for Orlando Arcia.

Defensive switch from first base to second base for Alfredo Rodriguez.

Defensive switch from shortstop to left field for Nathan Orf.

Defensive switch from third base to first base for Greg Hopkins.

Defensive switch from right field to third base for Brandon Macias.

Christian Lopes called out on strikes.

Nick Baligod grounds out, shortstop Orlando Arcia to first baseman Greg Hopkins.

Dwight Smith flies out to right fielder Victor Roache.

[LouisEly]

What a nice way to thank Nathan Orf for a great season.

 

Jungmann doing his best Ariel Pena impersonation today. 9K in 5 innings - really good. 6BB - not so much.

[Southern Leaguer]

Nice AA debut for Michael Strong tonight. 4 IP - 0 H - 1 BB - 6 K.

[TheCrew07]

Sounds Lose To Round Rock, 3-2

Game Ends As Potential Tying Run Thrown Out At Plate For Nashville

Nashville Sounds

 

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(Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds)

 

ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express defeated the Nashville Sounds by a 3-2 count in the penultimate game of the season on Sunday evening at The Dell Diamond.

 

With the Sounds trailing by two with two on and two outs in the top of the ninth inning, Irving Falu laced a double into the right-center gap. Sean Halton scored on the play and Matt Clark attempted to follow him with the tying run but was gunned down at the plate by a perfect Round Rock relay to bring an end to the contest.

 

Round Rock took a 1-0 lead against Taylor Jungmann in the bottom of the third inning when a leadoff walk came back to haunt the Sounds right-hander. Bryan Peterson drew a free pass, moved to second when J.R. Towles walked after him, and scored the night's first run on a two-out Luis Sardinas single to left.

 

Sounds reliever Brent Leach kept it a one-run game in the bottom of the sixth after the southpaw inherited a bases-loaded, no-out mess from Jungmann. The left-hander struck out a pair of batters sandwiched around a popup to keep it a 1-0 contest.

 

Jungmann matched his career high with nine strikeouts but took a no-decision after giving up one run on three hits in five-plus frames of work. The right-hander also walked six batters, one shy of his career high.

 

Clark (2-for-4) knotted the contest at 1-1 when he led off the seventh with his team-leading 16th homer of the year, a solo shot to straightaway center off Lisalverto Bonilla. Clark has smashed 12 of those roundtrippers during the month of August.

 

Round Rock wasted no time reclaiming the lead, pulling in front by a 2-1 margin in the home half of the frame with a run off Leach. Sardinas drilled a one-out double to left-center and came home on a two-out Nicholas RBI single to center.

 

Bonilla (4-2) picked up the win for Round Rock after limiting the Sounds to one run on six hits while fanning six in his seven frames of action.

 

Josh Wilson added an insurance run for the Express in the eighth when he golfed a one-out homer to left off Tim Dillard, the infielder's fifth tater of the year.

 

Despite allowing a run in the ninth, Matt West notched his first save of the year for Round Rock.

 

Third baseman Pete Orr went 0-for-4 for the Sounds to snap his season-best seven-game hitting streak.

 

The teams wrap up the 2014 season with a 12:05 p.m. matinee finale on Monday afternoon. Right-hander Jay Jackson (0-3, 5.40) will man the bump for the Sounds to face Round Rock left-hander Jimmy Reyes (1-2, 9.00).

 

Nashville Boxscore

Brent Leach saved Taylor Jungmann from a potentially horrible day, regardless it wasn't good from a peripherals perspective, the walks were pretty awful, but he did lower his AAA ERA with the save from Leach. Tim Dillard is a good dude but the AAA portion of his season has been abysmal.

 

Nashville Recap

 

Nashville Gameday

[TheCrew07]

Orf does it all in Manatees' season finale

Brewers prospect plays all nine positions, coaches first, gets promoted

By Kelsie Heneghan / MiLB.com

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/4/7/4/92491474/cuts/orf640_8qyfikzx_2121ac5e.jpg

Nathan Orf played 68 games in the outfield and 55 at second base this season. (Cliff Welch/MiLB.com)

 

On Sunday at Space Coast Stadium, it was the lineup card, not the scoreboard that brought excitement to Brevard County.

 

About an hour and a half before game time, Manatees manager Joe Ayrault informed Nathan Orf that he planned to play him at all nine positions in the regular-season finale against Dunedin (a game Brevard County lost, 7-3).

 

"His face lit up, there was a big smile on his face. He was bouncing around the clubhouse. ... Even his teammates were excited," Ayrault said. "Nathan is very versatile; he's the perfect guy to do it. ... He's just a guy where you know he's going to go out and make the plays, no matter what position he's at."

 

Ayrault had always wanted to have one of his players try all nine positions in a game. A few years ago with Class A Advanced Sarasota, he was a couple days away from putting that plan into action until Justin Tordi -- now a coach with Class A Charleston -- broke his nose.

 

With Orf, who'd already seen action at six different positions this season, Ayrault knew he could make it happen. So he called Brewers director of player development Reed Nichols to get the organization's stamp of approval, then delivered the good news to his utility player.

 

"It's the last game with the guys and something fun to remember forever. I was so excited," Orf said. "Before the game I didn't know what to do, I was pumped. Since I was going to start at catcher, I saw some pitches from [starter Jorge] Lopez."

 

Ayrault determined that Orf would play each position in numeric order -- with one exception: he'd pitch last. And while he had not caught since college at Baylor University, he was excited to be behind the plate.

 

"It was a blast first of all, but we gave up more runs than I hoped for," Orf said. "I was hoping for a nice quick inning, [but] it was just fun to be back there. I [called the pitches], but I guess I didn't do a good job."

 

The first four Blue Jays reached base and Orf got a front row seat as they scored five times. Then it was on to his next assignment as he moved to first, the position he most looked forward to playing.

 

"[First base is] not comfortable, but when you get thrown into a situation, you have to prepare as best as you can," the 5-foot-9 Missouri native said. "It was a fun game, but at the same time you don't want to take the focus away from the game or the pitcher. And I'm vertically challenged, as the opposing coach told me."

 

Orf made his way around the infield, stopping at his favorite position -- second base -- before playing third, then shortstop for the first time since the Brewers signed him as a non-drafted free agent in June 2013. He moved to the outfield for the next three innings and took the mound for the first time since his sophomore year at Francis Howell High School in St. Charles, Missouri.

 

"I had no clue what I was doing up there," Orf admitted. "I was trying to throw strikes and throw them somewhat down in the zone. I was just hoping they didn't hit a home run. Hoppy [third baseman Greg Hopkins] made a great play, and it was a great way to end the game and the season."

 

Orf retired Nick Baligod -- the only batter he faced -- on a grounder to Hopkins, but his day wasn't over. In bottom of the ninth, he served as the Manatees' first-base coach.

 

"For me, [the best part] was getting off the field after the final out and tipping my hat to the crowd. It was a special moment and it was a special season," he said. "We have a great group of guys and even though we didn't make the playoffs, we had a great season. It was cool way to cap off an ideal summer."

 

Orf went 0-for-2 with a walk in the season-ending loss, but his once-in-a-career experience got even better when Ayrault informed him he was promoted to Double-A Huntsville in time for the Southern League playoffs.

 

"It is exciting to get to play more baseball and move up to the next level; you're always looking to move up," Orf said. "We will have a good environment. I get to learn from some more guys -- there's a lot for me to learn."

 

Indians prospect Justin Toole was the last Minor Leaguer to play all nine positions in a game, accomplishing the feat for Class A Advanced Carolina on Aug. 25, 2012.

[TheCrew07]

Kane County knocks off Peoria so the Rattlers have clinched a postseason berth. Chris said during the game broadcast that in the event KC won the bullpen would likely handle the pitching load tomorrow so Erickson can move pitchers around for the playoffs which start Wednesday.

[TheCrew07]

... and here's the story.

 

Timber Rattlers open 2014 playoffs at home on September 3

Tickets available online

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/8/6/4/92498864/cuts/JumpWeb2_pvmty382_edrtreh5.jpg

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers have jumped into the 2014 playoffs! Wisconsin hosts Kane County in Game One on Wednesday at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. First pitch is 6:35pm.

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers have reached the 2014 Midwest League playoffs. Wisconsin will open a best-of-three series against the Kane County Cougars on Wednesday, September 3 at 6:35pm at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

 

The Timber Rattlers won on Sunday by a score of 13-2 to eliminate the Quad Cities River Bandits, who won 9-4 at Burlington. That left the Peoria Chiefs as the only team with a chance to catch the Timber Rattlers. But Peoria lost 9-2 at Kane County on Sunday night to allow the Rattlers to claim the Second Half Western Division Wild Card spot.

 

Kane County, the First Half Western Division Champions, is 91-48 after their win over Peoria on Sunday. The Timber Rattlers were 6-12 against Kane County during the regular season.

 

Game Two is scheduled for Kane County on Thursday night at 6:00pm. If Game Three is necessary, that game will be at Kane County on Friday night at 6:00pm.

 

Game One will be a WIXX Bang for Your Buck Night with soda, hotdogs, and Miller Beer products available for $1. Tickets are available online. Fans may purchase tickets over the phone at (920) 733-4152 or (800) WI-TIMBER or in person at the Timber Rattlers ticket office at the stadium when it opens on Tuesday, September 2 at 9:00 am.

 

Rain checks, vouchers, and coupons from the 2014 regular season may not be exchanged for postseason tickets.

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO via Jeff Hem's blog --

 

"Tonight’s interview is with Sounds first baseman Hunter Morris, who is hitting .314 in his 11 games since rejoining the Sounds from arm injury. Morris describes the team’s disappointment in finishing second in the division, what he went through missing several weeks with the injury and how he’s felt since returning."

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO: Nathan Orf's accomplishment was featured in postgame interview video form by ESPN, and this video has been retweeted nearly 500 times, good for him, and also good for Andrew Luftglass, conducting this interview, who along with Justin Rocke, and the Voice of the Manatees, Dave Walkovic, have really treated us the past two seasons with their on-air talents and interviewing skills.

[Mass Haas]

Yes, much on his mind with his young son's poor health, but what a rough end of the season for Jorge Lopez - 7.49 ERA in his final ten starts.

 

A 4.58 ERA while in the Florida State League, and actually the lowest ERA he's posted since his 2011 four-game Maryvale introduction to pro ball.

 

Won't be 22 until February, however. He'll be back in High-A (Brevard or elsewhere, waiting on that confirmation) in 2015.

 

***

 

Wei-Chung Wang snuck in a couple of surprise scoreless innings Sunday for the Manatees.

[Mass Haas]

Final, Game One: Mississippi 6, @Huntsville 2

Final, Game Two: Huntsville 6, Mississippi 2

 

Stars End August With A Victory

Huntsville Splits Doubleheader

Steve Jarnicki, Huntsville Stars

 

Huntsville, AL - The Huntsville Stars split their doubleheader Sunday with the Mississippi Braves, dropping game one 6-2, but coming back to win the second game 6-2 at Joe Davis Stadium.

 

After the two teams were rained out Saturday night, they had to endure a three hour and three minute rain delay Sunday before game one could even take place.

 

When it did start, the Braves jumped on Huntsville starter Jed Bradley (5-8) for three first inning runs.

 

Cedric Hunter and Barrett Kleinknecht each had RBI doubles and Rich Poythress sandwiched in an RBI single for a 3-0 Braves lead in the top of the first.

 

Hainley Statia got the Stars on the scoreboard with an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning, making it 3-1.

 

The Braves scored three more runs against Bradley in the second and third innings.

 

In the top of the second, Kyle Kubitza recorded an infield RBI single making it 4-1.

 

Then in the third, Kleinknecht homered and Braeden Schlehuber doubled in a run to take a 6-1 lead.

 

Bradley, who suffered the loss, only pitched three innings. He allowed six runs (four earned) on nine hits.

 

The Stars scored their final run in the sixth when Josh Fellhauer grounded out to first base.

 

Andrew Robinson(5-0) took the win for Mississippi in game one. Robinson entered in the first after an injury to starter Williams Perez. Robinson threw three scoreless innings and allowed only one hit with three strikeouts.

 

Huntsville Game One Box Score

 

As noted above, kudos to LHP Michael Strong, four scoreless in relief of fellow southpaw Jed Bradley. Strong turns 26 in November, that surprised me a bit; Bradley, a potential 40-man roster addition, turned 24 last June.

 

Third baseman Hainley Statia singled all three trips.

 

Huntsville Game One Game Log

 

***

 

In game two, Erik Komatsu led the Stars offense with a 2-3 game with 4 RBI.

 

It was Komatsu’s two-run double to right field in the bottom of the fourth, that broke a 1-1 tie and gave the Stars a 3-1 lead.

 

Komatsu also hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth. It was his third home run of the year for Huntsville (6th overall) which put the Stars ahead 6-2.

 

Austin Ross (2-3) was solid for the Stars. The Huntsville starter turned in five innings and allowed just one run (zero earned) on four hits. He struck out six.

 

Hector Gimenez and Shea Vucinich also provided RBI singles in the Stars victory.

 

The Stars (31-38,77-62) and the Mississippi Braves (43-26, 82-56) are tied at 2-2 in their series. The final game of the regular season is Monday afternoon. LHP Brent Suter (10-10, 4.06) will start for Huntsville. Mississippi will go with RHP Mitch Atkins (6-1, 3.56) The game can be heard starting at 12:45 CDT on 92.9 FM, 1450 AM and wtkiradio.com.

 

Huntsville Game Two Box Score

 

Considering the Stars have four RHP's on the DL (starter Brooks Hall and Andy Moye, relievers Casey Medlen and Tanner Poppe), the Brewers should be commended on having a very serviceable homegrown AA staff, including the starter here, RHP Austin Ross.

 

Unlike the AA position players, largely patched together via trades and free agent acquisitions, only RH reliever Manny Barreda was brought in from outside the organization.

 

Huntsville Game Two Game Log

 

***

 

FYI - The Stars playoff opponent has been determined, it'll be the Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers).

 

As for Monday's game, the Stars opponent, Mississippi, faces a must-win situation. In addition, the M-Braves need Jacksonville (Marlins), winners of nine in a row, to lose at home to Mobile in order to make the playoffs.

[Mass Haas]

From Saturday's Game One -

 

VIDEO: Nashville's Matt Clark slugs a solo homer as the Sounds beat Round Rock, 5-2

 

***

 

Sunday:

 

AUDIO: Exit Interview With Manager Rick Sweet

Love the love for SS Hector Gomez...

 

"Matt Clark (2-for-4) knotted the contest at 1-1 when he led off the seventh with his team-leading 16th homer of the year, a solo shot to straightaway center off Lisalverto Bonilla. Clark has smashed 12 of those roundtrippers during the month of August."

 

AUDIO: Matt Clark Homers Again

 

"With the Sounds trailing by two with two on and two outs in the top of the ninth inning, Irving Falu laced a double into the right-center gap. Sean Halton scored on the play and Matt Clark attempted to follow him with the tying run but was gunned down at the plate by a perfect Round Rock relay to bring an end to the contest."

 

AUDIO: Clark Thrown Out At Plate To End Game

[Mass Haas]

Brevard County --

 

AUDIO, Game Highlights: Nathan Orf plays all nine positions as the 'Tees fall to Dunedin, 7-3, in the final game of the season.

 

AUDIO: Nathan Orf plays all nine positions in Brevard County's final game of the season.

[Mass Haas]

Season-ending LHP Anthony Banda, Diamondbacks update --

 

Here's Anthony Banda's 6th start with the D'Backs Midwest League South Bend club (Friday). Five innings, one earned run for the win.

 

That's 34 K's and just seven walks over 35 innings in those six starts since the trade. Combined with his Timber Rattlers work prior, Banda has allowed just six earned runs in his last 50 innings (1.08 ERA). The southpaw turned 21 recently.

 

***

 

FYI: Through Sunday, OF Mitch Haniger has posted a .912 OPS in seven games with AA Mobile.

 

I do not blame the Brewers for acquiring OF Gerardo Parra - certainly if Carlos Gomez is going to be out any length of time, we can see the value there. I do blame Logan Schafer's abject 2014 failure, if he had performed at all at the big league level, both Haniger and Banda would still be Brewers.

 

***

 

Both Haniger and Banda will see postseason action with their teams, potentially against their old Brewers teammates in league finals. That would be fun.

[LouisEly]

Keep in mind, small samples there for Haniger and Banda. Banda is still in low-A; nothing to get excited about until he starts doing that at AA.