Link Report for Thursday 4/23

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Thursday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Colorado Springs: RHP Drew Gagnon at Round Rock (Rangers), 6:35 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

We welcome Dan Karcher, who is the longtime play-by-play voice of the Sky Sox; follow him on Twitter @SkySoxKarch

 

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; all Colorado Springs 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. The video of each game is archived online, which is a nice feature. All MiLB.TV details available at the link.

 

NOTE: Notice that on MiLB.TV's page, you can click on "Filter", then "Milwaukee Brewers", and you'll see just the Crew's organizational TV lineup.

 

**********

 

Biloxi: LHP Hobbs Johnson at "home" vs. Jacksonville (Marlins), 5:35 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime; the Shuckers will be the home team in this series, including last at-bat rights

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

We also welcome Chris Harris as the very first play-by-play voice of the Shuckers! Follow Chris on Twitter @CHarris731. We'll be looking off to his very promising "Shuck Dynasty" blog. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be radio broadcast.

 

MiLB.TV - Seven of the ten Southern League teams telecast their home games, and Biloxi staff indicates it is hopeful it will be eight when the new stadium opens.

 

NOTE: This series from Jacksonville is airing on MiLB.TV, nice.

 

**********

 

Brevard County: RHP Jorge Ortega at Dunedin (Blue Jays), 5:00 PM pre-game, 5:30 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link -- Dunedin Feed

 

Dave Walkovic returns as the play-by-play voice of the 'Tees; follow the Brevard broadcast booth staff on Twitter @BCManateesRadio, as all home games and most road games are scheduled to be broadcast in 2015

 

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

 

**********

 

Wisconsin: LHP Luis Ortega at home vs. Cedar Rapids (Twins), 11:45 AM pre-game, 12:05 PM gametime; expect RHP Milton Gomez to also pitch in a tandem role

 

Free Live Audio Link - 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.

 

NOTE: Forty-two (!) of the Rattlers' 70 home games will be broadcast on TV this season. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel (9) and WACY-TV My NEW32 (34) 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.

 

***

 

So, for the $49.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sky Sox games, most Shuckers games, and all Timber Rattlers home games and some road games.

[Mass Haas]

NOTE: Forty-two (!) of the Rattlers' 70 home games will be broadcast on TV this season. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel (9) and WACY-TV My NEW32 (34) 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.

 

DVR ALERT!

 

Not today's matinee, but Friday's Timber Rattler game will be televised on MyNew32 TV, 6:30 PM air time.

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Colorado Springs

 

Biloxi

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Colorado Springs Media Notes - It's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Multimedia" banner on the Sky Sox' site.

 

Biloxi Media Notes - Linked on the Shuck Dynasty blog

 

Brevard County Media Notes - 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:

 

AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division

 

AA - Southern League South Division

 

High-A - Florida State League North Division

 

A - Midwest League Western Division

 

***

 

Sortable individual stat pages:

 

Colorado Springs

 

Biloxi

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

***

 

Weather.com:

 

Round Rock, TX

 

Jacksonville, FL

 

Dunedin, FL

 

Grand Chute, WI

[Mass Haas]

There are two farmhand birthdays today --

 

Biloxi OF Kyle Wren turns 24.

 

Brevard County RHP Scott Lieser, an undrafted free agent signee in 2013, turns 25 -- unless he was a real flexible infant, his notable leg kick isn't quite as old:

 

[Mass Haas]

J.J. Cooper of Baseball America tells us there's been too many "L"'s in the 2015 Link Reports, in so many words.

 

That being said, we know some exciting things are happening at the lower levels.

 

What does it say, however, about the gap that was evident in the system (see last year's somewhat on-field successful but very veteran and not exciting Huntsville squad), that the two most exciting Sky Sox prospects are Sardinas and Knebel, acquired in trade this offseason?

[Outlander]

I gladly take this year's losing Wisconsin team over a team like Huntsville last year that wins a bunch of games. Of course having a team like Biloxi that has talent and wins is even better.

[MrTPlush]

Wow Monte Harrison has been dreadful. Striking out in 50% of his at-bats.

[TheCrew07]

Kernels shutout Rattlers 3-0 on one hit

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/3/5/8/120096358/cuts/Luis_Ortega_04_23_15_mgtvfztn_rtn9gz7i.jpg

Rattlers pitcher Luis Ortega allowed two runs on four hits and struck out five over 5-2/3 innings, but took the loss against the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Thursday afternoon. (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers/Jake Hansel)

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers managed one hit in a 3-0 loss to the Cedar Rapids Kernels Thursday afternoon at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Kernels starter Stephen Gonsalves struck out eleven and allowed the Wisconsin hit over seven innings to pick up the victory.

 

Wisconsin (3-12) received a solid start out of Luis Ortega as he kept the Kernels (11-4) off the scoreboard - with some help from his defense - through five innings.

 

Cedar Rapids got a leadoff double from Brian Navaretto in the third inning, but Ortega got a popup to center sandwiched between a pair of strikeouts to escape the inning.

Monte Harrison made a spectacular diving catch in right-center field to deny Trey Vavra an extra-base hit in the fourth inning.

 

First baseman David Denson made several nice picks on low throws to first, too.

 

Wisconsin got their lone threat of the game in the fourth inning against Gonsalves, who had retired the first ten batters he faced. Brandon Diaz pushed a bunt up the first base line for a single and Gonsalves hit Dustin DeMuth with a pitch to put two runners on base with one out for the Rattlers. Sthervin Matos followed with a line drive to left center that looked like it might drop, but the ball hung up for Zack Granite to make the catch. Gonsalves got the final out of the fourth on a fly to left to keep the game scoreless.

 

Cedar Rapids broke through in the top of the sixth inning. Jonatan Hinojosa, the #9 hitter in the order for the Kernels, beat out a grounder to second for an infield single. Granite was next and he pushed a bunt past the mound for a single. After the duo of Hinojosa and Granite pulled a successful double steal, Zack Larson drew a walk to load the bases with no outs.

 

Max Murphy drove in Hinojosa with a fly ball to right that was deep enough to also move Granite to third base.

 

Vavra was at the plate when Ortega appeared to have Larson picked off first base, but Larson beat the throw to second. Vavra would strikeout, but the ball got away forcing catcher Carlos Leal to throw the ball to first. As soon as Leal threw to first, Granite broke for the plate and beat the return throw to score the second run of the game.

 

The Kernels got to reliever Milton Gomez for an insurance run in the top of the eighth. Gomez walked Granite and Larson to start the inning. Vavra drove in Granite from third with a two out single to right for a 3-0 lead.

 

After hitting DeMuth, Gonsalves retired the next ten batters in a row before walking Elvis Rubio with two outs in the seventh. Gonsalves struck out the final batter he faced and left after the seventh. Gonsalves has 30 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched this season to lead the Midwest League in that category.

 

Trevor Hildenberger set down the Rattlers in order in the eighth and ninth innings to record his first save of the season.

 

Wisconsin continues their homestand on Friday night with game one of a series against the Peoria Chiefs. Orlando Torrez (0-1, 3.65) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Peoria plans to send Fernando Baez (1-1, 1.29) to the mound as their starter. Game time is 6:35pm.

 

Lorenzo Cain played for the Timber Rattlers in 2009 and the 2014 American League Championship MVP will be honored with his own Timber Rattlers bobblehead on Friday night! The first 1,000 fans to attend this game will receive a bobblehead of the current Kansas City Royals outfielder courtesy of Pepsi.

 

Friday is also a North Shore Bank Family night with lots of fun for the whole family. Children 14 and under may participate in Kids Run the Bases thanks to Molina Healthcare after the game.

 

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, you can catch the action on television, on the radio, and on the internet.

 

MyNEW 32's Sports Showdown will televise the game beginning at 6:30pm. The radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:15pm. The broadcast is also available on TuneIn Radio and MiLB.TV.

 

WP: Stephen Gonsalves (2-0)

LP: Luis Ortega (0-2)

SAVE: Trevor Hildenberger (1)

 

TIME: 2:07

ATTN: 476

 

Postgame Post – April 23, 2015

Pre game interview with Monte Harrison, whose catch in RC is also worth looking at. The usual assortment of post game interviews as well.

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

I hate being on the wrong side of MiLB.com stories, you gotta think one is coming.

 

Stephen Gonsalves was the 4th round pick of the Twins in 2013. Here's part of BA's scouting report on him:

His average fastball sits at 88-92 mph and will occasionally touch 94, though he needs to command the inner half better. His spike curveball and slider continue to show improvement, while his split-changeup is an average offering with the potential for more. Intelligent with a quiet competitive streak, Gonsalves should advance to high Class A Fort Myers in 2015, projecting as a No. 4 starter unless one of his pitches develops into a plus.

Wisconsin Recap

 

This of course is waaaay too obvious, but I needed a pick-me-up.

[fondybrewfan]

Wow Monte Harrison has been dreadful. Striking out in 50% of his at-bats.

 

Kind of a weird comment after he just hit 2 home runs yesterday. He has been striking out a lot; so has the entire team.

 

No one could hit today; I never heard of the opposing pitcher but he has got really good numbers

[WV Brew]

Manatees are not broadcasting any of these games in Dunedin. You have to get the Blue Jays radio if you want to listen to it. Accessible from the box score at Milb.

[Mass Haas]

Manatees are not broadcasting any of these games in Dunedin. You have to get the Blue Jays radio if you want to listen to it. Accessible from the box score at Milb.

 

Audio link now also updated in the Daily Menu kicking off this report.

[Mass Haas]

[Mass Haas]

Seven fantastic IP for Manatees' RHP Jorge Ortega, Brewers saw something as they skipped him over Wisconsin. 21 IP, 15 H, just 2 BB, 13 K in '15.

[WV Brew]

Seven fantastic IP for Manatees' RHP Jorge Ortega, Brewers saw something as they skipped him over Wisconsin. 21 IP, 15 H, just 2 BB, 13 K in '15.

 

 

They should have left him in. Tying run now at the plate with an 8 run lead going into the bottom of the 9th.

[WV Brew]

Brevard County 10, Dunedin 6

 

Blue Jays' Story:

 

Dunedin Rally Falls Short In Opener

David Harris goes 3-for-4 with two doubles

Dunedin Blue Jays

04/23/2015 10:23 PM ET

 

 

DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays (6-9) mounted a furious rally in the ninth inning, scoring four runs, but came up short in falling to the Brevard County Manatees (7-7), 10-6, in the series opener.

 

Dunedin batted around in the ninth-inning leading to four runs and two pitching changes in the frame. David Harris got the scoring started on a double, his third hit and second double of the game, scoring Emilio Guerrero. Mike Reeves then singled Harris home preceding a Christian Lopes single.

 

Preston Gainey entered the contest for Brevard County and allowed his two inherited runners to score on a Roemon Fields double following a wild pitch. The Jays, though, got no closer and Casey Medlin picked up his third save after replacing Gainey.

 

The Manatees got off to a fast start scoring three in the first and one in the second. They followed that with seven additional runs from the fifth inning on. Clint Coulter highlighted the offense with his fifth homer of the year.

 

The bottom three hitters in the D-Jays lineup recorded seven of the club's 12 hits. Harris picked up three, Mike Reeves collected two base knocks and Christian Lopes picked up two hits.

 

Jairo Labourt (1-2) was tagged with the loss for Dunedin allowing four runs over four innings. Jorge Ortega (2-1) earned to win for the Manatees tossing seven innings of two-run baseball.

 

The Jays and Manatees will square off again in game two of the three-game set, tomorrow, Friday, April 24 at 6:30 PM. Dunedin with send RHP Murphy Smith to the mound against RHP Hiram Burgos of Brevard County. The first 500 fans to enter the ballpark will receive a free T-Shirt courtesy of Rally.

 

Manatees tried their best to blow this game but Casey Medlen came in to close it out. Jorge Ortega was great again as noted by Mass Hass above. Final line today: 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 W, 7K

 

Chris McFarland: 2-5, W, 2B, 3 Runs, 2 RBI's

Taylor Brennan: 3-4, W, 2 Runs, 2 RBI's

Clint Coulter: 1-5, HR, 2 RBI's

Victor Roache: 3-5, 2B, 1 Run, 1 RBI (Now batting .352, how many of you expected that?)

Garrett Cooper: 4 W

Angel Ortega: 2-5

Omar Garcia: 3 W

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Brevard County Game Log

 

Blue Jays 9th:

 

 

Dunedin Bottom of the 9th

 

Matt Dean singles on a fly ball to left fielder Victor Roache.

Emilio Guerrero grounds into a force out, third baseman Taylor Brennan to second baseman Christopher McFarland. Matt Dean out at 2nd. Emilio Guerrero to 1st.

David Harris doubles (2) on a fly ball to right fielder Clint Coulter. Emilio Guerrero scores.

Mike Reeves singles on a ground ball to center fielder Omar Garcia. David Harris scores.

Christian Lopes singles on a ground ball to center fielder Omar Garcia. Mike Reeves to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Preston Gainey replaces Scott Lieser.

With Michael Saunders batting, wild pitch by Preston Gainey, Mike Reeves to 3rd. Christian Lopes to 2nd.

Michael Saunders walks.

Roemon Fields doubles (4) on a fly ball to center fielder Omar Garcia. Mike Reeves scores. Christian Lopes scores. Michael Saunders to 3rd.

Dawel Lugo strikes out swinging.

Mitch Nay walks.

Pitching Change: Casey Medlen replaces Preston Gainey.

Matt Dean grounds out, shortstop Angel Ortega to first baseman Garrett Cooper.

[igor67]

I agree it's hard to have thought Roache would come out hitting .352 60PA into the season. But he's still striking out 1/3 ABs, so it really hard to see how he could sustain a high batting average. That said if his power is playing getting up to being a .260 hitter would make him pretty useful, so there I can still get excited that he might be developing some.

[Mass Haas]

The Appleton Post-Crescent report on the Timber Rattlers loss focuses on local lad RHP Josh Uhen with quotes (also via video interview), and game coverage with additional quotes (culled from audio available in the Rattler Radio blog link in an earlier post above) and a photo gallery.

[Mass Haas]

Wisconsin Boxscore

I hate being on the wrong side of MiLB.com stories, you gotta think one is coming.

 

You'd be right...

[Mass Haas]

Final: Biloxi 5, Jacksonville 1

 

Shuckers roll past Suns and take series in Jacksonville

Arcia's three-hit night and Ramirez' homer supplement another great start

Biloxi Shuckers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/5/7/8/120188578/cuts/DSC07628_w15xzifw_p55yfcnt.JPG

 

Nick Ramirez blasted his fourth home run of the young season on Thursday night (Photo by John Shadrick)

 

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. - For the third time in four games, the Shuckers offense backed up a strong performance by its starting pitching, paving the way to a 5-1 victory over the Jacksonville Suns on Thursday night at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Nick Ramirez supplied a three-run home run in the third and Hobbs Johnson dazzled in five one-hit innings, giving Biloxi a second straight victory. The Shuckers came one out shy of a second shutout in the series, but Biloxi pitching held Jacksonville to just four singles in game four of the set and Johnson picked up the win. The Shuckers have taken three of four in the set and have outscored Jacksonville 17-7 in the series.

 

Shuckers starting pitchers have surrendered just four runs on 12 hits in 22 innings during the current series (1.64 ERA).

 

Johnson (W, 1-0) was limited due to pitch count, but made every delivery count early on, needing only 16 pitches to work through the first two frames. The lefty did not allow a base runner until a two-out swinging bunt single by the opposing pitcher, Austin Brice, in the top of the third inning. Johnson would sit down seven of the next nine Suns that came to the plate to complete his start.

 

The 23-year-old from Rocky Mountain, North Carolina allowed just three base runners the entire night on the single by Brice and walks to Carlos Lopez and Brandon Bantz. He countered those blemishes with a season high of six strikeouts and needed just 73 pitches in his five innings of work.

 

Biloxi (8-5) blasted onto the scoreboard first in the third inning on a three-run shot to right off the bat of Ramirez (2x4, HR, 3 RBI, R). The long-ball for Ramirez was his fourth of the season and tied him with Chattanooga Lookout's outfielder Adam Brett Walker II for the Southern League lead.

 

Yadiel Rivera (1x5, RBI, R) extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a single to start the frame and Orlando Arcia's (3x4, RBI, R) second hit of the game set the stage for Ramirez who hit a laser over the right field wall on the ninth pitch of the at-bat to give the Shuckers an early 3-0 lead.

 

Arcia continues to keep pace with Tennessee Smokies' first baseman Dan Vogelbach with the longest on-base streak in the Southern League at 13 games. He would finish the night 3-for-4, logging his sixth multi-hit games and second three-hit outing.

 

The Shuckers were at it again in the fourth when a fielder's choice by Rivera scored Adam Weisenburger (0x3, BB, R) and Arcia singled home Johnson.

 

Michael Reed (1x4, RBI) extended his on-base streak to 10 games with a single in the seventh.

 

Damien Magnifico (IP, SO) worked a perfect sixth inning of relief for Johnson and Tanner Poppe (2 IP, H, 2 BB, SO) induced a 1-2-3 double play to wiggle out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh.

 

Martin Viramontes (IP, 2 H, R, BB, SO) allowed Jacksonville's (6-7) lone run on a two out wild pitch to Brandon Bantz, allowing Zach Cox to score from third.

 

With the win, the Shuckers remain perfect in games that have gone a full nine innings, with a record of 6-0. Rivera committed a throwing error in the seventh, which was just Biloxi's second miscue on the season, and first since the first inning of game two on April 10 at Pensacola - a streak of 84 innings.

 

RHP Jorge Lopez (0-2, 9.00) will look to tie a season-high winning streak Friday night for the Shuckers in the series finale against LHP Matt Tomshaw (0-1, 2.70). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 PM, with coverage beginning at 5:50 on 1240-AM WGCM, 1580-AM WPMO and the Biloxi Shuckers Radio Network. Fans can also listen to the game using the TuneIn Radio app or by going to http://www.biloxishuckers.com.

 

***

 

Efficient Johnson leads way for Shuckers

Brewers' No. 25 prospect throws just 63 pitches in first 'home' outing

By Tyler Maun / MiLB.com

 

VIDEO: Biloxi's Hobbs Johnson finishes a scoreless day with a strikeout of Lay Batista to end the fifth inning in a win over Jacksonville

 

***

 

Though he wasn't pitching a game in Biloxi on Thursday night, another strong start made it evident that Hobbs Johnson feels right at home with the Shuckers. Having girlfriend Jordan Poythress in attendance didn't hurt either.

 

"I love having her here," the lefty said. "I wish she could be here all the time."

 

With his club serving as the home team at the ballpark of their opponents, the No. 25 Brewers prospect allowed one hit and two walks while striking out six over five innings to help the Double-A Shuckers to a 5-1 win over the Suns at The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

 

Johnson (1-0) found an efficient groove early, retiring the first eight batters he faced on his initial trip through the Suns lineup.

 

"It definitely helps going through the lineup once pretty much showing fastball most of the time to all of a sudden start showing some breaking stuff early in counts and still being able to go back to the fastball to put guys away," he said.

 

"(Adam) Weisenburger, my catcher, he called a great game, keeping off guys off balance," he said. "Guys played great defense behind me too. That always helps."

 

Johnson's counterpart Austin Brice singled with two outs in the third inning for Jacksonville's only hit off of Biloxi's starter. The southpaw walked Carlos Lopez to lead off the fourth and Brandon Bantz with one out in the fifth, but only Lopez moved past first base.

 

"If you can get through a lineup the first time through without having to show very many breaking pitches at all, all it does is put more in the arsenal for later in the game or when you actually do get in trouble and need a pitch," Johnson said. "Right then, you can throw something that they haven't seen yet."

 

The North Carolina product needed just 63 pitches to complete his five innings. He finished on a strong note, following Bantz's walk with strikeouts of Isaac Galloway and Lay Batista to end his night.

 

"That's the whole thing you want as a starter is to go deeper in ballgames and allow your team to work behind you, use the least amount of pitches possible," Johnson said. "Hopefully I'll keep on having starts like that and move a little deeper in ballgames as the year goes."

 

While waiting for their new facility to be completed in Biloxi, the Shuckers have fared well in their first home series of the year in Jacksonville, winning three of the four contests.

 

"It's definitely different, but at the end of the day, it's the same ballgame," Johnson said of the team's lengthy road trip to open 2015. "You still show up and play baseball the same way. For us, it's a little inconvenient I guess not having our own place. But outside of that, it's the same game. It doesn't really change how we play."

 

The Shuckers did all their damage at the plate between the third and fourth innings. Nick Ramirez cranked a three-run homer in the third with top Brewers prospect Orlando Arcia and Yadiel Rivera (No. 23) aboard. One inning later, Rivera brought home Weisenburger with an RBI groundout, and Arcia added a run-scoring single to plate Johnson.

 

Miami's No. 17 prospect Brice (0-2) took the loss after giving up five runs on seven hits over 3 1/3 innings.

 

***

 

VIDEO: Orlando Arcia rips a double in Biloxi's 4-1 win over Jacksonville

 

***

 

Biloxi Box Score

 

Jacksonville batting averages are anemic, in large part due to nine games vs. the Shuckers' staff thus far; Orlando Arcia at second base, Yadiel Rivera at short in this one; Arcia's at .450/.511/.575 after 40 AB's, that's good, right? Because of his "lost" broken ankle season, development-wise, this is Arcia's age 19 season (he's 20).

 

Biloxi Game Log

 

Just need to get Hobbs Johnson's pitch count up to that 85-90 range next time out...

[Mass Haas]

Final: Round Rock 5, Colorado Springs 3

 

Early Outburst Holds in Sox 5-3 Loss to Express

Round Rock Scores Five Runs in the First Two Innings

By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/5/8/8/120210588/cuts/04_10_097_pk_landhpnt_ms7350g2.jpg

 

Luis Sardinas' two-out triple in the first sparked the game's first run. (File Photo by Paat Kelly)

 

A close game throughout, Thursday night's contest between the Sky Sox and Round Rock Express would ultimately be decided in the first two innings before a crowd of 7,223 at Dell Diamond.

 

The Sky Sox would strike early, scoring a run in the first inning off of Express starter Chi Chi Gonzalez (1-2, 5.17) on a Luis Sardinas two-out triple and Matt Clark RBI single.

 

The Express would answer however with two runs of their own in the home half of the first. Sox right-hander Drew Gagnon (1-1, 5.65) would get off to a tough start, allowing two hits, two walks and a wild pitch to give Round Rock a lead that they would wind up building upon and maintaining with the help of some tough Sox luck.

 

Round Rock would tally three more runs the very next inning, providing Gonzalez with a 5-1 cushion. Gagnon would allow three hits in the inning but his defense would not make life easy as two fielding errors catalyzed the scoring.

 

The Sky Sox would tack on another run in the sixth when three consecutive singles to leadoff the inning would give Shane Peterson a chance to get his team back in the ballgame. Peterson would ground into a run-scoring forceout to bring the Sox within three. With two outs in the inning, Sardinas would be cut down at home plate in an attempted steal, ending the Colorado Springs threat.

 

Gagnon would finish his day after four innings of work, allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits and five walks, while striking out three. Tim Dillard, the recently returned Brandon Kintzler and Chris Perez would team up out of the Sox bullpen to toss four innings of scoreless ball, allowing three hits while striking out four.

 

The Express would also deploy three relievers to finish out the ballgame. Right-handers Kyuji Fujikawa and Spencer Patton would toss two combined innings bridging the gap from Gonzalez to closer Jon Edwards. Patton would give up an unearned run when Matt Long crossed the plate in the eighth inning to pull the Sky Sox within two heading into the ninth.

 

Edwards would shut the door in the ninth to record his fourth save of the young season and secure the 5-3 win for the Express.

 

The Sky Sox will look to leave Round Rock with a series-ending victory on Friday night. Tyler Cravy (1-1, 3.60) will lead the way against Express right-hander Ross Wolf (1-1, 9.00).

 

Colorado Springs Box Score

 

Even with the arrival of Brandon Macias from Brevard County, the Sky Sox roster is currently 14 pitchers, 11 position players, that's a likely benefit heading back to the mountain air this weekend. Macias was 0-for-3 (one K) in his AAA debut, as the box score reveals the bottom of the order really struggled here (0-for-16, two walks, four K's). Luis Sardinas has just two walks (55 AB's), but the numbers are pretty otherwise and he's batting 3rd in this lineup.

 

Colorado Springs Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Catching up on Colorado Springs video --

 

VIDEO: Nick Additon induces a double play to end his day in the Sky Sox's 9-0 win over Round Rock

 

***

 

VIDEO: Ben Guez hits a two-run homer in the Sky Sox's 9-0 win over Round Rock

[Mass Haas]

For you diehards out there, look for an extensive thread update on the Brewers' Dominican Summer League club heading into 2015's season later today - that's a teaser!

[Mass Haas]

Cy Sneed feature linked this AM within our Timber Rattlers thread.