Link Report for Thursday 4/30

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Thursday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Colorado Springs: RHP Tyler Cravy at home vs. Omaha (Royals), 7:05 PM pre-game, 7:35 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 Brent Suter at "home" in Huntsville vs. Mobile (Diamondbacks), 6:10 PM pre-game, 6:40 gametime

 

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: No MiLB.TV from Joe Davis Stadium, sorry folks.

 

**********

 

Brevard County: RHP Javier Salas at home vs. Daytona (Reds), 5:05 PM pre-game, 5:35 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

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 2015.

 

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

 

**********

 

Wisconsin: RHP Angel Ventura at Clinton (Mariners), 11:40 AM pre-game, 12:00 PM gametime; expect RHP Orlando Torrez to see action 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!

 

Friday evening's (6:30 PM) and Saturday afternoon's (1:00 PM, added to the original schedule) Timber Rattlers games will be broadcast on MyNew32 TV.

[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:

 

Colorado Springs, CO

 

Huntsville, AL

 

Viera, FL

 

Clinton, IA

[Mass Haas]

Gennett to rehab with Timber Rattlers

Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent

 

Interesting article from the Rattlers' business perspective, especially given Scooter's prior ties to Appleton and the fact he's a kid's favorite to begin with -- it's also Scooter's 25th birthday on Friday!

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO: Joe Davis Stadium is ready, should be interesting as Huntsville provides the Shuckers a temporary familiar home -- fitting that LHP Brent Suter, with plenty of experience on that mound, gets tonight's nod

[Mass Haas]

Thursday' farmhand birthday -- Colorado Springs OF/2B Matt Long, his 28th

[Mass Haas]

Stock Watch: Arcia hitting stride at plate

Brewers shortstop known for glove, but breaking out with bat in Biloxi

By Jake Seiner / MiLB.com

 

Forgive the duplication, but for future reference, also linking this in our 2015 Shuckers' features thread, thanks.

 

And yes, you will read this and enjoy

[Mass Haas]

Tim Dillard's blog - Read and then re-live the awesome YouTube video he links to.

 

Never change, Tim...

[Mass Haas]

From Wednesday's Timber Rattlers game --

 

Clinton Bottom of the 7th

 

Gianfranco Wawoe flies out to right fielder Elvis Rubio.

Chris Mariscal singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jake Gatewood.

Defensive Substitution: Luis Aviles replaces shortstop Jake Gatewood, batting 8th, playing shortstop.

Alex Jackson grounds out, third baseman Tucker Neuhaus to first baseman Dustin DeMuth. Chris Mariscal to 2nd.

Joseph DeCarlo flies out to right fielder Elvis Rubio.

 

***

 

Jake is not in Thursday's lineup, and when the Rattler Radio Blog postgame entry is up later this evening, it will include audio with Manager Matt Erickson in which he discusses Gatewood's injury situation, along with comments on the DL stint of OF Brandon Diaz.

[Mass Haas]

From Wednesday's Timber Rattlers game --

 

Clinton Bottom of the 7th

 

Gianfranco Wawoe flies out to right fielder Elvis Rubio.

Chris Mariscal singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jake Gatewood.

Defensive Substitution: Luis Aviles replaces shortstop Jake Gatewood, batting 8th, playing shortstop.

Alex Jackson grounds out, third baseman Tucker Neuhaus to first baseman Dustin DeMuth. Chris Mariscal to 2nd.

Joseph DeCarlo flies out to right fielder Elvis Rubio.

 

***

 

Jake is not in Thursday's lineup, and when the Rattler Radio Blog postgame entry is up later this evening, it will include audio with Manager Matt Erickson in which he discusses Gatewood's injury situation, along with comments on the DL stint of OF Brandon Diaz.

 

Find the audio here: Does not sound good for Gatewood's knee, MRI scheduled in Milwaukee Friday. Was injured as he raced into the hole defensively, knee buckled, obvious pain.

 

Injury talk begins at the 3:30 minute mark, but listen to the whole chat.

 

Diaz' right (throwing) pinky is definitely dislocated, he's also headed to Milwaukee for additional tests on Friday.

 

But don't just go by my typed interpretation here, please listen to Chris' interview with the manager.

 

Our best to both Brandon and Jake.

 

Thanks to Chris Mehring (and Matt) for the discussion on the Timber Rattlers broadcast, always appreciated.

[TheCrew07]

Wisconsin wins 3-1 in Clinton to take series

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

CLINTON, IA - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers won their second game in a row with a 3-1 defeat of the Clinton LumberKings Thursday afternoon at Ashford University Field. Wisconsin manufactured a couple of early runs and a trio of pitchers kept the LumberKings in check.

 

The Rattlers (8-13) went up 2-0 with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning. David Denson drew a leadoff walk and Greg McCall singled. Mitch Meyer dropped a sacrifice bunt to move the runners into scoring position. Gregory Munoz drove in Denson - and moved McCall to third base - with a ground out to second. Monte Harrison made it 2-0 with a two-out RBI single.

 

The LumberKings (8-13) threatened in the bottom of the third inning as they loaded the bases with no outs. But, Rattlers starting pitcher Angel Ventura escaped the inning without allowing a run by getting a pair of foul pops and a strikeout to end the frame.

 

Sthervin Matos and Tucker Neuhaus started Wisconsin's fourth inning with consecutive singles. The duo pulled a double steal and Matos scored when the throw to third sailed into left field.

 

Ventura left after four innings and Josh Uhen pitched a 1-2-3 fifth before Orlando Torrez entered for the bottom of the sixth with the Rattlers up 3-0.

 

Torrez proceeded to retire the first ten batters he faced in the game. The first Clinton hit off Torrez was a one-out double by Estarlyn Morales in the ninth inning. Morales took third on defensive indifference just before Chantz Mack drew a walk. Daniel Torres grounded into a force play at second that scored Morales from third to break up the shutout bid.

 

Kristian Brito was next and he lined a double into the corner in left to put the tying runs in scoring position. Torrez ended the game by getting Chris Mariscal to pop out to second.

 

Uhen, the Oshkosh native, picked up his first Midwest League win with his perfect fifth inning. Torrez earned his first Midwest League save with his four innings of work in the game.

 

Wisconsin took two of three games in the series at Clinton. The Rattlers have won five of their last six games.

 

The Timber Rattlers return home to start a six-game homestand on Friday night. Wisconsin will host the Quad Cities River Bandits Friday night at 6:35pm. The Rattlers have named Victor Diaz (0-1, 2.35) as their starting pitcher. The River Bandits will have Chris Lee (0-2, 5.74) as their starting pitcher.

 

Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett, who played for Wisconsin in 2010, will play game one of his four game rehabilitation assignment for the Rattlers on Friday. To order tickets for any of the four game, use this link, call (920) 733-4152 or (800) WI-TIMBER, or stop at the Timber Rattlers Ticket Office at Neuroscience Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

 

Also on Friday night, North Shore Bank and the Timber Rattlers are teaming up to giveaway an adorable Webkinz cow for the first 500 kids who are 12 & under to attend this game. There will also be great fun for everyone in the family on a North Shore Bank Family Night. 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 game, there are several ways to follow the action. 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 the internet through TuneIn Radio and IHeartRadio and MiLB.TV.

 

WP: Josh Uhen (1-1)

LP: Jeffeson Medina (0-2)

SAVE: Orlando Torrez (1)

 

TIME: 2:47

ATTN: NA

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Well the Jake Gatewood injury stinks but what a nice stretch of games for the young T-Rats.

 

Wisconsin Recap

[Mass Haas]

Biloxi Media Notes - Linked on the Shuck Dynasty blog]

 

AUDIO at the link via Chris Harris: Tonight’s pregame interview with Brewers’ Minor League Hitting Coordinator Jeremy Reed

 

Among the topics discussed are some stance adjustments Tyrone Taylor is making, and Victor Roache / Clint Coulter.

 

Honestly, you'll learn more in committing to this 6:40 minute interview than we can convey in passing along many, many game summaries, or the local media coverage and hometown feature articles.

 

That is often the case with the linked interviews here, and we're hopeful that many of you take advantage in listening.

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: Brewers On Tap - Episode 9

 

Via Jeff Levering -- Brewers prospect Monte Harrison (5:00 minute mark), along with coaching assistant and digital media coordinator Joe Crawford join the podcast this week.

 

The Harrison interview was done two weeks ago, but is still worth your time. For me, the home run was listening to the outgoing Crawford, I've been wanting to hear a detailed interview with him for ages, and Jeff Levering and Joe knock their discussion out of the park. Best podcast yet from Jeff.

 

***

 

MORE AUDIO!: Jeff Levering is in Colorado Springs and we hear from Manager Rick Sweet and RHP Taylor Jungmann

[Mass Haas]

As per the recent discussion on the forum (thread),

 

For MiLB.TV subscribers: There's only one California League franchise with MiLB.TV (San Jose), and that's where Anthony Banda's Visalia team plays tonight (Thursday 9:00 PM Central), so I'll look forward to sampling that, more likely to catch it on the archive.

[WV Brew]

Daytona 6, Brevard County 4

 

From examiner:

 

First place Tortugas take down Manatees

May 1, 2015 12:30 AM MST

 

http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/27/06/270679176d585d77020c9ad36707d19a.jpg?itok=skZs6O-v

 

Manatees centerfielder Omar Garcia went 2-for-4 with a double in Thursday's 6-4 loss to Daytona.

 

 

The Brevard County Manatees returned home Thursday night to take on the division-leading Daytona Tortugas in the first of a four-game series that will alternate home ballparks. It wasn’t a pretty game for either squad, but the Tortugas scored two runs in the top of the ninth and hung on to win, 6-4.

 

Daytona (13-7) got the win, despite starting pitcher Nick Howard not having his best stuff. Howard threw 91 pitches through 3.2 innings, only 41 of those pitches were strikes. Unfortunately, the Manatees were a bit over-zealous on the base paths early and it cost them a chance to put Howard in a deep hole to start the game.

 

“We had some baserunning mistakes early there in the first and could not take advantage of some control issues from Howard,” Manatees manager Joe Ayrault said. “(Chris) McFarland tried to steal second with a slide step and (Garrett) Cooper getting back-picked by the catcher, definitely costly plays in the ballgame.”

 

The Manatees did come away with a run in that first inning, even with the mistakes. Cooper singled home Clint Coulter to make it 1-0. Coulter was hit by a pitch earlier in the inning. As Ayrault eluded to though, the Manatees had a chance for a bigger inning and they took themselves out of it.

 

Brevard County (9-10) added a run in the second inning when McFarland doubled home catcher Cameron Garfield, giving the home team a 2-0 lead. Garfield led off the inning with a walk. Manatees starting pitcher Javi Salas worked out of minor trouble in the third inning and held that two run lead until the fourth.

 

Salas hit a batter, gave up a hit and walked one in that fourth inning. Carlton Daal hit a sac fly to center and the throw came home. Salas cut the throw off and got the runner at third, to complete the double play. Unfortunately, the run scored before the out at third was recorded, making it a one run game.

 

Omar Garcia, who has been swinging the bat well as of late, got that run back in the bottom of the fourth, almost single-handedly. He singled off Howard to start the inning and promptly stole second. He moved to third on a McFarland sac fly and Taylor Brennan followed with an RBI double off the wall in right. That made it 3-1.

 

One out later, Howard walked Victor Roache and that brought Tortugas Manager Eli Marrero out of the dugout. He brought Joel Bender in to limit the damage and he did just that. His Tortugas would then get their offense going again in the fifth.

 

Three of the first four hitters reached for Daytona in the inning. Phillip Ervin and Sebastian Elizalde each singled and they came around on a two-run double by Chad Wallach, tying the game 3-3. Salas worked out of further trouble, but he was replaced by Preston Gainey to start the sixth.

 

Brevard County’s final run came in the sixth when Victor Roache reached on an error, allowing McFarland to score. That gave the Manatees a 4-3 lead, but it wouldn’t last long.

 

Alex Blandino came up with one out in the Daytona seventh and smacked a single to center. One out later, he stole second and then third base. He scored the tying run on a passed ball. The score remained tied until the top of the ninth, when Ayrault brought in his closer, Casey Medlen.

 

Medlen (0-2) gave up a one out walk to Ervin and then a double to Blandino, putting runners at second and third. An Elizalde sacrifice fly scored Ervin to make it 5-4 and the final run came home on two consecutive passed balls from Medlen to Garfield. “It was tough for Medlen tonight,” said Ayrault.

 

The bad news was not limited to the game on the field tonight for the Manatees. It was revealed following the game that centerfielder Johnny Davis, who has been on the disabled list, will not return this season. “He’s gonna be having season-ending surgery on his knee,” said Ayrault.

 

Johnny Davis out for season

 

For more info: Daytona @ Brevard County boxscore

 

The Manatees and Daytona will meet again Friday night. They will finish a game that was suspended on April 11 and then play the regularly-scheduled game, which will be a seven inning game. Jorge Ortega will toe the rubber for Brevard County, in that suspended game, while Barrett Astin takes the ball for the Tortugas.

 

 

Too many innings like this:

 

Brevard County Bottom of the 1st

 

Christopher McFarland walks.

With Taylor Brennan batting, Christopher McFarland caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Chad Wallach to shortstop Alex Blandino.

Taylor Brennan called out on strikes.

Clint Coulter hit by pitch.

Victor Roache walks. Clint Coulter to 2nd.

Garrett Cooper singles on a line drive to left fielder Sebastian Elizalde. Clint Coulter scores. Victor Roache to 2nd.

With Cameron Garfield batting, Chad Wallach picks off Garrett Cooper at 1st on throw to Sammy Diaz.

 

11 base runners off Nick Howard in 3 2/3 innings but the Manatees could only get 3 runs. Javi Salas was not really at his best with 6/5 GO/FO. Trevor Seidenberger faced 4 hitters, striking out 3 of them. Casey Medlen came in for the 9th and gave up the decisive runs.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Brevard County Game Log

[homer]

Looks like Arcia will be hitting at least .400 on May 1.

[Mass Haas]

Tough night for Manatees, on and off the field

Michael Parsons, Florida Today

 

Omar Garcia is starting to find his swing and the Brevard County Manatees are going to need him.

 

Garcia, who has taken over center field since starting centerfielder Johnny Davis went on the disabled list with a knee injury, went 2-for-4 with a double in a 6-4 loss to the Daytona Tortugas.

 

And it looks like he will have that spot for the foreseeable future as the team announced that Davis will miss the rest of the season.

 

“Johnny tore his ACL,” Manatees athletic trainer Tommy Craig said after the game.

 

He will fly to Milwaukee this weekend and after an exam, is scheduled to have surgery on Tuesday.

 

The loss to Daytona on Thursday night hurt almost as bad as losing Davis as they led for most of the game.

 

But Daytona plated two runs in the top of the ninth to steal the win.

 

“We had some baserunning mistakes early there in the first and could not take advantage of some control issues from (Nick) Howard,” Manatees manager Joe Ayrault said.

 

The Daytona starting pitcher lasted just 3 2/3 innings, but threw 91 pitches, 41 of them for strikes.

 

The Manatees led 3-1 at the time but Daytona would tie it up in the fifth and again in the seventh.

 

Brevard County closer Casey Medlen gave up two runs in the ninth on just one hit, but walked two.

 

Victor Roache had one of the team’s seven hits, giving him a 10-game hitting streak.

 

Garcia now has a three-game hit streak.

 

“He got into a little bit of a rut, but he has gone back to the basics,” Ayrault said. “He and Ned (Yost IV) have been working every day in the cage and it is just trusting your approach and “not pressing too much.”

 

The Manatees and Daytona will finish a game that was suspended on April 11 and then play the regularly-scheduled game at Daytona before returning to Space Coast Stadium on Saturday night.

 

Jorge Ortega is scheduled to start the second game for the Manatees.

[Mass Haas]

Awful news for the speedster Johnny Davis, his legs are 90% of his game, and he'll be turning 26 next April as he heads back to the field. A .617 career OPS needed to be built upon in a big way this year. Good luck in rehab, Johnny...

 

***

 

After two full years at the AA level, RHP Casey Medlen, 26 this August, has struggled with a 1.88 WHIP this April with the Manatees, where we was handed the closer role at the lower level. Now at 91 walks in 195 career innings...

 

***

 

Fantastic start to the season for LHP Trevor Seidenberger (23 in June). He excelled in Wisconsin last season, struggled in the 2nd half after a July 3rd transfer up to Brevard, but has come out of the gates smoking in 2015, as the peripherals on his linked player page will show you.

 

***

 

Former farmhand RHP Barrett Astin (3rd round, 2013, Broxton trade) is off to a nice start this year for the Reds' organization and as noted above, will face several of his old teammates in the start Friday night against the 'Tees.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Mobile 3, Biloxi 1

 

Arcia's three hits not enough as Shuckers finally drop a nine inning game

Yadiel Rivera's 19-game on-base streak comes to an end Thursday

Biloxi Shuckers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/3/8/0/121619380/cuts/357150422214_Suns_at_Shuckers_oq6qmy86_paxu5jcu.JPG

 

HUNTSVILLE, AL - The opener of the five-game series between the top two teams in the Southern League went the way of Mobile on Thursday night in Huntsville, Alabama. The Shuckers fell to the BayBears 3-1, and saw their three-game winning streak come to an end. The BayBears, winners of six-straight scored three runs in the top of the first and never looked back. Despite the loss, Biloxi is a ½ game up on Mobile in the South Division standings. The loss was the first in a nine-inning contest this season.

 

Shuckers' starter Brent Suter (L, 1-1, 5 IP, 3 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 2 SO) labored through the opening inning, allowing three runs on five hits, but the lefty out of Harvard allowed just three base runners in his final four innings. Mobile's first four batters reached with hits as Brandon Drury brought home Raul Navarro with a double and clean-up man Rudy Flores followed by driving in Tom Belza and Drury with a single. Just like that, the Shuckers were down 3-0.

 

Biloxi (13-7) responded with a run of its own in the bottom-half when Kyle Wren (2x5, R, SB) led off with a single and came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Nick Ramirez (1x3, RBI, SO). The run batted-in for Ramirez was his league-leading 15th of the season.

 

The Shuckers were able to stay in the game with solid relief outings by Jim Henderson (IP, H, 2 SO), Eric Marzec (2 IP, H, 2 SO) and Martin Viramontes (IP, H, SO), but the offense struggled with runners on base, stranding 10. Biloxi had multiple men on base in the second, third, fifth and sixth innings, but ended up 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

 

Yadiel Rivera (0x5) failed to reach base for the first time this season, ending his 19-game on-base streak.

 

Orlando Arcia (3x4) continued his hot start to the season, finishing the first month with a .407 batting average. The highly-touted shortstop finished April either in sole possession, or tied for first, in average (.407), hits (27) and runs (14).

 

Mobile (13-7) starter Brandon Sinnery (W, 2-1) picked up the win. The 25-year-old out of the University of Michigan allowed just the run on eight hits over 5.2 innings.

 

Biloxi will head into Friday, and the second month of the season, just a 1/2 game in front of the Mobile. Two of the top arms in the league will battle on Friday night as the Shuckers send out RHP Brooks Hall (3-0, 1.23) while the BayBears counter with RHP Gabriel Arias (3-0, 1.37). The Shuckers will wear Huntsville Stars jerseys on Friday night. The jerseys will be auctioned off after the game with funds benefitting the local Huntsville Alzheimer's Association. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM and can be heard starting at 6:55 with the Beau Rivage Biloxi Shuckers Pregame Show 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 www.biloxishuckers.com.

 

Biloxi Box Score

 

Up and down the chain, LOB's a consistent problem; that was RHP Eric Marzec's season debut; 646 fans in the stadium in Huntsville Thursday...

 

Biloxi Game Log

 

Nice throw, Tyrone!

 

Mobile Top of the 9th

 

Pitching Change: Martin Viramontes replaces Eric Marzec, batting 9th.

Mitch Haniger singles on a ground ball to shortstop Orlando Arcia. Mitch Haniger advances to 2nd, on a missed catch error by first baseman Nick Ramirez.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Todd Glaesmann replaces Jimmie Sherfy.

Todd Glaesmann strikes out swinging, catcher Parker Berberet to third baseman Taylor Green to first baseman Nick Ramirez. Mitch Haniger steals (1) 3rd base.

Gerson Montilla flies into a double play, center fielder Tyrone Taylor to catcher Parker Berberet. Mitch Haniger out at home.

[WV Brew]

Johnny Davis' being out will put a burden on Omar Garcia. I don't see Victor Roache or Clint Coulter playing CF. The other outfielder, Jose Pena, I don't believe has ever played CF either. Have to look at it as an opportunity for Omar, I guess.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Omaha 9, Colorado Springs 4

 

Storm Chasers Bring The Wind In 9-4 Sox Loss

Colorado Springs' Offense Cannot Keep Up In Late-Inning Defeat

By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/5/4/4/121631544/cuts/04_30_023sm_pk_8mhqprbh_enq69tpx.jpg

 

Ben Guez's perfect night at the plate would not be enough to carry the Sox in an eventual 9-4 loss. (Photo by Paat Kelly)

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The Storm Chasers followed the wind to Colorado Springs as the elements would play a factor in the Sky Sox 9-4 loss to Omaha before a crowd of 3,734 at Security Service Field on Thursday night.

 

Tyler Cravy (1-3, 4.91) took the ball in hopes of getting the Sox back on the winning track after Tuesday's double-dip losses to Iowa. The right-hander would turn in a solid outing, tossing six innings of four-run ball (three earned) on seven hits and one walk while striking out four.

 

After falling behind 4-0 after five and a half innings, the Sky Sox offense would begin to rally in the home sixth against Storm Chasers starter John Lamb (1-0, 3.48). Quick outs by Luis Sardinas and Matt Clark to open the frame gave Omaha two outs in the inning with Nevin Ashley coming to the plate. Ashley would slap a double down the first base line to extend the inning before the hot-hitting Shane Peterson drilled Lamb's offering over the left field fence for an opposite field two-run home run, cutting the Omaha lead in half.

 

VIDEO: Shane Peterson belts a home run in Colorado Springs' 9-4 loss to Omaha

 

Right-hander Mike Mariot would come on after the homer to relieve Lamb but would not be welcomed in the kindest fashion. His first batter, outfielder Ben Guez, would follow his outfield-mate with a home run of his own, going back-to-back with Peterson on a 435 foot shot to right center. The Sox offense finished the sixth with three runs scored, pulling themselves within one run at 4-3.

 

With Cravy's night done after six, Jed Bradley and Ariel Peńa combined for 1.2 innings of work, allowing five total runs on seven hits and two walks. Omaha's scoring would be capped off by a four-run outburst in the eighth inning that clearly benefitted from strong swirling winds at Security Service Field, creating havoc for the bullpen and infielders alike.

 

While the Sky Sox mustered one more run on the strength of a Matt Long walk, Pete Orr hit-by-pitch and Sardinas RBI single, the Storm Chasers bullpen would ultimately shut down the Colorado Springs offense the rest of the way.

 

David Goforth added 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out two in mop-up duty.

 

Guez would add a single and two walks to go along with his sixth inning round-tripper, making it a perfect night for him at the plate. The solo shot would break a string of 12-consecutive two-run home runs hit by the Sky Sox. The last non-two-run homer hit by Colorado Springs came at home against Nashville on April, 10th. That homer was a three-run shot by none other than Ben Guez.

 

With the loss, the Sky Sox fall to 6-14 on the season while Omaha improves to 11-9.

 

Rick Sweet's club will look to break their current three-game skid tomorrow evening at Security Service Field in game two of this four-game set. Taylor Jungmann (0-1, 10.26) will lead the charge against Storm Chasers righty, and former big-leaguer, Joe Blanton (2-1, 2.38) on Friday with first pitch set for 6:35 PM MDT (7:35 Central).

 

Colorado Springs Box Score

 

RHP Tyler Cravy's line should be considered very good as far as home game starts go; Sky Sox get a designated hitter opponent and we see, sigh, Donnie Murphy -- logical choice against a LHP, as only other bench bat outside of catcher Robinzon Diaz is LH bat Bryan Petersen, who has struggled; Sky Sox won't be a bat short once Carlos Gomez is activated by the Crew Saturday...

 

Colorado Springs Game Log

 

The rough nights for Jed Bradley and Ariel Pena -- their lines could have been worse with two inherited runners stranded each...

 

Omaha Top of the 7th

 

Pitching Change: Jed Bradley replaces Tyler Cravy.

Francisco Pena doubles (2) on a line drive to right fielder Shane Peterson.

Ryan Jackson singles on a line drive to first baseman Matt Clark, deflected by pitcher Jed Bradley. Francisco Pena to 3rd.

Whit Merrifield grounds into a double play, shortstop Luis Sardinas to second baseman Pete Orr to first baseman Matt Clark. Francisco Pena scores. Ryan Jackson out at 2nd.

Reymond Fuentes singles on a ground ball to right fielder Shane Peterson.

Cheslor Cuthbert walks. Reymond Fuentes to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Ariel Pena replaces Jed Bradley.

Moises Sierra flies out to center fielder Matt Long.

 

Omaha Top of the 8th

 

Orlando Calixte pops out to first baseman Matt Clark in foul territory.

Matt Fields hit by pitch.

Lane Adams homers (2) on a fly ball to left center field. Matt Fields scores.

Francisco Pena doubles (3) on a line drive to left fielder Ben Guez.

Ryan Jackson strikes out swinging.

Whit Merrifield singles on a pop up to first baseman Matt Clark, deflected by second baseman Pete Orr. Francisco Pena scores.

Reymond Fuentes singles on a fly ball to left fielder Ben Guez. Whit Merrifield to 3rd.

Cheslor Cuthbert walks. Reymond Fuentes to 2nd.

Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Ariel Pena.

With Moises Sierra batting, wild pitch by David Goforth, Whit Merrifield scores. Reymond Fuentes to 3rd. Cheslor Cuthbert to 2nd.

Moises Sierra strikes out swinging.

[Mass Haas]

Manatees 3B Taylor Brennan with this tweet -- we need to remember baseball isn't played in a bubble.

 

Best wishes, truly!

[Mass Haas]

As Matt Clark tweeted, his fiancé Julia Morales is enjoying this Houston Astros fast start as their sideline reporter - watch!