Link Report for Friday 5/8

[Mass Haas]

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[Mass Haas]

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF!

 

All times are Central

 

Colorado Springs: RHP Drew Gagnon at Iowa (Cubs), 6:38 PM pre-game, 7:08 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.

 

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Biloxi: RHP Jacob Barnes at "home" in Pearl, Mississippi vs. the M-Braves, 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:00 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: This series is available online for MiLB.TV subscribers.

 

 

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Brevard County: LHP Wei-Chung Wang at home vs. Tampa (Yankees), 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 home games and the "commuter" road games are scheduled to be broadcast in 2015.

 

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

 

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Wisconsin: RHP David Burkhalter at Quad Cities (Astros), 6:40 PM pre-game, 7:00 gametime; expect to see LHP Kodi Medeiros in a tandem role

 

Free Live Audio Link - WNAM

 

NOTE: This road series is available online for MiLB.TV subscribers.

 

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]

Follow Friday'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:

 

Des Moines, IA

 

Pearl, MS

 

Viera, FL

 

Davenport, IA

[Mass Haas]

Today's early "extra's" --

 

VIDEO: Wisconsin's Brandon Diaz slugs a solo homer as the Timber Rattlers fall to Quad Cities, 4-1, on Thursday (no audio, at least for me...)

 

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JERSEY AUCTION: Sea Cows as Space Explorers! Manatees on the Moon! Check it out!

 

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THOUGHTFUL ARTICLE: How to Beat Extended Spring Training

 

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BLOG ENTRY: Jeff Levering's latest in "Minor Details"

 

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WE SEE YOU, SPACE COAST STADIUM: Baseball America's "Ballparks That Helped—And Hurt—Hitters Most"

 

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MLB PIPELINE: Yes, there's a Brewer -- "Who's hot, who's not among top hitting prospects"

[Mass Haas]

Haven't commented on them because hey, it's low A-ball, and let's get used to everyone batting everywhere in the lineup, but Matt Erickson has just been all over the place on a nightly basis -- Denson's cleanup, Denson's 9th, Francisco Castillo must have been raking in extended spring, because he's a 3-hitter now, apparently. Carlos Leal is leading off tonight.

[Mass Haas]

Miller Park Prospects -- Farm Progress Report: 5/8/2015

[TheCrew07]

Haven't commented on them because hey, it's low A-ball, and let's get used to everyone batting everywhere in the lineup, but Matt Erickson has just been all over the place on a nightly basis -- Denson's cleanup, Denson's 9th, Francisco Castillo must have been raking in extended spring, because he's a 3-hitter now, apparently. Carlos Leal is leading off tonight.

 

Mehring just addressed the Castillo thing, he was hot in EST, oh and Leal was hitting over .500 leading off innings.

[WV Brew]

Brevard County 5, Tampa 4

 

The Manatees came from behind to take the lead in the 6th and Tristan Archer and Trevor Seidenberger made the one run stand. Wei-Chung Wang had another rough start, throwing 90 pitches in 5 innings. Garrett Cooper had a 2 run double in the 6th to tie the game and scored the lead run on a Jose Pena single.

 

 

6th inning rally, Garcia's Glove power Space Explorers

Brevard County Clinches Series Win

By Jerry Durney / Brevard County Manatees

05/09/2015 12:50 AM ET

 

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Taylor Brennan had three hits and scored two runs in Friday's win over Tampa. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

 

Viera, Fla. - It took a true team effort for the Brevard County Space Explorers (14-14) to clinch a second straight series win on Friday night. First, it took a shutdown effort from the bullpen, followed by persistence at the plate from the offense and finally, some tremendous defense to give Brevard County a 5-4 win Friday night over the Tampa Yankees (15-14).

 

The action began right away as the Yankees took a lead in the opening half inning. It would begin on a one-out bunt single by Tyler Wade. He would steal second with Miguel Andujar at the plate, who then struck out. Mike Ford would then place a floating single into center to bring Wade around to score and give Tampa a 1-0 lead.

 

The Space Explorer offense, fresh off one of its best performances of the season, was ready to go on Friday night and responded right away to the deficit. After Chris McFarland singled to left, Taylor Brennan would double over centerfielder Michael O'Neill's head to put two runners in scoring position for Clint Coulter. He would follow with a sacrifice fly to center to tie the game. Victor Roache then came to the plate and hit a blooper down the right field line that fell in between the right fielder, first baseman and second baseman, ultimately resulting in Brennan scoring and Roache winding up on second with a double.

 

The lead would until the top of the third inning, which started with a double down the left field lane by the newest Yankee added to the roster, Renzo Martini. That would bring Abiatal Avelino to the plate, who would hit a dribbler up the first base line but his speed would cause Wei-Chung Wang to make an errant throw to first that would get by Garrett Cooper, which would allow Avelino and bring the Yankees level. With Wade at the plate, Wang would be called for a balk, moving Avelino up to second. Wade then singled to left and Avelino was able to dodge Rafael Neda's tag at the plate to put Tampa back in the lead.

 

It looked as if the Space Explorers would equalize again in the bottom half as they had runners at the corners with two outs thanks to singles by McFarland and Roache. However, with Cooper at the plate, they would attempt a double steal. Avelino cut off Kyle Higashioka's throw to second and threw home to just get McFarland to end the inning.

 

The Yankees would tack on to their lead in the top half of the fourth when Ericson Leonora hit his third home run of the season, an opposite field solo shot to right center estimated at over 400 feet to make it 4-2.

 

The game would ultimately be decided in the bottom of the sixth inning. The frame would start with singles to left by Brennan and Coulter. Following a strikeout by Roache, Cooper came to the plate against Yankees starting pitcher Jonathan Holder (1-2, 3.41 ERA) for what would become the game's biggest at-bat. In a lengthy at-bat, Cooper fouled off several pitches from Holder that he ran outside. Cooper finally broke through and took advantage of an enormous gap in left centerfield due to defensive placement, ripping a double that scored both runners to tie the game at four. That would prove to be Holder's final batter of the night, as he was pulled in favor of Angel Rincon. He would get Neda to ground out to short but with Jose Pena up to bat, he would throw a wild pitch that allowed Cooper to move up to third. Pena singled up the middle shortly after that and the Space Explorers had a lead they would not relinquish.

 

After two spectacular innings of relief by Tristan Archer (1-0, 0.00 ERA), who gave up only a single to the first batter he faced, the lead would be trusted to Trevor Seidenberger, who would need some help from his defense to make it stand up. Mike Ford led off the top of the eighth with a drive to deep right centerfield and it appeared Tampa would have the tying run in scoring position to start the inning but Omar Garcia would make an incredible sprint to the ball and then went airborne, extending his arms as far as they could go to make the catch for a sensational first out of the inning. Seidenberger then struck out O'Neill and got Danny Oh to fly out to left end the inning.

 

In the top of the ninth, Seidenberger would coax a fly out to center from Leonora and a groundout to short from Higashioka but would lose Martini on a walk. When he got

 

Avelino to pop out to short, the Space Explorers had clinched their second consecutive series win.

 

Wang over five innings gave up three earned runs on five hits while walking three and striking out two in a no-decision. Holder would be saddled with the loss, giving up five runs on eight hits, striking out four and walking none in 5.1 innings pitched. Archer and Seidenberger combined to give up just one hit over the final four innings out of the bullpen.

 

The Space Explorers will go for their first series sweep on Saturday at 6:35 P.M., RHP Brandon Woodruff (0-1, 6.33) will get the start for Brevard County.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Brevard County Game Log

[DHonks]

unless they're a stud middle or top of the order hitter, it makes sense to rotate everyone. Statistically it doesn't make much difference, and--after all--it is nice to try to find something that works in the minors as well.

[homer]

I guess I'd rather have a guy hit where he projects to hit with the big league....not that it makes that much of a difference in the end.

[TheCrew07]

Bandits start fast to beat Rattlers

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

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Dustin DeMuth hit a two-run home run for the Timber Rattlers on Friday night at Quad Cities. (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers/Ann Mollica)

 

DAVENPORT, IA - The Quad Cities River Bandits are the hottest team in the Midwest League. They scored four runs with two outs in the bottom of the first inning to build an early lead and defeated the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 11-6 Friday night at Modern Woodmen Park. The River Bandits have won ten straight games. Wisconsin, which fought back to within 6-3 in the eighth inning, has dropped eight straight.

 

Quad Cities (23-6) struck first. There were two outs with runners at first and second and Wisconsin starting pitcher David Burkhlater had on 0-2 count on Bryan Muniz. But, Muniz lined a single up the middle to drive in the first run of the game. Burkhalter walked the next batter on four pitches to load the bases. Then, he got ahead of Ryan Bottger with two quick strikes. However, Bottger drove the next pitch to the wall in right-center for a three-run double and a 4-0 lead.

 

Wisconsin (8-21) had trouble getting anything going against Quad Cities starting pitcher Akeem Bostick. The right-hander made his 2015 debut a good one as he tossed five scoreless innings, allowed one hit, and struck out one. He also hit Dustin DeMuth twice with pitches.

 

The River Bandits added to their lead in the fifth inning against Burkhalter. Kristian Trompir doubled to start the inning. Bobby Boyd bunted for a hit and the throw to first base was wild to allow Trompir to score. Derek Fisher would knock in Trompir for a 6-0 lead with a single later in the inning.

 

Brandon Diaz got the Timber Rattlers on the scoreboard with a one-out solo home run in the top of the eighth inning. Tucker Neuhaus, who extended his current hitting streak to nine games with a single in the sixth inning, bunted for a hit with two outs in the eighth. DeMuth got a measure of revenge when he blasted a two-run homer to right-center and the Rattlers were within three runs.

 

Quad Cities pulled away with five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning against reliever Kodi Medeiros. The lefty walked three in the inning, including the first two he faced in the frame. A wild pitch moved those runners into scoring position and Jason Martin lined a single through the middle of the diamond to drive in both. Trompir followed with a single. Boyd knocked in Martin with another single. The third walk of the inning loaded the bases and an error on a grounder to first let another run score. That play drove Medeiros from the game.

 

Luke Curtis took over and Nick Tanielu drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to make it 11-3.

 

The Rattlers battled for three more runs in the top of the ninth inning. Gregory Munoz doubled to start the inning and Mitch Meyer drew a one-out walk. Carlos Leal reached on an error to load the bases. Diaz drew a walk to force in a run. Then, Francisco Castillo sent a grounder to second. The River Bandits got the force play at second, but the throw to first was wild and both Meyer and Leal scored on the play to make it 11-6. But, a strikeout ended the game.

 

Game three of the series is Saturday night at Modern Woodmen Park. Milton Gomez (1-1, 7.16) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Austin Chrismon (3-1, 2.25) is set to start for the River Bandits. Game time is 6:00pm.

 

Listen to the radio broadcast on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 5:40pm. The broadcast may also be heard on Tune In Radio and IHeartRadio. Subscribers may watch the game on MiLB.tv.

 

HOME RUNS:

WIS:

Brandon Diaz (2nd, 0 on in 8th inning off Brandon McNitt, 1 out)

Dustin DeMuth (2nd, 1 on in 8th inning off Brandon McNitt, 2 out)

 

WP: Akeem Bostick (1-0)

LP: David Burkhalter (0-3)

 

TIME: 2:46

ATTN: 4,673

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

 

Wisconsin Recap

[Mass Haas]

Final: Mississippi 4, Biloxi 2

 

Braves hand Shuckers second straight loss

Parker Berberet drives in two in the 4-2 loss on Friday

Biloxi Shuckers

 

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Parker Berberet singled in two runs in the eighth inning on Friday night (Photo by Jason Clark)

 

PEARL, MISS. - For the second straight night, the Shuckers' offense struggled to string hits together in a 4-2 loss to the Mississippi Braves on Friday night at Trustmark Park. The second straight loss gives the M-Braves a 2-1 series edge and the Shuckers will look to avoid dropping the series to their inter-state rival in game four on Saturday night.

 

Biloxi (17-11) starter Jacob Barnes (L, 0-4, 4 R - 3 ER - 7 H, 3 BB, 3 SO) labored through four innings Friday night, suffering his fourth loss in his fourth start. The 25-year-old from Fort Myers, FL gave up four runs over the outing, walking three and striking out three.

 

The Braves got on the scoreboard in the top of the first with two outs as catcher Chris O'Dowd singled through the right side of the infield scoring Mallex Smith, giving Mississippi a 1-0 lead.

 

Mississippi's big inning was the fourth, sending seven batters to the dish and pushing across three runs. O'Dowd walked to start the inning and scored on a ground out by KD Kang. Smith struck for a two-run single that scored David Rohm and Corbin Joseph, opening up a 4-0 Braves advantage.

 

Brent Suter came on in relief to start the fifth for the Shuckers and allowed a one-out double to Kevin Ahrens, but ultimately cruised through three innings of relief, allowing just the one hit and issuing a walk while picking up two strike outs.

 

Parker Berberet (1x3, 2 RBI) cut the deficit in half with a two-run single in the seventh that brought in Michael Reed (0x3, R, BB) and Nick Shaw (1x3, R). It was the first time since the sixth inning of game one (18 innings) the Shuckers had scored a run.

 

A combination of Suter (3 IP, H, BB, 2 SO) and Eric Marzec (2 IP, BB) locked down the Braves' offense for the final five frames. The bullpen had surrendered four runs over the first two games of the series.

 

The loss marked the first time in the inaugural season that the club has dropped back-to-back nine inning games. Orlando Arcia (0x3, HBP) reached safely for the ninth straight game.

 

Mississippi starter Jake Brigham (W, 3-2) held the Shuckers' offense at bay, allowing just one run on two hits, two walks and seven strike outs, picking up the win. Reliever Ryan Kelly (S, 7) tossed a perfect ninth to secure the win.

 

The Shuckers will try to avoid a second straight series defeat on Saturday night when they send out LHP Hobbs Johnson (2-0, 2.53) against Mississippi's RHP Greg Ross (2-1, 5.66). First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 PM, with coverage beginning at 5:45 on 1240-AM WGCM 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

 

Tyrone Taylor the night off as Nathan Orf played LF with Kyle Wren in CF; that moved Yadiel Rivera to 3B, Orlando Arcia to 2B; Jacob Barnes has made 25 AA starts, but only has two victories to show for it, despite numbers that are middling, but not awful...

 

Biloxi Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Normally not a fan of "excuses", but as Manager Rick Sweet said in his audio interview we linked earlier this week, the Pacific Coast League simply has to make changes.

 

The Sky Sox played in Memphis Thursday night, then had 3:00 AM wakeup calls this AM for their commercial flight(s) to Des Moines. It's just ridiculous -- unlike big leaguers, who get the benefit of charter flights right after games in similar situations. Force more matinee games when necessary.

 

Now, that's not why Colorado Springs is 9-19, but when you put up a goose-egg like Friday, well, the travel situation had to contribute.

 

By the way --

 

Milwaukee 9-21

Colorado Springs 9-19

Wisconsin 8-21

 

That's 26-61 for those keeping score at home.

 

Returning to three AAA leagues (why did the American Association disband in '97, anyway) makes too much sense.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Iowa 4, Colorado Springs 0

 

Sox Offense Shutout In 4-0 Loss To I-Cubs

Iowa Right-Hander Shuts Down Colorado Springs Offense

Colorado Springs Sky Sox

 

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Drew Gagnon allowed three runs over 5.1 innings of work in the series-opener against the Donn Roach and the I-Cubs. (File Photo from prior game by Paat Kelly)

 

The Colorado Springs offense could not get on the board in a 4-0 loss to the Iowa Cubs in front of 6,034 fans at Principal Park on Friday night.

 

Sox Starter Drew Gagnon (1-3, 5.34) tossed 5.1 innings of three-run ball on six hits and one walk while striking out eight.

 

The Sky Sox offense would collect six total hits in the scoreless effort, four of which came on two-hit efforts by Matt Clark and Shane Peterson. Nevin Ashley added a base hit along with pinch-hitter Bryan Petersen to round out the Sox offense.

 

Iowa starter Donn Roach (4-0, 2.17) threw six impressive innings of scoreless baseball, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out three over that time before giving way to a strong bullpen in the seventh.

 

I-Cubs relievers Armando Rivero, Drake Britton, Hunter Cervenka and Joe Ortiz combined for three scoreless innings in relief of Roach, allowing two hits and a walk with two strikeouts.

 

Ariel Pena would allow the final Cubs run in the home seventh, pitching 1.2 total innings while allowing three hits and striking out one.

 

David Goforth finished out the night for the Colorado Springs pitching staff, notching a strikeout in a scoreless inning.

 

The Sky Sox will look to end a three-game skid on Saturday evening with Josh Roenicke (1-0, 0.00) taking the mound against Eric Jokisch (1-0, 4.00) in his first start of the season. First pitch is scheduled for 6:08 PM MDT (7:08 Central) at Principal Field in Iowa.

 

Colorado Springs Box Score

 

Night off for Luis Sardinas; Matt Clark's thoughts on AAA travel

 

Colorado Springs Game Log

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: Brevard County RHP Brandon Woodruff talks about his improvements over the course of the season and his college teammate being in the opposing dugout

[Mass Haas]

Rattler Radio Blog Postgame Entry -- Sobering RISP numbers among several observations...

[Mass Haas]

Iowa Bottom of the 5th

 

Junior Lake strikes out swinging.

Mike Baxter strikes out swinging.

Jonathan Mota called out on strikes.

 

VIDEO: Colorado Springs' Drew Gagnon strikes out the side in order in the fifth inning of a 4-0 loss at Iowa (final pitch)

[Mass Haas]

The Brevard County post from early evening has been updated, visit here.

 

Mike Ford led off the top of the eighth with a drive to deep right centerfield and it appeared Tampa would have the tying run in scoring position to start the inning but Omar Garcia would make an incredible sprint to the ball and then went airborne, extending his arms as far as they could go to make the catch for a sensational first out of the inning. Seidenberger then struck out O'Neill and got Danny Oh to fly out to left end the inning.

 

TWEET: Catch of the year by @therealOG_21 in right center to take away extra bases from Mike Ford to lead off the 8th!

 

TWEET: Amazing catch by Garcia. He was on a dead run from CF, dove and made an unbelievable catch. He was closer to RF when he made the dive.

 

TWEET (by Omar): Anyone got video of the catch from tonight's game..

 

***

 

Unfortunately Omar, it seems not. Considering all the Florida State League ballparks all serve as spring training homes of big league teams, you would think that even only a single view camera from behind home plate could be provided (at least one MiLB.TV team does this).

 

So last night's catch will never be seen again, Omar, but at least we can relive this 2014 "oh my, Omar" moment again --