Link Report for Wednesday 5/13

[Mass Haas]

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[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Colorado Springs: RHP Drew Gagnon at home vs. Memphis (Cardinals), 11:35 AM pre-game, 12:05 PM 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 Jackson (Mariners), 10:50 AM pre-game, 11:05 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: RHP Hiram Burgos at home vs. Bradenton (Pirates), 9:05 AM pre-game, 9:35 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: LHP Kodi Medeiros at home vs. Clinton (Mariners), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime

 

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 (scroll to bottom of link) so you can coordinate your DVR activity.

 

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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]

DVR Alert!

 

Here's your Timber Rattlers TV schedule for this week --

 

THU., May 14, vs. Clinton LumberKings, 6:30 PM, TWC SportsChannel

 

FRI., May 15, vs. Kane County Cougars, 6:30 PM, MyNEW32 TV

 

SAT., May 16, vs. Kane County Cougars, 1:05 PM, MyNEW32 TV

[Mass Haas]

Follow Wednesday'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

 

Jackson, TN

 

Viera, FL

 

Grand Chute, WI

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO (Tuesday):Michael Reed triples in run in Biloxi's 6-3 win

[Mass Haas]

FSL notes: Coulter comfortable with switch

Manatees outfielder thriving at the plate following move from catcher

By Guy Curtright / Special to MiLB.com

[WV Brew]

Bradenton 5, Brevard County 0

 

Manatees could muster only 4 hits, 2 by Chris McFarland. Hiram Burgos started well but could not get out of the 6th.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Brevard County Game Log

 

Story to follow when available.

[Mass Haas]

From the May 1st conversation --

 

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.

That's an interesting observation. The Brewers have no great options for CF other than Garcia in Brevard. They obviously aren't going to bump up Harrison, and Diaz is hurt along with Davis. Maybe Mitch Meyer goes to Brevard as an emergency CFer, with Carlos Belonis going to Appleton? Francisco Castillo used to play CF - maybe him?

 

Well, we have our answer, which is Clint Coulter in CF. Garcia had played every game since Davis' season-ending knee injury, but only pinch-ran Tuesday and was off today.

 

Of course, Coulter in center field is patently ridiculous. It takes away from his time in RF, and well, it's just, well, it's Clint Coulter in center field, that's what it is.

 

I do find myself (and bad on me) playing GM of the individual affiliates, trying to make all the pieces match, but it's just not realistic. The Brewers aren't ignorant, they know it's an unpleasant situation, but it is limiting in terms of options.

 

Would I have gone and found a 24-25 year-old independent league guy with a plus speed skillset and squeezed him into the Manatee roster? Yeah, but that's just the affiliate GM mindset in me. Find a player like former Brewers farmhand Robbie Garvey, now with the Dodgers at High-A.

[WV Brew]

Bradenton Blanks Brevard County

Duncan Tosses Seven Shutout Innings

By Dave Walkovic / Brevard County Manatees

05/13/2015 2:33 PM ET

 

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Chris McFarland, pictured above, recorded two hits in Brevard County's loss on Wednesday. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

 

Viera, Fla. - The Bradenton Marauders (17-16) received a dominant pitching performance from starter Frank Duncan in a 5-0 victory over the Brevard County Manatees (15-17) on Wednesday at Space Coast Stadium.

 

Duncan (3-1, 4.03 ERA) shut out the Manatees over seven innings and allowed just four hits to pick up the victory. He did not walk a batter and struck out eight.

 

The Marauders opened the scoring in the fifth against Hiram Burgos (2-4, 4.12 ERA). The leadoff man, Jacoby Jones, reached on a single to center and advanced to second on a fielding error by Clint Coulter. Erich Weiss then singled home Jones to make it 1-0 Bradenton.

 

Bradenton blew the game open in the next inning. After a walk and a single put runners on the corners with nobody out, Austin Meadows doubled to right to plate Diaz and move Michael Fransoso up to third. Barrett Barnes then singled on a liner to right field to plate Fransoso. The runners advanced to second and third on the throw home. Barnes' single made it 3-0 Bradenton and ended Burgos' outing. Kaleb Earls entered from the bullpen. Jin-De Jhang recorded on RBI on a grounder and Jones drove in a run on a sacrifice fly to complete the scoring. The Marauders scored four runs on three hits and a walk in the fifth. When the inning was over, Burgos was hit with five runs - four earned - on five hits. He threw five complete innings and did not record an out in the sixth. Burgos walked one and fanned six.

 

Earls retired five batters and allowed just one hit in a scoreless outing. He struck out two. He was removed from the ballgame with an undisclosed injury in the seventh inning.

 

Scott Lieser pitched 2.1 perfect innings in relief of Earls.

 

The Manatees recorded just four hits in the game, two by Chris McFarland. He now has eight hits in the series in 15 at-bats and has raised his batting average to .297 on the year.

 

The two clubs will wrap up the four-game series tomorrow. The Manatees will send LHP Wei-Chung Wang (1-1, 5.93 ERA) to the bump as Brevard County attempts to salvage a series split. LHP Steven Brault (1-0, 4.56 ERA) will get the call for Bradenton. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at Space Coast Stadium.

[Mass Haas]

The Shuckers are indeed becoming rock stars, as this ESPN video special illustrates (filmed about two weeks ago).

 

This video is just a preview, there will be more to come, nice...

 

(We'll also be archiving this in our Biloxi season-long feature thread, thanks for understanding as some folks come to the Link Report only via Twitter and may not see this elsewhere...)

[Mass Haas]

Via Ryan Kaufman at Miller Park Prospects -- Feature Profile on Sky Sox 1B Matt Clark

 

(Also posted for archiving in our Sky Sox season-long thread...)

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: This week's Brewers on Tap podcast via Jeff Levering includes an interview with Sky Sox closer RHP Corey Knebel (Knebel at the 8:45 minute mark)

[Mass Haas]

Matinee Finals:

 

Memphis 9, Colorado Springs 4

 

Biloxi 14, Jackson 10

 

All the details will be posted by mid-evening...

[TheCrew07]

It's surprising that with so many teams on the road across MiLB every year this doesn't happen more often. Best wishes for all of the Braves' players affected.

 

Mudcats Cancel Series In Myrtle Beach After Accident

May 13, 2015 by Vince Lara-Cinisomo

[Mass Haas]

Final: Memphis 9, Colorado Springs 4

 

Five-Run Second Enough For Memphis As Sox Fall 9-4

Teams Combine for 15 Hits and 13 Walks In Wild Ballgame

By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox

 

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Nick Additon tossed 3.1 scoreless innings in relief of Drew Gagnon, giving the Sox a chance at a comeback in the eventual 9-4 loss. (Photo by Paat Kelly)

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - An early start led to early scoring in what would be a wild ballgame as the Sky Sox fell 9-4 to the Memphis Redbirds on Wednesday in front of 6,980 fans at Security Service Field.

 

After a quick night-to-morning game turn-around, the Sky Sox offense drew first blood, scoring a first inning run without the benefit of a hit. Walks to Logan Schafer and Luis Sardinas opened the frame before Pete Orr's fielder's choice groundout left runners on the corners with one out for cleanup hitter Shane Peterson. Peterson would ground into an unconventional double-play but heads up base-running by the outfielder allowed Schafer to score from third before finally being tagged out in the run down.

 

Sox starter Drew Gagnon (1-3, 5.19) worked a scoreless first before losing the strike zone in the top of the second when he walked three consecutive batters and allowed three base hits, giving up five total runs to the Redbirds offense in the frame. Left-hander Nick Additon came on with two out in the second to retire Stephen Piscotty on a swinging strikeout, avoiding further damage to keep the score at 5-1.

 

Redbirds right-hander Zach Petrick (1-3, 5.19) picked up his first win of the season, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and four walks while striking out six.

 

The Sky Sox would tally their second run off of Petrick in the home third. After a throwing error by Memphis third baseman Matt Williams allowed Robinzon Diaz and Schafer to advance to third and second respectively on the attempted fielder's choice, Sardinas would ground out, plating Diaz in the process.

 

The Sky Sox bullpen kept the Redbirds offense off the board for six plus innings after the five-run second as Additon, Jim Henderson and Jed Bradley combined for 6.1 shutout innings of work, allowing a combined two hits and one walk while striking out eight. Additon lead the way with five strikeouts of his own without yielding a base hit. In fact, over his last two appearances (both in relief), Additon has allowed just one base runner while striking out 10 in 5.1 innings of work.

 

The Sox added two more runs in the sixth off of Memphis lefty Justin Wright on the strength of three hits and a walk. Shane Peterson led off the frame with a walk before Matt Long's double in the next at-bat gave the Sox two runners in scoring position without an out. Bryan Petersen would score his similarly named teammate from third on an RBI groundout, cutting the Redbirds lead to two. Donnie Murphy immediately followed with an RBI single to right field, plating Long and moving Colorado Springs within one run of tying it up. Unfortunately, the Sox rally would come to screeching halt as Wright worked out of further trouble to maintain the 5-4 lead.

 

The game got truly wild in the top of the ninth as Ariel Pena came on to keep the game close in hopes of some more late-inning magic at the nation's most highly elevated ballpark. Pena would struggle, allowing his first, and only, three batters to reach safely on a single and two walks before being pulled in favor of the veteran, side-slinging Tim Dillard.

 

Dillard would not fare much better, hitting his first two batters with pitches to allow two runs to cross the plate. A controversial call would follow as Piscotty beat out what looked to be a 5-2-3 double-play. Though the Sox nabbed Mike O'Neill at the plate, Manager Rick Sweet clearly thought Piscotty was out at first, earning his first ejection of the season in a heated exchange with first base umpire Adam Schwarz. Dan Johnson followed with a two-run single before Dillard induced an interesting inning-ending 2-5-3 double play off the bat of reliever Marcus Hatley.

 

Hatley would finish off the Sky Sox in the home ninth despite a one-out Sardinas triple to the left field corner. Hatley earned his second save of the season, helping improve the Redbirds season record to 13-20. With the loss, Colorado Springs falls to 12-21 through 33 games.

 

The Sky Sox will look to get back in the win column on Thursday morning as Josh Roenicke (2-0, 0.96) faces off with highly-touted prospect, and Colorado native, Marco Gonzales (0-1, 5.89) in game three of the four-game set. First pitch is scheduled for 11:05 AM MDT (12:05 Central) at Security Service Field.

 

Colorado Springs Box Score

 

This was Jim Henderson's final rehab appearance. Optioned to the Sky Sox after the game, there will need to be a roster spot freed up prior to Thursday's game. SS Luis Sardinas tripled, but more importantly, walked twice -- more of that, kid, more! Twenty-two walks in 32 IP for RHP Drew Gagnon -- had forgotten that he was a 3rd round pick (2011).

 

Colorado Springs Game Log

 

"his similarly named teammate" -- like that, first time I believe we've see that phrase turned in Link Report history...

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO (from Tuesday): Pete Orr triples in Colorado Springs' 10-3 win over Memphis ("Stand-up" triple? Not quite...)

[TheCrew07]

Rattlers fall in tenth to Clinton

Wisconsin rallies to tie in ninth, but sees losing streak reach 12

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

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Gregory Munoz went 2-for-6 with a double and two runs scored on Wednesday night. (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers/Ann Mollica

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie Wednesday's game with the Clinton LumberKings at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. But, Kristian Brito singled with two outs in the top of the tenth to drive in the run to beat Wisconsin 6-5 and send the Rattlers to their twelfth straight loss.

 

Clinton (15-18) broke the scoreless tie with two runs in the top of the fourth. Chris Mariscal singled and Taylor Zeutenhorst doubled. Brito singled with one out to drive in Mariscal. Zeutenhorst scored on a grounder off the bat of Daniel Torres.

 

Those were the only two runs allowed by Wisconsin starting pitcher Kodi Medeiros. The lefty allowed five hits over five innings, walked one, and struck out eight. The eight strikeouts by Medeiros matched the most he has had in a single game as a professional.

 

The Timber Rattlers (8-25) got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth inning. Gregory Munoz reached on an error, moved to second on a wild pitch, and took third on a single by Brandon Diaz. Tucker Neuhaus drove in Munoz with a sacrifice fly to pull the Rattlers to within 2-1.

 

But, Clinton responded in the top of the sixth against reliever David Burkhalter with a run. Burkhalter struck out the first three batters of the inning, but Taylor Zeutenhorst - the second batter of the inning - reached when strike three got to the backstop. Brito lined a two-out double to right and Zeutenhorst scored from first for a 3-1 lead.

 

The LumberKings made it 5-1 in the top of the seventh. Aaron Barbosa reached on a one-out single and Erick Mejia got on first after Burkhalter dropped a flip to first from Alan Sharkey for an error. Burkhalter got the second out, but walked Mariscal on a 3-2 pitch to load the bases. Zeutenhorst followed with a two-run single and the LumberKings were up four.

 

Wisconsin rallied in the ninth against Troy Scott. Munoz reached on an error by Brito. Neuhaus, who had extended his current hitting streak to eleven games with a single in the seventh, drew a walk. Dustin DeMuth followed with a single to right and Munoz scored. Sharkey was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Elvis Rubio was next and his slow grounder to short wound up scoring both Neuhaus and DeMuth when Brito missed the throw to first. Sharkey wound up at third on the play as the tying run.

 

Francisco Castillo tied the game when his sinking line drive to center was caught by Barbosa. Sharkey tagged on the play and scored the tying run.

 

In the top of the tenth, Mariscal doubled off Mark Williams to start the inning, but he was still at second with two outs and a 1-2 pitch due to Brito. The Clinton first baseman lined a single to right and Mariscal scored without a throw.

 

Munoz reached on a one out single in the bottom of the tenth, but the Rattlers left him stranded.

 

The Timber Rattlers stranded 13 runners and went 4-for-17 with runners in scoring position. However, three of their four hits with runners in scoring position moved runners from second to third without scoring a run.

 

Wisconsin has lost twelve straight games. The team record of fourteen straight losses was set by the 2007 team.

 

The first 1,000 fans to attend the game will receive a poster featuring Wisconsin infielder Dustin DeMuth, the 5th round pick of the Brewers in 2014, courtesy of Dunkin Donuts. Thirsty Thursday means 16oz soda, beer, and Arty's Old Fashioned drinks are available for just $2.

 

If you can't make it out to the stadium, there are numerous ways to catch the action. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel will televise the game starting at 6:30pm. The radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:15am. The broadcast may also be heard on Tune In Radio and IHeartRadio. Subscribers may watch the game on MiLB.tv.

 

WP: Troy Scott (1-0)

LP: Mark Williams (0-1)

SAVE: Jarrett Brown (1)

 

TIME: 3:43

ATTN: 3,940

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Gah! A 4 run rally only to come up short again, I missed a heck of a game. Lots to digest here as 4 players had multi-hit games and 2 young pitchers were on the hill.

 

Wisconsin Recap

[Mass Haas]

Final: Biloxi 14, Jackson 10

 

Bats explode for 14 runs and 20 hits in 14-10 win on Wednesday

Shuckers scored 10 run in the seventh and eighth innings

Biloxi Shuckers

 

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Nick Ramirez was 4-for-6 with three runs in the win on Wednesday afternoon (Photo by Jason Clark)

 

JACKSON, TN - The Shuckers' offense exploded for a franchise-best 14 runs and 20 hits Wednesday morning, in a 14-10 victory over the Jackson Generals at The Ballpark at Jackson. The win, which included a five-run seventh and eighth inning, was the second straight giving Biloxi a 2-1 series edge. The Shuckers three through six batters, Orlando Arcia, Nick Ramirez, Michael Reed and Nathan Orf, combined to go 12-for-20 with 10 runs, three doubles and six RBIs. Biloxi remains atop the South Division standings and are one of two Southern League teams to reach the 20 win plateau.

 

The road warriors opened up the floodgates in the seventh to break a 4-4 tie, sending eight men to the plate. The inning began with back-to-back doubles from Yadiel Rivera (1x5, R, 2B, BB) and Arcia (3x6, RBI, 2 R, 2B) to give Biloxi a one-run advantage. Ramirez (4x6, 2 RBI, 3 R) kept the line moving with an RBI single and Reed (2x3, RBI, 3 R, 2B, 3 BB) followed with a walk to put two men on for Orf (3x5, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2B). The Shuckers' third baseman doubled to left to plate Ramirez and give his team a three-run lead. Taylor Green (2x4, 3 RBI, R, 2B, BB) completed the five-run frame with a two run single, forcing reliever Jordan Shipers from the game.

 

Biloxi's offense was back at it again in the eighth, striking for five more runs to take a commanding 14-4 lead. The Shuckers clubbed 10 runs on 10 hits in the two frames, which matched franchise bests for a single inning.

 

Jackson got the scoring going in the second on a two-run home run by Jabari Blash and added another run in the third when Marcus Littlewood scored on a wild pitch to give the Generals a 3-0 lead.

 

Biloxi rallied in the fourth, starting the inning with back-to-back singles off the bats of Ramirez and Reed. After a strike out to Orf, Green hit a bouncer up the middle that caromed off the glove of second baseman Tyler Smith and scored Ramirez. Parker Berberet (1x5, 3 RBI, R, 3B) launched his first triple since August 2013 off the left-field wall to plate Reed and Green and tie the game at three. Kyle Wren (2x5, RBI) put down an RBI bunt single and beat out the throw from pitcher Scott DeCecco to extend his hitting streak to nine games.

 

The Generals would not go away quietly, tying the game at four on a bloop single by D.J. Peterson to bring in Jack Reinheimer in the fifth inning. The five-run ninth by Jackson was the biggest inning by an opponent against Biloxi as well as the 10 runs and 15 hits. Jackson's right-fielder Blash contributed the first multi-home run performance against the Shuckers, adding the first ever grand slam against Biloxi in the ninth off of Eric Marzec.

 

Shuckers' starting pitcher Jacob Barnes came into Wednesday's game in search of his first win of the season, but went just 4.2 innings before being lifted in the fifth after surrendering the tying run. The Florida native allowed four runs - three earned - on eight hits, a walk and six strikeouts.

 

Brent Suter (W, 2-1) allowed just one run on five hits and two strikeouts over his 3.1 innings of work. Martin Viramontes (0.1 IP, 4 R, H, 3 BB) and Marzec (0.2 IP, R, H) allowed five runs in the ninth. Jackson reliever Jordan Shipers (L, 0-2) gave up five runs in the seventh and suffered the loss.

 

Biloxi will look to take the five-game series against the Generals on Thursday evening, with LHP Hobbs Johnson (2-0, 2.39) taking on LHP Jake Zokan (1-1, 6.75). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM, with coverage beginning at 6:50 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 www.biloxishuckers.com.

 

Biloxi Box Score

 

Team RISP: 11-for-19.

 

Yeah, that'll work.

 

Second straight three-hit game for Orlando Arcia -- he's gotta be a top 15 prospect on next spring's Top 100 lists, now sporting a .361/.414/.479 line (.893 OPS) in an offensively-neutral league while playing premium defense, all at age 20, having lost all of his age 17 year of development to injury.

 

Anyway, we know sometimes you gloss over the box score links, but we also know you can't resist this one. Enjoy...

 

Biloxi Game Log

 

Outfield assists: Reed, M 2 (Lara, J at home, Blash at home).

 

Ejections: Jackson Generals Manager Jim Horner ejected by HP umpire Brennan Miller (5th)

 

Yeah, should have been just one as listening in, Chris Harris indicated the umpire missed one call, but Michael wiil take the extra assist, thank you very much...

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: A full Shuck Dynasty Blog postgame entry, scroll towards the bottom for multiple audio cuts

 

***

 

VIDEO (From Tuesday): Biloxi's Michael Reed slaps a two-run homer as the Shuckers top Jackson, 6-3.

[Mass Haas]

Medeiros sharp for Timber Rattlers in 12th straight loss

Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent Media

 

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/174cab9f41ff74edc4f4dc8258906ad62432ae32/c=541-0-7714-5380&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/2015/05/14/Appleton/B9317318520Z.1_20150514003712_000_GJ0APGV0P.1-0.jpg

 

Kodi Medeiros delivers a pitch for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers against the Clinton LumberKings at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Wednesday in Grand Chute. (Photo: Ron Page/Post-Crescent Media)

 

PHOTO GALLERY: Other excellent shots at the article link

 

GRAND CHUTE – Kodi Medeiros is still seeking his first win as a professional pitcher, but the victories will pile up with more outings like the one he delivered Wednesday night.

 

The 18-year-old left-hander with the high ceiling showed why he was the 12th overall pick by Milwaukee in the 2014 draft, with one of his best performances of the 2015 season.

 

Medeiros (0-2) didn't get a decision in a 6-5, 10-inning loss to the Clinton LumberKings, but showed plenty. He allowed two runs on five hits in five innings and matched a career high with eight strikeouts, while walking only one. One of the hits he allowed was an infield single, and the only ball hit hard off him was Taylor Zeutenhorst's double off the left-field wall that highlighted Clinton's two-run fifth.

 

It was Medeiros' sharpest outing since Wisconsin's home opener on April 12 when he threw six hitless innings with seven strikeouts and one walk.

 

"I felt good out on the mound," said Medeiros. "My defense backed me up and Greg (McCall) and I were on the same page. Whatever he put down, I felt confident with. I tried to keep it simple. Just tried to throw strikes. Unfortunately, we didn't get the win."

 

Medeiros, rated by Baseball America as the Brewers' eighth-best prospect, threw strikes on 57 of his 88 pitches, and got five ground outs to just two fly outs.

 

"I had been struggling to get my change-up over the plate, but today I was able to throw it for strikes and that helped a lot," said Medeiros.

 

Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson liked the way that Medeiros bounced back after being ineffective in his previous outing May 8 against Quad Cities, when he allowed five runs in 1 1/3 innings.

 

"The last time he was out there, it was probably his worst outing," said Erickson. "He had very little feel for his release point and was losing the ball on both sides of the plate. Tonight, he looked much cleaner in his delivery. He got ahead of hitters and put them away with that slider. When he gets ahead and has some control of the zone, his ball moves so much that it's hard to square up against him. He was really effective tonight. He kept us close and gave us a chance to come back."

 

The loss was Wisconsin's 12th straight — two short of the team record set in 2007 — but the Rattlers made it interesting.

 

Wisconsin trailed 5-1 heading into the bottom of the ninth, but rallied for four unearned runs to tie the game. The Rattlers capitalized on two Clinton errors — including a wild throw by shortstop Erick Mejia that let in two runs —and got an RBI single from designated hitter Dustin DeMuth and a sacrifice fly by second baseman Francisco Castillo.

 

Clinton, though, quickly retaliated off Wisconsin reliever Mark Williams to pull out the win. Following a leadoff double by Chris Mariscal, first baseman Kristian Brito drilled a two-out opposite-field single to right to send home Mariscal with the tie-breaking run.

 

Brito, who slammed home runs in the first two games of the series, went 3-for-5 with three RBI.

 

Despite being 0-for-May, Erickson isn't discouraged with his young team and likes the Rattlers' energy and attitude.

 

"Through this whole stretch and from the beginning, we've talked about how important it was going to be in this particular clubhouse to not be result-based, but to be process-based and make sure we work," said Erickson. "I'm really happy with the way we go about our business throughout the day. That's why these hurt a little, because they had some late-inning fight and the effort was there.

 

"It means something to them. Sometimes, you go through clubhouses and it kind of runs off their backs a little too easy. This is hurting a little bit, and it should, if it means something to you. You can see them talking and trying to figure some things out. They'll come back tomorrow with smiles on their faces ready to go. If we lose our effort, we're going to be done. It's going to be a sinking ship. But with the age group and us continuing to pound the process, hopefully we can get better and come back and finish some of these games."

 

The Rattlers outhit the LumberKings 12-11, and got two hits apiece from DeMuth, second baseman Gregory Munoz, first baseman Alan Sharkey and catcher McCall. Third baseman Tucker Neuhaus singled in the bottom of the seventh to extend his hitting streak to 11 games, the longest by a Rattler this season.

[Mass Haas]

Rattler Radio Blog - Postgame entry with some statistical tidbits from Chris Mehring

 

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VIDEO, Game Highlights: The Timber Rattlers lose 6-5 against the Clinton Lumber Kings in 10 innings

[Mass Haas]

Sky Sox misfire on scoring chances in home loss

By Joe Paisley, Colorado Springs Gazette

 

After scoring 23 runs in two straight wins, Colorado Springs was unable to come up with a clutch hit in a 9-4 home loss to Memphis on Wednesday.

 

Colorado Springs fell short of a season-high three victories in a row due to two squandered bases-loaded opportunities.

 

The Sky Sox mounted a rally in the fifth when a two-out double by Chris Nelson and two straight walks loaded the bases for third baseman Pete Orr. He grounded out to end the threat against Redbirds starter Zach Petrick without any runs scored and down 5-2.

 

The 12-21 Sky Sox made it 5-4 in the sixth off hits by Bryan Petersen and Donnie Murphy before falling short with the bases loaded. Luis Sardinas grounded out to strand three batters before a Math Day Matinee crowd of 6,980 at Security Service Field. In all, the hosts stranded nine.

 

"We definitely didn't swing the bats like we wanted to," Orr said before the team held a closed-door meeting. "There were some tough calls that went against us. We didn't battle through it."

 

Manager Rick Sweet was ejected during a four-run ninth inning that put the win away for Memphis (13-20).

 

Colorado Springs starter Drew Gagnon (1-4) lasted only 1 2/3 innings and gave up five runs, all earned, due to four walks and three consecutive hits, including a two-run double off the wall by Greg Garcia that ended his day down 5-1.

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO: Luis Sardinas strokes a triple (into the left field corner yet) in Colorado Springs' 9-4 loss to Memphis

 

As Dan notes on the call, came in the wrong inning...

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: LHP Stephen Peterson joins the Manatees Radio Network

 

Give a listen to my Massachusetts guy...

 

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AUDIO, Game Highlights/Lowlights: Bradenton blanks Brevard County, 5-0