Link Report for Thursday 5/21

[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 Salt Lake (Angels), 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.

 

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Biloxi: RHP Jorge Lopez at "home" in Huntsville vs. Birmingham (White Sox), 6:25 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: This series is NOT available online for MiLB.TV subscribers.

 

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Brevard County: RHP Brandon Woodruff at Fort Myers (Twins), 6:05 PM gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link (Fort Myers Feed Only)

 

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

 

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Wisconsin: RHP Devin Williams at Burlington (Angels), 6:10 PM pre-game, 6:30 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.

 

***

 

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 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

 

Wisconsin Media Notes - Linked on the Rattler Radio blog

 

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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:

 

Salt Lake City, UT

 

Huntsville, AL

 

Fort Myers, FL

 

Burlington, IA

[Mass Haas]

2015 Logomania – Round 4

 

Final Four, keep it up, Biloxi and Brewer fans!

[Mass Haas]

Some nice statistical updates from @BrewersPD (Player Development) today.

[TheCrew07]

Bees get Rattlers 6-3 to earn split in series

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/2/6/2/125881262/cuts/5_May21_BrandonDiaz_WEB_nlsd8w7s_fnedy5li.jpg

Brandon Diaz went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI for the Timber Rattlers on Thursday night in Burlington. (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers/Ann Mollica)

 

BURLINGTON, IA - The Burlington Bees scored five of their six runs in Thursday's game against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers with two outs and that was enough to give them a 6-3 win at Community Field. Zach Houchins had three hits, three RBI, and was only missing a home run for the cycle in the game.

 

Burlington (21-20) grabbed the lead with a run in the bottom of the first inning. Caleb Adams drew a walk with one out and stole second base. With two outs, Houchins pulled a 1-2 pitch from Devin Williams down the left field line for a double to knock in Adams for a 1-0 lead.

 

Wade Wass drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the second, stole second, and took third on a wild pitch. Juan Moreno drove in Wass with a two-out double.

 

A leadoff walk and a wild pitch played into another Burlington run in the bottom of the third. Adams drew the walk and took second on the wild pitch. Houchins picked up his second RBI of the game with a single up the middle that scored Adams and gave the Bees a 3-0 lead.

 

Wisconsin (11-30) rallied to within a run on single runs in the fourth and fifth innings.

 

In the fourth, Elvis Rubio doubled and Dustin DeMuth walked to start the inning against Burlington starter Keynan Middleton. They were bunted into scoring position by Carlos Leal. Francisco Castillo drove in Rubio with a sacrifice fly.

 

Jake Gatewood drilled a solo home run to left-center with one out in the fifth inning. Gatewood's second home run of the season pulled the Rattlers to within 3-2.

 

Williams and Josh Uhen kept the Bees from scoring in the bottom of the fifth, but Burlington got a couple more two-out RBI hits in the sixth inning. Moreno singled against Uhen and was sacrificed to second. A two-out bloop single to right by Andrew Daniel dropped in to drive in Moreno. Houchins followed with a triple down the line in right to send Daniel home.

 

Burlington added a run against reliever Angel Ventura with two outs in the seventh. Fran Whitten singled with two outs and none on base. A pair of wild pitches allowed Whitten to take third base. Moreno singled to left to drive in Whitten and the Bees were up 6-2.

 

Wisconsin put a run on the scoreboard in the ninth. Brandon Diaz doubled with two outs to drive in Greg McCall from first base. Diaz went 3-for-4 in the game for the Rattlers.

 

The Rattlers and Bees split the four-game series at Community Field. Wisconsin won the first two games and the Bees won the final two games of the series.

 

The Timber Rattlers continue their road trip with game one of a four-game series in Kane County on Friday night. Cy Sneed (1-5, 2.21) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. The Cougars have named Touki Toussaint (0-0, 450) as their starter. Game time is 6:30pm.

 

Catch all the action on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:10pm. The broadcast may also be heard on Tune In Radio and IHeartRadio. Kane County also provides their MiLB.TV broadcast to subscribers.

 

HOME RUN:

WIS:

Jake Gatewood (2nd, 0 on in 5th inning, 1 out)

 

WP: Keynan Middleton (2-1)

LP: Devin Williams (0-2)

 

TIME: 2:36

ATTN: 465

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Jake Gatewood continues to flash some brilliance here and there, with another very good defensive play and of course the HR. The question remains though, will he ever hit enough?

 

Francisco Castillo(2-2,BB) and Elvis Rubio(2-4,2B) both had 2 hits a piece.

 

Angel Ventura is filthy, he's one to keep an eye on.

 

Wisconsin Recap

[WV Brew]

Woodruff's Gem Spoiled in 1-0 Loss

Miracle defeat Manatees in Series Opener

By Dave Walkovic / Brevard County Manatees

05/21/2015 11:18 PM ET

 

 

Fort Myers, Fla. - The Fort Myers Miracle (20-21) shutout the Brevard County Manatees (17-23) 1-0 on Thursday night at CenturyLink Sports Complex.

 

The Miracle scored the lone run of the game in the bottom of the eighth inning against Tyler Spurlin. Tanner Vavra doubled to right field and advanced to third when Clint Coulter committed a fielding error with no outs. Zach Granite then singled through the right side to score Vavra. Spurlin did not allow any more baserunnerså.

 

Fort Myers' starter Brett Lee (1-2, 2.14 ERA) posted eight scoreless frames to earn the win. He allowed seven hits and one walk. He fanned six. Brandon Peterson struck out the side in the ninth to record his first save of the season.

 

Brandon Woodruff posted seven shutout innings in a no-decision. He surrendered just four hits and a walk. He struck out two batters. Spurlin (1-1, 3.14 ERA) allowed just the unearned run in the eighth on two hits.

 

Chris McFarland, Jose Pena, and Omar Garcia each recorded two hits in the loss. McFarland had two doubles. He leads the Florida State League with 12 on the year.

 

The two clubs will continue the series in Fort Myers tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. RHP Javi Salas (2-3, 2.83 ERA) will start for Brevard County. The Miracle will send LHP Luke Westphal (2-2, 4.37 ERA) to the bump.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

By far the best start of the year for Brandon Woodruff. Hitting woes continue.

 

Brevard County Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Final: Salt Lake 8, Colorado Springs 2

 

Big Inning Hurts Sox Again In 8-2 Loss To Bees

10 Hits, Four-Run Third Down Sox In Series Opener

By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/2/8/8/124875288/cuts/pete_orr_wiq9qho3_r7y2immm.jpg

 

Pete Orr recorded the Sox only multi-hit game, serving as a catalyst for the team's second run in Thursday night's 8-2 loss. (File Photo from prior game by Paat Kelly)

 

The Sky Sox could not overcome Salt Lake's four-run third inning in an eventual 8-2 loss to the Bees before a crowd of 3,479 at Smith's Ballpark on Thursday night.

 

After allowing a run on two hits in the home first, Sox starter Drew Gagnon (1-5, 7.05) would work a scoreless second before allowing four runs on five hits, a walk and hit-by-pitch. The Sox defense did keep at least one runner from crossing the plate when Logan Schafer, Matt Clark and Nevin Ashley combined on a relay to nail Kyle Kubitza at the plate with the inning's first out. The Bees would finish the inning holding a 5-1 lead.

 

Colorado Springs tallied their first base hit against Salt Lake starter Nick Tropeano with a fourth inning solo blast by new Sox addition Scooter Gennett. They would add another run in the sixth after Salt Lake scored a run of their own in the home fifth. With two outs, Ashley extended the frame with a walk before consecutive singles by Pete Orr and Schafer brought the catcher around for the Sox second run, cutting the Bees lead to 6-2.

 

Gagnon would finish the day with five innings of six run ball under his belt, allowing eight hits and three walks while striking out just two along the way.

 

Tropeano cruised through his first three innings before running into Gennett to lead off the fourth. Even then, the right-hander would set down his next five straight batters before the Ashley walk in the fifth. Tropeano would allow two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out six over 4.2 innings of work.

 

The Bees knocked in their final two runs in the home sixth thanks in part to a Yadiel Rivera throwing error. Josh Roenicke would be tagged for two unearned runs as he would serve up a two-run double to Kubitza.

 

Bees starters Grant Green, Kubitza, Jett Bandy and Ryan Jackson each finished with multi-hit games in Salt Lake's 10-hit effort while Orr's two-hit game and Gennett's long ball lead the way offensively for the Sox.

 

Jed Bradley, Jim Henderson and David Goforth would finish out the game for Colorado Springs, tossing 2.1 combined hitless innings while striking out three total batters.

 

The Salt Lake bullpen would close out the victory for the home team with a trio of Atahualpa Severino (1-1, 6.38), Steven Hensley and Frank Herrmann teaming up for 4.1 scoreless frames, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out four.

 

With the loss, the Sky Sox fall to 15-24 on the season as Salt Lake improves to 19-21.

 

The Sox are back at it tomorrow evening as they look to get back in the win column in Salt Lake. Roenicke (2-0, 3.68) had been scheduled to start against Bees right-hander Drew Rucinski (0-1, 7.71) but that may change give his appearance in tonight's ball game. First pitch at Smith's Ballpark is slated for 6:35 PM MDT (7:35 Central) on Friday night.

 

Colorado Springs Box Score

 

So we waited four days for a Sky Sox game and got this clunker? Did the Brewers already abandon having relievers pitch the first two innings so starters like Drew Gagnon can pitch deep into the late innings of games? Did pitchers complain? Does the organization have conviction or what? However the wind blows? Gagnon's WHIP now an unsightly 1.81.

 

Colorado Springs Game Log

 

Col. Springs Top of the 2nd

 

Matt Clark called out on strikes.

Ben Guez grounds out, pitcher Nick Tropeano to first baseman Efren Navarro.

Matt Long grounds out, pitcher Nick Tropeano to first baseman Efren Navarro.

 

Salt Lake Bottom of the 2nd

 

Defensive Substitution: Chris Nelson replaces right fielder Ben Guez, batting 5th, playing third base.

Defensive switch from third base to right field for Pete Orr.

 

Matt Long was the DH, so Pete Orr had to go the outfield, where he has minimal, but some, experience (five games with Nashville in 2014).

 

No word quite yet on Ben Guez' injury.

[Mass Haas]

Once again, Biloxi salvages the night for the entire organization --

 

Final: Biloxi 5, Birmingham 4, 12 innings

 

Shuckers win fifth straight with 5-4, extra-inning walkoff over Barons

Taylor Green homered and delivered the game-winning single in the bottom of the 12th inning

Biloxi Shuckers

 

HUNTSVILLE, ALA. - For a second consecutive game, the Shuckers let an early lead slip away, but still came out on top. This time, it was in 5-4, walk-off fashion thanks to the bat of Taylor Green (2x5, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB) in the bottom of the 12th against the Birmingham Barons on Thursday night at Joe Davis Stadium. The Shuckers matched a season-best by winning five-straight and are nine games over .500 for the first time in the inaugural season. The division lead remains 2.5 games over the Mississippi Braves. The walk-off was the second this week as Biloxi walked-off with a 2-1 win over Jacksonville in game two of Sunday's doubleheader.

 

In the bottom of the 12th of the first ever meeting between the clubs, Orlando Arcia (1x4, RBI, R, 2 BB) drew a one-out walk to give the Shuckers their first base runner since a leadoff walk to Kyle Wren (1x4, 2 BB) in the sixth inning. Brandon Macias (1x1) pinch-hit for an injured Michael Reed (1x5) two batters later, and moved Arcia to second for Green. The 27-year-old served a single to left against Birmingham reliever Raul Fernandez (L, 0-2) scoring Arcia for the winning run. Arcia (22) and Wren (21) continued their on-base streaks with their performances, currently the longest streaks in the league.

 

Birmingham (19-22) tied the game with a four-run rally in the ninth off of relievers Wirfin Obispo (0.2 IP, 3 R, H, BB, SO) and Damien Magnifico (2.1 IP, R, 3 H, BB, 2 SO).

 

Adrien Nieto led off the frame with his second home run of the season to break the shutout. Jeremy Farrell was then hit by a pitch before Joey DeMichele struck out swinging and Jacob May flew out to left. Tim Anderson drew a walk, ending the night for Obispo.

 

Manager Carlos Subero called upon Magnifico to get the final out, but he surrendered a game-tying, three-run shot to Courtney Hawkins to tie the game at four.

 

Jaye Chapman (W, 4-2, IP, H, BB, SO), who eventually earned the win, made things interesting for the Shuckers in the 12th. After allowing a leadoff single to Christian Marrero, the Shuckers' pitcher misplayed a sacrifice bunt attempt by Marcus Lemon, putting two on with nobody out for the Barons. Chapman then made a heads-up play to snag Marrero at third on a sacrifice attempt by Brian Fletcher for the first out of the inning. Nieto drew a walk to load the bases for the Barons, but the veteran righty struck out Ferrell and induced a ground out by DeMichele to end the Birmingham threat.

 

"One at-bat changed the whole game," added Subero after Thursday's fifth-straight win. "It was on the first pitch from Magnifico (after relieving Obispo). We were dominating again, similar to two days ago, but, our pitching came through and executed and Magnifico twice in first-and-thirds (10th and 11th) and Chapman with the bases loaded (12th). Then, we were able to come through again with a win late. Green is a veteran. And he really came through with that hit in 12th and the home run earlier."

 

Biloxi (25-16) got on the board early in the second on a bloop single off the bat bat of Nick Shaw (2x5, RBI) to plate Green. The Shuckers had an opportunity with the bases loaded and two outs and Nathan Orf (0x5) at the dish, but the third baseman grounded out to his counterpart, Jeremy Farrell, to end the inning.

 

Adam Weisenburger (2x5, RBI, R) gave the Shuckers their second run of the game in the fourth with an RBI single to center to bring in Tyrone Taylor (1x5, R, 3B) from third. Shaw followed up the single with one of his own to put two on with nobody out. Weisenburger moved over to third on Wren's double play and Orf was hit by a pitch, giving Biloxi runners at the corners and two outs. Arcia knocked a single into center to score Weisenburger and give the Shuckers a 3-0 lead.

 

Green socked out his second home run of the season in the fifth to extend the advantage to 4-0.

 

Starting pitching continued to dominate on this home stand for the Shuckers, as Jorge Lopez did not allow a run in 5.2 innings, surrendering just two hits (which did not leave the infield), issuing four walks and striking out five to lower his ERA to 2.95 on the year.

 

The Shuckers will try to for a season-long six-game winning streak Friday night against the Barons in a matchup of LHP Brent Suter (2-1, 2.78) against RHP Mark Blackmar (0-2, 4.15). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM, with coverage beginning at 6:55 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

 

Twenty-one walks in 39.2 innings for an otherwise strong RHP Jorge Lopez; all four of the outs RHP Austin Ross (stranded two inherited runners) notched were via strikeout, now with 34 in 24 innings; RHP Wirfin Obispo is Biloxi's Jonathan Broxton, size and all; another scoreless frame for LHP Mike Strong...

 

Biloxi Game Log

 

Michael Reed played right field through the top of the 12th and had no chances in that inning, yet was somehow injured and was pinch-hit for in the game-winning bottom of the 12th...

 

***

 

Shuckers tweet: .@yabiee18 (Jorge Lopez) hit by a liner back up the middle. Trainers come out, Lopez throws a warmup... He's fine.

 

Lopez tweet and photo: Thanks god I'm good. #lucky #GreatWin @BiloxiShuckers

 

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO, Shuck Dynasty Blog: Postgame entry includes game highlights, photos, Manager Carlos Subero, and Jorge Lopez stat info

 

We learn that Michael Reed had banged a foot against a wall, trainer said he had to come out of the game...

[brewmann04]

seems like our Future lies with the Biloxi team.

[TheCrew07]

Did the Brewers already abandon having relievers pitch the first two innings so starters like Drew Gagnon can pitch deep into the late innings of games? Did pitchers complain? Does the organization have conviction or what?

 

The thing which I find odd about that whole deal at AAA is what pitcher do the Brewers have at any level who's efficient enough with his pitches to actually pitch into the 7th, 8th, or 9th at MLB? I understand the theory, but when we look around the organization most pitchers haven't been able through 6 innings on 85 pitches on a regular basis. Speaking of which, I take huge issue with this 85 pitch limit stuff above A ball, once pitchers have moved through the tandem system how about letting them get used to pitching out to 100 pitches? Of course I understand those pitch limits are completely arbitrary, but that's what's being done. We'll have the occasional gem from one of the youngsters but Tyler Wagner has arguably been the most consistent pitcher in the organization this year and twice he's pitched through 7 complete on less than 85 pitches. I do understand that relievers need work as well, but all we're doing is conditioning our best pitchers to be done after 6 or 7 innings which I've never agreed with even on the big league level.

 

The way pitching has been handled by MLB over the years is fascinating, MLB carelessly blew through young arms until around the turn of the millennium and then the pendulum swung back way to the opposite extreme where many organizations (including the Brewers) are extremely over protective of their arms... like the helicopter parents which cause so many problems for teachers and coaches in amateur athletics. It's been the tale of 2 extremes.

 

There's a happy middle ground there some place which hasn't been decided upon yet. I can see coming out of spring training with an 85 limit on every pitcher but even bumping it up 5 pitches per start (1 batter in theory) by the end of April those restrictions would no longer be necessary.