Link Report for Monday 6/1

[Mass Haas]

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[Mass Haas]

Monday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Colorado Springs: TBD at home vs. Sacramento (Giants), 2:05 PM pre-game, 2:35 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: LHP Hobbs Johnson at Birmingham (White Sox), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 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 Brandon Woodruff at home vs. Lakeland (Tigers), 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 Cy Sneed at home vs. Beloit (Athletics), 11:45 AM pre-game, 12:05 PM 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.

 

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DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Red Sox #2 team, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until later in the day

 

We'll link to this Dominican Summer League Brewers' thread as part of the Daily Menu all season to assist you with your familiarity with these young men.

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Colorado Springs

 

Biloxi

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

DSL Brewers

 

MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

[Mass Haas]

To see tweets as to when the Link Report has been technically "completed" with available links, as well as to know when the new day's Report has been posted, please follow @Mass_Haas on Twitter.

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Colorado Springs Media Notes - Home games only, 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

 

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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

 

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Sortable individual stat pages:

 

Colorado Springs

 

Biloxi

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

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Weather.com:

 

Colorado Springs, CO

 

Birmingham, AL

 

Viera, FL

 

Grand Chute, WI

 

San Pedro de Macoris, DR

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO: Colorado Springs' Nevin Ashley hits his second double of the night in a 10-5 loss to Sacramento on Sunday

[Mass Haas]

Look for more details from the Shuckers later, but Biloxi SS Orlando Arcia is the reigning Southern League Player of the Week.

[Mass Haas]

As you'll see here, RHP Tyler Cravy is one of only two players to reach the major leagues thus far from his draft round (17th round, 2009). The other, RHP Steven Ames, made four relief appearances with the Dodgers in 2013, and is currently out of baseball.

 

Cravy will be the 8th player to reach the majors from the Brewers' much-maligned 2009 draft (much-maligned because of the failures of their first five picks that year, all taken within the first two rounds).

 

And RHP Brooks Hall has a chance to be the 9th to reach in the coming years.

[Mass Haas]

From Sunday's Link Report --

 

Heck, give Tim Dillard a spot start Monday afternoon...

 

Whoa, I nailed that one...

[Mass Haas]

Via our friend Brad at Miller Park Prospects --

 

Going To The Show: Tyler Cravy

[Mass Haas]

Day off for Scooter Gennett today (0-for-his-last-11).

 

Counting spring training, Gennett has worked three non-intentional walks in 2015, in 192 AB's.

[Mass Haas]

First AB in the Sky Sox game featured Tim Dillard (a Brewer since 2003) throwing to Darren Ford (originally a Brewer way back in 2005).

 

Ford grounded out, 3-1.

[Mass Haas]

Latest from Jeff Levering's Minor Details blog

[Mass Haas]

Final: Colorado Springs 5, Sacramento 3

 

Nelson, Sox Bullpen Steal 5-3 Win From River Cats

Chris Nelson's Pinch-Hit, Three-Run Double Fuels Sox Win Over Sacramento Despite Just Four Team Hits

By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox

 

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Chris Nelson's pinch-hit, three-run double in the fourth gave the Sox a 5-3 lead that they would not relinquish on Monday afternoon. (Photo by Paat Kelly)

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The Sky Sox took full advantage of their limited opportunities in Monday's matinee matchup with the Sacramento River Cats, earning a series-split in their 5-3 win before a crowd of 2,194 at Security Service Field.

 

With Colorado Springs' originally scheduled starter Tyler Cravy getting the call up to the big club on Sunday night, reliable reliever Tim Dillard would get the spot start for the Sox. The side-winding righty would provide his squad a serviceable four inning performance, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two. Dillard's composure would get the veteran out of trouble on numerous occasions, however, he could not escape the outing without falling victim to one big blow.

 

Casey McGehee would come to the plate in the top of the second with two on and two-out, taking his former Brewers teammate's offering an estimated 390 feet over the left field fence for his second long ball in as many days. The round-tripper gave the River Cats an early 3-0 lead and the Sky Sox crowd an uneasy feeling.

 

Dillard would settle down and keep Sacramento off the board in his final two frames before turning the ball over to an exceptional bullpen in the fifth that would continue the trend.

 

The Sky Sox offense would come alive for one inning, notching three of their four total base hits in the home fourth as the lineup piled on five runs to take the lead for good. After River Cats starter Juan Gutierrez tossed three scoreless to open the ballgame, Pete Orr and Shane Peterson would open the fourth against right-hander Curtis Partch (1-1, 3.20) with back-to-back singles before a Nevin Ashley fielder's choice groundball to third allowed Orr to score, beating McGehee's throw to home to give the Sox their first run.

 

Now with runners on the corners and just one out, Logan Schafer would help the Sox cut their deficit to one, reaching on a throwing error by first baseman Adam Duvall that also allowed Peterson to scurry home from third. Partch came back to strikeout Yadiel Rivera in the next at-bat before walking Donnie Murphy to load the bases. Manager Rick Sweet would call upon fan-favorite Chris Nelson to pinch-hit for Dillard with the bases loaded, two-out and his team trailing by one. Known for his flare for the dramatic, Nelson would not disappoint as he cleared the bases with a line drive double down the right field line to give the Sox their first lead of the ballgame. Matt Long's groundout in the next at-bat ended Colorado Springs' fourth inning offensive outburst , but not before the home team took a 5-3 lead that would not be relinquished. After allowing three hits and a walk while striking out two, Partch was charged with just one earned run in the five-run frame en route to the hard-luck loss.

 

Left-hander Jed Bradley (2-3, 9.13) and righties Ariel Pena and Rob Wooten would finish out the ballgame for the Sky Sox, tossing a combined five scoreless innings in relief of Dillard. Led by Bradley's 2.1 inning performance, the trio allowed just three hits without issuing a walk while striking out two.

 

The Sox offense would also be shut down for the remainder of the game as Sacramento's righty/lefty combination of Cory Gearrin and Steven Okert allowed just one base runner (an Ariel Pena walk in the home seventh) with five Sox batters going down on strikes over the game's final four frames.

 

Wooten took over on the mound in the top of the ninth for Colorado Springs, nailing down his first save of the season to secure a 5-3 win and series-split in Sacramento's lone visit of the 2015 season.

 

The Sky Sox move to 20-30 despite being outhit 8-4 with nine strikeout victims in the ballgame, stealing a victory from the now 23-29 River Cats thanks to superior fundamental play.

 

The Sox welcome MLB.com's #1 prospect Carlos Correa and the Fresno Grizzlies to Colorado Springs for the first of a four-game set on Tuesday night. Taylor Jungmann (2-2, 6.49) will look to make it two straight for the Sox as he faces off with Grizzlies left-hander Luis Cruz (1-2, 4.76) at Security Service Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM MDT (8:05 Central).

 

Colorado Springs Box Score

 

Chris Nelson just 7-for-50 with the Sky Sox, but boy, that was a big pinch-hit...

 

Colorado Springs Game Log

 

We really need to archive this Jed Bradley effort -- more of this, please!

 

Sacramento Top of the 5th

 

Pitching Change: Jed Bradley replaces Tim Dillard, batting 9th, replacing Chris Nelson.

Adam Duvall grounds out, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to first baseman Matt Clark.

Jarrett Parker grounds out, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to first baseman Matt Clark.

Juan Perez lines out to shortstop Yadiel Rivera.

 

Sacramento Top of the 6th

 

Ronny Cedeno bunt grounds out to first baseman Matt Clark.

Trevor Brown flies out to right fielder Shane Peterson.

Cory Gearrin grounds out, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to first baseman Matt Clark.

 

Sacramento Top of the 7th

 

Darren Ford grounds out, third baseman Donnie Murphy to first baseman Matt Clark.

Casey McGehee singles on a ground ball to right fielder Shane Peterson.

Pitching Change: Ariel Pena replaces Jed Bradley, batting 9th.

Ehire Adrianza strikes out swinging.

Adam Duvall pops out to first baseman Matt Clark in foul territory.

[Mass Haas]

No results yet, but the DSL Brewers played two games today at their complex, with the DSL Red Sox #2 squad acting as the home game in the makeup game recap.

[TheCrew07]

Beloit drops Rattlers 8-1

Gilbert hits three doubles and drives in five for Snappers

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

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Greg McCall doubled and scored a run for the Timber Rattlers against Beloit on Monday afternoon. (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers/Ann Mollica)

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Beloit Snappers beat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 8-1 Monday afternoon at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The win was Beloit's third in a row over the Rattlers. Trent Gilbert hit three doubles and drove in five runs for Beloit.

 

Wisconsin (15-37) had a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Greg McCall doubled to start the inning. Alan Sharkey drove in McCall with a two-out single.

 

Cy Sneed worked through the early innings without giving up a run, but ran into trouble in the fifth. Jose Chavez reached on a single with two outs. James Harris was next and he singled to right to send Chavez around to third base. Then, things took a turn with a 1-2 count on Gilbert.

 

Sneed stepped off the rubber to bluff a throw to first, whirled, and threw the ball to third in an attempt to pick off Chavez. The throw to third was late, but base umpire Chris Marco called a balk on Sneed to allow Chavez to score the tying run. Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson came out to plead the case, but was ejected from the game.

 

Beloit (22-30) took the lead moments later when Gilbert lined a double to left-center and Harris scored.

 

The Snappers added to their lead in the seventh inning. Gilbert was at the plate with runners at first and second against reliever Tyler Linehan. He hit his second double of the game to knock in both runners. An error on the next play let Gilbert score for a 5-1 lead.

 

In the eighth, Gilbert came to the plate with runners at the corners and two outs against reliever Luke Curtis. Gilbert doubled off the wall in right field to drive in two more. Yairo Munoz finished the scoring with an RBI single for an 8-1 lead.

 

Wisconsin's offense had four hits in the first three innings, but was quiet after a two-out single by Francisco Castillo in the bottom of the third. The Rattlers managed three base runners - none against starting pitcher Brett Graves - after that Castillo single. Brandon Diaz drew a walk in the sixth, Tucker Neuhaus walked in the seventh, and Monte Harrison reached on an error in the eighth.

 

The Timber Rattlers are off on Tuesday before returning to action on Wednesday at home against the Lake County Captains. Kodi Medeiros (2-2, 4.27) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Sean Brady (3-3, 3.70) has been named starting pitcher for the Captains, the Midwest League affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. Game time is 7:05pm.

 

Wednesday is a WIXX Bang for Your Buck Night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium with soda, beer, and hotdogs available for $1.

 

The Rattlers and The National Needle Arts Association also present Stitch 'N Pitch Night on Wednesday. Fans are invited to come to the game and knit, crochet, embroider, cross-stitch and needlepoint. Sit among friends, family and colleagues and cheer on the Rattlers. Beginners, intermediate, and experts are all welcome.

 

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, there are several ways to catch the action. MyNEW32's Sports Showdown will televise the game starting at 7:00pm. The radio broadcast is available on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:45pm. The broadcast may also be heard on Tune In Radio and IHeartRadio. Subscribers to MiLB.TV can see the game that way.

 

WP: Brett Graves (5-0)

LP: Cy Sneed (2-7)

 

TIME: 3:02

ATTN: 3,224

 

Postgame Post – June 1, 2015

The usual.

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Poor Cy Sneed... he's currently the 10th ranked pitcher in the league from an ERA standpoint and can't buy a win. Speaking of which, look at how ridiculously good the top pitchers are in the league so far this year. 7 pitchers have a WHIP below 1, 5 have an ERA less than 2, wow.

 

Apparently Erickson changed his mind because David Burkhalter was supposed to start tomorrow but Kodi Medeiros is going to start for the tandem yet again. I'll be in Stevens Point the next 2 days so instead getting down there to put the gun on both guys it will have to wait, I'm still sort of upset I didn't get down for Williams' start yesterday.

 

The Medeiros/Burkhalter tandem and Sneed's starts had been the only recent consistent performers coming into today's action. Obviously it wasn't all Sneed today, the bullpen had a tough day, but this team needs something it can start to rely on and I just don't see it happening on the offensive side.

 

Wisconsin Recap

[WV Brew]

Brevard Bats Tamed in 4-1 Loss

Manatees Four Game Winning Streak Snapped

By Dave Walkovic / Brevard County Manatees

06/01/2015 10:34 PM ET

 

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Garrett Cooper, seen above, extended his hitting streak to 10 games in Monday's loss. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

 

Viera, Fla. - After banging out 28 hits in the first two games of the series, the Brevard County Manatees (22-28) were held to just five hits as the Lakeland Flying Tigers (24-26) recorded a 4-1 win on Monday night at Space Coast Stadium.

 

Matt Crouse (2-1, 1.05 ERA) recorded the win after he surrendered just one run on three hits over five innings. He struck out six. Calvin Drummond pitched two scoreless innings of relief and Paul Voelker tossed two shutout frames to lock down his fifth save of the year.

 

The Flying Tigers opened the scoring in the first inning. Jiwan James doubled to right-center field to leadoff the ballgame. Tyler Hanover then singled to right to put runners on the corners with no outs. Brandon Woodruff (1-3, 4.15 ERA) uncorked a wild pitch to score James and gave the Flying Tigers a 1-0 lead.

 

A one-out double from Hanover and an RBI single by Javier Betancourt doubled the Lakeland lead in the third.

 

Brevard County plated their only run of the game in the bottom of the fifth. Garrett Cooper doubled to right-center with one out. Jose Pena then lined an RBI double down the third base line. Pena recorded his sixth RBI of the season on his second double of the year.

 

Lakeland was able to obtain a two-run cushion again in the seventh. Ismael Salgado singled on the infield and was sacrificed to second by David Gonzalez. Two batters later, Hanover doubled down the left field line to score Salgado. Hanover finished with four hits, including two doubles.

 

Woodruff exited after the seventh. He allowed ten hits and three runs. Woodruff did not walk a batter and fanned two.

 

Kaleb Earls threw a scoreless eighth inning and allowed two singles.

 

Lakeland completed the scoring in the ninth against Stephen Peterson. Peterson surrendered two hits and a sacrifice fly to Betancourt.

 

Brevard County will head to Daytona tomorrow to open a two-game, home-and-home series against the Tortugas. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. RHP Javi Salas (4-3, 2.32 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Manatees. Daytona will send RHP Jackson Stephens (3-2, 3.31 ERA) to the hill.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Woodruff 7/10 GO/FO in this game. Victor Roache and Taylor Brennan each struck out three times.

 

Brevard County Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Sneed solid for Rattlers, but bullpen roughed up by Snappers

Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent Media

 

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Wisconsin Timber Rattlers’s Brandon Diaz slides safely back to first base against the Beloit Snappers’s Sandber Pimentel (27) during a game Friday, at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. (Photo: Wm.Glasheen/Post-Crescent Media)

 

GRAND CHUTE – Pitching records in minor league baseball can be extremely deceiving.

 

Take Wisconsin starting pitcher Cy Sneed. His 2-7 record is downright ugly, but he has an impressive 2.52 earned run average and should be a legitimate candidate to play in the Midwest League All-Star Game.

 

Sneed delivered another solid start Monday afternoon, only to see Beloit batter the Timber Rattlers’ bullpen in the late innings to pull away for an 8-1 win before a crowd of 3,224 at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

 

Sneed allowed two runs on five hits in five innings, but wasn’t hit hard and one of the runs came on a controversial balk that was argued so vociferously by manager Matt Erickson that he was ejected from the game.

 

Sneed exited with the Rattlers facing a 2-1 deficit, and the Snappers smashed the game open with three runs apiece in the seventh and eighth innings.

 

Opponents are hitting just .239 against Sneed and the 22-year right-hander has a fine WHIP of 1.28 (walks plus hits per inning). He is ranked ninth in the Midwest League in ERA and is second on the Rattlers in strikeouts (46) behind Kodi Medeiros, the Milwaukee Brewers’ No. 1 draft pick in 2014.

 

“He’s probably been our most consistent starter,” said Erickson. “He’s kept us in ballgames and has given us a chance to win just about every time he’s gone out there. It was no different today.”

 

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Sneed was a 24th round pick by the Brewers out of Dallas Baptist University in the 2013 first-year player draft.

 

“We’re allowed to send in our recommendations for the Midwest League all-star game and he was one of mine,” said Erickson.

 

Sneed isn’t overpowering, throwing a low-90s fastball, but locates his pitches well and doesn’t walk many hitters (just 13 in 52 2/3 innings. He threw four shutout innings before giving up his two runs in an interesting fifth inning complete with verbal fireworks.

 

“I didn’t really have my best stuff,” said Sneed. “It was just mainly command and working the ball to both sides and mixing in breaking balls. Greg (McCall, the Rattlers’ catcher) called a pretty good game. He knew I didn’t have my best stuff today and I was going to have to move the ball around. So I was able to get by and then in the fifth it escaped us a little bit.”

 

With Wisconsin clinging to a 1-0 lead, Beloit put runners at the corners with two out in the top of the fifth before things got crazy. Sneed faked a throw to first, then wheeled and fired to third to try and pick off the Snappers’ Jose Chavez. Base umpire Chris Marco ruled that Sneed had committed a balk, sending in Chavez with the tying run.

 

That brought out a hot Erickson, who was eventually tossed by Marco.

 

Sneed didn’t try the pickoff attempt by instinct. It was a planned play called from the bench.

 

“It’s a first and third situational play that we run,” said said Erickson. “We’ve used it in the past and it’s worked OK for us. We try and use it to create a little momentum. We saw the guy on third was a little aggressive down the line, so that was the idea. Obviously the umpire didn’t think he disengaged from the rubber and called a balk..”

 

Erickson was right up against Marco while arguing. If it’s ruled that he made contact with Marco, he could get a brief suspension from the Midwest League.

 

“Our shirts may have grazed, but there was very little contact,” said Erickson. “I was obviously excited and we were close. We’ll see what happens in the report.”

 

Sneed felt he shouldn’t have been called for the balk.

 

“It’s a pick we had set up,” said Sneed. “The pitcher has to disengage from the rubber. I thought I did that. I thought I overexaggerated it. The umpire didn’t think so. That’s just the way it goes.”

 

The Rattlers never recovered. The next hitter — Beloit second baseman Trent Gilbert — ripped an RBI double off Sneed to give the Snappers the lead for good.

 

Gilbert added two more doubles in the seventh and eighth innings and finished a highly productive day with five RBI.

 

It was the third straight loss for Wisconsin (15-37), which also received a strong start from Devin Williams Sunday only to see the bullpen struggle in a 4-1 loss to the Snappers (22-30).

 

The Rattlers were outhit 10-4 and committed three errors.

 

The Wisconsin highlight of the game was provided by right fielder Monte Harrison, who made a terrific catch in foul territory in the bottom of second, flipping over the fence along the right-field line to snag Chavez’s foul ball.

 

“He’s played a lot of center for us, but we want to mix it up a little and get him some work in right,” said Erickson. “He was playing there Sunday and didn’t get a real good jump on one of the balls in foul territory. Today, he looked like he got much better jumps. He looked like he knew the position better. He knew the wind better and there was a sense of urgency to get balls in foul territory. He made a heck of a play.”

[Mass Haas]

Hopefully everyone took advantage of clicking on the Rattler Radio blog entry link above. In addition to audio interview clips, Chris Mehring did a great job of explaining the supposed balk as it happened (not easy), and the video of Monte Harrison's flip is insane.

 

[Mass Haas]

Chris Nelson just 7-for-50 with the Sky Sox, but boy, that was a big pinch-hit...

 

VIDEO: Colorado Springs' Chris Nelson hits a pinch hit three-run double as the Sky Sox top Sacramento, 5-3.

[Mass Haas]

Friends on opposite sides create interesting game within game in Sky Sox victory

By Brent Briggeman, Colorado Springs Gazette

 

Tim Dillard and Casey McGehee are good friends.

 

"We're good friends," said Dillard, the Sky Sox pitcher stressing the change in tense. "We were good friends."

 

That friendship was put to the test a bit Monday, when McGehee, batting for visiting Sacramento, picked up two of his three hits against his former teammate. McGehee even launched a three-run home run off Dillard, which proved to be the River Cats' lone bit of offense in a 5-3 loss that closed out a four-game series at Security Service Field.

 

The matchup was one of those fun game-within-a-game scenarios that happens so often in baseball as players shift around from franchise to franchise but don't lose the personal connections they gain along the way.

 

These two were teammates for three seasons and four spring trainings with Milwaukee from 2008 through 2011. They grew close enough that Dillard and his family lived in McGehee's empty house last year when he was in Double-A Huntsville. And on Sunday night the families dined together at the On the Border location off Powers and Barnes.

 

"Tim's a good dude. He's one of my all-time favorites, so it's always good to see him," McGehee said. "He's one of those guys who, even though you've got your job to do, you kind of pull for him. Hopefully someone will give him another shot. He's still a pretty darn good pitcher."

 

Dillard got the best of the matchup earlier in the series, as Dillard struck him out looking. But on Monday it was all McGehee. The only time in three plate appearances Dillard retired him came on a line drive to third that left the bat at 106 mph.

 

McGehee hit a 390-foot home run to left in his second at-bat and added a single to right. The line drive came on a change-up, the home run on a curveball and the single on a fastball.

 

"He's hitting everything I've got," Dillard said.

 

Dillard said he doesn't change his approach for anyone, classifying hitters only as righties or lefties. When a friend steps in the box, as McGehee did Monday, he just doesn't look at him.

 

"I knew he was up there, but I didn't want to look at his face," Dillard said.

 

Dillard, who made his first start in five years after scheduled starter Tyler Cravy's promotion to Milwaukee last night created the need for a "bullpen day," gave the team four innings. The three-run deficit created by McGehee's home run was erased by a five-run fourth inning that was highlighted by a three-run double from Chris Nelson.

 

"They asked me to do it and I said, 'Sure, anything to help the team,'" Dillard said. "I'll play second base, I'll go get the bats after we hit if they need me to do that. Anything I can do to help put the team in position to win I'll do it and try not to screw it up. And we scored more runs than they did today, so I guess it worked."

[Mass Haas]

PHOTO GALLERY: You'll find Colorado Springs photos at the same link as the Dillard /McGehee article

[Mass Haas]

Final: Birmingham 10, Biloxi 0

 

Shuckers suffer worst loss of season, 10-0 from Barons

Despite the loss, Biloxi's first half magic number shrinks to 17

Biloxi Shuckers

 

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Hobbs Johnson suffered the loss despite five strikeouts on Monday night (Benton Reed Photography)

 

BIRMINGHAM, AL - The Biloxi Shuckers' offense had no answer against Birmingham Barons' starting pitcher Myles Jaye on Monday night, suffering a 10-0 defeat at Regions Field. The Shuckers tied a season-low with three hits and lost by five or more runs for the first time during their 54-game road trip to start the season. Despite the loss, Biloxi remains three games better than the Mississippi Braves in the South standings and the first half magic number shrinks to 17 thanks to a Braves loss.

 

Birmingham (24-25) grabbed an early lead in the bottom-half of the first inning when an RBI groundout by Brian Fletcher scored Tim Anderson to give the Barons a 1-0 lead.

 

Biloxi (30-20) squandered early chances to hop in the game, but left runners stranded in scoring position in the first, second and third innings. On the night, the Shuckers left eight men on base and ended up 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

 

Hobbs Johnson (L, 3-2) fell short of his first quality start of the season, allowing four runs in 5.1 innings. The southpaw did strike out five, compared to just one walk, on 96 pitches - 68 for strikes.

 

Biloxi's bullpen struggled in the opener after dominating the Chattanooga Lookouts for four games. Jaye Chapman (0.2 IP, H) allowed two inherited runners to score in the sixth after coming in for Johnson, Martin Viramontes (1.1 IP, 6 R, 4 H, 2 BB, SO) and Manny Barreda 0.2 IP, H, BB) allowed six runs to score in 2.2 innings.

 

Michael Reed's (0x4) hitting and on-base streaks were snapped at 10 after failing to reach base on Monday night.

 

The Shuckers will look to even the series at a game apiece with RHP Jorge Lopez (3-2, 3.92) taking the mound against RHP Mark Blackmar (0-3, 4.59). 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

 

We've pointed it out all season, but LHP Hobbs Johnson just hasn't been able to get through six innings yet, check out that game log link. Compare that to Jorge Ortega and Javi Salas' extreme depth work at Brevard. RH reliever Martin Viramontes cruised through five April appearances, but it's been rough going since...

 

Biloxi Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Final, Game One: DSL Red Sox #2 squad 8, DSL Brewers 1

 

DSL Brewers Game One Box Score

 

Red Sox scored in each of the final five innings in this seven-inning doubleheader-length game.

 

E: Otano, I (1, fielding), Mendez, J (1, fielding), Jesus (1, fielding).

 

That's errors at SS, 3B, and RF as five of the eight runs allowed were unearned.

 

18-year-old 2nd-year pro RHP Carlos Luna got the opening game start; RHP Juan Diaz stranded two inherited runners for Luna, but later surrendered one of his own; converted OF Yunior Santana finished up in his pro mound debut, walking three and throwing a wild pitch in his one inning (one run allowed).

 

Offensively, the Brewers had 11 hits (ten of them singles) and one walk in the seven innings, yet managed only the one run; leading off, SS Ignacio Otano had two hits in his first pro game; CF Marcos Pinero singled in his first (and only thus far) pro at-bat; catcher Bismar Nunez was the only other pro debut, 0-for-3.

 

Three Brewers besides Otano had two hits apiece, as you'll see in the box.

 

DSL Brewers Game One Game Log

 

Marcos Pinero, mentioned above, stole second base after his debut single. Two innings later, he was pinch-hit for in the 4th inning, and did not play in game two. The log provides no real clues.

[Mass Haas]

Final, Game Two: DSL Red Sox #2 squad 6, DSL Brewers 5

 

DSL Brewers Game Two Box Score

 

Brewers, road team in their home ballpark for the makeup game, scored four in the 2nd to take a 4-2 lead, but once again were nickeled-and-dimed, allowing runs in four of six innings. The final run allowed, in the 6th breaking a 5-5 tie, was unearned.

 

Each of the three Brewer pitchers used, including RHP Nattino Diplan (not to be confused with Gallardo-trade piece Marcos, who will pitch stateside this summer), all had prior pro experience.

 

21-year-old CF Ariel Estades, with just over three years of pro experience in the Royals' system, was 3-for-3 with two doubles to complete a 5-for-6 Opening Day. Estades stole two bases in three attempts in this game.

 

Pro debuts for two 17-year-olds: SS Javier Castillo 0-for-3 (sacrifice bunt); LF Adolfo Morillo (1-for-3, double, run, K).

 

DSL Brewers Game Two Game Log

 

The four-run good frame, with assists from the Red Sox --

 

DSL Brewers Top of the 2nd

 

Henry Correa grounds out, second baseman Freiberg Marin to first baseman Gerardo Carrizalez.

Adolfo Morillo doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Juan Hernandez.

Josue Herrera hit by pitch.

Dilson Fernandez reaches on a throwing error by shortstop Imeldo Diaz. Adolfo Morillo scores. Josue Herrera to 2nd.

Roosevert Chal singles on a ground ball to center fielder Juan Hernandez. Josue Herrera scores. Dilson Fernandez to 2nd.

With Javier Castillo batting, throwing error by Denyi Reyes on the pickoff attempt, Dilson Fernandez scores. Roosevert Chal to 2nd.

Javier Castillo flies out to right fielder Ramfis Berroa.

Ariel Estades doubles (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Juan Hernandez. Roosevert Chal scores. Ariel Estades out at 3rd, center fielder Juan Hernandez to third baseman Stanley Espinal.

 

***

 

And how the 5-5 game became 6-5:

 

DSL Red Sox2 Bottom of the 6th

 

Pitching Change: Jesus Brea replaces Yan De La Cruz.

Jose Lozada grounds out, third baseman Josue Herrera to first baseman Nicol Valderrey.

Carlos Pulido singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ariel Estades.

With Freiberg Marin batting, throwing error by Jesus Brea on the pickoff attempt, Carlos Pulido to 3rd.

Freiberg Marin singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ariel Estades. Carlos Pulido scores.

Juan Hernandez grounds into a force out, shortstop Javier Castillo to second baseman Roosevert Chal. Freiberg Marin out at 2nd. Juan Hernandez advances to 2nd, on a throwing error by second baseman Roosevert Chal.

Imeldo Diaz flies out to center fielder Ariel Estades.