Link Report for Sunday 6/14 -- Shuckers Clinch First-Half Title!

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Sunday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Colorado Springs: RHP Tyler Thornburg at Iowa (Cubs), 12:38 PM pre-game, 1:08 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 Brooks Hall at Mississippi (Braves), 4:45 PM pre-game, 5:00 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 - Eight of the ten Southern League teams telecast their home games, and Biloxi is among them!

 

NOTE: The Mississippi video/audio feed is available for this series to MiLB.TV subscribers.

 

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Brevard County: RHP Johnny Hellweg at Clearwater (Phillies), 12:00 gametime; expect RHP Tristan Archer to follow

 

Free Live Audio Link (Clearwater Feed Only)

 

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

 

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Wisconsin: LHP Kodi Medeiros at Bowling Green (Rays), 1:45 PM pre-game, 2:05 gametime; expect RHP David Burkhalter to pitch in a tandem role

 

Free Live Audio Link - WNAM

 

Chris Mehring is back to do his customary fantastic work as the Voice of the Rattlers. Follow him on Twitter @CMehring; we'll link to Chris' infamous blog often -- Rattler Radio.

 

NOTE: Forty-two (!) of the Rattlers' 70 home games will be broadcast on TV this season. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel (9) and WACY-TV My NEW32 (34) will split duties. We'll let you know when and who, and remember to refer to the Rattlers' full TV schedule (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: Idle

 

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 Sunday'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]

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 --

 

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

 

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Sortable individual stat pages:

 

Colorado Springs

 

Biloxi

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

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Weather.com:

 

Des Moines, IA

 

Pearl, MS

 

Clearwater, FL

 

Bowling Green, OH

[Mass Haas]

Hat tip to Nicholas from Disciples of Uecker who retweeted a link to this video:

 

VIDEO (nine minutes) : The Education Crisis Crippling Dominican Baseball Players

 

Also linked in our season-long DSL thread...

 

An interesting but also not too surprising cautionary tale...

[WV Brew]

Using Archer to back up Hellweg backfired big time. Cost them the game and burned half the bullpen. Someone should ask Joe Ayrault why he didn't just piggyback Ortega like the last time Hellweg pitched.

[WV Brew]

Five-run sixth inning sinks Manatees in Clearwater finale

 

June 14, 2015 2:37 PM MST

From the Examiner:

 

http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/c2/c7/c2c7bc6116435dda2b5ca108dd8f42d0.jpg?itok=EXabtTOG

 

Johnny Hellweg made his second start for the Manatees on Sunday, allowing one run in three innings of work.

Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

 

The Brevard County Manatees finished their three game series Sunday, against the Clearwater Threshers. The two teams split a doubleheader Saturday, with the Threshers winning game two on the strength of six-run third inning. They followed that up Sunday with a five-run sixth inning and went on for the 9-5 victory.

 

Dylan Cozens was the hitting star for the Threshers, going 4-for-4 with three doubles and two runs scored. Teammate Willians Astudillo went 1-for-3 with four RBI.

 

On the other side, Chris McFarland had a great day at the top of the batting order for the Manatees, going 4-for-5 and driving in one run and scoring two. He started the game with a single against Threshers starter Mark Leiter Jr. Michael Ratterree and Clint Coulter did the same, putting the Manatees up 1-0.

 

Brevard County (27-35) added a run in the second with a two out rally. Omar Garcia was hit by a pitch and quickly stole second base, his 23rd of the season. McFarland was at the plate and with Garcia running, he singled to left, putting the Manatees up 2-0.

 

Johnny Hellweg who is continuing his comeback from Tommy John Surgery got his second start of the season on Sunday. His first start, back on June 9 lasted only two innings because of a rain-delay in Palm Beach.

 

Hellweg looked good on Sunday, pitching three-plus innings and hitting 97-MPH on the radar gun in the third frame. He did start the fourth inning, but gave up a single to Andrew Pullin before being lifted in favor of Tristan Archer. Archer started by striking out Kelly Dugan, but things went downhill from there. He allowed a single to Dylan Cozens and a double to Andrew Knapp, scoring Pullin. That run was charged to Hellweg and closed the gap to 2-1. Hellweg ended the day allowing a run on three hits and three strikeouts.

 

Archer’s struggles continued in the fourth as Astudillo followed the Cozens double, with a two-run single, giving the home team a 3-2 lead. Astudillo had quite a game, going 2-for-3 with a run scored and four RBI.

 

The Manatees answered back in the fifth, tying the game at three. McFarland singled and Ratterree walked. Coulter singled McFarland home, knotting things up. Leiter would get out of the inning, but he gave way to Miguel Nunez in the sixth.

 

Cameron Garfield and Angel Ortega hit consecutive singles with one out in the sixth. Angel Ortega took off for second with Omar Garcia batting and Knapp tried to throw him out at second. The throw was off line and brought Garfield home, making it 4-3. Garcia followed with an RBI single, scoring Ortega and upping the lead to 5-3. McFarland then singled, moving Garcia to third, but Ratterree and Coulter failed to keep the inning alive, as they both popped out.

 

The inability to add on there would prove costly, because Clearwater would strike for five runs in the bottom of the inning. Dugan singled and Cozens followed with a double. Knapp would then hit one back to the mound that Archer fielded. He wanted to go to third, but the play wasn’t there and by the time he turned to throw to first, it was too late and the bases were loaded with no one out. Archer hit Astudillo with a pitch, making it a 5-4 game, and one out later Mitch Walding doubled, scoring two and giving the Threshers a 6-5 lead. After recording an out on a strikeout, Archer was lifted in favor of Stephen Peterson. Drew Stankiewicz greeted him with a two-run single, making it an 8-5 contest.

 

Edubray Ramos came on in the seventh to finish things up for the Threshers on the mound. He struck out the side in seventh, the first two hitters of the eighth and he was the only one to get McFarland out, sending him down on strikes to start the ninth.

 

Clearwater scored their final run of the day in the bottom of the seventh, on an Astudillo ground out. It would be the seventh run charged to Archer (1-3) in the game. He gave up six hits and struck out four.

 

For more info: Brevard County @ Clearwater boxscore

 

The Manatees will return home Monday night to take on the Jupiter Hammerheads at 6:35 p.m. in the first of a four-game series between the two teams. As it stands now, rehabbing Marlins starter Jose Fernandez, is scheduled to pitch Wednesday night at Space Coast Stadium.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Hellweg was 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K. He left a runner on who scored while Tristan Archer was pitching. Hellweg seemed to throw pretty well in this game. Tristan Archer did not have a good day but they were committed after bringing him in in the 4th inning having played a double header yesterday. Archer was charged with 7 runs in the game. Chris McFarland had 4 hits while Clint Coulter and Cameron Garfield had 2 each.

 

Brevard County Game Log

[WV Brew]

Five-Run Sixth Gives Threshers Series Win

 

By Jerry Durney

 

Clearwater, FL- The Clearwater Threshers’ (32-31) resilience was on display throughout the weekend, and they used that resilience on Sunday afternoon in abundance, rallying twice from multi-run deficits to take the series in a 9-5 win over the Brevard County Manatees (27-35) in the rubber game at Bright House Field.

 

The Manatees would take the lead right away in the top of the first as Chris McFarland, Michael Ratterree and Clint Coulter all singled off of Threshers starter Mark Leiter Jr., the last of which scored McFarland to put the Manatees on top. Leiter would escape further damage as he followed those three consecutive singles with a popout and two groundouts.

 

Brevard County would add on in the following inning as Omar Garcia reached base after being hit by a Leiter pitch with two out. He would promptly steal his 23rd base of the season and then score on a base hit to left by McFarland.

 

The Thresher offense would spring to life for the first time in the bottom of the fourth. The frame started with a leadoff single by Andrew Pullin, which brought Manatee starter Johnny Hellweg’s day to a close, as he was being closely monitored. The rally would continue against new Manatee reliever Tristan Archer as Dylan Cozens singled with one out. Andrew Knapp followed with a double to left to plate Pullin and bring Cozens to third. Willians Astudillo then laced a single to center to score Cozens and Knapp to give the Threshers their first lead.

 

The ‘Tees responded right away in the top of the fifth as McFarland led off with a base hit and then advanced to second on a walk to Ratterree. Coulter followed with a single of his own to load the bases as the ‘Tees played it station to station on the basepaths. Victor Roache brought the Manatees level on a sacrifice fly but that would be all as Leiter induced a double play ball from Garrett Cooper.

 

Brevard County re-took the lead in the top of the sixth, with the inning being ignited by a one-out single from Cameron Garfield off of new Threshers reliever Miguel Nunez. Angel Ortega followed with a single of his own and on a double steal attempt, Andrew Knapp’s throw got by the bag at second, allowing Garfield to score. Garcia then added to the cause with a single to center to bring Ortega home and make it a 5-3 lead but that would be as much as Brevard County would muster for the rest of the afternoon.

 

Clearwater would open the game-changing bottom of the sixth inning with a leadoff single by Kelly Dugan. Cozens followed with a double to center and when Knapp reached on a chopper in front of the mound, the bases were loaded for Astudillo. True to what “taking one for the team” is all about, Astudillo brought home a run the hard way as Archer’s offering hit him. After an Angelo Mora grounded led to Cozens being forced out at the plate, Mitch Walding’s double to center brought home Knapp and Astudillo to put the Threshers ahead for good. Archer would be lifted after striking out Chase Harris and Drew Stankiewicz immediately greeted Stephen Peterson with an RBI single to center, plating Mora and Walding to complete the five-run frame.

 

The Threshers would add an insurance run in the following inning as Cozens hit a one-out ground-rule double, stole third and then scored on a groundout by Astudillo.

 

Edubray Ramos recorded the final nine outs for Clearwater, six of them via strikeout to record the save.

 

Hellweg, in his second start since undergoing Tommy John Surgery last April, gave up one run on three hits in three innings, striking out three and walking none. At the plate, Brevard County were paced by a four-for-five day from the All-Star second baseman McFarland and a two-hit day by Garfield, who went six-for-ten in the series.

 

The Manatees now return home for a four-game series with the Jupiter Hammerheads before Saturday’s Florida State League All-Star Game. All-Star RHP Jorge Ortega (5-4, 2.01 ERA) gets the start against LHP Sean Townsley (3-7, 4.85 ERA) in the series opener Monday night at 6:35 P.M. at Space Coast Stadium.

[bkrause2]

Final: Biloxi 9, Mississippi 0

 

Shuckers claim first half title with 9-0 thrashing of M-Braves

Biloxi outscored Mississippi 22-2 over the last three days to claim division

Biloxi Shuckers

 

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Shuckers players run to celebrate and attack left-fielder Kyle Wren as the Shuckers clinched the first half South title. (Benton Reed Photography)

 

PEARL, MS - The Shuckers clinched the first half Southern League South Division title with a 9-0 win over the Mississippi Braves at Trustmark Park on Sunday night. Biloxi has taken the last three games over Mississippi after dropping the series opener, and has claimed its sixth consecutive series victory (10-4 on the year). The Shuckers have shutout the Braves the last two nights by a combined score of 12-0, and have outscored the Braves 22-2 in the three wins. It was Biloxi's seventh shutout of the season.

 

The Shuckers become just the second full-season club to clinch a first half title, joining the Texas League's Corpus Christi Hooks (HOU). Biloxi clinches the half with six games remaining, including five with Montgomery starting on Wednesday at MGM Park. This is the second-straight season the Brewers' Double-A club has won a first half as the Huntsville Stars won the Southern League North first half with 12 games remaining on June 2, 2014.

 

Starting pitching continued to dominate for the Shuckers against the Braves, as Brooks Hall (W, 7-3, 8 IP, 2 H, BB, 5 SO) allowed just one hit through the first eight innings and walked one while picking up five strikeouts in his longest outing of the season. The Shuckers have won the righty's last three starts. Biloxi starters have delivered 10 quality starts over the last 13 games, with an ERA less than two.

 

"I'm pitching well right now and being consistent on the mound, throwing strikes," added starting pitcher Brooks Hall who improves to 3-0 in June. "To throw eight innings like that in a clinching win is just incredible."

 

Biloxi (39-24) scored first for the fourth consecutive game against Mississippi (32-30), this time putting up five runs in the sixth to break open a scoreless contest.

 

Kyle Wren (2x5, 2 R) and Nathan Orf (3x4, RBI, R) started things off with back-to-back singles, putting men at second and third for the Shuckers. Orlando Arcia (2x5, 2 RBI, 2 R) drove the runners home with a single down the right field line to give Biloxi a 2-0 lead. Michael Reed (2x5, RBI, R, 2B) followed with a RBI double to plate Arcia for a three-run advantage. A groundout by Nick Ramirez (1x5, RBI, R, 2B) moved Reed to third and Tyrone Taylor (3x5, 2 RBI, R) singled home the runner from third for the fourth run of the inning. After a Nick Shaw (0x4, RBI, BB) fly out, Adam Weisenburger (2x4, RBI, 2B) drove a double to right, allowing Taylor to score from first.

 

Taylor's single in the second extended his hitting streak to a season-high six games, and Wren's multi-hit performance now gives the Shuckers' outfielder 12 in his last 19 games dating back to May 24.

 

"We hit the ball hard today and (Brooks Hall) was unbelievable on the mound. I am honestly so excited right now, I don't know what to say," added Taylor.

 

Biloxi tacked on three more runs in the seventh and one more in the ninth to blow the game open and secure the division-clinching win.

 

Wren recorded his 12th multi-hit performance over his last 19 games is now batting .300 on the season and .397 in June.

 

"We can rest easy for the rest of the first half, because we have clinched the half, but that doesn't mean we will play any less hard," said Wren. "We just want to continue this into the second half."

 

The Shuckers will look for their first four-game winning streak on the road in the series finale on Monday night, where RHP Hiram Burgos (3-0, 3.68) will take on RHP RHP Tyrell Jenkins (4-3, 3.00). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., with coverage beginning at 6:45 p.m. 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 http://www.biloxishuckers.com.

 

The Shuckers return to MGM Park on Wednesday, June 17 for a five-game series with the Montgomery Biscuits (TB). Game times each night are at 7:10 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by visiting http://www.biloxishuckers.com, http://www.ticketmaster.com, at the Shuckers Team Store or by calling 800-745-3000. Also fans can purchase season tickets, mini plans and group tickets by calling the Shuckers' administrative offices at (228) 233-3465.

 

Biloxi Box Score

 

Pretty impressive what this team has accomplished this season. Chances are the team that takes the field in the playoffs will look very different, but they still should be plenty talented. Looking forward to following them in the second half.

 

Biloxi Game Log

 

A five run sixth was more than enough of a cushion for Brooks Hall.

 

Biloxi Top of the 6th

Kyle Wren singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Mallex Smith, deflected by pitcher Jason Hursh.

With Nathan Orf batting, wild pitch by Jason Hursh, Kyle Wren to 2nd.

Nathan Orf singles on a line drive to left fielder Matt Lipka. Kyle Wren to 3rd. Nathan Orf to 2nd on the throw.

Orlando Arcia singles on a ground ball to right fielder David Rohm. Kyle Wren scores. Nathan Orf scores.

Michael Reed doubles (11) on a line drive to center fielder Mallex Smith. Orlando Arcia scores.

Nick Ramirez grounds out, second baseman Eric Garcia to first baseman Kevin Ahrens. Michael Reed to 3rd.

Tyrone Taylor singles on a ground ball to center fielder Mallex Smith. Michael Reed scores.

Nick Shaw flies out to center fielder Mallex Smith.

Adam Weisenburger doubles (8) on a fly ball to right fielder David Rohm. Tyrone Taylor scores. Adam Weisenburger out at 3rd on the throw, right fielder David Rohm to second baseman Eric Garcia to catcher Braeden Schlehuber to third baseman Rio Ruiz.

[bkrause2]

Shuckers pull off improbable, claim first-half championship

Posted by SUN HERALD on June 14, 2015

 

The Biloxi Shuckers continue to make their first season a memorable one.

 

The Southern League's newest member clinched the South Division first-half championship with a 9-0 victory over the second-place Mississippi Braves Sunday in Pearl to earn a spot in the playoffs.

 

Sunday's championship is an amazing accomplishment for the Shuckers considering the team spent the first 54 games of the season on the road while Biloxi's MGM Park was under construction.

 

The Shuckers (39-24) will face the second-half winner of the South Division in a five-game playoff series, which will be held after the season concludes on Sept. 7. If they also manage to win the second half, they will take on the team that has the second best total record in the South.

 

The Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers didn't make its home debut at MGM Park in Biloxi until June 6, ending a two-month journey that included 2,606 miles traveled without hosting a genuine home game.

 

The Shuckers celebrated their title Sunday at Trustmark Park in Pearl, the home of the M-Braves (32-29) since 2005.

Shuckers left fielder Kyle Wren received a water bottle shower and manager Carlos Subero was doused with Gatorade by his players.

 

Starting pitcher Brooks Hall (7-3) put together one of the best performances of the season for the Shuckers on Sunday. The right-hander gave up two hits in eight innings, struck out five and walked one to pick up the victory.

 

Biloxi broke open a scoreless game in the sixth on Sunday with five runs.

 

Orlando Arcia started the scoring with a two-run single in the sixth and Michael Reed followed with an RBI double. Tyrone Taylor added an RBI single and Adam Weisenburger capped the scoring with an RBI double to right field.

 

After six, the Shuckers led 5-0 and were well on their way to claiming the title.

 

With the win, the Shuckers clinched the series in Pearl by winning three of the first four games. The season finale is set for 7 p.m. tonight at Pearl.

 

Biloxi had a total of 15 hits in the game, including six players who had multiple hits. Third baseman Nathan Orf was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.

 

After an off day on Tuesday, the Shuckers will resume play with a 7:10 p.m. home game against the Montgomery Biscuits to begin a five-game series at MGM Park.

[TheCrew07]

Hot Rods pull away from Wisconsin

Bowling Green breaks 6-6 tie with 3-run homer in 7th

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

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Mitch Meyer went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, and three RBI on Sunday at Bowling Green. (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers/Ann Mollica)

 

BOWLING GREEN, KY - Hunter Lockwood hurt the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers with a late, clutch hit for the second game in a row and the Bowling Green Hot Rods spoiled a Wisconsin rally with a 10-6 win at Bowling Green Ballpark on Sunday afternoon.

 

Bowling Green (37-26) loaded the bases on Wisconsin starting pitcher Kodi Medeiros with one out in the bottom of the first. Bralin Jackson singled to center to drive in a run, but Brandon Diaz made a strong throw to the plate to cut down the runner trying to score from second on the play. Medeiros got the final out on a grounder back to the mound.

 

Wisconsin (20-43) responded with two runs in the top of the second inning. Greg McCall started the inning with a walk. A balk by Hot Rods starter Hyrum Formo sent McCall to second. Later, an errant pickoff by Formo allowed McCall to take third. Dustin DeMuth doubled into the corner in right to score McCall with the tying run. Mitch Meyer singled to right with two outs and DeMuth scored with a good slide to avoid the tag on the throw to the plate to put the Rattlers up 2-1.

 

But, the Hot Rods took advantage of an error to start the bottom of the second inning to score three runs for a 4-2 lead. Grant Kay reached on the error and went to second on a single by Lockwood. Alec Sole was unsuccessful in getting down a sacrifice bunt, but lined a 2-2 pitch to right-center for a two-run triple to put the Hot Rods up 3-2. Thomas Milone followed with an RBI single to drive in Sole.

 

Bowling Green added to their lead in the third inning as Medeiros struggled with his control. Medeiros hit Jackson to start the inning and threw a wild pitch that allowed him to take second base. Jackson was on third with two outs when Medeiros hit Lockwood. That was the third hit batsman of the game by Medeiros. A wild pitch with Sole at the plate let Jackson score and Lockwood to take second. Sole capped the scoring in the inning with a single to knock in Lockwood for a 6-2 lead.

 

Formo cruised until the sixth inning. Francisco Castillo singled to start the inning. One out singles by McCall and Sthervin Matos loaded the bases. Formo got the second out of the inning, but couldn't escape the inning. Jose Pena lined a double high off the wall in right-center to drive in Castillo and McCall. Meyer was next and he pulled a 3-2 pitch from Formo inside the first base line and into the corner in right for a two-run double to tie the game 6-6.

 

Gian Rizzo came out of the Wisconsin bullpen to take over for Medeiros in the bottom of the fourth and pitched two scoreless innings to allow the Rattlers to get back in the game. David Burkhalter pitched a scoreless sixth inning in relief of Rizzo, but ran into trouble in the seventh.

 

Jackson singled with one out and an errant pickoff throw by Burkhalter allowed Jackson to take third base. A walk to Mac James put runners on the corners. A safety squeeze attempt by Kay was popped back to the mound. Burkhalter made the catch for the second out, but his throw to third just missed doubling off Jackson.

 

That allowed Lockwood to hit in the seventh. On Saturday night, Lockwood broke a 2-2 tie with an RBI triple that gave Bowling Green the lead on the way to a 5-2 win. On Sunday, Lockwood delivered for the Hot Rods again. The designated hitter hit a 1-1 pitch from Burkhalter over the wall in left for a three-run homer and a 9-6 lead.

 

The Hot Rods scored again in the eighth on an RBI double by Jace Conrad.

 

Meyer is 5-for-10 with four RBI in three games since returning from Wisconsin's disabled list on Friday night.

 

Tucker Neuhaus doubled and Castillo singled, his third hit of the game, in the ninth inning, but the Rattlers could not get the tying run to the plate.

 

The final game of the series is Monday afternoon. Angel Ventura (1-2, 2.47) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Bowling Green has named Henry Centeno (4-2, 4.63) as their starter. Game time is 12:05pm. Catch the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 11:45am. The broadcast may also be heard on Tune In Radio and IHeartRadio.

 

HOME RUN:

BG:

Hunter Lockwood (3rd, 2 on in 7th inning off David Burkhalter, 2 out)

 

WP: Damion Carroll (2-2)

LP: David Burkhalter (1-4)

 

TIME: 2:54

ATTN: 2,421

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

The Hot Rods are the best offensive team in the league so I thought this would be a good test for the Medeiros/Burkhalter duo, and as I had another baseball commitment this afternoon I didn't pick-up this game until the top of the 6th.

 

Originally Medeiros was charged with 5 ER but apparently they revised the scoring decision because only the errant pickoff throw remains and now he's been charged with 6. I've been tip toeing around Kodi Medeiros most of the season because people that haven't seen him pitch keep posting statistical based articles about how effective he's been, and also because I was critical of the pick and I'd rather my comments not be taken out of context. Yes he's inducing a lot of ground balls, but he has very little control and I've repeatedly tried to point out that he's working mostly up in the zone. He's atypical in that his movement is almost 100% responsible for the ground-outs, he's not getting ground balls combining location with movement like we're accustomed to seeing. It's been relatively effective in A ball thus far, but I just don't know if it will play against better hitting competition.

 

He has to make drastic improvements control wise to have success as he moves up, hitters in AA are not going to swing at all of his stuff out of the zone. To a certain extent Kodi highlights the folly of trying to predict prospects in the same manner as established MLB players utilizing advanced metrics... for the most part prospects are too fluid for that kind of analysis and in truth it doesn't work all that well with inexperienced MLB players either. When I've seen Kodi get stung it's been hitters taking advantage of FBs up and over the plate and of course walks. He's done a much better job over the last month limiting the free bases and the last time I saw him pitch he was pitching backwards off his off-speed pitch to get ahead in counts. Today I have no idea how he was attacking hitters but again I want to caution people that he's going to be a statistical darling because of his GBs and SOs, but those metrics don't represent where he's at as a pitcher. He's not unlucky, he just has quite a bit of work to do yet, even to get to average control for a pitcher at this level.

 

I'm not bagging on him, rather I'm trying to give a realistic assessment of where he's at as a pitcher. He's a young man who's backed off his gas, pitching upper 80s and low 90s, with a fantastic slider, who's working hard to reign in his control. For the better part of the season he's been effective but not dominant, and without making drastic improvement in the 2nd half I'd advocate for him repeating WI since he can have a fair amount of success at this level without good control given the quality of his stuff.

 

David Burkhalter is also in the midst of a backwards slide which has been pretty normal for young Brewer pitchers at this level (Odorizzi, Bucci, Lopez, Diaz, etc), there are going to be plenty of ups and downs through out the year, the 3 steps forward 2 steps back sort of thing. Chris said the pitch which Lockwood hit for the HR wasn't a bad pitch, it was down and Lockwood just went down and got it. Apparently he wasn't locating his curve as well as he had been which was hurting him again in today's game as he doesn't have a blazing FB and needs to establish his curve in the zone as well.

 

Francisco Castillo (3-5) is having a nice run, batting .310 over his last 10 as he gets more regular playing time. I realize the T-Rats don't have a 3rd catcher but it sure would be nice if there was a way to get both Greg McCall and Carlos Leal in the line-up together. McCall is hitting .333 over his last 10 and Leal has steadily hit all season, given the Rattler's offensive woes it's too bad that 2 of their better hitters play the same position. McCall has quietly had a nice defensive season as well, he's throwing about 30% of would be thiefs even though the pitchers haven't helped him out much, as an FYI Leal has been even better throwing out 36% thus far. All in All it's been a good first half behind the dish for the T-Rats.

 

Wisconsin Recap

[Mass Haas]

FULL AT-BAT: Biloxi's Brooks Hall fans Mississippi's Rio Ruiz as the Shuckers win, 9-0

 

[Mass Haas]

Biloxi's wild first half culminates in clinch

Hall spins eight two-hit frames to seal Southern League South crown

By Kelsie Heneghan / MiLB.com

 

 

Around the seventh inning, Shuckers manager Carlos Subero could tell his players were starting to taste a title.

 

"What do we do? What do we throw on each other?" he heard them asking in the dugout.

 

Soon the planning turned into a celebration as Subero's Double-A Biloxi blanked Mississippi, 9-0, to clinch the Southern League South Division first-half title Sunday at Trustmark Park.

 

"You could see them getting together water and gum and sunflower seeds and just getting ready for out No. 27, and when it came down, they went out on the field and had some fun," the skipper said. "When we started the year with a [54]-game road trip, to be able to grind it out and push through and not use it as an excuse to perform … it shows the type of character and the great group of players that they are to win this first half. So that to me was a special one personally and also from a staff standpoint."

 

Biloxi's big win came on its first road trip since finally playing a true home game. With MGM Park not being ready until June 6 in its inaugural season, the Shuckers played their first 54 games on the road.

 

Subero said the hardest part of the schedule was not being able to have a pregame or workout routine. But amid the hotel rooms and bus rides, his players made him proud.

 

"It's like we told them in Spring Training, it's not about wins and losses, it's how we're going to measure if you guys did a good job after the [54] games, it's about the type of character you built and they had it," the manager said. "The way they carry themselves on and off the field. … You could easily make a mistake being [54] games on the road in hotel [after] hotel. You can try to do something crazy at night, but being able to pass it without any little mark is great for them."

 

The Shuckers secured the title with their sixth shutout and fourth time scoring at least nine runs. After five innings of goose eggs, top Brewers prospects Kyle Wren (No. 16), Nathan Orf, Orlando Arcia (No. 1) and Michael Reed (No. 17) began the sixth with four straight hits.

 

"We hit the ball hard today and [starter Brooks Hall] was unbelievable on the mound," said Milwaukee's second-ranked prospect Tyrone Taylor said. "I am honestly so excited right now, I don't know what to say."

 

Hall (7-3) dominated on the mound in eight two-hit frames. The southpaw issued just one walk while striking out five to earn his third straight win. Hall allowed singles in his first and final frames, while forcing 10 groundouts.

 

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"I'm pitching well right now and being consistent on the mound, throwing strikes," Hall said. "To throw eight innings like that in a clinching win is just incredible."

 

After Jacob Barnes pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, the Shuckers raced onto the field to celebrate with the water, seeds and gum. Subero avoided getting doused outside, then took part in the festivities once it moved to the clubhouse, where even a scout and the bus driver got in on the action.

 

"I'm blessed to be in many playoff clinchings and this one is special because of what the kids went through," the skipper said. "It's easy for people to hear a manager say so many great things about players, because it's cliché or you have to say it, but I told them, I mean this from the bottom of my heart; if not, I wouldn't be saying it. They are a special group and it's the type of character that they got and you can see it.

 

"So many tough games, 1-1 games, the other team takes the lead and they bounce back. It wasn't just being on the road ... they never used it as an excuse."

 

Subero said now the challenge will be to make sure players are still focused on development and not coasting because the playoff berth has been secured.

 

"We can rest easy for the rest of the first half, because we have clinched the half, but that doesn't mean we will play any less hard," Wren said. "We just want to continue this into the second half."

 

Braves' No. 11 prospect Jason Hursh (2-5) -- Mississippi's starter -- allowed five runs on 10 hits while striking out five in six frames.

[Mass Haas]

Shuck Dynasty Blog: Shuckers Postgame – First Half Title Highlights and Postgame Audio

 

***

 

VIDEO Via WLOX: More offensive Shuckers highlights

[Mass Haas]

Final: Iowa 8, Colorado Springs 7, ten innings

 

Sox Rally But Fall To Iowa In Extras

Offense Scores Six to Take Late Lead After Early Deficit, Bullpen Cant Hold

By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/6/1/4/123760614/cuts/04_27_034_pk_l5qozhh8_ubpi66ka.jpg

 

Matt Long led Colorado Springs' offensive rally with three hits, two RBIs and two runs scored on Sunday afternoon. (File Photo from prior game by Paat Kelly)

 

Sunday's series finale in Iowa proved to be a tale of two games, thanks in part to a 2:15 minute rain delay, in the Sox eventual 8-7 extra-inning loss to the I-Cubs before a patient crowd of 7,326 at Principal Park.

 

Sox starter Tyler Thornburg was welcomed to the ballgame rather rudely in the home half of the first as the I-Cubs offense collected four, one out runs. The inning's biggest blows came courtesy of back-to-back long balls by Christian Villanueva and Taylor Teagarden. Villanueva's was a three-run shot, catalyzing Iowa's fast four-run start. Thornburg allowed one more run in the next frame thanks to a two out John Andreoli RBI single before settling down to keep the I-Cubs off the board over his final three innings of work.

 

Already with a single on the day, Matt Long's strong offensive showing would continue in the third as he got the Sox on the scoreboard with a solo blast to right-centerfield off of Iowa starter Dallas Beeler. The homer cut the Colorado Springs deficit to four after three. The 5-1 score would remain until the seventh inning as Beeler and Thornburg were able to ride their grooves into a lengthy rain delay that followed the conclusion of the fifth inning.

 

Both starters were pulled by the time play resumed in the top of the sixth over two hours later. Thornburg finished his afternoon having allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and a walk over five frames. His counterpart Beeler left in much better position after five innings of work, allowing just the one run on seven hits while striking out six.

 

With Beeler now out of the ballgame, the Sox offense took full advantage of reliever Joe Ortiz in his second inning of relief, chasing the lefty before he could record an out in the top of the seventh. Colorado Springs' offense strung together seven straight hits, six of them being singles, against Ortiz and right-hander Blake Cooper before the frame's first out. Long, Pete Orr and Elian Herrera each collected RBI singles before Matt Clark brought home two on an RBI double down the left-field line. Nevin Ashley plated a sixth run in the following at bat with an RBI sacrifice fly, giving the Sox a 7-5 lead by the end of the away seventh.

 

Rob Wooten tossed a scoreless sixth to help the Sox resume the ballgame before Wirfin Obispo and Michael Kirkman each allowed a run in the seventh and eighth respectively, allowing Iowa to knot the game at seven after eight.

 

Gonzalez Germen (4-0, 3.91) gave the I-Cubs two scoreless frames in the ninth and tenth to maintain the tie ballgame and give his team the chance at a Sunday, series-ending walk-off win.

 

David Goforth gave the Sox two scoreless frames despite allowing the tying run to score on a wild pitch in the eighth before handing the ball over to Jim Henderson (0-1, 5.65) in the bottom of the tenth.

 

Henderson allowed a leadoff double to Villanueva before a fielding error by Logan Schafer allowed the Iowa infielder to advance to third. Henderson intentionally walked his next two batters to load the bases with no out before getting pinch hitter Rafael Lopez to ground into a force out at home. With one out and the bases still full of I-Cubs, Chris Valaika came through with a clutch RBI single to left field to score Taylor Teagarden with the game's winning run.

 

Despite the 8-7 loss, the Sox outhit Iowa 14-8 with four different starters collecting multi-hit games. Long and Herrera led the way with three hits a piece with Long driving in two and scoring two. Unfortunately, the team's three errors wound up being the ultimate difference the extremely close contest.

 

The walk-off win improves the I-Cubs to 33-29 as the Sox fall to 25-36 in disappointing fashion.

 

The Sky Sox return home to begin a short three-game series with the Oklahoma City Dodgers on Monday night. Josh Roenicke (3-2, 4.38) looks to get Colorado Springs back in the win column before the home crowd as he faces off with Dodgers lefty Eric Surkamp (1-2, 8.18). First pitch is slated for 7:05 PM MDT (8:05 Central) at Security Service Field.

 

Colorado Springs Box Score

 

Elian Herrera's AAA line still amazing after 78 AB's - .423/.477/.590 (1.067 OPS)...

 

Colorado Springs Game Log

 

RHP David Goforth's AAA return --

 

Iowa Bottom of the 8th

 

Pitching Change: Michael Kirkman replaces Wirfin Obispo, batting 9th, replacing Chris Nelson.

Rubi Silva walks.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Ryan Dent replaces Blake Cooper.

Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Michael Kirkman, batting 9th.

Ryan Dent out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Juan Centeno to first baseman Nevin Ashley. Rubi Silva to 2nd.

With Chris Valaika batting, wild pitch by David Goforth, Rubi Silva to 3rd.

Rubi Silva scores. Throwing error by catcher Juan Centeno.

Chris Valaika flies out to right fielder Matt Long.

Jonathan Mota grounds out, second baseman Pete Orr to first baseman Nevin Ashley.

 

Iowa Bottom of the 9th

 

Arismendy Alcantara grounds out to first baseman Nevin Ashley.

John Andreoli strikes out swinging.

Matt Szczur pops out to second baseman Pete Orr.

[Mass Haas]

The Sky Sox game ended with four minutes to spare -- explanation.

[Mass Haas]

Saturday's Game: Colorado Springs' Matt Clark belts a solo home run in the fourth inning of a 4-1 win at Iowa