Link Report for Monday 6/15

[Mass Haas]

Brief appearance in majors provides boost to Sky Sox pitcher Tyler Cravy

By Brent Briggeman, Colorado Springs Gazette

 

Also posted in full in our 2015 Sky Sox feature archive thread...

[Mass Haas]

Final: Oklahoma City 5, Colorado Springs 2, six innings, rain

 

Sky Sox Can't Overcome Sixth, Rain In 5-2 Loss

Oklahoma City Scores Three in the Sixth to Down Sox in 6.1 Inning Contest

By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/2/8/8/117588288/cuts/04_09_035_pk_d6wt810o_fzmwc17h.jpg

 

Elian Herrera tied the ballgame at two in the fifth inning thanks to a clutch, two-out RBI double. (Photo by Paat Kelly)

 

The Sox got off to a quick start on Monday before a tough sixth inning and tougher weather helped the Oklahoma City Dodgers take home a rain-shortened 5-2 victory before a crowd of 3,320 at Security Service Field.

 

The Sox would strike first on Monday, plating a run in the home second against OKC left-hander and former big leaguer Eric Surkamp (2-4, 6.35). Nevin Ashley led off the frame with a flyout before consecutive singles by Robinzon Diaz and Donnie Murphy gave Colorado Springs runners on the corners with one out. Chris Nelson followed with an RBI force out; beating the relay throw from second to avoid an inning-ending double play that gave Diaz the chance to come home with the game's first run.

 

Sox starter Josh Roenicke (4-3, 4.81) cruised through three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and helping the Sox to a 1-0 lead along the way. Things changed for the right-hander in the fourth as he allowed two runs on three hits in the frame alone, quickly handing the 2-1 lead to Oklahoma City. The Dodgers would score their first on an Austin Barnes one-out, RBI double before taking the lead with Andy Wilkins scoring on a Buck Britton groundout. Roenicke got the best of O'Koyea Dickson, inducing a fly out from the outfielder to prevent further damage.

 

Roenicke bounced back in the next frame, keeping the Dodgers off the scoreboard in the fifth before his offense provided just enough support to tie the ballgame. Elian Herrera knocked in the equalizer with a clutch two-out RBI double that banged off of the right field wall to score Yadiel Rivera all the way from first. The score would not remain tied for long as Roenicke would face another trying frame in the OKC sixth.

 

The Dodgers lineup strung together three straight hits to load the bases before the Sox could record an out in the sixth, giving the visitors a 4-2 lead on a Barnes two-run single. Roenicke buckled down, getting two outs immediately following the consecutive hits. Outfielder Scott Schebler rounded out the game's scoring with a two-out triple to the deepest part of the ballpark, extending the Doders' lead to 5-2 after six.

 

Roenicke would be lifted in favor of Ariel Pena in the top of the seventh, tossing six innings of five-run ball on nine hits while striking out three. The reliever-turned-starter did not issue a single free pass. Surkamp on the other hand would wind up with a complete game victory in the rain-shortened contest. The lefty allowed just the two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out seven over his six strong frames.

 

Pena would record one out in his 0.1 of an inning thanks to Ashley catching leadoff man Darnell Sweeney trying to steal second. The right-hander walked Brian Burgamy in the following at-bat. Pena fell to an 1-0 count on top prospect Corey Seager before the heavens opened up, forcing umpires to call off play before ultimately calling the game to due inclement weather.

 

The game went the necessary five innings to earn the "official" designation. Unfortunately the elements prevented the Sox from a comeback try, falling 5-2 in the shortened 6.1 inning ballgame.

 

With the loss, the Sky Sox fall to 25-37 as Oklahoma City improves to 42-21 thanks to the rain.

 

The Sox and Dodgers are back at it tomorrow in game two of this three-game set in Colorado Springs. Former Twins starter Scott Baker (5-3, 3.99) gets the call for OKC as he faces off with Nick Additon (1-2, 6.91) on Tuesday night at Security Service Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM MDT (8:05 Central).

 

Colorado Springs Box Score

 

Honestly, this roster is such a place-holder for the Biloxi squad in 2016 it's not even funny. Yadiel Rivera was the only starter in the lineup who could be part of the next above .500 Brewers squad (add Matt Clark if you're a Clark fan, but he'll be 29 for the 2016 season).

 

Add in the ridiculously awful weather the Springs have had thus far, and that's got to be a classic AAA clubhouse, not exactly Disneyland despite Tim Dillard's efforts to keep things light.

 

Colorado Springs Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Colorado Springs' Matt Long hits a solo homer in the third inning of an 8-7 Sunday loss at Iowa

 

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: Catcher Cameron Garfield joins the Manatees Radio Network

 

***

 

AUDIO: Manager Joe Ayrault joins the Manatees Radio Network to recap the seven-game road trip

[Mass Haas]

Nice upcoming challenge for the Shuckers --

 

The best Jacksonville Suns’ news on Monday came from 300 miles away and involved Miami Marlins standout pitcher Jose Fernandez. Reports surfaced out of Miami that Fernandez will make a rehab start for the Suns on Saturday, June 27, against the Biloxi Shuckers. The Marlins pitcher had Tommy John surgery last year and just recently returned to the mound. Fernandez was originally slated to start the 2013 season with the Suns but a couple of injuries to Marlins starters resulted in his making the jump from Class-A Jupiter directly to the major leagues. Fernandez was only going to spend a couple weeks with the Marlins before coming to Jacksonville but he was so impressive early on, he stayed with the Marlins and went on to win the National League Rookie of the Year that season.

 

Fernandez has made two rehab starts for Jupiter and will make his next start in Rock Round, Texas on Wednesday for the Marlins’ Triple-A affiliate, the New Orleans Zephyrs. He will then make another appearance for Jupiter before embarking on his final rehab start in Jacksonville on the 27th. Fernandez announced on the Marlins television broadcast Monday night that he plans on returning to the Marlins after that and will make his first major league outing on July 2 in Miami against the San Francisco Giants.

[brewmann04]

So it seems like they are going to leave the Bilioxi team alone. So no guys moving up to Triple A and no guys from Brevard moving up to double A.

[WV Brew]

There is a sense in the Manatees' organization that the Brewers may not want top prospects in Colorado Springs where they may get screwed up by the nature of the park there.