Link Report for Thursday 6/18 - Play Ball, Helena!

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Thursday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Colorado Springs: RHP Tyler Cravy at home vs. New Orleans (Marlins), 7:35 PM pre-game, 8:05 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 home vs. Montgomery (Rays), 6:55 PM pre-game, 7:10 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!

 

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Brevard County: RHP Brandon Woodruff at home vs. Jupiter (Marlins), 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: LHP Zach Hirsch at Kane County (Diamondbacks), 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.

 

NOTE: Kane County does provide MiLB TV, you'd be hearing the Cougars' audio feed as well

 

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Helena: RHP Jordan Yamamoto at home vs. Missoula (Diamondbacks), 7:45 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

We welcome back and again look forward to hearing second-year Voice of the H-Crew Dustin Daniel (@dustin__daniel on Twitter).

 

MiLB.TV -- When the H-Crew makes their way to Grand Junction and Orem in July, and Idaho Falls in August, those games will be available to watch online.

 

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Maryvale Rookie: Season begins Saturday June 20th at the Cubs' complex

 

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DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Mets #2 squad, 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 Thursday's action as it happens with box score / game log links:

 

Colorado Springs

 

Biloxi

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

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

 

***

 

Sortable individual stat pages:

 

Colorado Springs

 

Biloxi

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

***

 

Weather.com:

 

Colorado Springs, CO

 

Biloxi, MS

 

Viera, FL

 

Geneva, IL

 

Helena, MT

 

San Pedro de Macoris, DR

[Mass Haas]

Biloxi's Taylor Green slugs a three-run homer as the Shuckers beat Montgomery, 6-2, on Wednesday

 

[Mass Haas]

EXAMINER ARTICLE: Photo, more quotes and details on Javi Salas' awesome complete game performance in his matchup with Jose Fernandez last night

[Mass Haas]

OK, it's a 17 seed vs. a 1 seed tonight, but with Brewerfan's help (and if nobody from Billings and their new ballpark finds out), we can help Helena's Kindrick Field win this matchup (vote by 9:00 PM Central Friday night, so just vote now, only one vote per IP address allowed).

 

VOTE! THANKS!

[Mass Haas]

We've been kicking off the 2015 season-long Helena / Maryvale feature and archive thread the past few days. If you haven't checked out the discussion there yet, here you go.

[Mass Haas]

DVR ALERT!

 

College World Series - Friday afternoon 6/19 ESPN2 2:00 PM Central

 

SB NATION POST: Nathan Kirby to pitch for UVA Friday against Florida

 

I think as great as it would is to be such a high draft pick, I'm bummed for Kirby because for life he can't say he was the Brewers first-round pick or second-round pick, he has to stumble his way of saying he was the "Brewers' Competitive Balance Round 1 Pick".

 

Guess he'll just stick to saying he was the 40th pick overall in the 2015 draft .

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: 28th round catcher Mitch Ghelfi of UW-Milwaukee talks to Bill Michaels from Maryvale, where he'll be playing with the rookie Brewers

 

No idea if Michaels was short on time, but the interview is less than three minutes long. Weak. (Not Mitch, Bill...)

[Mass Haas]

Opening Night Helena lineup, courtesy of Dustin

 

Opposing pitcher Bo Takahashi, an 18-year-old 2nd-year pro, was born in, wait for it...

 

...Brazil.

[Mass Haas]

The Timber Rattlers face the Diamondbacks' starter Wei-Chieh Huang tonight. Can't wait until he's on the same minor league level as Wei-Chung Wang.

[Mass Haas]

Filling in for Wren: Handful of Shuckers to step into leadoff role

Subero looks to three different players to top lineup

By Patrick Magee, Biloxi Sun-Herald

 

PHOTO GALLERY (Amanda McCoy) at link

 

Kyle Wren's recent promotion from the Shuckers to Triple-A Colorado Springs is a nice step in his career, but it provides a dilemma at the top of the order for Biloxi. Wren played a big role in the Shuckers' first-half title Southern League South title with a .300 batting average and 20 stolen bases.

 

Wren was a perfect fit at leadoff and there's no clear replacement to fill his spot as the Shuckers finish out the season's first half in their current series with the Montgomery Biscuits at MGM Park.

 

Josh Fellhauer stepped in well at leadoff the first two games after Wren's promotion.

 

In Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Biscuits, Fellhauer reached base four times in five at-bats with a double and a run scored.

 

However, the former Cal State Fullerton star won't be the only man seeing time at leadoff the rest of the way for the Shuckers.

 

"You lose some speed at the top and a table setter," Shuckers manager Carlos Subero said of Wren's departure. "Hopefully guys that will be there like (Tyrone) Taylor and (Nathan) Orf, especially when we play National League games, hopefully they're able to get on base.

 

"We do lose speed. Kyle not only had speed, but he was aggressive on the bases. We lose a little bit of that. Anytime you lose somebody that's been valuable for the team, it's time for other guys to step in. Not necessarily with that style of play, but hopefully something similar by setting up walks and working counts."

 

The designated hitter is in use this week for the series against the Biscuits, the Double-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. That gives Fellhauer, the team's fourth outfielder, the opportunity to see more chances as the leadoff man for the Shuckers (41-24).

 

While Taylor and Orf provide quality options at leadoff, Fellhauer provides a left-handed bat like Wren and he has a good on-base percentage this season at .405.

 

"Wren was pretty good at it," Fellhauer said. "He's definitely going to have more stolen bases than I am. I pride myself on not swinging at pitches out of the zone and getting on base. Hopefully, I can do the job he did."

 

The best stolen base man remaining on the Shuckers roster is Michael Reed with 19 this season, but his potent bat will keep him in the middle of the lineup.

 

That makes Taylor the fastest option at leadoff with six stolen bases in seven attempts this season. His batting average is fine at .276, but his on base percentage lags behind what you would typically expect out of the leadoff man at .314.

 

Orf is a good athlete who could fit in well in the leadoff role when necessary. He is always a tough out and has a nice on base percentage of .373 with a .273 batting average.

 

Former first-round selection Victor Roache will take over as the primary left fielder for the Shuckers after he was recently promoted from Advanced-A Brevard County, Fla., this week.

 

Roache has good speed for a man who stands 6-foot-2, 223 pounds, but he's a true power hitter who will find a spot in the middle of the Biloxi lineup.

 

He was batting .259 with 10 homers and 36 RBIs when he was promoted to Biloxi.

 

Roache, a former Georgia Southern star, went 1-for-4 in his Double-A debut on Wednesday.

 

"Victor had a good year down there at A ball," Subero said. "He hit some home runs. Double-A is a challenge right now, but he'll make the proper adjustments."

[Mass Haas]

Biloxi Media Notes - Linked on the Shuck Dynasty blog

 

You'll find yesterday’s pregame interview with Pitching Coach Chris Hook there...

[WV Brew]

I know the Manatees faced one reliever this year who was from Brazil. I can't find him right now though. Bradenton has a pitcher from the even more unlikely: India.

 

Brazil Baseball

[Mass Haas]

Thursday's Brewers farmhand birthday - Wisconsin's Tucker Neuhaus' own thoughts on his 20th

[Mass Haas]

Veteran Sky Sox utilityman Pete Orr will be allowed to join his Canadian Pan Am Games teammates this July - details and full Canucks squad listed - LINK

[TheCrew07]

Cougars complete sweep of Rattlers

Kane County beats Rattlers 2-1 in 11 innings

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/0/0/8/120693008/cuts/4_Apr26_Hirsch_gil85g58_91oo6n9n.jpg

Zach Hirsch allowed one run on four hits over eight innings on Thursday at Kane County. (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers/Ann Mollica)

 

GENEVA, IL - Zach Hirsch and Wei-Chieh Huang hooked up in a pitching duel on Thursday night a Fifth Third Bank Ballpark. But, both starters were gone when a pinch-hit, walkoff single by Michael Perez gave the Kane County Cougars a 2-1 victory in eleven innings to sweep the three game series.

 

Huang, the Kane County starter, gave up a two-out single to Elvis Rubio in the top of the first inning. Huang retired the next twenty Timber Rattlers he faced in the game.

 

Kane County (34-32) broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth. Victor Reyes doubled on an 0-2 pitch to start the frame and break a streak of ten straight batters retired by Hirsch. Ildemaro Vargas bunted Reyes over to third and the Rattlers infield came in on the grass with Ryan Gebhardt at the plate.

 

Gebhardt hit a hard grounder that shortstop Francisco Castillo had to dive to stop. There was no chance for Castillo to get Reyes at the plate and the throw had to go to first as the Cougars took a 1-0 lead.

 

Hirsch tossed a professional single-game high of eight innings, walked none, and struck out four to keep the Rattlers (21-46) in the game.

 

Wisconsin broke through against Huang in the eighth inning with a little help. Jose Pena singled with one out and Huang balked to move Pena to second. Alan Sharkey struck out, but the ball got away to allow Pena to take third and Sharkey to reach. Greg McCall hit a sacrifice fly deep to left to score Pena with the tying run.

 

Huang allowed two hits, one run, walked none, and struck out eight over eight innings and got a no decision.

 

The Timber Rattlers could not take advantage of leadoff walks in the tenth and eleventh innings and it would cost them.

 

Gian Rizzo entered the game in the bottom of the eleventh after two scoreless innings from Scott Lieser and gave up a leadoff single to Ryan Hutchison. A bunt by Reyes moved Hutchison to second and the Rattlers elected to walk Vargas intentionally to set up the double play.

 

Rizzo got Gebhardt to fly out to right for the second out.

 

But, Perez came off the bench to end the game with a line drive to the gap in left-center. The ball dropped for a hit and Hutchison scored the winning run.

 

The Timber Rattlers are 3-6 on the first nine games of their current 12-game road trip to end the first half of the Midwest League schedule.

 

The Timber Rattlers will be at Miller Park on Friday night to take on the Beloit Snappers. Kodi Medeiros (2-2, 4.97) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. Beloit has named Joey Wagman (2-1, 3.12) as their starter. Game time is 7:10pm.

 

Tickets for the game start at just $5 and may be purchased at this link, at the Miller Park Box Office or by calling the Brewers Ticket Office at (414) 902-4000 or 1-800-933-7890.

 

The Miller Park parking lots open at 5:10pm and the gates to the stadium open at 6:10pm.

 

If you can't make it out to Miller Park, you can catch the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:50pm. The broadcast may also be heard on Tune In Radio and IHeartRadio.

 

WP: Nick Baker (4-1)

LP: Gian Rizzo (0-1)

 

TIME: 2:27

ATTN: 5,686

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Noooooo! In all honestly, the T-Rats were gifted their way back into the game but then Kane County just took it back in the end. Zach Hirsch... again not sexy but the young man can pitch, 4 hits and no walks in 8 innings is awesome. Zach missed some time so it's not like he's up there with the league leaders in IP but he's only walked 5 batters in 42.1 so far this season. We've had T-Rat pitchers walk that many in a single game...

 

Rattler hitters managed just 3 hits in 11 innings, Elvis Rubio (2-4) was 2/3 of the offense in this one, which probably means being on the wrong side of another MiLB.com story as Wei-Chieh Huang has been fantastic since starting his season the end of last month.

 

Wisconsin Recap

[bkrause2]

Shuckers’ win streak snapped at five after 11-5 loss to Biscuits

Early runs cut Johnson’s start short, ending Shuckers’ string of quality starts

Biloxi Shuckers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/4/9/6/131600496/cuts/BRP_6993_k639elm1_axxjqe86.jpg

Nathan Orf homered for the first time on Thursday night in the Shuckers' 11-5 loss to Montgomery (Benton Reed Photography)

 

BILOXI, MS – The Shuckers’ five-game winning streak was snapped on Thursday night after an 11-5 loss to the Montgomery Biscuits in front of 3,080 fans at MGM Park. The two clubs combined for 10 runs over the first two innings, matching four spots in the first, and a single run in the second. Montgomery ended up blasting three home runs and scoring three runs in the fourth and three runs in the seventh to pull away.

 

Biloxi (41-25) fell into an early hole, surrendering four runs in the first inning and were down 2-0 before recording an out.

 

Boog Powell singled and scored on Dayron Varona’s double. Cameron Seitzer shot a grounder to the right side that got through Nick Ramirez (0x4) at first and into right field, allowing Varona to score on the error. Johnny Field was hit by a pitch before Joey Rickard went down looking for the first out of the inning.

 

Justin O’Conner doubled home Seitzer to put the Shuckers in a 3-0 deficit and Patrick Leonard grounded out to first, scoring Field on the play for the final run of the inning.

 

The Shuckers responded with four runs of their own to tie the game at four after the first inning.

 

Josh Fellhauer (1x3, R, 2B, 2 BB) led off the second straight game with a double and Nathan Orf (2x4, HR, RBI, 2 R, BB) followed with a walk to set up Orlando Arcia’s (2x4, RBI, R, BB) RBI single. Back-to-back strikeouts to Ramirez and Michael Reed (0x4) were followed by a walk to Tyrone Taylor (0x3, R, BB) and loaded the bases for Taylor Green (2x3, 3 RBI, 2B, BB), who drove a bases-clearing double off the wall in left to square the game at four. Green has driven in six runs in the first two games against the Biscuits and been on base five times. Fellhauer has reached six times in the first two games with the Biscuits.

 

Montgomery (34-32) jumped back on top in the second with an RBI groundout from Seitzer to bring in Juniel Querecuto.

 

Biloxi followed with a run of its own on Orf’s first home run on the season to tie the game at five.

 

The Shuckers’ pitching staff could not keep the Biscuits off the board as the game went on, surrendering three runs in the fourth, capped by homer from Johnny Field, Jr., his 11th on the year and three more in the seventh on homers from Justin O’Conner and Hector Guevara to put Biloxi in an insurmountable, 11-5 deficit.

 

Starting pitcher Hobbs Johnson (4-4) struggled with command in his 3.1 innings of work, walking five and striking out only three on 75 pitches. The North Carolina native did not make it to the fifth inning for the first time since his second start of the season back on April 18 (10 starts) against the Mobile BayBears, and snaps a stretch of five consecutive quality starts for the Shuckers’ pitching staff.

 

Trevor Seidenberger (2.2 IP, 2 R, H, BB) gave up a home run to the first batter he faced, but set down the next seven Biscuits before issuing a leadoff walk to Field in the seventh. Manny Barreda (2.0, 2 R, 3 H, 2 SO) took over and served up two more long balls, putting Biloxi behind 11-5.

 

Martin Viramontes took the ninth and did not allow a run on two hits. Montgomery All-Star right-hander Jared Mortensen (5-3) earned the win.

 

Biloxi loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth, but Arcia grounded out on a close play at second to end the game.

 

The Shuckers will look to retake the series lead in game three on Friday night. RHP Brooks Hall (7-3, 3.05) will seek out his fourth straight win and take on RHP Jamie Schultz (5-3, 3.11). Both starting pitchers are headed to the All-Star game next week. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m., with coverage beginning at 6:55 p.m. 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 http://www.biloxishuckers.com.

 

Biloxi Box Score

 

Hobbs Johnson really struggled with his control tonight. He only gave up four hits, but walked five, hit a batter and had a wild pitch. Nathan Orf with his first home run of the year. He also added a single and a walk. Orlando Arcia reached base three times with two singles and a walk and Taylor Green singled, doubled, walked and knocked in three runs.

 

Biloxi Game Log

[WV Brew]

Riggins' Blast in 12th Earns Hammerheads Split

By Jerry Durney / Brevard County Manatees

06/18/2015 11:08 PM ET

 

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Taylor Brennan, seen here, had two hits in Thursday's loss. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

 

Viera, Fla. - In a four-game series that was dominated by starting pitching, one swing of the bat ultimately proved to be the difference as the Jupiter Hammerheads (33-34) earned a series split with the Brevard County Manatees (29-37) in a 2-1 victory in 12 innings Thursday night at Space Coast Stadium.

 

The Manatees took the initial lead in the bottom of the third inning, which started with an Angel Ortega base hit back through the middle and into centerfield. Omar Garcia then with a double that was chopped over the head of Brian Anderson at third base, Ortega ultimately was held up at third on the play. He would not have to wait long as he scored on a Chris McFarland ground out to shortstop. Hammerheads starting pitcher Jose Adames recovered to retire Cameron Garfield on another groundout to short and after walking Clint Coulter, induced a groundout from Garrett Cooper.

 

Much like they did on Wednesday, Jupiter equalized in their next turn at-bat, this time in the top of the fourth. The inning was catalyzed by an Avery Romero single, who then advanced to third when Garcia overran an Austin Dean base hit in centerfield. Manatees starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff bounced back to strike out Anderson but conceded the tying run on a Justin Bohn single to center. The rally ended when Harold Riggins struck out.

 

From there on, both pitching staffs turned in phenomenal performances into the top of the 12th. It was in that frame where the Hammerheads broke the deadlock as Harold Riggins clubbed his third home run of the season, a 418-foot shot to right centerfield, off of Mark Williams, who was pitching in his fourth inning of work.

 

Jupiter reliever Esmerling De La Rosa set the Manatees down in order in the bottom of the 12th to earn the win for himself and the Hammerheads.

 

Adames gave up just the one run on three hits in five innings of work, striking out six and walking two. He would be followed by Chris Sadberry who threw two and two-thirds shutout innings, striking out two. Tyler Kinley followed with two and one-thirds stellar innings, striking out five batters on 25 pitches, 22 of which were strikes. De La Rosa then threw two hitless innings to finish it, striking out three in the process.

 

Blake Barber had a three-hit for the Hammerheads, while Austin Dean had two of his own.

 

Woodruff turned in another terrific performance for the 'Tees, going a career-best eight innings, giving up 1 unearned run on seven hits, striking out four without issuing a walk on 99 pitches. Despite being saddled with the loss, Williams was excellent out of the bullpen, striking out five in three and two-thirds innings of work on 59 pitches.

 

Offensively for Brevard County, Taylor Brennan and Ortega each recorded a multi-hit game. Garfield's streak of consecutive games with a hit was snapped at six as he went 0-for-5.

 

The Florida State League now heads to its All-Star break with the Manatees sending five players to the game Saturday night at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie at 7:00 P.M. The Manatees will be back in action on Monday as they play a doubleheader on the road against the Lakeland Flying Tigers. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 5:00 P.M.; pitching matchups have not yet been announced.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Woodruff's line: 8 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 10/7 GO/FO

This was probably his best start of the season. The run was unearned but that is questionable. The error was by Omar Garcia which allowed the runner to go to 3rd instead of 2nd. This was followed by a 2 out ground hit up the middle. The runner probably scores from second with 2 outs anyway but the official version calls the run unearned. The Manatees struck out 16 times with only Angel Ortega and Clint Coulter avoiding any K's.

 

Brevard County Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Woodruff on top of his game in Manatees loss to Jupiter

Michael Parsons, FLORIDA TODAY

 

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/49f4789b36fd20c217cfb37ac3ac8954e57c8eb4/c=0-87-2241-3075&r=537&c=0-0-534-712/local/-/media/2015/06/18/Brevard/B9317787913Z.1_20150618224015_000_GL6B4DD8T.1-0.jpg

 

Brevard County starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff went eight innings against Jupiter on Thursday night. (Photo: Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY)

 

The Brevard County Manatees got another big outing from a starting pitcher, but Jupiter matched them pitch for pitch Thursday night in front of 1,906 fans at Space Coast Stadium.

 

Brandon Woodruff tossed a career high eight innings, allowing just one unearned run on seven hits with four strikeouts.

 

“He did a heck of a job, was more efficient with his pitches, just didn’t have the run support tonight,” Manatees coach said. “He did a much better job, was more competitive with his pitches and filled the zone.”

Joe Ayrault

But he left with the game tied 1-1 heading to the ninth inning.

 

From there it was a battle of bullpens as Jupiter relievers pitched seven shutout innings, allowing three hits and struck out 10.

 

Mark Williams matched them with 3 2/3 innings of work, striking out five.

 

Jupiter’s Harold Riggins crushed a ball 418 feet over the right-center field wall with one out in the 12th.

 

Esmerling De La Rosa picked up the win, striking out two of the three hitters in the 12th.

 

“I said every guy has a good arm over there, all over 95 and are just impressive,” Ayrault said.

 

Taylor Brennan made three outstanding plays at third base to keep the game tied.

 

“I was thinking about what to write in my report, I mean he looked like Brooks Robinson tonight. And (Angel) Ortega played a solid shortstop. Both of them had a heck of a game tonight.”

 

The Manatees will take a break as the All-Star Game is Saturday night. Brevard County will be back in action Monday night when they travel to Lakeland for a four-game series.

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO via WXXV: Interview with Shuckers Centerfielder Tyrone Taylor

[Mass Haas]

Biscuits hit three homers in 11-5 win over Shuckers

Patrick Magee, Biloxi Sun-Herald

 

PHOTO GALLERY (18 images via the Sun-Herald's Tim Isbell)

 

BILOXI – The Montgomery Biscuits ended the Shuckers' five-game winning streak, 11-5, Thursday night with three different Biscuits hitting homers at MGM Park.

 

The game was tied 5-5 through two innings after the Biscuits took a 4-0 lead in the top of the first. After some early production at the plate, the Shuckers ran out of answers and were held scoreless in the final seven innings.

 

Shuckers manager Carlos Subero pointed to Biscuits starting pitcher Jared Mortensen's ability to rebound after early struggles as a key in the game.

 

“He did a good job,” Subero said. “He struggled with his command early on and was able to make adjustments and finish strong. He's been pitching well.”

 

Mortensen settled down after giving up five runs through the first two innings. He gave up five runs on five hits in six innings. The right-hander struck out four and walked three to improve to 5-3.

 

A crowd of 3,080 was in attendance for Wednesday's game at MGM Park. A total of 23,798 fans have shown up for the first seven Shuckers game at the new ballpark for an average of 3,400 per game.

 

After a run of five consecutive quality starts from Biloxi starting pitchers, left-hander Hobbs Johnson struggled on the mound Thursday night.

 

Johnson lasted 3 1/3 innings, giving up seven runs, five earned, on four hits. He struggled with his control much of the game, walking five and striking out three.

 

“Johnson didn't have it tonight,” Subero said. “His command was erratic and they hit him. The tough thing about pitching is he had his best start all year at Mississippi and that's something you can feed off and keep on going. He hit a wall tonight. He didn't have command, a good feel. Pitching is about having feeling and this was one night he didn't have much.”

 

Just two pitches into the game, Montgomery had a 1-0 lead thanks to a leadoff single by Boog Powell and an RBI double by Dayron Varona.

 

The ugly start continued for Biloxi as Cameron Seitzer reached on an error by Shuckers first baseman Nick Ramirez, allowing another run to come home, and Johnny Field was hit by a pitch.

 

Justin O'Conner doubled to bring home a run and Patrick Leonard pushed another across on a ground out to first and Montgomery (33-33) led 4-0 before the Shuckers had a chance to bat.

 

The Shuckers (41-25) answered in the bottom of the first with Orlando Arcia starting the scoring with an RBI single to right to bring home Josh Fellhauer, who started the inning with a double to center.

 

With the bases loaded and two out in the bottom of the first, Taylor Green tied the game by lifting a double off the left field wall to bring all three runners home and set the score at 4-4.

 

“We were able to get to (Mortensen),” Subero said. “The double off the wall by Green was a big hit for us, getting us back in the game.”

 

The teams traded runs in the second inning. Seitzer gave Montgomery the 5-4 lead by bringing home Juniel Quereceto on a groundout in the top of the second.

 

In the bottom of the second, Shuckers second baseman Nathan Orf pulled his first homer of the season well over the left field wall to tie the game again at 5-5.

 

“It always feels good (to get your first homer),” Orf said. “I wish they came a little more often, but it is what it is.”

 

While the hits dried up for Biloxi, Montgomery kept rolling at the plate.

 

Johnny Field went yard with a line-drive three-run homer to left with one out in the fourth for his 11th homer of the season, giving the Biscuits an 8-5 lead.

 

Montgomery scored three more on a two-run homer by O'Conner and a solo shot by Hector Geuvara to expand the lead to 11-5 in the seventh.

 

Southern League South All-Star Brooks Hall (7-3, 3.05) is set to start for the Shuckers at 7:10 PM Friday with fellow right-hander the Jamie Schultz (5-3, 3.11) on schedule to go for the Biscuits.

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO via WLOX: Game lowlights and highlights including Nick Ramirez' error, Taylor Green's near (by a foot) grand slam, and Nathan Orf's home run