Link Report for Friday 6/19 - Timber Rattlers Get The Miller Park Experience

[Mass Haas]

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[Mass Haas]

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF!

 

All times are Central

 

Colorado Springs: RHP Tyler Thornburg 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: RHP Brooks Hall 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: Idle for the All-Star Break; Game is in St. Lucie Saturday night, audio details in tomorrow's Link Report

 

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Wisconsin: LHP Kodi Medeiros at Beloit (Athletics) in a game played at Miller Park (Timber Rattlers are the "road" team), 6:40 PM pre-game, 7:00 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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Helena: RHP Marcos Diplan 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 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 Friday's action as it happens with box score / game log links:

 

Colorado Springs

 

Biloxi

 

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

 

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

 

***

 

Weather.com:

 

Colorado Springs, CO

 

Biloxi, MS

 

Milwaukee, WI

 

Helena, MT

 

Boca Chica, DR

[Mass Haas]

Via Dave Walkovic, Voice of the Manatees:

 

RHP Jorge Ortega will be the starting pitcher for the North in the FSL All-Star Game.

[Mass Haas]

Colorado Springs' Matt Long connects on his second double in a 9-2 Thursday loss to New Orleans

 

[Mass Haas]

Biloxi's Orlando Arcia singles home a run as the Shuckers fall to Montgomery, 11-5, on Thursday

 

[Mass Haas]

Orf and running: Shuckers utility man becomes fast fan favorite

Baylor product played all 9 positions in 1 game last year

By Patrick Magee, Biloxi Sun-Herald

 

PHOTO GALLERY at link (It's an Orf-bonanza from prior galleries)

 

***

 

Huge Nathan Orf fan -- this was also posted (in full) in our season-long Biloxi feature archive thread...

[Mass Haas]

Big first half earns Manatees starter special birthday

Michael Parsons, Florida Today

 

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Brevard County starting pitcher Jorge Ortega leads all of pro baseball in complete games with four. (Photo: Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY)

 

Jorge Ortega has more complete games than any pitcher in professional baseball this season.

 

More than every major league team, in fact, except the Toronto Blue Jays, who have five this season led by Mark Buerhle's three. Ortega hits the break with four, three in the past month.

 

So, it is no surprise that one of the Brevard County Manatees' starting pitchers will take the mound as an All-Star Saturday night as the North Division's starting pitcher.

 

"It is truly an honor and I am thrilled to have been selected. I am really looking forward to pitching in the game," Ortega said through teammate and interpreter Javier Salas who also was named an All-Star.

 

Part of the reason it will be so special is that Ortega will be turning 22 on Saturday.

 

"It will be exciting," Ortega said. "There will be some nerves, it is the All-Star Game but I am really excited and looking forward to it."

 

The right-hander from Caracas, Venezuela is getting used to finishing what he starts, something he won't be asked to do Saturday night in Port St. Lucie.

 

"It feels great," Ortega said of finishing games. "The main thing I try to focus on is limiting my pitches and being aggressive. My motto is first-pitch strikes."

 

The focus has led him to quick innings and low pitch counts. Ortega has not thrown more than 100 pitches in any of the complete games this season. The key, he says, is using his fastball that sits in the low 90s more aggressively early in the count.

 

"The big thing is that I have been pitching inside more, something I have been working on in instructs and spring training," Ortega said.

 

His pinpoint control does not hurt either. The starter has allowed just three walks in his past 70 innings and none of those have come in the past 37 innings.

 

"I feel great, my body feels great," Ortega said. "I just focus on having quick innings."

 

It has led him to a 6-4 record with a 1.78 ERA in 11 starts with the Manatees. The 1.78 ERA is third best in the Florida State League and his six wins is in the top 10.

 

And a birthday to remember, standing on the mound as the starting pitcher for an All-Star Game.

 

***

 

Manatee All-Stars

 

Five players will represent Brevard County in the All-Star Game this weekend.

 

Starting pitchers Jorge Ortega (6-4, 1.78 ERA), Javier Salas (6-4, 2.41 ERA), reliever Preston Gainey (2-2, 2.03 ERA)

 

Second baseman Chris McFarland (.289, 13 doubles and 13 stolen bases) and outfielder Clint Coulter (.252, 10 home runs and 36 RBI)

 

Outfielder Victor Roache was also named, but was promoted to Double A Biloxi last week.

[Mass Haas]

Several Biloxi Shucker players pick up Southern League honors

By Curtis Rockwell, blog.gulflive.com

 

PHOTO GALLERY: Yes, these guys apparently are very photogenic, at least while in uniform

 

Biloxi Shuckers starting pitcher Brooks Hall was added to the Southern League South Division All-Star Team earlier this week.

 

That makes it 11 total Biloxi players picked for the all-star game.

 

Hall is tied for the league lead in wins this season with a 7-3 record in 12 starts. He has an ERA of 3.05 and 55 strikeouts with 13 walks in 65 innings.

 

Hall replaces Mobile's Aaron Blair, who was called up to Triple-A.

 

Hall joins pitchers Tyler Wagner, Damien Magnifico, Jorge Lopez and Hobbs Johnson as well as shortstop Orlando Arcia, outfielder Michael Reed, first baseman Nick Ramirez and catcher Adam Weisenburger as Shuckers on the team.

 

Outfielder Kyle Wren and pitcher Jaye Chapman were also selected, but both have been promoted to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

 

In addition, Hall and outfielder Tyrone Taylor swept the weekly Southern League awards, capping off a historic week during the Inaugural season.

 

Posting a 2-0 record, Hall turned in a pair of impressive performances last week, including the Shuckers' first-half division title-clinching win on Sunday. Over 15 innings, the Anderson, South Carolina native crafted a 0.60 ERA, the lowest among pitchers with more than one start. Hall allowed just one run on five hits and two walks, while striking out 12 batters. He stymied League hitters to a .102 batting average and had a WHIP of 0.47, lowest of any pitcher with more than 10 innings. His first start came in the Shuckers' 2-1 win over Mobile on May 8. In just the third game in MGM Park history, Hall struck out seven batters in seven innings, surrendering just one run on three hits. The righty continued to cruise in his next start on June 14 against Mississippi. Seeing his club take the South Division first-half title, Hall pitched eight innings of two-hit baseball, fanning five M-Braves batters in the process. This is his first career weekly award.

 

Overall this season, Milwaukee's 4th round selection in 2009 is 7-3 with a 3.05 ERA over 12 starts. He ranks tied with Chattanooga's Jose Berrios for the league-lead in wins.

 

Taylor put together an impressive week in which he was at or near the top of the league lead in every major offensive category. With a .423 batting average, Taylor had eight runs, 11 hits, six extra-base hits, 21 total bases, four doubles, two homeruns, eight RBI and a pair of stolen bases. Furthermore, he produced a .464 on-base percentage, .808 slugging percentage and OPS of 1.272. His runs, extra-base hits, total bases, RBI and slugging percentage were all good for tops in the circuit, while he did not strike out once. Helping Biloxi gain a playoff spot, the Torrance, California product had four multi-hit games and four games with an extra-base hit. Hitting a homerun in the Shuckers final two games against Mobile, Taylor paced Biloxi to a series win in their inaugural homestand at MGM Park. He capped his remarkable week in the Shuckers title-clinching win over Mississippi on June 14, going 3-for-5 at the plate with a run, a double and two RBI. This is his second career weekly award after he earned Midwest League honors on June 10, 2013.

 

This season, Taylor is batting .277 with 14 doubles, a triple, two home runs, 27 RBI and six stolen bases. Entering the season, Baseball America ranked the Brewers' 2nd round pick in 2012 as the top prospect in the organization.

 

The Shuckers are in the midst of their second ever homestand, hosting Montgomery Friday, Saturday and Sunday with game times each night at 7:10.

[Mass Haas]

Informative tweet on tonight's Helena starter RHP Marcos Diplan

[TheCrew07]

Chris had Medeiros topping out at 93 in the 1st.

[Mass Haas]

Miller Park Prospects -- I always enjoy Marcus' "Who's Hot" list

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO via WXXV: The Shuckers' Michael Reed and his Dad discuss Fathers' Day memories, and yes, Michael's father Ben played in the NFL (big guy)

[TheCrew07]

Rattlers beat Beloit 5-1 at Miller Park

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

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David Burkhalter gets a strikeout to end the game at Miller Park on Friday night. The Rattlers beat Beloit 5-1.

 

MILWAUKEE, WI - Kodi Medeiros took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers offense provided plenty of support as the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers beat the Beloit Snappers 5-1 Friday night at Miller Park.

 

Brandon Diaz put the Rattlers (22-46) in front with a leadoff homer in the third inning. The home run, the fifth of the season for Diaz, was the first hit of the game for Wisconsin.

 

Wisconsin's offense added to their lead with three runs after there were two outs in the sixth.

 

Elvis Rubio was on third and Sthervin Matos on first. Matos took off for second and drew a throw, but stopped before he got close to the base. Rubio broke for the plate and stole home as the throw went to the backstop. Matos wound up at third on the play. Greg McCall continued the inning by drawing a walk. Then, Alan Sharkey doubled down the line in left to drive in both Matos and McCall for a 4-0 lead.

 

Medeiros got a strikeout to start the bottom of the sixth, but a walk and an error put the next two batters on base. Medeiros picked up the second out of the inning on a flyout to left.

 

Joe Bennie spoiled the no-hit bid with a two-out double to left-center that drove in a run for Beloit (25-43). Josh Uhen came out of the Wisconsin bullpen and got the final out of the sixth.

 

Medeiros struck out seven, walked three, and allowed the one unearned run over 5-2/3 innings to earn his third win of the season.

 

Wisconsin added to their lead in the ninth. Diaz reached on a bunt single with one out. Pinch-hitter Jose Pena doubled and Diaz raced home to make it 5-1.

 

David Burkhalter closed out the game with two scoreless innings. He pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning and worked around a two-out single in the ninth with his fourth strikeout to earn his third save of the season.

 

The series between the Rattlers and Snappers continues on Saturday night at Pohlman Field in Beloit. Angel Ventura (2-2, 2.22) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Heath Fillmyer (0-7, 8.50) is set to start for the Snappers. Game time is 7:00pm. Catch the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:40pm. The broadcast may also be heard on Tune In Radio and IHeartRadio.

 

HOME RUN:

WIS:

Brandon Diaz (5th, 0 on in 3rd inning off Joey Bagman, 0 out)

 

WP: Kodi Medeiros (3-2)

LP: Joey Wagman (2-2)

SAVE: David Burkhalter (3)

 

TIME: 2:40

ATTN: 4,507

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

I was wondering if this game would be an exercise in offensive futility as these are the 2 worst teams in the league in nearly every statistical category. However the Rattler bats came through and put up another 5 spot, now 4 out of the last 5 games with 5+ runs. Dustin DeMuth (2-3,BB) and Brandon Diaz (2-4,HR) led the way offensively.

 

This was the first time Beloit had faced Kodi Medeiros, and true to the past scenario this game went very much in his favor allowing just the 1 hit and 3 walks while striking out 7. He had a couple of 4 pitch walks, I don't remember the 3rd, I had buffering issues all night so I would lose the game about twice an inning. However he erased one with a pick-off and the other with a double play. Per Chris Kodi was working 91-93 and continues to be an enigma as he was missing regularly to both sides of the plate and wasn't piling on strikes, there were lots of deep counts. Chris mentioned in the 5th or 6th that Medeiros was about 50/50 with balls and strikes, but I didn't catch a final count from him, and of course the pitch counts aren't in the box. It's pretty interesting that even when Kodi isn't at his best he can put numbers like this, and it was a heck of bounce back effort statistically.

 

After a couple of rough appearances David Burkhalter also bounced back nicely. All 4 of Burkhalter's strike outs were swinging, 6 of 7 Medeiros strike outs were of the swinging variety as well.

 

Wisconsin Recap

[colbyjack]

Medeiros 88-93, consistently at 91. His breaking ball was just filthy, and he pulled the string nicely on a few changeups. Obviously he had a no-no through 6 2/3, gave up a base hit and he was pulled (he likely would have been pulled after seven anyway). The command is still shaky, but man that arm is special and his stuff is undeniable. Most everything hit off of him was pounded weakly into the ground at an infielder. He's going to need to hone his control/command, but he's also going to miss a lot of bats in his lifetime. He's so much fun to watch and I hope quite a few other people here made it out to MP to see it for themselves.

 

Plus the arm angle makes it so much worse, and I'm glad the Brewers aren't messing with him. He's unconventional but it works, and he's athletic enough to do it and sustain it.

[Mass Haas]

Final: New Orleans 4, Colorado Springs 0

 

Sky Sox Shutout In 4-0 Loss To Zephyrs

Blackley, New Orleans Bullpen Hold Colorado Springs to Just Two Hits

By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox

 

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Tyler Thornburg allowed two runs over six solid innings in a tough loss to the Zephyrs on Friday night. (Photo by Paat Kelly)

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The Sky Sox bats were kept quiet on Friday night as the New Orleans Zephyrs shutout Colorado Springs 4-0 before a crowd of 4,787 at Security Service Field.

 

Tyler Thornburg (1-4, 5.13) and Zephyrs left-hander Travis Blackley (2-3, 5.26) matched two-hit lines through the first four innings before New Orleans broke through against the Sox starter in the fifth. Thornburg would allow a leadoff double to Vinny Rottino before registering two quick outs to bring Brandon Bantz to the plate in a two-out, runner in scoring position situation. The Zephyrs catcher singled to center to score Rottino with ease and give the visiting side a 1-0 lead after four and a half innings of play.

 

Blackley would set the Sox down in order in the bottom of the fifth, collecting two strikeouts in the frame to wrap up his impressive outing in style. The Melbourne, Australia native finished his night with five scoreless innings of two-hit ball under his belt before handing the ball and one-run lead over to the equally strong Zephyrs bullpen.

 

Thornburg gave up his second and final run of the outing in the sixth, once again allowing a leadoff double, this time to Miguel Rojas, and again getting two outs before a Zephyrs hitter came up with a clutch base-hit. Kila Ka'aihue did the damage this time around, lining a single to center to score Rojas and extend the New Orleans lead to 2-0 after six. Ka'aihue now has three RBIs in his first two games in a Zephyrs uniform.

 

Thornburg's night was done after the sixth having allowed two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out three over those six frames.

 

New Orleans would tack on two more runs before the night was through. Relievers David Goforth and Wirfin Obispo each gave up a run in their combined three innings of work to wrap up the Sox pitching. Cole Gillespie's single in the eight scored Rojas from third before Zephyrs reliever Nick Wittgren made Obispo pay with an RBI single of his own in the ninth.

 

New Orleans deployed a combination of lefty Grant Dayton and the right-handed Wittgren for the game's final four frames. Each reliever tossed two perfect innings as Wittgren nailed down the save and 4-0 win for the Zephyrs with a 1-2-3 ninth.

 

The Sky Sox were held to just two hits in the ballgame with both coming in the bottom of the first on back-to-back knocks by Logan Schafer and Elian Herrera. The Zephyrs staff would prove to be perfect over the final eight frames of the ballgame to send Colorado Springs to a 26-40 record while improving themselves to 31-35 on the season.

 

The Sox offense will look to bounce back and lead the charge on Saturday evening as they try to snap the team's current three-game skid. Josh Roenicke (4-3, 4.81) faces off with New Orleans righty Kendry Flores (0-0, 0.00) in game three of this four-game set at Security Service Field with first pitch set for 6:05 PM MDT (7:05 Central).

 

Colorado Springs Box Score

 

Vinny Rottino and Cole Gillespie? What time warp are we in?

 

Third baseman Matt Dominguez made his Sky Sox debut -- line out, fly out, strike out.

 

Will say this -- the Matt Long - Kyle Wren - Logan Schafer outfield alignment is pretty sweet defensively.

 

Luis Sardinas does have nine walks in 152 AAA AB's, which is nine more than I thought he had (just two in 68 MLB AB's).

 

Catcher Robinzon Diaz finally struck out in his 64th at-bat of the season. He's so hacktastic his pitches per AB must be at a league-low.

 

Colorado Springs Game Log

 

Encouraging outing for Tyler Thornburg (6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 9 ground ball outs).

 

Brewers need to remove a pitcher from the AAA roster Sunday (when Hiram Burgos is scheduled to make his 2015 AAA debut start).

[Mass Haas]

Yikes, just noticed that the last 26 Sky Sox batters in Friday's 4-0 loss were retired in order.

[Mass Haas]

Sky Sox manager Rick Sweet says new rule is not worth the time

By Kristen Gowdy, Colorado Springs Gazette

 

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(JERILEE BENNETT PHOTO/THE GAZETTE)

 

The furrows in Rick Sweet's brow deepen and his bushy mustache quivers with a combination of annoyance and amusement when he's asked about the new pace of play rules implemented this season.

 

"Another experiment that they're sticking on Triple A and making us go through all the hassle," the Sky Sox manager says, shaking his head. "It's just another rule that's brought in by non-baseball people who think they know what should be done."

 

With Cristopher Jones, one of five MLB Umpire Executives around the country, in town to evaluate the quality of the Triple A umpires working Sky Sox games this week, it seemed an appropriate time to ask Sweet what he thought of the new clocks at Security Service Field.

 

His response was less than enthusiastic.

 

"Not worth it," he said. "I think the game is fine the way it is. It doesn't need to be changed."

 

The new pitch and between-innings clocks, which were implemented before the season started, were tested in the Arizona Fall League in 2014. Jones was part of the team that evaluated the pace of play in the fall, and supported a very different point of view.

 

"I think everyone's happy with the direction we're going," he said.

 

Not Sweet, who said the minutes shaved off each game are not worth the complications brought on by the new rules.

 

Jones, on the other hand, argued that the objective is not to decrease the overall time played, but the pace at which the game is played.

 

"If the game has to be three hours, that's fine," he said. "But we want more pace and more action in that three hours.

 

The minor leagues have been the testing ground for the pitch clock this season. The forever-decreasing, flashing orange numbers on the small scoreboard in dead center field at Security Service Field are a constant reminder of the experiment, though Friday's starter Tyler Thornburg doesn't seem to notice. He works quickly, not needing more than 10 of the allotted 20 seconds on most of his pitches. The Sky Sox lost 4-0 to New Orleans.

 

"It's actually caused a lot less problems for us than I thought it would," Sweet admitted. "We've been called I think once for a pitcher and a couple times for a hitter and we've seen it called against us five or six times."

 

For Sweet, who has been involved in professional baseball as a player, coach and scout for 40 years, the biggest problem with the new rules is not with the players, but with the umpires. He said he has noticed - especially toward the beginning of the season - a decrease in the quality of umpiring at the Triple A level.

 

"I really think a lot of the umpires struggled with keeping their eyes on the clock and the strike zone," he said. "I feel bad they have to put up with it."

 

While Jones said it has been an adjustment process for the umpires, he also noted the improvement as the season has progressed. And while he did say the league received some resistance from players and coaches at the beginning of the year - one player even threatened to retire if the rules were implemented - they have mostly fizzled out.

 

"I think that guy is still playing this year," he laughed, referencing the player who threatened retirement. "I think they're all adapting to it and give us two or three years and I think it'll be a good product."

 

As for Sweet? He doesn't even think there will be a product in two or three years.

 

"I don't think it'll stick around," he said. "It's one of those rules."

[And That]

Biloxi outdid themselves tonight. Ramirez go-ahead grand salami in the 8th and then after a rare Magnifico blow up, they win it in the 10th. I haven't had this much fun following a Brewers minor league team in quite some time. I can only hope that Arcia, Reed, Ramirez, et al can bring this swagger to Milwaukee in the next year or so.

[bkrause2]

Final: Montgomery 10, Biloxi 11 (10 Innings)

 

Green caps off a wild 11-10 comeback with walk-off in the 10th over Biscuits

Shuckers erase four deficits and get a Nick Ramirez grand slam, plus six RBI in comeback victory

Biloxi Shuckers

 

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The Shuckers walked-off for the second time at MGM Park on Friday night thanks to a Taylor Green single in the 10th. (Benton Reed Photography)

 

BILOXI, MS – Taylor Green capped off a wild night at MGM Park with a walk-off single in the 10th inning to score Michael Reed as the Shuckers came from behind for an 11-10 victory over the Montgomery Biscuits on Friday night. Biloxi erased four deficits and blew a save, but managed to take game three of the final series before the All-Star break, taking a 2-1 series edge. Nick Ramirez’ blasted the first grand slam in franchise history and also matched a career high with six RBI on the night.

 

Reed (1x3, RBI, 2 R, 2 BB) started things in the 10th with a leadoff walk and made it to third after a single by Nick Ramirez (3x5, HR, 6 RBI, R, BB) and a bunt by Tyrone Taylor (2x5) loaded the bases with nobody out, setting the stage for Green’s (1x6, RBI) dramatics.

 

After a nine-pitch battle with Bryce Stowell, the Shuckers’ designated hitter served the game-winning single on the 10th pitch into left for the second extra-inning walk-off at MGM Park in the stadium’s eighth game. The RBI for Green gives him seven through the first three games of the series.

 

Another high-octane first started off the game for both teams as Brooks Hall (4 IP, 5 R – 4 ER – 7 H, BB, SO) surrendered back-to-back solo home runs to Leonardo Reginatto and Cameron Seitzer to put the Shuckers in a 2-0 hole.

 

Biloxi (42-25) responded with two runs of its own in the bottom-half of the inning. Josh Fellhauer (1x4, 2 R, BB) and Nathan Orf (1x4, 3 R, 2 BB) started the inning with consecutive walks, and Reed was hit by a pitch an out later to load the bases. Ramirez drove a single to the left centerfield wall to plate Fellhauer and Orf and tie the game at two.

 

Much like Thursday night, Montgomery (34-33) jumped back in front in the second, using a one-out double by Patrick Leonard and a single by Jake Depew to take a one-run advantage.

 

The Shuckers rallied for three runs in the fifth to tie the game at five apiece. Nick Shaw (0x2, 3 BB) started things off with a walk and moved to third an out later on a single by Orf. Orlando Arcia (1x6, 2 RBI, R, 2B) doubled the runners home with a shot down the third base line to bring Biloxi within a run. Reed followed with a single up the middle to tie the game at five and forcing Montgomery starter Jamie Schultz from the game.

 

Not to be outdone, the Biscuits took the lead again in the sixth on a RBI groundout by DePew.

 

Biloxi came right back with its turn came up in the sixth, plating the tying run on three errors by the Biscuits to square the game at six. Shaw drew his third walk to the game to put a runner on with one out and advanced to second on an errant throw by DePew on a bleeder in front of the plate from Fellhauer. Orf followed with a hard hit ball that was misplayed at third by Leonard, allowing Shaw to score the tying run.

 

Montgomery grabbed its fourth lead of the game on a three-run home run from Dayron Varona off of reliever Mike Strong (IP, 3 R, H, 2 BB, SO) to put the Shuckers behind, 9-6.

 

Ramirez unloaded in the eighth for the first grand slam in the franchise’s young history, giving Biloxi its first lead of the night at 10-9 going into the ninth. The slugger’s six RBIs sets a new franchise record and matches the total he had driven in for his previous 17 games combined. Ramirez also hit the first home run in franchise history back on April 11.

 

Damien Magnifico (3-0, IP, R, 2 H, BB, SO) took the mound in the ninth to try for his eighth save of the season, but allowed Reginatto to score on a sacrifice fly to left to tie the game at 10 and force extras.

 

Biloxi will go for its seventh consecutive series victory to close out the first half on Saturday night when LHP Brent Suter (4-2, 1.97) takes on RHP Austin Pruitt (4-4, 3.33) for Montgomery. 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. Fans attending to the game are encouraged to wear purple in support of the Alzheimer’s Association of Mississippi. Shuckers’ players will wear purple caps in the first, autograph them and put them up for silent auction during the game on the concourse.

 

Biloxi Box Score

 

What a fun game to watch. Big night for first baseman Nick Ramirez who had a walk, two singles and a grand slam in six plate appearances while knocking in six of the Shuckers eleven runs. Brooks Hall only got through four innings on 81 pitches. Damien Magnifico blew a chance for a save in the ninth but was lights out in the tenth and wound up picking up the win.

 

Biloxi Game Log

 

Michael Reed with a really nice piece of base running in the tenth to get to third base on Tyrone Taylor's bunt. He got a good secondary lead and just beat the third baseman to the bag as he charged the bunt and had tried to retreat.

 

Biloxi Bottom of the 10th

Pitching Change: Bryce Stowell replaces Kyle Winkler.

Michael Reed walks.

Nick Ramirez singles on a line drive to left fielder Joey Rickard. Michael Reed to 2nd.

Tyrone Taylor hits a sacrifice bunt. Michael Reed to 3rd. Nick Ramirez to 2nd. Tyrone Taylor to 1st.

Taylor Green singles on a line drive to left fielder Joey Rickard. Michael Reed scores. Nick Ramirez to 3rd. Tyrone Taylor to 2nd.

[bkrause2]

Final: DSL Brewers 4, DSL Mets2 8

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

The Brewers got a nice start from 22-year-old Wuilder Rodriguez, who went five scoreless innings before turning things over to the bullpen. Former Cardinals farmhand Isaac Silva allowed four runs in an inning of work and Yunior Santana took the loss after allowing three runs without recording an out.

 

The Brewers managed only five hits in this one. Ariel Estades had a pair of doubles and Dilson Fernandez tripled and knocked in three runs. Anderson Jesus and Javier Castillo had the only other Brewers hits.

 

DSL Brewers Game Log

 

Ugly couple of innings late in this one

 

DSL Mets2 Bottom of the 7th

Grabiel Jimenez singles on a line drive to right fielder Anderson Jesus.

Kenny Hernandez hit by pitch. Grabiel Jimenez to 2nd.

Rafael Guzman hit by pitch. Grabiel Jimenez to 3rd. Kenny Hernandez to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Yan De La Cruz replaces Isaac Silva.

Ranfy Adon singles on a line drive to right fielder Anderson Jesus. Grabiel Jimenez scores. Kenny Hernandez to 3rd. Rafael Guzman to 2nd.

With Pedro Ventura batting, wild pitch by Yan De La Cruz, Kenny Hernandez scores. Rafael Guzman to 3rd. Ranfy Adon to 2nd.

Pedro Ventura pops out to second baseman Javier Castillo.

Angel Manzanarez walks.

Rigoberto Terrazas out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Adolfo Morillo. Rafael Guzman scores.

Carlos Sanchez grounds out, third baseman Julio Mendez to first baseman Nicol Valderrey.

 

DSL Mets2 Bottom of the 8th

Pitching Change: Yunior Santana replaces Yan De La Cruz.

Luis Montero walks.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Ysidro Pierre replaces Luis Montero.

With Grabiel Jimenez batting, Ysidro Pierre steals (7) 2nd base.

Grabiel Jimenez walks.

Kenny Hernandez singles on a pop up to first baseman Nicol Valderrey. Ysidro Pierre to 3rd. Grabiel Jimenez to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Juan Diaz replaces Yunior Santana.

Rafael Guzman hit by pitch. Ysidro Pierre scores. Grabiel Jimenez to 3rd. Kenny Hernandez to 2nd.

Ranfy Adon doubles (3) on a line drive to left fielder Ariel Estades. Grabiel Jimenez scores. Kenny Hernandez scores. Rafael Guzman to 3rd.

With Pedro Ventura batting, wild pitch by Juan Diaz, Rafael Guzman scores. Ranfy Adon to 3rd.

Pedro Ventura lines out to shortstop Franly Mallen.

Angel Manzanarez strikes out swinging.

Rigoberto Terrazas grounds out, second baseman Javier Castillo to first baseman Nicol Valderrey

[Mass Haas]

BILOXI VIDEO via WLOX: As is often the case, the game highlights from this news report are from the early portion of the game

[Mass Haas]

Ramirez grand slam, Green's walk-off hit lift Shuckers to 11-10 win in 10 innings

Patrick Magee, Biloxi Sun-Herald

 

PHOTO GALLERY: Tim Isbell of the Sun-Herald has 17 images from this contest, see how this play winds up

 

http://media.sunherald.com/smedia/2015/06/19/21/28/oBJwC.AuSt.77.JPG

 

Shuckers outfielders Josh Fellhauer and Tyrone Taylor are on a collision course as both try to catch a Montgomery Biscuit fly ball

 

BILOXI – The Biloxi Shuckers have the Southern League South Division title wrapped up in the first half, but they continue to show the same fight they've had all season.

 

Shuckers first baseman Nick Ramirez hit the first grand slam in MGM Park and Shuckers history to help push the game to extra innings and Taylor Green's bases-loaded single in the 10th handed Biloxi an 11-10 victory over the Montgomery Biscuits Friday night.

 

Ramirez ripped a grand slam to right field with one out in the bottom of the eighth to give the Shuckers (42-25) a 10-9 lead. It was an impressive blast considering a stiff wind blew in from right field all night.

 

Ramirez missed the first fastball he saw from Montgomery reliever Colton Reavis. The second, he sent soaring above the right field wall to lift the crowd to its feet.

 

“That one felt pretty good,” Ramirez said. “I knew it had a chance, but obviously the wind was pretty nasty. I was lucky enough to cut through the wind. It was definitely a good swing.”

 

Montgomery's Leonardo Reginatto had a quick answer in the top of the ninth with a leadoff triple to right field that worked its way into foul territory.

 

Two batters later, Dayron Varona brought Reginatto home with a sacrifice fly to left to again tie the game at 10-10.

 

The Shuckers stranded runners on second and third in the bottom of the ninth, sending game to the 10th.

 

Biloxi closer Damien Magnifico, who improved to 3-0, retired the three batters he faced in the 10th to preserve the tie.

 

In the bottom of the 10th, Michael Reed walked, Ramirez singled to left and Tyrone Taylor reached when the Biscuits failed to get the lead runner at third on his bunt.

 

The experience of Green, who is in his 10th year as a pro, showed when he stepped to the plate with none out and the bases loaded. He fouled five pitches off before going the other way with a single to left to bring home Reed from third for the winning run.

 

“That pitcher (Bryce Stowell) threw every pitch possible and he still gets the base hit,” Shuckers manager Carlos Subero said.

 

Green's teammates mobbed him as he rounded first base to begin the celebration.

 

The Biscuits again found MGM Park to their liking with three homers Friday night by Reginatto, Cameron Seitzer and Varona. All three Montgomery homers were wind-aided to left.

 

Ramirez's homer to right, his ninth of the season, had to contend with a wind that kept the American flag straightened out all night in right field.

 

Subero praised Ramirez for his approach at the plate after going up the middle and opposite field for his other two hits on the night.”

 

“(The homer was) straight into the wind,” Subero said. “We know Nick is a kid that's definitely blessed with a lot of talent, especially offensively. He has tremendous power. It's just being able to put himself in that position and execute. There's been some inconsistency. We keep him telling him once that clicks, his power will come.

 

“It's (rare) to see a ball that late in a game go out to right field with a major wind coming in. That says a lot about his power.”

 

Ramirez went 3-for-5 with six RBIs, tying his career high, to help carry the Shuckers to the win.

 

Reginatto finished a double shy of the cycle for the Biscuits (34-33) with a 3-for-5 night that included three runs scored.

 

For the second straight night, the Shuckers received an uncharacteristic sub par performance from its starting pitcher.

 

After Hobbs Johnson couldn't make it out of the fourth in Thursday's 11-5 loss, Brooks Hall was knocked around in four innings on the mound. Hall gave up four earned runs on seven hits, including two homers, in four innings. He walked one and struck out one.

 

Stowell (0-1) took the loss for Montgomery after failing to retire a batter in the 10th.

 

Montgomery starting pitcher Jamie Schultz gave up five runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings before he was removed in the fifth.

 

Biloxi hosts Montgomery at 7:10 PM today. Left-hander Brent Suter (4-2, 1.97) will start for Biloxi Saturday and right-hander Austin Pruitt (4-4, 3.33.) will throw for Montgomery.