Link Report for Thursday 6/25 - Timber Rattlers Save The Night

[Mass Haas]

Final: Oklahoma City 4, Colorado Springs 3

 

Dodgers Walk-Off On Sky Sox In Series Finale

Chapman Squanders Thornburg's Strong Start In Rocky Ninth as OKC Rallies to 4-3 Win

By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox

 

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Logan Schafer's two out, two-run single in the fifth gave the Sox a lead they would hold until the heartbreaking ninth on Thursday. (File Photo from prior game by Paat Kelly)

 

Oklahoma City gave the Sky Sox a dose of their own medicine to avenge Wednesday's ninth inning loss as the Dodgers defeated Colorado Springs 4-3 in walk-off fashion before a Thursday night crowd of 7,826 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

 

Kyle Wren and Elian Herrera got the Sox off to yet another quick start as the 1-2 hitters swatted back-to-back singles through the middle of the infield, leaving Dodgers starter Eric Surkamp in a precarious situation to start his day. With Matt Clark batting, Wren stole third base to give Colorado Springs runners on the corners. Clark followed with a sacrifice fly left to give the Sox an early 1-0 advantage.

 

Sox starter Tyler Thornburg would work eight strong innings against the Dodgers lineup, allowing just two runs on five hits and three walks over that span. The right-hander allowed his first run on a Chris Heisey third inning RBI single that scored Darwin Barney to tie the ballgame at one. He would not allow his next until serving up a leadoff home run to Darnell Sweeney in the home eighth.

 

Colorado Springs tagged Surkamp for two more in the top of the fifth thanks to the help of first inning catalysts Wren and Herrera and Logan Schafer's clutch bat. Herrera followed a Wren leadoff double with a base hit to give the Sox two in scoring position without the impediment of an out. The Dodger lefty would knuckle down, getting Clark and Matt Dominguez with a groundout and lineout respectively before facing Schafer with two out. The speedy outfielder would beat out a single to Barney deep in the second base hole, allowing both runners to score on the two out play. Colorado Springs now held a 3-1 lead that they would take with them into the eighth.

 

Matt West, Dustin Richardson and Josh Ravin (3-0, 2.14) combined for four shutout innings in relief of Surkamp to keep the Sky Sox off the board the rest of the way. The OKC starter finished his evening having allowed three runs on nine hits and a walk over five respectable innings of work.

 

Now holding a 3-2 lead after the Sweeney home run in the eighth, Sox closer Jaye Chapman (0-1, 2.00) came on to close out the ballgame and send the Sox off with a series victory. Unfortunately, things would not go as scripted for the visiting squad as Chapman struggled for the first time of his young Sox career. The righty allowed a single and sacrifice bunt to open the frame, putting infielder Andy Wilkins on second with one out. Scott Schebler followed at the plate and made his first hit of the night count, driving home Wilkins on an RBI triple to knot the ballgame at three. OKC third baseman Buck Britton followed suit, using his first knock of the night to drive Schebler home with the game's winning run and give the Dodgers a 4-3 walk-off victory.

 

The Sky Sox recorded 11 hits in the ballgame with Wren, Herrera and Schafer collecting multi-hit nights as they fall to 29-42 on the season. The win improves Oklahoma City to 48-24.

 

Colorado Springs will look to get back to start fresh with a win in a new city on Friday night. Josh Roenicke (4-3, 5.06) leads the charge for the Sox as they begin a four-game series against Nick Greenwood (5-2, 6.88) and the Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 PM MDT (7:05 PM).

 

Colorado Springs Box Score

 

Ouch, that one hurt, Dodgers 48-24, that's good, right?

 

Elian Herrera now over 100 AAA at-bats (103), with a .398/.456/.553 line (1.010 OPS), yikes.

 

36-year-old Pete Orr is 10-for-12 in SB attempts.

 

Three straight 0-for-4's for cleanup ma 3B Matt Dominguez.

 

Colorado Springs Game Log

 

Who remembers when Dodgers' flamethrower Josh Ravin was on the Brewers' 40-man roster?

 

Nice (actually better than nice) 101 pitch eight-inning effort for Tyler Thornburg.

 

RHP Jaye Chapman's first major stumble hurt here.

 

Would you have loaded the bases with intentional walks here?

 

Okla. City Bottom of the 9th

 

Pitching Change: Jaye Chapman replaces Tyler Thornburg, batting 9th, replacing Pete Orr.

Andy Wilkins singles on a line drive to right fielder Matt Long.

Austin Barnes out on a sacrifice bunt, first baseman Matt Clark to second baseman Elian Herrera. Andy Wilkins to 2nd.

Scott Schebler triples (5) on a fly ball to center fielder Kyle Wren. Andy Wilkins scores.

Buck Britton singles on a line drive to center fielder Kyle Wren. Scott Schebler scores.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Missoula 9, Helena 7

 

Osprey Overcome 5-run Deficit to Split Series

Helena Brewers

 

The Helena Brewers (3-5) squandered a 5-run lead on Thursday night, falling to the Missoula Osprey (4-4) 9-7 in their series finale.

 

Helena scored four runs in the second to take an early lead, exploiting the Oregon State alum, Scott Schultz's shaky start. Schultz was pulled before getting out of the second, giving up four runs on three hits.

 

Blake Allemand hit an early RBI single to extend his hitting streak to eight games. He was two-for-five in the loss with his second double of the year.

 

Luis Aviles also contributed offensively, smashing two doubles in four at-bats.

 

Armed with a 5-0 lead going to the fifth inning, the Osprey would begin a run of scoring that would last the rest of the contest. It was highlighted by a five-run seventh courtesy of four Osprey hits. Isan Diaz was tremendous for Missoula, coming up a home run shy of the cycle. Diaz would add two RBI and two runs for the O's.

 

Milton Gomez would not receive a decision for the second straight start, pitching six innings, allowing three runs on four hits and striking out six for Helena.

 

Cameron Smith (1-0) stumped Helena hitters in four innings of relief, striking out eight batters in his four frames.

 

The Brewers now head to Great Falls for three games with the Voyagers at Centene Stadium. First pitch on Friday is set for 7:00 PM (8:00 Central).

 

***

 

Game summary on this road contest via the Helena Independent Record

 

Brewers blow five-run lead in loss to Osprey

 

One-inning letdowns are becoming a trend for the Helena Brewers.

 

The Brewers jumped out a to a five-run lead heading into the fifth inning Thursday night, but gave up five runs in the seventh before falling to the Missoula Osprey 9-7 in front of 1,963 fans at Ogren-Allegiance Park.

 

Helena (3-5) scored four quick runs in the second frame to take an early lead off former Oregon State star Scott Schultz. The Brewers' Blake Allemand, who extended his hiting streak to eight games, had an RBI base hit followed by an RBI single by Monte Harrison and the Brewers were up 4-0.

 

The Brewers made it a 5-0 ballgame in the fourth inning, but the Osprey (4-4) would have an offensive surge of its own, plating seven unanswered runs in the next three innings.

 

Brewers starter Milton Gomez went six innings allowing three runs on four hits while striking out six, but would get a no-decision. Reliever Christian Trent, who had just joined the team in Missoula just hours prior to the game after a short stint in the Arizona Rookie League, was given the loss after giving up five runs in the seventh inning.

 

Missoula reliever Cameron Smith was a pest for Helena, striking out eight batters in four innings.

 

Luis Aviles had two doubles for the Brewers.

 

***

 

Here are the Helena-related portions of the Missoulian game story --

 

For the third time in four games, Missoula spotted the opposition an early lead. The O's struggled in the field as the Brewers enjoyed a four-run outburst in the second frame.

 

It started when David Denson reached on a throwing error by O's shortstop Diaz. Denson moved up to third on a single by Troy Stokes, then scored when Osprey starting pitcher Scott Schultz was called for a balk.

 

Schultz continued to struggle, hitting Milan Post and then walking Carlos Belonis to load the bases. Stokes came in on a ground out and Blake Allemand followed with a base hit to right that scored Post.

 

Monte Harrison's RBI single made it 4-0 and Schultz was pulled after walking Steven Karkenny. Austin Mason came on in relief and prevented further damage despite a passed ball that moved up a pair of baserunners.

 

Helena scored once in the top of the fifth off Smith to make the score 5-0, then Missoula started down the comeback trail. Tyler Humphreys drew a lead off walk and scored on a ground-out in the bottom of the fifth.

 

Missoula added two more runs off Helena starter Milton Gomez in the sixth. Jason Morozowski's infield single drove in Jeff Smith and Diaz, who reached with a double, scored on a sacrifice fly.

 

Missoula seized control in the seventh when the Brewers went to reliever Christian Trent. After Marcus Wilson hit a leadoff single, Matt McPhearson drew a walk and the two moved up on a sacrifice bunt, Diaz drove in both with a triple to left field, knotting the score at 5-5. Morozowski's RBI single up the middle scored Diaz with the go-ahead run, then Lowery pelted a two-run homer to left.

 

Helena got to Osprey reliever Gabriel Moya for a run in the eighth. He was replaced by Dan Savas, who restored order with the Osprey still on top, 8-6. Savas allowed the Brewers to load the bases with no outs in the ninth, but his defense came through with a double play and Helena managed just one run before Savas delivered a game-ending strikeout.

 

Helena Box Score

 

Clean defense for the Brewers.

 

Box score from the offensive side is worth your review, as Steven Karkenny and David Denson were the only players to not reach more than once, and they both reached one time themselves.

 

Helena Game Log

 

David Denson had two putouts in his first pro game in the outfield, and made a nice throw here (I was listening), but it was just a tad late --

 

Missoula Bottom of the 6th

 

Jeff Smith strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Milton Gomez. Jeff Smith to 1st.

Isan Diaz doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder David Denson. Jeff Smith to 3rd.

Jason Morozowski singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jake Gatewood. Jeff Smith scores. Isan Diaz to 3rd.

With Luke Lowery batting, wild pitch by Milton Gomez, Jason Morozowski to 2nd.

Luke Lowery walks.

Francis Christy out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder David Denson. Isan Diaz scores.

Tyler Humphreys pops out to first baseman Steven Karkenny in foul territory. Jason Morozowski to 3rd.

Jake Peevyhouse grounds out, second baseman Blake Allemand to first baseman Steven Karkenny.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Arizona Padres 7, Arizona Brewers 6

 

Sigh, a walkoff loss...

 

Maryvale Box Score

 

A-Crew led 6-4 at the stretch, but allowed two 7th inning and one 9th inning run.

 

17-year-old SS Gilbert Lara has a 1.150 OPS after his first five pro games -- yeah, that'll work. He singled twice and walked here.

 

Top billing actually should have gone to 3rd-year infielder Jorge Quiterio, who is repeating Maryvale after just a .432 OPS in 119 2014 at-bats. Career game here, 4-for-4, two doubles, triple, two RBI, two runs scored. Wow, that's a tremendous single game effort, kudos, young man!

 

Love what 19-year-old 14th round cleanup 1B Tyrone Perry is doing (double, walk) here.

 

15th round catcher Zach Taylor drew his first pro walk, he and fellow catcher Mitch Ghelfi (DH in this game) are each looking for their first pro hits (combined 0-for-17, hang in there, guys).

 

Maryvale Game Log

 

This was the 2nd appearance for each of the four pitchers you'll see in the box. 2nd year RHP Caleb Smith had the best night.

 

Awkward inning here --

 

AZL Brewers Top of the 7th

 

Nicolas Pierre singles on a ground ball to second baseman Jose Savinon.

With Gilbert Lara batting, Nicolas Pierre picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Will Headean to first baseman Jonas Lantigua.

Gilbert Lara singles on a line drive to center fielder Josh Magee.

Tyrone Perry strikes out swinging.

With Juan Ortiz batting, Gilbert Lara picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Will Headean to first baseman Jonas Lantigua to shortstop Kodie Tidwell.

 

Frustrating potential go-ahead inning here --

 

AZL Brewers Top of the 9th

 

Pitching Change: Nathan Foriest replaces Will Headean.

Jonathan Oquendo grounds out, second baseman Jose Savinon to first baseman Jonas Lantigua.

Jorge Quiterio triples (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Aldemar Burgos.

Joantgel Segovia strikes out swinging.

Nicolas Pierre strikes out swinging.

 

Weak "rally", but effective --

 

AZL Padres Bottom of the 9th

 

Kodie Tidwell called out on strikes.

Jose Savinon strikes out swinging.

Josh Magee hit by pitch.

With Aldemar Burgos batting, Josh Magee steals (2) 2nd base.

Aldemar Burgos singles on a ground ball to center fielder Joantgel Segovia. Josh Magee scores.