Link Report for Saturday 6/27

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Saturday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Colorado Springs: RHP Hiram Burgos at Memphis (Cardinals), 5:35 PM pre-game, 6:05 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.

 

**********

 

Biloxi: RHP Jorge Lopez at Jacksonville (Marlins), 5:50 PM pre-game, 6:05 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 linking to his fantastic "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: Jacksonville does provide coverage via MiLB.TV (with the Suns' call, naturally).

 

**********

 

Brevard County: RHP Johnny Hellweg at Bradenton (Pirates), 5:30 PM gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link, Bradenton Feed Only

 

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

 

**********

 

Wisconsin: RHP Devin Williams at home vs. Clinton (Mariners), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 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.

 

***

 

Helena: RHP J.B. Kole at Great Falls (White Sox), 7:40 PM pre-game, 8:00 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.

 

***

 

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at the Rangers' complex in Surprise, 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league

 

***

 

DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Tigers, 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]

DVR ALERT! -

 

Yes, the Timber Rattlers are on local TV a whole bunch this week, including tonight's contest, which airs on MyNew32 TV, airtime 6:30 PM.

[Mass Haas]

Follow Saturday's action as it happens with box score / game log links:

 

Colorado Springs

 

Biloxi

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

Maryvale

 

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 --

 

Biloxi Media Notes - Linked on the Shuck Dynasty blog

 

Wisconsin Media Notes - Linked on the Rattler Radio blog

 

***

 

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

 

Pioneer League North Division

 

Arizona League Central Division

 

Dominican Summer League San Pedro de Macoris

 

***

 

Sortable individual stat pages:

 

Colorado Springs

 

Biloxi

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

Maryvale

 

DSL Brewers

 

***

 

Weather.com:

 

Memphis, TN

 

Jacksonville, FL

 

Bradenton, FL

 

Grand Chute, WI

 

Great Falls, MT

 

Surprise, AZ

 

Santo Domingo, DR

[Mass Haas]

Check the Twitter timeline for a few alumni transaction updates (Astin, Delmonico, Haniger).

[WV Brew]

Johnny Hellweg:

 

IP H ER BB K

2.0 1 0 1 1

3.0 3 1 0 3

2.1 3 6 3 2

2.2 5 3 1 2

 

I really don't think he's progressing. Don't be surprised if there is a DL stint soon. Today's performance was worse than the box score will indicate. Unfortunately, the Bradenton announcer didn't give velocity so I can't vouch for what that was.

[homer]

Devin Williams with a nice start. He's putting together a pretty good season. Looking forward to following him in the second half.

[bkrause2]

Final: DSL Tigers 9, DSL Brewers 2

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

Another game that was fairly close early on but got away from the Brewers late. The Brewers defense committed four errors, including three by young shortstop Ignacio Otano who now has 17 on the season. Starter Carlos Luna deserved a better fate after going six innings and giving up just one earned run. The 18-year-old Panamanian righty saw his ERA dip to 1.99 with today's performance. 22-year-old Juan Diaz was charged with six earned runs in an inning plus of work. First baseman Nicol Valderrey picked up two hits in four at bats and Otano and Yerison Pena each contributed a double.

 

DSL Brewers Game Log

[bkrause2]

Final: Biloxi 4, Jacksonville 1

 

Lopez outduels Fernandez in 4-1 win on Saturday

Lopez ties a career high with eight innings pitched and picks up his sixth-straight win

Biloxi Shuckers

 

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Biloxi starter Jorge Lopez outdueled Miami Marlins’ rehabbing right-hander Jose Fernandez Saturday night at Bragan Field as the Shuckers won their second-straight, 4-1, over the Jacksonville Suns. The Shuckers improved to a season-high 19 games over .500 on the season and are one win away from taking their eighth-consecutive series. Lopez delivered the Shuckers’ 28th quality start of the season and second-straight, matching a career high with eight innings pitched and season-high with eight strikeouts.

 

Biloxi’s offense greeted big-league rehabber Jose Fernandez by putting up the first run of the game in the first with a RBI ground-rule double from Michael Reed (1x4, RBI, 2B). Nathan Orf (1x3, RBI, R, 3B, BB) started the frame with a walk and advanced to second on a single by Tyrone Taylor (1x4) to set up the scoring chance for Reed. The double was Reed’s 13th of the year.

 

Orf was involved in another run-scoring play in the second with a RBI triple to bring home Victor Roache (0x3, R, BB), who had walked to lead off the inning.

 

Biloxi (2-1) was back at it in the third, this time with a two-run, opposite-field home run from Nick Ramirez (1x4, HR, 2 RBI, R), scoring Orlando Arica (1x4, R, 2B) to stretch the Shuckers’ lead to 4-0. The homer was Ramirez’ 10th of the season, becoming the sixth in the Southern League to reach double-digits in homers. Arcia’s double in the third extended the shortstop’s hitting streak to six games.

 

Fernandez (0-1) settled down in the fourth and fifth against the Shuckers, retiring the final five batters he faced. The 22-year-old righty allowed all four runs in his five innings of work on six hits, two walks and eight strikeouts, throwing 90 pitches.

 

Jorge Lopez (6-2) stole the show and took a shutout into the eighth, but lost the bid with two outs on a solo home run by Kenny Wilson to cut the lead to 4-1. The 22-year-old, Puerto Rico native, tied a career-high with eight innings pitched and tied a season-high with eight strikeouts. The righty allowed the one run on three hits and four walks. Biloxi has won the starters’ last five starts and 10 of his 13 starts this season.

 

Damien Magnifico came on for the ninth and allowed a double, but did not let a run cross the plate en route to his eighth save of the season.

 

Biloxi will go for its eighth-consecutive series victory on Sunday afternoon with LHP Hobbs Johnson (4-4, 3.61) facing off against Jacksonville’s (1-2) RHP Trevor Williams (3-7, 4.23). First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m., with coverage beginning at 1:50 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

 

Jorge Lopez turned in another outstanding start, getting through eight innings and giving up just the one run. He struck out eight and kept the ball down for the most part, recording ten groundball outs compared to only three flyouts. Damien Magnifico with a scoreless ninth to notch save #8. Nick Ramirez got to Fernandez in the third with a two-run bomb to provide Lopez with more than enough cushion. Nathan Orf had a triple and a walk out of the leadoff spot. Orlando Arcia extended his hitting streak to six games but also struck out three times.

 

Biloxi Game Log

 

Ramirez took Fernandez deep for his 10th bomb of the season.

 

Biloxi Top of the 3rd

Orlando Arcia doubles (21) on a line drive to right fielder Carlos Lopez.

Michael Reed strikes out swinging.

Nick Ramirez homers (10) on a fly ball to left center field. Orlando Arcia scores.

Taylor Green flies out to center fielder Kenny Wilson.

Victor Roache grounds out, second baseman Austin Nola to first baseman David Adams.

[TheCrew07]

Diaz homers late in Rattlers win

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/8/4/4/133343844/cuts/6_27_WEB_c54u8tgm_shp4xllk.jpg

The Timber Rattlers infield celebrate after their 6-5 win over the Clinton LumberKings on Saturday night

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers had a 5-0 lead heading into the top of the seventh against the Clinton LumberKings on Saturday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. But, the Rattlers needed a home run from Brandon Diaz in the bottom of the seventh to break a 5-5 tie. Then, the Rattlers held on for a 6-5 win.

 

Sthervin Matos gave the Timber Rattlers (25-48 overall, 2-1 second half) a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning with a two-out home run. The blast was the sixth of the season for Matos.

 

Wisconsin expanded their lead in the fifth inning with a little help from the Clinton defense. Natanael Mejia drew a walk with one out. Mitch Meyer was next and his grounder to short was thrown away on a force play at second. Mejia raced around to score ahead of the throw from foul territory down the line in right for a 2-0 lead.

 

Diaz followed with a walk. Then, Francisco Castillo singled to center and the ball got past Arby Fields to allow Meyer to score. One out later, Dustin DeMuth drove in both Diaz and Castillo with a single and Wisconsin was up 5-0.

 

Timber Rattlers starting pitcher Devin Williams cruised through six shutout innings. He allowed two hits, walked one, hit a batter, and matched his single game high for strikeouts as a professional with seven.

 

Clinton (27-45, 1-2) started their comeback in the top of the seventh as reliever Tyler Linehan gave up a walk and a single to the first two batters of the inning. Linehan got the second out on a deep fly ball to right-center, but both runners tagged on the catch and made it into scoring position. A wild pitch allowed the runner to score from third to get the LumberKings on the scoreboard.

 

Taylor Zeutenhorst drew a walk to put runners on the corners before Linehan struck out James Alfonso for the second out. But, another wild pitch with Gianfranco Wawoe at the plate let the second run score. Linehan would walk Wawoe and end his night.

 

Wisconsin called on Zach Cooper to face Fields, who was at the plate as the tying run. Cooper fell behind 2-0 and Fields, who homered in the first inning on Friday night against the Rattlers, lined the third pitch from Cooper over the 360' marker in right field for a game-tying, three-run homer.

 

Diaz was Wisconsin's second hitter after the stretch and he lined a 1-0 pitch from Osmer Morales over the wall in right for a solo homer and a 6-5 lead.

 

It was the bat of Diaz that put the Rattlers in front and it was the glove of Diaz that kept the Rattlers in front in the top of the eighth. Clinton had runners at first and second with two outs when Zeutenhorst hit a high popup to shallow right-center. Diaz charged in from center and made a diving catch for the final out of the inning.

 

The Rattlers would catch a break in the top of the ninth. Alfonso singled off Cooper to start the inning and was replaced by pinch-runner Martin Peguero. A sacrifice bunt moved Peguero to second and brought Fields back to the plate. Fields sent a line drive down the line in left on a 1-2 pitch from Cooper and the ball was ruled just foul.

 

Cooper regrouped to strike out Fields on the next pitch.

 

A wild pitch would allow Peguero to take third base, but Cooper got Chris Mariscal to ground out to second to end the game.

 

Diaz went 3-for-3 with a walk and two singles to go along with his home run. He is tied with Matos for the team lead in homers with six.

 

The win marked the first time Wisconsin has won a game in which they have given up five or more runs this season. Wisconsin is now 1-31 in that situation.

 

Game four of the series is Sunday afternoon. Wisconsin has named Cy Sneed (3-7, 2.78) as their scheduled starting pitcher. Clinton will go with Lukas Schiraldi (4-4, 4.54) as their scheduled starter. Game time is 1:05pm.

 

Sunday's festivities begin with Yoga at the Ballpark with Empower Yoga when the gates to the ballpark open at 10:30am for those who have already purchased tickets for the yoga session that will be held on the field from 10:45 until 11:45am. The first 1,000 fans to enter the ballpark on Sunday will receive a team photo of the 2015 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. This is poster number five in a series of ten that are being given away by Dunkin Donuts in 2015. Fans may play catch on-field courtesy of Rasmussen College starting at noon.

 

As part of 107.5, The Fan's Brewers Sunday, Timber Rattlers players will wear their special Brewers Sunday jerseys for this game. Players will be available for a postgame autograph session sponsored by Tundraland Home Improvements, too.

 

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, the radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 12:45. The broadcast may also be heard on Tune In Radio and IHeartRadio. Subscribers to MiLB.TV can see the game that way.

 

HOME RUNS:

CLN:

Arby Fields (3rd, 2 on in 7th inning off Zach Cooper, 2 out)

 

WIS:

Sthervin Matos (6th, 0 on in 4th inning off Pat Peterson, 2 out)

Brandon Diaz (6th, 0 on in 7th inning off Osmer Morales, 1 out)

 

WP: Zach Cooper (1-1)

LP: Osmer Morales (0-5

 

TIME: 2:56

ATTN: 3,648

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

I'd only caught 1 of Devin Williams' starts on the radio, unfortunately I've had prior commitments just about every time he's on the mound. I wasn't sure what to expect but he blew me completely away. His motion is somewhat similar to Michael Fiers except that he doesn't spike the ball down to 6 o'clock as hard as Mike, and Devin doesn't maintain his balance as well falling towards 1st some at the end. Not as bad as K-Rod or Angel Ventura for example, it's not that extreme, but he falls that way none the less.

 

He worked primarily down in the zone, and most of his misses were low, the T-Rats don't have many pitchers who can consistently work down in the zone so I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't get any velocity readings from the TV crew on him, he looked to be upper 80s/low 90s though I can't say for sure, I may have missed it as well since I was multi-tasking. It looked like his primary secondary pitch was a change, it was fading back arm side so I would guess circle change. He's pretty athletic, he made a nice a nice play off the mound to get himself out of the only mini jam he faced all game. I was legitimately impressed.

 

I'm pretty excited about the 2nd half from a pitching standpoint, I'm liking the rotation as it stands now, and on a macro level Burkhalter is really the only pitcher who needs more innings.

 

Zach Cooper's first pitch was 99, his second was 91, his 3rd was 88 and was smoked for a no doubt 3 run HR to right field. All 3 pitches were awful straight so I couldn't tell if he backed of his FB that far or hung some sort of change. I believe he's given up 5-6 hits in WI, but 3 were HRs. The guys in the booth were commenting on his velocity because of that first pitch.

 

Brandon Diaz (3-3,HR,BB) had an awesome day at the plate and the only multi-hit game for the T-Rats. I haven't been impressed with Natanael Mejia's defense behind the plate in limited exposure.

 

Wisconsin Recap

[Eye Black]

Strange 2nd inning exit for Tyrone Perry in Maryvale tonight...

 

AZL Rangers Bottom of the 2nd

-Curtis Terry walks.

-Chad Smith walks. Curtis Terry to 2nd.

-Xavier Turner singles on a ground ball to center fielder Joantgel Segovia. Curtis Terry scores. Chad Smith to 2nd.

-Nick Kaye singles on a line drive to center fielder Joantgel Segovia. Chad Smith to 3rd. Xavier Turner to 2nd.

-With Josh Altmann batting, wild pitch by Connor Baits, Chad Smith scores. Xavier Turner to 3rd. Nick Kaye to 2nd.

-Josh Altmann reaches on a fielder's choice out, third baseman Jonathan Oquendo to catcher Beau Wallace. Xavier Turner out at home. Nick Kaye to 3rd.

-Jhonniel Alvarez singles on a line drive to right fielder Nicolas Pierre. Nick Kaye scores. Josh Altmann to 3rd.

Defensive Substitution: Yerald Martinez replaces first baseman Tyrone Perry, batting 4th, playing left field.

Defensive switch from left field to first base for Juan Ortiz.

Pitching Change: Orlando Torrez replaces Connor Baits.

-Antoan Richardson out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Yerald Martinez. Josh Altmann scores.

-Luis Terrero walks. Jhonniel Alvarez to 2nd.

-Jose Almonte pops out to first baseman Juan Ortiz in foul territory.

[WV Brew]

Hellweg struggles in loss to Marauders

June 27, 2015 7:52 PM MST

 

http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/10/37/1037a7644f75cf20d86596bc19475adb.jpg?itok=o74y1d5T

 

Johnny Hellweg only lasted 2.2 innings Saturday, allowing three earned runs in a 7-4 loss to Bradenton.

Photo by Vincent Pugliese/Getty Images

 

After getting their second half off to a good start with a win over Daytona on Friday, the Brevard County Manatees traveled to McKechnie Field in Bradenton to take on the Marauders on Saturday. Brevard County watched an early lead slip away and lost the game 7-4.

 

Right-hander Johnny Hellweg made his fourth start of the season for the Manatees and was battling his control from the start. JaCoby Jones singled on a ball off Hellweg’s leg, to start the bottom of the first and came home on a double by Austin Meadows. Hellweg avoided further damage, but needed 21 pitches to get through the inning.

 

The Manatees (1-1, 30-41) answered in the top of the second with three runs against Marauders hurler Tyler Eppler. Taylor Brennan saw eight pitches and was down in the count 0-2, before drawing a leadoff walk. Cameron Garfield and Jose Pena singled to load the bases, before Angel Ortega grounded to third and Wyatt Mathisen threw home to nab Brennan at the plate. Omar Garcia followed with a sacrifice fly, tying the game. Chris McFarland’s two-run single made it a 3-1 lead for the visitors.

 

Bradenton got one run back in the bottom of the second when Mathisen, who was hit by a pitch earlier in the inning, scored on a throwing error by Hellweg that would have ended the inning. Instead, it made it a 3-2 game.

 

The Marauders would regain the lead in the bottom of the third on RBI doubles by Erich Weiss and Reese McGuire, making it 4-3. After a walk to Edwin Espinal, Manatees manager Joe Ayrault relieved Hellweg of his duties. He threw 63 pitches in this outing and suffered his second loss of the season. Tristan Archer came on to pitch and walked the first batter he faced, before getting the final out of the inning.

 

Bradenton (2-1, 34-39) continued the onslaught in the bottom of the fourth, upping the lead to 6-3, on a two-run home run by Barrett Barnes, his fifth of the season. Meadows, who finished the game 4-for-5, scored ahead of Barnes on the long ball. Meadows scored three times in the game.

 

McFarland, who went 3-for-5 on the night with an RBI, started the Manatees fifth with a single. After a walk to Michael Ratterree, Eppler got Clint Coulter on strikes and Garrett Cooper to fly out. Brennan though, would come through with an RBI single, to close the gap to 6-4. That’s as close as Brevard County would get.

 

Bradenton added a run in the sixth on an RBI sac fly by Harold Ramirez, making it a three-run game. The Manatees would bring the tying run to the plate a couple times in the seventh, but were unable to push anything across.

 

For more info: Brevard County @ Bradenton boxscore

 

Miguel Rosario came on to record the final six outs and seal the victory. The series continues Sunday, with a 1:00 p.m. start at McKechnie Field.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Hellweg had very little control here although there were limited walks he was behind on nearly every hitter. He used 63 pitches to get through 2 2/3 innings. Tristan Archer was only slightly better using 54 pitches in three innings and being hit hard. Hellweg also had the throw into the stands in the 2nd inning on a routine comebacker that would have ended the inning. In the 3rd, while Angel Ortega went to 2nd for a pickoff attempt on the runner, Hellweg threw home and the hitter promptly hit the ball into the vacated area. He got a double on that hit which scored a run.

 

Brevard County Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Strange 2nd inning exit for Tyrone Perry in Maryvale tonight...

 

AZL Rangers Bottom of the 2nd

-Curtis Terry walks.

-Chad Smith walks. Curtis Terry to 2nd.

-Xavier Turner singles on a ground ball to center fielder Joantgel Segovia. Curtis Terry scores. Chad Smith to 2nd.

-Nick Kaye singles on a line drive to center fielder Joantgel Segovia. Chad Smith to 3rd. Xavier Turner to 2nd.

-With Josh Altmann batting, wild pitch by Connor Baits, Chad Smith scores. Xavier Turner to 3rd. Nick Kaye to 2nd.

-Josh Altmann reaches on a fielder's choice out, third baseman Jonathan Oquendo to catcher Beau Wallace. Xavier Turner out at home. Nick Kaye to 3rd.

-Jhonniel Alvarez singles on a line drive to right fielder Nicolas Pierre. Nick Kaye scores. Josh Altmann to 3rd.

Defensive Substitution: Yerald Martinez replaces first baseman Tyrone Perry, batting 4th, playing left field.

Defensive switch from left field to first base for Juan Ortiz.

Pitching Change: Orlando Torrez replaces Connor Baits.

-Antoan Richardson out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Yerald Martinez. Josh Altmann scores.

-Luis Terrero walks. Jhonniel Alvarez to 2nd.

-Jose Almonte pops out to first baseman Juan Ortiz in foul territory.

 

Weather: 108 degrees, partly cloudy.

 

That'd be my guess, he's a big guy, something heat-related.

 

But he tweeted during the overnight (random sneaker re-tweet), so he's likely fine.

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO via WLOX: Biloxi highlights, including Michael Reed's double and Nathan Orf's triple against Jose Fernandez

 

***

 

Biloxi's Nick Ramirez homers to the opposite field off Jose Fernandez as the Shuckers beat Jacksonville, 4-1, on Saturday

 

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO via the Rattler Radio Blog's Postgame Entry: CF Brandon Diaz, RHP Devin Williams, Pitching Coach Gary Lucas

 

Lucas' analysis on Williams a very worthwhile listen...

 

***

 

Alternately titled the Brandon Diaz "Rescue 911" episode --

 

 

Unfortunately, Devin Williams didn't make the video cut here, and the MyNew32 TV staff mistakenly re-posted Thursday night's video instead of Saturday's highlights on their highlights page.

[Mass Haas]

Just a divisional note as key Pirates' OF prospect Austin Meadows now has five- and four-hit games vs. the Manatees this season --

 

Meadows ends slump with four-hit night

Pirates No. 4 prospect keeps feasting on Brevard County pitching

By Alex Kraft / MiLB.com

[Mass Haas]

Final: Colorado Springs 2, Memphis 0

 

Burgos, Bullpen Blank 'Birds In 2-0 Win

Right-hander Tosses Seven Shutout Innings In Second Sox Start

By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox

 

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Hiram Burgos followed a strong Sox debut with an impressive seven-inning, shutout performance in a 2-0 win over the Redbirds on Saturday. (File Photo from prior game by Paat Kelly)

 

The Sky Sox offense provided just enough in support of a brilliant Hiram Burgos as Colorado Springs kept Memphis off the scoreboard in a 2-0 victory over the Redbirds before a crowd of 7,092 at Autozone Park on Saturday night.

 

Burgos (1-0, 1.64) would pitch seven shutout frames against a Redbirds lineup that scored nine runs just the night before, allowing a mere two hits and three walks while striking out eight in the outstanding effort.

 

Memphis lefty John Gast (4-5, 4.14) allowed just two runs on four hits over an impressive seven innings of work. Gast struggled in the fourth, giving up hits to Kyle Wren and Elian Herrera before walking Matt Clark to load the bases with just one out. Nevin Ashley followed with the second double of the inning, scoring Wren and Herrera to give the Sox a 2-0 lead that would ultimately withstand the game's final four and a half frames.

 

The teams combined for just six hits from the top of the fourth to the conclusion of the contest, showcasing strong performances by both team bullpens. Ariel Pena recorded his fifth hold of the season with a perfect eighth, bridging the slight 2-0 advantage to the reliable David Goforth in the ninth.

 

Memphis deployed a lefty-righty tandem of Dean Kiekhefer and Heath Wyatt to maintain the reasonable two-run deficit heading into the game latter innings. The duo tossed two scoreless frames in relief of Gast to wrap a strong Redbirds pitching performance.

 

Goforth took the mound in the ninth and allowed just one hit in a shutout frame while striking out one to nail down the slim 2-0 Sky Sox win. With his second save, Goforth helped Colorado Springs reach the 30-win plateau as they improve to 30-43 on the season.

 

Memphis falls to 39-37 in the three-hit effort, failing to find an answer for Sox pitching in the neat 2-hour, 16-minute contest.

 

Colorado Springs will look to take advantage of the four-game set in the third game of the series on Sunday evening. Fresh off his 25th birthday on Friday, Drew Gagnon (1-9, 7.28) will take on Tim Cooney (6-4, 2.80) and the Redbirds with first pitch set for 5:05 PM MDT (6:05 Central) at Autozone Park in Memphis.

 

Colorado Springs Box Score

 

CF Kyle Wren stole two bases as well in his 2-for-5 effort; look, we know who Elian Herrera is, but kudos to the guy, incredible AAA performance continues; with 40-man roster catcher Juan Centeno sidelined, minor league vet Nevin Ashley is just a Lucroy/Maldonado tweak from a big league debut, Ashley has been fantastically solid all season, better than solid, actually...

 

Colorado Springs Game Log

 

Just wow, Hiram Burgos...

 

Memphis Bottom of the 1st

 

Dean Anna grounds out, first baseman Matt Clark to pitcher Hiram Burgos.

Jacob Wilson flies out to right fielder Logan Schafer.

Dan Johnson strikes out swinging.

 

Memphis Bottom of the 2nd

 

Tommy Pham called out on strikes.

Cody Stanley flies out to left fielder Matt Long.

Ty Kelly grounds out to first baseman Matt Clark.

 

Memphis Bottom of the 3rd

 

Rafael Ortega walks.

With Matt Williams batting, Rafael Ortega caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Nevin Ashley to shortstop Yadiel Rivera.

Matt Williams walks.

John Gast out on a sacrifice bunt, third baseman Elian Herrera to second baseman Luis Sardinas. Matt Williams to 2nd.

Dean Anna flies out to right fielder Logan Schafer.

 

Memphis Bottom of the 4th

 

Jacob Wilson strikes out swinging.

Dan Johnson pops out to first baseman Matt Clark in foul territory.

Tommy Pham called out on strikes.

 

Memphis Bottom of the 5th

 

Cody Stanley strikes out swinging.

Ty Kelly triples (4) on a fly ball to right fielder Logan Schafer.

Rafael Ortega grounds out to first baseman Matt Clark.

Matt Williams walks.

John Gast strikes out swinging.

 

Memphis Bottom of the 6th

 

Dean Anna singles on a ground ball to right fielder Logan Schafer.

Jacob Wilson flies into a force out, center fielder Kyle Wren to shortstop Yadiel Rivera. Dean Anna out at 2nd. Jacob Wilson to 1st.

Dan Johnson grounds out, third baseman Elian Herrera to first baseman Matt Clark. Jacob Wilson to 2nd.

Tommy Pham strikes out swinging.

 

Memphis Bottom of the 7th

 

Cody Stanley strikes out swinging.

Ty Kelly lines out to second baseman Luis Sardinas.

Rafael Ortega flies out to center fielder Kyle Wren.

[Mass Haas]

Colorado Springs' Nevin Ashley slaps a two-run double as the Sky Sox top Memphis, 2-0

 

[Mass Haas]

Final: Great Falls 11, Helena 5

 

Another Slugfest Results in a 11-5 GF Win

Helena Brewers

 

The Great Falls Voyagers (6-3) put on another offensive showcase for an 11-5 win over the Helena Brewers (3-7) on Saturday at Centene Stadium.

 

The Brewers would take an early 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the second. Steven Karkenny led off with a single and scored on an RBI-grounder from Jose Cuas. Karkenny posted a 3-for-4 performance, adding an RBI and stolen base to the night.

 

J.B. Kole (0-1) pitched well in his first two innings on the hill, but struggled in the third and fourth. He would give up five runs on six hits in his first loss of the year.

 

The Voyagers took advantage of pitching struggles in the middle innings, scoring all of their runs between the third and sixth.

 

Ryan Jones went 2-for-3 for Great Falls, ripping two doubles and scoring three runs. The first basemen was playing in just his third game of the season.

 

Defense was an issue on both sides of the baseball as the two teams combined for seven errors. Helena committed a season-high three errors.

 

Blake Allemand would be another bright spot for the Brewers, singling in the fifth to extend his hitting streak to a league-high 10 games.

 

The Brewers and Voyagers will face off in the third game of their four-game series Sunday at Centene Stadium. First pitch is set for 1:00 PM (2:00 Central).

 

Helena Box Score

 

RF Monte Harrison drew his 6th walk in 36 Pioneer League at-bats, which is fine, but he only has five hits in this early going (.139).

 

BASERUNNING

SB: Karkenny 2 (3, 2nd base off Banks/Fish, 2nd base off Hasler/Fish), Allemand (3, 2nd base off Banks/Fish), Cuas (1, 2nd base off Banks/Fish), Stokes (5, 2nd base off Banks/Fish).

 

First baseman Steven Karkenny with three singles...

 

Helena Game Log

 

Kudos to RHP Brock Hudgens, the 23-year-old 2nd year pro limited the damage in this bases loaded, none out situation, a rare bright spot on the Helena mound on this night:

 

Great Falls Bottom of the 4th

 

Johan Cruz singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jake Gatewood.

Ryan Jones doubles (2) on a fly ball to right fielder Monte Harrison. Johan Cruz to 3rd.

Landon Lassiter hit by pitch.

Grant Massey singles on a ground ball to right fielder Monte Harrison. Johan Cruz scores. Ryan Jones to 3rd. Landon Lassiter to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Brock Hudgens replaces J. Kole.

Frank Califano strikes out swinging.

Jake Jarvis hits a sacrifice fly. Fielding error by right fielder Monte Harrison. Ryan Jones scores. Landon Lassiter to 3rd. Grant Massey to 2nd. Jake Jarvis to 1st.

Antonio Rodriguez pops out to second baseman Blake Allemand.

Zach Fish strikes out swinging.

 

8th round RHP Nate Griep (Kansas State) added a very rough effort to a poor pro debut, unfortunately. RHP Donnie Hissa mopped up nicely, although he walked three in 2.1 innings, as Brewer pitchers walked nine and hit a batter on the night. Starter J.B. Kole's line was partially saved by Hudgens' work, but was still sub-par.

[Mass Haas]

BREWERS NOTEBOOK: NAIA program prepared Karkenny

Ryan Collingwood, Helena Independent Record

 

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/a/39/a391f65e-9358-5afb-b4f7-df871f3040f9/558a3c6306fc5.image.jpg?resize=620%2C541

 

Helena's Steven Karkenny starred at NAIA The Master’s College before being picked in the 19th round of the MLB Draft. Photo by Gary Marshall, Blackfoot Media Group

 

If there's one town that is distinctly welcoming to small-college talent, it's Helena, considering the brand of athletes Carroll College has pumped out over the years in its myriad nationally-ranked sports.

 

Steven Karkenny is another NAIA All-American whose summer months are currently being spent in Montana's capital. But his reasoning has nothing to do with the Catholic school and everything with the ballpark three blocks from it.

 

Karkenny, a 19th-round pick in the 2015 MLB Draft, is a first baseman for the Helena Brewers after starring four years at The Master's College in Santa Clarita, California.

 

After his career at the Christian college where he was the school's all-time leader in hits (255), total bases (430) and RBI (187) and No. 2 in home runs (33), he finds himself in the fledgling stage of his career with the Milwaukee affiliate.

 

Karkenny, now on a roster dotted with big-money low-round draft picks and former high-major college stalwarts, is making a seamless transition from the Golden State Athletic Conference. He's started each game on the young season and has belted a two-run homer and a solo shot in two of the Brewers' last five games.

 

It's something, Karkenny says, his college coach had prepped him for since his freshman year.

 

"Coach (Monte) Brooks at The Master's does a great job of getting us ready," Karkenny said following a 3-for-5 performance Tuesday where came up a triple short of the cycle. "And his goal is to get guys drafted out of there, too. I felt prepared coming from there."

 

Karkenny, who was also a stout pitcher at The Masters with 0.59 ERA and eight saves as a senior, was one of 41 NAIA products taken in the 40-round draft. He was the 11th taken from the bunch. Oklahoma Baptist lefty Taylor Hearn was the highest pick after going in the fifth round to the Washington Nationals.

 

Through the first nine games the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Chatsworth, California native is batting .310 with 11 runs and nine RBI. Defensively he's recorded one error.

 

"I'm just trying to do the job and do what they call me to do every day," said Karkenny, whose college team fell just short of qualifying for the NAIA World Series last month.

 

STEADY AS HE GOES: It hasn't taken long for Brewers second baseman and shortstop Blake Allemand, a 5th-round pick out of Texas A&M, to impress his cohorts.

 

Allemand is currently on a 10-game hitting streak as of Saturday night, recording a hit in every each of first bunch professional games. He currently boasts a .341 batting average with five RBI and has two errors.

 

ROUGH START: The beginning of pitcher Bubba Blau's 2015 campaign in Helena has been anything but pleasant for the Dixie State product.

 

The lefty was shelled in his first two appearances as reliever, a pair of losses, which equated to a whopping 33.75 ERA. On Friday night, in his second inning of work, Blau gave up a walk-off home run to the Great Falls Voyagers in the bottom of the ninth to drop to 0-3 on the season.

 

SLUMP STOPPED: Shortstop Jake Gatewood, a first-round draft pick in 2014, started off the season going 1 for 19 at the plate after being sent down from the Single A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

 

In his last 16 at-bats, however, Gatewood has recorded eight hits, six of which were doubles.

 

NICE DEBUT: Second-round draft pick Cody Ponce, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound right-hander out of Cal Poly Pomona, made the most out of his first professional action Friday night.

 

Ponce got the start and went two scoreless and hitless innings while striking out two with no walks.

 

GET IN THERE: University of Maryland lefty and 10th-round pick Jake Drossner was assigned to the Helena Brewers on Wednesday and flew to Missoula on Thursday to meet with the team, which was taking on the Osprey in a two-game series.

 

His plane got in that afternoon, but later that evening, Drossner was immediately thrown into action after his short Arizona League stint, relieving Ponce in the third inning. In his debut he went one frame and gave up four runs on three hits and walked three.

[Mass Haas]

Final: AZL Rangers 7, AZL Brewers 3

 

Maryvale Box Score

 

We're still waiting for the pro debut of 4th round OF Demi Orimoloye, as well as the Brewer debut of New Zealand native catcher Beau Bishop.

 

17-year-old SS Gilbert Lara singled twice in four at-bats and drove in and scored a run, to keep his OPS north of 1.000 at 1.038. The young man has also committed just one error in seven games on those sun-baked Arizona League fields. So just this one little paragraph alone should put a smile on your face as you begin your Sunday.

 

Maryvale Game Log

 

This was the pro debut for starting RHP Connor Baits, the Brewers' 21-year-old 33rd round pick out of UC-Santa Barbara, and we'll include both his scoreless first inning here, but also a rough 2nd frame that put the A-Crew in a 4-0 hole from which they never recovered --

 

AZL Rangers Bottom of the 1st

 

Antoan Richardson walks.

Luis Terrero lines into an unassisted double play, shortstop Gilbert Lara. Antoan Richardson out at 2nd.

Jose Almonte grounds out, third baseman Jonathan Oquendo to first baseman Tyrone Perry.

 

AZL Rangers Bottom of the 2nd

 

Curtis Terry walks.

Chad Smith walks. Curtis Terry to 2nd.

Xavier Turner singles on a ground ball to center fielder Joantgel Segovia. Curtis Terry scores. Chad Smith to 2nd.

Nick Kaye singles on a line drive to center fielder Joantgel Segovia. Chad Smith to 3rd. Xavier Turner to 2nd.

With Josh Altmann batting, wild pitch by Connor Baits, Chad Smith scores. Xavier Turner to 3rd. Nick Kaye to 2nd.

Josh Altmann reaches on a fielder's choice out, third baseman Jonathan Oquendo to catcher Beau Wallace. Xavier Turner out at home. Nick Kaye to 3rd.

Jhonniel Alvarez singles on a line drive to right fielder Nicolas Pierre. Nick Kaye scores. Josh Altmann to 3rd.

Defensive Substitution: Yerald Martinez replaces first baseman Tyrone Perry, batting 4th, playing left field.

Defensive switch from left field to first base for Juan Ortiz.

Pitching Change: Orlando Torrez replaces Connor Baits.

Antoan Richardson out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Yerald Martinez. Josh Altmann scores.

Luis Terrero walks. Jhonniel Alvarez to 2nd.

Jose Almonte pops out to first baseman Juan Ortiz in foul territory.

[Mass Haas]

Cole Gillespie (career stats) -- Sixth Big League organization for the 2006 3rd round pick, via MLB Trade Rumors

[Mass Haas]

MiLB.TV worth it last night -- Damien Magnifico and David Goforth closed out Biloxi and Colorado Springs respectively, within minutes of each other, then flipped back to the Timber Rattlers game for Brandon Diaz' heroics at the plate and in center field.