Link Report for Sunday 7/5 - 2nd round RHP Cody Ponce makes Rattler debut

[Mass Haas]

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[Mass Haas]

Sunday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Colorado Springs: RHP Tyler Thornburg at home vs. Memphis (Cardinals), 2:05 PM pre-game, 2:35 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

We welcome Dan Karcher, who is the longtime play-by-play voice of the Sky Sox; follow him on Twitter @SkySoxKarch

 

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; all Colorado Springs games, home and away, will be available to watch via MiLB.TV's $49.99 season-long package ($12.99 to pay for a single month). The audio feed is from the home team. The video of each game is archived online, which is a nice feature. All MiLB.TV details available at the link.

 

NOTE: Notice that on MiLB.TV's page, you can click on "Filter", then "Milwaukee Brewers", and you'll see just the Crew's organizational TV lineup.

 

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Biloxi: LHP Brent Suter at Montgomery (Rays), 5:20 PM pre-game, 5:35 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: This series in Montgomery is available via MiLB.TV.

 

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Brevard County: LHP Wei-Chung Wang vs. Clearwater (Phillies), 3:35 PM pre-game, 4:05 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

Dave Walkovic returns as the play-by-play voice of the 'Tees; follow the Brevard broadcast booth staff on Twitter @BCManateesRadio, as all home games and the "commuter" road games are scheduled to be broadcast in 2015.

 

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

 

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Wisconsin: RHP Cody Ponce at home vs. Beloit (Athletics), 12:45 PM pre-game, 1:05 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: TBD at Billings (Reds), 1:45 PM pre-game, 2:05 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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Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at the Reds' complex in Goodyear, 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league

 

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DSL Brewers: Idle

 

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

 

Colorado Springs

 

Biloxi

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

Maryvale

 

MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

[Mass Haas]

To see tweets as to when the Link Report has been technically "completed" with available links, as well as to know when the new day's Report has been posted, please follow @Mass_Haas on Twitter.

[Mass Haas]

Look for these just prior to the respective game times --

 

Colorado Springs Media Notes - Home games only, it's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Multimedia" banner on the Sky Sox' site.

 

Biloxi Media Notes - Linked on the Shuck Dynasty blog

 

Brevard County Media Notes - It's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Multimedia" banner on the Manatees' site.

 

Wisconsin Media Notes - Linked on the Rattler Radio blog

 

***

 

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

 

Montgomery, AL

 

Viera, FL

 

Grand Chute, WI

 

Billings, MT

 

Goodyear, AZ

[Mass Haas]

DVR ALERT! -

 

Next up is Monday's game, July 6th, 7:00 PM airtime, MyNew32 TV.

 

This happens to be another scheduled Kodi Medeiros start for you locals, enjoy.

[Mass Haas]

Alumni updates:

 

Will Inman takes head Carlisle HS baseball job

 

Donovan Hand still having fun

[TigerUppercut]

I remember when people here thought Inman was the second coming of Sheets. There was an article back in the day analyzing the Linbrink/Inman trade. Funny looking back.

[WV Brew]

OPS: Demi Orimoloye 1.200, Tyrone Perry 1.021, Gilbert Lara 1.002

 

Okay, Demi's is based on a tiny number of at bats but when is the last time the Brewers had that on one team?

[Mass Haas]

RHP David Burkhalter is Cody Ponce's tandem today, so it's likely LHP Kodi Medeiros has graduated from being in a tandem himself. We'll learn on Monday.

[TheCrew07]

Maybe not because it's probably going to rain the game out and force me to take time off of work on Tuesday to get to the game instead.

[And That]

I'm thinking they may start winding Medeiros down and start giving him an inning or two here and there. He's already pitched more than he ever has before and I would be surprised if the Brewers let him get to 100 innings, and he may not even get to 90.

[TheCrew07]

Rattlers hang on to beat Beloit

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

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Cody Ponce, the second round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2015 draft, pitched four scoreless innings and struck out three for the Rattlers in his Midwest League debut.

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning against the Beloit Snappers Sunday afternoon at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. It was enough. The Timber Rattlers beat the Snappers 3-2 for their second win in a row.

 

Brandon Diaz started the Wisconsin rally with a walk and a stolen base. Khris Davis singled sharply to left with one out and Diaz could only make it to third base. Dustin DeMuth followed with a single to right to drive in Diaz and an error on the play allowed the ball to roll to the track. Davis scored all the way from first and DeMuth took third. Carlos Leal connected on a double to drive in DeMuth and the Rattlers (27-54 overall, 4-7 second half) were up 3-0.

 

Cody Ponce, the second round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2015 draft, made his Midwest League debut on Sunday as Wisconsin's starting pitcher. He allowed one hit, walked two, and struck out three over four scoreless innings.

 

David Burkhalter took over for Ponce to start the top of the fifth inning and he faced the minimum over his first three innings.

 

Beloit (31-50, 5-6) got on the scoreboard in the top of the eighth. Iolana Akau hit a leadoff home run against Burkhalter to cut Wisconsin's lead to 3-1.

 

In the ninth, the Snappers made it interesting. Burkhalter got the first out, but issued a walk and gave up a single to put two runners on base. Left-hander Tyler Linehan was summoned from the bullpen, but walked lefty Sandber Pimentel to load the bases. Linehan would strikeout left-handed Justin Higley for the second out before leaving in favor of right-hander Gian Rizzo who was called in to face Akau.

 

However, Rizzo hit the right-hand hitting Akau on the first pitch he threw to force in a run to make it 3-2. That also brought left-handed Shawn Duinkerk to the plate with the game on the line.

 

Rizzo fell behind Duinkerk 2-1, but got the Beloit right fielder to popout to third to end the game.

 

Burkhalter allowed two runs on three hits with a walk and three strikeouts over 4-1/3 innings to pick up his second win of the season.

 

The Timber Rattlers welcome the Kane County Cougars to Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Monday night. Zach Hirsch (2-4, 2.98) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. Wei-Chieh Huang (3-1, 1.51) is set to start for the Cougars. Kane County has won ten games in a row heading into Monday's game. Game time is 7:05pm.

 

The first 500 fans to attend this game will receive a magnet featuring Milwaukee Brewers outfield prospect Monte Harrison presented by Lamers Bus Lines. This is magnet three in a series of four that are being given away this season. Purchase an entrée at any Qdoba location in Appleton, Neenah, or Oshkosh on Monday and receive a ticket to any Monday home game during the 2015 season.

 

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, there are several ways to catch the action. MyNEW 32's Sports Showdown will televise the game starting at 7:00pm. The radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:45pm. The broadcast may also be heard on Tune In Radio and IHeartRadio. Subscribers to MiLB.TV may watch the game on that platform.

 

HOME RUN:

BEL:

Iolana Akau (1st, 0 on in 8th inning off David Burkhalter, 0 out)

 

WP: David Burkhalter (2-5)

LP: Daniel Gossett (3-8)

SAVE: Gian Rizzo (2)

 

TIME: 2:44

ATTN: 2,781

 

Rattler Radio Postgame Post – July 5, 2015

A note on Khris Davis' rehab extending for 1 more day, Cody Ponce's interview was interesting for the first 2 minutes, if you want some nuggets on something other than Davis skip to the 4:20 mark of the Erickson interview, it will be worth your time.

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Cody Ponce's debut was almost exactly what I expected and that doesn't happen much. He's gone 2, 3, and now 4 innings, Erickson hints at the innings plan for Ponce in his interview.

 

I missed the game, I usually have other baseball commitments on Sundays but the Rattler bullpen hasn't exactly been of the shutdown variety lately, the 9th was nearly a disaster, but it worked out. David Burkhalter was OK, he's been better.

 

Just 5 hits for the offense and no one had more than 1, but Carlos Leal (1-3,2B,BB) had a nice day and has pushed his AVE back up to .310. Leal takes some walks too, his OBP is a very nice .375, I'm still somewhat amazed at how productive he's been without a Rookie ball indoctrination. To step right into full season and perform at a high level... well that's been pretty rare for in the Brewer system of late. You won't find him on any leaderboards though as he doesn't have enough ABs to qualify statistically. A couple of weeks ago I was longing to get Leal and Greg McCall in the lineup together, Erickson has been doing much more of that lately.

 

Wisconsin Recap

[TheCrew07]

I'm thinking they may start winding Medeiros down and start giving him an inning or two here and there. He's already pitched more than he ever has before and I would be surprised if the Brewers let him get to 100 innings, and he may not even get to 90.

 

I could see that but the flip side argument would be he obviously needs more innings to get more work on his command/control. How much is too much? I don't have the answer, I just find myself thinking it would be nice for him get around 100 innings this year since he needs the repetitions.

 

Kodi is a pretty easy to kid to root for so I find myself getting impatient... if the plan was 80 innings or so, why not keep him in short season ball then? I really like this current Rattler rotation but I do get the health side, it will be interesting to follow.

[Jenkins5]

So Omar Cotto stole 5 bases today...

[Mass Haas]

Final: Helena 5, Billings 1

 

Brewers split series with 5-1 win

Helena Brewers

 

The Helena Brewers (7-10) earned a series split on Sunday with a 5-1 win over the Billings Mustangs (7-10) at Dehler Park.

 

It was the first time this season that the Brewers' pitching staff allowed just one run as three pitchers combined for the seventh win of the season for Helena. Milton Gomez (1-0) got the start, tossing five innings of one-run baseball. Gomez gave up just three hits and struck out four.

 

Helena took an early lead with a run in the top of the first inning. Troy Stokes scored on a throwing error by catcher Tyler Stephenson after stealing third. The Brewers would steal six bases in the game.

 

Billings tied it up in the fourth when Hector Vargas blooped an RBI-single into right field to score Ed Charlton.

 

Helena padded their lead with three runs in the seventh on just two hits. Jose Cuas and Carlos Belonis came up with singles off Franderlyn Romero (1-1) and scored later in the inning.

 

Omar Cotto Lozada led the way offensively for Helena, going 3-for-4 and stealing five bases. He is now in first place in the Pioneer League in thefts.

 

Lefty Jake Drossner was equally solid in relief for the Brewers, facing the minimum through three innings and giving up just one hit.

 

Helena has won four of their last six games and now heads to the Southern Division for the first time this season. The fifth game of their road trip will begin a four-game series with the Grand Junction Rockies on Tuesday at Suplizio Field. First pitch is set for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central).

 

NOTES from the Billings Gazette: Billings managed only four hits and only one, a line drive by Ed Charlton, was hit hard. The Mustangs had two infield singles and a bloop RBI single by Hector Vargas. . . . The temperature at first pitch was 66 degrees, 34 degrees cooler than the 100 degrees at first pitch on Saturday.

 

Helena Box Score

 

Later this week we're going to fully document how the Brewers undrafted signees are doing, they're really off to remarkable starts, including Helena OF Omar Cotto out of USC (.839 OPS, 11 SB's, zero CS).

 

H-Crew won despite being 1-for-12 in RISP.

 

David Denson, DH'ing here, had the only XBH, a double. Is Maryvale's Tyrone Perry poised to shine longer-term where Denson has plateaued? Players of their profile certainly get our attention right away, don't they?

 

Helena Game Log

[Mass Haas]

NOTE: Helena friends, family and diehards, are you ready to pony up $12.99 for the month of July for MiLB.TV?

 

The next seven games, starting Tuesday, are available on MiLB.TV, here's the team schedule (Mountain Time).

 

Remember, the games archive so you can also watch them after the fact...

[Mass Haas]

Dustin DeMuth blazing own path with Brewers

Al Hamnik, NWI.com (Indiana) Times Correspondent

 

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***

 

Full article also appears in our season long Timber Rattlers archive feature article thread for archiving purposes...

[Mass Haas]

Veteran RHP John Ely, who went on the AAA disabled list way back on April 17th, comes back tonight in a rehab start with Maryvale. The 29-year-old had missed all but one game in 2013 with Tommy John, so the fact he isn't going to be absent for all of the rest of 2015 is good news.

[Mass Haas]

Sky Sox broadcaster Dan Karcher sits down with manager Rick Sweet prior to Friday's game at Nashville on Sky Sox Warmup on AM1300 The Animal.

 

Unfortunately, it would then be a lost, sad weekend back at home vs. Memphis.

 

[Mass Haas]

Final: Memphis 7, Colorado Springs 3

 

Sky Sox Can't Overcome Early Deficit In 7-3 Loss

Memphis Pounds Thornburg with Two Homers, Six Runs

By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox

 

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Matt Dominguez applies the tag on Jeremy Hazelbaker to end the Redbirds ninth in the Sox eventual 7-3 loss on Sunday. (Photo by Paat Kelly)

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - Two big frames were all that Memphis would need on Sunday afternoon, downing the Sky Sox in a 7-3 contest before a crowd of 4,050 at Security Service Field.

 

Colorado Springs struck first against Redbirds lefty Dean Kiekhefer as consecutive one-out singles by Luis Sardinas, Elian Herrera and Matt Dominguez culminated the game's first run in the home first. Dominguez's RBI single would be one of two on the day for the Sox third baseman.

 

Kiekhefer kept the Sox for the rest of his relatively brief start, tossing 3.2 total innings of one-run ball on just three hits while striking out one.

 

Though he looked sharp in the first, Sox starter Tyler Thornburg (1-5, 5.29) did not fare quite as well. The right-hander allowed six runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out just one over four innings of work. His erratic day on the mound was only made worse by two big flies off the bats of Jeremy Hazelbaker and Dan Johnson in the second and third respectively.

 

Already leading 5-1 after three, Memphis tacked on one more run on Thornburg thanks to a Stephen Picotty two-out RBI single. Ariel Pena would take over for the struggling starter in the fifth in hopes of quieting the Memphis lineup.

 

Redbirds manager Mike Shildt called upon Redbirds righty Heath Wyatt to take over for Kiekhefer with two out and a clear set of bases in the fourth as the regular reliever had reached 43 pitches on the afternoon. Wyatt (1-0, 0.96) twirled three strong scoreless innings in relief, allowing just three hits while striking out two to keep Colorado Springs at a five-run deficit with just seven home outs to go.

 

Pena allowed one run over his solid three frames, surrendering two base knocks and two free passes while striking out one. Rob Wooten and Jaye Chapman would combine for two shutout innings to keep Memphis within the offensive arm's reach heading into the eighth and ninth innings.

 

Beginning his first fresh inning of the night after getting the final out of the seventh, Justin Wright failed to record an out in the eighth. The lefty opened the inning by allowing consecutive singles to Kyle Wren, pinch-hitter Logan Schafer, Herrera and Dominguez with the latter two cashing in for RBI knocks. The quick two-run rally cut the Sky Sox deficit to four runs, now trailing 7-3 with two on and no out.

 

Shildt had no interest in taking any risks regardless of the still comfortable four-run lead, turning to Keith Butler out of the bullpen with Robinzon Diaz coming to the plate. The righty-righty match-up worked in Memphis' favor as Diaz grounded into a 5-3 double play started by the perfectly placed Greg Garcia down the third base line. Nevin Ashley followed with a fly out to deep right field to end the scoring threat and take the 7-3 ballgame into the ninth.

 

Chapman's scoreless Redbirds ninth led to a more important scoreless Sky Sox ninth for Butler. The reliever gave up a leadoff single to Matt Long before retiring Yadiel Rivera, Bryan Petersen and Wren in order to secure the Memphis win. Butler earned his first save of the season as the Redbirds improve to 43-41. Despite matching Memphis with 11 hits, the Sox fall to a season-low 16 games below .500 at 32-48.

 

The Sox will look to turn it around on Monday night in game three of their four-game set with Memphis. Josh Roenicke (4-5, 4.75) takes the ball in a match-up with Redbirds left-hander Nick Greenwood (6-3, 5.72) with first pitch set for 7:05 PM MDT (8:05 Central) at Security Service Field.

 

Colorado Springs Box Score

 

Tyler Thornburg's a long ways from being the best dancer in the Wei-Chung Wang videos from a year ago, he can't be a happy puppy these days; Sky Sox need to free up a roster spot prior to Monday's game with Jason Rogers' and Corey Knebel's arrivals...

 

Colorado Springs Game Log

[bkrause2]

Final: Biloxi 10, Montgomery 9

 

Ramirez, Roache play long ball in 10-9 comeback win over Biscuits

Nick Ramirez and Victor Roache homer and drove in eight runs

Biloxi Shuckers

 

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Nick Ramirez homered, doubled and drove in four runs in the 10-9 victory on Sunday (Benton Reed Photography)

 

MONTGOMERY, AL - Nick Ramirez and Victor Roache each hit three-run home runs to guide the Biloxi Shuckers to a 10-9 comeback win over the Montgomery Biscuits on Sunday night at Riverwalk Stadium. The two long balls tied a season-high for the Shuckers in a game, and is the sixth time Biloxi has accomplished that feat this season. The two sluggers accounted for eight of Biloxi's 10 runs, with each tallying four RBI. The comeback win was needed after Montgomery plated seven runs in the seventh to take a 9-7 lead. The series is even at 1-1 and the Shuckers will go for win #50 on Monday night.

 

Roache (1x3, HR, 4 RBI, R, BB) put the Shuckers back in the lead in the ninth after Ramirez led off the frame with a single and stole second, his first steal of the season, and advanced to third on an errant throw by the catcher, Jake DePew. Roache lifted a deep fly to center to bring home Ramirez and put Biloxi in front, 10-9.

 

Montgomery (5-4) erased the 7-2 deficit with a seven-run seventh to take a 9-7 lead into the eighth. Jacob Barnes (0.2 IP, 3 R, 4 H, SO) started the inning by giving up a double and back-to-back singles to cut the Shuckers' lead to four before being pulled for Manny Barreda (IP, 4 R, 2 H, 2 BB, SO). The righty struck out Johnny Field, Jr. to start the outing, but a walk, a wild pitch, another walk and a two-run single put the lead to one for Biloxi (6-4). Hector Guevara homered on a line drive over the left field wall for a three-run shot to put the Shuckers in a two-run deficit.

 

Nick Shaw (2x4, R) started the eighth with a single and came around to score on a one-out triple by Tyrone Taylor (2x5, RBI, R, 3B) to bring Biloxi within a run and put the tying run 90 feet away. Orlando Arcia (3x5, RBI, R, SB) lined his third hit of the game into left field to tie the game at nine one batter later.

 

Ramirez (3x4, HR, 4 RBI, 3 R, 2B, BB, SB) opened up the scoring in the third with his 11th round tripper of the season after Arcia and Michael Reed (1x3, 2 R, 2 BB) reached with two outs to set up the at-bat for the left-handed slugger. Ramirez has hit 11 or more home runs in all five of his professional season since being drafted in the fourth round in 2011.

 

Ramirez added his fourth RBI of the game in the seventh to score Reed from first to push the Shuckers' lead to 4-0. Taylor Green (1x3, R, BB) followed with a hit-by-pitch to put two on with one out for Roache, who connected for his second Double-A home run to give Biloxi a 7-2 lead.

 

Brent Suter allowed two runs in 5.1 innings on seven hits, walked two and struck out five in the no decision. Mike Strong (4-1) worked a clean eighth to pick up his fourth win of the season, while Damien Magnifico (SV, 10) allowed a leadoff single to begin the ninth, but left the runner stranded for his tenth save of the year.

 

Biloxi will look to take the edge in the series in game three on Monday night. RHP Tyler Wagner (6-2, 2.31) will take the mound for the Shuckers, while the Biscuits will send out All-Star starter LHP Blake Snell (5-2, 1.69). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., with coverage beginning at 6:50 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 www.biloxishuckers.com.

 

Biloxi Box Score

 

Biloxi Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Give some Brewerfan love by voting for the Shuckers in MiLB's Clash of the Caps.

[TURBO]

Saw Ponce pitch today, at times he looked un-hittable, and was a joy to watch...Big kid too, and super nice, had a quick chance to talk to him during auto Sunday, very respectful and fan friendly. So easy to root for guys like him and Kodi Medeiros when they turn out to be good people as well as super star athletes.

 

Kodi Medeiros is not longer the scheduled starter for Monday, Zach Hirsch is getting the nod...I haven't seen him pitch yet, so I'll have to wander over to the stadium again tomorrow night.

 

Williams is starting Tuesday, he is a guy I love to watch pitch. The times I have seen him, he seems to pitch older than he actually is.

[Mass Haas]

Cotto steals five bases for H-Brewers

After 'bumpy year,' outfield prospect hits stride in the Pioneer League

By Kelsie Heneghan / MiLB.com

 

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Omar Cotto played three seasons at USC before signing as an undrafted free agent. (University of Southern California photo)

 

Just a month ago, Omar Cotto was thinking about 9-to-5 jobs, not 95-mph pitches. After off-the-field issues kept him off the field at USC, the 23-year-old went undrafted and began sending his resume out.

 

But after a couple phone calls from the Brewers, he is back on the diamond. The outfielder stole five bases in Rookie-level Helena's 5-1 win against Billings on Sunday at Dehler Park.

 

"I was applying to anything, whatever that would take me," he said with a laugh. "Then I got the call saying, 'Omar are you still into playing baseball?' and I said, 'Yes, sir.' And then a couple hours later … the scout for the LA area told me, 'Yep, congratulations, you're going to be a Milwaukee Brewer.'"

 

Cotto signed with the Brewers on June 17 and started playing with Helena two days later. After swiping just seven bags in three full seasons at USC, the Puerto Rico native has 11 stolen bases in nine games this season.

 

"It was different at USC; we didn't have the green-light system there. Here, I would say pitchers seemed to be a little bit slower to the plate. They're slower to the plate, but they throw harder," he said. "I just wanted to be aggressive base running like always. [Helena manager] Tony [Diggs] is really big on that, with a green light.

 

"Basically everyone has a green light on the team, so he's big on being aggressive. I was just trying to do my part and just take advantage of the speed I have."

 

Cotto went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a walk, while also reaching on a forceout, so he had ample opportunity to race around the basepaths. The switch-hitter didn't realize he registered five swipes until hitting coach Jason Dubois mentioned it in a postgame recap.

 

"I thought two of them were only given as wild pitches, so in my head, I thought I only had three. And I was happy with that," he said. "And then [Dubois] mentioned I had five stolen bases today and I was like, 'Wow.'"

 

With his three singles against Billings, Cotto boosted his average to .308. The outfielder has struck out just four times this season and has yet to be caught stealing.

 

"I just take it one day at a time, playing or not playing. I try to just get better and just work on the small things, because there's always room to improve every day," he said. "I'm excited. There's no words to explain how I feel because it was a tough year. I just feel really blessed to have this opportunity."

 

Cotto's big night helped make a winner out of Milton Gomez (1-0). The right-hander allowed a run on three hits and two walks while striking out four in five frames.

 

Billings reliever Franderlyn Romero (1-1) yielded four runs -- two earned -- on four hits and three walks while fanning one in 3 2/3 innings.